Academics & Extracurriculars

Cheating undermines the spirit of fairness and the joy of achievement after diligent work.  Cheating and plagiarism will be addressed by the teacher responsible for grading the material in question with support of the administrative team.  A grade of zero may be assigned for the material as well as disciplinary action may be taken for the disruption to the educational process. Please be aware of the plagiarism information and policy located on the school’s website.

Board Policy 123 - Interscholastic Athletics 

610-437-5081, ext. 1816

Intramural and interscholastic athletic activities are available to all students. Additional information, including the Code of Conduct, is available online and in the Athletic Office. 

School rules and good sportsmanship apply.

Poor sportsmanship may cause the event to be forfeited and the citation of our school by the league and/or the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.  Fans exhibiting unsportsmanlike behavior may be ejected from the venue.

Policy on Sportsmanship:

The ideals of good sportsmanship, ethical behavior, and integrity permeate our culture.  The values of good citizenship and high behavioral standards apply equally to all activity disciplines.  In perception and practice, good sportsmanship shall be defined as those qualities of behavior which are characterized by generosity and genuine concern for others.  Further, awareness is expected of the impact of an individual’s influence on the behavior of others.  Good sportsmanship is viewed by the EPC as a concrete measure of the understanding and commitment to fail play, ethical behavior, and integrity.  The EPC and its member schools reserve the right to eject any spectators whose conduct is detrimental to good sportsmanship.  Misbehavior at sporting events may lead to prosecution or school disciplinary actions.

Student Participants:

• Treat opponents with respect; shake hands prior to and after contests as indicated by the sport’s protocol.

• Respect the judgment of contest officials, abide by contest rules, and display no behavior that could incite the fans.

• Cooperate with officials, coaches, and fellow participants to conduct a fair contest.

• Accept seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing school and community.

Spirit Groups:

• Lead desired crowd response using only positive cheers, sign, and praise without demeaning or antagonizing opponents.

• Treat opposing spirit groups and fans with courtesy and respect.

• Know the rules and strategies of the contest in order to cheer at proper times.

• Recognize outstanding play of both teams.

• Maintain enthusiasm and composure, serving as a role model of positive behavior.

Parents/Students and Other Fans:

• Realize that a ticket is a privilege to observe a contest and support high school activities, not a license to verbally assault others.

• Respect decisions made by the officials.

• Be a role model by supporting teams in a positive manner, including the content of cheers.

• Respect other fans, coaches, and participants.

• Be a fan, not fanatic.

The middle school has a voluntary club program.  Clubs may meet before and/or after regular school hours.  Each year the number and type of clubs vary depending on the requests of the students and previous year’s participation.  Groups wishing to form a club should go to the main office to request a form to initiate the process.

Dances sponsored by WCMS or WCMS organizations are considered school activities, and dance attendees must adhere to all of the rules governing school behavior. 

• The advisor of the organization sponsoring the dance is the person in charge. Rules particular to each dance may be established and disseminated by the advisor. Failure to abide by dance guidelines may result in disciplinary action.

• Students must sign in upon arrival at the dance. Students arriving more than 30 minutes after the start of the dance may not be admitted.

• Students may NOT leave a dance early unless a parent/guardian enters the building and signs the child out with the dance chaperones/administration. Parents/guardians picking up students early will be required to present proper identification.

• Anyone who leaves the dance early will not be readmitted.

• Any arguing, fighting, or inappropriate conduct may result in the offending parties being removed from the dance. Disciplinary action and/or referral to the Whitehall Police Department may also follow. 

• Searches for drugs, alcohol, or weapons may be authorized by an administrator at any time there is a reasonable suspicion that an individual may have something in his/her possession that is a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the individual or to others at the dance.

• Students are not permitted to bring outside guests to the dance.

• Dance sponsors are responsible for providing chaperones and decorating/clean-up committees.  Please thank them.

• Students who have received an Out of School Suspension or In School Suspension 30 days prior to the dance may not attend the dance.

• Students must attend school the day of the dance to attend the dance.

The 8th grade farewell dance is a school-sponsored dance, not a prom.  We welcome the assistance of parents in organizing and chaperoning the dance.  Contact the administration early in the year if you want to be a part of the planning team for the dance. 

Board Policy 122 - Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities offer many opportunities for a student to develop character and self-expression.  A student must arrive before 10:30 a.m. and must be an excused tardy on the day of the activity in order to be eligible to participate in that activity. 

Student extra-curricular activities and athletic programs are governed by school Rules of Responsible Behavior and the Student Code of Conduct.  Copies of the Code of Conduct can be obtained from the athletic office.

1. High Honor Roll:  Awarded to students receiving a 4.0 and higher GPA with no grade lower than an A-.

2. Honor Roll:  Awarded to students receiving a 3.0 to 3.99 GPA with no grade lower than a B-.

ALL subjects included in the student’s schedule will be considered in determining recipients of High Honor and Honor Roll recognition. 

      Fall Semester     Spring Semester

Nov. 2 - 1st Quarter Mar. 29 – 3rd Quarter

Jan. 20 - 2nd Quarter June 9 - 4th Quarter 

The school year is divided into four marking periods nine weeks in length. Academic progress reports are emailed biweekly. Please keep your contact information up to date to receive our notices.  A report card is issued to all students at the end of each marking period.  Letter grades are used on report cards. Parents can check grades on-line through our electronic grading program.  Access codes will have been sent home in the summer mailing.

The report card grade is a result of various evaluations, assessments like tests or quizzes, class work including class participation, and homework.  Students who have not completed their work for the report quarter due to properly excused absences and extenuating circumstances may receive an incomplete as a grade.  Their work must be made up by the mid-point of the next quarter, or the grade(s) on missing assignment(s) will automatically be recorded as a 50%.  The grade will be computed based on the stored in the gradebook and a grade for the marking period will be recorded.  

Teachers use Powerschool for grading purposes.  Parents who wish to receive periodic grade updates should access the Parent Portal and request to receive regular emails on your child’s progress.  Report cards indicating subject achievement will be made available electronically on a quarterly basis.  Progress reports will be made available at the midpoint of each marking period during the school year for students who have a grade of C- (70%) or less.  Parents / guardians wishing to obtain a paper copy of their child’s report card should contact the middle school main office. 

Mark   Percent Range

    A+ 97-100

    A         93-96

    A- 90-92

    B+ 87-89

    B         83-86

    B- 80-82

    C+ 77-79

    C         73-76

    C- 70-72

    D+ 67-69

    D         63-66

    D- 60-62

            F         0-59 

Note: Incomplete grades must be resolved by the midpoint of the following quarter, otherwise a grade of 50% may be assigned to work not yet submitted and a final marking period grade will then be calculated and assigned.  All grades must be resolved before the final report in June.  

Students who wish to review their school records may contact the counseling office for an appointment. Both permanent and cumulative records are housed in the counseling office. Parents/guardians must sign the record review sheet. 

Students who earn a failing grade in a core subject are required to attend and pass the summer school program (possibly at the family’s expense) for promotion to the next grade level. The academic records of students in danger of failing will be reviewed by the school’s academic review team of counselor, psychologist, and administration.  Each case will be assessed individually. Attendance in the summer school program is NOT a guarantee for grade-level promotion. The decision of the team will determine placement for the following school term. Failure to attend a required summer school course will result in grade retention.  A grade of D- is assigned as the course grade after the summer program.  Students with a significantly poor record of attendance may be retained in the current grade for the coming school year. 

Team activities and special occasion celebrations are permitted during the school day only when specific permission is granted by the building administration.  Most team activities are considered reward periods; team rules and consequences for lack of participation or need to complete work may result in students being removed from team activities.   Students are not permitted to bring food items from home to share with others due to the risk of allergic reactions.