Tavares

Middle School

Student Handbook

2014-2015

August, 2014

Dear Parents and Guardians:

The faculty, staff and administration of Tavares Middle School are once again very excited about this upcoming

school year and the opportunity to work with you and your student. At TMS, we are especially proud to have a

middle school that is rich in family support.

On the following pages of this Student Handbook are many policies and procedures that will help us be consistent

with you and your student. Please read them very carefully, especially the areas concerning absences, pre-

arranged absences, checkouts, and parent/guardian contact numbers. It is extremely important that your

child be in attendance every day possible to achieve academic growth. Attendance Matters! For the safety and

security of your student, it is equally important that the TMS be able to reach you in the event of an emergency.

Please make sure you have updated your parent information.

We look forward to a terrific year with your student and, with your continued support and active involvement;

we have high expectations for outstanding student achievement and academic growth.

Thank you for all you do to prepare your middle schooler for this exciting learning experience.

Yours in Education,

Trella Mott

Principal

Tavares Middle School 1335 Lane Park Cut-off

Tavares, Florida 32778

352-343-4545

352-343-7212 (fax)

THE SCHOOL DAY, ACADEMICS, MATERIALS AND RECORDS

Visitors, Messages and Access

Tavares Middle School encourages active parental support and participation in all school activities. For the safety of our students, all

visitors must report to the Office for a visitor’s pass upon arrival on campus. Only those persons specifically listed by the parent and

documented in the Skyward computer system may have access to the student. It is essential that the school have current phone numbers

and access information at all times.

Parents may eat lunch with their child at any time. Parents may provide lunch and sit with their student only at a shaded private courtyard

table outside the Social Gallery (lunchroom). For security reasons and compliance of the Federal Free and Reduced lunch laws please

note that it is with their child only.

Per the Lake County Education Association contract, parents may visit a child’s classroom only with permission of the principal, consent

of the teacher, and after he/she has conferred with the teacher to arrange an appropriate time.

In case of emergency, messages will be delivered to students during the school day. Parents should contact the main office to do so.

Arrangements for transportation should be made in advance with the student. Please do not call or text student cell phones during the

school day for messages that must be received before 4:00 PM (3:00 PM on Weds.).

Students are entered and withdrawn through the Guidance Office. Parents must provide proof of residency to enter a new student.

Parents must come to the school on the last day of attendance to complete a withdrawal form, return textbooks and other school issued

materials, and to receive health information necessary to enroll the student in a new school. Grades will be forwarded to the new school

as soon as possible after withdrawal.

The School Day

The student day begins at 9:20 AM and ends at 4:10 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday hours are from 9:20

AM to 3:10 PM. Students enter campus at 9:05 AM each morning gathering in the courtyard until the first bell rings. Please note,

supervision for students is available beginning at 8:50 AM. Students who arrive after 9:20 AM are to stop in the attendance office for

a tardy pass. All tardiness is considered unexcused.

Entering Campus

TMS has a Single Point of Entry established by the Lake County School Board to help insure the security and safety of our students at

all times. Visitors are to enter at the Single Point of Entry/Attendance office and provide photo identification before proceeding with

their visit.

The Social Gallery

The school lunch is 30 minutes each day. Students may purchase a lunch or qualify for a reduced price or free based on the free lunch

application process. Students who had free or reduced lunch in the previous school year will be carried over for 10 days or until they

return a new application form. Application forms will be available at the beginning of the school year for all students and through the

main office afterwards.

Students may also purchase snack items in the buffet line based upon availability or bring their own lunch from home. Parents are

encouraged to pay for lunches in advance via on-line through the pre-payment plan at www.mylunchmoney.com. This website is also

available through the Food Service Department of Lake County Schools (LCSB) at www.lake.k12.fl.us or with a checks made payable

to TMS and presented to the cashier in the Social Gallery.

Each student is expected to maintain courteous behavior while in our Social Gallery. Sitting at his/her assigned table, taking turns and

maintaining an orderly line, being polite and respectful to the food service workers, using a normal voice when speaking to others,

refraining from making excessive noises, asking permission to leave their seats, and cleaning up after themselves are examples of good

behavior.

Academics and Schedules

Core academic courses At TMS include Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies. Enrichment academic classes include PE,

band, art, technology, computer applications, culinary arts, and reading. All students are scheduled according to their grade, test scores,

and academic needs. Enrichment classes may vary from year to year based on county allocations and availability.

Some enrichment classes may require modest lab fees to cover the costs of consumable supplies. PE classes will require appropriate PE

clothes including athletic shoes, shorts, and T-shirts and a PE locker. Academic classes may require specific materials beyond paper

and pencil. In all cases, TMS will make every effort to keep parent and student expenses to a minimum.

Textbooks, CDs, DVDs, Books on CD ROMs, Library Books and Other Student Materials Books and other student materials are the property of TMS and LCSB and are provided at no cost to the student. In accordance with

LCSB policy, students are responsible for all materials loaned to them. If materials are lost or damaged, the student is responsible for

full replacement cost. Note, payment by cash only. As always, if lost materials are found before the end of the TMS fiscal year, refunds

will be issued to the student and family. All fines and owed funds are to be paid in cash prior to participation in field trips, dances, extra

curricular activities, and promotion activities.

Make-up Work

Students with excused absences are responsible for making arrangements with the teacher to make up work and assignments

missed while absent. Understand all missed work is due within five days after their return to school with the following exceptions:

tests or exams assigned prior to absence will be taken on the day student returns to school

work assigned prior to absence and due while absent, will be due on the day student returns to school

long-term assignments must be turned in on the day the student returns to school, i.e. book reports, research papers, etc.

long-term assignments submitted after first day student returns to school will result in a grade reduction of no more than 10%

per day

students checking in and out on the day a long-term assignment is due must turn the assignment in by the end of that school

day for it to be accepted as on time

Late Work

Students who do not turn work in on time are encouraged to complete the assignment and turn it in late.

The grade received for late work will be based on the subject and kind of work being turned in late.

The grade for late work will be determined by the teacher

Teachers are not encouraged to accept bundles of late work as the grading period draws near an end.

Testing

Students will participate in State required/EOC and other academic testing according to state, county, and school guidelines to ensure

academic progress and success. Pre, progress monitoring, and post testing in all subject areas is an essential best practice at TMS.

Results of these tests can and do impact a student’s current and future schedule of classes.

Grades and Exams

Progress Reports are issued at the mid-point of each nine week grading period. Parents are encouraged to review student grades on a

regular basis via “Skyward”. A quick link is provided through the Lake County Schools website: www.lake.k12.fl.us . The student

ID number, a user name and password are required to utilize the system. Teachers are expected to maintain a 72 hour update of grades

on-line.

Report cards are issued four times during the school year, at the end of each nine week grading period. Students receive their report

cards at school to take home to parents. Students who are new to TMS must be in attendance at least 10 days to receive a grade from

TMS. If the student transfers to TMS from another school, the grade from the previous school will be averaged on a pro-rated basis

with the TMS grade to create the nine weeks average.

Semester and Final exams are given at the end of both the first and second semester. These exams may include both teacher-created

and/or county/state provided test materials. Semester and Final exams count as 10% of the student’s semester average; unless a state

percentage has been predetermined. Please note, to maintain exam integrity for all of our students, Semester and Final Exams are

required be taken on the exam date or a make-up date thereafter,

no exceptions or early exams.

Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are encouraged at any time during the school year. Conferences can be set up by contacting the guidance

office. Parents are also welcome to meet with the grade level administrator or principal upon request. TMS also has specialists including

a Literacy Coach, and ESE specialist on campus to assist families with meeting the academic needs of individual students.

ATTENDANCE, HEALTH AND SPECIAL SERVICES

Absences and Check Outs

Our expectation is that students attend school every day, all day. For the safety of your student, he/she is not permitted to leave school

for any reason after arrival unless checked out through the attendance office. Only parents, guardians, and those specifically listed on

our data base by the parent(s) as having permission to have access to the student may check out that student. Our high regard for your

student’s safety demands we require a photo identification to check out any student.

Parents are asked to limit early check outs to emergency needs only. To maintain safety during Parent Pick-up in the parking lot, parents

may not check out students during the 20 minutes prior to dismissal.

Students are to bring a written note from the parent or guardian to the attendance office upon returning to school from any absence

including early checkouts. In accordance with LCSB Policy, only absences due to the illness or injury of the student, medical

appointments with proof, the serious illness, injury or death of a family member, court appointments, religious holidays and some

educational activities are considered excused. Absences for other reasons, unless pre-arranged, are considered unexcused.

Pre-arranged absences must be approved by the principal or designee at least one week in advance of the absence. The parent/guardian

must provide written notification to the principal of the request for the absence including the reason and dates for the absence. Please

note, in accordance with Florida Department of Education Mandate, family vacations are not a valid consideration

for an excused absence, prearranged or otherwise. Teachers are not required or encouraged to issue work for

a student to take on vacation; work missed will be made up after student returns. Please follow student calendar and plan family

vacations accordingly.

Illness, Accidents, and Injuries

Parents will be notified by the school if a student is ill and needs to go home. TMS does not have a school nurse or staffed clinic to hold

sick students. Students will usually return to class to wait for a parent unless they are feverish or appear to have any type of contagious

condition.

Parents will be notified by the school if a student has been injured at school. Students with minor injuries will usually return to class.

Students who are bleeding or are in need of medical attention will remain in the main office building until the parent arrives. TMS

reserves the right and holds the responsibility to call 911 for emergency medical assistance. Students are strongly encouraged to purchase

school insurance to assist with medical costs that may result from an injury. Information is available through the main office.

Students with a temporary injury may be excused from physical activity for up to three days with a confirmed parent note. A doctor’s

note is required for more extended periods of time. Students who are unable to participate in required physical activities may be assigned

alternative assignments to make up for the missed activity.

Students may also obtain an elevator pass for up to three days with a confirmed parent note due to a temporary injury that makes climbing

stairs unsafe. Elevator passes for longer periods of time are allowed only with a doctor’s note. Students with foot injuries must make

every effort to protect the injured foot and walk safely by wearing footwear that both protects the foot and maintains balance.

Medication

Parents are encouraged to dispense student medications at home if at all possible. If a student must take medication at school, the parent

must, in accordance with LCSB Policy, complete the proper forms and provide the medication in the original container with both the

student’s and doctor’s name on the label. Forms and all information regarding medication are available through the guidance office. For

our staff to effectively and properly serve you and your students, administer the first dose of the medication at home allowing you, the

parent, to watch for and note unexpected side effects prior to sending the student to school.

Health Screening

The Lake County Health Department offers general health screening through the school each year, usually for 6th graders. Information

is sent home with students a few weeks before the screening takes place. Parents may opt out of this screening by sending a note to the

TMS Health Coordinator prior to the screening.

As a service to you, students are also provided the opportunity to have their state mandated injections at school through the Health

Department. Letters are sent home several weeks prior to the event. Only those students who return a signed permission slip are allowed

to participate.

BEHAVIOR, SAFETY, POLICIES, and TRANSPORTATION

Behavior Expectations

The highest level of courteous “PATRIOT” behavior is expected from each of our students. TMS is committed to following the policies

outlined in the LCSB Student Code of Conduct, and provides a Patriot Pride curriculum teaching social behavior. Maintaining a safe

and orderly campus enhances the educational experience and ensures a positive learning environment for all students. To meet this goal,

TMS has established a “zero tolerance” policy for the following:

Fighting

Student harassment / intimidation (bullying)

Teacher harassment / disrespect

Drugs and alcohol

Weapons

Unsafe activities that could result in student or staff injury.

Discipline Ladder

TMS has also developed a discipline ladder to address inappropriate behaviors. In all cases, every effort will be made to contact parents

by phone when a student has a discipline issue. With the exception of zero tolerance or other sudden, extreme issues, the administration

of TMS will usually address office referrals on an escalating scale of consequences including but not limited to the following:

Administrative Detention (45 minutes after school)

Administrative Detention (90 minutes after school)

Wednesday School (3 hour after school)

Saturday School (3 hour on a designated Saturday)

OSI (Opportunity for Self Improvement; A.K.A. In –school suspension)

OSS (out of school suspension)

10 days of OSS – recommendation for expulsion or alternative placement

4th OSS – recommendation for expulsion or alternative placement

Students assigned to OSI for disciplinary purposes will spend their entire school day in a quiet, small group setting where students

concentrate on academic growth. Student class work is obtained from the regular teacher and completed in the OSI facility. The

completed work is returned to the teacher and graded for full credit. Students are restricted from all social contact with other students

for the entire school day of OSI.

Students assigned to OSS for disciplinary purposes are restricted from attending school or being on any LCSB campus for the duration

of the suspension. Middle school students are allowed to make up missed work upon return to school according to LCSB guidelines

regarding suspension and make up work.

Dress Code

Fashion is important to students at this stage of their development. Through Patriot Pride and in conjunction with LCSB Policy, TMS

is committed to teach our students an understanding that there is a time and a place for apparel styles. At TMS, students arrive dressed

in a manner that is clean, safe, shows respect for the educational environment, and refrains from distracting or offending other students.

The following prohibited items are consistent with the LCSB Code of Conduct.

Sleeveless shirts

Tank Tops

Bare midriffs

Backless shoes

Low-cut shirts with exposed cleavage

Exposed undergarments including boxer shorts and athletic shorts

Pajamas and slippers

Leggings, tights, or skin-tight stretch clothing worn without shorts or a skirt no more than 5” above center of the knee

Oversized pants whose waistband falls below the hip with or without a belt

Hats, hoods, bandanas and scarves that cover the head except those for religious purposes

Clothing that advertises drugs, alcohol, gangs, weapons, or tobacco products

Clothing with words, slogans, negative racial impact, or graphics that are offensive to others

Shorts, skirts, or tears in pants that are more than 5” above the center of the knee

Students who choose not to comply with the dress code will participate in our OSI program until more appropriate clothing is brought

to school.

Hallways and Stairs

TMS is a large campus with a population of over 1000 students. For the safety of all students and adults on campus, our students follow

these basic safety guidelines in the hallways and on the stairs.

Always walk – no running or jumping at any time

Walk no more than three side-by-side

Keep to the right when walking on sidewalks and stairs

Enter and exit double doors on the right

Step away from the main entrance doors as soon as you enter or exit to allow others to pass

Never throw anything over the railings

Cell Phones, Electronics, Toys, and Contraband Students may possess smart phones and cell phones in accordance with the LCSB Student Code of Conduct. To insure these items

remain in the hands of their owners, these items are to be powered off, not in use, and not in sight during the school day first morning

bell to 4:10 PM, 3:10 PM on Weds) including text messages or parental contact. Students with emergency needs are to go to the main

office or their grade level administrator for assistance in contacting parents.

Permanent markers and toys such as, but not limited to, stuffed animals, tech decks, and hand held or board games are also considered

contraband and should not be brought to school or on the bus. Contraband items or cell phones in use will be confiscated and turned in

to attendance to be picked up by the parent or guardian in attendance. Second offenses during a semester will result in an office referral.

A third offense regarding a cell phone will result in the loss of privilege to bring the cell phone to school for the remainder of the school

year. Please note that if and when cell phones, smart phones, and other electronic devices are reported as missing they will be considered

to have been “in-sight” and therefore not the responsibility of TMS or LCSB.

Participation Expectations for School Events

Students are encouraged to participate in school-wide events such as dances, special assemblies, field days, in-

school athletic events, extra-curricular athletics, field trips, etc. Participation requires:

No outstanding fines for books or postings on the TMS Student Debt List After 5th day served in OSI, student cannot attend activities/fieldtrips for 30 school days

Second OSS, student cannot attend activities/fieldtrips for 30 school days

Third OSS, student cannot attend activities/fieldtrips for 60 school days

Fourth OSS, student cannot attend activities/fieldtrips for remainder of the school year.

NOTE: Should the student fail to comply with the requirements after purchasing a ticket, the

student/parent will not be eligible for refunds.

Learning Zone Rules (classroom)

All learning zones (classrooms) follow the school wide policies of Patriot Pride. Additionally, each teacher and/or academic team may

further develop learning zone rules to ensure a positive learning environment. Students are encouraged to choose wisely following

learning zone rules. Failure to make wise decisions has consequences including teacher issued detentions and office referrals.

Tardiness Students have five minutes between classes and are expected to be inside the threshold of the learning zone (classroom) when the bell

rings.

1st tardy Warning

2nd tardy One Admin Detention 45 min

3rd tardy One Admin Detention 90 min

4th tardy Two Admin Detentions 90 minutes

5th tardy Wed school

Tardy sweeps without notice. Students outside a learning zone without a pass = Admin Detention (90 minutes)

Excessively late without verifiable pass (more than 2 minutes) = Referral.

Team Detention

Team Detention is 30 minutes in length. Students are assigned by teachers according to the behavioral ladder. The detention start time

and location will be held by the educational team. Students who miss detention one time will be re-assigned to the next available date.

Students who continue to miss detention will have an office referral.

Lockers

Students are strongly encouraged, but not required to have lockers on campus. Students are responsible for their own combination locks.

NO KEY LOCKS PERMITTED. $2.00. Change of locker combination or locker location is $4.00. For the safety of our students and

their possessions, students are not allowed to share lockers or add an additional lock.

Backpacks Backpacks, sling bags, tote bags, and other large bags (including large purses) defined as large enough to hold a textbook are required

to be stored in a student locker between the hours of 9:10 AM and 4:10 PM (3:10 PM on Wed). They are to be left in locker after 1st

bell until last bell at end of the day.

Transportation

Parents and guardians are asked to make transportation arrangements with their child before the student leaves home in the morning.

Only messages regarding emergency changes will be delivered to students. Bus stops and pick up zones are determined by the LCSB

Transportation Department. Information regarding bus stops is available on line through www.lake.k12.fl.us

Car riders, car riders enter TMS from the front parking area, Patriot Place, only for the security and safety of our students,. Car riders

are dismissed each day at 4:10 PM (3:10 PM on Weds.) Car riders must enter vehicles at Patriot Place, the front pick-up zone only.

Car riders are not allowed to cross traffic to enter a parked or waiting vehicle in the afternoon until 4:30 PM (3:30

on Weds.)

Walkers enter and exit from the rear or front walking gate. To insure their safety, walkers are required to remain on the sidewalk and

cross only at designated cross walks. For safety reasons, skateboards or roller blades are not permitted on school grounds per LCSB

Policy.

Bicycle riders walk their bikes onto the campus. Bicycles are locked in the bicycle compound during the day for security. Bicycle riders

are dismissed each day at 4:00 PM (3:00 PM on Weds.) For their safety and the safety of other students, bicycle riders must also walk

their bicycles off campus.

Bus riders enter from Citizenship Circle (bus loop) only and are dismissed from class at 4:10 PM (3:10 PM on Weds.). Students have

6 minutes to get on the bus before departure. Bus rules are for the safety of the students as well as other drivers on our roadways. We

have high expectations that our students will follow all bus rules as outlined in the LCSB Code of Conduct. Students who fail to follow

the bus rules will receive a bus referral. Consequences can include suspension and/or expulsion from the bus.

If a student misses his/her bus, the student is to report to the main office, or use a personal form of communication, and make

arrangements for other transportation home.

Students are not allowed to change buses or bus stops without the expressed permission of TMS administration. In accordance with

LCSB policy and for the logistic safety of your student, bus changes are for emergencies only, not socialization or events outside of the

school. Students who need to ride a different bus home or get off at a different bus stop should bring a note to school explaining the

request and include a parent phone number one day before the date of the change. The note should be presented to Attendance first

thing in the morning so that the request can be verified. All changes are subject to available space on the bus.

ACTIVITIES and ORGANIZATIONS

Intramural and Extracurricular Sports

TMS is pleased to offer a variety of intramural and extracurricular sports including but not limited to volleyball, basketball, soccer,

cheerleading, and track. Offerings may vary each year. All students involved in physical activities must pay $10.00 participation fee,

show proof of insurance, complete a health physical, and maintain the designated GPA. Extracurricular sports are subject to academic

and behavior rules as outlined by the LCSB Student Code of Conduct and Patriot Pride. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged

to participate in their child’s sports program by attending athletic events.

Student Organizations

TMS offers extracurricular opportunities to students that may include Art Club, Drama Club, Yearbook Club, Student Government,

JNHS. Offerings may vary from year to year.

Field Trips

Educational field trips may be offered throughout the school year through various grade level teams or curriculum areas. Students are

encouraged to participate in field trips as they become available to enhance the learning experience outside the classroom. School

sponsored field trips are considered excused absences, but students are expected to make up work from missed classes as determined by

their teachers. Parent chaperones are frequently needed for field trips. Please refer to the following section regarding volunteers for

more information.

Volunteers

Parent volunteers willing to share their time and talents are welcome at TMS. For the safety of our students, parent volunteers must be

approved by the LCSB. Application forms are available in the main office and through our website: www.lake.k12.fl.us/erm. Because

this screening process may take several weeks, parents are encouraged to volunteer early in the school year to be prepared to assist as

opportunities develop especially in regards to field trips.

PTO, Academic Boosters

Parents and guardians are encouraged to become members of the Academic Boosters Organization. The Academic Boosters

Organization is the fund-raising arm of the school and supports both students and teachers throughout the school year. Booster

information is available in the main office.

SAC

The School Advisory Committee (SAC) is mandated and regulated by the State. Membership is through application and is approved by

the LCSB. The SAC is charged to address the issues of school improvement and student achievement. Additional information is

available upon request through the principal.