Team Policies & Expectations

1. EMAILING TEACHERS: As 6th graders, students are expected to contact teachers directly with questions, comments, or concerns. An email etiquette lesson will be part of the first few days of school, and we will ask students to rewrite emails and send them again if appropriate etiquette is not followed. If you email your teacher, please check your email to see how we respond. We DO reply! :)

   • Parents, please know that we are stressing the importance of self-advocacy this year. However, we are more than happy to hear from you! Please help us support your students by encouraging them to contact teachers first. If follow-up contact is needed or you have a question or concern beyond your child's level of "need to know," we are here for you as well. We are trying to help your child learn to communicate effectively with the adults in their life and teach them that writing for different audiences requires different formatting, tone, and formality.

   • USE A PLANNER to keep track of all assignments! We encourage students to use the school-provided planner; however, if you have a store-bought organizer or prefer to type assignments and due dates into your phone, we will happily accommodate you.

   • CHECK YOUR GRADES! The student must do this at least once a week and consult the teacher if they have any concerns. We will teach the students how to do this in class and during Advisement, and we will provide them with time each week to check their grades and record/report them on their Bank. Infinite Campus Link

   • ABSENCES: The Nokota Team and Cimarron policy allows for 1 day, plus the number of absent days, to make up assignments without a late penalty. It is the student’s responsibility to…

   • Check Google Classroom BEFORE returning to class.

   • Please ensure that you record any missed work in your planner.

   • Complete any missing assignments that can be completed independently

   • Follow up with any teachers as necessary

   • Utilize options such as:

   • Colts Community (a class period at the end of the day where students can receive direct support from their teachers)

   • Colts Club (FREE TUTORING by 7th and 8th grade National Junior Honor Society peers and at least one teacher, offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays unless otherwise noted, in the Library Media Center - aka the LMC)

   • Access Time or Lunch Bunch (students can come in during their Access - aka recess time - and/or during their lunchtime to meet with teachers for support, to complete missing work, to get extra help, etc., in a stress-free environment - essentially individualized or minimal group personalized instruction time) 

   • Scheduling additional support time with teachers as offered, either before or after school

   • LATE WORK POLICY: Any assignment past two weeks late will not be accepted for credit and will be given a grade of "0" since it was not completed. All work habits assignments that are turned in after the assigned due date and time will receive a lower work habits grade and will also be evaluated based on the quality of the work.

***The Nokota Team understands some exceptions occur outside of a student's control. These will be dealt with individually to best meet the needs of students. Please get in touch with us if an extenuating circumstance warrants an exception for your child.

6. RETAKES: This opportunity varies by teacher and the specific assignment or assessment. For more information, please refer to the specific policies of each class.

7. CELL PHONES & HEADPHONES/AIR PODS/EARBUDS: Phones will be in backpacks and turned off. They are only to be used with the teacher’s approval. All headphones, AirPods, and earbuds should remain in backpacks (not in pockets or shirts) unless otherwise approved by a teacher within that particular core class.

8. TARDIES: Students should be in their seats with supplies out when class starts. Please allow yourself enough time to arrive at school before 7:50 am. If your child arrives late, they must check in with the front office to get a pass to class. Tardies impact class time and sets a negative tone if it occurs regularly. Please give your child the best start to their day by arriving with enough time so they won't feel rushed or behind.

9. SUBSTITUTES: Team Nokota has a "zero tolerance policy" for negative behaviors with substitute teachers. If a child’s name is left for a negative reason, they will get a phone call home. Likewise, we would love to share how helpful your child was as a substitute and will make every effort to contact you to share the positives!

10. BATHROOM: Students have approximately 4 minutes between each core, and they are expected to use this time wisely rather than using class time for restroom breaks. We ask that students refrain from using the restroom during the first 10 or last 10 minutes of class to make sure they don't miss any content or directions.

11. READING BOOK: Students should always have a reading book with them. The LMC is available for students to check out books, and Ms. Mendelsohn will also have books available for students to borrow as needed.