PFLUGERVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT HANDBOOK
1. ATTENDANCE - Students returning from an absence must bring a note from a parent or a doctor and get a slip at the Office. Students must be present for 90% of the school year to get credit.
2. BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL – Students will be allowed in the building at 7:55. Students who eat breakfast go directly to the serving lines and all others sit in designated areas of the cafeteria. At 8:10, all students go directly to 1st period to prepare for the day. After school, students who walk home are to leave the campus immediately. Students who get rides home should be picked up by 3:45. Any students still waiting at 3:45 will be brought in the building for community service/study hall and a parent must come in to sign them out. At 4:30, all students will be sent out of the building and will not be supervised.
3. BOOK BAGS/BACKPACKS – Lockers are not issued to students, therefore students may bring backpacks/book bags to class. Teachers will have a designated area in their classroom to leave the bags during the class period. Students may make arrangements with a teacher to leave their backpack in their class for the day.
4. BUS INFO - Bus privileges can be suspended for misbehavior on a bus. Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right. Students are expected to be safe and show respect for the driver.
5. CAFETERIA - Everyone eats in the cafeteria. Lunch options, prices, and rules for behavior will be posted in the cafeteria. Parents are welcome to eat with their child in the cafeteria. Food brought in by parents cannot be shared with other students.
6. CELL PHONES – Cell phones seen or heard inside the building during the school day will be taken up and a parent/guardian must pick it up. The second time, a $15 fee must be paid to retrieve the phone. The third time, it is kept for the rest of the school year.
7. CLOSED CAMPUS – Students may not leave during school hours without appropriate adult accompaniment.
8. CLUBS/EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - See sponsors for rules and more details.
9. COUNSELOR - Make an appointment by completing a form located in the office, or by getting a pass from a teacher or staff member.
10. DANCES/FIELD TRIPS – Students assigned to the Opportunity Center may not attend dances or incentive field trips during the semester of their assignment. A suspension or assignment to ISS for more than one offense will jeopardize eligibility for such dances and trips. Library fines must be paid to participate in dances and field trips.
11. DRESS CODE/GROOMING STANDARDS -
Pflugerville ISD takes pride in the appearance of its students. The District’s dress code
and grooming standards have been established to teach grooming and hygiene, to prevent
disruption, and to minimize safety hazards at school or school-related functions. All
students shall wear clothing that is neat, appropriate, and modest to the gender of the
student.
The school campus, not unlike a work place, promotes a productive, business like
atmosphere that is conducive to learning. Students should familiarize themselves with
these standards, as the dictates of popular fashion may be inconsistent with the following
guidelines:
Shirts, Blouses, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Vests
- Must be size appropriate, not below the hips
- Must touch the belt line with no revealing undergarments
- No clothing with graphics, profanity, or words that relate to alcoholic beverages,
tobacco products, weapons, or drug use, or anything that could be construed as
provocative or offensive.
- No oversized armholes, vented t-shirts, spaghetti straps, backless attire and off the
shoulder tops
- No revealing midriff or undergarments while standing or sitting
- No revealing, low-cut, see-thru, or too tight such as spandex/lycra. (no cleavage
can be exposed)
- No clothing that has been ripped, torn, or cut
Dresses, Jumpers, Skirts, Shorts, Skorts, Capris
- Modest in length (at or below middle of thigh) Leggings may be worn with skirts if the skirt is long enough to wear by itself.
- No tattered shorts, biker shorts, or wind shorts
- No clothing that is too tight such as spandex/lycra
- No shorts or pants that sag or that are too tight
Pants, Jeans
- Appropriately sized at natural waistline, no visible undergarments
- No clothing that has been ripped, torn, or cut above the knee
- No oversized pants, jeans or shorts that sag or are too tight
- No pajama wear of any type
Shoes
- Unsafe footwear not permitted (ie: house shoes, shower shoes, slippers, etc)
Hair
- Neat, clean and well-groomed. Worn in a style and color that is not distractive.
- Beards not allowed except with physician’s documentation
Miscellaneous
- Revealing clothing of any type may not be worn
- Clothing with profanity, obscene patches, references to alcohol, drugs, weapons
or tobacco may not be worn
- Any attire that is distracting or causes a disturbance or identifies a student as part
of an unauthorized group (i.e. bandannas, shoe laces, chains, t-shirts, etc.)
- No visible body piercing other than ears, including tongue piercing
- No hats or caps, doo-rags, wave caps, bandanas or hoods worn indoors
- Prescription glasses only
- No visible permanent tattoos
Interpretive Authority
The example and guidelines listed above may not cover every possible instance of
appropriate or inappropriate grooming or appearance. The interpretive authority as to
what dress or grooming is inappropriate, disruptive, a hindrance to best learning
situations, or a detriment to best discipline shall be vested in the principal, the assistant or
grade level principal, or any other administrative authority in the school system.
NONCOMPLIANCE OF THE DRESS CODE/GROOMING STANDARDS WILL
RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
12. DRILLS - Students will be trained in evacuation and safety procedures through the use of evacuation and safety drills.
13. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES – Students attending after school activities such as sporting events, dances, etc., are expected to be picked up within 20 minutes of the end of the event. Failure to be picked up in a timely manner will result in not being allowed to attend future events.
14. GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM - Identified GT students receive their G/T instruction through Pre-AP (Pre-Advanced Placement) classes (see “Pre-AP Program” in this handbook). In addition, students will be grouped in advisory classes that allow for extension activities to take place.
15. HONOR ROLL - Students who make all As and Bs on their report card will be recognized during award assemblies throughout the year.
16. INAPPROPRIATE ITEMS - Cell phones, radios, MP3’s, IPods, video games, cameras, mouth grills, knives, lighters, laser pointers, tape or CD players, etc., should not be brought to school. If seen, the items will be taken up and turned into the office for parent pick up per school policies. The school and staff are not responsible for these things if they are lost or stolen.
17. LIBRARY: Students may check books out for two weeks. A fine is charged for overdue books. Students may also be charged if a book is lost or damaged.
18. LOCKERS - Lockers are currently not being used, except in certain cases. Some students in special programs receive lockers because of equipment, etc., they are required to bring to school.
19. LOST & FOUND - All unclaimed items will be donated to a charity periodically. ITEMS FOUND AND NOT TURNED IN PROPERLY MAY BE CONSIDERED STOLEN. A GOOD RULE OF THUMB IS, “IF YOU FIND IT AND YOU COULD USE IT OR SELL IT, YOU’D BETTER TURN IT IN.” Please label everything with your name, to help us return it when it is lost.
20. MAKEUP WORK – See teacher policy given at first of the year.
21. MEDICINE AT SCHOOL - All prescription medicine to be taken during school hours must be checked in with the Nurse, who will regulate its distribution. Non-prescription medicine must also be given to the nurse in its original container. Please check with the nurse about how long non-prescription medicine can be held.
22. MESSAGES TO STUDENTS – Please call the front office if a message needs to be given your child. Please do not call your child’s cell phone during the day as it may result in it being taken up. Please take care of all after school rides and plans before the school day.
23. PARENTAL VISITATION - All adults on campus must have a visible identification badge. Parents and visitors must sign in and get a visitor’s badge. Any adult wanting to pick or talk to a child must be registered on the locator card and must show a driver’s license or other form of picture identification. This is for your child’s safety. Please call ahead to visit a class.
24. PHYSICAL EDUCATION - P.E. is required for sixth and seventh graders. Students must obtain a uniform and dress out every day. P.E. teachers will give details on this.
25. PRE-AP PROGRAM - The Pre-Advanced Placement Program provides rigorous classes in all disciplines. These courses prepare students to take AP courses in high school, and ultimately to take the Advanced Placement tests for college credit. PreAP Math is an accelerated class to prepare to take Algebra I in 8th grade. Students who are not in PreAP Math in 6th grade must meet some qualifications to take it in 7th grade. Please consult your counselor if interested in PreAP.
26. PROGRESS REPORTS - Interim Progress Reports (IPRs) go home approximately every three weeks of a grading period.
27. PROMOTION AND RETENTION - The principal has final authority in this area. Students are promoted if they have a yearly average above 70 in three of the four core subjects (Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts/Reading). Two of these MUST be Math and LA/Rdg.
28. REPORT CARDS - These are sent home with students at the end of each grading period. Parents are encouraged to get the access code to the online gradebook in order to check grades and attendance at any time.
29. RETESTING – All students will receive a grading and retest policy at the beginning of the year.
30. SCHEDULE CHANGES – Only in rare instances are student initiated schedule changes made. Please see the counselor if a change is needed due to a scheduling error.
31. SCHOOL TRIPS - Students must use school-approved transportation on field trips, game trips, etc. Exceptions must be worked out between parents and coaches/sponsors.
32. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT – The student handbook and code of conduct are on the district website. Newsprint documents are available from the front office upon request.
33. STAAR TESTING - The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) are given in March, April and May. They should be taken very seriously. Eighth grade students will participate in the Student Success Initiative. Information will go home during the year.
34. TARDIES – Students are expected to be in their class on time, prepared to learn. Tardiness will result in consequences.
35. TELEPHONES - Office phones are not generally for student use. Permission is needed for any phone use. Expectations for use of phones in the classroom are given by teachers at the beginning of the year.
36. TEXTBOOKS - These are expensive. Students must pay for lost or damaged books.
37. VEHICLES ON CAMPUS - Students may not bring a car, truck, or motorcycle to school.
38. WITHDRAWING FROM SCHOOL - Students cannot withdraw themselves from school. The parent must contact the Registrar.
OVERVIEW OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Student responsibilities for achieving a positive learning environment at school or school-related activities shall include but are not limited to:
- Following all procedures/guidelines in common areas.
- Attending all classes, daily and on time, prepared for each class with materials
- Behaving in a responsible manner, and showing respect toward others
- Being properly dressed, well-groomed, and using no vulgarity or profanity
- Cooperating with investigations of disciplinary cases, volunteering information
- Obeying all school rules, including safety rules.
- Paying required fees and fines, unless they are waived.
- Respecting property of others, including District property and facilities.
- Seeking change in school policies and regulations through appropriate channels.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
The student code of conduct is available on the PISD website. Copies are available in the front office upon request. Assessment of consequences for infractions will be equitably and fairly applied. Consequences may be altered at the discretion of the acting administrator based on: frequency of misconduct, seriousness of offense, potential effect of the misconduct, student's age/grade level, legal requirements, attitude, etc.
DISTRICT JURISDICTION
The District has authority and control over its students during the regular school day (i.e., while students are on campus waiting for the bus, waiting for their parents, serving a disciplinary consequence, visiting with students or teachers, etc.) and while transporting students to and from school. This jurisdiction over students includes any activity during the school day on school grounds and attendance at any school-related activity, regardless of time or location. The District rules of student conduct apply to all school-sponsored and school-related activities, on or off campus and within 300 feet of school property. Violators of these rules will be subject to disciplinary action.
CAMPUS and CLASSROOM MINOR OFFENSES
Minor offenses are generally handled by the teacher, who may or may not notify parents in each case. Examples include, but are not limited to: behavior that disrupts the learning environment, presence in areas designated as “off limits”, dress code violations, selling items without permission, hall, cafeteria, play area violations, scuffling, horseplay, etc.
PMS staff has the responsibility and the right to correct student misbehavior. Possible consequences for minor offenses may include, but are not limited to: contracts, detentions, privilege loss, item confiscation, essays, conferences, demerits, isolation, work details, etc.
PERSISTENT MISBEHAVIOR
Continued repetition of minor or serious offenses will be considered persistent misbehavior.
Consequences are the same as for serious offenses, including removal to an AEP.
SERIOUS OFFENSES
See Student Code of Conduct.
SERIOUS OFFENSES SUBJECT TO EXPULSION
See Student Code of Conduct.
SERIOUS OFFENSES SUBJECT TO REMOVAL TO AN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM
See Student Code of Conduct.
TAGGING/GRAFFITI
Writing having the elements of "gang tagging", or other graffiti, on the building, grounds or property such as backpacks, will not be tolerated. Items with tagging will be confiscated. Gang graffiti is a state-jail felony.
TEACHER REMOVAL OF A STUDENT FROM THE CLASSROOM
See Student Code of Conduct.
DISCIPLINE APPEAL PROCESS
When parents feel their child has received inappropriate discipline, they may appeal that discipline decision through the following chain of command: teacher to assistant principal to principal to assistant superintendent of the PHS learning community.
