VANCE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL HOW WE DO BUSINESS

VANCE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL “HOW WE DO BUSINESS” 2019 -2020

WELCOME Message from VCMS Administration: It is a pleasure to have each of you back with us this year. We hope that your summer was outstanding and you were able to reunite with family and friends. We spent the summer planning for your social, emotional and academic success and we are excited and Vance County PROUD! to be your team of administrators. We look forward to making new memories and learning more about you. Each of you mean the world to us and if there is anything that we can do to make your JAGUAR experience more enjoyable, please do not hesitate to let us know. Please remember … “ATTITUDE is a little thing THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE” Respectfully, Mrs. Somerville, Mr. Watson, Mr. Ross , Mrs. Bullock, Ms. Pugh, Mrs. Faines Principal 6 th Grade AP 7 th Grade AP 8 th Grade AP AP Intern

BUS RIDERS (Expectations) � Arrive to your bus stop 10 minutes prior to the identified bus arrival time � Board the bus safely and report to your designated seat quickly and orderly � Sit with your back against the seat, legs out of the isle (Do not stand, sit on your knees or book bag while the bus is in motion) � Obey the posted rules and the driver of your bus (No yelling, screaming, profanity, throwing items, arguing, …) (Warning: School Rules Apply to the Bus)

Arriving at School (Llegando a la escuela) �Students should arrive to school no later than 7: 45 am. (School Hours: 8: 00 am – 3: 30 pm) �Report directly to the cafeteria and/or gymnasium �Be on your best behavior �Wait for your teacher to arrive to escort you to your classroom. �Walk quickly and in a straight line while transitioning to class. (Each of you is a year older and the expectations are higher)

PBIS-ACTIONS FOUR ACTIONS ARE REQUIRED IN EVERYTHING WE DO EACH DAY: � Just Be Responsible � Always be Respectful � Give Back to Others � Safety is Essential (See PBIS-JAGS Matrix on Shared Drive)

PBIS-Character Traits All VMCS students will be expected to demonstrate the following Value-Based characteristics : Self-Control Integrity Kindness Cooperation Tolerance Determination Fairness Optimism Persistence Patience

PBIS-Character Traits Leadership-Based Characteristics: �Confidence �Resourcefulness �Enthusiasm �Proactive �Ambitiousness �Decisiveness �…. .

DRESS CODE The following clothing is allowable: �Navy Blue or Khaki Pants �White or Navy Blue Shirt [Black is not a part of the school uniform]

DRESS CODE Head Gear-Coverings are Not Allowable Hats Bandanas Head Bands Bonnets or Night Caps

DRESS CODE Permissible Head Coverings (Winter and Fall) � Toboggans, Hats, etc. are allowed during the appropriate seasons; however, these items must be removed immediately upon entering the building � Fashionable scarves/full head-wraps, etc (bandana print excluded) worn as part of the student wardrobe are permissible.

BEHAVIOR (MAJOR INFRACTIONS) The following Violations will secure a meeting with your grade-level Assistant Principal: � FIGHTING (Physical &Verbal Altercations, Instigating, Boosting) � WEAPONS (Guns, Knives, Razor Blade, Laser pointers, Normal items used in an inappropriate manner, etc. ) � DRUGS and/or ALCOHOL (Includes Fake/Counterfeit Drugs) � THREATS (Towards Peers and/or Staff) � BULLYING and/or HARASSMENT (Social media and/or In-Person) � GANG-POLICY VIOLATIONS ( Flashing gang signs, initiations, etc. ) � PROFANITY Towards Staff

BEHAVIOR & PROCESS (Classroom Preparedness) Please have the following items ready each class period: �Assigned Homework �Binder and class work �Notebook Paper �Pencils, pens and/or highlighter **Students should have a book to read when all in-class work has been satisfactorily completed. (Teacher determines whether or not completed work meets academic expectations. Students shall make all necessary corrections to work per teacher direction. )

BEHAVIOR & PROCESS (Entering the Classroom) How to Enter the Classroom: �Enter Quietly �Sit in your assigned seat �Retrieve and Organize materials in your work area �Begin warm-up, Bell work, Do Now…

BEHAVIOR & PROCESS (Class Participation) How to Participate During Class: Always on a S. L. A. N. T. … �Sit up, speak at an appropriate level and time �Listen attentively �Ask and answer questions �Nod, take notes, use non-verbal cues to encourage speaker �Treat others with respect - raise your hand wait to be acknowledged Participation is expected EVERYDAY from EVERYONE!

BEAHVIOR & PROCESS (Tardy to Class) When Tardy to Class: � Have a note/pass from the teacher/staff from which you are coming � Present to class note/pass to your teacher immediately upon arriving � If you do not have a note/pass; be prepared for a brief conversation with your teacher � Report to your seat and catch up with the current work opportunity being presented Teachers, please do not send a student to get a note from a “sending” teacher. There may not be a sending teacher. Get a teacher name and follow up with the identified teacher at a later time.

BEHAVIOR & PROCESS (Dismissing from Class) How to be Dismissed from Class: �Teacher will wrap-up 3 -5 minutes prior to identified dismissal (Complete any labs, exit-tickets, presentations, … and prepare to be dismissed) �Students should clean-up around their desk and/or assigned work area �Line up, inside the classroom, to be escorted to the next class. (Teacher reminder of transition expectations is encouraged at this time; move quickly and quietly) (Classroom teachers dismiss class)

BEHAVIOR & PROCESS (Interpersonal Communication) How to Communicate with Adults: �Stop moving and face the adult that is speaking to you �Wait for the adult to stop speaking prior to sharing your thoughts and feelings �Respond respectfully in tone and non-verbally (These same rules may be utilized when speaking with peers)

BEHAVIOR & PROCESS (Getting & Giving Attention) When your Attention is Needed: �An adult will raise his/her hand for attention �Students will stop talking and raise their hands to acknowledge attention is required �Keep your eyes on the adult �Listen for instructions/directions without interruption **This method will be incorporated in all large settings (Assemblies, Cafeteria, etc. It is suggested that you use this in-class for consistency.

BEHAVIOR & PROCESS (Transitions) How to Move as a Class/Individual: � When provided a hall pass, go directly to the designated destination and return to class promptly. (ex. Restroom, Main Office, cafeteria, …) � Walk Quietly and in an Orderly fashion; accompanied by the teacher. � Walk on the right-hand side of the hallway or side- walk at a moderately fast rate.

FYI Learning Opportunities � Teachers will provide ALL students with numerous and varied opportunities to learn and practice the skills necessary to be successful. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities � Complete all work to the best of your ability (in-class, homework, individual and group projects; request assistance from your teacher if you are stalled on a problem or question; participate in collaborative activities; when appropriate, assist a peer that is experiencing difficulty understanding a concept and most importantly, be persistent in your pursuit of knowledge

GRADING The following grading scale will be used to report student progress: A = 100 -90 B = 80 -89 C = 70 -79 D = 60 -69 *Commit to a high level of purposeful persistence; excellence will come to you

What Inspires You? WORDS MATTER; HOW WILL YOU INSPIRE?

VCMS JAGUARS WELCOME BACK JAGUARS LET’S HAVE A GREAT YEAR!