Student Handbook 2013-14
HORACE MANN MIDDLE SCHOOL
“The Finest Middle School in all the land”
4300 MacCorkle Avenue SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Telephone: 348-1971
Fax: 348-6591
http://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/horacemann/
Eagle Pride!
This Student Planner belongs to:
Name_______________________________________________
Phone ______________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________
______________________________________________
Grade
Homebase Teacher ____________________
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WELCOME TO HORACE MANN MIDDLE SCHOOL!
BELIEF STATEMENT
We, the students, faculty and staff of Horace Mann Middle School, believe that all
students can and will achieve and learn challenging concepts of academic standards,
physical fitness and moral decision-making.
MISSION STATEMENT
1. It is our mission to provide a safe and clean learning environment that teaches
respect for others and promotes personal responsibility, integrity and equality.
2. It is our mission to educate our students, staff and community of the importance of
education, achievement and learning.
3. It is our mission to promote cognitive growth, physical fitness and moral decisionmaking with our students, staff and community.
4. It is our mission to ensure all students will have appropriate opportunities to
master or exceed grade level standards through quality instruction.
EDUCATIONAL GOALS
1. The achievement gap of any student grouping will be eliminated.
2. All students will master or exceed grade level educational standards through
quality instruction and learning opportunities.
3. A safe and nurturing environment will exist throughout the school.
SCHOOL MOTTO
“Promoting excellence in mind, body and spirit. Responsibility, Equality, Integrity”
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GENERAL INFORMATION: Welcome to Horace Mann Middle School. The entire
staff of Horace Mann Middle School takes pride in and purposefully perpetuates our
reputation of being “the finest middle school in all the land.” HMMS is a Blue Ribbon
School and a School of Excellence. Our students excel not only academically, but also
in extracurricular activities. Our sports programs hold many Kanawha County
Championships, and our music department has state and national awards. Your child is
entering into a school that promotes excellence in all aspects of school life. Our
expectations are high and our achievements are even greater. Our students are always
“ready to work and ready to learn.” All students at HMMS are expected to represent
themselves, their families, and their school in a positive manner.
ATTENDANCE/ABSENCES: Regular attendance at school is required by state law.
You are expected to be in school unless you are ill. If it becomes necessary for you to be
absent, have your parents report your absence to the school office by phone and bring a
note from your parents with you on the day you return. The note should contain: (a) the
date which it is written, (b) date of absence, (c) reason for absence, (d) signature of
parent. This note should be brought to the office. You are also expected to be on time. If
you report to school TARDY, go immediately to the office. When tardy, you must bring
a note, signed by your parent, stating the reason for being tardy. HMMS will enforce
tardy problems with disciplinary action.
PERMISSION TO LEAVE BUILDING EARLY: Students who have doctor, dental, or
business appointments should try to set these appointments on days that school is not in
session. If it is impossible to do so, an appointment may be made on a school day and the
student may be excused only for the amount of time necessary for the appointment. A
note from home, or the appointment card must be presented to the office.
PARENTS MUST SIGN THEIR OWN CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL.
STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SIGN THEMSELVES OUT OF THE
BUILDING OR LEAVE WITH ANOTHER PARENT UNLESS PRIOR
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE AND ACCEPTED BY THE OFFICE.
ILLNESS: If a student becomes ill at school, he/she should do the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Report to the school office.
The secretary or counselor will attempt to assist you or contact your parents.
Students who are excused for illness must be signed out in the office by a parent.
Do not go home without permission.
Do not loiter in restrooms or other parts of the building and claim illness later.
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TRUANCY: Truancy is an unexcused absence. A student is truant if he or she does the
following:
1. Leaves school without signing out
2. Leaves school without permission
3. Comes to school but does not attend class
4. Obtains permission to go to a certain place, but does not report
Students who are truant will be referred to the Assistant Principal and/or the Kanawha
County Schools’ Social Worker for judicial reporting. Students who leave campus
without permission are subject to immediate disciplinary action.
TRANSPORTATION: Students are under the authority of the school from the time they
leave home in the morning until returning home in the afternoon. Kanawha County
Schools provides school buses for students. Students riding the bus will be expected to
board buses at the same place and same time each day. No one should stand on the bus.
There is to be no “saving places” in the line to get on the bus.
Students are expected to conduct themselves properly while on the school bus. This
includes conversation in a normal tone, arms and hands inside the bus at all times, never
touching the emergency door and obedience to the bus driver at all times.
Failure to comply with these regulations and to conform to the rules of conduct,
which guarantees a pleasant and safe journey to all, may result in the student being
suspended or expelled from the bus for the rest of the year. You are expected to
cooperate and be respectful to the bus drivers at all times.
WALKING: Students should obey the safety rules for crossing streets and be respectful
of HMMS neighborhoods. Cross MacCorkle Avenue only at 43rd Street. If you bring a
bicycle to school, take it to the Noyes Avenue side of the building. Keep a lock on your
bicycle. Any bicycle without a lock will be collected by the custodian.
MORNING PROCEDURES: Students should arrive no earlier than 7:45a.m. and enter
only through the Noyes Avenue doors. Students should report directly to the cafeteria and
be excused at 8:10 a.m. to go to the locker and classroom. After arriving at school,
students are not to leave the school grounds.
WEATHER- RELATED SCHOOL CLOSINGS: Local TV and radio stations will
provide up-to-date information on weather-related closings. All activities will be
canceled when school is officially closed.
TELEPHONE: Use of the office phone is by permission of the principal, assistant
principal, counselor or secretary. The only reason for using the office phone is an
emergency at home, student is ill and is checking out, or returning a phone call home.
The office phone will not be used for social calling.
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TEXTBOOKS: Textbooks will be furnished to all students in all subject areas. The
individual student is responsible for loss and damage. No books will be issued until the
losses or damages are paid.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Tablets, music players, cellular phones, pagers, MP3
players, electronic games or toy items are not allowed during class, in the hallways or at
lunch. The school will not assume responsibility for these items and any staff
member may confiscate any item at any time. Confiscated items are to be picked up
by the parent.
BUILDING MOVEMENT: To promote efficient movement, students are to walk on the
right side of the hallways and must have a hall-pass during class. A basic rule is that
students never run in the hallways or areas around the building. No shouting is allowed
within the building. Students will have three (3) minutes between classes and should go
directly to their next class. Students may not sit in the hallways. Students may not
congregate and block intersections or hallways.
LOCKERS: Lockers will be assigned. If you have difficulty in opening your locker, or if
you have lost your combination, see the custodian or Assistant Principal. Do not write on
your locker or put any stickers on it. There will be locker checks during the school year.
Any books in your locker, not belonging to you, will be turned into the office. If a
combination change is needed, you must see the Assistant Principal. Gym bags, duffle
bags, books bags, etc., shall not be permitted in the classroom. All bags are to be stored
in the locker after arriving at school until the end of the school day. The lockers are
property of HMMS and as such may be inspected or searched at any time.
CARE OF RESTROOMS: Each student has a direct responsibility to maintain
standards of cleanliness in restrooms. In a small school, a few thoughtless students can
do much to create discomfort for other students in restrooms and other public areas. This
can be prevented if all students make an effort to keep restrooms and other public areas
clean.
CAMPUS: Before school, during lunch and during break, our campus is closed. This
means that students are not permitted to leave the school grounds for any reason.
CAFETERIA: Students who bring lunches or buy school lunches are to eat them in the
cafeteria. It is the responsibility of each student to maintain a neat and clean cafeteria;
i.e., deposing of empty containers, cleaning up spills, etc. No throwing of food, paper or
debris is allowed. Failure to comply with this rule can result in suspension from the
cafeteria or from school.
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ASSEMBLIES: At all times, student behavior should be respectful and courteous. An
indication of the cultural level of a school is the conduct of the student body at an
assembly. Whether guests are present or not, each student is personally responsible for
the impression made by the school as a whole. Violation of student behavior will result
in loss of attendance at assemblies.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Students who wish to participate in an extra
curricular activity must maintain a 2.0 GPA, follow all guidelines established by
Kanawha County Schools, West Virginia and Horace Mann. The following may be
available: football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, cross-country, flag corps, wrestling,
track, golf, tennis and cheerleading. Students with discipline slips may not participate.
SCHOOL DANCES: The price and the dress code will vary from dance to dance. For
the protection of students and for proper supervision, no student will be admitted after the
dance begins. No student will be released unless a parent comes to the gym to pick that
student up. Dances are for Horace Mann students only. Dances are a school function and
all school rules will apply accordingly. Students are expected to dress appropriately and
to respect the rights of others. Students who fail to meet school standards may not be
allowed to attend.
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT: The counselor’s office is located in the office. Students
may come to the guidance office between classes and before and after school. If the
student needs to come to the office during the school day they must have permission
from their teacher. The counselor welcomes visits to the guidance office. You should
feel free and relaxed to communicate with the counselor. The counselor is available each
period of the day to offer assistance to students.
DISCIPLINE: We believe most middle school students are ready to discipline
themselves and welcome this responsibility. We feel all students are aware of what
constitutes acceptable behavior and we expect all to practice the self-control that
maintains it. Should a student be requested to leave a classroom, he must report
immediately to one of the principals. One of the most important lessons education should
teach is discipline and character. While it does not appear as a subject, it underlies the
entire educational structure. It is training that develops self-control, character, orderliness
and efficiency. It is the key to good conduct and proper consideration for other people.
HMMS expects all students to follow Kanawha County Schools’ standards of discipline.
FIGHTING: Students involved in fighting or encouraging a fight during the school day
or during school functions will be subject to suspension or expulsion.
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BULLYING, ABUSIVE TREATMENT, HARASSMENT: No form of bullying is
permitted. Any student found to participate in bullying, while under the authority of the
school, shall be disciplined by the Principal or Assistant Principal.
THE SCHOOL AND THE LAW: Any unlawful act taking place on school grounds or
buses not only subjects the student to penalties which the courts may prescribe, but also
may result in suspension or expulsion from school. Any student who participates in
bomb threats, exploding fireworks, ringing a fire alarm, harassing or hazing other
students will be subject to immediate suspension or expulsion. Use, possession, or state
of being under the influence of beer, alcoholic beverages, marijuana, illegal drugs, or any
substance represented or believed by the student involved to be a controlled substance or
illegal drug will result in suspension or expulsion from school.
Horace Mann Middle School promotes and retains all rights listed, as well as those
of Kanawha County Schools. At all times, HMMS students are expected to be
respectful and responsible, and school officials will be responsible for the discipline
of student behavior and appearance.
CLASSROOM MATERIALS: All students are expected to come to class prepared and
on time. To make sure all students have the proper classroom materials, Horace Mann
recommends all students to have to the following materials for every class:
1. Three-ring binder
2. White notebook paper
3. Pencils
4. Pens (blue or black ink only)
5. Pencil pouch for binder
6. Ruler
7. Subject dividers
8. Assignment book (the first one is provided by HMMS)
9. Colored pencils
10. Calculator
GRADING SCALE:
A
Excellent
100% - 93%
B
Above Average
92% - 85%
C
Average
84% - 75%
D
Below Average
74% - 65%
F
Unsatisfactory
Below 64%
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HORACE MANN MIDDLE SCHOOL DRESS CODE
This is the dress code for the school year. The dress code will be enforced.
Students with inappropriate clothing are expected to change. Students can contact
parents/guardians to bring clothes. HMMS students may wear specialized clothing for
special occasions (spirit week, etc.) with the schools permissions. Multiple infractions
will be deemed as insubordination and will be treated severely.
1. Pants are to be worn at the waist with no sagging.
2. Form-fitting pants, (examples: tights, leggings and jeggins, etc.) are to be worn with
another layer of clothing that covers the buttocks.
3. Skin exposed due to rips or holes in pants must be below the knee. Covering holes with
duct tape is not permitted.
4. Skirts, shorts and dresses must extend to students mid-thigh or longer.
5. No bras, underwear, boxer shorts may be visible at anytime.
6. No body parts of a personal or private nature may be exposed; this includes buttocks or
breasts (Examples: cleavage and exposed buttocks).
7. See through material, (examples: lace, netting, and sheer shirts) are not acceptable
unless layered with another layer of clothing that meets dress code.
8. No tube tops, racer back, crop tops, spaghetti straps or halters are permitted.
9. All shirt sleeves must come to top of shoulder.
10. Pajama bottoms and slippers are not permitted.
11. Any type of head covering is unacceptable (examples: sunglasses, hats, hoods,
headphones, etc.)
12. Piercings are only allowed in the ears.
13. Any item of clothing, jewelry or accessories that contain obscene or offensive material
cannot be worn to school. This includes weapons, drug emblems, obscenities, tobacco
or alcohol or material considered derogatory towards a race, culture, religion or may be
considered any form of harassment.
All students are expected to follow this policy. School administration retains the right to
reject any clothing that creates a disturbance or distraction to the educational process.
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HORACE MANN MIDDLE SCHOOL
4300 MacCorkle Avenue SE
Charleston, WV 25304
348-1971
Horace Mann Middle School
Student/Parent/School Contract
STUDENT: I understand, that as a student of Horace Mann Middle School, in
order to be a successful student, I agree to the following:
1. I will come to school ready to learn.
2. I will have each day’s homework completed and ready to hand in.
3. I will work to reach the highest expectations.
4. I will make my parents aware of all parent-teacher conferences and
encourage them to attend.
5. I will show respect for myself and others.
Student
Signature________________________________________________________
PARENT: I understand that as a parent I am an important part of the learning
team. Knowing this, I agree to the following:
1. I will provide my child with an atmosphere conducive to learning.
2. I will teach my child the social skills necessary to get along in society.
3. I will check my child’s assignment book on a regular basis to encourage the
organizational skills necessary to succeed in life.
4. I will cooperate with school personnel to ensure the educational process can
continue for all students.
Parent
Signature________________________________________________________
Signatures show that this handbook has been read and understood by
students and parents.
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TECHNOLOGY
CORNER
At Horace Mann Middle School, we believe technology is an extremely important part of
all 21st century students’ education. We have SMART boards in every classroom. We
also believe in keeping our families connected at home. That is why we have a wealth of
information available at the push of a button to connect you and help you keep up with
what your child is doing at school every day.
First and foremost, it is extremely important for you to sign and return the INTERNET
USAGE FORM that will be sent home by your child’s English teacher at the beginning
of the school year. In order for your child to access all of the technology we offer, he/she
must have a signed INTERNET USAGE FORM on file at HMMS.
Second, and just as important, you need sign up for an ENGRADE account at
https://www.engradewv.com/. Details on how to set up your account will also come home
with your child early on in the school year. We will help your child set up his/her
ENGRADE account here at school; however, you can link to your child’s account with
your username and password by following the directions that we will send home.
ENGRADE makes it easy for you to monitor your child’s grades and email his/her
teachers.
Last, here are some additional websites that will be available to your family both
at school and home:
1) AR/AR HOME CONNECT:
(https://hosted221.renlearn.com/33627/Public/RPM/Login/Login.aspx)
This website allows students to take AR tests at school on books they read. You
can access the site at home only to check points, look up a book title to see if it is
AR, and see how many points books are worth. Students are required to earn a
minimum of ten AR points each six weeks. These points impact their English and
basic skills class grades.
2) GLENCOE.COM: (http://www.glencoe.com)
This website allows students to access their math textbook and workbooks from
home. Did your child forget his/her Math book? No problem! Visit the link above,
and gain access to the same pages, information, and everything needed to
successfully complete class and homework assignments! Also, be on the lookout
for details coming soon about MATHIA, a county-adopted interactive program
designed to boost your child’s individual math skills.
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LOGO for the back
A Special Thank you to Wells Fargo for all the help that they provide us at Horace Mann!
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