St. Clare Walker Middle School

 ST. CLARE WALKER MIDDLE SCHOOL

6814 General Puller Hwy., P.O. Box 9

Locust Hill, VA 23092

Office (804) 758-2561, Fax (804)-758-0229

Dr. Elizabeth Sanders, Principal

Brittin Payne, Assistant Principal

Office Hours: 7:45-4:00

School Hours: 8:15-3:15

PHILOSOPHY

The community of St. Clare Walker Middle School, which includes faculty, administration, and parents, recognizes that every child entrusted to our care is a unique individual.  Each child comes to us at a different stage of growth – socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.  With these differences in mind, we will challenge the child to reach his or her maximum potential in all areas of growth.  The child will be able to mature in a protective, trusting, child-centered environment that understands and meets the needs of early adolescence.

While concentrating on the core curriculum of language arts, math, social studies, science, and physical education as essential to the middle school program, we realize that each student has different needs to be fulfilled.  By complementing our core curriculum with the exploratory arts program, we will endeavor to meet those needs in a climate that encourages students to explore the many facets of the world around them.  In addition, we recognize the importance of extra-curricular activities and offer a variety of clubs and sports appropriate for middle grades students.

The school community will be molding the future of our democratic nation because our students of today are our leaders of tomorrow.  St. Clare Walker Middle School will provide a caring atmosphere of acceptance, understanding, and respect for students while helping them make a smooth transition from elementary to high school as they move through early adolescence.  Every child will be given the opportunity to learn, to understand, to grow, and to realize his or her potential.

WHO IS JOHN HENRY ST. CLARE WALKER?

John Henry St. Clare Walker was born in 1876 in Middlesex County as one of 15 children. There were no schools for black children in those days, but he learned to read and gained a passion for learning. St. Clare Walker joined the army and received two degrees in Education from Hampton Institute. He returned to Middlesex County where he created the county’s first school for black students as a teacher for 20 years, and then became an administrator for an additional 20 years. We are honored to carry on his namesake as we look to instill his passion for education, and his courage and dedication to make this world a better place for all who walk into St. Clare Walker Middle School.

ATTENDANCE

Punctual and regular attendance is extremely important to your child’s success in middle school. Please plan for your child to be at school on time every day during the school year. Our school day does not end until 3:15 each day and students will not be dismissed unless it is for an appointment.  

If your child arrives after 8:15 am, you must sign them in using the computer located in the vestibule.

If you are picking your child up early, you must sign your child out using the computer located in the vestibule. 

Unexcused or excessive absences exceeding 5 days or more may result in the development of an attendance plan during a scheduled attendance conference with school administration and truancy officer. Excessive tardies and/or early dismissals may result in a referral to school administration and truancy officer. 

GRADING, TEACHER CLASSROOM POLICY

St. Clare Walker Middle School consistently maintains excellence through a learning community that is relevant, challenging, integrative, and exploratory.  As your child’s teachers, we are committed to doing everything we can to help your child succeed.  To ensure students are receiving the required content, it is necessary to assess progress and understanding.  This assessment can be in the form of tests, projects, quizzes, class work, including labs, or journals.  We want to make sure you and your child understand our general grading procedures, which are outlined here.

Percentages and Categories:

● Summative Assessments (60%)

     ○  Unit Tests, Major Assessments, Major Tasks, Presentations, Final PBAs, Essays, Research Projects/Papers

● Progress Assessments (40%)

     ○ Mini tasks, Daily Assignments, Purposeful Independent Practice, Quizzes, Quick Writing Assignments, Exit Tickets, Blog Entries, Quick Checks, Individual PBA Components

*Please note that this is a weighted average and, therefore, cannot be figured by adding the grades together and dividing by the total number.  Actual averages are reflected on midterm reports and report cards.

More specific and detailed information about class requirements will be provided by your child’s teacher on the first day of school.

Report Cards

History, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Band classes operate on quarters (9 weeks per quarter). Report cards will be sent home every nine weeks, which is four times a year.

EA/PE classes including Art, Career and Life Readiness, Health/Physical Education, and Technology operate on trimesters (12 weeks per trimester). Report Cards will be sent home every 12 weeks, which is three times a year. 

Power School is the most accurate way to check your child’s grades. Canvas is simply a place for your child to submit assignments and may not have record of paper/pencil assignments. If at any time you have a question or concern, do not hesitate to contact any one of your child’s teachers.  Your child’s teacher should be your first line of communication if you have a question or concern about a specific class or assignment.  Meetings can be arranged during teacher’s planning periods by contacting that teacher directly. If you require a meeting with the grade level team, this can also be arranged through any one of your child’s teachers.

CELL PHONE/SMART WATCH 

Cell phones, Smart Watches, or other mobile communication devices cannot be used during the instructional day. Devices must be turned off, put away, and out of sight at all times during the instructional day, including, but not limited to while in classrooms, cafeterias, hallways, offices, locker rooms, restrooms, and during class activities outdoors. Communication devices must be in a student’s locker, backpack or other personal bag (not visible) and turned off while students are at school. 

All forms of electronic devices not properly stored according to this protocol will be immediately confiscated by school personnel. 

• First Offense:  Phone is brought to the office for the student to pick up at the end of the day.   Parent/Guardian will be notified of this first offense.   

• Second Offense: Parent/Guardian must pick up the device in the office during school hours:  7:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

• Third Offense: Parent/Guardian must pick up the device during school hours and the student loses the right to have the phone in their possession while in school.

MCPS school personnel are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items that are prohibited pursuant to this protocol. 

CURRICULUM OFFERINGS

6th Grade                                7th Grade                                           8th Grade

U.S. History I                        U.S. History II                                     Civics and Economics

Grade 6 Science                      Life Science                                         Physical Science

Language Arts                       Language Arts                                    Language Arts

PLUS Language Arts             PLUS   Language Arts                       PLUS Language Arts

Math 6                                      Math 7                                                  Math 8

Career & Life Readiness        Career & Life Readiness        Career & Life Readiness

PE/Health                               PE/Health                                    PE/Health

Exploratory Arts                    Exploratory Arts                                 Exploratory Arts

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

All students are required to participate in a physical education class.  Students are required to wear proper footwear (high heels, Crocs, boots, flip flops, and bare feet are not permissible) during physical education classes.  Any family who requires assistance in obtaining proper attire for physical education should contact the school counselor.  Failure of a student to actively participate in this class may be treated in the same manner as failure to participate in any other required subject.

A notice from a physician is required when a student is unable to participate in PE for an indefinite or extended period of time. Alternative assignments for physical education will be provided during this time. 

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

We are excited to begin the new school year and look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s academic and social success. Your child’s teachers will be focusing on delivering rigorous and engaging academic content; the counselor is excited to work on the social and emotional growth that happens during the middle school years. 

At St. Clare Walker we use a three-tier approach to ensure that interventions are offered to match the level of need of every student.

Tier 1: Interventions that apply generally to all students. 

Hawks Circles: Hawks Circles are teacher-facilitated discussion circles that serve as opportunities to practice communication and problem-solving skills and build positive peer connections. 

SOAR Cards: Students demonstrating academic success and characteristics of Safety, Ownership, Attitude, and Respect will be rewarded with additional freedoms and rewards. 

Tier 2: Interventions designed to meet the needs or concerns of groups. 

Group: Students will be invited, when appropriate, to participate in small group instruction to further enhance social/emotional skills. Groups will be brief (typically 4-6 meetings) and scheduled during lunch or WIN block whenever possible to prevent loss of instructional time. Topics may include (but are not limited to):

Fostering Courage, Kindness, and Empathy

Dealing with Conflict

Mindfulness and Self Care

Organization and Study Skills

Making Friends and Being A Friend

Tier 3: Individual Interventions

On-going Individual meetings with the counselor are available and appropriate when a student requires individualized emotional or mental health support to navigate the school day successfully. This level of intervention requires close coordination with parents/guardians and outside mental health providers when such services are in place. 

All students participate in Tier 1 Interventions. If your child is selected to participate in a Tier 2 group or is believed to require Tier 3 support, you will be notified.  Parents/guardians can withdraw consent at any time by sending a note or calling the SCW Counselor.   

ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBERS AND MOVING

Please complete the emergency form information for each child attending SCW.  Additionally, if you move within the county or change your phone number please update this information with the office immediately. This information is our only source for contacting parents or guardians in an emergency situation, and it is imperative it is updated with the school. If your family moves outside of the school division, please contact the office with this information, return your child's Chrombook,  library books, and pay any remaining fees.

BUS/CAR RIDER CHANGES

We are unable to make any changes to your child's bus transportation.

Car Rider Drop-Off

Sixth grade car riders should be dropped off in the front loop using the main entrance off of General Puller Highway.

Seventh and eighth grade car riders should be dropped off in the front parking lot (turn left upon entering the main entrance off of General Puller Highway). **Please pull up to the designated drop off/pick up sign.

Car Rider Pick-Up

Sixth grade car riders should be picked up in the front loop using the main entrance off of General Puller Highway.

Seventh grade car riders should be picked up in the front parking lot (turn left upon entering the main entrance off of General Puller Highway). **Please pull up to the designated drop off/pick up sign.

Eighth grade car riders should be picked up at the 8th grade doors (turn off of Philpot and into the back parking lot).

VISITORS AND PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Visitors must seek administrator's permission. 

We sincerely encourage parent/guardian visitors to SCW and know that the best schools have active parent involvement! That said, the safety of our students is a priority for our school and our school division, so we must establish orderly procedures to make sure we have identified all visitors.

In order to protect the safety of our students and ensure the maximum engagement in the learning environment, the following procedures must be followed at all times:

1)      Upon entering the vestibule, visitors are required to sign in using the visitor management system to obtain a visitor's pass and then report directly to the main office. *A photo ID is required for visitors. 

2)      Visitors will be escorted by school staff to their destination.

3)      When visiting SCW for any school sponsored event, photography and recording (video or audio) of other students is not permitted.

WIN (What I Need)

The WIN period is provided to offer remediation, enrichment and extra-curricular club activities for all students.  Students with identified skill deficits in any academic area will be assigned a WIN schedule that provides support in these areas.

CLUBS

There are various club opportunities for students at SCW. The list below may not capture all clubs, as the options vary from year to year based on student interest.

Builders Club

*National Junior Honor Society

SCW News Show Club

STEM Club

Student Council Association

Technology Student Association

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

The National Junior Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1929.  The National Junior Honor Society chapter at St. Clare Walker Middle School expects all student members to maintain the standards used in the selection process.  Members failing to maintain all 5 standards will have their membership reviewed by the NJHS committee.  Members who do not meet the standards and expectations of the National Junior Honor Society may be disciplined by the society’s committee and may have their membership revoked.  The option to apply to the St. Clare Walker Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society is by invitation only.  The committee selects students who have excelled in all five areas designated by the National Junior Honor Society Constitution:  scholarship (minimum 3.75 GPA), leadership, service, citizenship, and character.

SOAR (Safety, Ownership, Attitude, Respect)

St. Clare Walker has adopted Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).  Staff members have identified a set of school-wide values and behavior expectations to better teach and model appropriate behaviors to our students.  The acronym SOAR will be a common focus throughout all areas of the school.