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Dear Middle School Students and Parents, Welcome to a new school year! I hope your summer had its share of fun and relaxation. Whether you?re new to Calumet Middle School or returning, it?s always exciting and challenging to start fresh each September. This is a great time to set some personal and academic goals for the coming school year. I like the Apostle Paul?s attitude: ?Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal . . .? While each of us brings unique personality, talents, and experiences to our school, our true worth is measured by the love God has demonstrated toward us in his son Jesus Christ. Each person is highly regarded by God, and God in turn has called us to highly regard one another. This mutual respect is the glue holding together a positive and productive community. We believe middle school students are old enough to contribute significantly to such a community and to be responsible for their actions. This is the handbook for the Middle School. Please take time to read through it in the days ahead. Being informed and knowing expectations in advance always helps. Effective schools depend on mutual respect and good communication. We are all responsible for knowing and abiding by the information and guidelines in this book. The new school year holds great promise for all of us. I look forward to sharing it with you and feel privileged to do so. Jim Fulford Middle School Director ContentsXenos Christian Schools Mission StatementXenos Christian Schools provide a program of academic excellence and Biblical truth while developing Christian values in a loving environment. Growing children develop spiritually, intellectually, socially, culturally, and physically. Xenos Christian Schools emphasize intellectual development and offer assistance in other areas of child development. Xenos Christian Schools express their commitment to Christ by addressing the child’s relationship with God in all areas of development in accordance with biblical principles.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSCalumet Christian Middle School Mission StatementCalumet Christian Middle School is committed to guiding our students through a vital transition in their lives and preparing them to successfully navigate their way through the high school years that follow. Through strong academics and emphasis on spiritual, character, and relational growth, we envision our graduates playing an influential role in their schools, churches, and communities.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSThe School DayArrival: Middle School students should arrive at Calumet no earlier than 8:00 A.M. They will be supervised on the porch outside until 8:15 when they may enter the building, go to their lockers, and then to homeroom. Attendance will be taken in homeroom, which begins at 8:22 (this is when the tardy bell will ring). Students should be in their homeroom (also their first period class), prepared for the school day at this time. Students arriving after 8:22 will be marked tardy and must report to the office to receive an admission slip before going to class. Exceptions will be made for students arriving on a late school bus.Dismissal: Bus riders will be dismissed at 3:08 PM to go to their lockers and then to the porch to catch their bus by 3:12. All other students are dismissed at 3:15. Students dismissed at 3:15 should pack up what they need and proceed directly to the porch to be picked up. Calumet staff will supervise dismissal until 3:30. Students not picked up by 3:30 should report to the office and will be assessed a late pick-up fee.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSAbsencesIt is the student’s responsibility to make up missed homework/class work after an excused absence. Students are expected to take the initiative in seeking out each teacher to determine missed assignments and due dates. Students generally have the same number of days to make up work as they have been absent from school (e.g., if a student is absent three school days, he has three school days after his return to make up work). To assist students and parents, a homework folder containing the assignments and class work for each day is located just outside Room 205. Parents can always consult the homework log on the Xenos website (go to www.xenos.org/xcs/hwquery.htm) and/or contact teachers to discuss ways to help a student “keep-up” during extended absences. If an absence is unexcused, the student will not receive academic credit for work missed. In the case of excessive absences, the school may require a note from a doctor.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSAttendanceThere is a direct correlation between attendance and academic success. Parents are requested to minimize absences from school for reasons other than illness. When a child is staying home due to illness, please notify the school office by 9:15 A.M. Similarly, if a child will be late due to a doctor/dentist appointment, please notify the school office by 9:15. Upon a student’s return to school, a written explanation from the parent/guardian or doctor must be turned in to the school office. Students will not receive credit for work missed during an unexcused absence.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSAnticipated Absences/Family VacationsParents must notify the Middle School Director prior to taking a child out of school for a family vacation or other planned absence. A ten (10) day notification is desired in order that parents, teachers, and student can plan together to ensure the student will not fall behind in his work. Although teachers will assist the student who misses school because of a planned absence, it remains the student’s responsibility to obtain assignments and class notes, complete homework, and make up any tests or quizzes. While a vacation during school can be educationally profitable (and valuable family-time), it may also have an adverse impact on a student’s academic achievement. We strongly recommend family vacations be taken during regular school breaks. We encourage parents to arrange planned absences only when alternative options are unavailable.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSBackpacks and Book BagsBackpacks and book bags are not permitted in the classroom. All backpacks must fit inside lockers and not be left in the hallway. Due to space constraints, backpacks with wheels are not permitted.Backpacks, books, and other student materials should not be left in the hallways or on top of lockers as they present a safety hazard. Student belongings found in the hall or above lockers may be taken to the lost and found.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSBus TransportationBus transportation is provided by the Columbus Public School District and the Westerville and Worthington City Schools Districts and should be viewed as a privilege by students and parents. Calumet students are expected to follow the safety guidelines on all buses. Drivers are authorized by the respective school district to submit formal bus conduct reports. The first report will result in a letter home and two conduct points (see Consequences). A second report will result in parent contact and a 1 to 3 day suspension from riding the bus. A third report (and beyond) will result in parent contact and a suspension of riding privileges for a period of time ranging from 10 days to the remainder of the school year. Ultimately, Calumet has the authority to revoke bus privileges immediately if behavior is deemed excessively inappropriate.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSCalendarXenos Christian School calendars are available in the office and have been mailed home. Please note – days shaded in gray are the days that we don’t have school. Fridays with a slash are early dismissal days when 1st – 8th grades are released at noon .BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSCommunicationCommunication is vital to maintaining a healthy school community. Calumet Middle School encourages communication among parents, teachers, and students. For general school questions, please contact the office. For questions or concerns in a particular class, please contact the teacher. If a matter involves issues beyond the classroom, please contact the Middle School Director.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSComputersCalumet has both desktop and laptop computers available for the use of middle school students. All middle school students and their parents must sign and turn in an Acceptable Use Policy for Computer Resources form before students are permitted to use computers. Any student who chooses to misuse a computer and/or violate the terms of the “Acceptable Use” agreement is in jeopardy of losing his/her right to use school computers.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSDress CodeWhile students have considerable flexibility in choosing what to wear, it’s important to keep in mind that school is primarily about learning, and the setting should always be conducive to the learning experience. Students must wear clothes that are safe, weather-appropriate, and not distracting to the classroom setting. Bare midriffs, spaghetti tops and other dress considered too informal are not acceptable. Inappropriate depiction (writing or images) should not appear on clothing. Pants and shorts are to be worn properly around the waist.It is particularly important that clothing worn during PE be conducive to physical activity.Hats, sunglasses, and hoods on sweatshirts must be removed when students enter the building. Coats, vests, jackets, windbreakers, and other outerwear intended primarily for outdoor use may not be worn in the class.The middle school staff will decide if questionable clothing meets these requirements. If deemed necessary, the Middle School Director will call the parents to bring other clothes or will provide an appropriate article of clothing for the student to wear.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSElectronic DevicesElectronic devices such as radios, cd players, mp3 players, iPods, cell phones, lasers, pagers, recorders, pdas, electronic games, and video and digital cameras serve to distract from the purpose of learning and are not permitted to be used by students during school hours without the explicit permission of a classroom teacher. It is fine for students to listen to music on their ride to and from school, but electronic devices must be put away once in the building. The school is not responsible for the loss of any such devices. These items swill be confiscated and returned only to parents.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSExtra Curricular ActivitiesDepending on year-to-year interest and teacher/parent support, the middle school offers a variety of extra-curricular activities. Examples include band, chess club, drama, girls’ ensemble, running club, 7th grade climbing club, and 8 th grade ski club. Most activities occur immediately after school (advanced band and girls’ ensemble are during the school day).BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSGradesThe grades students receive are based on daily work, homework, class discussions and participation, reports, quizzes, tests, and exams. Each teacher will explain his/her methods for evaluating students. The grading scale used in Middle School is:
Report cards for middle school students are mailed home one week after the end of each quarter (9 weeks). Interim progress reports are sent home with the students at the end of the fifth week of each quarter.Grade point averages (GPA) are calculated using a formula that weighs core academic subjects such as language arts, math, science, and social studies at a higher weight than non-core academic subjects such as music and physical education.
If a student’s grades are low, he should talk to the teacher of the class about a plan for improving performance. Parents or other adults may be helpful in discussing concerns, plans, and progress. Students are strongly encouraged to seek help from teachers. Calumet teachers believe one of their most important roles is helping a struggling student to improve.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSAcademic HonestyA school community must value academic honesty and expect its students to practice that value. All work turned in by the students, including homework, lab write-ups, essays, exams, projects, quizzes, reports, tests, and worksheets must be the student’s own work and it must reflect the student’s true ability. Teachers report all suspected cases of cheating, plagiarism, or dishonesty to the Middle School Director. Students should expect to redo the work and receive a lower grade or a zero. Repeated offenses could result in suspension from school.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSPromotion and RetentionPromotion to the next grade level will be granted upon completion of the following criteria:
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSAcademic InterventionInterim progress reports will be sent home mid-way through each quarter. This provides an opportunity for students and parents to assess performance and make adjustments and/or arrangements to allow for improvement if deemed necessary. Students and parents should feel free to contact teachers to discuss avenues for academic improvement. Calumet teachers will also contact parents when it is evident a student is struggling in their class. When a student’s overall academic performance is suffering or he is failing a specific subject, a conference will be initiated with the parent(s) to devise a strategy for improvement. As a school, we believe it is essential that parents and teachers work together to facilitate student learning and academic success.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSHomeworkStudents in middle school can expect to have 5-7 hours of homework a week. Teachers avoid assigning homework over weekends and vacations except for reading and long term projects .Students are given an assignment book at the beginning of the school year in which they write down their assignments on a daily basis. Students and parents can find daily assignments posted on the Xenos website each day after 4:00 PM . To access the website go to www.xenos.org/xcs/hwquery.htm and type in the appropriate grade and date. Teachers list daily homework assignments for middle school students. If a student has been absent, he should check just outside Room 205 upon returning to school and look for his name on a sheet of paper in his grade file. This is the list of work to be made up. Students should talk directly to their teachers once they have their list of assignments.Students with an excused absence are given one day to make up work for each day they have been absent. It is important to talk to your teachers after you have been absent. Students with an unexcused absence cannot make up the work they missed.Late homework will generally be penalized. Each teacher will explain his/her policy on late work.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSEighth Grade Final ExamsStudents graduating from Calumet will encounter semester and final exams as freshmen in high school and during their subsequent academic years. We believe the experience of preparing for and taking final exams is a life skill and valuable preparation for high school. During the last week of the school year, 8 th graders will take six (6) final exams in their core academic subjects and Bible. These exams will be one hour in length and cover material from the final semester or quarter, depending on the class. Teachers will spend time in class reviewing and preparing students to take exams. The final exam grade will count no more than 10% of the student’s final yearly average.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSLockersEach middle school student is assigned a locker. In most cases, two students share a locker. In order to accommodate coats, books, and backpacks, students need to keep their lockers clean and organized (e.g., the door should open and close easily, papers and other materials should not spill out into the hallway). You are permitted to use locker shelves and other organizational devices to help you and your locker partner fit all your belongings into your locker, as long as it does not damage the locker.Students are not permitted to trade or exchange locker assignments or move their belongings into a locker other than the one assigned to them. We strongly recommend that students use a lock to protect their belongings in their locker. Students are not to enter another person’s locker and should not give others permission to enter their locker. However, lockers are the property of the school and may be inspected by school officials at any time.Students may only go to their locker before and after school, before and after lunch, and during their designated break time. Students may not use going to their lockers as an excuse for being late to class.If a locker is not working properly, report it to a middle school staff member.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSLost and Found ItemsStudents who lose items should check the school lost-and-found box located in the washroom area adjacent to the downstairs bathrooms; check the main office for small items (such as jewelry or watches).Students must reimburse the school for school-owned property (textbooks, manipulatives, lockers, etc.) they have damaged or not returned by the end of the school year.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSLunchMiddle school lunch period is 50 minutes. This includes 25 minutes for students to eat lunch and clean up their eating area, followed by 25 minutes of outdoor recess, weather permitting. If weather does not permit outdoor recess, students will be assigned a classroom to go to for indoor recess.Each middle school student is responsible for cleaning up the table at which he eats along with the floor area beneath. Hand brooms, dustpans, cleaning water and rags are available and should be used for clean up. Once tables and floors are cleaned, the teacher and/or middle school aide on duty will dismiss that table. No one may leave the lunchroom until they are dismissed.Friday Pizza Lunch – Pizza and a drink are available for lunch on Fridays, starting shortly after the school year begins. There is a charge for each slice of pizza and cup of juice.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSRestricted AreasDuring recess students must remain in the fenced playground area of the parking lot. Students may not enter the ravine without direct permission of a staff member. Students should also stay off the porch during recess in order to keep the school entrance clear. Students may not be outside on the north, east, or west sides of the school building without a staff member.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSSchool Conduct/DisciplineIn keeping with the mission statement of Xenos Christian Schools , the middle school intends to develop the intellectual, spiritual, and social character of its students in a context of biblical love and grace. It is important for students and parents to understand that in a biblical framework, discipline is a component of God’s love. The staff believes in partnering with parents in following God’s command to bring up children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”A school is a community, and in any community relationships are healthier and more productive in an environment of mutual respect. Teachers and staff at Calumet are committed to demonstrating care and respect for one another and for the students we oversee. As a school we recognize that adolescents are in a process of learning how to interact appropriately in a community setting.Teachers and parents have the obligation to help students by praising and modeling positive behavior. At the same time, we must set limits for inappropriate behaviors. By holding students responsible for their choices, counseling them, and maintaining consequences, we can reach our ultimate goal of teaching students to be their own disciplinarians. It’s essential that students begin to develop internal self-control, whereby they regulate their own behavior. Disciplinary action is a means of guiding the student to understand how his or her behavior impacts others and how it ought to reflect the principle of mutual respect within the middle school community.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSExpectationsA school environment should be both physically and emotionally safe. It must also be conducive to learning. It is the obligation of teachers and staff to provide such a setting. Every student has the right to feel secure and to receive an effective, quality education. Students and teachers must be able to concentrate on the business of learning, free from behavior or activity that diminishes or derails the learning experience.The teachers and administration strive to implement and maintain a system of discipline that is fair, consistent, respectful, and firm. Each classroom teacher is the primary person responsible to manage decorum in his or her class. Parents are asked to support the teachers’ efforts in addressing behavior issues in the classroom. The overall goal is twofold: (1) to create an environment conducive to learning for all students, and (2) to help students develop self-control and the social skills to interact respectfully in a community.ConsequencesMiddle school teachers and administration will employ a series of consequences to limit inappropriate behavior and reinforce appropriate behavior in school. Consequences are intended to be corrective and to correspond to the nature of the infraction.Examples of minor infractions:
Minor infractions may result in any of the following:
Major infractions are considered the most serious type of infraction and generally result in more severe consequences. Examples of major infractions:
Major infractions may result in any of the following:
InterventionIf a student begins to exhibit a consistent social or behavioral problem, the Middle School Director will contact the parent(s) to meet and devise a plan for improvement. The student may be required to meet with teacher(s), parent(s), and/or a counselor to resolve the problem. As a school, Calumet believes in the absolute necessity of parents and school staff working together to instill godly character and guide student behavior.Detention
Suspension
While the above is an effort to delineate the disciplinary process, the administration reserves the right to exercise discretion in its application. Circumstances, the best interest of a student, and the well being of the entire student body must be weighed when considering disciplinary action. Effective disciplinary interventions require that the school possess a measure of flexibility in potential responses to student behavior.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSSchool PropertyThe appearance of classrooms, school grounds, and hallways reflects upon the entire school, especially students. All waste paper should be placed in trash cans or recycling boxes. Marking or marring doors, walls, floors, lockers, desks, or other school property is not allowed. Students caught defacing school property will be subject to disciplinary action and parents will be held liable.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSSigning In and Out of SchoolIn order to provide for security during the school day, we require that students and parents follow the simple procedure of signing in or out during school hours. If a student arrives after 8:30 AM or leaves before 3:15 PM (with the exception of bus riders), he must be signed in/out in the office by a parent/guardian. If a student will be leaving class during the school day for an appointment, he should provide the teacher with a note from a parent/guardian at the beginning of class. The teacher will dismiss the student at the designated time to meet the parent/guardian in the downstairs lobby.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSStudent Mentoring/TutoringCalumet Middle School staff provides opportunities for older students to mentor or tutor younger students in the school. Mentors can facilitate spiritual or relational growth, and tutors provide academic help. This typically takes place during a study hall period. Parent permission will be requested for a student to provide or receive mentoring or tutoring. Student mentors and tutors must be in good standing academically and socially.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSStudent RecognitionMiddle School students can look forward to periodic assemblies. During the first quarter assembly, students are recognized for volunteering, athletic accomplishments, and other special programs they participated in over the summer. At the end of each quarter, students are recognized for academic achievement on Honor Roll, other noteworthy accomplishments, and Student of the Quarter (see below). Assemblies may also include presentations by student or guest speakers.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSStudent of the QuarterEach quarter, the middle school staff nominates one boy and one girl from each grade to be recognized as Students of the Quarter. Teachers consider a variety of criteria including character, service, improvement, effort, and academics. These students are recognized at the quarterly assemblies.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSStudy HallsStudy halls in middle school are provided to give students additional time during the school day to work on homework and other school-related work, such as making up tests and quizzes, labs, etc., and are proctored by middle school teachers or aides. To provide an optimal work environment, study halls are predominantly silent. Students work quietly and independently on their schoolwork, and are free to ask for assistance from the teacher or aide on duty. Computer use and group project work during study hall requires written permission from the teacher assigning the project, and is up to the discretion of the study hall proctor.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSVisitorsFor the purpose of security, all visitors to the school must first report to the office and receive a pass. Parents who wish to observe a class must schedule with the teacher and/or Middle School Director beforehand. Student visitors (including friends of current students) must have permission from the administration to visit during school hours and will only be allowed for valid reasons (such as educational purposes or future enrollment).BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS Volunteering in the Middle SchoolThe middle school welcomes and appreciates parent volunteers – from field trip chaperones to class parent(s). Please contact Cathy Botti in the school office to have your name added to a list of volunteers.BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTSMiddle School Faculty E-Mail Addresses All Staff E-mail address are listed below, followed by "@xenos.org"
XENOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS? CALENDAR FOR 2006- 2007
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