Tumwater Middle School

 Student Handbook

2023-2024

HOME OF THE FIREWOLVES

Principal

Cathy McNamara 

Assistant Principal

David Parascand

Table of Contents

Para obtener una versión en español de este documento, haga clic en este enlace: (LINK)

This handbook is subject to change based on updated information from the Tumwater School District.

Welcome

Tumwater Middle School Firewolves has a long tradition of retaining excellent teaching staff who are here to support teaching and learning of all students.   On behalf of the Tumwater Middle School staff, we are excited to welcome you to TMS and want you to have a wonderful experience here. For two years running now, our school has been recognized in the Silver and Bronze categories of Best of South Sound.  We are honored to be recognized and know that along with our collective staff at TMS, we share this award with our students and supportive families!  

Our student population continues to grow.  Safety and security are a top priority for us, so you will find that upon entering the office we will assist you by confirming your reason for your visit prior to allowing entrance.  This is just a way for us to ensure safety on our campus for all.

Along the lines of safety, please also help us by reinforcing with your student our “no hood” rule upon entering the building so that we can more easily identify students for safety reasons.  Other ways to ensure your student is prepared, please remind your student to bring their charged chromebook, in its case,  to school each day along with only school essential items.  The following handbook details the most important information needed to support a successful year at Tumwater Middle School. We thank you for the support and partnership and look forward to continuing our work together to ensure a safe and successful learning environment for all students.

The TMS Staff

Contact Information

Tumwater Middle School

6335 Littlerock Rd SW

Tumwater, WA 98512

Main Office: 360-709-7500

Fax: 360-709-7502

Attendance Line: 360-709-7520

Cathy McNamara, Principal: cathy.mcnamara@tumwater.k12.wa.us

David Parascand, Asst. Principal: david.parascand@tumwater.k12.wa.us

TSD Safety Tip Line: 360-709-7998

Website: https://www.tumwater.k12.wa.us/Domain/11

Skyward Family Access: http://eaplus.tumwater.wa-k12.net/

School Hours

• Office Hours:  7:30am to 3:30pm
• Our building opens for students at 7:40am Monday -  Friday.
• School is in session from 8:00am to 2:30pm Monday - Thursday and 8:00 - 1:15 on Friday.

General Policies and Procedures

Visitors

The main office is closed to visitors. If needing assistance, please enter the front foyer and check in at the window, where our office staff will be happy to assist you.

Student Drop Off/Pick Up

To drop off or pick up students, please enter the school from the entrance south of the school, closest to the roundabout near Walmart. Staying to the right, follow the traffic flow and stay to the right as you enter the parking lot.  Use the drop-off/pick-up lane in front of the building. Pull up to the curb, drop off/pick up your student, then immediately pull out into the left lane to leave the premises. Please do not stop for extended periods of time in the drop-off/pick-up area, as it affects traffic flow.  

Food & Drink

Food and drinks should only be consumed in designated areas and at designated times as directed by your teacher.  Water fountains/fill stations are available in Pods.   Students should bring a full water bottle from home. Sinks will be available to refill personal water bottles in some classrooms.

Beginning the School Day

Bus Transportation

Bus Route Information: (LINK)

To ensure a safe ride for all, students are expected to follow expectations while in addition to specific safety directions a driver may provide.  At this time, all students will be expected to:

•  sit in their assigned seat on the bus.
• ride only the bus on their route.  Students are not allowed to ride a bus other than their assigned route. If an alternate route or stop is required families must contact transportation at (360) 709-7700

Personal Transportation

Students who do not ride a school bus should arrive at school no earlier than 7:35am and should be picked up before 3pm.  Our parking lot can become congested at the start and end of school, so please use caution when dropping off and picking up your student.  Instruct your student to use crosswalks and stay alert as they enter the school grounds.  

During the School Day

• Students will remain in their classroom at all times unless given permission to leave by staff.
• When moving through halls and pods, students will go directly to their next class.
• Students will be asked to wash their hands with soap and water multiple times throughout the day and
• Immediately following their last class, students will exit the building.

Breakfast

After entering the building, students can obtain breakfast in the cafeteria. Students will need to clean their area prior to leaving for class.

Lunch

Our Cafeteria & Commons have been configured to ensure the maximum amount of spacing possible for students. Students will proceed to their seat for lunch. Students must remain seated until they are finished eating, have cleaned their area and are dismissed for an outside break.  The library may be available at times for students during the second half of lunch break.  Each grade will have their own lunch time. 

Special Menus - Please notify the kitchen staff of any dietary restrictions or allergies.

Academics

School Schedule 

Learning Management Systems

All teachers utilize a Learning Management System (LMS) such as Google Classroom, SeeSaw, etc. Teachers will train students in the use of their chosen LMS.

Late Work

Students are expected to complete all assignments. Some late work may be accepted, according to classroom, school, and/or District policy.

Retakes & Revisions

Assessments such as tests, essays, and projects may be retaken or revised according to classroom, school, and/or District policy.

If an absence is excused, the student will be permitted to make up all missed assignments, outside of class under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the appropriate teacher. In participation-type classes, a student’s grade may be affected because of the student’s inability to make up the activities conducted during a class period.

Student Life

Cell Phones & Personal Technology

Cell phone use during class time detracts from student learning.  Cell phones, earbuds, headphones, smartwatches hes, etc  are to be off and put away in backpack during school hours (8-2:30) with the exception of students' lunch period.  Students are not allowed to text other students who are in class, take videos of other students without their permission, or use their technology to harass others. Personal electronics such as iPads, gaming devices, and laptops are not permitted at school. Please support us in helping students use their technology in a responsible manner.   If an emergency arises during the school day, students can ask permission from their teacher, or the office/counseling staff for help. We are happy to assist a student in the event they need to contact a parent during the school day and ask that students request to do this in the office or counseling center.  If a student is not feeling well, they need to go to the Wellness Center where we can assist in notifying a parent/guardian.  

If a student demonstrates irresponsible behavior or refuses to put their personal technology away,  the following consequences may apply:

• First offense: Reminder/warning by staff
• Second offense:  phone/device collected and stored in the office until the end of the day, parent contact.
• Third offense: phone/device collected, parent contact, and phone must but picked up in the office by a parent or guardian.
• Subsequent offenses: disciplinary action in accordance with TMS behavior policies and/or cell phone contract.

Personal Property

Students are to assume responsibility for loss or damage to personal property. The school is not responsible for the replacement or repair of personal items. Each student is encouraged to write their name on all personal belongings. Students should not lend personal items to other students.

Classroom Behavior

Students must comply with all classroom behavioral and safety expectations. If a student becomes disruptive to the classroom environment, the teacher may refer the student for additional support.

Safety and Security

Closed Campus

TMS is a closed campus. Students may only leave campus before dismissal when signed out by a parent, guardian, or emergency contact in Skyward. Before school starts and once a student arrives on campus they are not able to leave, without permission, and then return.

Emergency Preparedness

An emergency plan for TMS will be reviewed with students. Drills are scheduled throughout the school year to familiarize students with procedures and expectations. In the event of an emergency, parents will be notified of the specific procedures to be followed in assuring the safety and security of all students. It is important that parents/guardians update Skyward with any/all medical, address, phone number, and emergency contact changes and/or additions.

Technology

Chromebooks

TMS students are issued a Chromebook which is checked out through our library system. Students and families will receive guidelines for technology use at the time of check-out. Students are responsible for following TMS and District technology guidelines regarding the use and maintenance of their device.

Technology Use

Inappropriate or unethical use of school technology and student Chromebooks may result in corrective action, including possible loss of technology privileges. Students are responsible for their school computer accounts and any use or access to their accounts by others. Students are reminded that staff members have the ability and authority to monitor their accounts and electronic activity. Information transmitted from, to, or on the District’s computers and/or Chromebooks is NOT confidential.

Technology Expectations

• Students may only visit school-approved websites.
• Use of any social media sites is not permitted.
• Interfering with another student’s computer, Chromebook, or work is not permitted.
• Changing or modifying technology settings, including default passwords, screen orientation, and language, violates appropriate use expectations.
• Printer use is strictly for school assignments and assessments.
• Accessing or distributing information about or materials promoting violent acts, threats, pornography, or harrassing/threatening/bullying/demeaning acts is prohibited.
• Altering or damaging school technology is prohibited.

Attendance

Policy

Washington State’s attendance law, known as the Becca Bill, requires all children between the ages of 8 and 18 to attend school.

Please review the following links for policy legal information:

• Tumwater Middle School Attendance Policy & Information
• Tumwater School District Attendance Policy
• Current Washington State Attendance Law Chapter 392-401 WAC

Notification

If your student is absent, please email tms.attendance@tumwater.k12.wa.us or call our Attendance Line at 360-709-7520. Be sure to include your name, your student’s name, the date of the absence, and the reason for the absence. Parents/guardians must contact the school within 48 hours upon their student’s return to school to excuse unplanned absences.

Sign In/Sign Out

Students must be signed out by a parent/guardian when leaving early. Only approved persons (parent, guardian, emergency contacts in Skyward) may sign out students. Parents and/or guardians wishing to sign out a student will enter the front foyer and check in at the window with front office staff. Those requesting to sign out a student may be asked to provide proof of identification.

Planned Absences

For a planned absence, please notify Attendance at 360-709-7520 or tms.attendance@tumwater.k12.wa.us and connect with teachers for any work that will be missed.

Registrar and Counseling

Contact the Registrar, Sally Riddle, at 360-709-7503 or sally.riddle@tumwater.k12.wa.us about student withdrawals or updates to family information such as phone numbers, email address, change of address, and additions or deletions to emergency contacts. Parents are also able to update demographic information in Skyward Family Access. 

Counseling - Counselor Request Link

The TMS school counseling program provides all students support for academic growth, career planning, and personal/social development. School counselors utilize multiple formats to provide support, outreach, prevention/intervention services, and guidance curriculum (Naviance) to students. Families and students are encouraged to contact the counseling center to address any areas of academic or personal/social concern.

Confidentiality Statement

Information shared with a school counselor is confidential. The student’s right to privacy is guarded as much as permitted by law, ethics, and district policies. School counselors are obligated to break confidentiality when there is potential harm to the student or others, concern of neglect or abuse, or when a court of law requires testimony or student records. School counselors often consult with other school professionals, but only share information necessary to achieve the goals of the consultation.

Procedure for Changing a Class

If students or parents feel the need for a class change, the following process will occur:

• Parents make an appointment with the school counselor and teacher to discuss concerns regarding their student.
• Strategies are developed and implemented for a determined length of time.
• A second meeting is scheduled to evaluate the success of strategies.
• During the trial period, the student has an opportunity to role play situations with the school counselor.
• Following a good-faith effort to make the situation work, if there are still concerns, a class change will be considered upon administrative approval.

The Tumwater School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age and provides equal access to the Boys Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Coordinator, Wendy Bromley, 360-709-7020, Address: 621 Linwood Ave SW, Tumwater, WA 98512. Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Shawn Batstone, 360-709-7030, shawn.batstone@tumwater.k12.wa.us. Address: 621 Linwood Ave SW, Tumwater, WA 98512. Section 504 Coordinator, Andra Kelley-Batstone, 360-709-7030, 621 Linwood Ave SW, Tumwater, WA 98512, andra.kelleybatstone@tumwater.k12.wa.us.

Student Support Services

The Counselors, Health Room Assistant, Nurse, and School Psychologist are core members of the TMS team that work collaboratively with staff, families, and community organizations to deliver support so that all students have the opportunity to be successful in school and beyond.

Health Room

The Health Room is located in the Main Office and is attended by a Health Assistant during school hours. The School Registered Nurse is available on site or by phone at all times during the school day. The Health Room is currently only available for student injuries and medication disbursement.

Illness Room

Students displaying COVID-19 symptoms, will be will be supervised by trained staff, until a parent or guardian arrives to take them home.

If sent home with potential COVID-19 symptoms, students must follow all  until approved to return to school in accordance with Department of Health and CDC guidelines.

Injury at School

If an injury occurs after a student arrives at school, they are to report the injury to a staff member who will notify the Health Assistant, then send the student to the Health Room.

Medications at School

If your child needs to take medication during school hours, a medication authorization form for each medication must be completed by a licensed healthcare provider, parent, and school nurse before any medication may be administered to the student. No medications, cold remedies, etc. are provided by the school or administered without a completed medication authorization on file with the Health Room.

Student Support Process

The best teaching and learning occur in an environment where students are on task and engaged. To help ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed at TMS, students can expect teachers and staff to:

• Teach clear behavioral expectations that ensure consistency and equitable treatment for all students.
• To hold all students accountable to the expectations set forth.
• View behavioral incidents as an opportunity for student growth and learning.

During the first days of school, time is devoted to discussing and ensuring an understanding of behavioral expectations and school rules, including new health safety protocols. Students should review and discuss school behavioral expectations with their parents/guardians. The involvement of parents/guardians is a crucial factor in the implementation and success of a building-wide Student Support process.

Tumwater Middle School utilizes the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) approach to teaching behavioral expectations to students. The goal of PBIS is to improve the school climate by establishing an environment that is safe, consistent, positive, and conducive to learning. No student has the right to interfere with the education of others.

Restorative Practices

Our goal is to keep students learning in the classroom and allow teachers to continue teaching. Teachers will try a number of strategies before a Student Support Team Member (SSTM) is called to the classroom for assistance. When this occurs, the SSTM will lead the student in a restorative conversation. The restorative questions that will be asked are as follows:

• What happened?
• What were you thinking at the time?
• What have you thought about since?
• Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way?
• What do you think you need to do to make things right?

The purpose of these questions is to help the student reflect on their actions and take accountability for their choices. Students who violate rules and expectations will need to “restore” the relationship that has been damaged. When this step in the process is reached, the parents/guardians will be contacted by the SSTM, and a follow-up report on the student’s behavior will be provided.

Behavior Expectations

Personal Space

• Students are expected to keep their hands, feet, and objects to themselves. Any form of wrestling or play fighting is prohibited.
• Public displays of affection (PDA) are not allowed. Examples of PDA could include, but are not limited to: kissing, hugging, snuggling, and/or holding hands.

School and Personal Property

• All property of another individual, including staff members, should not be touched without express permission from the owner of the item. This would include items in, on, or around the desks, computers, chromebooks, workstations, etc.
• Students are not permitted to sell non-school-related items on campus.

Dress Code

It is expected that students wear clothing that is appropriate for school and school-sponsored activities. It is recommended that students wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers as windows/doors may be open to allow for proper ventilation.

The primary responsibility for ensuring appropriate school dress rests with the parents/guardians. With this in mind, the student and parent/guardian may determine the student’s dress provided they are consistent with the following:

• Dress and appearance must not disrupt or interfere with the educational environment/process.
• Clothing should allow one to move comfortably.
• Hoods are not to be worn on campus. Exceptions may be made for medical or religious reasons or school sponsored events.
• Shoes must be worn at all times.
• Clothing, backpacks, or any accessories with logos, symbols, scenes of or advertisements for tobacco, drugs, alcohol, gangs or other illegal activities, which may include but are not limited to intimidation, harassment, sexual innuendo, vulgarity, inappropriate pictures and/or writing, and obscenities are prohibited.
• Body or face painting (including markers, pens, etc.) is not allowed.
• Sunglasses are to be worn outside the building only.
• Costumes, capes, blankets  etc.  are not permitted, except for designated school events.
• Stuffed animals and other non-related school items are not permitted.

If a student’s appearance is considered disruptive or inappropriate by staff, a private conversation will occur with the student requesting that they change into clothing that complies with school expectations.

Serious Offenses

Students may be referred to Administration for offenses including, but not limited to:

• Fighting or intent to do bodily harm/assault.
• Sexual harassment.
• Use or possession of potentially dangerous objects/weapons (including look-alikes).
• Harassment, intimidation, or bullying/verbal threats.
• Vandalism/false alarms (including fire).
• Use or possession of tobacco products, e-Cigs, “Vapes,” drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol.
• Non-compliance, refusal, or blatant disregard of a reasonable request.
• Profanity directed toward another person.
• Criminal actions.
• Major or ongoing disruption to the learning process or environment.

These offenses constitute misconduct and may result in suspension and/or expulsion from school. They are prohibited at any time: on, in, or adjacent to school premises; in transit to and from school; and at school-sponsored events. They may also constitute a violation of federal, state, or local laws.

Student Rights

All matters relating to student discipline and/or suspension are governed by the rules and regulations contained in the Students Rights and Responsibilities handbook, published by the Tumwater School District. Additional copies of these handbooks are available upon request. As a matter of practice, no individual student’s rights may negatively impact the rights of another student, the student body as a whole, staff, or the safe and effective operation of the educational environment.

Tumwater School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal and provides equal access designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

        Civil Rights Coordinator/Title IX Officer: Assistant Superintendent Shawn Batstone

        shawn.batstone@tumwater.k12.wa.us

        621 Linwood Ave SW, Tumwater, WA 98512

        (360)709-7030

        Section 504 Coordinator: Director Chris Halladay

        621 Linwood Ave SW, Tumwater, WA 98512

        (360)709-7040