Lufkin Student Handbook

School Day

For the 2016-2017 school year, classes will begin at 8:15 AM and end at 3:00 PM.

Parents & Visitors

Parents and visitors must enter the building through the front entrance.  Please report to the main office, with picture ID, to sign in and receive a visitor’s pass, which must be visible (worn), while on campus and exit by signing out in the main office.  Parents/guardians who would like to meet with teachers or observe a class are asked to call in advance (a 24-hour notice is requested).  Visitors are not permitted on campus for transacting anything other than school business. Students are not to invite friends/relatives to attend school with them. Visitor access is limited to the classroom or offices where meeting or observations are taking place.

Communication

Lufkin Road Middle School has several channels for communicating with students and parents:

• Website: www.lufkinroadmidddle.net
• Newsflash: Stay up to date with school news through this weekly email. If you are not receiving your weekly email, check to make sure it’s not moving to your “promotions” folder, or sign up again.
• Automated Phone Calls from WCPSS and Principal
• Teacher Class Pages: All teachers will have a course site that lists classroom information through Canvas, Google Classrooms or Weebly. Please see Lufkin’s website under Academics for access.
• Team Newsletters
• Twitter – follow @lufkintweets

Student Personal Data Sheets

The school is to be informed of any changes in address, phone number, parents’ places of employment, and emergency contact numbers in the event of illness or emergency. It is imperative that the school have accurate contact information. List everyone who has your permission to sign out/pick up your student.  We will contact you before your student is released to someone not listed.  A picture ID is also required for anyone, including parent/guardian, to pick up a student. For the safety of every student, while you may be a familiar face, your ID is required each time you sign out your student.  Report the new information immediately to the Data Manager at 919-363-1068.

Corridors

In order to have efficient, smooth transitions in the hallways, it is LRMS procedure that everyone walks down the hall on his/her right side.  Running, pushing, shoving, and horseplay are unacceptable and inappropriate at all times.

Campus Facilities & Procedures

Morning Arrival Procedures

Carpool is at the front of the school.  Students should not be dropped off prior to 7:45 AM, unless student has a pass to meet with a particular teacher. Students should remain in vehicles until school personnel start unloading carpool. Adult supervision of carpool begins at 7:45 AM. Bus riders will be dropped off at the back of the school. Students will be outside 7:45-8:07 AM, unless eating breakfast in the cafeteria.  During inclement weather or temperatures below 40 degrees, students will wait in the cafeteria (6th graders), front lobby (7th graders), or gym (8th graders). Students move to their first period class at 8:07 AM.

Afternoon Departure Procedures

Dismissal is at 3:00 PM.  All students must exit quickly.  Buses will load at the back of the school and will leave at 3:07 PM.  Carpool is at the front of the school.  Carpool students must be picked up no later than 3:20 PM.  Students that miss their bus must be picked up by 4:00 PM in the bus loading area. Students who stay after school for any after-school activities should be picked up in the bus loading area after 3:45 PM.  All students returning to school for practice, tutoring, etc., must be dropped off in the carpool area 3:00-3:15 PM only. 

Carpool Procedures (Morning/Afternoon)

Get in designated carpool lane.
Drop off or pick up students in carpool lane only          
Follow the instructions of staff. 
Students are not to walk across traffic area.
Students must exit or enter vehicle quickly.
For everyone’s safety, there is NO left-hand turn into the main entrance or off of campus onto Lufkin Road during carpool in the morning and afternoon.
Car-poolers have the right of way. Please do not park in the lot if picking up or dropping off a student between 7:45-8:15 AM or 3:00-3:20 PM.

Check-In/Check-Out Procedures

Check-in:  Students must present a signed, written note from a parent/guardian listing the student’s name, grade, track, date and reason for tardy or the parent/guardian may accompany the student and sign him/her in. A doctor’s note, with the student’s name written on it, is also acceptable.

Check-out:  A parent/guardian must sign the student out in the main office.  A check-in/out slip will be issued to the student as appropriate.  We do not call students to the main office to check out after 2:30 PM to avoid disrupting classes and congestion in the carpool line.

Cafeteria

Breakfast and lunch are served in the cafeteria each regular school day.  The menu will be available monthly at school.  Current costs are: 

            Breakfast - $1.25 (may change)

            Lunch - $2.25 (may change)

            Reduced breakfast – no charge

            Reduced lunch -       $.40 (may change)

(Ala Carte items such drinks and cookies will also be available at various prices.)  Students may start an account in the cafeteria by bringing a check to the cafeteria manager made out to:  “Lufkin Road Middle School Cafeteria” with the student’s name, lunch number, grade/track written at the bottom of the check. Lunch numbers are issued and these numbers are not transferable to any other student.  Checks must be turned in to the cafeteria prior to 10:00 AM.

 A “lunch loaner ticket” is available in the main office for students who have forgotten their lunch money.  Students may present this ticket in the cafeteria to receive fruits, vegetables and water.  Potato products will not be available to students who forget their money.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly manner when eating in the cafeteria. Students are to get their lunch, take a seat, and remain seated until dismissed. Food and/or drinks should not be consumed before they are paid for, this will be considered theft. All food and drink must be consumed in the cafeteria or teacher supervised classroom. Teams will assign cleaners and all students are expected to help with the responsibility of maintaining a clean cafeteria. 

Lockers

For security reasons, students should not exchange combinations or lockers with other students. Only school essential items should be brought to school; other valuables (i.e. money and jewelry) should be left at home.  Lockers that are overfilled will jam.  Students must clean out their lockers before track out.  Student lockers are the property of the school.  School authorities have a responsibility and a right to examine the contents of student locker’s for health, safety, or security reasons.

Gym lockers are shared.  Students should purchase a combination lock to use during PE.  Students must lock up clothes and other belongings during their PE class. Students should not bring expensive personal belongings (i.e., cell phones, mp3 players) with them to the PE locker rooms.  Book bags are not permitted inside classrooms.  Students may use drawstring bags for gym clothes.

Telephone/Messages

Main office telephones may be used by students only in cases of emergency and with permission from a school staff.  Students will not be called to the telephone during the school day and only urgent messages will be delivered.

Parents and students should make necessary arrangements prior to the school day regarding travel and needed materials, or changes to sports or activity schedules. Parents/guardians who need to leave “urgent” messages regarding transportation should make these changes by 1:30 PM.  After that time, the delivery or receipt of messages cannot be guaranteed.   

Security

Students are not to open any exterior doors for anyone not displaying a Lufkin or WCPSS staff badge.  Parents and visitors are to always enter at the front entrance and check in at the front office any time they enter the building.

Elevator

Elevator use by students is restricted to those who have a physical need verified by a doctor’s note.

Academic Life

Homework

Please refer to WCPSS Grading System Policy 5520 R&P and Homework Policy 3135 R&P

We, the staff of Lufkin Road Middle School, believe that homework is an important component contributing to student success.  Further, we believe that homework assigned should be meaningful, reasonable in length, and should be assessed or checked by the teacher.

Grading Scale

A = 90 – 100                 I = Incomplete

B = 80 – 89                   W = Withdrawal

C = 70 – 79                  

D = 60 – 69                  

F =   < 60

Report Cards and Interim Reports

At the end of each nine-week grading period a report card is issued.  Interim reports are issued at the mid-point of each nine-week grading period.  The date that the interim reports and report cards are issued varies by track.

Physical Education

The physical education program is dedicated to improving the health, fitness, and skill level of all students.  Instruction is also provided in personal health, safety, first aid, and nutrition. LRMS students are required to dress in black shorts and a gray T-shirt or another pair of shorts and shirt other than what the student is wearing for the school day for physical education.  During cool weather sweat pants or jogging suits are acceptable.  The basic uniform may be purchased through the PE department. No aerosol cans are permitted at school – bring roll-on deodorant only.

Bring Your Own Device (B.Y.O.D)

Lufkin Middle School is a Bring Your Own Device (B.Y.O.D.) school. 

B.Y.O.D. Students Must Comply with Teachers’ Requests

1. Close the screen or shut down devices immediately when asked.
2. Use only apps, files, or internet sites approved by the teachers.
3. Printing is not allowed.
4. You may use your device at the discretion of B.Y.O. D. participating teachers only.
5. Devices must be off and preferably in a case when not in a B.Y.O.D. classroom.

B.Y.O.D. Students Must Support a Productive Learning Environment

1. Share your knowledge and skills with others.
2. Personal texting and phone calls are not permitted.
3. Respect and protect the privacy of others.
4. Taking or posting audio/photographs/videos of any person on campus to public or social networking sites for personal reasons is prohibited.

B.Y.O.D. Students are Liable for Their Own Devices

1. Be sure to take your device home daily.
2. Bring your device to school fully charged.
3. Place your device securely in your locker when it’s not being used.
4. Do not allow your device to be handled by other students.
5. If your device has a known virus, please leave it at home.
6. Lufkin Road Middle School IS NOT LIABLE for any device that is stolen or damaged.  Responsibility to keep the device secure rests solely with the individual owner. 

Students are expected to follow the WCPSS Student Conduct Policy and Student Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources Policy.  Any violation is considered unethical and may result in the loss of technology privileges at school, as well as other disciplinary action.

Student Life

Student Support Services (Guidance)

Lufkin Road’s student support staff provides a number of services for students.  These include: academic counseling, scheduling, personal/support counseling, testing, and referral to community agencies.  In addition to our school counselors, itinerant support is provided in the form of a psychologist, social worker, speech therapist, and audiologist, as needed.

Media Center

The media center will be open for student use prior to school, 7:45-8:07 AM, with a pass from a teacher.  Teachers are encouraged to use the media center frequently for instruction and to send students regularly to research and circulate books.

Health Services

Students who become ill during the school day are expected to report to the main office with a pass from their classroom teacher, except in cases of emergency.  Parents will be notified and, if necessary, will be expected to pick up the student as soon as possible.  A student with a fever, pink eye, or other contagious illness must be picked up ASAP. 

Medication

Only medication prescribed by a doctor will be given by school officials.  Form 1702, plus a labeled pharmacy bottle, must accompany any prescription and must be renewed at the beginning of each school year. Changes in medication dosage must be documented with a new 1702 form each school year.  Parents are to inform the school in writing when medication is discontinued.  Students are not allowed to carry prescription medication unless they have permission documented on the 1702 form.  Students may self-medicate with over-the-counter medications (single daily dose in original container).  Should there be concern or questions about the appropriateness of self-administered medications, school officials will consult with the student’s parents.  Students may not transport prescription medicine on the bus.  Students may not share prescription or over-the-counter medications with anyone.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found is located in the front office. Students who find items or books are expected to turn them in to Lost and Found.  (Money and jewelry are to be turned in to the main office.)  It is advised that all articles of clothing and equipment be plainly marked with the owner’s name.  Any items not claimed will be given to charity after 30 days.  Students should not bring valuables or large sums of money to school or leave any personal items unattended.

Solicitation

Any selling of items on campus must be for the purpose of raising funds for authorized school activities and/or projects.  All money must be duly collected and receipted by a teacher.  Money received from unauthorized selling of items on campus will be confiscated and put into the school’s general fund.

Hall Pass

Students are expected to have a pass (typically a signed agenda) when moving from one area of the campus to another while classes are in session.

Student Dress Code

School administration and teachers encourage students to dress in a fashion that reflects a style appropriate for the school environment.  Dress that is inappropriate or distracting to teaching and learning is prohibited. Students will be given appropriate clothing to wear and/or receive immediate disciplinary action, (i.e. sent home to change or time-out in In-School Suspension).

Examples of inappropriate dress include:

• Gang paraphernalia, including bandannas
• Halters, bare midriff shirts, very short dresses, skirts, shorts; strapless clothing
• Gloves (once inside the building)
• Sunglasses, Chains, Spikes
• Inappropriate messages or pictures
• Pants sagging below the waist
• Hats, bandannas, head coverings except for religious reasons

In addition:

• Clothing length must be long enough to be deemed “decent”.
• Shoes must be worn at all times and secured on feet (“flip-flops” are to be avoided for safety reasons)

Administrators, teachers and staff reserve the right to judge individual items that may be inappropriate for school, distracting, or unsafe.

Textbook & Equipment Fines

Each student is responsible for textbooks issued, as well as library books and additional instructional equipment.  In the event of loss or damage to any school property, charges will be assessed, taking into consideration the age and condition of the property.  Students who fail to pay debts may be ineligible to participate in school dances, extracurricular activities or sporting events.

Student Conduct

We expect Lufkin Road Middle School to be a safe, positive learning environment.  We foster a climate in which students develop self-discipline and have the opportunity to practice responsible citizenship. All students are responsible for complying with and are expected to be familiar with the WCPSS Code of Student Conduct and school board policies governing student behavior and conduct. Parents and students must read the handbook and submit the receipt form, which states that you have read it.  Teachers will work together with students in teams to discuss expectations and create team rules, which will be posted prominently.

The consequences for violating any of the policies may include, but are not limited to, teacher/student conferences, student/parent/team conferences, lunch detention, referral to Counselor/psychologist/social worker, referral to administrator, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, and other interventions deemed appropriate by the student’s teacher, team, or administration.  In the case of serious or continued/constant violations, a student may be recommended for long-term suspension or expulsion.

Detention

Detention may be assigned for violations of school or classroom rules.  Teacher detentions are usually held during that teacher’s class period or after school.  Lunch detentions are held during the student’s lunch period.

In-School Suspension (ISS)

Student misbehavior may result in a student being assigned to in-school suspension (ISS).  ISS is an intervention/consequence that allows students to remain at school and continue their academic work in a small group setting.  While in ISS, students are isolated from their regular classroom environment and are expected to complete their classwork or ISS assignments.  Students may not participate in or attend any extracurricular and /or school related activities on the day(s) they are assigned to ISS. Inappropriate behavior in ISS will result in Out-of School Suspension.  (ISS records are not filed into a student’s permanent records.)

Out-Of-School Suspension (OSS)

In accordance with WCPSS Student Code of Conduct, students may receive OSS for more severe infractions.  It is the student’s responsibility to read and follow the Student Code of Conduct in the WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook to avoid any confusion and to learn of due process for students.

The Board of Education of Wake County Public School has identified infractions, which carry mandatory long-term suspension for students in grades 6-12.  Please refer to WCPSS Board Policies and R&P in the WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook for detailed information.

Misconduct on a School Bus

School transportation is a privilege, not a right.  Students are expected to: enter/depart bus in an orderly manner, sit in assigned seats without being reminded, face the front at all times, sit with feet on the floor, keep bookbag and hands in lap, and be respectful to driver and other students.  The following conduct is specifically prohibited and may result in temporary or permanent suspension from all WCPSS school bus transportation.

1. Delaying the bus schedule, crowding the bus door,
2. Getting off at an unauthorized stop or riding bus without authorization from the school administrator,
3. Not sitting in seat facing forward with feet in front of them, flat on the floor,
4. Not sitting in assigned seat, (assigned by bus driver or administrator),
5. Standing or moving on bus while it is in motion,
6. Throwing/putting anything out of the window,
7. Disorderly conduct (loud, horseplay, etc.),
8. Fighting or smoking (at bus stop or on bus),
9. Tampering with or willfully damaging the bus,
10. Disrespect to bus driver (profane words and gestures, refusing to obey driver),
11. Possession or use of unauthorized drugs or intoxicating beverages on a school vehicle or at bus stop.

Consequences for Bus Violations

Consequences will range from a verbal warning to permanent removal from the bus.

NOTE:  Additional consequence will be given for infractions 10-12.  Students removed from the bus must be brought to school by 8:07 AM and picked up by 3:30 PM.

School Events

Age appropriate socials and dances will be scheduled regularly for Lufkin Road Middle School students only.  The purpose is to encourage socialization in a fun and safe environment.  LRMS code of conduct and dress code are to be followed by students, as during regular school hours.  Permission slip and proper attire are needed for admittance.  All students must be picked up promptly after the ending time for school activities and events or student may NOT be permitted to attend the next after school event. Referral to ISS/OSS may result in students being prohibited from attending the next scheduled, school event, held during or after school.

Assemblies

Assembly programs will occur regularly for information, recognition, and cultural arts presentations.  Students will sit with their class/team and will be expected to display appropriate behavior in order to enjoy this privilege.

Athletics

NCAA regulations prohibit sixth graders from participation in interscholastic competition.  During 2016-17 the following sports will be offered for seventh and eighth grade students:

Fall: Football, Girls’ Soccer, Girls’ Volleyball, Cheerleading

Winter: Boys’ Basketball, Girls’ Basketball, Cheerleading

Spring: Girls' Softball, Boys' Soccer, Track and Field

Try-outs will be scheduled well in advance of each season and students must have required physical forms and eligibility forms completed prior to try-outs.  Students and parents should check the WCPSS student/parent handbook for eligibility requirements as well as the Lufkin Athletic booklet. Athletic information will be available on the Athletics Tab of the LRMS Website.

For information on athletic eligibility, try-outs, sport practices or game/practice cancellation contact, Athletic Director at 919-363-1082.

Cheerleading Schedule

Cheerleaders will cheer at all home football and home basketball games. 

Note: Study Hall available only during Football season.

Clubs

LRMS offers many opportunities for students to participate in clubs after school. Information about clubs and teacher mentors can be located under the Clubs Tab on the LRMS Website. Please inquire directly with the teacher mentor via e-mail with any questions you may have.

Practice’s & After School Clubs During Track-out

Athletes, cheerleaders and club members that are tracked out are NOT to be on campus until 3:00 PM in the afternoon and may be dropped off in the carpool area between 3:00-3:20 PM.   

Due Process

All students are responsible for complying with and are expected to be familiar with the WCPSS Code of Student Conduct and school board policies governing student behavior and conduct.  All Code of Student Conduct policies are contained in the WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook, which is distributed to all students and parents at the beginning of each school year or upon enrollment in the WCPSS.  If there is a conflict between the rules expressed in this handbook/agenda/planner and the Code of Student Conduct policies, the WCPSS Code of Student Conduct policies shall take precedence.

Todos los estudiantes son responsables por el cumplimiento y el conocimiento del Código de Conducta Estudiantil y de todas las políticas de la Junta Escolar que gobiernan el comportamiento y la conducta estudiantil. Todas las políticas del Código de Conducta Estudiantil se encuentran en el manual de WCPSS de Estudiantes/Padres, el cual se distribuye a todos los padres y estudiantes al principio de cada año escolar o al matricularse en el WCPSS. Si hay un conflicto entre las reglas expresadas en este manual de Estudiantes/Padres y el manual/agenda/planificador de la escuela de su hijo(a) las reglas expresadas en este manual deben tomar prioridad.