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Student Handbook

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ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School is a comprehensive middle school focused on academic excellence and success. Our academic program is designed to best meet the needs of each of our students. Students are involved in an academic program that encourages higher levels of thinking in all content areas. Students will
experience multiple writing tasks in support and extension of instruction in all subject areas. Students will be assessed through homework, projects, tests, and classroom performance. We believe all students can learn and do our best to insure the
success of each Eisenhower student.

Grades-
Grades are a reflection of student progress and success in each classroom. Grades are reported to students and parents on a
regular basis and we encourage both students and parents to
confer with teachers regarding student grades and progress.

Progress Reports-
During the fifth week of each grading period, students will be
issued a printed progress report to take home. This report is done to alert and inform parents of student academic progress. Progress Reports are to be signed by parents/guardians and returned to school. A copy will be kept on file at school.

Report Cards-
Four times per school year report cards are issued to students. These quarterly reports indicate the student's performance in each course or class. Students are graded in the areas of mastery of content, testing, completion of assignments, classroom performance, work habits and attendance. Letter grades are given for each course and defined as:

A.     Student has achieved success in all the course goals.

B.     Student has achieved success in most of the course goals.

C.     Student has achieved success in the basic course goals.

D.     Student has achieved success in a few of the course goals.

E.      Student has not achieved any success in reaching
course goals.

All students will receive, during the first week of enrollment,
an explanation of teacher grading policies and classroom expectations.

Homework-
Homework is an important part of the school program and should always be completed and turned in to your teacher. Missing assignments can dramatically impact your grade. Students and parents should expect about 30 minutes of homework each night in most of their classes. Homework can be in many forms and is designed to supplement class work, reinforce current learning, and provide practice of specific skills and concepts. Parents can be supportive of homework by providing a quiet work environment, having needed supplies, and monitoring assignments and projects. We encourage all students to select a "Study Buddy" for each class who will be a support when students may be absent from class. Students may contact their Study Buddy to get assignments, notes, or assistance as needed.

Honor Roll-
The Honor Roll recognizes student excellence and encourages more effort on the part of all students to reach excellence. Students with
an "A" (4.0 or better) average are recognized on the Distinguished Honors Honor Roll. Students with a grade point average of "B" (3.0 - 3.9) will become members of the Honor Roll. Various activities are used to recognize and celebrate Honor Roll success.

Educational Materials
Textbooks are one tool used in the Eisenhower instructional
program. Some classes may utilize a variety of texts and materials
in the delivery of the instructional program. It is the student's
responsibility to cover and take good care of the materials.
Remember, students are responsible for returning all textbooks or payment for lost or damaged books. Student promotion, grades,
and records will be denied and withheld until payment has been made in full. It is expected that all students will come to class prepared to learn with the tools necessary for learning. Each teacher team will supply a list of materials and supplies each student needs for the instructional program. Teachers may also request special materials for some projects or activities. Eisenhower sponsors a student run School Store where students can purchase basic
school supplies. We appreciate your assistance in making sure
your student has his/her needed school supplies.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Attendance
Maryland State Law requires you attend school regularly
everyday. Regular attendance is a must if you want to succeed
and do well in school. Your attendance is monitored very closely
by your teachers, guidance counselor, and administrator. Your parents will be called when you are absent from school. Parents should call the school anytime a student is absent. When you are absent and return to school, you must give your homeroom
teacher a note from home. The note should contain the reason for being absent, dates of absence, and your parent's signature. If you are absent for more than five days you need to bring a note from the doctor explaining your absence. If you are going to be absent for more than three days your parents/guardian should call the
guidance office to request assignments from your teachers. If you
do not bring in a signed note stating a legal reason for being absent, your absence is considered illegal and unexcused. You will receive a "0" in each class for the day and assignments and homework cannot be made up. Unexcused illegal absences are subject to additional disciplinary actions.

The State of Maryland considers the following lawful
reasons for being absent:

·         Death in immediate family

·         Illness of the student

·         Court summons

·         Violent storms

·         Observance of religious holiday

·         Quarantine

·         State emergency

Students who are consistently absent will be referred to the
Pupil Personnel Worker for action and may be considered
for retention based on the number of days absent

STUDENT CONDUCT INFORMATION

Student academic success can only be achieved in a safe and orderly environment. In order to meet these expectations, all members of the school community - parents, students, and educators - must accept responsibility for sustaining a high level of positive personal performance. All schools have a certain set of rules and regulations that govern student behavior. These rules are a balance between the responsibilities of the individuals and the responsibilities of the school. We recognize that our students are youngsters in transition and often need adult assistance in managing their behavior. Students and parents must realize that we will not allow one student's negative behavior to hinder another student from learning or stop a teacher from teaching. The Student Code of Conduct has been established as the policy and procedure related to student behavior. All behavioral decisions in middle school are guided by this code. Two general categories are organized for behavioral issues that may result in a principal ordering a suspension or recommending an expulsion:

Gross Misconduct

·         Arson

·         False Alarms

·         Fireworks or Explosives

·         Inciting Others to Violence

·         Physical Attack and/or Threat Thereof

·         Possession or Use of Weapons

·         Possession, Use, or Distribution of Alcohol, Controlled Dangerous Substances, or Drug Paraphernalia

·         Shakedown or Strong Arm

·         Theft

·         Use of Tobacco

·         Vandalism

Persistent Disobedience

·         Cheating

·         Continued Class Disruption

·         Disrespect

·         Distribution of Unauthorized Materials

·         False Reports

·         Forgery

·         Gambling

·         Insubordination

·         Loitering

·         Sexual Harassment

·         Unauthorized Sale or Distribution

All middle school principals are required to request expulsion for the following offenses:

·         Possession or Use of Weapon or Look Alike

·         Possession, Use, Distribution of Alcohol, Controlled Substances, or Drug Paraphernalia

·         Physical Attack on School Employee

·         Acts of Gross Misconduct at Other Schools

·         Participation in a Group Fight

Disciplinary Actions

A variety of disciplinary actions are used to assist students in changing and managing their behaviors. Suspension from school is used as a last resort when a student disobeys a rule unless their behavior is very serious, disruptive, or persistent. The suspension serves as a way to bring the school and parents together as partners to address and resolve the concerns. Other disciplinary actions may include:

·         Parent Conference

·         After School Detention

·         Behavioral Probation

·         Loss of Privileges

·         Temporary Removal From Class

·         Saturday School

·         Referral to Student Discipline Center

·         Parent Shadowing

Peer Mediation

Avoiding conflict and resolving problems are learned skills. In order to assist students in this area we provide a Peer Mediation Program. Students will be referred to peer mediators to help them in resolving conflicts before they lead to larger behavioral issues in school. Peer mediation assists students in learning how to deal with concerns in a positive appropriate manner.

Positive Language

In order to maintain a positive environment, it is essential that all persons play an active role by speaking to and with one another in a polite positive manner. We are dedicated to the elimination of abusive, negative, and course language. Everyone at Eisenhower has the right to expect RESPECT for themselves. Any student whose conduct is in violation of our rules and procedures can expect any member of the school staff to call attention to that violation. Every student is expected to respond positively to any adult request. Failure to respond will be treated as a serious infraction.