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MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the
Colleton County School District, located in a progressive rural
community in the heart of the Lowcountry, is to guarantee an excellent
education for all students by providing and promoting a challenging
curriculum, appropriate outreach and alternative programs, highly
qualified and accountable staff, excellent facilities and an
environment conducive to successful learning.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPALS
We believe we can accomplish anything
if we work together. You owe it to yourself to do the best you can. We
are all, students, parents, family, and faculty, investing in your
future. School spirit is essential for success and can be divided into
three (3) categories: Courtesy, Pride, and Sportsmanship. School spirit
means loyalty to all functions of the school. A loyal student supports
his school and does his utmost to keep his scholastic and activity
standards at the highest possible level.
ACADEMICS
Interim, nine-week,
semester and final grades will be reported using the numerical system
for grading. Progress reports are sent home periodically and/or after
major assessments. Report cards go home every nine (9) weeks with
interim reports halfway through each grading period. The adjective
assigned to each numerical range is as follows:
95 - 100 EXCELLENT 90 - 94 GOOD
85 - 89 ABOVE AVERAGE 80 - 84
AVERAGE
75 - 79 BELOW AVERAGE 70 - 74
POOR
LESS THAN 70 FAILURE
POD/TEAM CONCEPT (SCHOOL
WITHIN A SCHOOL)
Colleton County
Middle Schools are arranged in the POD/TEAM concept. Students will stay
in their POD/TEAM the entire day, except when they go to special
programs, exploratory, and physical education classes. Teachers in each
POD/TEAM will be responsible for everything which takes place in the
POD/TEAM, including planning, conferring with parents, grouping for
instruction and handling minor discipline problems.
Parents are necessary in order for the
team to be complete. You are the first and most important teacher your
child will ever have. It is a tremendous responsibility, but as a team
working together, we will be successful. Volunteer your time for any
idea you have. We need your input. There are some programs in place
that could use parent volunteers, and some programs that need to be
started. If there are any suggestions as to how the school could be
made better, come and share those ideas. We encourage you to come to
school whenever you can. Support the students in the activities offered
at all Colleton County Middle Schools. Encourage your child to
participate. Activities enhance the educational process for students.
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COUNTY
DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR STUDENT OFFENSES IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- It is the
intention of the Board of School Trustees to allow middle
schools to develop procedures within the guidelines of this
policy. The provisions of this policy apply not only to within
school activities, but also to student conduct for other
school-sponsored activities.
- Classes of
Student Misconduct: Three classes of student misconduct are
identified: Disorderly, Disruptive, and Criminal. The acts of
student misconduct considered in this regulation are defined
and arranged in order of seriousness
- There are
four levels of sanctions within each class of misconduct.
Within each level of sanctions, the punishment may be
increased as the frequency of offenses, or the seriousness of
the offense warrants.
- Classes of
Misconduct Defined:
- Class A:
Disorderly Conduct is defined as: Misconduct that tends to
impede orderly classroom procedures or
instructional activities, orderly operation of the
school, or the frequency or seriousness of which disturbs the
classroom or school
- Class B:
Disruptive Conduct is defined as misconduct directed against
persons or property, and the consequences of which tend to
endanger the health or safety of oneself or others in the
school.
- Criminal
Conduct is defined as misconduct that results in violence on
oneself or another's person or property or which poses a
direct and serious threat to the safety of oneself or others
in the school.
DISCIPLINE
All Colleton County students are to show
responsible behavior. This is especially true in going to and from
school. Many people have no other means of judging Colleton County
Schools than by the behavior of its students; therefore, students
are expected to exhibit mannerly behavior in their contacts with
all people. Respect for parents, teachers, and fellow students is
expected. Sportsmanship as athletes and spectators, neatness
and cleanliness in dress and appearance, language and behavior all
reflect the students of Colleton
County.
A primary goal of
education is to prepare students for a healthy, functional life in
society. This goal can be accomplished in a teaching-learning
environment which allows information to be transferred from teacher
to student through avenues of interest and challenge in an
atmosphere of mutual respect.
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PARENT-TEACHER
ORGANIZATION
The Colleton County
Middle Schools' Parent Teacher Organizations are composed of
parents and teachers who are interested in promoting a better
understanding in the home, school, and community. With the
cooperation of all parents, teachers, and all students, the goals
of our schools will be attained. Parents are encouraged to join the
P.T.O. at their respective schools.
CONFERENCES
Parents wishing to talk with any teacher,
counselor, or administrator should telephone for an appointment.
Teacher conferences will be scheduled during common planning, time
or after school. Parents are encouraged to visit the school to
observe and discuss concerns. Most problems can be resolved to
everyone's satisfaction; however, we cannot address your concerns
if we are not aware of them.
TEXTBOOKS
The State of South Carolina furnishes
textbooks, and students must assume full responsibility for all
books issued to them. Books will be issued by the subject teacher
and must be returned to the same teacher upon completion of the
school year or withdrawal from school. Lost textbooks must be paid
for before another can be issued. If a book is damaged, a fee will
be charged depending on the degree of damage. Students are
encouraged to cover their books. If student leaves his/her
books in classrooms, hallways, top of lockers, etc., he/she can be
assessed a Finder’s Fee of $1.00 per book.
HALL CONDUCT
The halls at the school are narrow and crowded.
Courtesy, tolerance, and respect are required behavior!! DO NOT
push, run, block the hall, or stop to talk. Other than changing of
classes, you are not allowed out of class without a completed pass.
Students are required to walk on the right and use five inch voices
while in the hallway.
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Students are expected to follow the following
policies of Colleton County Schools.
1. Students who represent
our school in sports, clubs, or on school trips must exemplify good
character and conduct at all times.
2. Students are
responsible for making arrangements with their teachers to complete all class
work missed for any reason.
3.
Students are not to enter any parked cars or buses on the campus
during the school day without official permission.
4.
No food or drinks are to leave the lunchroom.
5.
No smoking or chewing tobacco is permitted on campus.
6.
Students may not leave the campus for lunch.
7.
Students are not allowed to bring radios, Walkman, CD players, or
other musical instruments to school. Musical instruments for
instructional purposes are permitted with administrative
permission.
8.
Any student who has been suspended three times can be expelled for
the remainder of the year.
9.
Verbal and non-verbal comments must be polite and courteous.
10.
Items may not be sold on campus without permission from the
Principal.
11.
Anything not mentioned in these policies that causes conflict with
the learning process at school will be dealt with by the
administration.
IN-SCHOOL
SUSPENSION PROGRAM
The program is designed to provide an
alternative on-going educational experience for the student who has
been suspended due to disciplinary reasons. The entire ISS day is
devoted to studying and doing individual assignments with exception
of lunch, restroom visits and stretch breaks. The administrators
are the only school personnel with authority to place students in
ISS.
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STUDENT DRESS CODE
It is the
responsibility of the Board of Trustees to provide an educational
atmosphere conducive to learning.
With this responsibility in mind, the Board adopts a dress code,
which meets the following criteria:
1.
Adheres to applicable legal standards
2.
Is applicable from kindergarten through the
twelfth grade of school
3.
Promotes an educational atmosphere
conducive to wholesome learning.
STUDENT DRESS CODE:
The basic
responsibility for the appearance of Colleton County
School District
rests with the parents and students themselves.
Parents have the
obligation and within prescribed bounds, the right to determine
their children’s dress; however, the following guidelines must be
followed:
1. Dress must comply with the health
and safety codes of the State of South Carolina; therefore, shoes
and shirts must be worn at all times in a public building.
2. Dress must not interfere with the
educational process or the rights of others. The following are prohibited:
* Clothing or jewelry
with obscene, profane language, provocative words or pictures, or
recognized gang symbolism;
* Provocative clothing
such as: see-through garments, bare backs, bare midriffs, halter
tops, low cut blouses and pants;
* Sleeveless garments
such as tank tops that allow excessive exposure as judged by an
administrator;
* Articles of clothing
bearing advertisement of drugs, alcoholic beverages and tobacco
products
3. Attire must not be destructive to
school property or others.
4. Shorts, skirts, and dresses may
be worn provided that the lengths of these are even with or below
the student fingertips when standing erect with their arms relaxed
at their sides. Holes and
slits must meet the same standards as above.
5. All pants, shorts and skirts must
be worn and secured at waist level.
If a belt is worn it may not “dangle.”
6. Articles of clothing and shoes that
are designed to be tied and/or buckled are to be worn
appropriately. (Students who wear shoes not secured to the foot do
so at their own risk.) Students are not permitted to wear bedroom
slippers or pajamas to school.
7. Hats, headgear and sunglasses may
not be worn inside the building.
Bandanas and du-rags may not be worn on school
property. Items confiscated
may not be returned to the student.
8. Any clothing with spikes will not
be allowed.
9. To promote school safety,
students attending schools that issue IDs will be required to
properly display the ID. Items that make identification of a
student difficulty like extreme contacts (i.e. cat eyes, etc. and
extreme makeup (i.e. blood trails, black paint makeup, etc.) will
not be allowed.
A teacher will be
allowed to restrict the manner of dress or length of hair and
fingernails when it pertains to the health and/or safety of a
student in that teacher’s specific area.
Administrative
decisions regarding compliance with the above guidelines will be
made at the school level. It
is understood that guidelines are designed to set the acceptable
parameters but that the interpretation of students’ compliance is
the responsibility of the building administrators.
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LOCKERS
"Lockers
are public property provided by the District for the convenience of
the students. The possession of the lockers is jointly shared by
the student and the Administration of the school" UCAB. The
school reserves the right to randomly search lockers. Only those
items necessary for school should be stored there. Students will be
allowed to go to their lockers during scheduled locker breaks,
otherwise, you must have a pass.
THE SCHOOL WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY
PROPERTY STOLEN FROM LOCKERS, INCLUDING TEXTBOOKS.
ARRIVING LATE /
EARLY
Students arriving late must go to the Attendance
Office for a pass to class. If tardy between classes, students must
be admitted to class and disciplined by the teacher. Repeated
tardies to class may result in administrative discipline. Car
riders are asked not to arrive on campus earlier than 7:30
a.m
ATTENDANCE
A student may miss no more than ten (10)
sessions of each class. More than ten (10) unexcused absences may
result in the loss of credit for the class. A student must be in attendance
for 170 days to receive credit for the year. Absences will be
excused with a written statement from a doctor certifying illness
and the date or dates thereof. Excuses for absence from a doctor
must be presented upon the student's return. All excuses
must be turned into the attendance office within three (3) days of
returning to school.
LEAVING SCHOOL
If it is necessary to leave school, an adult,
preferably your parent, guardian, or persons designated by your
parent or guardian must sign you out in the Attendance Office. A
list of persons with the authority to sign you out will be kept in
the Attendance Office.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
The school must have a correct home address and
at least two (2) telephone numbers where parents can be reached during
the school day in case of emergencies. Inform the guidance
department immediately when there are changes in an address or
phone number.
MEDIA CENTER
The Media
Center is
open thirty (30) minutes before school and thirty (30) minutes
after school daily. You must have a pass from your teacher to go
during class or your lunch period. If the center becomes
overcrowded, you may be asked to return to your class. Books may be
checked out at the main desk. A fine will be charged for overdue
and/or lost books. The Media
Center staff
will have an orientation for each class early in the school
year.
LUNCH PROCEDURE
Student individual lunch accounts are
computerized and recorded using your child's
social security number. You may pay for a
week or two weeks in advance. All middle schools participate in the
federal food program and offer meals at reduced prices or free to
students who qualify. Each student will be given an
application which must be completed and on file before he/she can
participate in the free or reduced food program.
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MAKEUP
WORK
All make-up work on return from absence is
the responsibility of the student. Normally, no more than five (5) school
days will be allowed from date of return to complete these
assignments. Teachers may require students to complete outstanding
tests immediately on return. Teachers are not required to give
credit for make-up work resulting from unexcused absences.
VISITORS
All visitors must
report to the Main Office to receive a visitor's pass. Students may
not bring visitors to school without prior permission from the
principal.
WITHDRAWALS
A student withdrawing
from school must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must
report to the Guidance Office and receive a clearance form to be
signed by all teachers and staff as required. These signatures
indicate clearance with reference to textbooks, library books, and
any other school equipment. Student fees must be paid before
records will be forwarded.
PICTURES
Individual school
pictures in color are taken each year and sold for a nominal fee.
Students will be notified in advance when pictures will be
taken.
CLUBS /
ORGANIZATIONS
All students are
encouraged to join academic service or special interest clubs. A
list of clubs and member criteria will be provided to each
student.
TELEPHONE
If a phone is
needed during school, you must have permission from your teacher AND
an administrator. Only EMERGENCY calls will be permitted from the
school phone. If an emergency arises at home, parents should call
the school. Students are not allowed to use cell phones on
campus before, during, or after the school day.
FALSE ALARMS AND
BOMB THREATS
If a student
maliciously or intentionally activates a fire alarm, fire
extinguisher, and/or places a bomb threat, he/she will be suspended
from school. The student may also be recommended to the
superintendent for expulsion and/or prosecuted in accordance with
the South Carolina
statute.
COMPUTER AND
INTERNET USAGE
At the beginning of
each school year students are orientated to the Computer and
Internet Acceptable Use Policy of Colleton County. A permission
form for student access to the internet must be signed by each
student and his/her parent or guardian at this time. Please review
this policy with your child when he/she brings it home.
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