ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Those students who do not ride a bus to school should not arrive before 7:45 a.m. SCHOOL PERSONNEL WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY STUDENT WHO ARRIVES BEFORE 7:30 AM OR WHO REMAINS AT SCHOOL AFTER 3:20 PM. SCHOOL PERSONNEL CANNOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS FOR MORE THAN THIRTY MINUTES (30) BEFORE AND THIRTY (30) MINUTES AFTER SPECIAL EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE SCHOOL.

Student who arrive before 7:50 a.m. and who do not plan to eat breakfast must report to the gym and remain in the gym until the bell rings at 7:50 a.m.

2010-2011 DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE

7:50                                       Bellrings to report to 1^stperiod

7:55 – 9:00                           1^stperiod

9:04 – 10:04                        2^ndperiod

10:04 – 10:14                      Break

10:18 – 11:18                      3^rdperiod

11:22 – 12:49                      4^thperiod

12:53 – 1:52                        5^thperiod

1:56 – 2:56                           6^thperiod

THERE WILL BE NO SCHEDULE CHANGES!

LOCKER SCHEDULE

Students are not allowed to take backpacks to class with the exception of 6^thperiod.

Before 1^stperiod                   All students

Before 2^ndperiod                  Girl

Before 3^rdperiod                   Boy

Before 4^thperiod                   Girl

Before 5^thperiod                   Boy

Before 6^thperiod                   All students

GUIDANCE PROGRAM

The guidance program atNorthsideMiddle Schoolhas been organized to help students help themselves solve educational, vocational and personal problems. Individual guidance is available to all students.

Mrs. McGillivray is our Guidance Counselor.

VISITORS

The school policy is to accept only those visitors who have legitimate business reasons for being on school grounds. Guests and visitors are required to obtain a visitor’s pass from the school office. This pass must be returned to the office upon leaving campus. Visitors must leave the school building as soon as their business is completed.

As a general rule, students on holiday or absent from another school system are not allowed to visit during school hours. Any student wishing to bring a guest or visitor to school must get clearance from the principal or assistant principal at least 24 hours in advance of the desired visit. Again, it will be rare for such requests to be approved.

PARENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME—SIMPLY CHECK-IN WITH OUR

OFFICE STAFF

CLOSED CAMPUS

We operate on a “closed campus” policy. This means that STUDENTS must stay on the school campus from the time they arrive, even if the daily schedule has not begun, until dismissed. Students violating this policy will be subject to suspension from school. 

DO NOT BRING NUISANCE ITEMS TO SCHOOL

Items not directly associated with the educational program, i.e., walkmans, radios, record players,tape recorders, cameras, cards, games, beepers, cellular phones, etc. are not to be brought to school. Students found with any such items will have them confiscated and turned in to the office. STUDENTS ARE NOT TO CHEW GUM AT SCHOOL!

1^stoffense– item confiscated and returned to the parent/guardian thefollowingday

2^ndoffense– item confiscated and returned to the parent/guardian afterfive (5)school days. The student will be assigned detention

3^RDoffense– item confiscated and returned to the parent/guardian afterten (10)school days. The student will be suspended out of school for one day

ABSENCES

Student who bring a note explaining the absences upon returning to school are to turn in their excuse to the school office after reporting to 1^stperiod. Office personnel will then issue an absence slip. The student will be given the white copy to show each teacher during the day. After a total of ten absences in a school year, the parent/guardian will be required to provide medical or legal documentation for absences to be excused.

CHECK-INS AND CHECK-OUTS

Unexcused check-ins will be considered tardy and will be dealt with the same as tardies.

TARDY PROCEDURES

1/2 Tardy per term                                                  Teacher Warning

3^thTardy per term                                                    Parent Contact - Teacher

4/6/8^-Tardy per term                                            After School Detention

7^thTardy per term                                                   Campus Work Detail

9^thTardy per term                                                    Break Detention

10^thTardy per term                                                 1 day Out-of-School Suspension

Each additional two tardies per term                      1 day Out-of-School Suspension

TELEPHONE

School telephones are for business use only. Students are not to use these telephones. If a student is sick, a teacher may give written permission to use the phone in the main office. Office personnel will contact parents when a student is sick. Messages will be delivered to students from a parent/guardian only. Please limit messages to emergency situations only.

DRESS CODE

The Board of Education and Northside faculty strongly believe it is the responsibility of students and parents/guardians to use reason, good judgment, and common decency in the choice of dress and physical grooming atNorthsideMiddle School. The principal or his/her designee has the authority to determine inappropriate or unacceptable dress.

Therefore, the following dress and appearance standards will be enforced:

1. Students must wear shoes. Shoes that mark or damage floors will not be permitted.
2. Hats, caps, toboggans, sock caps, bandannas and headbands are not to be visible at school.
3. Dark glasses may be worn only with a doctor’s prescription.
4. Shorts, skirts and dresses that are extremely tight fitting and/or unreasonable in length may not be worn. A reasonable length of the garment will be determined by asking the students to stand with arms extended straight down. As long as the garment extends to the end of the fingertips or longer the garment will be considered acceptable.
5. Belts and pants must be fastened at the waist. Overalls must be properly fastened and buttoned. Undergarments may not be exposed.
6. Clothing, personal items, slogans, symbols, patches, and obscene writings, which are disruptive or suggestive, are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, anything associated with gangs, Confederate flags, and racial or sexual implications.
7. Clothing should be in good taste for the age, maturity, and size of the student. Apparel which renders one’s appearance as suggestive or indecent is prohibited. This pertains to garments that have halter tops, spaghetti straps, one shoulder straps,strapless, bareback tops, or tops that expose the midriff or undergarments.

After students have been to the office ten (10) times for discipline in a school year, they are subject to a three (3) day suspension for each additional referral.

SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS- Students may be checked out by aparent/guardianduring any warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Emergency contacts will not be allowed to pick up students!

Cafeteria Use and Manners

Students should practice courtesy, good manners, and cleanliness while using the cafeteria.

1.      Always clean up your table and leave your area clean and neat.

2.      Never leave wrappers, napkins or trash on the floor.

3.      Be considerate of others and refrain from loud talking.

4.      Students areNOT TO TAKE FOOD OR DRINKfrom the cafeteria.

5.      Students are not allowed to bring food items purchased at fast food businesses or have such food brought to them at school.

6.      Breaking lunch lines is not permitted.

7.      Food or drink spilled on the floor should be cleaned up immediately.

8.      Students are not to bring soft drinks into the cafeteria.

9.       StudentsMUSTattend lunch in the lunchroom and may not leave the lunchroom without permission.

Meal Prices

Breakfast                     $1.00

Lunch                            $2.15

SNACK

Students may purchase a snack from the snack machine or they may bring a snack from home. NO CARBONATED DRINKS AREALLOWED.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parents or legal guardians who wish to confer with a teacher or teachers must make an appointment through the school office for a conference with the teacher or teachers during their planning period. The parent or legal guardians or teacher may request the presence of the principal or assistant principal in the conference.

STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Parent-Teacher-Student-Organization (PTSO) Every student is encouraged to join this organization dedicated to school improvement.

PTSO OFFICERS                       TBA

President                              

Vice President                      

Secretary                                               

Treasurer                               

Organization                                        Sponsor

FCCLA                                                                   M Hardin

Scholar Bowl                                                      TBA                        

Math Bowl                                                           D Kuykendall

Student Council                                                  RLogan

Chess Club                                                          D Kuykendall

ATHLETIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Football                                                                R Hughes

Boys’ Basketball                                                 R Hughes

Girls’ Basketball                                                 L Wheelus

Volleyball                                                              L Wheelus

Baseball                                                              B Swiney

Softball                                                                 TBA

Cheerleading Sponsor                                       Smith

Band                                                                    M. Powell 

SCHOOL SUPPLY STORE

School supplies may be purchased in the library. The school store operates from 7:40 – 7:55 each school morning.

ATTENDANCE AT ATHLETIC EVENTS

Student attendance is encouraged at all athletic events. TheNorthsideMiddle Schoolathletic program is designed to promote sportsmanship and school spirit within participating athletes and spectators. Good sportsmanship includes:

1.      cheering for your team, not against the opponent

2.      recognizing outstanding plays by either team

3.      accepting without comment game officials’ decision

4.      being gracious in both victory and in defeat

5.      refraining from any action or word that might be offensive to opponents

Attendance at athletic events is a privilege which may be denied. Students paying to see an event in the stadium, gymnasium, or other athletic facility will remain in that facility until the completion of the event. If the student leaves the facility, he or she will not be admitted again to that event.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Any change of name, address or telephone number must be reported immediately to the school office. The Tuscaloosa County School System has a definitive school zone established by the federal courts. Students must live with a parent/legal guardian within the zone to be eligible to attendNorthsideMiddle School.

Students who move out of the zone but fail to notify the principal are subject to immediate removal from the school. Students who give false information about their residence are not only subject to immediate removal but also lose credit for school work and possible legal repercussion from the federal agencies involved in the court order.

STUDENT/PARENT INFORMATION GUIDE

“The Student/Parent Information Guide” has been published to assist students and parents by providing information regarding our school system. Within this guide, general school information, certain system policies, and curriculum requirements are provided. Please take time to review the Table of Contents and become familiar with specific policies and procedures of the Tuscaloosa County School System. You are encouraged to read this publication andNorthsideMiddle Schoolcommunications to understand the requirements and opportunities for students at our school. A copy of the 2009-2010 “Parent/Student Information Guide” has been given to each student.

Tuscaloosa County Schools

2011-2012

School Calendar

Institute                                                       Friday, August 5, 2011

Professional Development Day                      Monday, August 8, 2011

Teachers’ Work Day                                       Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Schools Open                                   Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Labor Day Holiday                                    Monday, September 5, 2011        

Parent Conference/Professional Development Day

    Students Out                                          Friday, October 7, 2011

Fall Break                                             Monday, October 10, 2011

Veterans’ Day Holiday                                Friday, November 11, 2011

Thanksgiving Holidays                                      November 23-25, 2011

Winter Holidays begin at the end of the day  

                                                     Wednesday, December 21, 2011

  (Schools close at the end of the day Wednesday, 12/21/11-reopen

    Thursday, 01/5/12)              

Teachers Return – Professional Dev. Day  Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Teachers’ Work Day                                Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Students Return                                          Thursday, January 5, 2012

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Holiday     Monday, January 16, 2012

**Presidents’ Day/Weather Day              Monday, February 20, 2012

Spring Holidays                                                        March 12-16, 2012

***Weather Day                                                    Friday, April 9, 2012

Last Day of School for Students                 Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Last Day of School for Teachers                     Thursday, May 24, 2012

**If inclement weather prior to October 11, 2011 requires school to be closed for at least one day, October 11, 2011 will be a regular school day for teachers and students.

***If inclement weather prior to April 9, 2012 requires school to be closed for at least one day, April 9, 2012 will be a regular school day for teachers and students.

Nine Week Grading Periods for Middle Schools

1^stEnds        October 14, 2011              (44)       

2^ndEnds        December 21, 2011        (44)       

3^rdEnds        March 9, 2012                   (45)       

4^thEnds        May 23, 2012                    (47)

PROMOTION POLICY

Students enrolled in 6, 7, and 8^thgrades must pass four (4) core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) and at least one elective each year to be promoted to the next highest grade level.