John Paul II Catholic School

Middle School Guidelines and Expectations

Middle School Teachers

Middle School Rules

1. Cooperate with your teachers and classmates.
2. Respect the rights and property of others.
3. Carry out your student responsibilities.

Middle School Responsibilities

1. Obey all the school rules.
2. Bring all needed materials to class.
3. Accept responsibility for grades or other consequences.
4. Be in your seat and ready to work when the class begins.
5. Do your own work.
6. Turn in your work on time.
7. Ask for help when you need it.
8. Follow all classroom procedures.

Honors

At the end of each quarter grading period students are eligible to receive honors. 

A student will receive first honors if he/she obtains a 3.5 grade point average or above.

A student will receive second honors if he/she obtains a grade point average between 3.0 and 3.49.

A student will be ineligible for honors if he/she receives a detention, suspension, or Friday School during the quarter for which honors are being given, and/or receives 5 points on their student behavior card, and/or receives three or more checkmarks in the personal development area of the report card.

Consequences

Failure to follow the classroom rules, procedures, or carrying out your student responsibilities can lead to the following consequences depending on the situation:

• Points on the student behavior card (See handbook p. 20-22).
• Verbal warning from a teacher or staff member.
• Detention
• Poor grades on late or missing homework
• Loss of recess privilege
• Confiscation of materials
• Call to a parent or guardian
• Conference with parent or guardian
• Movement of class seat assignment
• Referral to principal for out of school suspension
• Friday Evening School

Dress Code

The Dress Code Policy is on p. 25-27 of the handbook.  It will be strictly enforced.  It is expected that 7^th and 8^th graders can dress themselves appropriately following these guidelines.

Nametags must be worn at all times.  If a student loses or damages a nametag he/she will be expected to replace it within one week (p. 26) or receive the appropriate consequences.

Cheating

If a student is caught cheating on a homework assignment, he/she will receive 5 points on their student behavior card and a 0 for the assignment.  If a student cheats on a quiz or test, he/she will receive an automatic 0 for that assignment, a call home to the parent or guardian, and15 points on their student behavior card (which will result in at least a detention).

Projects

The middle school teachers will collaborate so that the assignment of long-term projects does not become overwhelming for the students.  Middle School Students are expected to coordinate their daily homework schedule with their long-term projects schedule and avoid procrastinating on long-term projects. 

Note: Students are given some class time for most projects. They are expected to use this class time wisely. 

Homework

Students are expected to hand in homework on the due date it was assigned.  If a student has an excused absence they will be allowed one day for every day that they were absent to make-up the assigned work.  Failure to turn in homework on time will result in the following consequences:

7th Grade

Day 1 – 20% will be deducted from the assignment grade.

Day 2 – 30% will be deducted from the assignment grade and the student will be required to finish the assignment during recess or immediately after school.  Student will phone their parent or guardian for permission to stay after school.

Day 3 – A 0 will be given for the assignment if it is not turned in to the teacher.

8^th Grade

Day 1 – 20% will be deducted from the assignment grade.

Day 2 – 50% will be deducted from the assignment grade and the student will be required to finish the assignment during recess or immediately after school.  Student will phone their parent or guardian for permission to stay after school.

Day 3 - A 0 will be given for the assignment if it is not turned in to the teacher.

Handouts

Sometimes students are given handouts related to an assignment.  A growing problem is that they often lose these handouts.  It is expensive and time consuming to replace these handouts.  If a student loses a handout, they will receive a point on their behavior card and receive a new copy.  If a student loses this second copy of an assignment, they will receive a 0 for the assignment.

Unexcused Student Absences

·        A growing concern is the increasing number of unexcused absences for vacations etc.  We understand that this is unavoidable at times, but the following guidelines will be followed:

• NO assignments will be given in advance.

• If a long term project due date is scheduled during this absence, the student will be expected to turn in the project prior to their absence.

• See p. 15-16 of the handbook for more details.

• Upon returning students are responsible for missed work including notes taken in class and the rescheduling of tests or quizzes.  They will have one day for each day they missed to make up their missed homework assignments, tests, quizzes, etc.

Excused Student Absences

• Upon returning students are responsible for missed work including notes taken in class and the rescheduling of tests or quizzes.  They will have one day for each day they missed to make up their missed homework assignments, tests, quizzes, etc.

Field Trips

The following chart contains a tentative field trip schedule.  Specific dates have not been decided at this time.  You will be notified as soon as possible prior to each field trip.  The schedules listed below are subject to change.

Backpacks

Students will be permitted to carry their backpacks between classes.

It is expected that students will use their time in the morning homeroom and homeroom period immediately after lunch to organize the materials that they will need to carry to their morning or afternoon classes.

Students will not be permitted to return to their homerooms to retrieve materials for a class. 

Students are expected to periodically clean out their book bags with or without parent help.

Cell Phones

It has come to our attention that cell phones are sometimes being used by students during school hours usually to send text messages.  Students cannot use cell phones until they leave school.  Cell phones must be turned off and kept in their book bags.  A student who uses a cell phone, the cell phone is not turned off, or a student is found to have their cell phone not in their book bag will receive 10 points on their point card and the cell phone will be confiscated.

Of Special Concern for 8^th Graders:

Presidential Award

The student receives a letter from the President of the United States and a pin.

In order to receive this reward the following requirements for this award must be met:

The student achieves first honors during the first 3 quarters of the 8^th grade year (We expect them to achieve first honors during the 4^th quarter also, but we must order the awards at the beginning of the quarter).

Students must have achieved consistent 1^st honors in 6^th and 7^th grade (B+ average).

The student must score in the 85^th percentile on the Math and/or Reading elements of the Terra Nova/Iowa tests in 6^th and 8^th grade.

The student must be a good role model to the other students.  Excessive discipline problems will not be acceptable.