FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents and Students,
The faculty and staff of Northside Middle School welcome you and look forward to working with you and your child this year. We expect the 2012-2013 school year to be a year filled with excitement and opportunities for learning. You can count on your student receiving a quality education at Northside.
Our focus is on academic excellence and creating a safe orderly environment for students. The entire school will concentrate on the importance of learning and academic achievement.
The purpose of this planner is to increase communication between school and home, increase student organizational skills, and make available information pertaining to Northside Middle School’s rules, policies, programs, and procedures.
This planner is to be kept with the student at all times, and is to be treated the same as any other valued textbook. We ask all parents to carefully review and discuss the written assignments, teacher messages, discipline, dress code requirements, and printed contents of this planner with your child on a daily basis throughout the year.
Finally, we look forward to and encourage parental involvement. In developing a productive education partnership where the child is truly the primary beneficiary, your support is essential.
Have a great year!
Sincerely,
Cynthia C. Storer
Cynthia C. Storer, Principal
GENERAL INFORMATION
2012-13 School Calendar
Greenwood School District 50
| August 20 | First day for students |
| September 3 | LaborDay (No school) |
| October 22 | End of first quarter |
| October 26 | Inservice Day\ (No Students) |
| November 6 | Election Day |
| November 21-23 | Thanksgiving Holidays |
| December 19-January 1 | Winter Break |
| January 2 | Students and teachers return |
| January 14 | End of first semester |
| January 15-16 | No school for students |
| January 21 | Martin Luther King Holiday |
| February 21-22 | No school for students |
| March 25 | End of third quarter |
| March 29-April 5 | Spring Break |
| May 27 | Memorial Day |
| June 5 | End of fourth quarter |
| June 6-7 | Inservice Days (No students) |
| June 7 | EHS, GHS Graduation Ceremonies |
Mission
The mission of Northside Middle School is to ensure that all learners achieve personal success through an atmosphere of respect, responsibility, and order.
ORGANIZATION AND CURRICULUM
Northside serves students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades and is organized by teams of students and teachers working together. The curriculum is designed to meet the unique needs of the middle school student and to provide a bridge between elementary and high school. Emphasis is on inquiry-oriented methods, exploratory opportunities, problem solving, and interest activities.
GRADE REPORTS
Report cards and interim reports are sent home each nine weeks. Parents are encouraged to study the report card carefully and to schedule conferences with teachers to discuss their child’s progress. The grading scale as adopted by the Board of Trustees is as follows:
A = 93 – 100 D = 70 - 76
B = 85 – 92 F = 60 - 69
C = 77 – 84
GUIDANCE
Guidance services are provided as part of the total school program. The guidance counselors work with students, parents, and teachers to help them have the best school experience possible. The counselors work with students individually, in small groups, and in the classroom. Students can refer themselves to the counselors, or parents or teachers can refer them. The counselors encourage students to visit them.
HOMEWORK
Students have homework daily in their core classes. Teachers post homework assignments on their websites. Parents can help by providing a time, place, and quiet atmosphere for the completion of homework assignments. Homework is posted on teacher websites after 2 p.m. each day.
MEDIA CENTER
Northside has an excellent media center which contains over 9,000 books as well as videos, magazines, and professional materials for teachers. The media center is fully automated which allows students to access materials and check out their books electronically. Computers are available for word processing, multimedia and Internet use. Northside students are encouraged to take full advantage of the media center and the many opportunities for learning and enrichment it provides.
The media center opens at 8:00 AM each morning. Books can be checked out for two weeks, and books must be returned to be renewed. Fines will be collected for lost or damaged books. Reference materials, books, and magazines are available for use in the media center.
PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS AND ATTENDANCE
At the end of the school year, a student is promoted to the next grade level if his educational progress is satisfactory. A specific level and quality of work is required of each student. A student must be in attendance for 170 school days during a given school year. Students are expected to make-up missed work regardless of whether the absence is excused or unexcused.
It is extremely important for each student to be in school every day that school is in session. Poor attendance habits lead to unsatisfactory work, todiscouragement and even failure. Middle school students must not have more than ten (10) lawful and /or unlawful absences. The principal may render judgment for days absent up to five (5) days beyond the state maximum of ten (10) days. All absences in excess of fifteen (15) days must be reviewed by the superintendent’s designee.
ATHLETICS
Students are encouraged to participate in the athletic programs available at Northside. Included are these sports on the interscholastic level for 7th and 8th grade students: football, boy’s and girl’s basketball, volleyball, boy’s and girl’s soccer. Athletics at the middle school level are governed by the South Carolina High School League.
Eligibility requirements are listed below:
Transfers- A transfer student will have immediate eligibility at the new school provided he transfers under one on the following circumstances and provided he was eligible to represent the school from which he transferred:
CLUBS
There are many clubs and activities at Northside in which students are encouraged to participate. Students should be involved in as many activities as possible during their middle school years. Club information will be shared the first nine weeks. Clubs may include:
Book Club Academic Challenge
Quest Crew Yearbook Club
DISCIPLINE
A Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) is in place at Northside Middle School. It is important that students understand that acceptable standards of behavior are expected at all times. Disciplinary consequences will be administered when any individual’s actions interfere with the rights of students to learn and teachers to teach.
STUDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT ANY TEACHER OR STAFF MEMBER AT NORTHSIDE HAS THE RIGHT AND RESPOSIBILITY TO CORRECT AND/OR REPRIMAND ANY STUDENT ANY PLACE AND AT ANY TIME.
Daily discipline is handled by classroom teachers and teams at each grade level. Referral to administrators for discipline will be in accordance with The Student’s Rights and Responsibilities. Parents can help a great deal by adding their support to this overall plan for good discipline.
Leaving school grounds- No student is to leave the school grounds at any time without permission. Permission can be granted by a member of the administrative staff.
DRESS CODES
Students do their best work when they come to school neat, clean, and appropriately dressed. The following guidelines have been established for Northside students:
1. Clothing that depicts alcohol, illegal substances, tobacco products, racial slurs or epithets; sexual suggestion/ insinuation or inappropriate language is prohibited.
2. Shower shoes, pajamas, bedroom shoes, beachwear, short shorts, tank tops, halter tops, midriff tops and short skirts or any garment made of clinging or see- through material are not permitted. Tops that are low cut and show cleavage are prohibited at Northside.
3. Physical education clothing is to be worn only during scheduled PE classes as required.
4. Students may not wear sunglasses inside any campus building. If worn on campus, these items will be confiscated.
5. Facial piercing and tongue piercing are discouraged due to safety concerns. Students will not be allowed to wear facial and tongue jewelry.
6. Hats, caps, or other head coverings are not to be worn inside the building.
7. Shorts or skirts must be no shorter than 4” above the knee.
8. Pants are to be worn at the waist level.
9. Holes or tears in clothing which show skin or undergarments 4” or more above the knees are not permitted.
10. If leggings are worn to school, the dress or shirt worn with them must be no more than 4” above the knee.
If a student refuses to change into appropriate clothing and parents cannot be reached, the student will be sent to In School Suspension.
The administration reserves the right to decide what is appropriate for school.
EARLY CLOSING OF SCHOOL
Due to inclement weather, it may become necessary to dismiss students early due to inclement weather. Families need to plan and make arrangements regarding where their children should go and what to do in case school is dismissed early. Parents should listen to the radio and TV and/or check the district website for information on delayed openings and/or school closings. Parents should not call the school. Telephone lines need to be kept open for emergency messages. Parents may call 941-5511 for school closing information.
HALL PASSES
To be in the hall during regular classes, a student must have a pass issued by the teacher in charge of the student at that time. Students will sign in and out when they leave classrooms. This includes trips to the restroom, library, office, as well as to any other place than the room to which the student is assigned. Students should go to their destination by the shortest and quickest route without stopovers at other points and without disturbing other classes. No student should visit the hall of another grade level without a pass from a Northside employee.
HALLWAYS
Students should walk on the right side of the hallway. Students should walk, not run, in the halls and under the covered walkways. It is okay to talk, but students should do so as quietly as possible. Students should have written permission to be in the halls at any times except when classes are changing.
INSURANCE
Information concerning the availability of group insurance is distributed at the beginning of the school year. Injuries should be reported to the office immediately. The insurance company cannot pay claims until the school files a report of the accident.
LOST AND FOUND
Parents are encouraged to label coats, sweaters, and other belongings with the student’s name. Students should inquire in the front office about lost articles. Any item left for more than two weeks will be given to charity.
MEDICATION GUIDELINES
Parents are requested to help keep the school informed of any medication their child may be taking. If their child needs to take medication at school, they should note the following:
All medication, both prescription and over the counter (Tylenol, Motrin, etc.) must be in their properly labeled original container. Directions on the label must be consistent with how the medication is to be given at school. No medication will be given without parents‘written permission. A “Permission for Medication” form must be on file in the nurse’s office for a child to receive medication at school. This form is available from the school nurse.
Prescription medications, like antibiotics, that are to be taken 1, 2, or 3 times daily should be taken at home. These can be taken before school, after school, and at bedtime.
Children are not allowed to keep medications with them. Parents should bring to the nurse’s office a completed permission form and provide proper storage of medications. If parents have questions, they should contact the school nurse at 941-3429.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Conferences between parents and teachers provide an excellent opportunity for students’ progress to be discussed in detail. Parents or teachers may request a conference to share knowledge about the student and to gain a better understanding of his needs and interests. Although parents are invited to visit the school at any time to observe the program, parent- teacher conferences should be arranged in advance. Many unnecessary interruptions will be avoided if parents who wish to visit report to the office before visiting a classroom. Parents should call a counselor or email a teacher to arrange a conference. The telephone number is 941-5789 for setting up conferences.
PARENT- TEACHER ORGANIZATION
Northside is fortunate to have an excellent parent-teacher organization, which provides many benefits to the school. Parents are encouraged to become actively involved in the PTO. Information on PTO will be sent home by students.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Electronic devices, such as iPods, MP3 players, PSPs, skateboards, toys, and large sums of money may not be brought to school. Students should never leave personal property or valuables unattended. The school does not accept liability for property that is damaged or stolen.
SUPERVISION
Every effort is made to provide the best supervision possible for Northside Middle School students and to provide safety and well being for all young people. In order to maintain safety for all students, any male/female staff member is authorized to enter and intervene in any area where there is potential conflict and /or danger.
This specifically includes bathrooms and locker rooms.
Parents can help by:
TELEPHONE USAGE
Students may use a Northside phone to call parents for emergencies during the day. Please make sure that students are aware of transportation arrangements for getting home before they leave for school each day. Cell phones may not be used by students to call or text parents during school hours
REMINDERS
