NORLAND Middle School

A School of excellEnce

General School Information

SCHOOL HOURS

9:10 TO 3:50

 ABSENT FROM SCHOOL

· Bring a dated note signed by your parent or guardian or a medical note from a doctor with the specific reason for your absence. If you do not bring a note, it will be recorded as an unsatisfactory absence.

· Excessive absences and truancy will result in parental contact, completion of a School Social Worker’s report, and/or referral or legal action.

· When you are absent, home contact will be made by an automated service.

 

EXCUSED ABSENCES

The following are the only absences considered permissible by the School Board:

· Student illness

· Death in family

· Religious Holiday

· Medical Appointment

· School-sponsored event or activity that is pre-approved

· Pre-arranged absence that is approved by the principal

 

FIVE/TEN DAY UNEXCUSED ABSENCE

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida has initiated a rule regarding student attendance. Students who accumulate five or more unexcused absences during a semester (18 weeks) or ten or more unexcused absences during the year (36 weeks) will be subjected to withholding of the class credit. In order to appeal the withholding of class credit, you must secure an appeal form from your teacher and the have form completed by the teacher who issued you a grade of "no credit." The completed form should then to the attendance clerk. The Attendance Review Committee will discuss all the information surrounding the case and decide whether the "NC" should be removed or remained.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE FOR STUDENTS

Your health and well being are important to us. Your family can buy student accident insurance to provide coverage in the event you are injured at school or on a school field trip and need immediate first aid, ambulance, or doctor’s attention. Literature for this program will be sent home on the first day of your attendance at Norland Middle School. Insurance is required for students participating in physical education or interscholastic sport.

 

CLASSROOM RULES

Students need to follow these school rules:

· be in your seat with necessary supplies when the bell rings;

· pay attention, no talking or interrupting;

· raise your hand for permission to speak or to leave your seat;

· keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself;

· no eating or drinking, no gum chewing, no grooming;

 

CLASS CUTS

 

If you are absent from class without satisfaction excuse, you are considered to be cutting class. Appropriate administrative action for this offense will be taken according to the school-wide discipline guidelines.

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age certain rights with respect to the student's educational records. Pales see your counselor if additional information is needed.

 

 

EMERGENCY CONTACT CARD

 

An emergency contact card will be provided for you on your first day of school. It’s mandatory that all students have an emergency card on file. Occasionally, an accident or extreme illness of a student makes it necessary for school personnel to contact your parent or guardian. You will NOT be released to any individual that is not listed on this card. In most cases, when parents are divorced, both mother and father continue to have equal rights to their children. However, if there are legal papers that limits rights of one parent to custody or visitation, this information must be included on the Emergency Contact Card. Proper photo identification must be shown when picking up during school hours. It is your parent’s responsibility to update the emergency card information when moving to a new location and/or changing any of the telephone numbers listed on the card.

 

EXCUSED EARLY FROM SCHOOL

 

Please advise your parents of the following rule regarding early dismissal from school:

Parent/guardian must come to the Attendance Office to request a student’s early dismissal. Students will not be excused from school early after 3:00 p.m.  Parent/guardian must present picture identification before a pass is issued to call Student’s must bring back the Permit to Leave Class Form the next day to give to the teachers of the classes that were missed.

 

GRADING POLICY

Your grades will reflect your academic of your academic achievement. You will also receive a conduct and effort grade consistent with your behavior in each class. In semester courses, the teacher will determine your final grade as follows: 40 percent value for each of the two nine weeks grading periods and 20 percent value for the final examination, with a provision for teacher override. In authorized annual courses, your final grade will be determined by the teacher as follows: 20 percent value for each of four nine weeks grading periods, 10 percent value for the mid-year exam, and 10 percent value for the final exam, with a provision for teacher override. Excessive absences will negatively affect your grade. Grades may be accessed on the school website throughout the school year. Report cards every nine weeks.

GRADING SCALE

A   3.50 — 4.00 = 90 - 100

B   2.50 — 3.49 = 80 - 89

C   1.50 — 2.49 = 70 - 79

D   1.00 — 1.49 = 60-69

F    0.99 — 0.00 = 59 and below

HALL WAYS AND HALL PASSES

· Be considerate of others as you pass through the hallways.

· Do not run or push others.

· Students are not permitted in the hallways during class time without a pass from a teacher.

· When leaving the classroom during class time, you must have a properly filled out hall pass in your possession. This pass must contain the signature of the teacher, the name of the student, time, and date.

· Students in the hallways with out an official pass will be subject to disciplinary action by an administrator.

 

HOMEWORK OR HOMELEARNING

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida recognizes regular, purposeful homework or home learning as an essential component of the instructional process. Home learning is an integral factor of fostering the academic achievement of students and in extending school activities into the home and community. Homework/home learning should be provided reinforcement and extension of class instruction. It should serve as a bias for further study and preparation for future class assignments. You will be responsible for:

· completing assigned homework/home learning as directed;

· returning homework/home learning by the designated time;

· submitting homework/home learning assignments that reflect attention to careful detail and quality;

 

On evenings when homework is not assigned in a particular subject, you should spend a reasonable amount of time reviewing class notes, textbooks, and reading. The District’s Comprehensive reading Plan mandates that all students read for thirty minutes each night.

INTERIM PROGRESS REPORTS

Interim Progress reports will be issued midway through each nine-week marking period. The intention of this report is to communicate student progress to the parent. A receipt will be issued for this report. You are expected to return the signed interim progress report receipt in a timely manner to you’re TOPS teacher.

INTERNET USE

Utilization of the Internet by students must be consistent with the educational objectives of the classroom. Transmission of any copy right material, threatening or obscene materials prohibited. Accessing the Internet through district equipment is a privilege. All students must follow the guidelines established in the Code of Student Conduct.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

You are responsible for the safety and security of your personal property. You are urged not to bring items that are not required for classroom activities. Write your name on all of your personal property.

 PTSA

Membership in the PTSA of Norland middle School is open to all students, parents and teachers. The PTSA works closely with the administrator and teachers to support and assist our students.

 SAFETY AND SECRUITY

Every effort s made to provide a safe learning environment for all students. Any student who has a concern about his/her safety or security should see a counselor, administrator, or any staff member immediately.

 VISITORS ON CAMPUS

Visitors are always welcomed, and we encourage parents to visit our school. However, for the safety of the students, all parents and other visitors must sign in and show photo identification before entering the building. We are very mindful of the safety and security of all of our students.

 OUTDOOR SUSPENSION

Suspension of up to ten (10) days may be issued to students for breach of the Student Code of Conduct. If you are placed in outdoor suspension, you will receive an unsatisfactory absence for each day. Students on outdoor suspension must not come on school grounds unless supervised by a parent guardian.

 SCHOOL CENTER FOR SPECIAL INTRUCTION (SCSI)

A school may elect to assign a student to a School Center for Special Instruction instead of outdoor suspension. The center will provide tutorial and guidance services. Parents may request this action as an alternative to suspension. But the final decision rests with the principal. Saturday school and other alternative programs will be established if funding is available. Students who are assigned to S.C.S.I., may not bring cookies, candy, pudding or gum for lunch. Sandwiches, cheese and/or fruit are permitted.

 VANDALISM

Any student who defaces or destroys school property will be subject to disciplinary action in addition to paying for damages. Remember that you may not bring permanent markers on campus. Students who may have knowledge of others who are destructive to school property should report this information to any teacher or administrator.

 VERBAL ASSAULT, BULLYING, USE OF PROFANITY, OR PHYSICAL ASSAULT

Verbal assault, bullying, use of profanity. Or physical assault toward another student, teacher, or anyone employed in the school system may result in suspension and/or expulsion depending on the severity of the situation. Parents and/or school police may e notified of this inappropriate behavior.

WEAPONS

Students bringing weapons including aerosol/chemical weapons, simulated weapons, as well as toy guns, water guns, cap guns, or toy knives to school will be suspended, recommended for expulsion, and referred to the School Resource Office and/or police agency for appropriate legal action. Students may be subject to random weapon checks by School Board approved search teams.

 

**BACK**