Handbook

The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct is to provide students, parents, and staff with a clear outline of students’ rights and behavioral expectations. These expectations are designed to help all stakeholders be successful at Madison #1 Middle School. To review the Student Code of Conduct in its entirety, visit Madison School District Student & Parent Handbook. Once school starts, parents and students will be required to sign that they have read the Student Code of Conduct in its entirety.

In this Student Planner, we have provided a brief synopsis of some of the key elements of the Student Code of Conduct so you will have them at your fingertips on a daily basis.

GRADING SYSTEM:

The following describes our criteria for scholastic marks:

• A = 90% - 100% Superior – special recognition
• B = 80% - 89% Above average – working above the regular requirements
• C = 70% - 79% Average – meeting the regular requirements
• D = 60% - 69% Below average – working below regular requirements
• F = 59% & below Failing - minimum requirements not being met

Parents/Guardians can check their child’s grades through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Grades are updated on a weekly basis by the teaching staff. If you have questions about your child’s grades, contact the teacher directly to set up a parent/teacher conference.

SCHEDULE CHANGES:

Schedule changes are handled through the front office and must have the approval of the
administration in order for a change to take place. The following are reasons a student’s schedule might be changed:

1. Student has already had the class, usually an Encore Class.
2. Student is in the wrong level for the class - not meeting the requirements of a specific class. 
3. Student needs to be moved to balance the classroom. (4.) Student is selected to work as an office aide during the Encore period.

The school administration will not change a student’s schedule because a student wants a different teacher or to be in classes with his/her friends. Schedules were built upon providing an environment that gives the children the best place to be successful.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES:

Parent Conferences are held at least 2 times a year. If you feel a conference is needed, at any other time please contact your child’s teacher to set one up. A parent conference can be requested by either the parent/guardian or the teacher.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a schoolwide approach to make schools safe and promote positive behavior. PBIS was established to address the behavioral and discipline systems needed for successful learning and social development of students. The school-wide system includes proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments. A system of acknowledgements will help motivate students to try their best and to encourage others as well. One important piece of PBIS is to create a set of 3-5 school rules that are well known to all affiliated with our school. The PBIS team created an acronym, CATS, to help disseminate those rules.

C A T S

• Character
• Accountability
• Trustworthiness
• Safety

RULER

RULER is a school wide approach to teach and practice the skills of emotional intelligence. RULER is an acronym for the five key skills of emotional intelligence.

• R-Recognizing emotions
• U-Understanding emotions
• L- Labeling emotions
• E-Expressing emotions
• R-Regulating emotions

Philosophy:

At Madison #1 Middle School, regular attendance in all classes is expected. School attendance is ultimately the responsibility of the student and his/her family. Students should be absent from school only when absolutely necessary, as much of the classroom activities cannot be made up; the benefit of lectures, discussion and participation is lost forever to those who are absent. It is the responsibility of school personnel to keep the parents informed of actions that might have a detrimental effect upon the educational growth of the student. Regular attendance is the key to much of the success a student may gain from his/her educational program. Thus, lack of attendance may affect grades and possibly cause a student to fail a class. Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of the school days.

Reporting Absences:

Please use the attendance line as soon as you know your child will be absent from school. An absence can only be excused within 48 hours of the occurrence. The attendance number is 602-664-7121. This number is available 24 hours a day and 7 days per week.

Tardies:

When your child is late to school they must be accompanied by a parent/guardian in order for the tardy to be excused.

Early Pick Up:

We cannot sign your student out after 3:20pm. Parent/Guardian must have I.D. to sign out student.

Our school offers a wide range of opportunities for students to participate on athletic teams. All sports teams offer competition for 5th – 8th grade levels. In order for a student to take part in our athletic programs, he/she must be academically eligible. This means he/she must have a passing grade in every class (D or higher in all classes). The eligibility will start on the first day of the week: Monday to Monday. Students who are on a team must demonstrate appropriate behaviors. Negative behaviors could be grounds for a student being removed from a team. In order to be issued a uniform, the athletic fee must be paid. The fee is $100.00 per sport.

Students attending the games must be accompanied by an adult. A student will not be admitted to the game without a valid student ID card. In order for students to participate in any game or practice they must be in attendance for 50% of the school day. The Athletic Director is the person in charge of the sports programs.

ID Cards:

Students are required to wear a school identification card issued by the administration and to give this card to any school employee upon request. Students must wear their ID card in clear sight at all times during the school day. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain this card. In the event the card is lost or stolen, the student will be responsible for purchasing a new card in the library for $3.00.

Dances:

Dances are provided for students so they may meet and participate in a social activity. In order to provide the proper environment for this type of activity, the following regulations will be enforced at all dances:

1. Appropriate dress and student ID is required by all those attending.
2. Dances are for Madison #1 Middle School students only.
3. Once a student is admitted to the dance, they must stay. If a student needs to leave the dance early, the parent/guardian will need to come to the door and pick them up. No one will be readmitted after leaving the dance.
4. A signed permission slip is required for admittance to a dance.
5. Students attending the dance must be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of the dance. Any student not picked up within this time frame will lose their next dance privilege.

Student Government:

Student Government Officers are expected to follow all school rules and regulations. Violations of
the Student Code of Conduct by a leadership student will result in discipline from the school administration and may result in removal from office.

Groups and Activities:

Any club planning an activity must have the approval from the school administration before an
event can take place. The following are a sample of clubs currently being offered at #1:

1. National Junior Art Honor Society (NJAHS): Students are involved in art activities in and around school.
2. Cheerleading: Students perform at games and competitions.
3. Environmental Club: Students work with environmental issues on our campus and in our community.
4. Theatre Club: This group promotes the fine arts department at our school.
5. National Junior Honor Society (NJHS): Honors students that promote service projects in our community.
6. Yearbook: Students develop a yearbook for our school.

Rules and Expectations:

The district school discipline policies and potential consequences can be found located with the District Handbook

Confiscated Items:

All inappropriate items confiscated from students will be held and, if requested, returned only to parents/guardians. The school staff will not be responsible for any lost or damaged confiscated items.

Dress Code:

Student dress and grooming are generally a matter of personal choice. However, we recognize there is a relationship between student dress and student success, school pride, the safety and general welfare of students and staff, and the accomplishments of the curriculum goals and educational objectives. Students who violate the dress code will be asked to go to the Health Office to change into dress code compliant clothing. The parent/guardian may be contacted by administration. Students may not call
for clothing when they violate the dress code. Be sure to dress for success!

1. Students’ attire and appearance should not detract from or disrupt the educational environment.
2.  Clothing shall cover undergarments at all times and shall not expose cleavage, abdomen, private area, or buttocks.
3. Dress or accessories that advocate alcohol, drugs, obscenity, sex, or tobacco are prohibited. Dress or accessories that indicate or imply membership or affiliation with gangs/negative affiliations that initiate, advocate, or promote activities that threaten the safety or well-being of persons or property on school grounds or disrupt the school environment are prohibited. Dress or accessories that display speech or language that is offensive or inappropriate to the limited forum of the public school environment are prohibited (See Madison Elementary School District policies and regulations KFA, JICA, JICA-R, JICF, JICF-R). Dress or accessories that display these or are deemed to advocate or encourage any of these are counterproductive to Madison’s curriculum goals and educational objectives.
4. Shoes should be worn at all times. They should ensure that students are able to walk to class safely and participate in all classes. Students should also be able to walk up and down the stairs safely.

These rules, as well as all rules in this handbook, are subject to the discretion of school administration and take into account any religious or medical exemptions.

Display of Affection:

Kissing, sexual touching, or other displays of affection are in violation of the student Discipline matrix.

Drop Off and Pick Up:

For the safety of our students, please drop off your child next to the curb located closest to the campus. If you feel the need to park your car in a designated spot, please do not let your child cross through the parking lot unescorted. If we all use patience as we are picking up or dropping off the students, the parking lot will be a safer place for everyone. Stay in the drop-off or pick-up lane: The parking lot to the south of campus is for parking only. Do not drop off or pick up your child in the south parking lot. Students may not arrive on campus before 8:05 AM, and must leave campus immediately
after dismissal unless participating in a pre-planned sport/activity. MAC (paid before/after-school care) is available if you need to drop off early or pick-up late; registration required.

Electronic Devices:

Student cell phones must be turned off and in the student’s backpack during the school day - no cell phones may be used from bell to bell. With approval of the teacher, students may use personal approved devices (not cell phones) for educational purposes. Examples of approved devices include iPads, Kindles, and other tablets with internet browsing capabilities. Educational purposes include, but are not limited to, classroom activities, communication with experts in connection to a class project, collaboration with classmates in class and at home with Google Drive, or research for class projects. As with other personally owned items, the school and district are not liable for the loss, damage, misuse, or theft of personally owned devices brought to school.

Fundraisers:

Students may not sell any items at school unless approved by the Student Government and the school administration.

Gambling:

Gambling or games of chance are not allowed on school grounds or any school functions.

Gangs and Hate Groups:

Gangs, secret societies, hate groups and similar organizations or groups which advocate hatred, discrimination or intimidation are not allowed on campus.

Gum:

Chewing gum is not allowed on campus.

Hall Passes:

Students must have a pass when traveling on campus outside of the transition time built in between classes.

In Case of Emergency:

At the time of registration and at the beginning of each school year, the parent/guardian is required to furnish the school with at least one telephone number where the parent/guardian can be contacted during the school day. If a child becomes sick or injured during the school day, the school nurse will evaluate the student and may need additional information and assistance. If there is a change in telephone number, place of employment, or address, notify the school office at (602) 664-7100 or the school nurse at (602) 664-7120. Parents/guardians must make arrangements to have a parent, relative, or friend available at all times and on the Emergency Contact to pick up a child who is ill.

Reasons to Keep Your Child Home from School:

Any student with a temperature of 100 degrees or more may not attend school. If a student is sent home from school with a fever, he/she may not return to school until they are fever free for 24 hours. State law requires that students be excluded from school if they are suspected of having a communicable disease.

DO NOT send your child to school if your child:

• has a fever of 100 degrees or higher.
• complains of a severe headache.
• vomits or has diarrhea during the evening, night, or morning
• has yellow or green nasal discharge.
• has red or inflamed eyes, or pink eye.
• has any skin rash, unless it has been diagnosed by a physician as non-infectious.
• has head lice.

Medication Policies:

In order for the nurse to administer medications during the school day, parents must complete the “Parents Consent for Giving Medication at School” for prescription medications or the “Parents Consent for Giving Non-Prescription (Over the Counter) Medication at School” for non-prescription medications.

In order for students to carry emergency medications with them at school, parents must complete the “Self-Administered Medication” form. A signed physician’s statement indicating the necessity must accompany any request for self-administration or medicine, whether it is prescribed or over the counter. The exception is for students who have been diagnosed with anaphylaxis or breathing disorders, allowing them to carry and self-administer emergency medications. You and your child must adhere to
the “Self-Administered Medication” form.

Immunizations:

Students must be current on all of their immunizations or have a valid immunization exemption form filed in the Health Office in order to attend school. In the event that the nurse sends an immunization notice home with the student or contacts the parents regarding immunizations, the specified compliance date must be met. Per Arizona state law, students who do not have up-to-date immunizations or a valid exemption will not be permitted to attend school until there is documentation.

Chronic Conditions:

Please alert the nurse of any chronic conditions your student may have such as asthma, diabetes, anaphylaxis, or seizure disorders. It may be necessary to have paperwork completed by a health care practitioner in order to develop a plan of care for the school setting. The nurse is available by phone or email, or a meeting may be arranged.

Pass Policy:

Except in the event of an emergency, students must have a pass in order to come to the Health Office. Students are not permitted to come to the Health Office between classes. If a student is coming from lunch or recess, the duty personnel will notify the nurse using the radio.

Hearing and Vision Screening:

School Hearing screenings are required by law in Arizona. Madison 1 conducts hearing and vision on students in the Fall and will notify parents if they need a referral to a specialist. Please notify the school nurse in writing if you would like to opt out of hearing and vision screening.

We use the Student Discipline Matrix located in the Madison District Student/Parent Handbook.

Students must have a current student ID to check out books. Students need to pay for any lost books before another book may be checked out. Student will receive a refund if the lost book is found.

Students should be aware that there are surveillance cameras throughout the interior and exterior of our school. The cameras operate 24-hours a day. No camera is placed in a position that compromises student privacy, such as the locker rooms or in the restrooms. Entry and exits to restrooms will be monitored.

Any behavior that threatens harm to another will be viewed as a serious offense. Police intervention will be utilized as needed when a threat occurs. Student may be removed from a specific classroom setting based on facts of the threat.

Please visit Bus Routes to look up your child’s bus route if they will be riding the bus to or from school. If you need assistance please call the bus information hotline at 602-664-7701.

1. Parent Update - School announcements and activities will be emailed weekly to parents/guardians. Be sure to update your parent/guardian email address(es) in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
2. Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) – Your Parent Teacher Organization is made up of parents and teachers at Madison #1 Middle School. Please check the monthly calendar for dates and times.
3. Site Council Team – A Wildcats Site Council Team will be established in the Fall. The purpose of the Site Council is to ensure that individuals who are affected by the outcome of a decision at the school site share in the decision making process.

In order to protect instructional time, teachers discourage classroom interruptions. Forgotten items such as lunches, lunch money, PE clothes, homework, band instruments, etc. may be dropped off at the front office and we will see that the student receives his/her item as soon as possible. Balloons, flowers, candy and other gifts should not be delivered or brought to school. If these items are delivered or brought to school, they will be kept in the office until the end of the day. The Madison #1 Staff will not take responsibility for these types of items delivered or brought to school by parents/guardians or other students. 3rd party food deliveries for students (ordered by parents or students) are not permitted. Food deliveries for students will not be accepted at the front office.

Breakfast and lunch are offered to students daily. Students may purchase breakfast or lunch for a set price or bring their lunch from home. Students need their ID to purchase a meal. Checks and/or cash may be deposited before school to the student’s lunch account. Parents/guardians may also put money on their student’s account by going online to https://linqconnect.com/main please have school name, grade, birthdate, ID number ready.

BREAKFAST MENU:

Breakfast choices include a daily entrée; cereal; fat free white or chocolate milk; 100% juice; and fruit.

TIME: Breakfast is served daily before school begins. Students eating breakfast at school must go directly to the cafeteria when they arrive on campus. Students must eat in the cafeteria and then walk to their assigned classroom.

LUNCH MENU:

Lunch includes a choice of 3 daily entrees, fresh fruits and vegetables, fat free white, chocolate or strawberry milk. Please review the current food allergy policy online. Also, please inform your school nurse of your student’s food allergies, and if they change at any time throughout the school year.

You can view the monthly menus as well as a list of current meal pricing by visiting the District website.

FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH:

Application for free or reduced priced meals is available in the school office, the cafeteria or you can also complete one online at www.linqconnect.com

Fees for the current school year are as follows:

• Student Activity Fee: $50 per student
• Planner Replacement: $5
• Club: $25 per club Lost
• Damaged Books: Cost to replace book
• Athletic Fee: $100 per sport
• ID Replacement: $3
• PE Shirt: $15
• District Transportation ID: $3

Lockers will be assigned for PE, Dance, Tap and Band students. Lockers are the property of Madison #1 school and can be inspected by school officials during the school year. Any items left in the lockers after the last day of school will be donated.

The lost and found is located in the Front Office. Unclaimed items will be donated before each school break (fall, winter, spring, summer). If the lost & found is overflowing, parents & students will be notified of additional donations that will be made of unclaimed items, as needed. It is recommended that students do not bring valuables of any type to school.

In order to protect our school and property from vandalism, Sharpie/permanent/paint markers of any kind may not be brought to school by students. Student planners must be treated as a textbook. Graffiti is not allowed at school. Students are not to write on self or others.

Students may use the phone in the classroom during the day with the teacher’s permission to contact their parents/guardians, as needed. Classes will not be interrupted to give messages to students unless it is an emergency. Students may use the phone at the end of the day in the office. Please make sure arrangements are made in advance so students are not using the phone to find out how they are to get home that day. Students must not be using their cell phones to contact parents during the school day. As we direct students to keep their phones turned off and put away during the day, parents must not attempt to communicate with their students via cell phones during the school day. Contact the front office at 602-664-7110 if you need to get a message to your student.

No person may enter onto school premises, including visits or audits to a classroom or other school activity, without approval by the principal. Neither will any person be allowed to conduct or attempt to conduct any activity on school premises that has not had prior approval by the principal. Any on-campus visitors must sign in at the front office & receive a visitor’s badge/sticker.

A visitor is an individual who attends a school on occasion and for small increments of time. A visitor typically visits a school to meet with staff, pick up students during the school day or perform temporary, contractual and/or substitute service. Examples of a visitor include, but are not limited to, a District employee from another location, substitute and temporary employees, third-party contracted personnel, parents picking up students or meeting with a teacher, persons providing service and repair to facilities, vendors, and community members meeting with school personnel.

All visitors and volunteers must sign in at the school office and get a visitor’s badge at the beginning of any visit, no matter how brief. Children who are not enrolled at the school are not permitted on school grounds during the school day.

Parents/Guardians who wish to eat lunch with their student may fill out the Lunch Notification Form:
https://forms.gle/Z1Qde4ayZUao9Z6J9 & it should be submitted no more than one week in advance. The custodial parent or legal guardian must notify the school office by 9:00 AM on the day they, or any visitor on the student's check out list, is planning to attend lunch.

There are a number of dates throughout the school year when lunch visitors are not allowed. Please plan your lunch visits on days other than those listed below:

• Early Release Days
• Half Days
• October 23-25 (Parent Conference Days)
• January 29-30 (Parent Conference Days)
• Mar 24-April 17: State Testing
• May 9: Last day for lunch visitors

Students may present a complaint or grievance regarding one (1) or more of the following:

• Violation of the student's constitutional rights.
• Denial of an equal opportunity to participate in any program or activity for which the student qualifies not related to the student's individual capabilities.
• Discriminatory treatment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
• Concern for the student's personal safety.

Complaints and grievances related to allegations of student violence, harassment, intimidation or bullying are to be filed in accordance with Board Policy JICK. Provided that:

• The topic is not the subject of disciplinary or other proceedings under other policies and regulations of this District, and
• The procedure shall not apply to any matter for which the method of review is prescribed by law, or the Governing Board is without authority to act.

The guidelines to be followed are:

• The accusation must be made within thirty (30) calendar days of the time the student knew or should have known that there were grounds for the complaint/grievance.
• The complaint/grievance shall be made only to a school administrator or a school staff member.
• The person receiving the complaint will gather information for the complaint form.
• All allegations shall be reported on forms with the necessary particulars as determined by the Superintendent. Forms are available in the school office.
• The person receiving the complaint shall preserve the confidentiality of the subject, disclosing it only to the appropriate school administrator or next higher administrative supervisor or as otherwise required by law.

Any question concerning whether the complaint/ or grievance falls within this policy shall be determined by the Superintendent. A student or the student's parent or guardian may initiate the complaint process by completing Exhibit JII-EA. A complaint/ or grievance may be withdrawn at any time. Once withdrawn, the process cannot be reopened if the resubmission is longer than thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the occurrence of the alleged incident. False or unproven complaint documentation shall not be maintained. Retaliatory or intimidating acts against any student who has made a complaint under the District policy and its corresponding regulations, or against a student who has testified, assisted or participated in any manner in an investigation relating to a complaint or grievance, are specifically prohibited and constitute grounds for a separate complaint. Knowingly submitting a false report under this policy shall subject the student to discipline up to and including suspension or expulsion. Where disciplinary action is necessary pursuant to any part of this policy, relevant District policies shall be followed. When District officials have a reasonable belief or an investigation reveals that a reported incident may constitute an unlawful act, law enforcement authorities will be informed.

MADISON SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY JICK-EB

The Governing Board of the Madison School District believes it is the right of every student to be educated in a positive, safe, caring, and respectful learning environment. The Governing Board further believes a school environment that is inclusive of these traits maximizes student achievement, fosters student personal growth, and helps a student build a sense of community that promotes positive
participation as citizens in society.

To assist in achieving a school environment based on the beliefs of the Governing Board, bullying, harassment, or intimidation in any form will not be tolerated.

Definitions

Bullying is any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, who are not siblings or current dating partners, that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance, and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated;
Bullying inflicts harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm. (CDC)

Types of Bullying (Arizona Department of Education):

• Verbal Bullying: saying or writing things that could be mean or hurtful. Things like: name-calling, threats, taunting, teasing, and inappropriate sexual comments.
• Social Bullying: Involves hurting someone's reputation or relationships. Making someone feel like they don’t belong to a group. Some examples: leaving someone out on purpose, spreading rumors, embarrassing someone in public, or preventing someone from being friends with someone else.
• Physical Bullying: Involves hurting a person’s body or things that belong to them. Physical bullying includes: hitting, kicking, punching, spitting, pinching, pushing, damaging someone’s belongings, or making rude gestures.
• Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
• Harassment: Harass means conduct that is directed at a specific person and that would cause a reasonable person to be seriously alarmed, annoyed, humiliated or mentally distressed and the conduct in fact seriously alarms, annoys, humiliates or mentally distresses the person (A.R.S 13-2921). Harassment may be related, but not limited to, race, religious orientation, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, cultural background, economic status, size, or personal appearance. Harassing behaviors can be direct or indirect and by use of social media.
• Intimidation: A person commits intimidation if the person intimidates by word or conduct:
  1. To cause physical injury to another person or serious damage to the property of another; or
  2. To cause, or in reckless disregard to causing, serious public inconvenience including, but not limited to, evacuation of a building, place of assembly or transportation facility, or
  3. To cause physical injury to another person or damage to the property of another in order to promote, further or assist in the interests of or to cause, induce or solicit another person to participate in a criminal street gang, a criminal syndicate or a racketeering enterprise.

Students are prohibited from bullying, harassment, or intimidation on school grounds, school property, school buses, at school bus stops, at school-sponsored events and activities, and through the use of electronic technology or electronic communication equipment on school computers, networks, forums, or mailing lists.

Students who believe they are experiencing being bullied, harassed, or intimidated or suspect another student is bullied, harassed, or intimidated should report their concern to any staff member of the School District. School personnel are to maintain appropriate confidentiality of the reported information.

Reprisal by any student directed toward a student or employee related to the reporting of a case or a suspected case of bullying, harassment, or intimidation shall not be tolerated, and the individual(s) will be subject to the disciplines set out in applicable District policies and administrative regulations.

Students found to be bullying, harassing, or intimidating others will be disciplined.

Knowingly submitting a false report under Policy JICK or this exhibit shall subject the student to discipline up to and including suspension or expulsion. Where disciplinary action is necessary pursuant to any part of Policy JICK or this exhibit, relevant District policies shall be followed. Law enforcement authorities shall be notified any time District officials have a reasonable belief that an incidence of bullying, harassment, or intimidation is a violation of the law.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015, replaced the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was implemented in 2002 to improve educational opportunities for all children. Many parts of the law, including professional development for teachers and extended learning opportunities for children, such as after-school tutoring, have been common practices in Madison School District. The law affects parents and students in several ways. One part of the law is highlighted below (Parents’ Right-to-know).

Teacher Qualifications

The federal government provides assistance to schools serving students from high-poverty backgrounds through the Title I program. Madison School District has a number of schools served through the Title I program. As part of the change in federal law, parents of students attending Title I schools may now request information about the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teacher. Specifically, parents may request information about:

•  Whether the teacher has met criteria for the grade levels and subject areas taught;
• Whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency credential or license, or other provisional status;
• The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any graduate degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of that degree; and
• Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

If you would like to know the qualifications of your child’s teacher or paraprofessional, please contact 602-664-7900.

Students are considered homeless if they are:

• In a shelter , motel vehicle, or campground
• On the street
• In an abandoned building, trailer or other inadequate accommodations
• Doubled up with friends or relatives because they cannot find or afford housing

If children are homeless they have certain rights or protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. These protections include the right to:

• Go to school, no matter where they live or how long you have lived there
• Be enrolled immediately without birth certificates, immunizations or school records
• Attend school while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other required documents
• Enroll in school without giving a permanent address. Schools cannot delay enrollment
• Schools cannot delay enrollment
• Continue in the school they attended before becoming homeless or the school they last attended
• Receive transportation to and from the school they attended before becoming homeless or the school they last attended, if requested.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact your local school office.

It is the Madison School District’s responsibility to inform the general public and all parents within our boundaries of our responsibility to make available special education services for students with disabilities aged 3 through 21 years and how to access those services. In addition we have a responsibility to provide information regarding early intervention services for children birth through 2 years.

We are responsible for identifying, locating, and evaluating all children with disabilities including children aged 3 through 21 and for referring children from birth through 2 years of age to Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) for evaluation and appropriate services.

We are also responsible for providing a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), which includes special education and related services to children with disabilities at public expense, under public supervision and direction without charge to the parents.

For all new students to the district, the classroom teacher will complete screening activities within 45 days of enrollment. The teacher will look at the child’s ability in the areas of academics, vision, hearing, communication, social/emotional, and motor skills. If any concerns are noted, the child may be referred for additional help.

Children birth through 2 years of age who are receiving early intervention services and will be participating in preschool programs for children with disabilities will be assured of a smooth transition into that program.

If you have any concerns about a child you know, please contact Madison School District’s Special Education Department at (602) 664-7927 or the school in which those boundaries you reside.

You have the right to the following:

1. Inspect and review your child’s educational record. (FERPA 99.4)
2. If you feel the educational record is misleading or inaccurate, you can request an amendment to the part of record that is a\inaccurate.
3. Give written consent before any personally identifiable information is released about your child.
4. File a complaint with the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., which enforces regulations pertaining to educational records if alleged violations are being made by the c\school district and you have been unable to resolve those differences at the school district level.

Procedures to Obtain Educational Records:

1. Contact the school principal and inform him/her that you would like a copy of your child’s educational record.
2. The school will provide the request within forty five (45) days. There may be a small fee to cover the copying.

Procedures for Requesting a Change in Your Child’s Education Record:

1.  Inform the school principal that you have discovered inaccurate or misleading information and would like it amended or removed.
2. Allow the school district five to 10 working days to decide whether your request is valid.
3. If the school district disagrees with the request, you can file for a hearing with the school district to voice your concerns.
4. If, as a result of the hearing, the school district decides that the information is inaccurate or misleading, the school will amend the record and inform you of the amendment in writing.
5. If, as a result of the hearing, the school district decides that the information is accurate and not misleading, they will notify you of the right to place a statement in the record explaining why you feel the information is misleading or incorrect.
6. The school district is obligated to place a copy of your statement in the educational records.

There shall be no hazing, solicitation to engage in hazing, or aiding and abetting another who engaged in hazing of any person enrolled, accepted for or promoted to enrollment, or intending to enroll or be promoted to District schools as specified above shall be considered a “student” until graduation, transfer, promotion, or withdrawal from the District school. “Hazing” means any intentional, knowing or reckless act committed by a student, weather individually or in concert with other persons, against another student, and in which both of the following apply.

• The act was committed in connection with an initiation into, an affiliation with or the maintenance of membership in any organization that is affiliated with an education institution.
• The act contributes to a substantial risk of potential physical injury, mental harm or degradation, or cause physical injury, mental harm or personal degradation.

“Organization” means an athletic team, association, order, society, corps, cooperative, club, or similar group that is affiliated with an educational institution and whose membership consists primarily of students enrolled at that educational institution. It is not defense to a violation of this policy in the victim consented or acquiesced to hazing.

In accord with statute, violations of this policy do not include either of the following:

• Customary athletic events, contest or competitions that are sponsored by an educational institution.
• Any activity or conduct that furthers the goals of a legitimate educational curriculum, a legitimate extracurricular program, or a legitimate military training program.

All students, teachers and staff shall take reasonable measures within the scope of their individual authority to prevent violation of this policy. Student and other may report hazing to any professional staff member. Professional staff member must report the incident to the school administrator or next higher administrative supervisor, in writing, with such details as may have been provided. A failure by a staff member to timely inform the school administrator or next higher administrative supervisor of a hazing allegation or their observation of an incident of hazing may subject the staff member to disciplinary action in accord with District policies. The staff member shall preserve the confidentiality of those involved, disclosing the incident only to the appropriate school administrator or next higher administrative supervisor or as otherwise required by law. Any instance of reported or observed hazing which includes possible child abuse or violations of statutes known to the staff member shall be treated in accord with statutory requirements and be reported to a law enforcement agency. To assure that student and staff are aware of its content and intent, a notice of this policy and procedure shall be posted conspicuously in each school building and shall be made a part of the rights and responsibilities section of the student handbook. Forms for submitting complaints are to be available to students and staff in the school offices. Disposition of all reports/ complaints shall be reported to the Superintendent. The Superintendent will determine if the policies of the District have been appropriately implemented and will make such reports and/ or referrals to the Board as may be necessary. All violations of the policy shall be treated in accord with the appropriate procedures and penalties provided for in District policies related to the conduct and discipline of students, staff, and others.

Parent/Guardian Compact

I want my child to achieve. Therefore, I will encourage him/her by doing the following:

• See that my child is punctual and attends school regularly.
• Support the school in its efforts to maintain proper discipline.
• Support the school in its efforts to deliver appropriate curriculum and classroom instruction.
• Encourage my child’s efforts and be available for help or questions on homework.
• Provide a quiet, well-lit space for nightly homework/study.
• Provide appropriate attire (see uniform policy).

Student Agreement

It is important that I work to the best of my ability. Therefore, I will strive to do the following:

• Attend school regularly and on time.
• Wear the school uniform
• Come to school each day with the necessary tools (pens, paper, pencil, or other necessary items) and be ready to learn.
• Complete and return assignments in the time prescribed.
• Have a set time for homework in a quiet environment.
• Follow the school rules.

Teacher Agreement

It is important that students achieve. Therefore, I will strive to do the following:

• Provide necessary assistance to parents so that they can help their student with assignments.
• Encourage students and parents by providing information about student progress.
• Use teaching methods that promote student achievement that align with state standards.
• Provide students with appropriate feedback on assignments that develop their understanding.
• Maintain and foster high standards of academic achievement and behavior.

Principal Agreement

I support this form of parent involvement. Therefore, I will strive to do the following:

• Provide an environment that allows for positive communication between the teacher, parent, and student.
• Actively and consistently work toward the goal of achieving EXCELLENCE in our School.