The faculty and staff at Angevine Middle School welcome you to our school.  We are dedicated to helping you make the most of this school year, and we are enthusiastic about our educational programs and supporting activities.  We are proud of our school, and we believe it is one of the best in the state of Colorado.

This handbook is designed to provide you and your parents with helpful information about Angevine Middle School.  We suggest that you review this portion of the handbook with your parents as it contains a good deal of information regarding the operation of our school.

As we begin this school year, we encourage you to study, learn, participate and become a contributing member of the student body at Angevine Middle School.  We look forward to this school year and hope all of our students will have a successful year.

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MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Angevine Middle School is to promote the creative, intellectual, emotional, social and physical well-being for all students as they transition from childhood to adolescence.  We encourage an environment where all students discover and actualize their abilities, spark a passion for life-long learning and learn to contribute effectively to a democratic society.  This community provides a safe, inclusive atmosphere where diversity is valued, celebrated and respected.

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Principal: Mike Medina

Assistant Principal: Tobey Bassoff

Assistant Principal: Mike Lowe

TELEPHONE DIRECTORY

Main Office                            (720) 561-7100

Counseling Office                   (720) 561-5800

Attendance Line                     (720) 561-7102

Fax                                          (720) 561-7101

GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION

School Hours: 8:40 am - 3:40 pm.

School is in session from 8:40 a.m. until 3:40 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Students should not arrive prior to 8:30 a.m. unless requested by a teacher.  There is no outdoor supervision prior to 8:15 a.m.  Any student entering the building prior to 8:30 a.m. must have permission from a teacher and remain under the direct supervision of that teacher until the bell has rung. All students are required to leave school grounds by 3:50 p.m. unless they are participating in a school-sponsored activity or under the direct supervision of a teacher.  Students who remain unsupervised on school grounds after 3:50 p.m. will be asked to leave the building immediately.

School Closures

In the rare event of school closure please tune in to your local radio or television station or visit the Boulder Valley website at www.bvsd.org and click on cancellations.  The decision to close schools is usually made prior to 6:30 a.m. of the day affected.  The official television stations, Channels 4, 7 and 9 along with local radio stations will carry announcements of school closings as soon as they are available.  In most cases no announcement will mean that school is in session.

Closed Campus

The Boulder Valley School District has a “Closed Campus” policy for all middle level schools. You must remain on school grounds during the school day unless you are participating in an approved, supervised, off-campus school activity. Permission for a student to go to his/her own home for lunch or with his/her own parent to lunch will be given with written permission from his/her parent when presented to the Main Office. Students are required to remain in the cafeteria or in outside supervised areas during lunch unless under the direct supervision of a teacher. Students must have a pass to leave the cafeteria during lunch.  Only parents may eat lunch with students per school board policy.

Breakfast:

Angevine Middle School serves breakfast every morning from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m.  Cost for a full breakfast is $1.50.

Bell Schedule

6^th Grade

Period	1	8:40 - 9:35
Period	2	9:40 -10:30
		LUNCH 10:35 - 11:05
Period	3	11:10 - 12:00
Period	4	12:05 - 12:55
Period	5	1:00 - 1:50
Period	6	1:55 - 2:45
Period	7	2:50 - 3:40

7^th Grade

Period	1	8:40 - 9:35
Period	2	9:40 -10:30
Period	3	10:35 - 11:25
		LUNCH 11:30 - 12:00
Period	4	12:05 - 12:55
Period	5	1:00 - 1:50
Period	6	1:55 - 2:45
Period	7	2:50 - 3:40

8^th Grade

Period	1	8:40 - 9:35
Period	2	9:40 -10:30
Period	3	10:35 - 11:25
Period	4	11:30 - 12:20
		LUNCH 12:25 - 12:55
Period	5	1:00 - 1:50
Period	6	1:55 - 2:45
Period	7	2:50 - 3:40

Lunch

Your conduct in the lunchroom should be guided by rules of courtesy, cleanliness and appropriate manners. Please refer to our Bobcat ROAR for more details.  Students are required to adhere to the “Closed Campus” policy during lunch.

Lunch prices for 2009-2010 are:

            $3.00 for lunch w/milk or juice

Bell Schedule –

Late Start Wednesdays

6^th Grade

Period	1	9:45 - 10:30
Period	2	10:35 - 11:15
		LUNCH 11:20 - 11:50
Period	3	11:55 - 12:35
Period	4	12:40 - 1:20
Period	5	1:25 - 2:05
Period	6	2:10 - 2:50
Period	7	2:55 - 3:40

7^th Grade

Period	1	9:45 - 10:30
Period	2	10:35 - 11:15
Period	3	11:20 - 12:00
		LUNCH 12:05 - 12:35
Period	4	12:40 - 1:20
Period	5	1:25 - 2:05
Period	6	2:10 - 2:50
Period	7	2:55 - 3:40

8^th Grade

Period	1	9:45 - 10:30
Period	2	10:35 - 11:15
Period	3	11:20 - 12:00
Period	4	12:05 - 12:45
		LUNCH 12:50 - 1:20
Period	5	1:25 - 2:05
Period	6	2:10 - 2:50
Period	7	2:55 - 3:40

Respect for self and others by honoring individual and cultural differences.

Opportunity comes in many forms.  Take advantage of all opportunities to learn and become a positive, contributing member of the Angevine community.

Achievement is working to your maximum potential every day.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

The following is an overview of behavioral expectations at Angevine Middle School. Please refer to your Student-Parent Information Handbook for more detailed information.

In conjunction with Angevine’s mission to provide a supportive, collaborative environment that promotes academic achievement, we hold students accountable for treating all people and property with respect.  We expect students and staff to act in a manner that does not endanger the safety of themselves or others and to act responsibly while on school grounds.  Honoring these values will promote the learning environment that we strive to support at AMS.

In addition to these values, other rules are necessary to coordinate our educational activities.  Classroom norms and expectations will be posted in each classroom (Bobcat ROAR).  The following outlines some common expectations:

1)      Students are expected to be in class and ready to begin on time.

2)      Students are expected to show respect for their school building by keeping it clean.  Food and drinks other than water are not permitted in classrooms, hallways, or gymnasiums.

3)      If students are in the hallways during class time, they must always have a pass from a teacher.

4)      Ipods, MP3 players, Walkmans, CD players, tape recorders, beepers, pagers, radios, laser pens/pointers, cell phones and hand-held games are not to be used during school hours.  The administration strongly suggests students do not bring items of value to school.

5)      For safety reasons, no wheeled vehicles may be ridden on campus grounds (i.e. skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, scooters).  Students may ride vehicles to school but should dismount and walk their vehicle once they are on school grounds. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on school grounds.

6)      Backpacks and coats should be left in lockers at all times during the school day.

7)      No cameras or picture taking during the school day (Yearbook and Journalism is an exception).

Finally, we believe “appropriateness” is an important standard of judgment for our students to acquire.  Therefore, we hold students accountable to use good judgment regarding what behaviors are appropriate in different situations.

Dress Code

Student dress should conform to recognized standards of decency, safety, modesty and cleanliness.  Students will not be permitted to dress in a manner that affects the safety of themselves or others, is disruptive to the learning environment, and/or that which indicates affiliation with negative social influences such as gangs, cults, substance abuse or sexual degradation.

Specifically, Angevine will not allow the following dress at school:

      Clothing with obscene/questionable language, suggestive themes, advertisements which promote illegal substances, tobacco or alcohol products

      Midriff shirts – exposure of the midsection

      Shorts and skirts shorter than the tip of the student’s fingers when hands are held at the side

      Exposure of any undergarments

      Exposure of cleavage

      Lingerie, camisoles

      Tank top straps that are less than two fingers in width

       “Sagging” or oversized pants

      Head gear – Hoods, headbands, hairnets, hats, caps, or bandanas of any kind or color

      Shoes must be worn at all times – no slippers or bare feet

      Pajamas or Pajama-like pants

      Sunglasses

      Thick chains from pockets/pants or wallets

      Suspenders hanging off shoulders

      Spiked jewelry

Zero Tolerance

Angevine Middle School and Boulder Valley Schools have “zero tolerance” for certain behaviors on and off school property.  Students that partake in the following behaviors will receive school and district consequences which may include suspension or expulsion from school:

      Threats of any nature whether direct or indirect, written, gestured or verbal

      Behavior deemed detrimental to the welfare and safety of Angevine students and/or staff

      Behavior that interferes with the school’s ability to deliver educational services

      Possession of dangerous weapons and/or facsimiles that could be mistaken as such

      Possession of tobacco, alcohol or drugs

      Willful destruction of property

      Assault/Physical aggression

      Harassment of any nature

Transportation

Bus transportation is provided for all students in the District who live more than two miles from school.  Please contact the Lafayette Transportation office with any questions regarding bus transportation (720) 561-5126.  We respect the behavior and safety rules as established through the transportation department.

Failure to observe and follow bus standards (see Bobcat ROAR) will result in consequences and may result in the suspension of bus privileges.

Possible Consequences for Unacceptable Behavior

      Warnings and Discussion

      Parent Notification

      Parent Conference

      Lunch Detention

      After School Detention

      Community Service

      In School Suspension:  Students are removed from classes for a specified number of days to work in an isolated setting in the main office.  Participation in any extracurricular activities will be prohibited.

      Alternatives to Suspension:  Angevine’s positive behavior support model attempts to focus on consequences that change student behavior.  Alternatives to suspension following restorative justice practices are initiated whenever possible under district policy. 

      Out of School Suspension:  Students are excluded from attending school and participating in school activities for a specified and limited period of time.

      Expulsion:  Students are excluded from attending school and participating in school activities for a specified period of time not to extend beyond one calendar year.

The administration will assign consequences in accordance with district policy and state regulations.  Consequences will be determined on an individual basis, based on several issues related to the student behavior (i.e. the infraction, student discipline record, student’s willingness to accept responsibility, previous offenses of the same nature etc…)

In addition, the Colorado State Legislature has enacted laws that have modified school district policy regarding the suspension and/or expulsion of students.  The following “serious violations” require ­mandatory expulsion under Colorado law:

      Carrying, bringing, using or possessing a deadly weapon without the authorization of the school or school district.

      The sale of a drug or controlled substance.

      The commission of an act which, if committed by an adult, would be robbery or first or second degree assault under the criminal law.

      An act which is disruptive to the learning environment which leads to the category of a “habitually disruptive” student. 

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

Attendance Line (720) 561-7102

Regular attendance is an essential part of your education.  You are expected to be in attendance every school day and arrive to school on time as required by state law and district policy.

Absences

When a student is absent from school due to illness or family emergency, the parent or legal guardian must call the 24 hour attendance voicemail line at (720) 561-7102, preferably before 9:00 a.m. the day of the absence.

Excessive Absences

The Colorado Legislature has compulsory attendance laws to ensure regular school attendance for all children under the age of 17 years.  Research indicates that poor school attend-ance is associated with lower achievement and an increased drop-out risk at the high school level.

Whenever it is deemed that a student’s educational progress becomes affected because of absences, the teacher and/or an administrator will notify and meet with the student’s parent or guardian.  Other appropriate consequences may be applied when absences occur.

Permission to Leave During the School Day

Permission to leave school grounds during the school day requires written parental permission to the attendance office.  A pass for early release will be given to you to leave school grounds. A parent or guardian must sign out the student from the office. Students are not allowed to walk home alone.  Upon their return to school report to the attendance office and obtain an admit slip to re-enter class.

Any student who leaves the building without following the above procedures will be considered truant.  Students are not allowed to leave the school grounds during lunch.

For the safety of our students, adults who are picking up a student may be asked to show personal identification.

Pre-arranged Absences

Pre-arranged absences are possible and require principal approval.  Please call (720) 561-7102 for more information. 

Tardy Policy

Students are expected to be in class on time.  If you are late to school or class follow the appropriate procedures:

      Any student arriving at school after 8:40 am must sign in at the attendance desk in the office. Tardiness will be excused only if there is parental notification to the attendance office.

      Classroom teachers will address tardiness that occurs while school is in session.

Administrative Referrals may be completed for students who have excessive unexcused tardies and consequences will be assigned accordingly.

SCHOOL SERVICES

Guidance and Counseling Services

(720) 561-5800

Anna Gamble - Counselor

Monica Dirmeikis – Counselor

Lisa Cech - Counselor

Adriana Torres - Registrar

Michael Altman - Intervention Specialist

Chrissy Lohn - School Psychologist

The middle level philosophy for Boulder Valley Schools calls for a balance of academics, activities and guidance.  The goal of middle level guidance is to provide opportunities for students to learn behaviors that will enhance their academic progress and their relationships with others and to learn to be comfortable with and responsible for themselves. 

The counseling staff at Angevine provides support and resources for students and their families.  Individual student needs are met through individual counseling, support groups, classroom guidance activities, monitoring of academic progress, class scheduling and peer mediation.

Students can find their counselor in the counselor’s office before/after school.  They are accessible and available throughout the school day.  It is best to make an appointment with the counseling office to see the counselor.  Students should always check-in with their teacher before going to the counseling office.

Health Clinic

The clinic is available for students who are ill, injured or have a health concern.  Students must have a pass from a teacher to go to the clinic, except in the case of an emergency.  Permission to leave school must be obtained from the clinic or office. Students will not be allowed to leave the school grounds by themselves. If a student is sick, and needs to go home, a parent or adult on the emergency card, must come into the school, sign them out and take them home.

It is important that correct information is on your emergency card in case it becomes necessary to contact your parent/guardian.

If you need to take medication of any kind, including non-prescription products such as aspirin, the following items are required per Board Policy:

1)      Signed copy of “Parents Request for Giving Medicine at School and Release Agreement” which is available from the physician or the school office.

2)      Doctor’s written order for the medication to be given.

3)      Medication must be in a properly labeled container.

4)      Medication must be kept in the Health Clinic

5)      No medications (except inhalers with a doctor’s order) may be kept in lockers or carried by students.

Telephone Use and Messages

An office phone is available for student use in emergency situations only.  Only messages of an urgent and emergency nature will be delivered to students during the school day.

Pagers and cell phones are not allowed during school hours and/or during any school activities.  Pagers and cell phones will be confiscated for inappropriate use.

1^st offense:  Pager/cell phones will be confiscated and returned at the end of the school day in the main office.

            2^nd offense:  Pager/cell phones must be picked up by a parent in the main office.

            *Any future offenses will result in more severe consequences.  

Visitors

In order to provide a safe, focused and academic environment, we do not grant permission for students to bring guests during the school day.  Adult visitors are always welcome to visit.  They are required to check-in at the front office and wear a “Visitor Badge.”  It is always helpful to notify teachers in advance if someone is planning a classroom visit.  This will provide a meaningful observation of the school and classroom environment.

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Lost and Found

If you lose something, report it to your teacher and to the office.  Lost items can be advertised through school announcements.  Items that are found should be turned into the school office.  Those items are retained for a period of time before being given to a charitable organization.  Students are strongly advised against bringing items of value to school.

Emergency Drills

There will be monthly emergency drills, which may not be announced beforehand.  At the sound of the fire alarm, leave all personal belongings and walk quickly to your designated exit.  You will exit the building quickly and quietly with your class walking approximately 300 feet from the school.  When you get to your designated area your teacher will take attendance. You will remain there until the “OK” signal to return to the building has been given

Wind drills will be scheduled in early spring.  In the event of a drill or emergency, you will receive notice over the intercom.  Students and staff will kneel on the floor facing the wall in their designated shelter area.  Other directions will be given by your teacher.

Library/Media Center

We encourage you to use the Media Center often and hope that you will make suggestions to add to our collection.   Students may visit the library during class time with a pass from a teacher.

You are accountable for all items checked out in your name.  Lost or damaged books will be assessed a replacement fee.  Replacement fees will be returned to you should the missing item be found and returned to the Media Center.

Lockers

At the beginning of the school year you will be assigned a hall locker for your convenience to store school materials.  You will have a locker partner who will share your locker space.  Switching lockers or partners without an administrator’s approval is not allowed.  The lockers have installed locks.  Keeping the locker combination a secret between you and your locker partner will provide better security for your possessions.  Students will also have a PE locker in the locker room to store clothes and other PE accessories. Students must provide their own lock for PE lockers.  All problems with lockers should be reported to the supervising teacher immediately.

Lockers are school property and are subject to periodic inspection and may be searched if there is reason to believe they contain illegal items. 

The school is not responsible for items of value that are taken from your locker or school premises.  Please leave personal, non-school items at home.

ACADEMICS

Homework

Homework is an extension of skills taught in the classroom, assigned by the teacher with a deliberate purpose linked to specific goals of the curriculum and intent to increase student learning.  Opportunity for guided practice will be provided in the classroom before independent practice will be expected as homework.  Homework will be given at a level that the child can do independently and will take into account differences of students abilities related to individual learning needs and English language proficiencies.  Specific purposes for homework may include practice/review; preparation for subsequent lessons; extension of previously learned material to new situation, and/or integration of separately learned skills into a single product.

Quantity/Times

When assigning homework, teachers have a 5 day expectation, meaning we will assign homework during the week, Monday through Friday, and have no weekend expectations.  This allows for students to arrange their personal and schools schedules as needed on the weekends.

The following indicates average daily homework expectations (work designated as homework by the classroom teacher) by grade level:

6^th grade = 60 minutes

7^th grade = 90 minutes

8^th grade = 120 minutes

These minutes are inclusive of the following content areas: Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health, Art, Computers, Tech Ed and Consumer and Family Studies.

Band/Choir/Languages and advanced classes are additional time expectations.

Progress Reports

D and F progress reports will be provided to students at each mid-quarter.  The progress report will indicate the academic status of the student and will notify the student and parent of any concerns regarding academic performance. Progress reports will be mailed home by teachers or Student Services.   

Missed Work/Make-up Opportunities

Students are responsible for all class work missed due to any absence; either excused or unexcused.  If you have been absent it is important that you make arrangements with all of your teachers to make up the work that you missed.  Generally, these arrangements should be made within two school days after your return to school and should include an expected completion time.

Remember, we hold homework help sessions every morning, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 - 8:30 am and through grade level teams.

Textbooks and Other Materials

Each student will be issued all necessary texts and study materials.  Students are expected to maintain these texts and materials in good condition.  Damaged or lost textbooks/materials may result in disciplinary action including reimbursement for replacement costs of the materials.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

School Activities

You are encouraged to become involved in activities that are offered at Angevine.  Through participation, students can learn new skills and meet new friends.  Below is a list of organizations and activities you can become a part of during the school year:

      Student Council

      School Musical

      Athletics (intramural and interscholastic)

      Yearbook Staff

      Art Club

      Peer Mediators

      Choir and Select Choir

      Band and Jazz Band

      Orchestra

      Knowledge Bowl

      Animal Club

      Science Fair Club

      Home Ec Club

      Bobcat 360

      Project Yes

      Anime Club

      Chess Club

      And many more…..

Sports

Interscholastic Activities (Traveling Sports)

Boulder Valley Schools and Angevine Middle School offer football, basketball, Girls Soccer, and volleyball as interscholastic sports for 8^th graders.  Wrestling and track are offered for 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders.  These sports will be offered at $85.00 per student per sport and will require the following items be completed and turned in to the school office prior to the first day of practice.

1.   Physical Exam Form – This form may be

obtained from the front office or your doctor’s office.

2.      Parent Permission/Insurance Waiver Form – This form is available in the school office.  Payment of $85 participation fee, payment made to Angevine Middle School. Scholarships are available for interscholastic fees – See the Athletic Director for details.

3.      There is a combined family cap of $405.00. Once the max has been reached, families should present copies of their receipts to the school when requesting the next sport waiver.

Academic Eligibility Policy

The purpose of this policy is to encourage students to focus on academic achievement. We hope to help students develop good study habits and motivate them to be successful academically and to achieve to the best of their ability.

Eligibility requirements for all extra curricular activities at Angevine Middle School will include maintaining a letter grade of a D or better in all academic classes and portraying appropriate citizenship in the educational environment.  The citizenship indicator will be inclusive of each student’s behavior, attitude and effort in the school environment.  We expect every participant to be passing their academic classes and acting as good citizen at Angevine.

This is a collaborative effort between teachers, coaches/sponsors, parents and students in order to help our students achieve success both academically and in extra curricular activities.

The following process will be in place.

• A list of participants will be reviewed by teachers each week to discuss eligibility. Elective, Math, Music, Reading, ESL and Writing teachers will provide information about participants to the Athletic Director.  The AD will ensure the information gets to teachers.
• Teachers will communicate to The Athletic Administrative Assistant (Sonia) by noon on Friday of each week the current academic and citizenship status of participants.
• A student will have a one week warning period if they are approaching or have approached ineligible status.
• During the one week period the student will be encouraged to improve their grades and or citizenship status through various school resources (ie: homework help, progress report on effort/ attitude, community service etc.)
• The student will be placed on a progress report for that week. It will be student’s responsibility to show improvement in the needed areas and ask a teacher to note his/her progress on the progress report.
• If a student does not improve their status after one week, they will become ineligible to participate.
• Each sponsor / coach will determine the definition of “ineligible status” for their sponsored event.

Intramural Activities

Intramurals will be offered according to the interests of students and are free of charge for those activities that are in building and do not hold a culminating event (i.e. playoff, championship etc.).  For those activities that hold a culminating event, a $45 fee will charged.  A completed parent/guardian permission form is required for student participation.

Spectator Sportsmanship

All students are invited to watch after school athletic contests.  Spectators must stay off the playing fields/floors during game times, including half time and intermissions.  Please be respectful of the athletes participating in the sporting event and remember all school rules are in effect during sporting events.  Officials and administrators will deal with disorderly conduct on an as-needed basis.  Disorderly spectators may be restricted or barred from any activity if administration deems the behavior to be ongoing and disruptive to the sporting environment.

Attendance and Supervision at School Activities

After school activities, including school sponsored dances are planned periodically during the year.  These activities begin immediately after school (3:40 p.m.) and generally run for 90 minutes unless otherwise posted.  In addition to school and district policies students are not allowed to invite guests outside of AMS enrolled students and once students reach the activity area, they many not leave until they are ready to go home.  Students will not be readmitted once they have left the activity area or the school building.