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Students should proceed to the auditorium in an orderly and quiet manner and sit according to the flow of traffic. Students should remain quiet and respectful to the presenter. Dismissal from an assembly should be orderly and quiet with a smooth flow of traffic.
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Middle School dances are intended for Parkland students of middle school age only and will be held after school hours. These dances will be held from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Only students who attend Orefield or Springhouse Middle School are admitted to these dances. Parents are responsible for picking up their children. Students will abide by all regular rules and standards of conduct.
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Information regarding emergency closing of schools during periods of inclement weather, etc. will be announced over many of the following local radio and television stations:
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When the alarm is sounded, students will arrange themselves in single file to leave the room. Students should walk briskly, but not run. The teachers will leave the room last, close the doors, and follow directly behind the class. The first group of pupils to reach the main doors will hold the doors open until everyone is out of the building. They will then join their groups away from the building. Exit directions are placed in each room to inform students of the proper exit to use. Everyone must leave the building.
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Lockers are provided for the convenience of our students. It is in your own personal interest not to share your locker combination with other students. Teams will arrange locker stops with their students.
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The student store is a service provided for the students. Various items, including spirit boosters and school supplies, are available for purchase during all lunch periods. The store is student/staff-operated.
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All visitors are to report to the main office for an I.D. tag upon entering the building.
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Book bags are not permitted for use during the school day. Students may use a book bag to carry their books to and from school. Students bringing a book bag to school are to deposit it in their locker before homeroom period.
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Students are permitted to use the computer lab before school and during activity periods. Each student must have a pass from a teacher. A variety of educational programs, including word processing, are available on the IBM Novell network.
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Guidance services are available for every student in school. These services include assistance with educational planning, interpretation of test scores, occupation/career information, study helps, help with home, school or social concerns, or any questions students may feel they would like to discuss with the counselor. Students wishing to visit a counselor should contact the secretary in the guidance office for an appointment.
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The chewing of gum or eating of food in class is at the discretion of individual teams. No candy, gum, food, etc., are to be sold or distributed on school property during school hours.
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Students are expected to maintain an appearance that is neither distracting nor detrimental to the educational process of the school. Clothing which contains any reference to drugs, alcohol, profanity or double meanings is prohibited from wear during the school day. Head attire, such as, but not limited, to cap, hat, bandanna, etc., is not to be worn during the school day. Such items are to be deposited in lockers before homeroom.
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Students are responsible for any financial obligation incurred and will be notified as to their obligations to the school. Obligations must be paid by the last day of the marking period/school year. Textbooks will be collected and inspected at the end of the school year. Students will be assessed for damage caused to books. It is recommended that all books be covered. If students lose their books or cannot return them to their classroom teachers at the end of the year, the student will be responsible for the replacement cost of the book.
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The use of electronic devices, such as personal stereos and cell phones, by students during the school day is prohibited. If such items are brought to school, they must be placed in the student’s locker during the normal school hours. Pennsylvania Public Law prohibits the carrying of electronic pagers, otherwise known as “beepers” by students in a public school.
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Neither Orefield or Springhouse Middle School nor the Parkland School District accepts any responsibility for students’ personal property when brought to school or to school-sponsored activities.
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Permission to use the lavatory is required at all times.
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Students are to behave respectfully to one another. Displays of affection, pushing, shoving, and hitting, as well as the use of abusive language in any form is not to occur on school property. Students engaged in such activity will be warned and continual such acts will result in disciplinary action.
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Homework is a necessary part of the educational program of each student. The student is expected to spend some time in addition to scheduled class instruction to achieve satisfactory results. Some assignments are long-range in nature and require planned study time in completing the assignment the day before it is due. Homework is not restricted to the assignments made by individual teachers on a day-to-day basis. Homework must also include daily effort to keep up with the progress of one’s class. If a student is absent for only one day, the student is responsible for obtaining homework from a classmate. It is suggested that each student choose a responsible “buddy” from his or her team for this purpose. If the student is absent for two or more days, parents may request the homework on the second day of absence by calling the main office between 7:45 and 9:00 a.m. We will make every effort to secure work by 3:00 p.m. Any student who is aware he will be absent from school for a reason such as an educational family trip is responsible for informing the teachers prior to the date of such absence.
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The school year is divided into four marking periods, each approximately nine weeks in length. A report card is issued to all students at the end of each marking period. Midway through each marking period, a Progress Report will be sent home to parents. The Progess Report must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to the issuing teacher. Special subject teachers will send home a Progress Report as needed.
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Students who cheat in a test are to receive a grade of zero for the test. Parents and the student’s guidance counselor are to be informed of this action. If in any particular class a student continues this practice, he/she shall receive an “F” for the report period.
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Upon arriving at school, students will report to their lockers and then directly to homeroom. Homeroom period begins at 7:50 am. Following eight assigned periods, the school day ends at 2:40 pm. Classes are scheduled on a six-day cycle.
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Special recognition is given to those students who exhibit academic excellence. Each marking period those students who have attained a quality point average between 3.25-3.74 will be named to the honors list. Those students who have attained a quality point average between 3.75-4.0 will be named to the high honors list. A student named to either of these lists must also have obtained passing grades in all special subjects. In addition, a student who at the end of the school term has maintained honor roll status in each of the four marking periods and a final grade-point average of 4.0 in major subjects, will be named to the Principal’s List. Note: The sixth grade language arts grade is weighted double.
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All persons residing in this Commonwealth between the ages of 6 and 21 years are entitled to a free and full education in the Commonwealth’s public schools. Parents or guardians of all children between the ages of 8 and 17 are required by the compulsory attendance law to ensure that their children attend an approved educational institution, unless legally excused.
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Parents are asked to telephone the school before 9:00 a.m. on the morning of their student’s absence stating the reason for the absence. If no call is made to the school, the office will make all attempts to notify the parent at home or work.
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If a student has an appointment (doctor, dentist, etc.) scheduling during school hours, or if an extended period of absence is anticipated (educational trips, etc.), the student must present a written request from a parent or guardian to the attendance office for approval at least one (1) day in advance of that absence. Students will be given an Emergency Permit form to present to all teachers whose classes they will miss during the planned absence in order that their team of teachers may be notified of the impending absence and make advanced assignments. The Emergency Permit is to be returned to the attendance office prior to the actual date of absence. Parents must report to the main office before the student leaves.
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Students who have been absent from school are required to present an excuse card to the homeroom teacher. This card must be signed by a parent or guardian and should be turned in on the day the student returns to school. The excuse card must be turned in within five (5) days of the student’s return or the absence will be classified “unexcused/illegal.” Whenever a student is found to be absent from school an unusually large number of days the school may require a doctor’s note for all subsequent days of absence. If such certification is not supplied when requested, the absence may be classified “unexcused/illegal.” It is the student’s responsibility to make up all work assigned or covered during his/her absence within a minimum of two days for each day of absence. Only work missed during legal absence may be made up and it is the student’s responsibility to approach teachers for the make-up assignments and schedule.
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Students are to report to class by 7:50 a.m. Students arriving to school after 7:50 a.m. will be considered late to school. Students arriving after 10:00 a.m. will also be considered as a half day absence. Lateness will either be excused or unexcused following the same guidelines as full day absences. Students who have a legal reason for being tardy must bring in a parental note or a note from a doctor or dentist when arriving late or within five (5) days. Penalties for illegal lateness may range from detention to suspension depending on the frequency.
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A new truancy law was enacted in 1995 increasing fines for truancy. The student who is habitually truant may be sentenced to pay a fine or participate an alternative adjudication program. The district justice may also suspend the student’s driver’s license for 90 days or, if a second offense, six months. A child who does not yet have a driver’s license shall be ineligible to apply for a driver’s license for that same length of time.
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The student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities is a detailed document that affects all public schools in the State of Pennsylvania. All public schools in the state are required to comply with the documents. Students may obtain information on this document from the Student Activities Office.
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Student responsibilities include regular school attendance, conscientious effort in classroom work, and conformance to school rules and regulations. Most of all, students share with the administration and faculty a responsibility to develop a climate within the school that is conducive to wholesome learning and living. No student has the right to interfere with the education of his fellow students. It is the responsibility of each student to respect the rights of teachers, students, administrators, and all others who are involved in the educational process. Students should express their ideas and opinions in a respectful manner. It is the responsibility of the students to conform to the following:
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A student found to be in possession or under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, controlled drugs or other dangerous substances during school hours or school activities will be subject to immediate suspension from school. Parents and proper law enforcement authorities will be immediately notified. The student will also be referred to the building student support team.
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Any fighting will usually be punishable by suspension. After investigating, the administration will determine the amount and type of suspension. Additionally, any fight may result in criminal prosecution.
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Possession or use of fireworks, explosives and any other incendiary devices are prohibited. Students in violation may be referred to the proper law enforcement agency in addition to the school district disciplinary action.
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Students are responsible for the proper care of all books, supplies, furniture and all other equipment supplied by the school. Students who cause damage to school property or furnishings will be held responsible for payment of the damages or for replacement of the item. Disciplinary action will result if the damage is judged to have been deliberate. Textbooks are considered school property. Students are assigned textbooks for which they are responsible. All textbooks must be covered and the student’s name must be clearly printed on the inside cover of the book. Fines will be levied by teachers for textbooks that have been lost, abused, or otherwise carelessly handled while in a student’s charge.
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Any student found stealing in school or away from school on a school-sponsored activity or from lockers or gym lockers will immediately be suspended from school and from any team, club or activity for the duration of the suspension.
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Possession and/or use of tobacco in any form in the school buildings or on school grounds are strictly forbidden. This applies to school-sponsored activities as well as the regular school day. This also includes bus transportation to and from school and activities. Violation of this rule is a serious offense and disciplinary action will result. In addition, violators of this policy may receive fines through the office of the district justice.
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Possession and/or use of a weapon on any portion of the property of Parkland School District before, during, or after school hours or at any school-sponsored activity is prohibited. A student in possession of a weapon may be legally prosecuted in addition to the school district disciplinary action.
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Each student is urged to participate in one or more extracurricular activities. There are athletic, music, drama, and subject-oriented clubs, student government, publications, intramural activities and interest groups. If you fall behind in your schoolwork, however, extra help and study time take precedence over any extracurricular activity and you may be requested to drop the activity. Activities will be scheduled during the day (Activity Period) and after school at times convenient to the group or its advisor. No students are to remain in the school building after school unless they are requested to do so or are participating in activities supervised by an adult advisor. Only officially recognized groups may use the school building and its facilities. Bus transportation is normally provided for after-school activities. If a student intends to obtain his/her own transportation, the “ride” must be at the school before the time the activity bus is scheduled to leave. If a student’s “ride” has not arrived by that time, it is expected that he/she will ride the bus home as supervision is not provided after the bus departs.
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Prior to a student participating in interscholastic athletics, the student must obtain a medical examination and written parental permission as required by the PIAA. Forms can be obtained from the school nurse. The school district provides insurance coverage for these students. Parents are required to sign a statement that they have read a description of the procedure to be used concerning the insurance policy. All injuries occurring during interscholastic athletics must be reported to the coach who will make a referral either to the trainer or physician/emergency care facility. All injuries that receive outside care by a physician will require documentation to be given to the trainer. The trainer will mail insurance forms after documentation has been received. Sixth Grade students are not permitted by the PIAA to participate in interscholastic activities. |
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Students who are suspended from school are not provided with assignments from their teachers. It is the student’s responsibility to keep current with work missed while on suspension, or accept the D.E.A.L. option Parkland School District provides. Suspended students are afforded two days for each day of suspension to make up missed work upon return from suspension. NOTE: Students on in-school suspension or suspended from school are not permitted to participate in extracurricular activities or attend any school functions during the period of suspension. Suspension begins at the end of the last regular day of attendance and ends the day the student returns to school
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All students registered in any public school are required to participate in some program of Physical Education. In accordance with this regulation, there is an Adapted Physical Education Program available in the Parkland School District in addition to the regular physical education classes. Any student who is unable to participate in a full program of physical education should obtain the necessary forms from the nurse. This includes those students who cannot participate in regular physical education classes for temporary periods of time because of illness, injury, etc. These students should report to the nurse during the morning homeroom period with a pass from their homeroom teacher and a note from their parent/guardian or doctor which describes the temporary disability
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Students who become ill during the school day must request a pass from the teacher in charge and then report to the nurse in the Health Room. An exemption is made for emergency situations. Injuries or illnesses that do not occur at school should be treated at home or by your family physician.
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If it is necessary for a student to take a prescribed medication during the school day, the nurse must be notified by a parent/guardian and the medication must remain in the Health Room. The Health Room personnel will provide the parent/guardian with appropriate medication forms to be completed by the parent/guardian and physician. It is the student’s responsibility to report to the Health Room at the time they are scheduled to take the medication. Students should not carry any medications, prescribed or otherwise, with them during the school day. All medications must be placed in the Health Room.
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Our school health service provides the student population with the health screening tests as mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The following screenings are mandated during the listed grade levels on an annual basis.
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The rules concerning pupil behavior while being transported by bus/van are to be followed. Students are asked to display self-discipline for the safety of all. The following rules are designed to achieve the above objective:
If a student wishes to go from school on a bus other than his/her own, two notes are necessary. One note from your parent giving permission to go home on a different bus; and second, a note from the parent of the student with whom you are intending to go home, giving permission to come home with that student. These notes are to be presented at the Main Office during the morning homeroom period. A bus transfer slip will be issued for you to give to the bus driver.
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Students are to behave maturely and considerately during lunch. Students are expected to arrive on time for lunch, or are expected to have a late pass upon entering. Students are encouraged to bring necessities only to lunch. CAF TRAC, a student debit system, is available for student convenience for purchasing lunches. The following behaviors are expected from students during lunch periods:
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