PISD Student Handbook Middle School Information
by Nathan McCravey
June 30, 2009
SECTION III: MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION
TEA recommends that grade levels 5-8 be called Middle Schools. We
plan to continue to use both Plains Middle School and Plains Junior
High to recognize the students in these grade levels. Academically
and officially we will be Plains Middle School. For spirit and
traditional reasons, we will also be known as:
PLAINS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL WRANGLERS AND LADY WRANGLERS
IN THIS SECTION YOU WILL FIND INFORMATION PERTINENT TO STUDENTS OF
PLAINS MIDDLE SCHOOL. PLEASE READ SECTION I: GENERAL INFORMATION,
SECTION V: DISCIPLINE, AND SECTION VI: ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION,
FOR INFORMATION THAT APPLIES TO THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE.
VISION STATEMENT
We, at Plains Middle School, value a supportive atmosphere in which
every student has a sense of belonging and school pride, and
develops compassion, empathy and respect for self and others. In
order to challenge all students to think critically, we are
committed to identifying and demonstrating the best instructional
practices, and providing students with the curriculum, assessment,
support, and time they need to achieve and maintain high academic
standards. We will continue to offer a broad range of
extracurricular experiences that meet the interests of all
students. Through effective communication, we will involve and seek
the support of parents and other members of the community as
partners in the education of all students.
1. PLAINS MIDDLE SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULE
Monday through Friday
Zero Hour Class: 7:05 – 7:50
Breakfast: 7:45 – 8:00
First Bell: 8:00
First Period: 8:05 – 8:50
Second Period: 8:54 – 9:39
Third Period: 9:43 – 10:31
Fourth Period: 10:35 – 11:20
Lunch: 11:24 – 12:09
Fifth Period: 12:09 – 12:39
UIL/TAKS Period: 12:43 – 1:08
Sixth Period: 1:12 – 1:57
Seventh Period: 2:01 – 2:46
Eighth Period: 2:50 – 3:35
Pep Rally Schedule-Thursday
Pep rallies will be held on the south end of the school playground
from 3:10 – 3:30 P.M. on Thursday afternoons for home and away
games. Students will be notified in advance if there are any
changes from this schedule. The pep rally for Junior High Spirit
Week will be held on the Thursday afternoon of Spirit Week, if
requested by the cheerleading sponsor and approved by the campus
principal, from 2:45 to 3:31 p.m. in the junior high gym.
Pep Rally Schedule-Friday
The schedule will be adjusted at the discretion of the principal so
that students can attend the high school pep rally.
2. CLOSED CAMPUS/RELEASE OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL
Students shall report to the office before leaving school during
the scheduled school day. Students will be allowed to leave school
during the school day only with the permission of the principal or
someone in the principal’s office that has been given the authority
to release students. Parents cannot go directly to their children’s
classroom and take the child away from school during the day.
Teachers do not have the authority to let children leave their
classroom with anyone. If you need to take your child from school
before the end of the school day, such as for a medical appointment
or a family emergency, you should go to the principal’s office and
sign the child out. The teacher will send the child to the
principal’s office, and he/she will be released to you at that
time. Only parents or designated persons with a note from the
parents may check students out of school during the day. This is
for your child’s safety. Students may not leave campus during the
day unless the above requirements are met. If parents wish for
children to go home for lunch, arrangements must be made for the
parents or other designated adults to pick them up. If your child
returns to school, the parent must sign them back in. For
attendance purposes, a student must attend 24 minutes of the
beginning of class to be counted as present for that class.
3. PROMOTION / RETENTION
Students are promoted from one grade to the next based on their
mastery of the knowledge and skills that will let them be
successful at the next grade level. To be promoted from one grade
level to the next, the state of Texas requires that a middle school
student shall attain an overall average of 70 or above for the year
in all courses taken. In addition, students shall attain an average
of 70 or above in three of the following subjects: language arts
(including Reading Improvement if it is required to be taken),
mathematics, social studies, and science. Districts are encouraged
not to require a student to repeat any course in which an average
of 70 or above was maintained for the year. In addition to local
standards for mastery and promotion, students in grade 5 and 8 must
meet the passing standard established by the Texas State Board of
Education on an applicable assessment instrument in the subjects
required under state law in order to be promoted to the next grade.
Campus assignment shall be at the discretion of the district in the
event the student neither passes nor fails all courses in the
eighth grade.
A student needing to attend summer school to make up work in order
that he/she may be placed in the next grade must attend an
accredited summer school. Plains Middle School may offer a summer
school program as an alternative to retention. To be eligible to
attend summer school, a student must not have failed more than two
academic subjects, and should not have attained lower than a 65
average in one of the two subjects. A successful completion of this
program could permit the promotion of a student to the next grade.
A student failing one subject may be recommended by the teacher or
principal to attend summer school in order for that student to be
more successful in that course the following year.
4. MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMIC OFFERINGS
Fifth Grade Class Offerings Seventh Grade Class Offerings
1. Math 5. Physical Education 1. Math/Pre-Algebra 5. Athletics
2. Science 6. Band 2. Science 6. Band
3. English 7. Reading 3. English 7. Keyboarding
4. US History 8. Tutorials 4. Texas History 8. Tutorials
Sixth Grade Class Offerings Eighth Grade Class Offerings
1. Math 5. Physical Education 1. Pre-Algebra/Algebra I 7.
Athletics
2. Science 6. Band 2. English 8. Band/TAKS Rem.
3. English 7. Reading 3. Gen. Sci. 9. Tutorials
4. World Geography 8. Tutorials 4. US History 10. 1st Year Ag.
5. Comp. Tech / BCIS 11. OAP (Fall only)
6. Zero Hour Radio (HS)
5. MIDDLE SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
All students are encouraged to participate in at least one
extracurricular activity during the year. This will allow you to be
a part of something bigger than yourself while making a significant
contribution to your school. Involvement in extracurricular
activities has been found to be one of the single best ways to
teach LEADERSHIP and CHARACTER. You and Plains ISD will both be the
better for it when you choose to be actively involved.
Eligibility:
A student who receives, at the end of any grading period (after the
first six weeks of the school year), a grade below 70 in any
academic class or a student with disabilities who fails to meet the
standards in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) may not
participate in extracurricular activities for at least three school
weeks. An ineligible student may practice or rehearse, however.
Cheerleaders
(1) Each spring, a total of six cheerleaders will be selected from
the next year’s seventh and/or eighth grade class. The squad will
be made up of six students…2 from 7th, 2 from 8th, and 2 elected.
Each candidate will be required to go through the tryout
procedure.
(2) Cheerleaders are to be passing in all subjects to try out.
(3) Grades: Cheerleaders must meet Texas Education Agency education
guidelines, i.e., no pass, no play, for participation in
extracurricular activities. Cheerleaders with a failing grade at
the end of any grading period will be suspended from the squad
pending their raising that grade to passing at the end of the next
grading period.
(4) Citizenship: Cheerleaders are expected to follow guidelines for
citizenship outlined in the Student Handbook. Cheerleaders are
expected to be leaders in all these areas. You must be able to get
along with people, must be willing to follow rules, and you must
display lots of enthusiasm. Cheerleaders are expected to uphold
acceptable social conduct on and off campus. A cheerleader’s every
word and action directly reflects on Plains Junior High School and
our community.
(5) The school will provide a reasonable amount of papers, markers,
and paint for all signs.
(6) Cheerleaders will abide by above rules and the cheerleading
contract.
Alcohol/Drug Policy:
Any student who participates in extracurricular activities and is
caught by a school official or ticketed by a law enforcement
officer and convicted for a drug-or alcohol-related incident off
school premises once active participation has begun shall be
subject to a penalty in each current area of participation to be
determined by coaches, sponsors, and school administrators in
communication with parents. The penalty may range from a two-week
suspension from activities, not including practice, to suspension
for the remainder of the year.
Appeals regarding discipline imposed or complaints regarding this
policy may be addressed through the procedure outlined in policy
FNG (LOCAL) beginning at Level Two.
6. IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION
• ISS will be held in the room in back of the boy’s high school
gym.
• Student will report at 8:05 A.M. and will stay until 3:30 P.M.
Failure to report on time will result in an additional day in
ISS.
• Student will not have contact with other students while in
ISS.
• Regular education personnel will make assignments and grade
student work. Full credit will be given for work done.
• Student is responsible for finishing all assigned work. Not
finishing will result in additional day(s) in ISS.
• Student must bring all books and writing material with them.
• Student will be given a list of rules to follow while in ISS.
Student who does not follow all rules will be assigned additional
day(s) in ISS. If this does not correct behavior, student may be
suspended or expelled from school.
• Student assigned may still participate in/attend any school
sponsored or school related activities, unless specifically told
otherwise by the principal.
7. DISCIPLANARY ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM
• DAEP will be held in the room in back of the boy’s high school
gym.
• Student will report at 8:10 a.m. and will stay until 3:31 p.m.
Failure to report on time will result in additional day(s) in
DAEP.
• Student will not have contact with other students while in
DAEP.
• Regular education personnel will make assignments and grade
student work. Full credit will be given for work done.
• Student is responsible for finishing all assigned work. Not
finishing will result in additional day(s) in DAEP.
• Student must bring all books and writing material with them.
• Student will be given a list of rules to follow while in DAEP.
Student who does not follow all rules will be assigned additional
day(s) in DAEP. If this does not correct behavior, student may be
suspended or expelled from school.
• Student assigned shall not participate in/attend any school
sponsored or school related activities.
8. DETENTION
• Student assigned to detention will be under the direct
supervision of a regular education employee.
• Student will report to a designated room immediately after
school. Detention will be from 3:35 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Failure to
report on time will result in an extra day of detention the
following day and/or ISS.
• Failure to show up for detention unless the student is sick or
excused by the Principal will result in the student being assigned
the next two days of detention or ISS, at the discretion of the
principal. Missed time in any school-sponsored or school-related
activities due to time spent in detention will be made up according
to person in charge of that activity.
9. INCOMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS
• Student will attend after school study hall for an assignment
that is incomplete or not turned in on the day assignment is due.
After school study hall will take place from 3:35 – 4:30 p.m. The
student will call home to inform the parents that he/she will be
staying after school for failure to complete a daily assignment. A
student will only be able to receive up to 70% credit for the
completed work.
• Student may be required to attend after school study hall for any
assignment more than one day late if teacher chooses to assign
them. The student will only be able to receive 70% credit for this
work. The student could remain in after school study hall for extra
day(s) until assignment has been completed satisfactorily according
to teacher.
• The teacher has the option to not require a student to attend
extra day(s) of after school study hall for assignments more than
one day late. In this case, all late work will be handled as stated
in the Student Handbook under MAKE-UP WORK AND LATE WORK.
10. FIGHTING
• First offense… three (3) days DAEP and parent conference
• Second offense…five (5) days DAEP and parent conference
• Third offense…ten (10) days DAEP and parent conference
• Fourth offense…suspension and/or twenty (20) days DAEP
• Fifth offense…recommendation for expulsion from school for rest
of semester/school year
11. TARDIES
• Student is allowed a total of six (6) per semester
• 7th and 8th tardy will result in one (1) swat or one (1) day
detention…student will choose
• 9th tardy and beyond will result in one (1) day ISS for each
Any other discipline problem that takes place will be handled as
stated in the Student Handbook.
12. MIDDLE SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGH PLAYGROUND RULES
The following rules will be enforced at all times during the noon
recess time for all junior high students:
· Stay on your assigned side of the playground: 5th and 6th grades
on West side; 7th and 8th grades on East side
· No throwing of any object(s) other than approved playground
equipment
· No tackle football; no physical contact with anyone; no
horseplay; no public displays of affections; no exceptions!
· No climbing or standing on the band viewing stand
· No re-entry into the building until released at 12:39
· No jumping off of playground equipment
· Do not ask to go to the bathroom; go before lunch
· No food items on the playground, including chewing gum
· Not following above rules will result in loss of playground
privilege!
13. REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS
Each student will receive a progress report or notice of concern,
through the mail, following the end of the third week of each
six-week grading period for each class in which a 74 or below has
been earned. These should be returned to the teacher of that class,
with the parents’ signature, by the date shown, confirming they are
aware of their child’s grade. Failure to do so will result in after
school detention or lunch duty.
Each student will receive a report card the Thursday following each
six-week grading period. The report card will contain the grade and
absences for each class. If a student receives a six-week grade of
less than 70 in any class, the parent will be requested to schedule
a conference with the teacher of that class. All report cards
should be signed by the parent and returned to their homeroom
teacher (2nd period) by the date shown on the report card. Failure
to do so will result in school detention.
14. TUTORIALS / TAKS REMEDIATION
A student who makes a 74 or below on his/her progress report or
report card will be required to attend tutoring for that class for
the next three weeks or until released by the teacher. If a student
is not required to attend tutoring, he/she will go to their
homeroom teacher. In all cases, students will be working on
homework, reading silently, or preparing for a UIL event. Each
student will check in to his/her homeroom class, and then will be
allowed to sign out in order to go to another class for help. A
student must sign out of one class before going to another, and
will designate which class he/she is moving to.
Plains Middle School may offer an extended day program the second
semester that will be held after school from 3:35 – 4:40 p.m. The
purpose of the extended day program is to reduce and/or eliminate
student failure by giving a student extra needed help in their
classes and/or standardized testing. This is a pro-active approach
for a student at risk of not passing. A student will be required to
attend for failing a class the first semester and/or the third six
weeks. A student will also be required to attend if he/she did not
pass any portion of the TAKS test from the previous year. If at any
time after a three-week or six week reporting period, a student
makes a 69 or below in one of the subjects listed, he/she will be
required to attend this program. He/she will be required to attend
for at least a three-week period. If a student has a passing grade,
and the teacher feels the student no longer needs the extra help,
he/she will be released. This could possibly affect practice time
for a student involved in extra curricular activities.
15. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Your 3rd period class will be considered your “Home Base” class.
Announcements will take place in the first five minutes and will
include a moment of silence and the pledges of allegiance to the
American and Texas flags.
16. PICKING UP WORK FOR A STUDENT WHO IS ABSENT
If a student is going to be absent and the parent would like to
arrange for his/her class work to be picked up for that day, the
parent should call the office by 9:00 that morning. His/her
homework assignments may be picked up between 3:00 and 3:30 that
afternoon. Parents are highly encouraged to do this so that your
child does not fall behind in his/her schoolwork.
