Arrival at School
The school day is from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students may enter the building at 7:55 a.m. to go to the cafeteria, gym, or Pinkney-Murkey Media Center. Students will not be allowed to go to any teacher's classroom without a written pass. Band and orchestra students are permitted to place their instruments in the storage room, however students are not permitted to linger in the band room if no adult is present. At the sound of the bell at 8:05 a.m., students may go to their lockers. All students must be in class and ready to work by 8:15 a.m.
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential for good schoolwork. Each student is urged to build good attendance habits. The attendance secretary will call parents using the Connect-Ed system when students are absent. If unexcused absences continue, a parent conference will be scheduled to determine next steps, including referral to the pupil personnel worker. Students may be referred to the pupil personnel worker, then to an Attendance Matters meeting and ultimately to the Truancy Review Board (TRB). Students may not leave school grounds once they have arrived at school. This is considered skipping / cutting and will result in a consequence.
Absence from School
In case of an absence, a written statement dated and signed by the parent/guardian or an email from the parent/guardian stating the reason for the absence must be presented to the attendance secretary within (3) days of the student’s return to school. Absences will only be considered excused under the following circumstances: illness of student, doctor’s appointment, death in the immediate family, court summons, activity/work approved or sponsored by the school, or observance of a religious holiday. A student is counted present for a full day if he or she is in attendance four hours or more of the school day. A student is counted present for ½ day if in attendance for at least two hours of the school day, but less than four hours. If a student is absent from school, the student cannot participate in after school or evening activities.
After-School Activities
During the school year, there are many after-school activities in which students may participate. Students must be under a staff member’s supervision to remain on school property after the end of the school day. Students who stay for an after-school activity should report directly to that activity and arrive no later than 3:10 p.m. All of the school rules apply to after-school activities. Students will lose the privilege of staying after school and riding the activity bus after the second referral for inappropriate behavior. Students who stay after school without supervision will not be permitted to ride the activity bus. Students who do not ride the activity bus must be picked up by the time the main office closes at 4:30 p.m.
Activity Bus
An activity bus will leave school at 4:30 p.m. on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. However, the activity bus will not be available on MCPS scheduled half-days or the day before a school holiday. Activity buses can only be used by students who are normally bus riders and who remain after school for supervised extra-curricular activities. Students must be respectful of all students and adults while riding the bus, otherwise their bus riding privileges will be revoked.
Awards & Student Recognition
In early September, students will attend grade level Expectations of Excellence assemblies where they learn about the standards for achievement at Rosa Parks as well as the strategies necessary to meet those standards. Students are expected to set goals for their achievement at the beginning of the school year & monitor their progress on reaching those goals.
Throughout the year, students can be nominated for recognition through the Student-of-the-Month programs. Students are recognized for Student-of-the-Month for academic achievement and outstanding effort, as well as being a PE star, Arts/Tech Star, and World Language Star. These students also exhibit character traits that include our core values: honesty, responsibility, respect, and perspective.
Throughout the school year, students attend grade level assemblies where they receive recognition and awards for their hard work and positive character. Some of the awards presented at the last assembly are:
1) President’s Award for Educational Excellence – This award is given to eighth grade students who have had a GPA of 3.5 or higher since the sixth grade and who have earned a score of “Advanced” on Maryland State Assessments taken at Rosa Parks.
2) Principal’s Writing Award – These award recipients are chosen by the English teachers on each team based on students’ skills at writing multi-paragraph essays, well-structured paragraphs, and written responses on formative and summative assessments.
3) Grade Level Awards – Students can be nominated for these awards by their peers or by their team of teachers. Grade level awards generally recognize students who model the four core values of the school, while meeting high academic standards.
Bicycles
Students may ride bicycles to school, but must wear helmets. For safety reasons, once on school property, students should walk their bikes to and from the bike rack. Bikes are to be locked in the bike rack. Students must provide a chain lock to secure the bicycle when it is ridden to school.
Coats, Hats, Backpacks, and Lockers
Students will place their backpacks, coats, and hats in their lockers when they arrive at school. Coats, hats, and backpacks are not permitted in classrooms. Students should keep a sweater/sweatshirt in their locker in case they get cold in class. Students need to take the necessary materials with them to class for at least three class periods. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged textbooks, cell phones, or other personal property kept in student lockers or elsewhere. Students are not permitted to share lockers. Students are also not permitted to decorate the outside of lockers (due to fire code regulations). Remember, students should not give their combinations to anyone—not even their best friends.
Computer Use
Use of school computers must be for educational purposes only. MCPS security tracks students’ online activity. Students who make inappropriate web searches or attempt to break through the school system’s firewall to access inappropriate sites will be referred directly to the principal. Students should never give their login and password to others. Students should never leave their computers unattended without logging out.
Students at Rosa Parks Middle School will be assigned Chromebooks for use in school. Students are solely responsible for the Chromebooks issued to them and must adhere to all guidelines/rules. Additional expectations for computer and technology use are found in the technology handbook.
Dance Expectations
The dress code at dances and other school activities is the same as during the school day.
All dance tickets must be purchased by the student who will attend the dance. No tickets can be purchased for other students. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are not sold at the door. Students must arrive within one hour of the start of the dance and must be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of the dance. Students who are not picked up during the 15-minute window will not be permitted to come to the next school dance. Students from other schools are not permitted to attend Rosa Parks’ dances.
Delayed Opening
When the decision is made to delay the opening of school due to weather conditions or other emergencies, announcements will be made by radio or TV stations no later than 6:00 a.m. Information will also be available on the MCPS website: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/ In order for us to keep our phone lines clear for emergencies, we ask that parents and students refrain from calling the school.
Early Departures
Students who wish to leave early during the school day must bring a note signed by their parent/guardian to the attendance secretary at the beginning of the school day stating the time of departure and the reason. Students must sign out in the main office before they leave. If a student does not bring a note, parents should allow ten minutes or more for the student to report to the main office.
Eligibility Requirements for Participation in Extracurricular Activities
1. Extracurricular activities are school-sanctioned events which:
a. meet outside the school hours of 8:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
b. are not required as part of course objectives
2. Academic eligibility is the right to participate for a nine-week period or portion thereof. In order for a student to be eligible to participate for a nine-week (45 school days) period, Montgomery County policy states, "students in Grade 6 through 12 must maintain a 2.0 average with no more than one E (failure) in the previous marking period to be eligible to participate in any activity representing the school or hold an office in any school-sponsored organization.”
3. Students must submit a medical evaluation certifying that they are physically fit to participate as a member of a team. A medical examination is valid for two calendar years from the date of the physical.
4. In addition, there is a $30.00 annual participation fee.
Field Trips
Teachers may extend the learning experience beyond the classroom and take advantage of opportunities in the surrounding area or participate in virtual field trips. Plays, movies, museums, and special events may thus become a part of our curriculum. When a trip is offered to students, parents and students will be notified in writing at least one month before the event. Included in the notification will be any special rules and regulations, time of the trip, cost to students, and special arrangements for lunch, etc. Parents are encouraged to pay any field trip fees online. However, when students bring money to school for field trips, it should be in the form of a check. Students who behave inappropriately will not be allowed to attend non-academic activities or field trips.
Fire Drills and Emergency Practices
Fire drills and other emergency drills (lockdown, shelter-in-place, and weather emergency) are carried out each year to ensure the safety of students and staff in emergency situations. Instructions are posted in every classroom, and teachers will explain emergency procedures to be followed in each classroom. Students are required to be silent and orderly during all emergency procedures. Students who fail to participate appropriately in emergency drills will receive a consequence.
Grading Policy
Rosa Parks Middle School uses the standard county report card. Letter grades are issued in all subjects. Students are graded on objectives set forth by MCPS curriculum. Report cards are distributed four times during the school year and will be available in Synergy on the following dates: November 9, 2023, February 5, 2024, April 17, 2024, and June 21, 2024.
Students and parents are encouraged to meet with teachers directly to discuss strategies for improving grades.
Health Room
The health room is open to students from 7:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Except for emergencies, a pass is required to be admitted. If a student requires daily medication, an appropriate form must be filled out and signed by both the parent and the physician. The form can be found at this link:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/525-13.pdf No medication will be administered in the health room without this form.
Homework
Homework is an integral part of the instructional process. It reinforces, enriches, and enhances instruction and encourages families to become more involved with education. Each teacher’s course expectations handout will include a statement about the purpose of homework for that class. Homework may be assigned regularly and is due on the designated due date and/or deadline. There are two categories for homework: homework for practice and homework for mastery.
Homework Procedures for Extended Absences
In the case of an extended absence (three or more consecutive days), a parent/guardian should contact the counseling secretary at 240-740-3310 or via email. This work will be available the next day after 2:00 p.m.
Interim Reports
Interims for all students will be available to parents via ParentVue. Interims will be available on the following dates: October 13, 2022, December 21, 2022, March 9, 2023, and May 19, 2023.
Parents without active ParentVue accounts will receive an interim report in the mail approximately 5 weeks into each quarter.
Lost and Found
It is important that students label their coats, sweatshirts, hats and other clothing articles that are easily left behind. The lost and found is located in the cafeteria. Eyeglasses, cell phones, calculators, jewelry, and keys are turned into the main office. Please check for lost items during lunch. At the end of each quarter (November, January, April, June) unclaimed items in the lost and found are donated to charity.
Lunch
To encourage good nutrition, lunches include a main dish, salad or vegetable, bread, dessert, and milk. Breakfast and lunch are available to all students at no cost. Free or reduced price lunches are available to students whose family incomes meet U.S. Government guidelines. Early in the school year, application forms will be distributed to take home. If family circumstances change at any time during the school year, new forms can be obtained from the counseling office.
Students are expected to arrive in the cafeteria on time to avoid disruption to other classes that remain in session. During lunch, students must take a bathroom pass and sign out prior to going to the restrooms located across from the band room. Students can request passes to the Media Center during lunch. Students will not be permitted to go to a teacher unless they show a pass that they obtained from the teacher prior to lunch.
Appropriate behavior is expected in the cafeteria at all times. Throwing food will not be tolerated at any time (see discipline policy).
Students are not permitted to have birthday parties at school. No balloons or gifts should be brought to the cafeteria.
Food and beverages are not to be consumed in hallways or classrooms unless it is a teacher-directed activity. Food is not permitted in the gymnasium at any time. Whenever food is consumed, all litter is to be placed in a wastebasket, and recyclables must be placed in the appropriate container. The cafeteria tables and floor and all other designated eating areas are to be left in a clean condition for others.
Depending on the weather and the availability of outdoor courts, students may be permitted to participate in lunchtime recreation activities during the second half of lunch. Lunchtime recreation is a privilege that will be discontinued if students misbehave, are physically aggressive, or fail to clean up their cafeteria tables.
Promotion Policy
A student who passes three out of the four academic subjects (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) will be promoted to the next grade. If a student fails math and/or English, then one of those subjects must be made up during the summer session. A student who fails three of the four academic subjects for the school year may not be promoted to the next grade.
Skateboards/Rollerblades/Heelys
Skateboards, rollerblades, and/or Heelys may not be used on school property at any time.
Substitute Teachers
There will be times during the school year when a substitute teacher will be in the classroom in place of the regular classroom teacher. Students are expected to treat these teachers with the same respect as the regular classroom teacher and staff members.
Tardiness to School
All students must be in class ready to work by the sound of the bell at 8:15 a.m. each day. Students who arrive in class after 8:15 a.m. must register with the attendance secretary and obtain an admit slip. Tardy slips will be considered unexcused unless an email or a written statement, dated and signed by a parent/guardian, is submitted with one of the following reasons: illness of student, doctor’s appointment, death in the immediate family, court summons, activity/work approved or sponsored by the school, or observance of a religious holiday. When a student is tardy to school more than 5 times, his/her parent will receive written notification. If tardiness continues, a parent conference will be scheduled to determine next steps, including referral to Pupil Personnel Worker.
Telephones
In case of an emergency, parents/guardians may get in touch with a student by calling the main office at 240-740-3300 and leaving a message with the secretary. Although students cannot be called away from class to answer the telephone, in cases of emergency, every effort will be made to deliver the message as soon as possible. If an urgent matter comes up during the school day and students need to call their parents, they can ask for adult permission to use the phone in the main office during lunch or after school. Students are not allowed to use cell phones, however they have access to a phone in the main office.
Three-Ring Notebook
Since students have many different subjects and teachers at Rosa Parks, organization is essential. Teachers will assist students with this organization by developing a consistent and systematic procedure for keeping all class work together. Therefore, students are encouraged to have a three-ring notebook that contains the following:
Plastic zippered pencil holder with holes to attach to notebook rings (#2 pencils, blue or black pens, eraser, highlighter, and calculator)
Dividers
Student Assignment Book/Handbook
Loose leaf paper
Earphones (optional)
There may be additional suggestions for each individual class.
Transportation
All students riding buses must ride their assigned bus unless an administrator has granted prior approval for a change. Students who wish to ride a different bus must present a note from a parent or guardian to a member of the security or administrative team by lunchtime on the specified day. If there is room on the requested bus, the security team member or administrator will sign the note and make arrangements with the driver. Drivers are not permitted to carry unscheduled students without administrative approval. Drivers are never permitted to make stops outside of those designated for their route.
Parent Automobiles - Only school buses are permitted to enter the front driveway between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Parents providing private transportation for students must enter through the side parking lot and pick-up section.
Access Control System and Visitor Management System
Parents are always welcome to come and visit the school. Monitoring all visitors who come to the school is a top priority to ensure that students and staff members are safe. Our front entrance has an Access Control System (ACS). The ACS consists of a surveillance camera installed at the school’s main entrance with a second camera at another entrance. Signs will direct visitors to push a button to alert main office staff of their arrival. A remote locking system, controlled from the main office, will allow entry into the building during the period between students’ morning arrival times and afternoon dismissal times. When visitors arrive during these times, they will be prompted to press an alert button at the main entrance. Office staff will communicate with the visitor and provide controlled entry into the school.
All visitors must report to the main office to sign in and receive a guest pass before going into the building. In order to receive a guest pass, all visitors must present a valid photo identification. The i.d. will be scanned into our Visitor Management System.
Arrangements should be made in advance for parents to observe in classes or meet with staff members or teams. This can be done by calling the counseling office or by emailing the team leader. Students may not bring guests to school.
Visiting procedures are subject to change based on CDC and MCPS guidelines.