Intent of Handbook:
This handbook is intended to be used by students, parents and staff as a guide to the rules, regulations, and general information about Lincoln Public Schools. Each student is responsible for becoming familiar with the handbook and knowing the information contained in it. Parents are encouraged to use this handbook as a resource and to assist their child in following the rules contained in this handbook.

Although information found in this handbook is detailed and specific on many topics, the handbook is not intended to be all encompassing so as to cover every situation and circumstance that may arise during any school day, or school year. This handbook does not create a "contract". The administration reserves the right to make decisions and make rule revisions at any time to implement the educational program and to assure the well being of all students. The administration will be responsible for interpreting the rules contained in the handbook. Should a situation or circumstance arise that is not specifically covered in this handbook, the administration will made a decision based upon all applicable school district, policies, and state and federal statues and regulations

NAMES OF PEOPLE TO CONTACT

Park Parent Group - 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Media Center

Principal Newsletter issued monthly

Park Panther Pointers, 2005-06
The Park staff believes an orderly school promotes student achievement. A team effort between school staff and parents/guardians can help students abide by the following guidelines, contribute to a positive school environment, and increase student achievement

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL
Students are welcomed onto school grounds at 7:30 a.m. Students are required to gather at their designated entrance area where doors to the building will open at 7:53 a.m. The basketball courts and all other areas on school grounds, except the designated entrance areas, are closed to students before school. The grounds are also closed to students between 3:15 and 4:30 p.m. Students arriving prior to 7:30 a.m. or remaining on school grounds after 3:15 p.m. will be required to check in at the Teen Center. Parents/guardians of these students will be contacted to review alternatives to remaining on campus. During inclement weather, students will be allowed to enter the building early. Students are allowed to remain on grounds after 3:15 p.m. if they are involved in a supervised club or after-school activity. The arrival/dismissal pamphlet includes complete details on before or after school procedures. Please note that after school traffic is southbound only on 8th Street between G and E Streets.

BREAKFAST PROGRAM
Students may enter the building at 7:30 a.m. to eat breakfast. Students eating breakfast may only enter through the cafeteria doors.

PASSES
Students need to have a pass from a staff member when they are out of class during class time, prior to entering the building at 7:50 (except for breakfast), or to be in the building after 3:15 p.m.

CLOSED CAMPUS
Campus is closed before 7:30 a.m. and between 3:15 and 4:30 p.m. Students are expected to stay on school grounds once they arrive at Park except by approval from the office and parent/guardian. If students leave without approval, they will be regarded as truant.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
We encourage all students to become involved in school sponsored activities. These include clubs, intramurals (7th & 8th graders), tutoring and supervised study time with teachers. Students may participate in activities between 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. There is a late bus at 4:25 p.m. for those students who are bused to and from school by LPS. Athletic (intramural) contests with other schools take place on Saturday mornings.

TELEPHONES
A phone is available in the main office from 3:00 - 3:15 p.m. for students to use. Cell phones may be brought to school but must be kept in lockers. If a cell phone is seen or heard, it will be confiscated and may be picked up by parents in the main office.

INTERCOM USE
To avoid disrupting meetings, the school intercom will not be used to page students after school.

LOCKERS AND LOCKS
Students are provided a locker to store their books, backpacks, coats, etc. Lockers are the property of Lincoln Public Schools and are accessible to staff when necessary. Students are responsible for the contents and condition of their locker. A combination lock is also furnished to help insure the safety of locker possessions. Students are not to share their lockers or lock combinations with other students. Lincoln Public Schools assumes no responsibility for damage or theft of student property. If a lock is lost or stolen, the student will be required to pay $5 before a new lock can be assigned. In some cases, student will be required to share a locker with another student.

VALUABLES
Lincoln Public Schools does not provide insurance for personal items. Please do not bring large amounts of money or other valuable items to school. Lincoln Public Schools is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.

ATTENDANCE
If students have to miss school they are expected to make up their schoolwork. If the absence is a school approved student activity, they are to have their homework completed in advance of that activity. It is the student’s responsibility to talk with teachers regarding make-up work. If students are absent, the parent/guardian(s) are asked to call the office each day at 436-1212 to report the absence. Voice mail is available for after office hours. If no call is received, the school will call to confirm the absence. If no contact is made, students should bring a written note to the office the day they return to school. All unexcused absences are recorded as truant until excused by a parent. Students with frequent attendance issues may be subject to disciplinary action and/or referral to the County Attorney..

TARDY TO SCHOOL
Tardies are not excused. Students who arrive late to school are expected to check in at the office before going to class.

HOMEWORK REQUEST
Parents are encouraged to ask for assignments for their students when their students miss school. We encourage students to call the Homework Hotline if they are absent just one or two days. If a student is gone more than two days, we encourage parents to call the school office before 8:30 a.m. to request assignments. Assignments are usually available in the office by 3:30 p.m. the day of the
request.

GRADING SCALE
A traditional A- F marks will be used as a grading scale for core academic courses and 8th grade elective courses. Following is the suggested district grading scale:

100-94	A	81-78	C
093-90	B+	77-74	D+
089-86	B	73-70	D
085-82	C+	69-below	F

The marks of C (Commendable), S (Satisfactory), and N (Needs Improvement) will be used for math interventions and academic connection courses.

DRESS CODE
Students wearing clothing that is unsafe, distractive or indecent to the extent of interfering with the learning environment will be asked to change at school or be sent home to change. The decision regarding the appropriateness of clothing will be made by the intervening staff member.

HEADGEAR
Hats and/or caps or other headgear are to be taken off upon entry to Park Middle School.

COATS
Coats are to be stored in the locker during the day

NOTE WRITING
Students are not to engage in writing, reading, passing or possessing notes.

BOOK BAGS
Students must place backpacks in lockers upon arriving at school. Notebooks and materials used by students must be small enough to fit under student desks.

BEHAVIOR IN THE HALLS
The hallways and other non-classroom areas are important parts of the learning environment. To insure everyone’s safety, it is important that students use these areas in an orderly way. Running, shoving and other forms of horseplay cannot be tolerated. Detentions may be assigned for inappropriate hallway behavior (i.e. horseplay, running, excessive loudness.)

RESPECTFUL BEHAVIORS AND LANGUAGE
Park staff emphasizes treating one another respectfully and building a community. Staff members at Park attempt to help students use only language that is appropriate in a school setting. The use of profanity or racially derogatory language is inappropriate. Some words that are used and are acceptable in other settings may be not be appropriate at school.

NUISANCE ITEMS
Only items considered to be school supplies should be brought to school (i.e. pencils, notebooks, markers, etc.) The possession of articles that disrupt the learning environment shall be considered nuisance items. Nuisance items may be confiscated and later returned to either the student or parent/guardian.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment has been defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or unwelcome verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature. This will not be tolerated.

DISPLAY OF AFFECTION
Interaction between students is a part of adolescence, however, hugging and kissing, etc. are inappropriate in school.

BICYCLES, SCOOTERS AND SKATEBOARDS
Bike racks are provided on the south and west side of the building. Students should use the bike rack closest to their grade level entrance. Bikes must be locked when left at the rack. Students are expected to walk their bikes, scooters and skateboards while on school grounds. Scooters and skateboards should be stored in the closet in the office during school hours.

FOOD & BEVERAGES
No gum, candy, food or drinks are allowed unless authorized by the teacher. The pop machines are turned on after school, but all pop must be opened and consumed outside the building. Pop cans and bottles must be appropriately disposed of in garbage containers. If pop containers become a trash item on the school grounds, the pop privilege will be taken away.

WEATHER AND SCHOOL CLOSING
Radio stations KFOR (1240) and KLIN (1400) and television stations Channel 8 and 10/11 will carry when possible all school closing announcements due to inclement weather or other emergencies by 10:30 p.m. or after 5:30 a.m. School Board policy states that students not be dismissed to parents during a tornado warning.

COMPUTER USE GUIDELINES
Computer use is for classroom or legitimate and appropriate outside classroom use only.

• Students will not intentionally access information that may be obscene, profane or offensive toward any other individuals, nor will students place any such information on the network or Internet.
• Students are not to attempt to gain unauthorized access to system program(s), computer systems or another person's files.
• Students may have their computer privileges suspended if they use computers inappropriately.

LOST AND FOUND
Many articles that are lost are turned into the office. Please label all articles if possible with the student’s name. Students should not bring valuable items to school, as the school is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.

CONSEQUENCES FOR SCHOOL RULE VIOLATIONS
Students may be assigned to In School Supervision (ISS), detention or time out as a consequence for violations of school or classroom rules. During the time students are assigned to ISS, time out or detention, they will complete homework and learn about appropriate school behaviors. In School Supervision (ISS) begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. During the time period a student is assigned to ISS, the student may not participate in after school or extra curricular activities. Individual teacher detention times may vary, but seldom will these detentions last beyond 3:15 p.m. Students who are assigned by administrators to detention will begin at 2:55 p.m. and remain until 3:30 p.m.



STUDENT HEALTH POLICIES
In case of an EMERGENCY, can we reach a parent or guardian? PLEASE be sure the school has your current telephone number(s)!

HEALTH OFFICE
The health office is staffed daily by a health technician who is trained in first aid, CPR, medication administration, and school health. A Registered Nurse is at our school three days every week and available every day in the event of emergency or the health technician identifies needs for the Registered Nurse to come to the building.

STUDENT MEDICATIONS
Written parental consent must be received by the health office for all medications administered at school. All medications must be in the original, labeled packaging. A physician’s prescription is required for all medications provided to students, with the single exception of the “formulary” products described below.

Park Middle School will be participating in a district pilot project called the “Formulary”. In this project, we will be allowed to accept parent/guardian written consent only (no doctor’s prescription required) to administer doses of acetaminophen (“Tylenol”) or ibuprofen (“Advil” or “Motrin”) to your child.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
Nebraska law requires the following of students:
Every student is required to provide evidence of the following immunizations:
3 doses of DTP, DtaP, or Td vaccine
3 doses of polio vaccine
2 doses of MMR (measles, Mumps, rubella) vaccine
3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine.