STUDENT HANDBOOK/PLANNER 2006-2007

William Wooddell
Principal
wooddellw@sheridan.k12.co.us

4107 S. Federal Blvd.
Sheridan, CO 80110
720-833-6853
Fax 720-833-6903

Board of Education
Doreen Christian                 President
Ron Carter                       Vice President
Angie Hiatt-Aguilar                     Secretary
John Vaglienti                    Treasurer
Bernadette Saleh                Asst. Secretary/Treasurer

Michael Poore                   Superintendent

This Student Handbook/Planner belongs to:

NAME_______________________________________________________________

ADDRESS____________________________________________________________

CITY/TOWN ______________________________________ ZIP CODE___________

PHONE________________________ STUDENT ID NO.________________________

Sheridan School District is an equal opportunity educational institution and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs or activities.  Inquiries concerning Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and ADA may be referred to the Special Education Director or Superintendent, 4000 S. Lowell, Sheridan, Colorado, 80236, (720)833-6991 or to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Region VIII, Federal Office Building, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, Colorado, 80204, (303) 844-2991.

Sheridan Schools
Pride~Passion~Possibilities

District Vision Statement
Sheridan School District pursues, attains, and celebrates personal and academic excellence.

District Mission Statement
We are a diverse, dynamic, and caring community that seeks excellence and advances individual growth by:

• Focusing on possibilities not limitations;
• Working collaboratively to meet the intellectual, emotional, cultural, and physical needs of our learning community;
• Coaching students, staff, and parents to accomplish their personal best.

The SMS Creed
At Sheridan Middle School
We believe that Civility,
Character Development and
High Academic Achievement
Are at the forefront of each of our Students success.
We strive, everyday, to meet and exceed these challenges.

General SMS Information

Frequently Asked Questions

May I use a cell phone at Sheridan Middle School?

• You may bring your cell phone to school and use it before and after school.  It may never be used in class.

May I use a CD Player/iPod at SMS?

• You can bring your CD player or iPod to school and use to before and after school and at lunch.  It should not be used in class unless a teacher specifically allows you to use it.

May I chew gum at SMS?

• Yes, you can chew gum at school but will be asked to respect the building and help clean the building from all parts of the building.

May I wear a hat at SMS?

• You can bring your hat to school and wear it before and after school and at lunch.  Please do not bring your hat to class.

What is appropriate clothing for SMS?

• You should wear clothing which covers your chest, stomach, and underwear.  Bandanas and gang related items are strictly prohibited.

Can I have food and drink at SMS?

• You may bring bottles filled with water to class.  Food and other drink will be allowed in class by teacher approval.

ABSENCE INFORMATION

In order for students to be academically successful, it is essential that they maintain good attendance. Sheridan Middle School has developed the following guidelines to help insure the success of every student.

• All absences must be called into the Attendance Office at 720-833-6988 before 9:00 a.m. each school day.
• Any absence not reported to the Attendance Office will be documented as Unverified (UNV). The Attendance Office will make an attempt to verify an Unverified (UNV) absence before it is marked Unexcused (UNX).
• Parents/guardians will receive a phone call when a child is absent without a signed parental excuse or if the student leaves school or a class without permission of the teacher or administrator. In such cases, the child will be considered Truant (TRU).
• Parents/guardians need to send a written excuse for every absence—even those verified over the phone.
• Students who have ANY Unverified (UNV) or Unexcused (UNX) absences in any ONE WEEK will lose all extracurricular activities, including sports, for the following week.
• Parents/guardians will receive an Eight Day Absence Letter via mail when their student has 8 all day absences not supported by official documentation (medical, legal, or funeral). An all day absence is any absence that exceeds 3 or more consecutive periods.
• Any absence obtained after the issuance date of the Eight Day Absence Letter will be marked as Unexcused (UNX) unless the parent/guardian provides the school with official medical excuses, legal papers or funeral notices. Any Unexcused (UNX) absence after the issuance of the Eight Day Absence Letter will result in a referral to the STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM.
• An ATTENDANCE CONTRACT will be developed for the student in conjunction with the 8 day letter.
• Any absence occurring after the development of an Attendance Contract will be marked as Unexcused (UNX) unless the parent/guardian provides the school with official medical excuses, legal papers or funeral notices.
• Non-compliance with the Attendance Contract results in a referral to Truancy Court.
• TARDINESS is defined as the appearance of a student, without a written excuse, after the bell rings to start ANY class.
• Students with excessive tardies will be dealt with individually.
• Students who accumulate 4 or more tardies in any ONE WEEK will lose all extracurricular activities, including sports, for the following week.

ATHLETICS AND SPORTS

The athletic program seeks maximum student participation of both girls and boys, regardless of ability or skill. The fundamentals are taught in a program that gives students the opportunity to try different sports.  Practices and competitions are generally scheduled after the school day has ended at 3:00 p.m. Any participant must agree to abide by the rules set forth by the coach, have a physical exam, a signed permission card from the parent, and be covered by a health/accident insurance policy.  A fee of $25 per sport will be charged for participation.  Sports for 7th and 8th graders are competitive basketball, cross country, football, soccer, track, volleyball, baseball and wrestling. 6th graders may participate in volleyball, basketball, cross country, soccer, track and wrestling.

BEHAVIOR OF STUDENTS

Students shall show proper respect and courtesy to school personnel and other students at all times.  All students are expected to comply with certain accepted standards of behavior and civility, which must be observed at all times and in all places including classrooms, halls, grounds, cafeteria, library, assemblies, school buses, or any activities presented by the school. (B.O.E., JIC, JIC-R) Consequences for misbehavior in any of these settings may come in the form of a Detour (child is sent to another classroom for a specified time period) or in the form of a referral to the Refocus Room  for stronger consequences such as Parent Shadowing or Out of School Suspension. 

At no time is it acceptable for students to withhold information that may be hazardous or dangerous to other students or staff.  Failure to disclose knowledge of a potentially dangerous situation can result in disciplinary action including suspension from school. With reasonable suspicion administration may conduct a search of person, locker, school and/or parking lot. This search may involve the use of dogs.   

There shall be no use or possession of tobacco, alcohol, and/or drugs in any form by pupils in the school, on school property, or at school-sponsored activities at any time.  Violation of this policy may result in suspension or expulsion amid possible police citation. (B.O.E., JICG)

A “zero tolerance” approach is taken for any instances, which involve weapons, alcohol or drugs.  Students may not bring a facsimile of a weapon to school. 

 A “zero tolerance" approach is also taken at SMS regarding hazing or any comments or actions made by students, which demonstrate violence, threats of violence, harassment, aggressive behavior, sexual assault, physical harassment or general school disruption. 

Consequences for zero tolerance misbehavior may include out of school suspension/expulsion and/or the involvement of law enforcement. 

BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER BLADES

It is permissible for students to ride bicycles to school.  Proper bicycle safety must be observed at all times and must be parked in the designated area only, and locked.  Students must provide their own lock and chain, as the school will assume no responsibility for bicycles.  Bicycles must remain parked until the end of the day. (B.O.E., JLID) Students may roller blade or skateboard to school.  However, these items are not allowed on school property and must be taken off when on school grounds. These items must be stored in lockers.  If size does not allow for storage in a locker the item must be left at home.

BUS BEHAVIOR

Bus transportation is provided for those students living in areas determined by the Board of Education as being eligible for such service.  The privilege to ride a school bus shall be dependent upon the student's good behavior and their observance of established rules.  Any student may be denied the privilege of transportation provided by the district because of noncompliance with established rules of conduct. Buses carrying students are considered as extensions of the school, and any student whose conduct on a school bus or at a bus stop is improper or jeopardizes the safety of other students may have his/her transportation services suspended for such period of time as may be deemed proper by the Assistant Director of Auxiliary Services, or be subject to other appropriate disciplinary action.  See Board Policy Manual files 3ICC, 3ICC-R1, and 3ICC-R-2.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Please inform the registrar of any changes of address or phone number should be reported immediately to the Registrar at 720-833-6851.  

CLOSING / DELAY OF SCHOOL

When the district experiences severe weather conditions or some other type of emergency that might force cancellation or delay of classes, students and parents should tune in to radios or TV for information on stations such as KOA, KOSI, KYGO, Channel 2, Channel 4, etc.  When school is delayed SMS classes will begin at 8:50 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m.

FEES, FINES, CHARGES

Students shall be assessed fines for lost, damaged, or defaced books, materials or equipment. The principal may establish a reasonable cost fine for lost or damaged books, materials or equipment. Failure to pay fees and fines will result in delays in class registration for the following school year, and/or a denial of participation in scheduled events, etc.  Students shall be required to pay for class materials that are above basic requirements for the course and/or are to be retained by the student. Alternative payment schedules/plans may be considered as determined appropriate by the principal.  

FIRE, LOCKDOWN & TORNADO DRILLS

School personnel and/or the fire department hold drills periodically for fire and tornado situations.  Instructions given by the principal or other authorized persons must be followed.  Procedures for fire drills will be practiced periodically during the school year.   In the event of a tornado or lockdown alert, an announcement will be made over the intercom system. Procedures for tornado and lockdown alerts will be taught during the year.

HEALTH INFORMATION

Every student must have on file in the main office a current "Pupil Emergency Information and Consent Card".  A quote from the card follows:

MEDICAL TREATMENT RELEASE - If parent or guardian cannot be contacted, we, the undersigned parents/guardians of the child identified below, hereby authorize officials of the Sheridan School District #2 to contact directly the following physicians of our selection, and we hereby certify that we are the parents/guardians of said minor child, and do authorize the physicians named below to render such treatment as said physician, or either of them, may deem reasonably necessary, in an emergency, for the health of said child, without further authorization than here expressed.  In the event neither of the physicians here named can be contacted, or either of us is unavailable to give our express consent at such time with reference to any other physician, we hereby consent and authorize the officials of the School District to contact any licensed physician, and we hereby authorize said physician to render such treatment as he/she may deem reasonably necessary, in what he/she may consider to be an emergency for health of our aforesaid child.  Expense incurred as a result of emergency ambulance use of treatment by physician will not be borne by the school or school personnel. The standard emergency procedure in cases where injury could be serious is to call the Sheridan Fire Department for assistance.

HEALTH SERVICES AT SCHOOL

Students needing health services during the day must come to the office with a signed handbook/planner.  This does not include passing periods. If a student needs to be sent home, parents will be contacted.  Parents need to keep the school informed of any change in their work or home phone numbers for this reason. In case of an emergency, the Sheridan Rescue Unit will be called.

The office must have all necessary forms in order to administer any prescribed medication.  All prescription medication and over the counter medications sent to school for a student must be in the original container and be accompanied by the physician's directions for administration and a doctor signed parent request/release form.  These forms are available during Jump Start Week and through the main office.

Parents will be contacted at the end of the school year to make arrangements for picking up any unused medication.  The Sheridan Family Resource Center and the School Based Clinic bring affordable healthcare to Sheridan residents needing assistance.  For information about the clinic call 303-781-1636.

LATE START DAYS

For the 2006-2007 school year, Sheridan School District has implemented the following 13 late start days.  The student school day will begin at 9:00 in the morning and will end at normal time on the following dates:  September 6 and 20, October 4, November 1 and 15, December 6, January 17, February 7 and 21, March 7, April 18 and May 2 and 16. 

LENGTH OF SCHOOL DAY

A student's academic day is from 7:50 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students will not be allowed into the building until 7:40 a.m. except for those students eating breakfast at 7:20 a.m. These students may enter the building through the West lunchroom door. Otherwise, students are not to arrive earlier than 7:40 a.m. unless they are scheduled for a teacher-supervised activity or have made prior arrangements to come in for help from a teacher. Students are to clear the building and grounds by 3:10 p.m. except for supervised activities or unless he/she has made prior arrangements with a teacher. 

MESSAGES TO STUDENTS

Only parents/guardians of students may request the delivery of messages to students. Messages will only be delivered in emergency situations during the last period of the school day.

PARENT/GUARDIAN COMMUNICATION

Newsletters and other items of interest will be mailed or sent home with students at various times throughout the year.  Please feel free to contact any teacher by calling the main office at 720-833-6988.

PARENT ORGANIZATIONS

The parent organization (Parent Teacher Organization) and School Accountability Committee meets every month during the school year.  Meeting dates are the first Thursday of each month.  Meetings begin at 4:00 p.m. in the Media Center.  It is open to all parents, guardians, and friends of Sheridan Middle School students.  There are no dues.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice during the school year.  These personal contacts are used to enhance teacher/parent relations and to ensure accountability for students.

STUDENT SERVICES

Counselors are available to help students and their parents with personal, peer, family, or school problems.  Individual and group counseling are available.  The counselors are also in charge of scheduling classes. Students access counselors by signing up in the main office.

English Language Learners (ELL) Students receive assistance in several ways.  Personnel in the main office can direct you to either the Newcomer Center or our ELL teacher.  Sheltered classes are offered in all core curriculum areas as well. 

Gifted and Talented assistance and advanced electives are available.  Contact your child’s counselor for help in this area. 

Our educational resource staff provides Individual Educational Programs for qualified students with specific, identified, Special Education educational needs.  A referral for evaluation may be initiated by the Student Support Team or by parent request.  For more information, contact the psychologist or the main office.

Mental Health services are available for students and families.  For information contact a counselor or the psychologist at school or the Sheridan Health Clinic at 303-781-1636. 

VISITORS ON CAMPUS

Parents and other adult district patrons are encouraged to visit schools and observe classrooms.  For security reasons, all visitors are to report to the office for a visitor's pass when entering the building. Sheridan Middle School does not allow visits by non-students such as cousins, siblings, friends, etc. 

THANK YOU for being a part of Sheridan Middle School.

Have a great year!