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TRIMESTER 1: STUDENT COUNCIL

Your BMS STUDENT COUNCIL is PRESIDENT Hailey Kilian!

Join the Student Council!

Student Council is a group of leaders in the middle school who want to organize and carry out school activities and service projects. The Student Council plans events that contribute to school spirit such as dress up days, hat days, and Activity Nights. Student Council also plans events that contribute to the community of Becker such as cards to the elderly, fundraisers, and a food drive for the food shelf.

Expectations of a Student Council Rep - attend meetings every Tuesday morning at 7:30 AM.....update your advisory on topics when needed...bring kindness and leadership to the group! We are a great team! And we'd like you to join us!

If interested in being your advisory classroom rep, let your advisor know! Class reps should be picked by Friday September 13. Our first group meeting will be Tuesday September 17 at 7:30 AM in Room 404 (right next to the media center). Thanks! Ms Kim

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All students are responsible to know the contents of the BMS Student Handbook. This presentation will provide an overview of policies, procedures and other important information.

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Complete policies can be found on the school website: www.becker.k12.mn.us

Students should review all of these policies listed in the handbook, including: attendance, weapons, bullying, discipline, internet, harassment and controlled substance.

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The 3 R's – Respect, Responsibility, and Relationships- continue to be the foundation of our program designed specifically for the needs of early adolescent learners.

Becker Middle School Beliefs

We believe in the dignity of all people and the value of respect for self, others, and property.

We believe that each individual should take responsibility for him/herself.

We believe that the responsibility for learning is shared by students, school, parents, and community.

We believe in the need for caring relationships to help people reach their full potential.

We believe the curriculum, instruction, and assessment should reflect the uniqueness

of the adolescent learner.

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Academics

•Students participating in extra -curricular activities are guided by the practices and procedures in the Activities handbook. This concerns eligibility, as well as academic expectations.

•Seminar is designed to focus on learning how to learn. This introductory course will provide guidance on improving their executive functioning skills.

•DIG (Discover Inquire Grow)

This year all students will have the opportunity to participate in exploratory courses. DIG will be offered the second half of the first trimester as well as Trimester 2 and Trimester 3.

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GRADING

Course grades will be calculated based on a combination of both formative assessment (for learning) and summative assessment (of learning).

Summative Assessment: (70%) Work conducted when a student has had adequate instruction and practice to be responsible for the material. Summative assessments provide students the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned (i.e. final drafts, tests, exams, assignments, projects, performances). Summative Assessment will account for approximately 70% of the trimester/course grade.

Formative Assessment:(30%) Work conducted when a student is still learning the material. (i.e.teacher observation, quizzes, homework, rough drafts, peer

editing, and/or notebook checks). Once the Summative for the concept has

been completed, Formatives can no longer be turned in for credit.

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Summative Grades

Summative assessment scores less than 50% will be adjusted to 50% in Skyward, with the earned score noted as a comment.

Effort must be taken to hold students accountable for completing their work. Summative assessments will need to be completed for a score before a final course grade will be assigned. Whenever possible, formative assessments should be completed before the summative assessment is completed.

A zero will only be used in the last resort if the student chooses to make no effort to complete an assessment or assignment. A comment may be provided in Skyward related to why a zero was given.

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Re-Learning

Students will be offered opportunities for relearning and reassessment when they have not demonstrated proficiency of specific learning targets.

•Students should complete/ a relearning exercise prior to reassessment.

•All work from a learning unit must be completed prior to reassessment.

•Relearning should be completed no more than 2 weeks after the original

•Not all assessments are eligible to be redone or retaken.

“Extra credit” should not be used in lieu of required learning.

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Grading Terms

Google Classroom

Google classroom is our learning management system for Becker Middle School. Staff may grade within Google Classroom, communicate with students, and provide feedback throughout the school year.

Learning Targets

Identified standard based skills that students will be focused on for a specific lesson or specified learning time.

Proficient/Proficiency

Proficiency is demonstrating competency or understanding of particular skills or learning targets. The student is capable of applying the learning target of skills to specific content, problem, or a process in order to prove their understanding.

Rubric

A rubric is a document that communicates expectations of quality regarding a performance or product. Rubrics allow students to understand what is expected of them for an assessment, and they assist teachers in evaluating student performance using leveled criteria. Rubrics support accurate, fair assessment that can be shared by a team of teachers.

Standards

Standards are concise, written descriptions of what students are expected to know and be able to do at a specific stage of their education. Learning standards describe educational objectives and often come from the state or national level.

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Academic Integrity

Academic integrity refers to honesty and ethical behavior in producing and representing your work in a school setting. Academic dishonesty is a failure to display this type of ethical behavior in your academic conduct.

All work submitted for credit in any class is expected to be produced by and be the original work of the student submitting it. While there are different types of academic dishonesty, the two main concerns in the classroom are cheating and plagiarism.

Cheating includes a variety of behaviors including the following:

Copying the work of another student •Allow one’s work to be copied by another student
Use of unauthorized materials on a test or project
Claiming credit on a group project for contributions that were non-existent or below requirements
Falsifying or forging any academic document

*Artificial Intelligence: Utilizing artificial intelligence to complete assignments is

considered cheating when the instructor indicates it should be the student’s original work.

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Plagiarism

Plagiarism is passing off the work of another, often without their knowledge or consent as your own.

Failure to list sources used
Failure to indicate that material in a paper came from one of the sources
Using the wording of the original source too closely when paraphrasing
Using the ideas of another without proper citation
Changing some of the author’s words by retaining his/her ideas and/or sentence structure without citing

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SCHOOL ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

Arrival Procedures

Classes begin daily at 8:10 am. Students are not allowed in the building before 7:30 am.
Students in the building prior to 7:55 am must report to the middle school commons
Students are required to be in class by the beginning of the 8:08 announcements.

Dismissal Procedures

Final dismissal for the day is at 3:00 pm. All students not under the supervision of an adult in a school-sponsored activity are expected to leave the school grounds by 3:10 pm.
In the event of an early dismissal, students should leave the school campus within 15 minutes following dismissal.

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PERSONAL DEVICE EXPECTATIONS

Students are allowed to bring personal devices such as cell phones, smart watches, and earbuds to school. However to minimize distractions, encourage student ”Face-to-Face” interactions, prevent inappropriate behavior, and promote personal responsibility:

ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP THEIR PHONES IN THEIR LOCKERS AT ALL TIMES.

Students are allowed to check phones for a limited amount of time during passing time, before school, and with staff permission.
In order for students to be fully engaged and attentive during the school day, students are only allowed to use earbuds for school related activities as directed by staff members.
Students who have Smartwatches are responsible to set their device on “silent mode” or “do not disturb mode” during the school day.
Students who have a medical condition supported by a physician's directive will be allowed to have their personal device on their person once arranged with the office.

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Lockers

Each student is assigned a school-owned locker, which may be inspected by staff if necessary. School bags and personal cell phones must be kept in lockers, which should not be written on or lined with stickers.

Only use your assigned locker and school-issued locks.

Spray bottles and similar items can only be used in the locker room, and no open food or beverages are allowed in lockers.

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FIELDHOUSE & FREEPLAY EXPECTATIONS

Students who present problems during free-play, including demonstrating unsafe behavior will be referred to an Administrator or Guidance Counselor. Field house privileges may be revoked for a period of time determined by an Administrator, Supervisor, and/or Guidance Counselor.
No gum, candy, food or beverages are allowed in the field house.
Students must stay in the field house until dismissed by a staff supervisor.
Tackle football is not allowed, only one-handed tag.
Students should stay away from the curtains; especially when they are being raised or lowered.
Students are expected to stay off any PE equipment that is not set up for free-play.
Equipment should be returned to the proper location at the end of free play.
Skateboarding is not allowed in the school building or

field house at any time.

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Posters

Posters for school-related and for non school-related activities require administration approval. All posters must be removed immediately after the publicized event is over and should not be placed on display cases.

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STUDENT TRANSPORTATION

Riding the bus is a privilege not a right. Since School Board policy views the school bus as an extension of the classroom, all rules and regulations found in the Rules of Conduct will apply to student conduct while on the bus.

STUDENT USE OF TRANSPORTATION ITEMS

Students who bike, rollerblade, or skateboard to school need to keep items in areas designated by administration. These items are not allowed inside the middle school and/or field house unless part of the curriculum or a school sponsored event.

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Student Dress & Appearance

We encourage students to exercise good judgment so as to establish a productive school climate.

Jackets/coats or backpacks (book bags) are not to be worn or carried during school hours.

Small bags/shoulder bags/purses are not to be worn or carried during school hours unless a medical need is warranted or has been approved by building administration.

Hats/headgear/masks are to be removed and hoods down during school hours

Sunglasses, bandanas cannot be worn during the school day unless designated by a Spirit Week.

Clothing or objects displaying alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs will not be allowed

Shoes/footwear must be worn at all times

Certain classes (i.e. technology education, physical education, science, FACS) may require specific dress expectations

Clothing where the buttocks or excessive torso is exposed are not allowed

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Student Dress & Appearance

Sleeveless shirts must have straps at least 2 inches wide, spaghetti straps are not allowed.

Clothing where undergarments are exposed are not allowed. Pants are to be worn at the waist. Clothing where the entire thigh is exposed such as micro minis or short shorts are not allowed.

Pajamas, capes, costumes, flags, blankets are not to be worn.

Objectionable emblems, badges, symbols, signs, words, objects or pictures on clothing or jewelry communicating a message that is racist, sexist, or otherwise derogatory to a protected minority group, evidences gang membership or affiliation, or approves, advances, or provokes any form of religious, racial, or sexual harassment and/or violence against other individuals as defined in Becker School District Policy 413 is not allowed. This includes representations of confederate flags, swastikas, KKK signs and similar symbols, and applies to school property or school sponsored events on or off of school property including the parking lot and the school buses.

Students who do not comply with our dress code will be asked to change into clothing that meets the school’s guidelines or he/she may be asked to go home for the day.

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BULLYING POLICY

“Bullying” means any written or verbal expression, physical act or gesture, or pattern thereof, by a student that is intended to cause or is perceived as causing distress to one or more students and which substantially interferes with another student’s or other students’ educational benefits, opportunities, or performance.

HARASSMENT

Everyone at District 726 has a right to feel respected and safe. Consequently, we want you to know about our policy to prevent religious, racial or sexual harassment and violence of any kind.
A harasser may be a student or an adult. Harassment may include the following when related to religion, race, sex or gender:
Name calling, jokes, or rumors; •Pulling on clothing;
Graffiti; •Notes or cartoons;
Unwelcome touching of a person or clothing;
Offensive or graphic posters, book covers, signs, etc.
Any words or actions that make you feel uncomfortable, embarrass you,

and/or intend to hurt your feelings or make you feel badly at school.

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Student Behavior

HAZING

“Hazing,” means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a substantial risk of harm to a person, in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization, or for any other purpose. Hazing is prohibited. The school district will investigate all complaints and will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district who is found to have violated the policy.

WEAPONS POLICY

No individual; students, adults and visitors, shall possess, use or distribute a weapon when in a school location except as provided in this policy. The school district will act to enforce this policy and to discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, school employee, volunteer, or member of the public who violates this policy.

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Use of Personal Digital Devices at School & School Activities

Students’ use of mobile/electronic devices while in the school building must comply with the district’s Acceptable Use Policy regardless of whether they are connecting through the school’s network or through a cell carrier.
Students are not allowed to photograph or videotape students or staff at school without their consent with the exception of public events such as concerts or athletic contests.
Any inappropriate use of cell phones that disrupts, distracts, or detracts from the learning environment may result in disciplinary action. (District Policy 526 & 413).

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School Safety and Security

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.

FIRE DRILLS are a necessary part of our middle school safety plan. When fire drills are held, everyone is to leave the building as quickly as possible when the alarm is sounded.

LOCKDOWN DRILLS - ALiCE procedure is used in the Becker School District. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) provides preparation and a plan for individuals and organizations on how to more

proactively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder

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Physical Education & Media

PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLOTHING EXPECTATIONS

Students are required to change clothes for PE class. Students will have the option of either purchasing the uniforms (T-shirt and shorts) or purchasing their own with specific requirements.
School appropriate T-shirt (gray, blue, white) and dark mesh shorts, gym shoes, and gym socks are required. Students are expected to wear gym shoes that are laced tightly for safety measures.
Additional PE Curriculum notifications will be posted throughout the school year.

•Our Media Center boasts a vast collection of 18,000+ books, including fiction and nonfiction. While quiet conversation is allowed, the library is primarily for focused work and reading, not socializing. Students must return or renew materials on time to avoid limitations on borrowing. The library is open from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm on most school days, and passes are required during class time. Students are expected to follow the 3 R’s and the Media Center Matrix while being in the media center, before, during and after school.

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SCHOOL COUNSELORS

The purpose of the school counselors is to help each student in his/her social, emotional, academic, and personal development. The counselor’s first priority is to assist students. The counselor may be of assistance to the students in the following areas

Recognizing materials and methods to improve study habits
Planning schedules and school programs
Offering aid in personal problems in school
Chemical Dependency Referrals

TARGETED SERVICES

Teachers may refer students to attend S.O.A.R. Program, an after school academic support program. The primary objectives of the program are to promote skill development in one or more of the following areas: Socialization, Organization, Academics, and Responsibility. New sessions begin after each trimester and students may participate in any or all of the sessions. Students and parents/guardians are responsible for transportation.

Contact the middle school office for additional information.

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Reminders!

The preceding presentation covered some of the highlights and important information in the BMS student handbook, but students are responsible for all the contents in the document.

Please also remember that complete policies can be found on the school district website: becker.k12.mn.us

Are there any questions?

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