Student Handbook 2014-2015
HORACE MANN MIDDLE SCHOOL
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_____________________________________________
______________________________________________
1
Grade
Homebase Teacher
____________________
WELCOME TO HORACE MANN MIDDLE
SCHOOL!
MISSION STATEMENT
“At Horace Mann, we provide a safe and caring
environment where all students can achieve at their highest
potential. We achieve success in academics, the fine arts
and athletics while preparing our students for high school
and beyond. At HMMS, we are “Soaring like an Eagle into
the Future!”
2
GOALS
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.
Our goals include providing a safe and clean learning environment
that teaches respect for others and promotes personal
responsibility, integrity and equality. At HMMS, we wish to
ensure that all students will have appropriate opportunities to
master or exceed grade level standards through quality instruction,
in a safe and nurturing school.
3
EAGLE PRIDE!
GENERAL INFORMATIONWelcome to Horace Mann Middle School. The entire Kanawha City
community takes pride in our school. HMMS is a Blue Ribbon School and a
West Virginia School of Excellence. Our students excel not only
academically, but also in extra-curricular activities. Our sports programs hold
multiple Kanawha County Championship titles, and our music department
holds 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.
ATTENDANCE/ABSENCESRegular 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
4
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. Three tardies to home-base or any class will result
in the assignment of after-school detention by the administration.
PERMISSION TO LEAVE BUILDING EARLYStudents 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.
FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS, NO STUDENT WILL BE
DISMISSED AFTER 3:15 P.M.
ILLNESSIf a student becomes ill at school, he/she should do the following:
1. Report to the school office.
2. The secretary or counselor will attempt to assist you or contact your
parents.
3. Students who are excused for illness must be signed out in the office by a
parent.
4. Do not go home without permission.
5. Do not loiter in restrooms or other parts of the building and claim illness
later.
TRUANCYTruancy 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
5
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.
Students must leave on the bus or in a vehicle with private transportation
unless they are walking home. Not student will be allowed to leave the
campus at dismissal and come back onto campus to board a bus or private
vehicle or to attend athletic practices or games.
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.
WALKINGStudents should obey the safety rules for crossing streets and be respectful of
HMMS neighborhoods. Students living on the opposite side of MacCorkle
Ave. should only cross MacCorkle Avenue 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.
6
MORNING PROCEDURESStudents should arrive no earlier than 7:45a.m. and enter only through the
Noyes Avenue doors. Students should report directly to the cafeteria and they
will be excused at 8:10 a.m. to go to the locker and classroom, with the
exception of morning Spanish participants. Those students may access their
lockers at 7:55 to prepare for classes. After arriving at school, students are
not to leave the school grounds.
WEATHER- RELATED SCHOOL CLOSINGSLocal TV and radio stations will provide up-to-date information on weatherrelated closings. All activities will be canceled when school is officially
closed.
TELEPHONEUse 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. Teachers may grant permission to a student to call from their
classroom with their personal device, but this is ONLY WITH THE
PERMISSION OF THE TEACHER!
CELL PHONE USECell phones are permitted to be used until the students are dismissed for
home-base.
TEXTBOOKSTextbooks 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. Kindles, Ipads, etc. are permitted at the teachers
discretion; however, HMMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS, DAMAGE
OR THEFT.
BUILDING MOVEMENTStudents 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
7
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.
LOCKERSLockers 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 RESTROOMSEach 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.
CAMPUSBefore 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.
CAFETERIAStudents 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.
ASSEMBLIESAt 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
8
responsible for the impression made by the school as a whole. Violation of
student behavior will result in loss of attendance at assemblies.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIESStudents 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.
SCHOOL DANCESFor 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 DEPARTMENTThe counselor’s office is located in the office. Students may come to the
guidance office 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.
DISCIPLINEWe 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
9
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 .
FIGHTINGStudents involved in fighting or encouraging a fight during the school day or
during school functions will be subject to suspension or expulsion.
BULLYING, ABUSIVE TREATMENT, HARASSMENTNo 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 LAWAny 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
10
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%
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.
Pants are to be worn at the waist with no sagging.
Skin exposed due to rips or holes in the pants must be within the
guidelines of the shorts criteria. (see below)
Skirts, shorts and dresses must not show, or potentially show, a body
part of a personal or private nature.
No bras, underwear or boxer shorts may be seen at any time.
11
See through material (lace, netting, sheer shirts, etc.) are not acceptable
unless layered with another layer of clothing that meets the dress code.
No tube tops or halters are permitted.
No pajama pants or house slippers are permitted.
Any type of head covering (excluding religious observance) is
unacceptable. This includes sunglasses, hats and hoods.
Bandanas are not to be worn or shown on any area of the body or
personal belongings.
Any item of clothing, jewelry, or accessories that contain obscene or
offensive material cannot be worn at school. This includes weapons,
drug references, obscenities, tobacco, alcohol, or material considered
to be derogatory toward a race, culture or religion.
School administration reserves the right to reject any clothing that
creates a disturbance or distracts from the educational process.
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:
12
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.
LOGO for the back
A Special Thank you to Wells Fargo for all the help that they provide us at Horace Mann!
13
14