West Clermont
School District
Glen Este
Middle School
Parent/Guardian
Handbook
2016-17
Table of Contents
This handbook is designed to highlight important
topics for parents as you partner with us to help
students S.H.I.N.E. Complete information is available on the website and in the student planner.
Welcome to Glen Este Middle School 1
GEMS PTO………………………… 1
Vision Statement………………….. 2
Mission Statement ………………..
2
Positive Behavior System…………
3
Partners in Education…………….
3
Ways to Communicate with Us……. 4-5
Navigating GEMS ………………... 6-11
Administering Medication………… 12
Attendance Procedures……………
13
The Athletic Program at GEMS……. 14
Athletic Eligibility………………… 15
District Grading Scale…………….
16
District-Wide Testing Program …… 16-17
Dress Code …………………….
18-19
Important Dates …………………… 20-21
Administration ……………………
Back
Cover
Welcome to Glen Este Middle
School
We are pleased to join you and your
child in the adolescent journey here at
Glen Este Middle School and are looking
forward to an excellent school year. As
part of our efforts to provide a smooth
transition, we have prepared this Parent
Handbook as a quick reference tool for
you to use throughout the school year.
As Glen Este is divided into smaller
units called “teams”, most of your communication will be team based and directly with teachers. This resource provides important names, communication
systems, and dates to help you navigate
Glen Este and feel welcome. We truly
value your involvement with us.
We SHINE at Glen Este Middle
School!
www.westcler.k12.oh.us
GEMS PTO
http://gemspto.weebly.com/
index.html
(or go to the GEMS website and click on the
“GEMS PTO” tab)
GEMS is gifted with having an active and well
organized PTO. The PTO at Glen Este Middle
School provides staff and students with many
important services and supports that would not
otherwise be available. The PTO offers parents
a fun and fantastic opportunity to be directly
involved in your child’s educational community. Contact Missy Bastin, PTO President by
email at [email protected] to join or ask
questions.
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Glen Este Middle School
Vision Statement
GEM's vision is to be a high performing and
high achieving middle school that is academically challenging, developmentally responsive, and
socially equitable.
We want our students to be highly motivated,
engaged global citizens who SHINE to success
by providing personalized learning opportunities
rooted in a strong core academic curriculum
powered by increased access to technology.
Mission Statement
To do this we must develop middle school
STUDENT LEADERS who can use their unique
learning strengths, interests and talents to…...
COMMUNICATE, COLLABORATE,
THINK CRITICALLY, AND BE CREATIVE
in ways different than the past.
We must give them access to learning resources
and experiences that connect them to a wide audience of experts beyond the school walls. We
must model digital-age work and learning plus
prepare students to be responsible digital citizens to thrive in a radically different world.
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Positive Behavior System (PBS)
PBS is a pro-active school wide plan used at
Glen Este Middle School to create and sustain
a safe and effective environment for all students and staff. Emphasis is placed on prevention of problem behavior through school wide
expectations and positive
behavior incentives.
Partners in Education (PIE)
Glen Este Middle School enjoys many relationships with local businesses who have chosen to partner with us. These relationships
benefit both our GEMS students and our partners at the same time. If you are or know a
business or organization who would be interested in partnering with us, please contact Michael Purvis, Campus Coordinator at 9477715. We want to partner with you!
-3-
Ways to Communicate With Us
Communication is essential. We recommend you address
staff in the following order: Advisory Teacher, Core/
Encore Teacher, Counselor, Asst. Principal, Principal.
You can email your student’s team of teachers or visit the
team page on Schoology. Your feedback and information is always welcome.
Schoology
This is an easy to use online learning management
system that enhances student engagement and improves learning through better communication, collaboration, and increased access to curriculum and
supplemental content. Parents and students can
access Schoology online to view assignments,
messages from teachers, and communicate with
their teachers and other students. Schoology can
be accessed through a link on the GEMS website.
Progress Book
This tool has been set up and there is a link on our
website. It allows parents to log in securely to an
electronic grade book and view the progress of
their child. Parents and students have access to
information along with directions to use the
program.
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Meet the Team
This event is an opportunity to better understand your student’s educational program
for the year. Parents are invited to this
event to meet teachers, learn about the curriculum, and team policies/procedures. It
will also offer ways to help your child be
successful in middle school. Meet the Team
will be held in late August/Early September.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Middle School parent teacher conferences
are different than elementary. We have a
combination of walk-in appointments and
scheduled appointments between 4:00-7:30
pm. Parents prioritize teachers they want to
meet with. It is not necessary for you to attend all four conferences, but you are welcome to do so. Conferences dates will be
posted prior to the start of the school year.
Community Safe System
The West Clermont School District uses a
notification system called School Messenger
that uses a combination of phone calls, emails and/or text messages to keep you informed and up-to-date about emergency situations, school closings, early dismissals
and delays. It is very important to make sure
we have your updated email, phone numbers and contact information.
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Navigating GEMS
Student Schedule
The school day runs as follows:
6th Grade
Advisory
Encore Classes
Core Classes
7:00 am-7:25 am
7:27 am-9:29am
9:32 am-2:15 pm
Lunch Break: 11:05—11:35
7th Grade
Advisory
Core Classes
Encore Classes
Core Classes
7:00 am-7:20 am
7:22 am-9:29 am
9:32 am-11:35 am
9:58 am-2:15 pm
Lunch Break: 11:38—12:08
8th Grade
Advisory
Core Classes
Encore Classes
7:00 am-7:20 am
7:22 am-12:02 pm
12:06 pm-2:15 pm
Lunch Break: 10:30—11:00
Advisory
Advisory is a time to build relationships with other
students on the same team. Lessons and activities
are built around character education. One of the
main goals of advisory is for every student to be
well known by at least one adult. Your student’s
advisory teacher will become your first point of
contact to begin communication regarding your student’s school experience.
Before and After School
Students are not to arrive at school prior to 6:30 am.
At dismissal, students cannot be left unattended. If
staying afterschool, they must be with a staff member.
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Lunch
Every student has the option of bringing their
lunch or purchasing it in the cafeteria each day.
The cost for a student lunch is $2.75. Snacks can
also be purchased at the snack bar. All students
have a lunch money account in the cafeteria.
Money can be deposited either by cash or check
by the student as he/she goes through the line, OR
a parent/guardian can deposit the money through
the EZPay System accessible on the West Clermont website. In the event a student at GEMS
forgets his/her lunch money and there is no money left on the lunch account, the student will be
provided a meal of either a cheese or peanut butter sandwich, sides, and milk.
Be in the Know….
Announcements
Our weekly announcements are sent out on Fridays through a Cerkl email, Facebook, Twitter
and posted on the webpage. On Sundays at 3pm,
an all-call is made with the same announcements.
Daily announcements will be made on the PA
during advisory after the Pledge of Allegiance.
Paying attention to these sources of information
will help students stay informed and involved.
“Like” us on Facebook: GEMS PTO
Follow us on Twitter: @GEMSTrojans
-7-
Book Bags
Book bags should be used to carry school materials to and from school, not to and from classes.
Lockers
All students will have their own locker with lock
provided. Students are not to share lockers anytime for any reason nor should they share their
locker combination. Students should not keep
personal property of great value at school in either
the hall lockers or the sport’s lockers. The school
cannot be held liable for stolen property.
Student Item Drop-off
When an item is dropped off for a student, please
be sure to place their full name and team number
on it. Items may be dropped off at the front desk
any time during the school day. Deliveries will
be made to students in the morning between
8:30—9:00 am and then again between 12:00—
12:30 pm. Students can also pick up items on
their own during their designated lunch time.
EZPay
You can pay online through our website the following items: school fees, lunch money, athletic
sports fees, foreign language workbook fees.
Please know the payment will not reflect until the
following business day, so lunch money can’t be
deposited and available on the same day it’s needed.
Parking
Visitors can always park on the side of the building or down by the gym. Please note that the
parking lot is extremely busy between 6:45am —
7:30am and 1:45pm —2:30 pm.
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Morning Drop-off
Students may be dropped off at the side of the
building by the gym, the side visitor’s parking
lot or in the back of the building by the 6th
grade ramp. Cars should pull forward to the
designated drop-off area and not stop too soon.
This will allow more students to exit their cars
at one time and keep the flow of traffic moving.
GEMS Drop Off process
You may start dropping off at GEMS at
6:30am
There are 2 ways in:
From GE Withamsville Rd.
Turn in the main entrance. Pass the bus garage. Turn right into the parking lot.From
here there are 2 choices:
Drop off in front of the gym
Wait until you are in the unload zone the
have students get out on the building
side of the car.
Once you have unloaded you will turn right
and follow the HS traffic pattern all
around the HS
Drop off behind the middle school at the 6th
grade door.
Wait until you are in the unload zone and
have students exit on building side.
Proceed to the stop sign and turn right onto
Judy ln.
From Wuebold
Turn onto Judy Ln.
Turn right NO LEFT TURNS HERE
Follow around and go down the 2nd row
Follow this around until you enter the u
load zone
Have students exit on the building side of
the car.
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Afternoon Pick-up
Students may be picked up in three spots at the end
of the school day: the side of the building by the
gym, the side visitor’s parking lot or in the back of
the building by the 6th grade ramp. Please be very
cautious and talk to your child about looking both
ways before walking to your car.
PICK UP Process at GEMS
School lets out at 2:15pm but cars line up early so do
not plan on getting through any of the parking lots
quickly from 2:15pm- 2:30pm.
There are 2 ways to pick up at GEMS:
From Glen Este Withamsville Rd.
Turn into main entrance
Pass the bus garage
Turn right
From here 2 choices
Wait in front of the gym.
NO BLOCKING THE ENTRANCE
Keep a clear path to the rear of the school
Wait for student to come out and proceed right to the
HS route
NO LEFT TURN
Proceed to the back of the school
Wait in the double pick-up lines
Kids will come out to the cars and cars will move
based on when kids come out.
Take turns exiting to right to Judy Lane
*GEMS/GEHS pickup can proceed across Judy
Lane to the HS pick up line.
We suggest you arrive around 2:15 or later for this
option.
Enter from Wuebold
Turn on Judy LaneTurn right into the lot
Turn down 2nd row
Wait in line for your child
Exit to Judy Lane
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Early Dismissal
Any student in need of an early dismissal,
should bring a parent note to the front desk on
the day of the early dismissal. The student
will be given a pass which allows him/her to
leave class at the designated time on that day.
The student will wait in the Attendance Office for a parent to sign them out of the building. This will help us minimize the disruption of class.
Address Change
Please notify our Attendance Office of any
change of address, including email addresses.
Documentation will need to be provided.
Second Parent
There is a form available on our website for
any second family/second parent who wishes
to receive the following information regarding their student at GEMS: access to Interims
(Progress Book log in), Report Cards, Meet
the Team information, Parent Teacher Conference Schedule, GEMS News Updates.
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Administering Medication at
School
Whenever possible, all medication should be given
to students at home during non-school hours. If this
is not possible, parents should come to school to
administer the medication or the following procedures must be followed:
1. The child’s parent or guardian must submit a
signed authorization and release form for the
administration of the medication. This authorization must be signed by the physician and parent before school personnel can dispense the
medication.
2. All medication to be taken at school must be
received in the original container.
3. Students are not allowed to bring medication to
school. All medication must be brought to the
Health Center by the student’s parents or legal
guardian.
4. All medication must remain in the Health Center.
5. Medication that is not used by the end of the
school year, must be picked up by the parent or
guardian. No medication will be sent home
with the student. Medicine not picked up at the
end of the school year will be discarded.
6. Medication refers to both prescription and nonprescription drugs including aspirin, Tylenol,
Advil, Motrin, Midol, etc. Students who are
found in possession of prescription or nonprescription drugs are subject to disciplinary action.
-12-
Attendance Procedures
Absent or Tardy
If a student is absent from school or will be tardy,
the parent must call the Attendance Hotline by
7:30 am of the morning of the absence or tardy or
go to the school website and click the “absence
reporting” link on the left hand side of the page.
Attendance Hotline
513-947-7704
Absences will be unexcused unless the school has
received a phone call from the parent or guardian
on or before the day of the absence, a parent/
guardian note, or a doctor’s note within two school
days of the student’s return to school.
The educational program offered by this district is
based upon the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation. Attendance shall be required of all students enrolled in the schools during the days and
hours that the school is in session or during the
attendance sessions to which she/he has been
asssigned.
A student is considered tardy if he/she is not in
advisory by 7:00 am. A tardy becomes a 1/2 day
absence when a student arrives at 10:21 am.
Chronic unexcused tardiness could result in court
referral, out of school suspension and/or expulsion.
Five (5) unexcused tardies are equivalent to one
unexcused absence day when considering days for
truancy and court referral.
To have an excused tardy, the student must bring a
note from a parent/guardian stating the reason for
the tardiness or a parent/guardian must call the
school or sign the student in at the front desk. The
criteria for excused absences also apply to tardiness.
-13-
The Athletics
Program at
GEMS
The following sports are offered at GEMS:
Fall:
Football
Girls’ Volleyball
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Winter:
Boys’ Basketball
Girls’ Basketball
Wrestling
Cheerleading
Spring:
Track and Field
All sports have a participation fee. The fee is $250
per sport and is payable using the West Clermont
School District EZPay system accessed on the
GEMS website. Athletes in 2 or more sports will
pay no more than $500 annually. An athletic information packet can be picked up in our Main Office.
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Athletic Eligibility
1. Preceding quarterly (not final) grades deter
mine athletic eligibility for the following quarter. 7th and 8th grade students must be passing, at the end of each quarter, five (5) of those
subjects for which they received a letter grade.
Athletes are also required to maintain a minimum quarterly GPA of 1.7.
2. Athletes must be in school at least 1/2 day
(10:21 am-2:15 pm) on the day of the contest
to be eligible to participate or practice.
3. All incoming 7th grade students are eligible
to participate for the first grading period.
(Fall Season Only)
4. Cumulative GPA’s from a 7th grader’s
school year are not used in determining eligibility for the beginning of 8th grade. It is the
last quarter’s grade used to determine eligibility.
5. Middle school students may not turn 15 prior to August 1st to participate in 7th and 8th
grade athletics.
The Athletic Handbook contains additional
information concerning rules and regulations
governing the school’s athletic program. Parents and student athletes are urged to review
the handbook carefully, and direct eligibility
questions or other concerns to the Athletic Director.
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District Grading Scale
The district grading scale for secondary school
students is as follows:
A+
97 - 100
4.3 pts
A
93 - 96
4.0 pts
AB+
90 - 92
87 - 89
3.7 pts
3.3 pts
B
B-
83 - 86
80 - 82
3.0 pts
2.7 pts
C+
77 - 79
2.3 pts
C
73 -
76
2.0 pts
C-
70 - 72
1.7 pts
D+
67 - 69
1.3 pts
D
60 -
1.0 pt
F
Below 60
NG
No Grade
I
P/F
Incomplete
Pass/Fail
66
0.0
Report cards are posted on Progress Book at
the end of each quarter. Interim grades are
posted online on student’s Progress Book account as well.
You may contact Tina Mundy 947-7705 or
[email protected] if you need one mailed
home to you.
District-Wide Testing Program
Ability/Achievement: West Clermont Schools
administer standardized tests to students annually in order to evaluate student progress, report
to parents and make adjustments in curriculum
and instruction.
-16-
The following is a list of tests administered
at Glen Este Middle School:
MAP Assessments in Reading & Math
Grades 6, 7 and 8; three times a year
Career Education Testing: Grade 8
State Assessments:
Grade 7 - Reading, Math, Social Studies
Grade 7 - Reading, Math
Grade 8 - Reading, Math, Science
COURSES OFFERING HIGH SCHOOL
CREDIT
Spanish, Algebra and Geometry are courses that offer high
school credit. These courses require semester exams.
Grades for these classes will appear on high school transcripts and will be calculated into the student’s high school
grade point average.
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Dress Code
Part of the total education of the students is learning to dress
appropriately and behave responsibly in a variety of situations.
As part of the educational process, all students are expected to
appear at school in reasonable, neat, safe, and appropriate attire
for the academic environment. Styles and fads in clothing, or
makeup that detract from the educational setting are out of
place in the school setting. The determination for acceptable
dress lies with the administration. The administration may
counsel with a student and/or contact parents if the student’s dress and appearance seem inappropriate for the
classroom.
These regulations will assist parents, students, faculty, and administrators in determining appropriate student standards for
dress and personal appearance while at school.
Dress and Grooming
Students are expected to dress appropriately at all times. Any fashion that disrupts the educational process or presents a safety risk
will not be permitted.
Students should consider the following questions when dressing for
school:
• Does my clothing expose too much? (No)
• Does my clothing advertise something that is prohibited to
minors? (No)
• Are there obscene, profane, drug-related, gang-related, or inflammatory messages on my clothing? (No)
• Am I dressed appropriately for the weather? (Yes)
As educators it is our responsibility to prepare you for the
workforce. Parents are ultimately responsible for ensuring that
their student is appropriately dressed and within the guidelines
set forth herein. When any dress or grooming interferes with
cleanliness, health, welfare, or safety of students, or when any
dress or grooming disrupts the educational process by being
distracting, offensive, indecent, or inappropriate to the educational process, it is prohibited. The administrators, with the
assistance of the faculty, have the responsibility of uniformly administering the dress code. An administrator,
for the purpose of school spirit days or other special
school-wide events, may modify the dress code. Violation of the dress code could result in removal from class
or school until the violation can be resolved and/or disciplinary action taken.
Clothing, jewelry, tattoos, temporary markings, and other
personal items are not permitted which specifically or
generally contain, promote, glorify, or refer to:Alcohol,
drugs, tobacco; Sexual innuendo or sexually suggestive
contents; Profane, vulgar, or lewd symbols or slogans;Gangs or cults, antisocial or harassing behavior;
and/or Hate, violence, death, suicide, gore, and/or blood.
-18
Shirts, Blouses, Tops:
• Shirts without sleeves cannot be worn.
• Shirts must be buttoned properly.
• Muscle shirts, see-through shirts, or shirts normally
worn as undergarments are not to be worn as outer garments. Tops or dresses with spaghetti straps must have a
shirt or blouse underneath, or have a shirt/sweater to cover
up. Halter tops, tank tops, tube tops, strapless/backless,
midriff blouses, or any top not fitting this description is
prohibited.
• Shirts and tops must be long enough to tuck into lower
garments and may not expose the torso, midriff, or undergarments when the student is standing, stitting, raising his/
her hand or bending over.
• Shirts/tops must have high enough neckline to cover
all cleavage.
Full length jackets/coats, such as those commonly referred
to as “trench coats” or “dusters,” are not allowed.
Slacks, Pants, Trousers, Shorts, Skorts, Skirts, and
Dresses:
Shall be appropriately sized; not tight or loose fitting.
Slacks, pants, trousers, shorts, skorts,
skirts must fit at the waist. (“Sagging”
and/or exposure of undergarments not
allowed.)
Slacks, pants, trousers must be properly hemmed
or cuffed. (“Slicing” or “ragging” not allowed
and should not drag the ground).
All lower garments much reach at least midthigh. In order to determine mid-thigh
length, students must fully extend arms and
fingers at their side in a relaxed manner.
Mid-thigh will be at approximately the second knuckle of the middle finger.
The top of any slit must be no higher than midthigh.
Pants with side slits, excessive rips and large holes
above mid-thigh are prohibited.
No lace-up pants.
Head Wear: Hats, sunglasses, caps, hoods, bandannas, or other types of head coverings may not be worn
inside the building or carried during the school day.
All such items must be stored in the assigned locker.
This applies to all students males and females.
Jewelry & Personal Items: Jewelry and body piercing, make-up, face painting and adornments are not to
be extreme, distracting or interconnected. Heavy
chains, spiked or studded jewelry and/or chains, or
other inappropriate types of jewelry are a safety concern
and thus are prohibited
Shoes/Footwear:
Must be safe and appropriate for the school environment, which includes stairs and emergency drills.
Shoes with any metal devices, such as wheels or
noisemakers, are prohibited.
-19-
Important
Dates
Quarter End Dates
1st- Oct. 20
2nd- Jan. 12
3rd- Mar. 17
4th– May 25
Report Cards Posted On Progress Book
1st Quarter
Oct. 28
2nd Quarter Jan. 20
3rd Quarter March 24
4th Quarter June 2
PTO Meetings
September 8
October 6
November 10
December 8
January 12
February 9
March 9
April 6
May 11
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Always 4:00—7:30 pm
Thurs. Sept. 22
Thurs. Nov. 17
Thurs Feb. 16
Meet the Team
Thursday, September 1
6th grade
7th grade
8th grade
6:00—7:00 pm
7:00—8:00 pm
5:00—6:00 pm
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Off Days
Labor Day
In-service Day
In-service Day
In-service Day
Thanksgiving Break
Winter Break
In-service Day
Martin Luther King Day
In-service Day
Presidents’ Day
Spring Break
Sept. 5, 2016
Sept. 16, 2016
Oct 21, 2016
Nov 8, 2016
Nov. 24 -25, 2016
Dec. 17 - Jan. 1
Jan 13, 2017
Jan. 16, 2017
Feb. 17, 2017
Feb. 20, 2017
Mar. 25-Apr. 2, 2017
Miscellaneous
First Day of School
School Pictures
8th grade Panoramic Picture
Last Day of School
Aug. 17, 2016
Aug. 19, 2016
Aug. 19, 2016
May 25. 2017
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Administration
GEMS Office
513-947-7700
Lori Crowe, Principal
Bret Bohannon, Assistant Principal
Lesa Loudin, Campus Coordinator
Michael Purvis, Campus Coordinator
Extension
7702
7714
7712
7713
Administrative Assistants
Holly Brock, Principal’s Assistant
Patti Hornstra, Office Admin. Asst.
Tina Mundy, Attendance and
Counselors’ Assistant
7708
7701
7705
Student Services
Robin Hater, Counselor
6th & 7th grade
7711
Erin Brewer, Counselor
8th grade
Chele Valentine, School Psychologist
7775
7776
Athletics Office
Michael Ball, Director
7620
Health Center
Lisa O’Rourke, Health Aide
7703
Cafeteria Services
Vivian Hale
7606
Transportation
Mike Jones, Supervisor
752-4020
GEMS Attendance Hotline
513-947-7704
Call this number to report absences and/or
tardiness. It is available 24/hours every day.