Middle School Handbook

This section of the handbook includes information that is specific to Middle School life. Parents and students are reminded to read the K-12 section of this handbook for other important information that also applies to Middle School students.

Advisories - Advisories begin in 6th grade. (See Fifth Grade Academy for information about 5th grade homeroom.) In 6th grade, advisories consist of 10 to 15 6th graders separated by gender. The group meets together every day for advisory time at the end of the day for 35 minutes. Sixth grade advisors facilitate conferences and act as a liaison for parents and students. In 7th and 8th grade, the advisories remain the same size and gender separate, but 7th and 8th graders are mixed together. Each student keeps the same advisor for two years. 7/8 advisories meet two to three times per week for 35 minutes each session, and 7/8 advisors act as a liaison for parents and students. Advisory goals include academic support, social skills development, community service, and a nurturing environment.

Alternate Lunch - Alternate Lunch is just what it’s called – an alternate place for students to spend their lunch period. Originally reserved for students needing to serve a detention, Alternate Lunch has expanded to be a quiet place where students can work on late assignments, do make-up work, and take tests.

Alternate Lunch begins during recess and extends into the lunch period. Partway through the period, students leave as a group to get their lunches and return to the classroom to eat.
The Middle School office staff assigns Alternate Lunch to students with two or more tardies in a quarter, two or more infractions (dress code, gum chewing, etc.) in a year, or three or more responsibility referrals (pink slips) in a year.
Teachers assign Alternate Lunch at their discretion for late homework, make-up tests, student misbehavior, etc.
The list of students assigned to Alternate Lunch is posted on the bulletin board next to the cafeteria each day before 11 a.m. If a student’s name is on the Alternate Lunch list and s/he has a prior commitment during his/her lunch period, s/he MUST check in and get permission/guidance from the Alternate Lunch teacher about where to go. Alternate Lunch often takes precedence.
If a student assigned to Alternate Lunch chooses not to attend, s/he is assigned an extra day for each day not in attendance. It is the student’s responsibility to check the list, and s/he is accountable for following up if s/he has a question about her/his status in the office or with a teacher BEFORE the Alternate Lunch period begins.
If there is room, students may choose to come to Alternate Lunch – and often do – for a variety of reasons: Sometimes they just want a quiet space to get away from it all; other times, they stop by to read or work on an assignment – as long as their attendance doesn’t interfere with their own personal goals of social interaction, responsibility, etc. These students may also opt to come just for lunch or just for recess at their discretion.

Announcements - All Middle School announcements occur each day during lunch. Typical announcements include student recognition, extracurricular and special events information, and schedule changes.

Assemblies - Middle School students gather for all-school assemblies on occasion during the year. The assembly might be a speaker, an opportunity to get together with grade-level buddies, or an all-school gathering like Homecoming. Assemblies are held when appropriate to advance the education of Middle School students. The length of each class period is reduced by five minutes when an assembly schedule occurs.

Assignment Notebooks - All Middle School students are required to use the Mounds Park Academy assignment notebook. Teachers provide time in class to note assignments and review assignments in homeroom. Instruction and guidance in using the assignment notebook is taught through advisories, seminar, and classes. Students who have difficulty in planning may be asked to have the assignment notebook initialed at home and school. Limited replacement assignment notebooks are available for purchase in the Middle School office. Please refer to the Middle School Web site for more information.

Attendance Procedures -

Notifying the School of Absences - The school must receive a phone call before 8:30 a.m. or a note from a parent, nurse, administrator or teacher in order to have an excused absence. (An absence may be one or two classes, an entire day, several days, etc.). Absences due to illness or appointments are excused. Following an extended absence, family crisis, acute illness and/or hospitalization, parent(s) should consult with the Middle School Director or Assistant Director prior to the student’s return to school.

Arriving Late/Leaving Early/Returning - If arriving late, the student must report to the Middle School office, sign in and receive a pass to give his/her classroom teachers. Excused absences are only for illness or appointments and must be accompanied by a note. In general, “sleeping in” is considered an unexcused absence/tardy. Most other absences and tardies are unexcused. If leaving early, the student should present a note to the Assistant to the Middle School Director when arriving in the morning and receive a pass to give to the teacher whose class s/he will leave. When leaving school, the student should sign out in the Middle School office. Returning students should similarly sign in, receive a pass, and present it to the classroom teacher.

Tardies - Students are expected to arrive at school and in class in a timely manner. If a student is tardy, s/he will be asked to get a pass from the Middle School office. Excused tardies include late bus arrival, illness or an appointment verified by parent communication. Consequences:

One unexcused tardy, per quarter, is allowed without penalty.

Every unexcused tardy after one per quarter results in one day of alternate lunch.

Parents receive communication for every unexcused tardy beyond one per quarter.

Ten unexcused tardies in a quarter may result in suspension.

Skipping Classes - It is the expectation that Middle School students attend all classes and school events unless they’ve provided a communication excusing the absence. Students missing the entire or significant portions of classes/activities with unexcused absences will have a parent conference which may result in a suspension.

Extended/Extra Holidays - Vacations other than those scheduled by the school are strongly discouraged. It affects student performance. Such absences are considered detrimental, and teachers cannot be expected to provide extra instruction on topics covered during the absence.

Backpacks - Students may use a backpack to carry school materials to and from school. Backpacks must remain in lockers during the school day for safety and organizational reasons.

Bathroom Breaks - Students have five minutes to move between classes, and this is usually more than enough time to make a restroom visit. If a student needs to visit the restroom during class time, asking the teacher will allow him/her the time needed to be out of the classroom.

Block (A/B) Schedule - Most classes meet every other day for 75 minutes. Other classes, called “skinnies,” meet for half a block of 35 minutes with a five minute passing time in-between.

Change - Mark this word in bold letters because it will affect your life in the next few years. Student changes during early adolescence are the most dramatic of a lifetime in physical, intellectual, and social areas. Right when you think you have figured things out, you will find that the early adolescent has changed again. Do not be alarmed; it is usual, and only requires some education on the part of the parent. (Coming to parent meetings is one place to discuss topics that go with student change.)

Cheating and Plagiarism - Cheating and plagiarism are regarded as serious offenses, but also opportunities for correcting inappropriate behavior. For each incident, the teacher will communicate with the student and also contact the parent(s) regarding the incident. Appropriate consequences, such as receiving “no credit” for the assignment, may be imposed. A second occurrence may result in suspension and a conference with the student, teacher, parent(s), and administrator. Continued episodes could result in expulsion from school.

Classes - Students in grades five and six move from classroom to classroom, but they stay with their homeroom group of students for most of the day. Students are provided the expertise of specialized teachers, but retain the class cohesiveness of an elementary school environment. Students in grades seven and eight move from classroom to classroom, but they do not stay with the same students all day. Students are in class with a variety of students increasing the chance they will know more people in their grade level.

Community Service - At Mounds Park Academy, our Middle School values community service and lives our goal of global responsibility. We serve within our school community as our students carve pumpkins, do math, and read with our younger buddies. Our Middle School students are responsible for all-school recycling and play a key role in maintaining our community garden, our community courtyard, and our cafeteria. We reach out to our local community through visits to a nearby nursing home and picking up trash in our neighborhood. We also give to our greater community when we package food for Feed My Starving Children, host collections and raise money for food shelves and other charities, and teach basic skills one-on-one in an inner-city school. We serve through our classes, through our advisories, through Student Council, through clubs like the E-Club, and by grade level. Living in the Middle School at Mounds Park Academy is about experiencing joy in learning, and our commitment to community service is an integral part of that joy.

Concerts and Art Shows - Middle School students participate in concerts and art shows once or twice per year depending on their grade level. The winter and spring concerts are in the evening with parent attendance encouraged. See your master school calendar for dates.

Conferences - To meet their developmental needs, 5th and 6th grade students follow a different conference format from 7th and 8th graders. 5/6 students and their parents meet with their advisor/ homeroom teacher for 25 minutes to assess their social and academic progress and set goals twice a year. In 7th and 8th grade, students and their parents meet with three different teachers for 10 minutes each to assess and strategize subject-related progress. Conferences are arranged via on-line sign-up.

Dances - The 7/8 Student Council sponsors dances periodically during the year. Typically, the dances are in the school cafeteria with a DJ from 7 to 10 p.m. Students should not be staying at MPA from 3:10 p.m. until the starting time of the dance. Students are asked to go home and return later to the dance. The dances are for MPA students unless a student has received permission from a Student Council advisor to bring a friend. Once at the dance, students are expected to follow the rules of the dance, including staying within the building. Significant violation of the rules may lead to a student being sent home or excluded from future dances. Dances are chaperoned by MPA teachers. There is a charge for dance admission and money is needed if a student wants refreshments.

Discipline Procedures - The expectation of Middle School students is that they will abide by and support MPA’s Code of Ethics and the Middle School Responsibility Code. Following a breach of the rules, or other misbehavior, the student will be reminded or warned about the behavior. With continued or severe offenses, however, the following procedures may be implemented:

The student’s teacher or administrator will communicate with parent(s) to share the problem and discuss possible solutions.
The student may face the appropriate immediate consequences for the inappropriate behavior (e.g., a student damaging property may be asked to repair it, do maintenance work, or pay for replacement).
The parent(s) and/or student will meet for a conference with the appropriate faculty and staff.
The student may be suspended from school as a result of the individual’s severe behavior or a pattern of continuing inappropriate behaviors. Re-admittance will occur only after a conference with the student, parent(s), and appropriate faculty and staff results in the assurance that the problem(s) have been resolved.

Suspensions

Only one-half credit will be given for daily work or quizzes given during the time of the suspension. A one full letter grade reduction on tests, major projects, and papers will be given for such work due during the suspension.

A student who is suspended may not participate in any after school events or activities during the period of the suspension.

The student may be expelled from school or not issued a contract for the upcoming year if the behavior so warrants or the conferences do not provide the desired results.

It is assumed from the preceding that in dealing with most inappropriate behaviors and continued problems there is a normal progression of consequences and that parents and students are properly informed and the behavior and consequences are documented. The consequences should move from appropriate and immediate, as suggested in #2 under Discipline Procedures, to suspension and finally probation or expulsion. Serious infractions may result in immediate suspension or expulsion.

Dress Code - The Middle School dress code requirements are specifically listed on the Middle School Web page. The vast majority of students comply with the dress code. If a student is out of dress code, s/he may be asked to change into more appropriate clothing. If a student breaks the dress code, s/he may receive infractions. After one or more infraction, a parent will be notified and the student will serve a day of alternate lunch. Continued episodes may result in a parent conference, additional consequences, and/or suspension. (See MPA Dress Code – Grades 5-8 in the MPA Handbook and on the MPA Middle School Web page.)

Dropping Classes/Changing Schedules - In general, Middle School students do not change schedules or drop classes during the school year. Dropped classes should occur within the first week of class. Class changes may occur as the situation warrants with the approval of parent, student, and faculty and staff.

Extracurricular Activities - Middle School offers a number of in- and after- school opportunities including athletic and non-athletic activities. One of the goals of Middle School is to encourage student participation in a variety of activities, some of which a student is trying for the first time. Activity opportunities are announced to students during daily lunch announcements and via parent email. In addition, extracurricular opportunities are posted on the Middle School Web page and/or available in the Middle School office. After receiving the information, students sign up for the activity during Middle School lunch. Activities include soccer, basketball, cross-country, Lego League, the Middle School play, and others.

Extended Day/Before and After School Care (See Panther Club.)

Field trips - Field trips are an important element of the Middle School program. Students participate in environmental education, activities integrated between subject areas, team-building and community service. During the year assorted day trips are arranged to match curricular needs. When day field trips are taken, a written notice is sent home explaining the event. Parents should advise teachers of student health issues as they relate to a specific trip.

Fifth Grade Academy - In 5th grade, a student’s first middle school experience is carefully adapted to make the transition developmentally appropriate and meet students’ academic and social needs. A student’s class is his/her homeroom group. The group meets together every day at the end of the day. Homeroom goals include academic support, social skills development, community service, and a nurturing environment. Homeroom teachers conference with students and act as a liaison for parents and students.

Food/Snacks - Food is not to be eaten in the halls or classrooms unless part of a special class activity. Students may bring snacks to school, but they should be eaten in the lunchroom unless permission has been granted to do so elsewhere. This will help us promote a clean school environment.

Friendships - Friendships can take dramatic changes in middle school. The relative calm of primary grades is offset by the potential for rotating friendships in early adolescence. A "best friend" can become a "best enemy," if only for a short period of time. Close friends may begin to take different paths and search out new companions. These changes can leave hurt feelings and loneliness. Parent support and empathy is important during this period. Parents can be caught off guard by the developments causing them to doubt the student, school, or themselves. Be assured that the changes are developmentally sound.

Grades - Fifth grade students continue to receive O-S-N grades similar to those they earned in Lower School. Letter grades begin in 6th grade. The topic of how parents can use grades as a learning tool is discussed at the September parent meeting. Students are graded based on achievement, but work is also assessed based on effort and ability.

The Middle School maintains the following letter grade system for students in grade five:

O Outstanding; consistently performs above grade level
S Satisfactory; consistently performs at grade level
N Needs improvement; consistently performs below grade level

In grades six through eight, the A-F grade system is used:

A Outstanding achievement; excellent performance
B Achievement beyond the requirements of the class; commendable
performance
C Satisfactory achievement in meeting the requirements of the course;
adequate performance
D Unsatisfactory achievement; has not met all requirements of the class
F Failed the course; credit may not be given

Homework - The average amount of homework in grades five and six is approximately one hour per night or five hours per week. In grades seven and eight, the homework load increases to approximately one and one-half hours per night. These amounts may vary based upon a student’s learning style, familiarity with material, and type of assignment. Additionally, all students are expected to do one-half hour of outside reading each night. Students enrolled in band or orchestra will need to practice 20–30 minutes per night. Homework may take longer at the beginning of the year as students work to learn good study skills associated with efficient homework study. In addition, the time may vary if the student is working on a large project or has completed much of the homework at school. Special projects, for example, will require more time. Homework is due on the assigned due date. Make-up time is allowed for excused absences. (See Make-up Work.) Homework is not meant to dominate a student’s out of school time, and teachers are cognizant of the homework they give; however, learning to complete efficient and quality homework is a skill that develops unevenly in students. The actual time spent on homework varies significantly between students. If your son/daughter consistently works less than a half hour or more than two hours a night, call the advisor/homeroom teacher to analyze the situation.

Independence - Students will seek more independence from parents during their early adolescent years. The once compliant student may begin to question authority or even ask the big question, "Why?" Use these opportunities to encourage respectful questioning and independent thinking. Parents also need to allow students more space in completing homework. Students will want to do it more themselves without adult intervention, and the tendency of the parent is to "help" so it is "right." Allow your child the freedom of learning from a mistake or a great job they have done."

Instrumental Lessons - Students in band or orchestra meet once a week for 15 minutes in a semi-private lesson in addition to having their large group rehearsal for 35 minutes two or three times a week. Lessons meet during regular classes but are rotated so a student does not miss the same subject each week. If a student is having a test in a class on lesson day, s/he need not attend the lesson. Make-up times are available. Each student is responsible for knowing his/her lesson time each week and arranging make-ups when necessary.

Invite Back Process - Middle School students are expected to meet or exceed minimum academic and behavioral standards in order to be invited back for the next school year.

Academic Concerns
If a student receives two or more “Fs” or three or more “Ds” in a semester, that student will then have had an unsatisfactory academic semester and will be placed on probation for the following semester. Two unsatisfactory semesters in one school year may result in that student not being invited back for the next school year.

Behavioral Concerns
Each quarter, the Assistant Middle School Director will review individual student behavior, considering number of office referrals, suspensions, chronic tardiness, etc. Based on such information, if a student’s behavior is deemed unsatisfactory, that student will then be placed on probation for the following quarter. The Assistant Middle School Director and the Middle School Director will then meet with the student and his/her parent(s) to clarify concerns and note what must be done to improve. Three unsatisfactory quarters in one school year or four unsatisfactory quarters in two consecutive years will result in that student not being invited back for the next school year.

Leaving Campus - For safety reasons, students may not leave the campus during the school day unless given specific permission by a teacher or administrator. This includes students who are staying for extracurricular activities (late afternoon and evening) and those who should be registered at Panther Club. Students leaving campus without permission will face disciplinary action, including probable suspension.

Library Use - Students should view the library as an area for quiet study, class-related work, and leisure reading. Books must be checked out and returned at the end of the lending period. If books are not returned at the end of each term, then students are responsible for reimbursing the library for the cost of the book(s). Library hours are generally 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Listen - Listen to middle school students. Give them the opportunity to share their triumphs and trials without interfering in their life. Don’t ask them too many questions as they’ll share more without pressure.

Lockers - Each student receives a hall locker for storage of books, school materials, coats, etc. Because students do not have a desk where they store school supplies, they keep supplies in their locker. The lockers work with a combination lock that the student receives instruction in at Back-to-School night. If a student forgets the combination to his/her locker, s/he can get the combination in the Middle School office. Students should not share their combinations for security reasons. Students also have physical education lockers and locks. They should remember to always lock their lockers.

Lost and Found - Middle School lost and found is in the blue cabinet in the Middle School office. Valuable items lost can be claimed by providing a description to the administrative assistant in the Middle School office. Please label all personal items.

Lunch - Middle School students eat lunch together daily following recess. Students may take hot lunch from school or bring their own lunch from home. Hot-lunchers are asked not to share lunches with cold-lunchers and vice versa. (Seconds are available on school lunches.) After about 15 minutes of eating time, announcements are made in the cafeteria and students then proceed to their next class.

General Guidelines

Remain seated while eating.

Each student should occupy his/her seat until dismissal.

Use conversational tones when speaking.

Food should not be shared or thrown.

Students should not run in the cafeteria.

Students will assist in cleaning the cafeteria following dismissal.

Hot Lunch

Middle School students are provided with two beverages: either two cartons of milk or one juice and one milk. Students may purchase additional milk/juice.

Students may select any of the food entrees offered by the food service.

Students purchasing hot lunch may not provide food to those not taking hot lunch.

Students who provide food for those not on the hot lunch program or students not on the hot lunch program who take food are subject to the following consequences.

First offense: Student will be billed for a full lunch and receive an office referral.

Second offense: One day suspension for theft.

Students who forget their lunch may purchase or charge a hot lunch. A lunch charge is to be paid before another charge is allowed.

Cold Lunch

Students bringing lunches from home should not bring pop or candy.

Cold lunch students may not use the sandwich or salad bar without purchasing a hot lunch.

Note: Students bringing cold lunches may purchase milk and/or juice on a daily basis or may choose to prepay for the week or the full year.

Make-up Work - Students with excused absences are allowed extra days to complete assignments. The extra time for make-up work equals the amount of absence plus one class period. Students are encouraged to check with peers and teachers regarding homework the day of their return. Parents are encouraged to allow students adequate recovery time from illness before resuming schoolwork. If homework is needed, parents should call the Middle School office by 9 a.m. and specify whether email or pick-up in the Middle School office works best.

Media - Game systems, cameras and music players are not to be used on campus from 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., but only before classes in the morning and/or after school in the afternoon. Any of these items being improperly used will be temporarily confiscated. See Phone Use.

Middle School Parent Meetings - Parent education is a critical part of the MPA experience. Parent meetings to discuss the school program and early adolescence are held as needed. Check your school master calendar for times and dates. A reminder email is sent to Middle School homes prior to the event. Middle School Grade Rep meetings are held monthly. Parent visitors are welcome.

Middle School Responsibility Code and Record Form - The Middle School has a code of responsibility that is drawn from the school’s Code of Ethics. Students are expected to meet the standards of the code and contribute to the overall health of the school community. If that standard is violated, the student’s behavior is documented on the Mounds Park Academy Middle School Responsibilities Record form and the student may receive additional consequences. (See Discipline Procedures.) Unless there’s a major offense, parents are not notified until the third referral to give students opportunities to correct their behavior. At the third and subsequent violation, parents are notified and students serve an alternate lunch. At the sixth violation, there is a parent-student meeting with the assistant director to devise an action plan. Suspension occurs at the ninth violation.

Responsibility Code Middle School students are expected to comply with the following expectations contained in the MPA Code of Ethics:

Cares for the physical environment

Does a fair share of community work

Displays self-control (i.e. interruptions and hallway behavior controlled)

Displays humor, diligence, fairness, kindness, honesty, and courtesy

Develops self-esteem through positive interaction with others

Avoids physical and verbal aggression

Listens carefully to others

Nurse - A nurse is available for students who may become ill at school and require attention. If possible, a student should notify the teacher of the class s/he will be missing. See Health Services in the MPA Student Handbook for more information.

Panther Club/Extended Day - For supervision beyond the school day, Panther Club is available for those Middle School students who arrive before 8:15 a.m. or need to stay after 3:30 p.m. Panther Club is designed to provide students with a safe place to stay after school. A variety of options are available for students. Middle School students who are not in a school activity but are being picked up from school after 3:30 p.m. must
register for Panther Club. No Middle School student may be unsupervised after this time. The supervised Panther Club area is open until 6:00 p.m. during school days. 5/6 Students may attend Panther Club on a drop-in basis with a fee being charged for the day of the visit. There is no charge for 7/8 students. Siblings who wait for an older brother or sister are to be registered in the Panther Club program. If a Middle School student has an Upper School sibling who is after school, the Upper School student may not supervise the younger student.

Before School: All 5th through 7th grade students are required to stay in the cafeteria until 8:00 a.m. at which time they may proceed to their lockers and/or classes. The only exception is if a student is working with a teacher. There is no charge for morning Panther Club for Middle School students. Eighth grade students have the privilege of sitting quietly in the Middle School hallway, in the cafeteria, or in our Middle School commons area before 8:00 a.m.

5/6 After School: Adult supervision is required for all 5th and 6th graders after school. Any 5th or 6th grade student planning to stay on campus after 3:30 p.m. must be in a supervised activity or signed into Panther Club. By being proactive, Panther Club is able to keep students safe and accounted for. There is a reduced fee of $5.00 per day that includes a snack, supervised play, and an activity plus a special area adjacent to the Kreischer Gym catwalk designated specifically for fifth and sixth graders. Panther Club closes at 6:00 p.m.

7/8 After School: Adult supervision is required for all 7th and 8th graders after school. Any 7th or 8th grade student staying on campus after 3:30 p.m. must be in a supervised activity or signed into Panther Club. By being proactive, Panther Club is able to keep students safe and accounted for. There is NOT a fee, and no snack and activity are provided. 7/8 students have more access and freedom than their 5/6 counterparts and can sustain their privileges and independence as long as they make responsible choices and are accountable for their whereabouts. Panther Club closes at 6:00 p.m.

Extracurricular Activities: Students staying for extracurricular activities should make transportation arrangements well in advance to ensure that rides are available when the activities are over. If a student attends a Middle School activity and the activity concludes, the student has 30 minutes for pick-up before he/she must register for Panther Club. If an extracurricular event is canceled, students need to register at Panther Club (without charge) until transportation arrives. Students should also register for Panther Club without fee if their extracurricular activity begins between 4:15 and 5:00 p.m.

Parent Grade Reps - Parents who participate in the Parents Association can volunteer as a Grade Rep. Grade Reps welcome new families with phone calls at the beginning of the year, plan grade social events, attend Middle School meetings, and brainstorm with other parents about fundraising, parent education, school needs, etc. Parents are encouraged to contact their parent grade rep with questions or suggestions. Grade Rep meetings are listed on the school’s master calendar and all parents are welcome.

Parties - The 5/6 Student Council organizes several parties each year for 5/6 students. The parties are after school on select days. Parents are often asked to volunteer at the parties. Students need money to participate in games and buy food. Proceeds from these parties are used to fund community service projects.

Photocopying - Middle School students may use the photocopy machine located in the library.

Physical Education - Middle School students take physical education every other day for 75 minutes. Students change into MPA gym clothes in the locker room before class and return to street clothes after class. (See Physical Education Uniforms—Grades PreK – 12 in the MPA Student Handbook.) Students do not take showers. Each student has a locker for storing gym clothes and a locker. Students should secure their locker with a lock at all times.

Phone Use - All Middle School student calls should be made from the phones in the hallway during the school day. Students should limit the length and number of phone calls made from school. Appropriate times to call are before school, after school, and during the lunch recess. Cell phones and pagers are not to be used on campus from 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., but only before classes in the morning and/or after school in the afternoon. They are to be kept in student lockers and will be temporarily confiscated if used during the school day.

PowerSchool – PowerSchool is a Web-based student information system used in the Middle School to communicate student progress to students and families. PowerSchool is accessible to parents and students via a password. Narrative comments and an on-line grade book allow families to keep up-to-date on assignments and results.

Recess - Before lunch Middle School students receive a healthy recess time each day. Fifteen to 20 minutes are allowed for being outside or using the library or computer lab when available. Students with incomplete work, infractions or Responsibility Code referrals will miss recess and attend Alternate Lunch.

Recess Rules

No contact sports are allowed.

No tackling or roughhousing.

No snowballs.

Once you select your recess area, you must stay there for the balance of the recess period.

Dress appropriately for varying weather conditions. In general, students are expected to go outside for recess.

Detention will be served during recess time.

Passes will be given out by a teacher for only those structured activities sanctioned by the Middle School administration.

Showcases - Showcases are an opportunity for Middle School students to gather together to celebrate one another’s accomplishments, learn something new, and/or connect with one another in a unique way. Different from an assembly, showcases are structured to meet the developmental needs of Middle School students. Most often, they occur monthly in the Nicholson Center between 2:35 and 3:10 p.m. Showcases are announced on the Middle School Web page.

Stolen/Lost Items - Some Middle School students are notorious for forgetting their materials or misplacing an item. For some early adolescents, this is a natural phase which, although annoying, will pass with time. If an item is missing, a systematic search is a good first step to recover an item. Students often assume an item is stolen when forgetfulness is the culprit. To recover an item, students should check the lost and found in the Middle School office, check other division offices, and then make an announcement at lunch. Items found should be returned to the Middle School office. Our success rate at finding lost items is extremely high when students and teachers are alerted to a problem.

Student Concerns - We believe family involvement and the family/school partnership is essential to student achievement. If you have a question about a particular subject or class, contact that teacher. If you have a question about your student’s overall academic or social growth, contact the advisor. Other student issues should be directed to the Assistant Middle School Director. If you have any other questions, worries or concerns, we encourage you to contact the Middle School office.

Student Council - The 5/6 and 7/8 Student Councils are active organizations. Officers and advisory/homeroom representatives are elected in the fall. Students should view these roles as official spokespeople for the MPA student community. Students elected must remain in good academic and behavioral standing in order to remain on the council. With the goal of creating numerous program opportunities, the Student Councils sponsor parties or dances, school store, Nostalgia Week, community service opportunities, and so on.

Student Support Services - Teachers meet weekly by grade level to celebrate student successes and share student concerns. When the level of concern about a student increases, a Middle School Student Concern Sheet is completed by the advisor/homeroom teacher and submitted to the Middle School Student Concerns Committee. The Middle School Student Concerns Committee, comprised of the Middle School Director, the Assistant Middle School Director, the Middle School Learning Specialists and the School Psychologist, meets with the advisor/homeroom teacher and the student’s other teachers to collaborate and formulate a plan on the student’s behalf. The goal of this committee is to best meet the unique needs of the individual student. If a professional assessment already exists, the committee and the teachers will refer to the student’s Mounds Park Academy Middle School Support Plan and strategize new ways to meet the student’s needs based on professional diagnosis and recommendations. (See Special Needs Assessment in the MPA Student Handbook.)

Study Skills - Study skills are taught in a systematic fashion throughout Middle School. Grade level teachers address the skills of material organization, time management, listening, reading, note taking, memory, and test taking by direct instruction and practice in subject areas, seminar, and advisory/homeroom. The Learning Specialist supports individual and small groups of students, based on teacher recommendation, who have specific study skills needs.

Technology Use - Technology is a vital tool communicating who we are, what we value, and how we represent our family, school, and community. Because our technology choices affect ourselves and others, and because the use of technology is a privilege not a right, the expectation is that Middle School students will abide by and support the Middle School Technology Agreement both in and out of school. Families are encouraged to discuss technology etiquette and set cell phone, computer and Internet use limits and guidelines including monitoring Face Book, chat rooms, text messages, and other connections your child makes with others. (See Technology Information – Middle School in the MPA Student Handbook.)

Tutoring Policy - At MPA we believe that a supportive school is a safe place that promotes in-depth learning and enhances the students’ physical and emotional well-being. We believe that our teachers go the extra mile in providing these situations; however, some students want and need more help beyond the classroom/teachers expectations.

When a student receives tutoring for an additional fee at MPA, the tutoring must be reported to the appropriate divisional office.
If the tutoring takes place during the MPA school day, the tutor cannot be a 1.0 FTE teacher employed by MPA.
If the tutoring takes place during the MPA school day, it can only be during a study hall, a free period or have the approval of the appropriate divisional director.
MPA teachers may not tutor a student that is currently enrolled in their class.
All tutors not currently employed by MPA must be subject to a background check to tutor in the building.

Vacations - Vacations during school days are not recommended. Many Middle School classroom experiences cannot be replicated because of experiments, group work, presentations, etc. Consequently, when students are absent their quality of work suffers and it is difficult to make-up work. Student achievement usually drops during vacation times regardless of how willing a student is to make up work or do the work early.

Worries - Middle School students are beginning to experience many of the changes of early adolescence. Physical and emotional changes can be unsettling to this age because they are new and somewhat confusing. Parents can help their children by talking about the changes that are taking place and provide reassurance. Parents should also be reassured that the tears, erratic emotions, and "independence" of the age are also developmentally appropriate. Simply, don’t worry!