Pacific Middle School

 
 
 

 

 

 


Cecilia Beaman, Principal                                                                                                                             Theresa Bradley, Counselor

Christopher Carter, Asst. Principal                                                                                                                          Jeff Ferry, Counselor

22705 24th Place South                                                                                                                                                     206-433-2581

Des Moines, WA  98198                                                                                                                                           Fax: 206-433-2451

 

                               “Pacific Middle School expects academic achievement, celebrates diversity, and promotes

                                                                self-discipline and community responsibility.”

 

 

September, 2005

 

Dear Parents and Students:

 

The “Responsibilities and Rights” pamphlet (students should pay special attention to pages 7-13) and “Behavior Expectation Themes” thoroughly cover our school rules and goals.  Pacific Middle School strives and works throughout the year to create an atmosphere built on Respect.  In an effort to support and teach the importance of this life-long quality, students are taught and afforded opportunities to resolve problems and conflicts by talking through their concerns.  Counselors and staff are available to assist students in this area.

 

Should students choose to resolve problems in a disrespectful or hurtful manner, they will be assigned consequences within our progressive discipline model.  Some examples of Pacific’s discipline may include detention with a teacher after school, Better Choices, lunch detention, Saturday School, suspension home, or in more serious situations, long-term suspension or expulsion.  Consequences are assigned based on frequency and seriousness of problems.  In addition to the rules outlined in the “Responsibility and Rights” pamphlet, Pacific has adopted the following:

 

BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES -

Guest Teachers - One area of continued focus for the 2005-06 school year will be respect for our guest teachers (substitutes).  Students are reminded of the challenges of being a guest in a school and are asked to exhibit their best behavior so as to reflect positively on themselves and their school.  Any student, who is sent to the Assistant Principal after being warned regarding his/her behavior, will be sent home for the remainder of the day or the following school day.  A second offense will result in a three day suspension home.

 

Gang related behavior and/or clothing - Any student participating in gang activity as outlined in the "Rights and Responsibility" pamphlet will be immediately suspended home until a meeting takes place between parent/guardian and the assistant principal.  Colored rags (bandanas) or gang related clothing may not be visible at anytime on either male or female students.  If seen they will be confiscated and NOT returned.

 

Fighting - We are passionately committed to teaching students to resolve conflict without the use of physical force.  All staff is available and supportive to students needing to discuss options or seek assistance resolving conflict.  Should a student choose to resolve a matter by using physical force (fighting), the student will be immediately sent home.  A determination will be made by the assistant principal as to the length of the home suspension.  Upon a student’s return, a meeting will be set up with individuals and/or the counselor and assistant principal to fully resolve the incident.  At that time, it will be made very clear that continued fighting will result in removal from Pacific Middle School.

 

Harassment - It is our firm belief that all students have the right to enjoy a successful and safe experience while at school.  Our strong network of supportive staff is available to discuss with students any situation which is causing them discomfort.  Harassing behavior will not be tolerated.  Those choosing to harass in spite of our effort to stop the behavior will be suspended from Pacific.  Repeated or on-going situations should be reported immediately to your child’s counselor or the assistant principal.

 

Identifying Self - In an effort to keep a safe and respectful environment it is important that students correctly identify themselves when asked by a staff member.  Failure to do so will result in consequences.

 

Hats, Hoods, Headbands - Hats, hoods and headbands may be worn to and from school, but may NOT be worn or visible upon arrival to school until dismissal.  Students failing to comply with this rule will have their hat turned in to the office.  Hats and headbands will be returned to students when the assistant principal receives a written request from the parent or on the last day of school.

 

Dress Code - We take learning seriously and expect our students to come to school dressed appropriately for a learning environment.  Clothing is to be clean and in good repair.  Tank tops, tube tops, slippers, pajamas, sagging pants, spaghetti straps are not appropriate articles of clothing for school.  Clothing or tattooing with inappropriate language or any reference to tobacco, drugs, alcohol, gang affiliation (including bandanas), or sexually suggestive is not allowed.  Pants should not have to be held up with a hand when walking, they must be worn at the waist and preferably fastened with a belt.

 

Backpacks - They should be as small as possible and straps should be on both shoulders while passing between classes.  Duffel bags are not permitted.

 

Skateboards and scooters - These items cannot be ridden or used on school property.  Our procedure at Pacific if a student uses them to get to/from school is to have the student take them to their 6th period teacher prior to the start of school.  If a student is seen riding, skating or carrying them around during the school day, they will be taken away and returned when a note from parent/guardian to the Assistant Principal is received.

 

Electronic Devices and other expensive items - (i.e. iPODS, gameboys, pagers, cell phones, CD players, laser pens, pokemon cards, etc.) - Students are strongly discouraged from bringing these or other valuable items to school.  They are not part of our educational program; they clearly distract others in the school setting and are potential items for theft.  School staff will not assist students in their recovery in the event they are lost or stolen.  Should these items be visible upon arrival and before dismissal or cause a disruption in class, they will be taken away and turned in to the office.  These items will be returned when we receive a letter or phone call from the student’s parent/guardian.

 

Attendance - Punctuality is an important life skill.  We place much emphasis on the need to arrive to school and classes on time.  The first tardy to school each semester will result in a verbal warning.  Subsequent tardies will be assigned consequences.  Doctor, dentist, counseling, court, and other appointments will be considered excused provided students bring written verification with them when they return to school.  Tardies which have extenuating circumstances should be discussed with your child’s counselor, the attendance coordinator or the attendance office.  Specific attendance procedures will be discussed with your student the first week of school.

 

Absences from school cause disruption to your child’s educational involvement.  We encourage each family to set guidelines to establish what warrants missing school.  State law requires that parent notification be made regarding your child’s absence(s).  Please call the school at 206-433-2581 on the day of your child’s absence(s), or send a note with them when they return.  Parents/guardians may also email our attendance specialist, Mrs. Heider, at heiderkt@hsd401.org.  The office is staffed from 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Our Parent Link phone system will be calling you electronically in the evening if your child misses 2 or more classes on that school day.

 

Students who have unexcused absences from school will be under the jurisdiction of the Becca Bill.  Specifics about this bill are included in this packet.  Further, it is Pacific Middle School’s policy to evaluate the appropriateness of filing a petition under the Becca Bill for any student who has 15 or more excused absences during a semester.  This will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

 

MONITORING STUDENTS ACADEMIC PROGRESS -

Although middle school students are more capable of taking responsibility for their school work, our experience is that they still need strong support from both parents and school staff.  We cannot stress enough how important your involvement is to the success of your child academically.  We need you to “be there” when your child needs that extra bit of help, planning, encouragement, prodding, or attitude readjustment.  We have a number of ways to help you support your child.  Please refer to Pacific’s Guidelines for Success regarding specific expectations.

 

Talk to your child daily - Ask what your child did in each class, what it meant, and how you can help (not “if” you can help).  If your child replies, “We didn’t do anything,” or “Nothing,” have them clarify what that actually means.  Also, please check your student’s planner.

 

Student Planners - We strongly encourage you to check your child’s planner each day for homework and projects that are due.  You can help your child plan how to complete a quality assignment and turn it in on time.  Due to budget cuts, planners will cost $6.00 this year.

 

Self check progress reports - Self check progress reports are available in the counselors’ office.  Students can use these at anytime to check on their current academic standing and work due in each class.

 

Emailing and phoning staff - If you have access to a computer, email is an excellent way to stay in touch with your student’s teacher.  A complete listing of email addresses will be in our first newsletter mailed to your home.  Call the school and leave a message with the front office that you would like to have a particular teacher call you.  Our new Parent Link phone system will allow you to leave recorded messages with any staff member.

 

Conferences - If you would like to meet in person with one or more teachers, please call your child’s counselor.  They will set up an appropriate gathering.

 

Quarterly Progress Reports - Progress Reports are sent home at the midpoint of every quarter for any class in which your child is not performing up to the expected level.

 

Quarterly Report Cards - Report cards show grades earned and credit achieved.  Lots of good teacher feedback is also given.

 

We believe that a collaborative effort between home and school strengthens and enhances a student’s school experience.  Please spend time to go over this letter, our “Responsibility and Rights” pamphlet and our “Behavior Expectations” with your student.  After having done so, please sign below and have your student return the bottom portion to their 6th period teacher.