Breakfast is served in the cafeteria each morning beginning at 8:00 AM and ending at 8:30 AM. There will be a staff member in the cafeteria in the morning. If students are not eating in the cafeteria, they should not enter the building before 8:35 AM.

Students should use the second door to the east of the 6th Street main entrance, Entrance A, at the end of the building to enter.

LATENESS FOR REGULAR SCHOOL DAY

Students arriving later than 8:45 AM will be marked late for the day. Lateness will be noted on a student’s record. Students who are late to school need to enter the building via the main entrance, Entrance B.

Students who arrive after 8:45 AM must go directly to the 318 main office to sign in and get a late pass before reporting to their scheduled class so that they are not marked absent for the day. Students who are late should report to their Homeroom first to check in their cell phone for the day.

ABSENCES

When students are absent, they should bring a written note to the main office from the parent or guardian explaining the absence. This might also be in the form of an email to attendance@tsmsonline.org and/or your child’s advisor, or a Class Dojo message to your child’s advisor.

Communicable diseases such as flu, stomach virus, chicken pox, measles, conjunctivitis (pink eye), head lice, etc., should be immediately reported to the school office. Students with communicable diseases should remain out of school until they are no longer contagious. A doctor’s note is encouraged upon their return to school.

Students’ punctuality and attendance are essential to their success; when high schools select students for admission, a student’s attendance record is weighed heavily. A pattern of lateness or absence is a concern and will lead to a family conference.

Attendance Protocol:

Attendance is essential to student success in school both academically and emotionally. Student attendance will be taken officially during HR. Teachers will also likely have unofficial attendance records for their classes either in JumpRope or some other online/paper format.

If a student has accumulated 3-5 absences within 1-2 months, advisors will call home to check in about attendance and discuss any support that might be needed.
Once a student has accumulated 10 absences, Sonhando and Lillian will call the family in for a meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to understand the absences, reiterate the importance of coming to school on time, and discuss any support a family might need in getting their student to school.
Once a student has accumulated 15 or more absences, they will be referred for support in implementing a plan for improved attendance.

DISMISSAL

Students will be dismissed at 2:35 PM Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 3:25 PM Tuesday and Thursday from their classes everyday. Students who are enrolled in after school activities at TSMS remain in the building. They may not leave for any reason. Students are dismissed out of Exit A on 6th Street half a block toward Avenue C from the main entrance and are not to linger on school grounds after dismissal.

In order for a student to leave the school building early due to an appointment, family obligation, etc., a parent or guardian must sign her or him out in the main office, as per NYCDOE regulations. A student may ONLY be released to those persons indicated on their Emergency Contact Card.

Part II) EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS

“Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Productive”

Students are to follow all classroom and school procedures that are part of Tompkins Square Middle School’s “Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Productive” policy. All shared communities rely upon understood systems in order to function successfully and TSMS is no exception.

HALLWAY CONDUCT

When passing to and from classrooms in the hallways or walking in the stairwell, students must walk quietly. There is no running, jumping, pushing, or horseplay allowed. Students should not linger in the hallways and must pass to and from their lockers promptly. If possible, students should keep to their right when going from one class to the next.

If a student is consistently late to classes or is excessively disruptive in the hallways during or between classes, she or he may receive detention and/or have her or his families contacted about the matter. Lateness to class will have an impact on student participation grades. A student needs a pass to be in the hallway during class periods or lunchtime.

CAFETERIA AND LUNCH RULES

Students are to go directly and quietly down to lunch and recess without running. If students are receiving a school lunch, they must wait in an orderly fashion in line until the food service workers are ready to serve them. Students must choose a table to sit at and remain at the same one during that lunchtime. If a student wants to go upstairs, he or she must have a staff pass or be chaperoned by a staff member.

RECESS YARD AND OUT TO LUNCH

Students are expected to be considerate and inclusive of one another, to keep their language clean, and to refrain from roughhousing and play-fighting. Students are to WALK to the yard when heading out for recess and returning to the building.

Other rules for the yard/recess:

Only plain bottled water is allowed in the yard (no sodas, juices or vitamin water).
For 7th and 8th graders returning from going out to lunch, NO food, drinks, or candies are allowed to be brought back onto school grounds from outside. If students return with any of the above items, they will be asked to throw them away before entering regardless of money spent on purchasing.
For 7th and 8th graders returning from out to lunch, the cut off time is 1:35 PM. If students arrive past 1:35 PM, they will lose one week of OTL regardless of the amount of lateness.

On days where we have indoor recess due to inclement weather, students should enter into the 5th Street Earth School Entrance and report to the auditorium.

No gathering or socializing outside of the gate on the 4th Street and 5th Street entrances during OTL.
Please take all of your belongings when you leave the yard and place any trash in the receptacle.
Students are not allowed to bring their own equipment (basketball, baseballs and gloves, etc.) out to recess unless approved by Lunch staff. It will be provided for them.
Please do not communicate with anyone outside of the gate who is not part of the school community.
All school rules apply in the yard. All adults in the yard should be responded to appropriately.

GOING OUTSIDE FOR LUNCH - “Out to Lunch, OTL”

If able to follow school rules and maintain passing grades, 7th and 8th grade students can earn the privilege of going outside of the school building without adult supervision for lunch. In order for students to receive this privilege, parents and guardians must also sign a consent form. Eligible 7th and 8th grade students may go out to eat lunch on their respective days: 8th Grade Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 7th grade Tuesday/Thursday. 6th graders are not permitted to go off school grounds to eat lunch. The boundaries that the students can travel within are East 2nd to East 7th Street and First Avenue to Avenue C. This will include the benches in the southeast corner of Tompkins Square Park on Avenue B. Students may NOT go home or to a friend’s house for lunch. Teachers or other school staff are at liberty to revoke this privilege at any time due to a student's behavior or academic progress.

AUDITORIUM

Help us keep the auditorium clean. Please do not eat or drink anything in the auditorium.

Do not put your feet up on the chairs.

Running is not allowed in the auditorium.

SCHOOL TELEPHONES AND CELLPHONES

TSMS students are welcome to bring their phones to school, however they should be turned off and will be collected at the start of the day. If there is an emergency, students may use the telephone in the main office or the Deans’ Office. Otherwise, students may wait until after school hours to use their cellphones outside the building.

Students are required to hand in their cell phones during homeroom and will be given them back at the end of the day. For 7th/8th graders going Out to Lunch, they will be given their cell phones before OTL on the appropriate days. Students will be expected to keep their phone on silent when they return after OTL.

If a phone is seen or heard after OTL and confiscated, the phone confiscation protocol will apply.

If a student does not have a cell phone, a written note or communication between the advisor and guardian must communicate that. Otherwise, each student is expected to turn in their cell phones.

If a student is late to HR then they will do the following:

8th grade: The student will report to their HR and turn in their phone before they go to their 1st period class.
7th grade: The student will hand it in to their 1st period teacher who will give it to their HR teacher, if it is not them.
6th grade: The student will report to their HR and turn in their phone before they go to their 1st period class.

If a student does not turn in their cell phone and is seen with it during the school day, then the cell phone will be confiscated by staff and then the student/family will have to get it through Frances. The student will lose OTL for one week for lying about not having a cell phone to turn in and the family will be notified by the advisor.

CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT CONTINUED

If a staff member sees or hears a student with one of these devices during school (even if the item is not “in use”), he or she may confiscate the item and turn it in to Frances in Room 335 to be picked up at the end of the day.

If a child refuses to offer up their device, they will be referred to the Dean’s Office for consequences for refusal to comply with our school policy.
This will still be marked as a confiscated device.

After the first offense, a parent or guardian will need to be available to pick up the device from the school.

VALUABLE ITEMS

Tompkins Square Middle School strongly believes that young adolescents should not bring valuable items to school. We consider any item over $20 valuable. This includes but is not limited to cash, electronics, jewelry, toys, or sports equipment. In addition, any item that has important family history or special meaning to the child should not be brought to school. If valuable items disappear or are stolen, Tompkins Square Middle School staff will not be able to investigate the disappearance or theft unless it is very apparent where the item might be or who may have taken it. Families and students must not expect the staff to spend time and staff resources searching for missing or stolen valuables. If there is a theft of a valuable item and the school is not able/willing to investigate, you may contact the police department regarding an investigation.

STUDENT LOCKERS

Lockers and locks are assigned to every student in the school at the beginning of the year. Lockers and locks are the property of the school. If a child misuses the lock by breaking or losing it, it will cost $5 to replace the lock. Students are expected to care for their locker and use it to store books, coats, and gym clothes. They may feel free to decorate the inside of the locker (though not the outside) with non-permanent decorations. If students are lingering too long at their lockers so that they miss class time, or if they use their lockers inappropriately, they can lose the privilege of using a locker entirely and face appropriate consequences. We expect that students be courteous towards other students at nearby lockers.

TSMS COMPUTERS AND EMAIL ACCOUNTS

Email and electronic documents and accounts of any kind are considered the property of the person the account or document belongs to. If a student is found to have read or used another person’s email or electronic documents or accounts, they will receive appropriate consequences.

Students may only use a laptop in the classroom where the laptop cart is located and with permission from the teacher that has signed out the cart.

Students may only use printers with teacher permission.

Students may only use the Internet for academic purposes and may not download from the Internet without teacher permission.

Food and drink are not allowed around the laptops.

Students who violate these policies will lose their privilege to use the computers.

CLOTHING

TSMS VALUES
All students should be able to dress comfortably for school without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming. All students and staff should understand that they are responsible for managing their own personal "distractions" without regulating individual students' clothing/self expression. Teachers can focus on teaching without the additional and often uncomfortable burden of dress code enforcement. Students should not face unnecessary barriers to school attendance. Reasons for conflict and inconsistent discipline should be minimized whenever possible.
GOALS OF OUR STUDENT DRESS CODE
Our student dress code attempts to accomplish several goals: Maintain a safe learning environment in classes where protective or supportive clothing is needed, such as chemistry/biology (eye or body protection), dance (bare feet, tights/leotards), PE (athletic attire/shoes), or Recess (athletic shoes). Allow students to wear clothing of their choice that is comfortable. Allow students to wear clothing that expresses their self-identified gender. Allow students to wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination. Prevent students from wearing clothing with offensive images or language, including profanity, hate speech, and pornography. Prevent students from wearing clothing with images or language depicting or advocating violence or the use of alcohol or drugs. Ensure that all students are treated equitably regardless of gender/gender identification, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, body type/size, religion, and personal style. The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and parents or guardians. The school district and individual schools are responsible for seeing that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, and that student attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student.
DRESS CODE
Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students. Clothes must be worn in a way such that genitals, buttocks, and nipples are covered with opaque material. Cleavage should not have coverage requirements. All items listed in the “must wear” and “may wear” categories below must meet this basic principle.
Students Must Wear	Shirt Bottom: pants/sweatpants/shorts/skirt/dress/leggings Shoes; activity-specific shoe requirements are permitted (for example for sports)
Students May Wear	Fitted pants, including leggings, yoga pants and “skinny jeans” Midriff baring shirts Pajamas Ripped jeans, as long as underwear is not exposed Tank tops, including spaghetti straps, halter tops.Visible waistbands or straps on undergarments worn under other clothing are NOT a violation Athletic attire Hats and Hoodies
Students Cannot Wear	Violent language or images Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity) or the use of same Hate speech, profanity, pornography Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class Bathing suits Helmets or headgear that obscures the face (except as a religious observance) Bandanas
DRESS CODE ENFORCEMENT AT TSMS
A school dress code is only as effective and fair as its enforcement. Historically school dress codes have been written and enforced in ways that disproportionately impact girls, students of color, and gender expansive students. Enforcement should be consistent with a school’s overall discipline plan. Failure to comply with the student dress code should be enforced consistently with comparable behavior and conduct violations. Violations should be treated as minor on the continuum of school rule violations. Students should never be removed from a classroom / lose class time solely as a result of a dress code violation. Students should never be forced to wear extra school clothing (that isn’t their own) when they are in violation of the code. That is akin to a dunce cap or scarlet letter. They can be asked to put on their own onsite clothing, if available, to be dressed more to code. Students’ parents should never be called during the school day to bring alternative clothing for the student to wear for the remainder of the day. No student should be disproportionately affected by dress code enforcement because of gender, race, body size, or body maturity. The dress code should be clearly conveyed to students, not just in the student handbook which rarely gets read, but in other ways, too, such as posters, newsletters, etc… Students should not be shamed or required to display their body in front of others (students, parents, or staff) in school. “Shaming” includes but is not limited to kneeling or bending over to check attire fit, measuring straps or skirt length, asking students to account for their attire in the classroom, and directing students to correct a dress code violation during instructional time.

STUDENT TOUCHING

Students will respect others’ personal space – no unsolicited touching, no touching of private areas, and no extended hugging, lap-sitting, hand holding, or kissing is permitted.

FOOD AND DRINK

Students cannot eat food during or between classes. Water is the only permissible drink in classrooms, and students are encouraged to carry water bottles. Glass bottles are not permitted. The permission of gum is up to each teacher’s discretion in the different classrooms.

If students come late to school and need to eat breakfast, they should do so quickly in the main office before reporting to class.

Lunch will be the only exception for food and drink in the classrooms at teacher discretion.

Part III) TSMS DISCIPLINE POLICY

Based on scientific research, Tompkins Square Middle School recognizes that Middle School is a time of significant change and growth in adolescent development. We believe in having a safe, nurturing environment with boundaries. We acknowledge that kids are going to make mistakes and choices that will need to be addressed. Our discipline policy is designed with an eye on ownership, reflection, and repair.

At TSMS, the goal of our discipline policy is to support students through restorative practices. We recognize the need for consequences and believe they can be coupled with restorative interventions to make a positive experience for students, teachers and the community. We hope to establish a more positive culture when responding to behavior through clear and specific expectations with high support from the community.

Teachers tailor management strategies within their classroom to reflect the goals of the TSMS community and their own personal teaching style. Administration supports teachers in their management and is in charge of monitoring and carrying out our Discipline Policy.

When a student chooses to engage in behavior that is against school or classroom rules, consequences may include:

	Definition of Behavior	Interventions and Consequences
Tier 1: “Not Product- ive”	Uncooperative/Noncompliant Behavior In this tier students are not following school/classroom expectations conducive to learning. Examples: Coming late to class without a pass; calling out; refusal to do work; using phone in school without permission	1st Intervention: Initial Verbal/visual warning.	2nd Intervention: Repeated Behavior Teacher/student restorative conversation Contact guardian	3rd Intervention: Repeated Behavior Loss of Privilege/Detention Contact guardian
Tier 2: “Not Kind”	Disorderly and Disruptive Behavior In this tier students exhibit behavior that directly harms others socially-emotionally. Examples: Cutting class; mean/unkind behaviors or words; roughhousing	1st Intervention: Students writes reflection Teacher consults Admin to determine next steps/consequences Contact guardian	2nd Intervention: Student & Team/Advisor meeting Contact Guardian	3rd Intervention: Guardian, Student, & Team Meeting Behavior Contract Dean’s detention
Tier 3: “Not Safe”	Aggressive or Injurious/Harmful Behavior Seriously Dangerous or Violent Behavior In this tier students are engaging in behavior that directly targets and harms others. This tier also includes damage to property and the school environment. Examples: Physical aggression toward a student or teacher; threatening a student or teacher with violence; cutting school; bullying; sexual harassment/misconduct; defacing school property/vandalism	1st Intervention: Dean’s Referral and removal from class In-school suspension or Principal’s suspension Contact guardian	2nd Intervention: Loss of community activity/event Parent contact/meeting Restorative Circle Restorative Conference Contact guardian	*All interventions in Tier 3 will include suspension and/or other various consequences. Guardians will be contacted for each incident.

Definition of Behavior

Interventions and Consequences

Tier 1:

“Not Product-

ive”

Uncooperative/Noncompliant Behavior

In this tier students are not following school/classroom expectations conducive to learning.

Examples: Coming late to class without a pass; calling out; refusal to do work; using phone in school without permission

1st Intervention: Initial

Verbal/visual warning.

2nd Intervention: Repeated Behavior

Teacher/student restorative conversation
Contact guardian

3rd Intervention: Repeated Behavior

Loss of Privilege/Detention
Contact guardian

Tier 2:

“Not Kind”

Disorderly and Disruptive Behavior

In this tier students exhibit behavior that directly harms others socially-emotionally.

Examples: Cutting class; mean/unkind behaviors or words; roughhousing

1st Intervention:

Students writes reflection
Teacher consults Admin to determine next steps/consequences
Contact guardian

2nd Intervention:

Student & Team/Advisor meeting
Contact Guardian

3rd Intervention:

Guardian, Student, & Team Meeting
Behavior Contract
Dean’s detention

Tier 3:

“Not Safe”

Aggressive or Injurious/Harmful Behavior

Seriously Dangerous or Violent Behavior

In this tier students are engaging in behavior that directly targets and harms others. This tier also includes damage to property and the school environment.

Examples: Physical aggression toward a student or teacher; threatening a student or teacher with violence; cutting school; bullying; sexual harassment/misconduct; defacing school property/vandalism

1st Intervention:

Dean’s Referral and removal from class
In-school suspension or Principal’s suspension
Contact guardian

2nd Intervention:

Loss of community activity/event
Parent contact/meeting
Restorative Circle
Restorative Conference
Contact guardian

*All interventions in Tier 3 will include suspension and/or other various consequences.

Guardians will be contacted for each incident.

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AT TSMS

Restorative practices help build community, connection, and skills. They help people resolve conflicts and problem-solve, and repair harm in restorative ways rather than only imposing punishment

Restorative practices are a set of processes and tools that help us create a caring school community and keep that community whole. The premise is that people and relationships are valued first and foremost. When people make mistakes or cause harm, restorative practices can help them to understand the impact of their actions, heal the harm, and restore the community.

There should be no illusions that implementing restorative practices is the “cure” for all behavior issues. However, encouraging empathy can foster compassion and motivate right choices. When we ask our students to put themselves in others’ shoes, possibilities can become reality.

Short-term discipline intends to stop a student’s inappropriate behavior while explaining what is appropriate.

Long-term discipline aims to help students take responsibility for their own behavior and to teach self-discipline.

Key Goals of Restorative Practices:

To understand the harm and develop empathy for both the harmed and the harmer
To listen and respond to the needs of the person harmed and the person who harmed.
To encourage accountability and responsibility through personal reflection within a collaborative planning process.
To reintegrate the harmer (and, if necessary, the harmed) into the community as valuable, contributing members.
To create caring climates to support healthy communities.
To change the system when it contributes to the harm.

Tier I Behavior:

“Not Productive”

Restorative Practice:

Uncooperative and

Noncompliant Behavior

In this tier students are not following school/classroom expectations conducive to learning.

Calling out/talking out of turn/having side conversations
Throwing objects (where no one was hurt)
Attitude/ disrespectful tone
Cursing
Coming late to class without a pass
Refusal to do work or participate
Using phone in school without permission
Extended Bathroom/Hallway trips

What it is: a private, 1:1 conversation between a teacher and student

Purpose: To help a student understand how their individual actions affect both themself and other people at school; to restore a relationship that has been affected by Tier 1 behaviors

Who is involved: student and teacher

Where it takes place: In the hallway or a more private space a classroom, away from other students

When: During class or after class

Facilitator: Teacher

Tier II Behavior:

“Not Kind”

Restorative Practice

Disorderly or Disruptive Behavior

In this tier students exhibit behavior that directly harms others socially- emotionally.

Continued or persistent Tier 1 behaviors
Leaving class without permission
Cutting class
Repeatedly coming to class without a pass
Throwing objects with intention for harm
Mean/unkind behavior or words
Cursing directed at a student or teacher
Rough housing in halls or class

What it is: a private conversation that may include student, teacher(s), and dean

Purpose: To address a more serious or repeated kind of harm; to help a student take accountability for their actions and develop empathy to understand how their actions affect others; to restore a relationship that has been affected by Tier 2 behaviors

Who is involved: student, teacher(s), dean, advisor

Where it takes place: In the dean’s office, empty classroom, guidance office(s)

When: During a Kid Talk Meeting, Parent Engagement, Common Prep

Facilitator: Teacher and/or Dean

Tier III Behavior:

“Not Safe”

Restorative Practice

Aggressive or Injurious/ Harmful Behavior

Seriously Dangerous or Violent Behavior

In this tier students are engaging in behavior that directly targets and harms others. This tier also includes damage to property and the school environment.

Physical aggression toward a student or teacher
Threatening a student or teacher with violence
Cutting school
Use or cigarettes, vapes, and drugs in school
Bullying
Sexual Harassment/misconduct
Defacing school property/Vandalism

What it is: a restorative circle

Purpose: To address aggressive, injurious, seriously dangerous, or violent behavior; to help a student take accountability for their actions and develop empathy to understand how their actions affect others; to restore a relationship that has been affected by Tier 3 behaviors; to support a student in the process of reintegration back into the community

Who is involved: student, teacher(s), advisor, guidance counselor, administrator(s), peer or TSMS adult allies, student parents/caregivers

Where it takes place: empty classroom, in the dean’s office, guidance office(s)

When: During a Kid Talk Meeting, Parent Engagement, Common Prep, before or after school

Facilitator: Dean, Administrator, and/or Guidance Counselor

At each step, TSMS is committed to working to repair community trust and relationships and encouraging student accountability and growth through meetings involving any or all of the following: students, teachers, deans, principal, parents/guardians, and school counselor.

LUNCH DETENTION POLICY

Lunch detention may be given for behavioral disruptions in the classroom or other infractions.

Lunch Detention will be served in a classroom, where students must sit quietly and do silent work or reading, in addition to reflecting on their mistakes and planning for improvement.

Teachers will contact home to ensure parents are kept up to date about student behavior.

HATE LANGUAGE

Students who use language deemed dangerous to the safety and integrity of the school community will be disciplined accordingly. TSMS has a no-tolerance approach to hate language. However, we are committed to the growth of our students and take a restorative approach aimed at educating and rehabilitating.

CYBERBULLYING & INCIDENTS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL

We believe that the TSMS community extends beyond the walls of the school building to include interactions between community members that affect the relationships and sense of safety of students in our school. Consequently, we expect that problems between students outside of school will be reported to TSMS staff. This includes instances of teasing, bullying, and sexual harassment that occur through the internet or via personal communication devices (e.g. cell phones, text and instant messaging). Allegations of such occurrences will be taken seriously. The staff (deans, principal, etc.) commits to investigating reports and holding students accountable.

The deans and school counselors are available to support victims or witnesses of disrespectful, threatening, or unsafe behavior. TSMS is committed to sharing this policy with students and providing forums (i.e. Advisory) for addressing issues of respect, community values, and internet and phone safety.

DISCIPLINE CODE AND CONSEQUENCES

Students who hurt others or damage property will receive consequences in line with the New York City Department of Education's discipline code and Chancellor’s regulations. We may also request a family conference, community service, a behavior contract, and/or counseling.

BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION

If a student shows repeated Tier 1 behaviors, or shows Tier 2 or Tier 3 behaviors, the teacher team may choose to add the student to the Class Dojo Checklist for Success class. Checklist for Success is an intervention to give students more direct feedback in helping manage their behavior. Throughout the day teachers will record how they are doing in class by giving points or taking away points for different behaviors (like “I do my work” or “I ask for help.”) They can get up to 2 points each class each day or lose up to 2 points in each class each day. Students need to have a positive point value to go out to lunch (7th & 8th grades) and Friday recess (6th grade). Students are required to have positive points to attend class trips. After trips (monthly) all of the points will be reset. When a student demonstrates a three month pattern of positive points, they will be removed from the Checklist for Success class.

Academics

Part I) CLASSROOM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Relevant binders/folders, paper, pens/pencils, academic planners, class notebooks, textbooks, independent reading books and completed homework assignments are required everyday.

School books that are assigned or checked out from classroom libraries are the responsibility of the students. There will be a charge for lost books.

ASSESSMENTS

Student work will be assessed in a holistic manner. In addition to the assessments organized by New York City and State, we will utilize the following tools:

Observing student work and conversations
Collecting and evaluating student work in class and from home
Creating a collection of student work within a portfolio
Giving quizzes and tests periodically
Requiring students to evaluate their own work and level of understanding
Evaluating student understanding through projects and simulations

HOMEWORK

We believe that homework helps students to deepen their understanding of skills and concepts introduced in class, build independent learning skills, and prepare them for the rigors of high school. To support middle school students with the monitoring of homework, we require that each student have an academic planner. To this end, we provide planners yearly to all students.

The regulations of the Chancellor mandate the minimum time allotment for daily homework assignments in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade to be 1 hour. Homework will be used to reinforce and extend skills and concepts learned in school and to develop independent study skills. Homework should be done thoroughly, neatly, and carefully. The homework assignments may vary per student depending on her needs and the fluctuations in module deadlines.

All TSMS students are expected to complete and log a minimum of 30 minutes of independent reading outside of school every day.

GRADING

TSMS teachers use an outcomes-based grading system to assess student progress over the course of the modules and year. Outcomes-based assessment is designed to offer a deeper level of insight for students, families, and teachers into the strengths and areas of growth for each student. Students are assessed on a 1-4 scale. Students’ understanding of a particular outcome may fall anywhere in that 1-4 scale. (This scale does NOT correlate to state test score rubrics).

1 – Student does “not yet” understand the outcome

2 – Student is “approaching” an understanding of the outcome

3 – Student “meets” the expectation for the outcome

4 – Student is “exceeding” the expectation for the outcome

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Students are expected to complete all independent work on their own. Participating in the copying of an assignment or plagiarizing (presenting another’s work as your own) will lead to loss of credit on the assignment, possible calls home, and other teacher or dean consequences. When a student is suspected of plagiarism, no matter how large or small, the following procedure will take place:

Teacher, Dean, and student will meet for a conference to discuss academic dishonesty and its severity.
The student will then be expected to discuss this incident with their guardians at home on their own.
Teachers will follow up with the family the following day to ensure the conversation was had at home.
Teachers will then decide on next steps that may include receiving no credit for the assignment, redoing the assignment, doing a make up assignment, or other logical consequences to the behavior.
Should the student plagiarize again, consequences will result in loss of 1 week of OTL/Lunch Detention and a conference with the student, guardians, and teachers.
Should there be subsequent plagiarism, suspensions will be enacted.

Teachers are committed to instructing students on proper ways to paraphrase and cite others’ work.

SUPPORT

ALL students are encouraged to reach out to teachers for support with their learning and work.

CUTTING CLASS

Students are expected to be in their scheduled classes/locations at all times. They must obtain a pass from their classroom teacher to be in any other location. If a student is not in class and cannot be located in other allowed locations (Bathroom, School Counseling Office, Dean’s Office, Nurse, Related Services), they will be deemed “cutting class”. Should a student cut class, they will lose 1 day of OTL. Should a student cut class again, they will lose a week of OTL. If they continue to cut classes, they will receive Dean’s Detentions and/or suspensions. Any time a student is cutting class, guardians will be notified.

Part II) PARENT/ TEACHER COMMUNICATION

We believe family involvement is essential to students’ success in middle school! We look forward to meeting or speaking with parents/guardians to discuss their child’s needs and interests. A student’s advisor and the parent coordinator are families’ primary contacts to express concerns, ask information, or address questions. Our Parent Coordinator, Shirley Lee-Wong, can be reached at 347-563-5303 or at slee@tsmsonline.org. The rest of the teachers and staff are available to meet or email with parents as well.

In order to meet with staff members, parents/guardians should schedule an appointment in advance, by sending a note or email to the teacher, leaving a message with the main office or with Shirley, or messaging via Class Dojo.

There will be four official family conferences a year, one in the early fall, one in late fall and the other two are only in the evening in the fall and spring. Intake interviews or Curriculum Night (depending on grade level) in the first month of the year are an opportunity for advisors/teachers to meet with their students’ parents/guardians in order to gain a fuller perspective of the student and hear about family hopes and concerns. Other conferences will be scheduled as needed.

EMERGENCY HOME CONTACT

We need a complete and accurate emergency card to be filled out and kept in the school office. Please fill it out thoroughly, including any allergies to food or medication, and return it to us as soon as possible. In the event of an emergency where you cannot be reached, please also include additional phone numbers of friends or relatives. The school office and advisors must be advised of any changes.

Should you need to update information like a new address or phone number, please contact Shirley (slee@tsmsonline.org) so we ensure we have the most accurate information on file.

Part III) SCHOOL VISITS, TRIPS, AND SPORTS

You are welcome to visit TSMS. We simply ask that you schedule the day and time in advance. Shirley is a good person to reach out to for scheduling. When visiting the school, parents, guardians, and guests must sign in with a security guard before coming to the school office.

TRIPS

Trips have been an essential part of the TSMS curriculum. TSMS collects a general permission slip allowing students to go on neighborhood walking trips with their class.

A separate signed permission slip is required before a student may go on any class field trips beyond the neighborhood. No student is allowed to leave the school premises with their class if they have not returned the signed form. It is the responsibility of the student to bring home and return permission slips. Permission to go on trips cannot be granted over the telephone for most trips.

The community trips are a privilege that students earn based on attendance, academic effort, and adherence to school rules. The following circumstances may prevent a child being eligible:

Academic - Failing a core subject
Attendance - Poor attendance and lateness at the start of the day or between classes
Behavior - A student who has received repeated detentions or a suspension.

SPORTS GUIDELINES

Academic/Attendance Guidelines for Players

Players who are not meeting academic expectations may be prevented from participating in games/meets until they show improvement. For example, if a player receives 1.5 or below in ANY two subjects, that student may not play in games until the progress report reflects improvement.

Players may not participate in games on any day that they have an unexcused absence from school.

Spectator Guidelines

A limited number of students will be allowed to attend indoor home games (students sign up during lunch on a first come, first served basis) and will be supervised by at least two staff members.

Only positive and respectful cheering will be permitted.
Students may exit the gym only during half time or at the end of the game and must immediately leave the school building at the end of the game.

All policies and procedures have been adapted from the NYC Department of Education Discipline Code. Please refer to this document for additional information and questions.

TSMS COMMUNITY HANDBOOK AGREEMENT

We have read the TSMS Community Handbook and understand the school’s expectations of students and families. We agree to follow all school rules and understand the consequences for non-compliance.

Student Name _____________________________ Signature: _______________________________

Guardian Name: ___________________________ Signature: _______________________________

Date Signed: _____________________________