2015-2016 Middle School Handbook

Burlington Community School District
Middle School Student Handbook
2015—2016
ALDO LEOPOLD
EDWARD STONE
WOLVES
JETS
3075 SUNNYSIDE AVE
3000 MASON RD
Phone: 319-752-8390
Phone: 319-752-4393
FAX: 319-752-8447
FAX: 319-752-7437
BURLINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOLS
_______________________________
STUDENT NAME
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2015-2016
ALDO LEOPOLD
EDWARD STONE
WOLVES
JETS
3075 SUNNYSIDE AVE
3000 MASON RD
Phone: 319-752-8390
Phone: 319-752-4393
FAX: 319-752-8447
FAX: 319-752-7437
BCSD Website: http://bcsds.org
On behalf of all staff, welcome to the Burlington Middle Schools. We are here to provide
assistance to you, so please feel free to ask questions or request help at any time. Every school must have
rules, regulations and high expectations so that all students can function in an organized, safe manner.
Please read this handbook with your parents and become familiar with the policies, procedures, and
expectations of our schools. The key to achievement and success in school will be your desire to learn.
Best wishes to each of you for a very exciting and rewarding school year.
This handbook has been prepared to help explain and clarify the procedures, policies, and
expectations in the Burlington Middle Schools. We hope that it will be helpful to students, parents and
staff in working closely as we guide our students through the middle school experience. If you have
questions, please contact your respective middle school. Each student will be issued a planner/handbook
at the beginning of the school year. If it is lost, the student will be required to replace the
planner/handbook at his/her own expense.
Your Middle School Principals,
Mark Yeoman, Principal Aldo Leopold
Tim Cradic, Associate Principal Aldo Leopold
Brian Johnson, Principal Edward Stone
Casey O’Rourke, Associate Principal Edward Stone
ACCEPTABLE USE VERIFICATION
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BURLINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOLS
GENERAL INFORMATION
2015-2016
DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT
Inspiring and challenging students through diverse opportunities.
MIDDLE SCHOOL GOALS
All students will:
 Show improvement in communication of ideas with better reading, writing, speaking, listening and technology skills.
 Be able to follow written and verbal directions.
 Abide by the established rules of conduct and safety.
 Show respect, courtesy, and friendliness to all people.
 All students will participate in class activities and complete their assignments on time.

REGULAR SCHOOL HOURS
7:50 AM - 3:01 PM
Busses arrive 7:25 AM
Students are not to arrive at school prior to 7:35 am. Students are expected to wait outside unless instructed otherwise by the
building staff. All students are to leave the building and grounds by 3:10 p.m. unless they are under the direct supervision of a staff member.
On early dismissal days students are to leave the building and grounds within 10 minutes of dismissal time.
OFFICE HOURS
7:00 AM - 3:45 PM
CODE OF CONDUCT
I CHOOSE TO BE HERE.
I AM HERE TO LEARN AND ACHIEVE.
I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY ACTIONS.
I CONTRIBUTE TO A SAFE, RESPECTFUL, COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY.
I COME WITH A CLEAR MIND AND HEALTHY BODY.
THIS IS MY SCHOOL…I MAKE IT SHINE.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM
A federally regulated breakfast and lunch program are provided. Students will not be allowed to leave the campus for lunch unless
accompanied by the student’s parent or guardian or written permission from the student’s parent or guardian. If school is delayed,
breakfast will not be served. Money may be added to the students account each morning as per each building’s designated time. Lunch
cards may not be transferred from one student to another and students may not borrow, buy, sell, or trade lunch cards for food items.
Other district level lunch procedures may be found in the lunch section of the Board of Education section.
CAMPUS VISITORS
We welcome parents, guardians, and other community citizens who want to visit our school. All visitors must check in at the office,
sign in, and receive a visitor’s badge. Students who attend another school may not visit during the school day.
CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
Students are expected to treat school property with care and respect. Students found to have damaged or destroyed school
property may be required to reimburse the district, and may be subject to additional disciplinary actions.
SCHOOL RULES AGAINST BULLYING
• We will not bully others.
• We will help students who are bullied.
• We will include students who are easily left out.
• When we know somebody is being bullies, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
Bullying among school children is a very old phenomenon. Some children are frequently and systematically harassed and attacked by other
children, and many adults have experienced it from their school days. This harassment may be done directly (open attacks, words, gestures
or physical contact) or indirectly (being excluded from the peer group or rumors being spread) cyber bullying is also prohibited. The
Burlington Community School District has implemented the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Goals of the Olweus Bullying Prevention
Program are to eliminate existing bully/victim problems in and out of the school setting and to prevent the development of new problems.
An additional goal is to achieve better peer relations at school and to create conditions that make it possible for both victims and bullies to
get along and function better in and out of the school setting.
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COMMITMENT TO SAFETY
Recognizing that every student has the right to a safe environment where everyone is treated with respect:
 I understand that I have an essential role in school safety and violence prevention.
 I will immediately report any threats of violence, suicide, presence of weapons or explosives to school administrators, allowing them to
investigate and determine the seriousness of the report.
 I will do all I can to stop harassment of others.
 I will promote the acceptance of individual differences, recognizing that diversity contributes to the strength of the Burlington Middle
Schools.
 I understand that cyber bullying is not allowed due to the negative impact on the learning environment.
Student’s Name: ______________________________________________________
Class of _______________
Witness: __________________________________
Date: _____________________________
Parent’s Name: _______________________________________________________
Date: _____________________________
RESPONSIBLE THINKING PROCESS (RTP)
Our school will continue with the Responsible Thinking Process (RTP) behavior management program. Burlington schools have found RTP
to be the most effective way to reduce student disruption and enhance students’ ability to resolve problems by teaching self-management
responsibilities.
Our Behavior Management Philosophy
The BCSD believes all students are responsible for their own actions and must be taught to respect the rights of others. Through the RTP
program, students learn to think of ways to meet their needs and respect the rights of others in the school. Students have a right to learn and
teachers have a right to teach in a safe environment. No students have a right to disrupt at school, especially if they are preventing other
students from learning or are threatening the safety and rights of others.
Classroom Expectations
Students are not allowed to disrupt in class or anywhere on the school property, which includes the school bus. When disruptions occur,
students are asked to think about their actions through a series of questions and compare their actions to the expectations or standards. If a
student persist in breaking rules or continues with disruptive behavior, then their right to be in that location is removed. A student is then
assigned to the Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTC). Students stay in RTC until they indicate to the RTC teacher they are willing to
follow the expectations or standards. At that point the RTC teacher provides learning opportunities to work out a plan which is then used to
negotiate their return with the person where the disruption occurred. Students are permitted to go to all other classes and locations where
they have been responsible, such as the library, cafeteria, and hallways.
The RTP has been successfully adopted in our school with very positive results. Students have learned to self- manage their behaviors in a
highly responsible way. Due to the reduced number of classroom disruptions and efficient way disruptions are handled, there is an increase
in classroom learning time. This process is based on two books by Ed Ford: Discipline for Home and School, Books One and Two. If you
have internet, you can visit the RTP website at www.responsiblethinking.com. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us here at
school.
Students are sent to the Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTC) with referrals AFTER they have received a warning concerning their
disruption.
1st Warning**
2nd Warning
(Which results in referral being
written)
“What are you doing?”
“What are the rules?”
“What will happen if you disrupt again?”
“What are you doing?”
“What did you say would happen the next time you disrupted?”
“Where do you need to go now?”
**The student gives up their 1st warning if they refuse to answer above questions.
The student then creates a detailed plan before negotiations with the person who initiated the referral. The plan is signed by the student, the
person who referred the student and the RTC teacher. The student returns to class after negotiating the plan with the teacher who initiated
it. The plan is logged into the students file and kept for future meetings.
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POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SUPPORT AT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) will allow us the opportunity to provide a consistent and fair behavior plan. Students
achieve higher levels when they know expectations and feel safe. PBIS sets detailed expectations in every area of the school while putting an
emphasis on safety.
PBIS is not new to education. It is based upon a long history of research in areas of behavior and in structural design. Positive behavior
needs to be taught through modeling, explicit instruction, and practice.
The success of PBIS will improve with time and with the participation of our families. School behavior plans that are followed in the home
greatly improve their effectiveness in the school.
STRUCTURED LUNCH
During student lunch time students are assigned structured lunch for behaviors outside of the classroom, or is not a classroom behavior
disruption (tardy, misbehavior on playground, behavior or hallway misconduct).
HOMEWORK HANGOUT
Homework Hangout is assigned to students to get extra help by a teacher after school to complete assignments. Students are required to stay
after school with the teacher unless other arrangements have been made with the teacher or administrator.
NON-ESSENTIAL / NUISANCE ITEMS
Students are not permitted to have cell phones or any other nonessential items that are potentially disruptive to the learning environment on
their person during the school day. This includes but is not limited to iPods, Mp3 players, pagers, electronic games and other items not on a
recommended list of student supplies. Students who use their cell phones or students with a ring or vibrating cell phone while school is in
session will have their phone confiscated. No gum or candy is allowed at school.

1st Offense- Nuisance item confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the day after the student has notified a parent.

2nd Offense- Nuisance item confiscated and returned to a parent after the parent receives and signs the Nuisance Items policy.

3rd Offense Nuisance item confiscated and the student is assigned to the Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTC) for one class period.
Nuisance item is returned to a parent after the RTC plan is complete.

4th Offense – Turn items into office on a daily basis and pick up at the end of the day
SCHOOL LOCKER
Each student is assigned a locker with a padlock and or lock combination. No personal padlocks may be used on hallway lockers. The
student is to use only his/her assigned locker. This locker is to be used for essential school items only. No open containers or bags of drinks
or snacks are allowed in student lockers. Students are expected to keep the lockers in neat condition, be sure they are locked, and not give
anyone their locker combination. Report any loss and/or vandalism to the office immediately. Lockers are school property and subject to
search by authorized school personnel as provided under Iowa Law (HG528).
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
The purpose of our discipline plan is to provide a safe and productive school environment. To help achieve that, students should:

Follow directions the first time given.

Be on time with the appropriate materials.

Treat people and property with dignity and respect.

Keep hands, feet, objects, and mouth to yourself.

Talk at a conversational level with appropriate language.

Students must have a signed hall pass from the “hall pass” section in their assignment book when in the hallways during
classes.

BICYCLE/SKATEBOARD/ROLLER BLADES/MOPEDS
The school is unable to assume responsibility for loss, theft, or damage, and it is recommended that each student provide a lock for their
bicycle. All bicycles should be pushed on school grounds. Skateboards and roller blades are not allowed on school grounds. Students who
are of legal age to ride mopeds to school ad have the moped legally registered may ride them to school. They must follow all of the traffic
rules, park in a legal parking spot, and register the moped with the school office in order to maintain this privilege.
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TECHNOLOGY BEHAVIOR MATRIX
Technology is a vital part of education. To increase student assess to technology, the district assigns Chrome Books to all
middle school students. A behavior matrix has been created to reinforce positive expectations of students.
Every student will start at Tier 1 and have access to all sites the teachers have deemed necessary for learning in their
classrooms. At the end of each month, we will look at the criteria established in the third column to determine if a student
has earned the privilege to move to the next tier to gain access to new resources. Students must meet all of the criteria in
order to move up a tier or stay at their current spot. This is a privilege the student has earned based on good academic and
school behavior. These privileges can be lost by missing the criteria for a month or by principal discretion based on a
violation of a school rule that results in in-school/ out of school suspension. The tier each student is placed in will be the
only resources each student may access in and out of school. There are also certain district restrictions that will apply
during the school day as well (ie: no Facebook access during the school day).
Level:
Apps/ Sites Available
Criteria:
Tier 4:
Complete access to Video Sites and Social Networking;
YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Twitter, Facebook, and much
more
•
•
•
•
•
No grades lower than a C
3 missing assignments or less
2 RTC referrals or fewer
2 Tardies or fewer
1 unexcused absence or fewer
Tier 3:
Access to Gaming Sites, Interactive Sites, and Sports
sites; Addicting Games, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Fan
Fiction, Manga, and more
•
•
•
•
•
No F’s
5 missing assignments or less
4 RTC referrals or less
5 Tardies or less
2 unexcused absences or fewer
Tier 2:
Access to Entertainment sites and Streaming Music;
Pandora, Spotify, and more
•
•
•
•
8 missing assignments or less
7 RTC referrals or less
7 Tardies or less
4 unexcused absences or less
Tier 1: The Basics
Google Drive, Kahoot, Socrative, Schooltube, and more
• Everybody has access to this tier
ISS/ OSS drops at least one tier
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DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
It shall be at the discretion of the building principal and/or designees to increase/decrease the consequences issued to a student due to
mitigating circumstances. The list of infractions includes, but is not limited to, what is printed below. State and federal laws may require
additional penalties.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR
Angry/Arguing/Pushing
Chronic violation of school rules
Derogatory statements/Profanity/Gestures
Destruction of property
Disorderly conduct
Failure to report to office
False fire alarms
Fighting
Gang activity
Harassment (verbal, physical, sexual)
In hall without pass
Inappropriate hall conduct
DISCIPLINE ACTION
RTC / ISS
ISS/OSS
RTC- OSS
RTC/ISS/OSS-Police Intervention
Parent Conference and OSS-Police Intervention
RTC
2-10 OSS- Police Intervention
3-10 OSS-Police Intervention
3-10 OSS-Police Intervention
Parent Conference and ISS or OSS- Police Intervention
Structured Lunch
RTC/Structured Lunch
Insubordination/Uncooperative/Non-compliant
Leaving school without permission
Lunchroom Conduct
ISS/OSS
Parent Conference and ISS
Removal from lunchroom & recess, ISS/OSS
Lying
Out of Bounds
Racial/Ethnic Slurs
Stealing/theft
Threats/Assault
Vandalism
ATTENDANCE/TARDY
Attendance
Tardy to Class
Tardy to School
Truant from school or class
CLASSROOM/HALLWAYS
Cheating/Plagiarism
Conduct/disrespect toward staff
Conduct in classroom
Conduct in an office detention
Detention/ISS misconduct
Open defiance
NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Dangerous objects
Not reporting dangerous objects or weapons
Possession/use of fireworks
Possession/use of illegal weapon/look alike weapon
Possession of nuisance items
Possession of tobacco
Possession and/or under the influence of drugs/alcohol
(or look alike drugs)
Second offense possession and/or under the influence of
drugs/alcohol
Sale and/or distribution of drugs or look alike / drug
paraphernalia
CAMPUS/BUS BEHAVIOR
Conduct on bus
RTC
RTC/ISS/loss of privileges
3-10 OSS
0-10 OSS-Police Intervention
3-10 OSS-Police Intervention
3-10 OSS-Police Intervention
Conduct on campus
Loitering
Trespassing
RTC/ISS/OSS
Warning/RTC
Police Intervention
6 unexcused absences County Attorney referral
Structured Lunch
1-3 Warning, 4+, loss of privileges; Structured Lunch
RTC / Referral to Truancy Officer
Teacher action/parent conference/RTC
RTC
RTC
ISS/OSS
Parent Conference and/or 3-10 OSS
Parent Contact and ISS/OSS
3-10 OSS, Police Intervention
ISS/OSS
3-10 OSS, Police Intervention
3-10 OSS and or Expulsion, Police Intervention
Confiscated and parent may claim/RTC
3-10 OSS, Police Intervention
Follow Board Policy 502.7, Police intervention, 5 days OSS & referral to drug
treatment, failure to comply - recommend expulsion
Follow Board Policy 502.7, Police Intervention, OSS, recommend Expulsion
Follow Board Policy 502.7, Police Intervention, OSS, recommend Expulsion
Follow School Bus Policy
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DRESS CODE / STUDENT APPEARANCE
The students of the Burlington Community School District have great traditions. One of these traditions is that they dress and
groom themselves in a fashion that is complimentary to the school and not distracting to other students. Your appearance sends a message
to those around you; including any guests that may be visiting our school. This is your school, please show pride in it.
The major responsibility for appropriate dress and grooming rests with the students and their parents. Students are expected to
dress appropriately for school and all related school activities. A student’s dress may not constitute a threat to the health, safety, and
welfare, or property of others, must be in accordance with the public decency and civil statutes, and must not disrupt the orderly, disciplined
atmosphere of the school. Students will be asked to correct the inappropriate clothing or inappropriate decorative items in their lockers. The
administration retains the right to define the terms of good taste, common sense, neatness, cleanliness, and school approved safe apparel.
This includes but is not limited to:
 Coats, hats, caps, scarves, and bandanas should not be worn in the building.
 Clothing that fails to sufficiently cover i.e. halter-style tops, short skirts, spaghetti straps, backless or strapless attire, bare
midriff, A-shirts (a sleeveless shirt made of the fabric that was once used for men’s underwear). No short shorts or micro minis,
shorts and skirts must have a 4” inseam or be fingertip length.
 Thin t-shirts worn over colored undergarments.
 Pants should be worn at the waist with no undergarments showing, no sagging.
 Clothing and/or jewelry that is negative towards the school or school district or promotes the use of alcohol or drugs, is profane,
racially biased, or offensive in language/pictures, relates to gang activity or colors or includes sexually inappropriate references
may not be worn at school, school activities, or used as decorative items in lockers.
 Wallet chains, spiked dog collar items, or other inappropriate items of jewelry are not permitted.
 Students are required to wear shoes or sandals. (no house slippers)
 Coats, backpacks, and bags are to be stored in the student lockers during school hours.
 PJ pants: thin cotton, flannel or fuzzy fleece pants typically worn as pajamas.
 Leggings, tights, spandex pants, jeggings, yoga pants may only be worn with shorts or skirts.
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Dear Parent or Guardian:
Date: __________________
This letter is to inform you that ______________________________________ was wearing clothing that does
not meet our dress code as indicated below. (copy of dress code on back of letter).

Was wearing clothing that fails to sufficiently cover ie. halter-style tops, short skirts, spaghetti straps, backless or
strapless attire, bare midriff, A-shirts

Was wearing short shorts or micro minis (Shorts and skirts must be fingertip in length)

Was wearing clothing that showed undergarments

Was wearing clothing that is negative towards the school or school district or promotes the use of alcohol or drugs, is
profane, racially biased, or offensive in language/pictures, relates to gang activity or colors or includes sexually
inappropriate

Was wearing PJ pants: thin cotton, flannel or fuzzy fleece pants typically worn as pajamas

Was wearing leggings, tights, spandex pants, jeggings, and yoga pants (may only be worn with appropriate length
shorts or skirts)

Other: ______________________________________________________________________________
This letter is to communicate the first offense to the dress code and also inform you what will happen if this
violation of the dress code happens again.
1st offense - This letter must be signed and returned the next day to the office. If the
letter is not brought back signed a parent phone call will be made. If the letter is not
signed or a parent cannot be contacted a structured lunch will be assigned.
2nd offense – (1) The student will be given the opportunity to call home to have
appropriate clothing brought to school. (2) The student will have the opportunity to get clothing from
their locker to change into. (3) If appropriate clothing cannot be obtained, clean clothes, such as school
sweat pants, will be offered. (4) If the student chooses not to address the dress code violation, they will
be assigned to ISS or RTC room until the end of the day.
3rd offense – Same as 2nd offence
4th offense – 1 day of ISS
Please contact a school administrator if you have any questions.
___________________________________________
______________
Parent Signature
Date
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MAP OF EDWARD STONE MIDDLE SCHOOL, HOME OF THE JETS!
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MAP OF ALDO LEOPOLD MIDDLE SCHOOL, HOME OF THE WOLVES!
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