Forms & Policies

The parent required forms for the 2020-2021 school are bundled together in a Google Form this year. They include the Student Code of Conduct, the NWSA Academic Probation Policy, Dress Code, and the Computer Use Agreement. Please review and sign these using this link [bit.ly/NWSA20202forms].

Code of Student Conduct: Student Rights, Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook

If a student fails ANY two or more classes they will be placed on Academic Probation when the quarter ends. Student and parent/guardian are notified by each teacher of record for class that student is failing.

Students on Academic Probation may not participate in extra activities. This includes but not limited to dances, field trips (unless they are for adjudication/MPA), school clubs, non-required curricular performances, any before or after school programs that are non-tutoring programs.

Students cast in non-required shows but prior to show taking place that are placed on Academic Probation will not be allowed to perform. Arts Teachers are HIGHLY encouraged to send their casts list to entire staff for vetting and possible red flags so that a plan can be put in place for student academic achievement of goals.

It goes without saying that students in danger of failing for a quarter should have received the expected communications from Teachers both academic and arts, and that a D or a failing grade should not be a surprise to either student nor parent. Please remember that parents/guardians/students have 24/7 access to viewing teacher gradebooks via PowerSchool. Parent Portal https://cms.powerschool.com. Students should be encouraged to seek all appropriate opportunities to remedy their academic needs.

For Students:

Students can find PowerSchool will help them identify assignments or assessments they need to prepare for or even items they need to ask their teachers about. It also allows for users to monitor attendance and other important notes on student records. Students are encouraged to use PowerSchool! It is a great way for them to be responsible for their own progress.

For Parents/Guardians:

Parents/Guardians will find that PowerSchool will help them to identify assignments and assessments they can help their students with (especially the younger students.) Like students, parents will find it useful in monitoring attendance and other important notes on student records. In addition, PowerSchool is a powerful communication tool for teachers helping them to communicate to parents/guardians the progress of their students. Parents are encouraged to use PowerSchool!

PowerSchool accounts are available to current students and families enrolled in CMS. If you do not have access to your PowerSchool account please contact Mrs. Warren (Registrar) 980-343-5500

1. All students are required to wear appropriate footwear for school (no slippers).

2. All shirts and tops must cover the midriff at all times. The following are examples of clothing that is unacceptable: tank tops w/ straps thinner than 2 inches, strapless, spaghetti straps, off-the-shoulder, cut-out designs, low-cut shirts, bare-back, sheer or mesh clothing that does not have an appropriate blouse or shirt underneath, etc. Boys must wear shirts with sleeves.

3. All pants and shorts must fit at the waist. No sagging or low riding will be permitted. Clothing must cover undergarments when sitting, standing, or bending.

4. Hemlines and slits on dresses, skirts, and shorts above mid-thigh are not acceptable. Length cannot be shorter than the tip of the fingers when arms are placed straight at the sides of the body.

5. No head wear (including scarves, bandanas, or other head dressings) unless for religious observance.

6. Clothing and hair accessories that are unsafe and/or dangerous are not permitted.

7. Clothing or jewelry that depicts any “gang style” writing; illegal activity; sexually related or obscene gestures and material; tobacco; drugs; alcohol; or words, pictures, or phrases that depicts violence or intimidation may not be worn.

8. Any clothing or styles of dress that may be construed to provoke fear, violence, or intimidation, including gang-related attire, is not acceptable.

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for all teachers in grading student progress.

• All activities that occur during an evaluation period must be considered for evaluation.

• Assessed activities may include homework, class work, class participation, performances, projects, reports, quizzes, and tests.

• Students must be assessed by comprehensive exam at the midterm (semester), and at the end of each course in both the middle and high school. Middle School midterm exams will be recorded in the grade book as a formal assessment. The end-of-year or final exam may be a teacher made exam, North Carolina exam, EOG exam (End-of-Grade), or End-of-Course exam (EOC).

• Teachers will grade assessed activities using the following percentages:

High School - 70% formal assessments (tests, projects, performances, portfolio)

30% informal assessments (homework, class work, quiz)

Middle School – 65% formal assessments (tests, projects, reports)

35% informal assessments (homework, quiz, class work, notebook checks)

Note: Formal and informal activities are not limited to this list.

● A minimum of four (4) common formal assessments for 4X4 classes and two (2) for A/B classes aligned to content standards must be evaluated in each class and recorded for each evaluation period (quarter, semester, and end-of-year).

● Assessments must be standards-based and measure students’ level of mastery (80%).

● All projects and class participation grades must be graded by a rubric that has been shared with students and parents (paper copy, web page) prior to the assessments and/or assignment.

● All graded assignments must be aligned with content standards. Parent signatures, bringing in classroom supplies, and/ or can goods are not acceptable grades. ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE ALIGNED WITH COURSE STANDARDS.

● Students must be provided the opportunity to retest on any formal assessment where mastery (80%) has not been demonstrated. The student must arrange with the teacher for retesting WITHIN 5 DAYS OF THE ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT. The opportunity to retest is provided “ONLY” after remediation (tutoring, re-looping, or reteaching). The highest score on a retest will be 80%.

● Students who miss homework or other assignments or due dates because of absences (excused or unexcused) must be allowed to make-up the work. Only students with excused absences will receive full credit for late assignments made up within 5 school days of their return to school. In all circumstances, late work will be accepted and graded even when turned in after the due date with a maximum grade of 50%.

● Student work must be evaluated and grades must be recorded in PowerSchool in a timely manner (within 5 school days of the original due date).

● Grades will not be used in a punitive manner.

● Students must receive an initial score earned for an assignment or attempted assessment. Students must receive a “zero” (0) for an assignment or assessment on which the student made no attempt.

The following grading scale will apply to both Middle and High School:

90-100 = A

80 - 89 = B

70 - 79 = C

60-69=D

0 - 59 = F

Grade Point Average calculations will be applied as follows:

A: 90 – 100 = 4.0

B: 80 - 89 = 3.0

C: 70 - 79 = 2.0

D:60- 69=1.0

F: <59

Purpose

Students will be provided with a school-owned computer and charging cord for the sole purpose of completing school-related assignments. Internet access is provided for free on any CMS campus or at any Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Student and Parent Responsibilities

• Students must use the computer responsibly by only visiting school appropriate websites. Please note filtering is applied on and off the CMS Network. Repeated negative care for your Chromebook could result in having your take-home privilege revoked.

• Parents are responsible for immediately notifying a school administrator if the computer is stolen while away from school so that the school resource officer can file a police report.

• Student and parents understand that only a CMS issued Gmail account can be used to access the Chromebook.

• The CMS issued Chromebook and charging cord will be returned prior to the end of the current school year or upon withdrawing or withdrawal from the school.

• Repeated violations of CMS issued Chromebooks could result in loss of take home privilege. This includes but is not limited to: failure to bring the Chromebook to school, repeated destruction or repeated loss of Chromebook, as well as inappropriate technology usage. Just as with CMS issued textbooks, students are asked to treat computers with care including:

• Never leaving the computer in extreme temperatures.

• Never allowing food or drink to be consumed near the computer.

• Never attempting to repair a computer without consulting authorized school personnel.

• Never downloading unauthorized software onto the computer.

School Responsibilities

Teachers will ensure that students understand how to properly care for their device. Teachers will inform students about acceptable use policies. The district will periodically and without warning monitor the historical activity on the computer.