ADMINISTRATION

The role of the administrative staff at CMS is to serve students, parents and teachers. We are committed to creating an exceptional learning environment free from threat. We believe in order to maintain a safe and orderly school where effective learning occurs; guidelines relevant to student behavior need to be in place. We believe students should understand how their behavior not only affects their personal success, but also how it impacts the success of others.

Students are encouraged to seek assistance from teachers, principals or any other staff member when they need help. Parents are welcomed to contact the administration whenever they have suggestions or concerns.

COUNSELING STAFF

Our counselors are anxious to help out in any way they can. They are ready to assist you with educational guidance counseling, educational planning, career exploration and with scheduling concerns. They are also available to visit with students on personal matters. Make arrangements with a secretary in the front office if you would like to visit with a counselor.

OFFICE STAFF

The friendly CMS secretaries are ready to help you beginning at 7:30 in the morning. If you need to pay a fee or fine please do so before school at the open window in the office.

CMS secretarial staff:

Mrs. Kalene Eilers: Administrative Assistant (7:30 – 4:00)
Mrs. Lynette Stapley: Attendance (9:30 - 3:30)
Mrs. Vicki Murdoch: School lunch, School records. (7:30 – 1:30)

IRON SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR
CEDAR MIDDLE SCHOOL CALENDAR

*Attendance is vital for student success.  Please refer to this calendar to coordinate your family vacations around school days.

FEE SCHEDULE 2007-2008

Activity Fee 7th & 8th Grade..................$15.00
Book /Material & Supply Fee.....................$35.00
($5.00 refund if books are returned in good condition at the end of the year).
Tech Education I or II (8th grade)...................... $10.00
TLC Fee (7th grade).....................................$15.00
Life Skills (8th grade)...............................….$10.00
Art I...................................................…......…..$12.00
Art II.................................................…..........$15.00

Fee waivers are available. If interested contact a secretary. A fee waiver does not cover the cost of lost or damaged books!

CHECKS

Checks to pay for lunch or fees/fines should be made out to Cedar Middle School. Checks to be cashed must be made out to the student and must be drawn on a parent's checking account. The office will not cash checks for more that $20.

CLASS SCHEDULE CHANGES

Hopefully, when you registered for school last spring you carefully selected your classes. Once schedules are finalized class changes will only be considered when there is a strong academic reason.  The principal must approve class changes. Changes initiated by student/parent are subject to a $15.00 fee.

STUDENT INSURANCE

The ICSD does not carry medical insurance to cover incidental injuries a student might experience at school. Families need to have their own medical insurance. Inexpensive insurance is available through private carriers at the time of registration. For low-income families the State offers medical insurance under their C.H.I.P. program. Brochures about this program are available in the front office.

PERSONAL DATA INFO

A student's personal data information needs to be current throughout the year. Please notify the office of any changes in your address, phone number, parents' work numbers and emergency contact numbers.  Positive identification may be requested for parents checking students out of school.

TELEPHONES

A courtesy phone is available for student use in the front office. Students must obtain a phone pass from their teacher before using this phone during the instructional day. Messages for students need to be directed to the office. Students will be called out of class to come to the phone only in an emergency.  Please make personal arrangements before school.

DELIVERIES

Occasionally students will forget assignments, materials, lunch, etc. and parents will bring them to the front office to have them delivered. We are glad to help out in this situation. On the other hand, because they have proven to be a major distraction, we ask that parents not send birthday balloons, bouquets, etc. to school. Please reserve this type of celebrating for home.

LOST AND FOUND

Lost & found items are collected and held in the front office. Articles not claimed will be disposed of periodically.

LOCKERS

Except for P.E. lockers, CMS does not have lockers to issue to students. Many students choose to bring a backpack to school making it much more convenient to access needed materials.

Students are reminded to pack light and keep their packs free of unneeded items. Additional copies of textbooks are available for students wishing to have a school copy and a home copy. Contact your individual teacher.

BRINGING VALUABLES TO SCHOOL

Students are strongly discouraged from bringing valuable personal items to school. The school will not be responsible for any items brought to school that are lost, stolen or damaged.  This includes, but is not limited to, electronic gadgets, cell phones, skate boards, etc.

BAND INSTRUMENTS

Students who bring band instruments to school must be responsible for their security. The school provides a locked closet in each of the music rooms for storage of instruments. Students are encouraged to store their instruments in these closets during the day; however, students are required to take their instrument home each day to practice. The school cannot be responsible for the loss or damage of a privately owned instrument. Privately owned instruments may be inexpensively insured through the parent's homeowner’s policy.

FOOD SERVICE

CMS has an excellent staff of cooks providing nutritional and great tasting meals daily. Breakfast is served beginning at 7:30 A.M. Cost is $1.50 for adults, $1.00 for students (full price) and $.30 for students (reduced price). Cost for lunch is $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for students (full price) and $.40 for students (reduced price). Milk may be purchased for $.25. There is also a snack bar available with a la carte items for sale.

Lunches may be prepaid by the week or month in the front office. Students are permitted to charge their lunch only in an emergency situation up to 3 times a year. After that, students will not be allowed to charge, but will be offered a peanut butter sandwich and juice at no charge.  Applications for free and reduced lunch can be picked up in the office.  A current application will need to be filled out at the beginning of each year.

APPROPRIATE LUNCH TIME BEHAVIOR

• Do not take food or drink outside the cafeteria area.
• Students are responsible to clean up after themselves by putting trash in the trashcan. If a lunch supervisor makes a request that you clean your area please do so promptly and courteously.
• Walk to and while in the cafeteria, keep voices down and take all horseplay outside.
• If students choose to wander outside they are to stay away from the north side of the campus.
• Basketball and other recreational activities are available on the east side of the building.

MEDIA CENTER

The Media Center at CMS is well stocked with resources available to assist you in your studies. It is your responsibility to learn the rules regarding book circulation, reference materials and computer use. Materials and books need to be returned promptly by the date indicated and in good condition. Students will be financially responsible for books that are lost or damaged. Fee waivers do not pay for the cost of lost books.

COMPUTER LABS

CMS is well equipped with state-of-the-art computer labs providing students tremendous opportunities for exploration and learning. Students need to understand, however, using school computers is a privilege. They must agree to abide by the following guidelines:

• Parents and students must sign an Acceptable Use Policy Agreement before a student can have access to the Internet.
• Displaying or creating obscene, vulgar or pornographic material is prohibited.
• Recreational game playing is prohibited.
• Violation of copyright law is prohibited.
• Accessing confidential or private records is also prohibited.

Misuse of computers will result in the loss of computer-use privileges in all classes for the remainder of the year. Any act that violates state or federal law will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

STUDENT COUNCIL

The role of the student council is to represent student views and to promote school pride and spirit. Elections are held in the fall. Students serving on the council must demonstrate leadership, have excellent citizenship and maintain a 3.0 grade point average.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Dances and extra curricular activities include field trips, music performances, etc.
Students who desire to participate in these activities may not have any D’s, F’s, N’s or U’s as a current grade. A grade check will be made two days prior to the activity and ineligible students will be notified. Students on trackers are ineligible to participate. Activity cards must be shown at the door.

WARRIOR PRIDE

Warrior Pride activities are held twice a year (once each semester). To qualify students must have good citizenship (no N's or U's), and good grades (GPA of 3.0) on their report card each quarter during the semester. Eligibility is reviewed each semester and just prior to the Warrior Pride Activity. Students who are on a tracker and/or who are in Skills are not eligible. There is a cost for these activities.

Dances

Student must attend school the day of an activity to participate in After School Activities.  Guidelines specific to school dances will be addressed later in this planner.

CMS Junior Honor Society

Membership in the CMS Junior Honor Society is based on scholarship, leadership, citizenship and character. To be eligible students must maintain a 3.70 grade point average and conduct themselves with honor.  (No “N” or “U” citizenship grades.) Students are required to apply for membership in the Honor Society each year.

Governors Youth Council

The GYC is a school club decided to promoting healthy lifestyles and service learning. It is a great opportunity to meet new friends and to get involved in a positive way in our school. It is open to all students. Contact the advisor for more information.

PICTURE I.D./ACTIVITY CARD

Shortly after pictures are taken in the fall, students will be issued an activity card. These cards are needed to get into the dances, to check out athletic equipment during the lunch hour and can be used in the lunch line. Lost activity cards cost $5.00 to replace.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Good attendance is critical in order to succeed in school. Students who have poor attendance fall behind and become easily discouraged.

When students are absent, parents are to call the front office the day they are absent or send a note the day they return. Excuses for absences will be accepted for up to three days following the absence. We do not accept blanket excuses for absences from parents (i.e. "Please excuse all of Johnny's 3rd term absences).

If you are going to be out for an extended time a parent or guardian needs to contact the school to make arrangements to meet the educational needs of your student.

Excused Absences: Medical, dental, personal illness, funeral of immediate family member, observance of a religious holiday, court appearance, or family emergency.  Please keep absences to a minimum.  Excessive absences, excused or not, will be dealt with according to State Law and School District Policy.

TARDINESS

Being on time to class is an important habit to get into. It's a way of showing respect and responsibility. Students are required to be inside their classroom and in their seats before the tardy bell rings. If you're not, you're tardy!

A four-minute break is scheduled between each class. Tardies will not be excused unless you have a written note verifying you were with a parent or teacher.

CONSEQUENCES FOR TARDIES

Excessive tardies will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.  Consequences may include After School Study Hall (Parents are responsible for transportation when their student is required to attend), in-school suspension, parent conference, disciplinary contract, or a referral to Truancy Support.

Cumulative Tardies:  will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Additional tardies will result in further disciplinary action. Being late to a class by 10 or more minutes will be considered an unexcused absent.

GRADE REPORTS / REPORT CARDS

Student grades can be looked up on the Internet at any time, day or night. (Contact the front office for student password information). Individual teachers send progress reports home on an on-going basis. The front office mails home midterm failing notices. Report cards are issued each quarter and are handed out by way of the student.

CMS GRADING SCALE

The following grading scale will be standardized throughout the school.

EXTRA CREDIT

The goal is to get students to attend to the original course work as outlined by the teacher.  For this reason, extra credit is not to be offered to remediate a grade.  Students should do the work that was originally assigned whenever possible to improve a grade, even if only for partial credit.  Extra credit is to be only used to enrich the core curriculum and must be directly tied to it.  It must not make up more than 5% of the total grade.

4.0 PLAQUES / 100% ATTENDANCE

CMS has an awards assembly at the end of each year. Among other awards, students can earn a 4.0 plaque and a 100% attendance medal. A 4.0 plaque is earned by getting a 4.0 GPA 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarter and at midterm 4th quarter. A 100% attendance medal is earned by 100% attendance. (Students are allowed two days at no less than 1 period missed and still qualify for 100% attendance).

AFTER SCHOOL ASSISTANCE

For after school assistance each student should make arrangements, in advance, with their teacher and their parents so they can be picked up by 3:30.  Students are not to loiter on the school grounds past 3:30 or the privilege of staying after school will be taken away. No late bus is available.

STUDY HALL

CMS will be offering a Study Hall to help students who are struggling in their academic classes.  If a students’ grades falls below a “C-“ the student may be referred by their teacher to attend Study Hall until the student has proficiency of the concept and/or has raised their grade to a minimum of a “C-“.  Referred students will attend Study Hall instead of their elective class.  Parents will be notified by mail when their student has been referred for this opportunity. 

AT RISK PROGRAM

Helping students become academically successful is a priority at CMS.  Students carrying a low cumulative GPA, indicating they are at risk of failing, will be placed in the “At Risk” Program.  Academic progress will be monitored on a weekly basis.  If their GPA is insufficient, they will be referred to Study Hall “All Day” until their grades improve to a satisfactory level.

8TH GRADE COMPETENCY PROGRAM

Eighth graders are required to demonstrate mastery in Writing, Reading, and Mathematics at a minimum of 7.0 level in order to participate in the year-end graduation activities and avoid having to take remedial classes in 9th grade.

To demonstrate competency in these three areas students have to achieve a grade level equivalency score of 7.0 or above on the ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) administered to all 8th graders in the fall of their 8th grade year or similar scores on alternative tests.

Parents will first be notified in November by mail as to a student's standing after the IOWA results are returned. Students with deficiencies will need to get with their teachers and make an effort to participate in our after school program. A second notification will be mailed in March.

Eighth grade students who do not pass the three competencies by Friday, May 2nd or who have an "F or U", on their grade print out for 4th quarter, will not be participating in the graduation dance scheduled for the last week of school. In addition, they may be required to attend summer school courses in the areas of their deficiencies.

A writing proficiency test is given to 8th graders at the end of February to help evaluate their writing abilities. Again, the targeted level is 7.0 (which translates to a 3.0 or better on the test).

Students will be given additional opportunities to demonstrate mastery of the competencies throughout the summer. Students who fail to qualify themselves by the end of summer may be required to take remedial classes in 9th grade in lieu of elective classes.

Our desire with this program is for students to do their best and be accountable for their learning, thus strengthening their self-esteem and their power to achieve. 

VISITORS

Parents are always welcome at CMS. When you come to visit our school please come to the front office first for assistance. However, due to problems in the past, non-CMS students are NOT allowed on campus during the school day. Non-CMS students on campus during the school day may be cited for trespassing.  Adults requesting information or checking students out of school may be asked for positive identification.

CLOSED CAMPUS

For the safety of our students, CMS has a closed campus policy. Students are not to leave campus for any reason unless accompanied by their own parents or a teacher. Parents may take only their own children off campus. You must be checked out with the front office first. Students found off campus during school hours will be picked up by law enforcement and taken to the Truancy Support Center.  Our school campus does not include Park Discovery or outside our fenced area.

CELL PHONES

Cell phones are permitted at school; however, they must be turned off during school hours.  We will be considered a “no cell phone zone” from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Inappropriate use of cell phones will result in their confiscation. Students are forbidden to use their cell phones to take pictures at school.

NUISANCE ITEMS

Students are asked not to bring items to school that could disrupt the learning environment or prove to be an invasion of other's privacy. Possession of these items may result in their confiscation until the end of the school year. Nuisance items include: Toys, yo-yos, animals (stuffed or live), stickers, laser lights, Game Boys and other electronic games, CD Players, Walkman, headsets, cameras, camcorder devices, or any other item that could disrupt school. CMS will not be responsible for loss, theft, or damage to these items.

DRESS STANDARDS

We believe that all students have the right to a safe, healthful school environment and that all students have the responsibility to dress appropriately and observe basic standards of cleanliness and good grooming. A student's dress and appearance should not cause a disruption or a distraction from the educational process or create a health/safety concern for him/herself or others.
Here are specific guidelines you are requested to follow:

• Students are to dress in a neat and attractive manner that reflects pride in themselves and in their school.
• Hats and other headgear have proven to be disruptive. Therefore, we ask that hats or other headgear NOT be worn at school.
• Shorts & skirts must reach the mid-thigh.  A good measurement is two to three inches below fingertips when arms are fully extended.
• Tops must cover shoulders, underarms, and stomachs when arms are raised. Bare midriffs, tank tops, spaghetti straps or low-cut necklines are not acceptable. Remember that fronts, backs and sides must be covered.
• Outfits are not permitted which show, or appear to show underwear or are unduly revealing. Ripped or torn clothing is inappropriate attire.
• Pajamas, nightshirts, robes and other sleep attire are not appropriate for school.
• Shoes must be worn at all times. Although flip-flops are not forbidden (except for in P.E. and Shop/TLC), students need to know they do not provide adequate protection at school. Students are encouraged to wear enclosed-toe shoes. Bedroom slippers do not constitute shoes. Roller shoes are not allowed.
• Clothing with vulgar language, inappropriate pictures (sexually oriented, gang or violence related, death/gore depicting), alcohol or cigarette advertising, illegal substances and any other law breaking activity are not permitted.
• Pants must fit around the waist appropriately and stay up without the use of a belt, rope or suspenders.
• Gang related apparel and symbols may not be worn (i.e., oversize baggy pants, headbands, spiked wristbands, Gothic apparel, long chains on pants or wallets).
• Body piercing of the nose, eyebrow, lip, chin and tongue are disruptive and are not allowed.  Face paint is not allowed.
• Hair must be of a natural, human tone even if dyed or highlighted. Extreme hairstyles are a distraction and are inappropriate for school.

Parents have the responsibility for seeing that students are dressed properly for school. Students who are in violation of the approved dress code will be sent to the office and will either be sent home to change into acceptable attire, have someone bring acceptable attire from home, or change into school issued attire.

PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION (PDA)

Students should be able to go about their school day without being embarrassed by the behavior of others. Holding hands, hugging, embracing, kissing or other acts of public affection are not appropriate and not allowed in school. Students who persist in this type of behavior after having been warned will be dealt with by the school administration.

NOTE WRITING / NOTEBOOKS

Note writing between students has been the cause of much contention and off-task behavior. Therefore, students are not permitted to write notes to one another at school. Students caught writing notes will have their notes confiscated, will be sent to the office and, in some cases, will have their parents contacted.

INNAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE

Unfortunately, profanity and vulgarity have become commonplace in today's world resulting in the coarsening of society and a loss of public order and civility. Inappropriate language is a serious concern to students, parents and school personnel. Vulgarity and profanity are against the law and will not be tolerated. Students who choose to use vulgarity and profanity will face disciplinary action. Repeat offenders will be suspended from school off campus and may be dealt with under the Utah Safe Schools Act.

PHYSICAL/VERBAL/SEXUAL ABUSE and/or ASSAULT/HARASSMENT

It truly is the goal of the CMS staff to make our school a place absent of threat. If a student is feeling threatened or abused by another student, she/he needs to report it to school personnel immediately. Parents and students should not assume school officials are aware of a particular situation. Most conflicts can be peacefully resolved through mediation with a school counselor or an administrator. (Students who have a conflict with another student and fail to bring it to the attention of school personnel will be equally guilty if the conflict results in a fight).

Students need to understand physical, sexual and verbal abuse or assault are violations of the law and will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, and other inappropriate verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature made by any student toward another student.

HARASSING OR BULLYING OTHER STUDENTS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED DURING SCHOOL, AT SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, OR ON THE BUS.

Students guilty of these offenses after having been warned will be referred to law enforcement and may be placed on a 10-day suspension in accordance with the Utah State Safe School Act. The school will ask for expulsion under this Act for repeat offenders.

FIGHTING

Fighting is not an effective way to resolve conflicts. As indicated, students are encouraged to use teachers, counselors and/or administrators to help resolve differences with other students. Depending upon the nature of the altercation, one or both parties may be suspended or expelled under the Utah Safe Schools Act for participating in a fight. A parent, student and administrator conference will be required before students can return to school. Fighting will not be tolerated! Law enforcement may be notified and legal consequence brought down do bear on those caught fighting.

WEAPONS

It is a violation of the Utah Safe Schools Act for an individual to bring any kind of knife, gun or any other type of weapon or weapon facsimile to school, on school transportation or to a school activity. Technically, any device used by one person to harm another person is considered a weapon.

If it comes to the attention of school officials that an individual has brought or is in possession of a weapon on school district property, local law enforcement will be notified and an investigation will be conducted. Any person found in possession of a weapon will be subject to expulsion under Utah Safe Schools Act and will be charged criminally.

GUIDELINES FOR CEDAR MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCES

Attendance:
Students must qualify themselves by having a GPA of 3.0 or higher and good citizenship with no N or U in order to attend CMS dances:

• Cedar Middle School dances are for Cedar Middle School students only. Friends or relatives from other schools will not be admitted.
• Students must adhere to the Cedar Middle School Dress code while attending dances.
• Students may step outside during the dance for fresh air; however, students may not leave campus and then re-enter the dance.
• 6th grade students will be invited to one dance each year.

Student Behavior:

• Suggestive, lewd, or obscene dancing will not be allowed.
• Horseplay or other disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
• 1st Offense; Warning.
• 2nd Offense; Removal from dance; parents notified.
• Removal from 2 dances will cause a student to lose the privilege of attending any more dances for the rest of the year, parents will be notified and other disciplinary action will be taken that may be appropriate.

Music:

• Music will be previewed ahead of time by school personnel.
• No music containing profanity will be allowed.
• No music containing sexually explicit lyrics will be allowed.

DISCIPLINARY DUE PROCESS – CLASSROOM

Learning to discipline oneself and follow the rules of society is as important as anything else you might learn in school. Rules are established to promote the welfare of the whole while at the same time protect the rights of the individual. At CMS we want to help children learn that being respectful of others and following basic school rules is truly in their best interest.

We want to help students make good choices and to take responsibility for whatever part they may have played in a negative situation. Consequences help deter us from making the same mistake again. We hope parents will be supportive of the school administration if/when we impose consequences on your child for a violation of the rules. Know that our intent is truly to help your child.

The following is the procedure that is used by individual teachers and school administration in handling inappropriate behavior in the classroom.**

STEP ONE: REMINDER

This is a reminder not a reprimand.  The teacher needs to address the situation early in order to help prevent further escalation. If the problem persists...

STEP TWO: WARNING / PERSONAL CONFERENCE

This is an official reprimand. The student is approached and confronted about the problem. This is to be done privately whenever possible. The student is given specific directives as to what needs to be done to correct the problem and the teacher is to outline the consequences if the student fails to respond. If the problem persists...

STEP THREE: WRITTEN CONTRACT and CALL TO THE PARENT

The student is approached again. At this point the teacher is to put the student under a written contract. The student is asked to sign the contract. Teachers are to make a personal contact with the parents and a copy of the contract is to be sent home. If the problem persists...

STEP FOUR: SENT TO OFFICE / CALL HOME TO PARENTS / IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION
The student is removed from class and referred to the office with documentation. A log entry is to be filled out on PowerSchool by the teacher giving details of the problem. The student's parents will be contacted by the administration and made aware of the situation. Students who are sent to the office may be asked to remain after school, placed in in-school suspension, sent to skill building, and in extreme situations, suspended from school for one or more days. If the problem persists...

STEP FIVE: SUSPENSION/EXPULSION FROM SCHOOL

The student is referred to the ICSD school board for possible expulsion. Students need to be aware that under the Utah Safe Schools Act if their behavior proves to be a "habitual" disruption to the operation of school (involvement with the administration more than five times during the year), they could be expelled for up to one calendar year by the school board.

**In special/ extreme cases, a student will be sent to the office as a first step, such as: Defiance to an adult, Physical-Verbal-Sexual Abuse/ Harassment, Weapons, Explosives, Sexual / Verbal, Inappropriate Language, Additional Acts Subject to Criminal Prosecution. The Five Steps are an extension of the teacher's classroom discipline policy, not a replacement for it.

UTAH STATE SAFE SCHOOL ACT (UCA 53A-11-901 through 907)

A student may be suspended/expelled from school for participation in any of the following prohibited conduct when it occurs in a school building in or on school property, in conjunction with any school sponsored activity, or when it occurs in the presence of or is directed at or against another student or a district employee: continued willful disobedience or open and persistent defiance of proper authority. willful destruction or defacing of school property. behavior, or threatened behavior, which poses an immediate and significant threat to the welfare, safety or morals of other students or school personnel or to the operation of the school.

DEFINITIONS

BATTERY: Bodily injury to another person on school grounds, school bus or at a school-sanctioned activity.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: Illegal substances such as cigarettes, prescription drugs, alcohol, etc.
EXTORTION: Taking anything of value from another person by use of force or making threats if s/he fails to do so. This includes money from other students during lunchtime.
DEFIANCE: Refusal to cooperate with school personal or encouraging others to do the same.
ARSON: The willful setting afire or burning of any part of the school building, equipment or property.
SRO: School Resource Office; Police Officer from the Cedar City Police Department.
TSC: Truancy Support Center