2008-09 Staff Handbook

Accidents
All accidents must be reported to the office as soon as possible after their occurrence. The teacher in charge of an activity in which the accident takes place is responsible for completing an accident form that must be filed at the superintendent’s office. Please turn in this completed form to the school nurse. Any student who receives any type of injury should be seen by the nurse. Therefore, please send or bring the student to the office as soon as possible after the accident.

Activities and Athletics
    The Barr Middle School activities program is very broad in scope, unlike the traditional sports offerings of the junior high. A part of the school philosophy is to get all children involved in healthy and wholesome activities. This may include such things as performing groups, intramural games, club activities as well as traditional sports offerings for 7th and 8th graders. Educators in the middle view activities as a vehicle for social and physical growth for all children. A comprehensive activities program provides experiences for children to learn appropriate social skills, develop friendships, and have fun. Children involved in healthy activities feel more accepted and tend to perform better in school. Because of the physical growth spurts that occur during this stage in life, activity also plays an important role in the development of each child.
    Children develop physically, socially/emotionally, and intellectually over middle school years. The first two domains of human development (physical and social/emotional) require a good activities program. It is through our games and social activities that children find acceptance and fulfill the need to belong. They develop friendships and are exposed to others who share a common interest. They learn the value of group effort, share common goals and begin to understand the “power of a group” to accomplish things. It is also through activities where children learn the art to negotiate and compromise with others. Healthy activity develops well rounded children.

After School Activities
Will run until 4:00 pm unless otherwise noted. This year, teachers may be compensated through 4:20 p.m. for some kind of after school activity (excluding intramurals). Clubs, intramurals, and athletics are all available to students and are usually in need of additional sponsors. At times you will be asked to assist with an event or activity; your cooperation in these times of need is greatly appreciated.

Alternative Middle School
The district has developed an Alternative Middle School. This school’s purpose is to assist students who are not finding success in a traditional school setting. The maximum number of 20 limits the amount of students included in this school. Procedures for admission include:
    application completed by team (S.A.T. or RTI)
a separate list of accommodations and modifications used over the year
information turned in to a principal for attachments (report cards and attendance)
the student and his/her family are interviewed by the alternative middle school staff.
Assessments
It is each teacher’s responsibility to provide time for students to complete district assessments.  Students that are absent during assessments must be provided every opportunity to be assessed when they return to school.  All students on your roster must be assessed.

Attendance
Please take attendance each period. Report absences at the beginning of first period.  
Please monitor attendance for each class; contact the office immediately if there are discrepancies.  Students who have been absent are not to be admitted to class without an admit slip from the office.  Please make sure morning attendance is accurate and report any discrepancies immediately to the office to avoid unnecessary phone calls home to parents.

Auditorium Use
Teachers may sign up to use the auditorium; do so in the office. Performances in the auditorium will ordinarily be given twice. Teams will be assigned to either Group I or Group II.
Teachers should:
always sit with their groups and monitor behavior
check attendance
teach good conduct prior to attending programs
be responsible for preventing any whistling, booing, jeering, and other disorderly conduct.

Bank/post office
    Barr Middle School does not have enough cash to make change. Neither do we sell postage stamps.  Please do not rely on the office for change or stamps.  If your group is planning an activity that requires a cash box, notify the office two days before the event.    

B.A.T. Committee
A building committee composed of team leaders, counselors, specialists, and administrators will meet twice a month to share ideas and information. Please request information from these representatives so that you stay informed. See Appendix G.

Barr Success Skills
The district has adopted the Boys Town Model. This model provides a tool for teachers to teach appropriate behavior and correct inappropriate behavior. Barr Middle School has further adopted this model to establish the skills necessary for each student to be successful, not just at school, but throughout life. These skills will be taught during the school day as well as during classes.

1. Follow instructions                         9. Resisting peer pressure
2. Accept criticism                           10. Make an apology
3. Accept “no” for an answer              11. Talking with other    
4. Properly greet others                     12. Giving a compliment    
5. Getting the teacher’s attention         13. Accepting a compliment
6. Making a request                          14. Being a volunteer
7. Disagree appropriately                   15. Reporting another’s behavior
8. Giving criticism                            16. Introducing yourself

Bomb Threat
1.    Upon receipt of a threat, the person receiving the call will make every attempt to:
    * Prolong the conversation. DO NOT HANG UP. (Use another telephone to call authorities).
    * Identify background noises and any distinguishing voice characteristics.
    * Ask the caller for a description of the bomb, where it is, detonation time, etc.
2.    The person receiving the threat will notify the principal who will alert 911.        
3.    The principal, in consultation with 911, will decide to make a preliminary search or evacuate the building.                                
4.    The principal will alert the superintendent’s office. (385-5900)
5.    Announcement of: TEACHERS, TAKE ATTENDANCE IN YOUR PURPLE FOLDERS over the intercom will inform the staff of a bomb threat. Other announcements: remain in rooms, all clear, or directions to evacuate will be given.
6.    Ask staff to make a visual observation of their classroom or work areas and inform them not to open cabinets, doors or move objects. If anything suspicious is found, DO NOT TOUCH IT! The bomb can be almost anything from a bundle of dynamite to concealed ordinary objects (book bag, toolbox, pipe, etc.). You will be searching for something that doesn’t belong in the classroom or work area.
7.    Check absentee list and on each absentee from class at the time the threat was received. Account for all students, check halls and restroom.
8.    Meet with police/fire department and search team to decide on the procedure for checking the building.
9.    If at any time the threat is determined to be valid, use standard fire drill procedures with any necessary modifications to evacuate the building. Evacuate to the football field. During inclement weather, an alternate location will be Starr Elementary School.
10.    When the building is reported to be safe, resume whatever schedule is needed for the rest of the day and debrief the staff and students.
11.    Notify the superintendent’s office when educational programs have resumed.
12.    If a written threat is received, copy the contents and protect the original message (plastic or other covering) to preserve fingerprints and other identifying marks.



Calling Tree/Connect Ed
A calling tree will be established for staff notification of emergencies or important news releases. If you cannot contact the first person, call the next person below your name. Please try later to call your original contact. Do not rely on an answering machine. See Appendix D.  You will occasionally receive Connect Ed phone calls regarding important information.

Cell Phones/phone calls
Personal cell phones are not to be used by teachers during class times, or by classified, unless on break.  Phones must be turned off during school hours.  Unless it can be determined an emergency, teachers will not be interrupted for personal calls; check mailboxes for daily messages.  Notify the secretaries if you are waiting for an important message.  
Remember, we are role models for students; if they see adults using cell phones during school hours, then...    

Check-out Sheets
Teachers are responsible for every student assigned to them at all times. Students should check out (include time, date) when using restrooms. Occasionally, these check-out sheets may provide information about building concerns.

Classified leave requests/phone calls
Classified staff must report to the principal for requests.  Classified staff must call the principal by 6:30 a.m. if not reporting to work.  Leave requests must first be approved by the principal.

Classroom/Student Supervision
Students are to be supervised at all times:
Never leave students unsupervised
If you must leave for an emergency, have someone cover
Be visible in the halls during all passing periods to cut down on inappropriate behavior.  
Staff must be visible in halls when students are in halls.

Class Schedule
There will be no bells except at 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. See Appendix K.


Consensus Building                                
Consensus building is not as much a formal voting process as it is a problem solving process. A team that learns to build consensus is well on its way to becoming a high performance team. Consensus building results from a 70% agreement but 100% support! Therefore, it is extremely important for all to understand that in building consensus - not every member has to agree - but every member must agree to support the decision.

Copying Procedures
Teachers must plan to send copies to central office. Should you need extra copies, a digital copier is available.  A duplicator machine is available to make 25 (or more) copies in an emergency.  Printing costs will be taken from each grade level and explores annual budget.

Copyright
Be sure you understand rules and regulations of copyrights. Proper use of videos, company logos, or other such items is your responsibility.

Core Days
Days with unique schedules or shortened days will be conducted occasionally. This enables the teams to manipulate the schedule of classes as needed. Please inform the office staff when changes have been made to daily schedule.

Courtesy Committee
We have a courtesy committee that sends cards, flowers, purchases gifts for appropriate needs.  This is a great way to show your support to all staff members.  Please remember to contribute your share each year.

    2008-2009 committee members:  
        Leanne Blanchard
        Barb Johnson
        Stacy Sybrandts

Curriculum
Lessons must be directly related to curriculum. Unrelated activities, such as videos, are not acceptable. Again, be aware of copyright rules.


Detention
Teachers and/teams are responsible for supervising students whom they have assigned a detention. Remember, some form of parental contact is necessary with each learning intervention. Students must be able to contact parents by 2:30 p.m. in order to make ride arrangements, if necessary.  Students may have to stay the following day.

Discipline
Each teacher is expected to maintain a proper learning atmosphere in his/her classroom. Day-to-day discipline, using Barr Success Skills, is a portion of proper classroom management. Teachers are expected to handle the day-to-day common discipline procedures that are necessary for the maintenance of a good classroom setting.
A positive approach to student behavior will reinforce those actions we hope to foster in a student.
Negative reinforcement may also be effective in specific situations. However, at Barr a teaching approach is taken even during this negative reinforcement. The steps of this discipline system include:                                
STEP 1    Teacher interventions - describe what you see as a problem. Teach the appropriate skill and practice. This should be done immediately.

STEP 2    Teacher intervention + neutral practice time - this enables the teacher and student a more intense practice session. This practice session can be done before or after school or over lunch. If a student does not show up for this practice or if the behavior occurs again, teachers should contact the parents immediately. Two parental contacts are necessary prior to an office referral.

STEP 3    Office referral: A contract is set up between the office and the student to set a goal for appropriate behavior. If this goal is met, the next office referral will result in another contract. Only upon breaking the contract will a student be sent to in-school suspension. The purpose behind this strategy is not only to teach the student appropriate behavior, but to reward the student for meeting his or her goal.

        Some actions are cause for automatic office referral or
        suspension. These include but are not limited to:        
        *name calling directed at staff
        *stealing
        *vandalism of school or personal property
        *dress code violations not corrected by the staff.

STEP 4    Upon an office referral resulting in a break in contract, a principal will determine appropriate consequences. These consequences may include: intensive teaching practice, in-school suspension, out of school suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment.
        Teachers must send a document with date, student name, teacher name, and infraction to the office with the student prior to determining consequences.

Discretion With Students
Due to sensitive situations, please use discretion when working with students. Humor, for example, may not transfer well in certain situations; encouraging touches could be misinterpreted.  Teachers are cautioned to use professional judgment.

Discretionary Leave
Get approval from an administrator (not a secretary) in advance
No longer than two hours    
Find own class coverage
Sign orange form in Brian’s office prior to leaving
Keep in mind: requests may be denied
Medical issues do not pertain to discretionary leave

Door Duty/Supervision
It is your responsibility to find a replacement should a conflict arise.  Morning and afternoon duty will be assigned. You must notify the office of any changes in supervision.

Dress Code
Make no mistake about reality. Teachers have a responsibility to encourage learning, and learning begins by gaining and keeping the respect of students. Your respect begins with your professional appearance.
The middle school concept is based on active participation while learning. Teachers are expected to dress appropriately and professionally for each day. This includes a proper fit that is suitable as well as prudent.

Professional Attire
(adapted from The First Days of School, by Harry Wong)

What is appropriate dress?
You expect your students to use appropriate English, write papers using an appropriate form, and display appropriate behavior and manners.

Right?
Then you understand about appropriate dress.

What is appropriate for one staff member may not be appropriate for another
Blue jeans and t-shirts are not appropriate (unless specifically determined by administrators ahead of time)  
Shorts are unacceptable attire for teachers
Staff attire should always be a level above district student dress code  requirements.
The latest district dress code addresses cleavage.  Be conscientious of the new changes.
Remember that district policy states that tattoos must be covered during work hours.

Duties
Every attempt will be made to provide equity in duties. However, teacher responsibilities are not always subject to equity. Please be flexible and cooperative with others when needs arise. See Appendix H.

E-mail
Please check e-mail daily. This is your most current, consistent, updated source of school information. During summer, please check weekly. This is a convenient, consistent way to stay informed.  Use discretion when using district technology.

Emergencies
Please review your emergency response folders. New teachers, let us know if you need these folders.
Codes:    Red - Hostage or intruder Take attendance in red folder.
             Blue - Medical Take attendance in blue folder.
             Purple - bomb threat Take attendance in purple folder.

Code Blue Team:                                    
        Tell           Foltz        Helton           
        Ryan           Ward       Ross

Enrichment
Do not send more than two students at one time to the media center. Students must take turns. The media center should not be a gathering place to visit.

Even/Odd Day Schedule
On the master schedule 1,3,5, = odd calendar days; 2,4 = even calendar days.

Field Trips
Field trips are encouraged as an integral part of education. It is necessary to communicate information to the office and receive approval in advance.  Check with a principal about available dates.
A list of students who will be going on the trip (include departure and return times) must be submitted to the office prior to departure. Parental permission slips must be signed prior to student participation. A signed copy of this form must be kept in the office.    
Exploratory teachers may check with the office regarding signed forms. Students who miss classes are to obtain a prearranged excuse and make up all work.
Because of transportation limitations, one month advance notice must be given. Teams are responsible for field trip expenses.
Notify the cafeteria if your team will be out of the building so they can prepare accordingly.
No field trips may be conducted the last week of school.

Fines
Teachers do not collect fines from students at the end of the year. Students must pay at the secretary’s office or the media center as they check out on the last day.

Fire Drills
            FIRE DRILL EVACUATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please follow the maps posted in classroom.
Exit the building; continue to move toward the black top (west exit) across the drive by Stolley Park Road or to the track area (east exit) by Sylvan Street. During inclement weather, the gathering point will be the Starr Elementary gym. Teachers will take roll prior to any student being released.
Emphasize to students to remain silent and follow instructions.

Forms
The following forms have been starred for your convenience. Please do not turn in incomplete or partially completed forms. This delays the turn around time for this information at the district office.
1. Leave Request
    The leave request should be discussed, completed, and returned to an administrator (not a secretary). All starred areas must be completed prior to administrative approval. If you have questions regarding your Job ID #, please see an administrator. Additionally, any questions regarding which type of leave to request should be directed to an administrator. Your certified or classified handbook is a great resource for determining which leave is appropriate.

2. Substitute Report
    Please complete the sub report at the same time as the leave request. It asks for basically the same information; however, this provides the district and the sub with written documentation for pay.

3. Requisition
    A requisition form is needed to complete any money transaction. Please visit with the principal prior to submitting a requisition.  Please complete each starred area. If you are being reimbursed, your name must be entered on the Vender Name line. Keep in mind, on reimbursements, the district will not pay sales tax. The tax exempt number is available in the office; please obtain it prior to picking up any items.
        The office will enter the account code: fund, program, L/Org, etc. Please be as accurate and thorough as possible with requisitions. They go through several different hands and questions always arise.
                        
Always include the catalog with the requisition so that accuracy is assured
Shipping and handling must be included in the cost of any item
The principal’s signature is required on all requisitions
Know that some requests may be denied.

4. Printing Request
Staff have several options for printing materials. The most cost efficient when making large requests is to send the material to the administration building.
    
A form must accompany each of these requests.
Team leaders may sign typical requests
A principal must sign any unique requests. Unique requests would include: colored paper, binding, hard covers, three-hole punch, stapling, or oversized paper.
The account codes for printing are:
        6th grade              01.1106.5901.200.0390
        7th grade            01.1107.5901.200.0390
        8th grade             01.1108.5901.200.0390
        FCS                01.1111.5901.200.0390.1160
        Speech            01.1111.5901.200.0390.1170
        Instructional Tech        01.1111.5901.200.0390.1175
        Tech Ed            01.1111.5901.200.0390.1175
        Art                01.1111.5901.200.0390.1195
        ELL                01.1150.5901.200.0390.0000
        P.E.                01.1165.5901.200.0318.0000
        DLP                01.1200.5901.200.0390.0000
        Counselors            01.2120.5901.200.0390.0000
        Social worker        01.2192.5901.200.0390.0000
        Library services        01.2222.5901.200.0318.0000
        
Foundation of a Middle School
A middle school is made up of four key components:
Teams of teachers
Broad activities programs
An advisement program called Prime Time
Experimential learning or exploration.

Frameworks (Teacher Evaluation)
The district has adopted the Charlotte Danielson model for teacher evaluation procedures. Each teacher should have a copy of (and should refer to) Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching. Teachers and administrators will use the web site established on the district home page when filling out forms. Remember, it is each teacher’s responsibility to complete the self-reflection goal sheets. Web site: http://204.234.22.5:591/framework/frameworks.htm

Grading Scale/ Life Skills
The following grading scale is to be used; however, teachers are encouraged to review the information on Accommodations and Modifications for Students with Diverse Needs (Resource Information section):
    A    =    90 -100 - Advanced     
    B    =     80 - 89 - Proficient
    C    =     70 - 79 - Satisfactory
    D    =     60 - 69 - Beginning
LIfe Skills:  Study Skills        Beginning
             Work Completion    Developing
              Classroom Behaviors    Proficient
             Initiative/ Effort    Advanced

The discriptors which accompany the letter grade bring us in line with our state and district requirements. In the information we provide to the state, students who have averages from 70-100% will be reported as meeting the standards.
Please always remember that certain students (ELL and SPED, for example) may earn pass/fail grades.  It is the teacher’s responsibility to call or contact parents when a child’s grade is in jeopardy.    
Gum
To promote the upkeep of our building, please do not distribute, sell or reward students with gum. The more we discourage it, the less it will be chewed.

Hall Passes
It is recommended that no more than two students at one time be permitted out of a room. (There are some exceptions to this as determined by teams.) Before leaving, students should have their planners signed, which will work as a hall pass. In addition, a checkout sheet may need to be kept identifying students and times.


Hall/Stairway Supervision
Each teacher is responsible to monitor halls and stairs in front of or by their classrooms between classes, and before and after school.  Please take this supervision seriously; stairways must have monitors.

High Ability Learners
The district has submitted a strong dedicated plan to provide services to all gifted, or HAL (High Ability Learners) students via their neighborhood schools. The plan also provides the stipulation that other students who may be gifted and talented in specific areas that previously were not a part of the identification process, must in the future be allowed and encouraged to pursue their talents.
The proposed program for our building will be based on Renzulli’s school enrichment model, will be classroom based, and must involve differentiated curriculum.
High ability learners will benefit from the following:
    1. curriculum compacting
    2. skill-level grouping
    3. pull-out within grade level and across grades
    4. special enrichment programs
    5. mentorships and internships
    6. program acceleration
    7. media integration specialists

Identification Badges
All staff are directed by the district to wear name or identification badges when in district buildings. This directive is mandated due to safety issues. All staff at Barr Middle School will wear proper badges. Should yours get misplaced, it is your responsibility to make arrangements at central office to get an additional badge.

Injuries - Illnesses
Our first line of aide is Mrs. Foltz, the school nurse. Other staff members on this medical assistance team include: Mr. Ryan, Miss Ward, Mrs. Helton, Mrs. Ross, and  Mr. Tell. The intercom code for a medical emergency:
TEACHERS, TAKE ATTENDANCE IN YOUR BLUE FOLDER.

Intercom Use
Intercom use will be minimized in order to not disrupt teaching time. There will be times that the office must interrupt classes; thanks for understanding.


Intruders - Strangers
“Better safe than sorry” - All staff are expected to report suspicious behavior by anyone immediately. Procedures for an intruder include:
    1.    Announcement: TEACHERS, TAKE ATTENDANCE IN YOUR RED FOLDER.
    2.    lock all doors
    3.    turn off all lights
    4.    ignore all bells
    5.    keep students in the classroom away from the doors and windows
    6.    do not open the door until you have been directed to do so
    7.    in areas where smaller spaces exist, move students from the larger area to a smaller one (gym to a locker room).

ISAP
Barr has developed a transition room for assisting students with academic help. The Individual Student Assistance Program is available for catch up work, tutoring sessions with a paraprofessional, help with alternative or modified assignments, giving presentations to a smaller audience, etc.
The ISAP should not be used for inappropriate behavior. These types of problems should be referred to the office after parents have been solicited for assistance in solving the inappropriateness. The referral process for the ISAP includes:
* Team/Teacher discusses the concern with the students and parents.
* The concern has been discussed with a principal or counselor.
* Scheduling arrangements made with ISAP aide.
* Agreement made on when the regular schedule resumes.

ISS
     Our in-school suspension program may be referred to as ISS.
    ISS room is located on the 6th grade level.


Keys
Staff are assigned keys for rooms that also open the building. Lost keys provide a delicate situation; a lost key means that an unauthorized person may now have access to the building. A minimum fee of $50 per key will be charged should a staff member lose keys. Lost keys may require re-keying the building. Please be careful with your keys.

Notify a principal immediately if your outside key is missing; we will cancel your code and assign a new one.

Leaves
The complete leave policy is located within the negotiated agreement. A staff member must check with an administrator prior to completing forms (secretaries will not complete your forms).
Submit your leave requests to the office completely filled out, including name, job I.D. and reason. (See samples at back of handbook).
Please fill out two forms---personal leave request and sub voucher--- and submit at the same time.
Personal leave must be requested a week in advance. Check with a secretary a couple of days prior to your absence to confirm your substitute. Complete the substitute report when you return and turn in to the office secretaries. See Appendix F.

Lesson Plans
After Labor Day, please plan to have lesson plans completed and available upon request. In addition, a differentiated lesson must be turned in to the integration specialist each month. Please use videos directly related to the curriculum. List videos on your lesson plans along with the explanation of its use.

Long Distance Calls
It is necessary, at times, to make long distance telephone calls for school purposes. If your call is in the 308 area code, please dial 1-700 (instead of 1-308). This reduces the cost of long distance calls. If you need to make a long distance call and do not have access to a long distance code, make arrangements in the office.


Lunch Duty
Please make arrangements with someone to trade duty assignment. It is your responsibility to cover your assigned time.  Notify the office of any changes.

Mail
Please check your mailbox in the office every morning and afternoon.  You may have phone messages.  Students will not be permitted to gather teachers’ mail.

Media Center - See Enrichment

Middle School Philosophy
This term was first coined in the late 1960’s by a small group of educators who argued that children in the middle (between elementary and high school) were simply not miniature high school students and should not be treated as such. They stressed the middle school philosophy attempts to view the child in a holistic context. Through programming and strategies it tries to address the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth of each child. It emphasizes activity over passive learning, provides programming to address social/emotional needs, and encourages healthy, active exploratory experiences.

Missing Assignments
All daily work should be made up as soon as possible after returning to classes. Generally, one day should be allowed for each day missed. The teacher may lower the grade on delayed make-up work.
It is the teacher’s responsibility to inform the student and student’s parent on all matters concerning his/her make-up work. Tests and assessments given during a pupil's absence should be made up as soon as the pupil has had the work covered by the test. It is the student and teacher’s responsibility to arrange a mutually convenient time for taking such tests and assessments.

Office Referrals
Send a document with the student that includes student name, your name, date, and a summary of the infraction. Consequences cannot be administered until teacher input has been provided.

Parental Contact
     Some form of parental contact is necessary with each learning intervention.  Students must be able to contact parents by 2:30 p.m. in order to make ride arrangements, if necessary.  Students may have to stay the following day.

Parent Requests
Requests for teams, teachers, or class placement are discouraged. Staff must be professional when parents make such requests. Teams of students have been balanced. Do not indicate that you can grant their requests.

Phone Use
It is up to the teacher’s discretion whether a student will be allowed to use the phone. Students may not use the phone without a signed planner. If you allow a student to call home from your team room, please let the secretaries know so they can be informed for parent calls.

Plan B (C, D, E)
All teams must have a back-up daily plan in place for emergencies. Occasionally, for example, no subs are available. .

Progress Reports
    Please keep a copy of all progress reports on your computer or in paper form; this protects the teacher should questions arise later.  The progress reports are mailed to parents or given out at P/T conferences every six weeks.

Purchase Procedures
Nothing should be purchased for school use that will be paid for by the Grand Island Board of Education unless it has been requisitioned and/or approved in advance with the principal. This includes items that would be turned in for reimbursement. In any case, items that are to be purchased must be accompanied by a purchase order number.
Do not phone in an order, and then request a P.O. number. Fill out a requisition for such items and give it to the principal to sign and forward to the business office. If the purchase is $500 or more, a quote sheet must be completed in advance.
Reimbursements to you will not include tax money. See Appendix F.

Rumors
Teachers will many times hear rumors about conflicts among students or even the possibility of an after school fight. Teachers should report such rumors to the counselors or administration immediately.

Safety Issues
All outside exits (except the west main entrance) are locked during the school day.  Staff that utilize a different exit must ensure that the door locks behind them. It is important that we are all aware of items that could be used to prop open a door. Staff should contact the office immediately with any rumors or concerns, of unidentified people. Radios are provided to some staff for communication purposes: (the office, custodians, principals, nurse).
 Intercoms are available throughout the building. Suggestions to teachers include:
Be visible, before school, after school, between classes, in halls and stairways.
Do not give keys to a student.
Always carry your class lists with you during any kind of emergency.

Schedule Changes
We encourage teams to change student schedules when they view a need for it.  Changes can be made for academic reasons as well as for breaking up “negative” peer groups.
If you reschedule students or alter your team schedule please notify the office so that the necessary changes can be made. See Master Schedule Appendix A. This is especially helpful when a parent comes in or calls requesting to speak to their child.
If we have difficulty locating a child it may be necessary to call a team leader to request his/her whereabouts or to use the “all call” on the intercom.

School Equipment
Classrooms will have the necessary equipment. Teachers are responsible for the equipment assigned to them in their rooms.
Please remember that the equipment belongs to the school district, and that it is not necessarily a part of a particular room.
Please notify a principal should you have some reason for wanting to take equipment from the building.
If something specific is needed for your room, please see a principal.
The head custodian must be informed in advance if you request to use school equipment, such as tables or chairs.
Students are not allowed to take school equipment home (cameras, laptops, etc.)

SIP Committee
     This committee is largely responsible for guiding faculty through student data, setting goals and making scholastic recommendations.

Special Education Issues
Barr incorporates Class Within a Class. The concept behind CWC is an attempt to integrate special needs children into the regular classroom and treat them as full fledged school citizens. It assures equal access, equity, and fulfills the current status of least restrictive environment. CWC is built on the following assumptions:
All children can learn.
Effective teaching is effective with all students.
Identified students can be socially integrated into the mainstream.
Mainstreaming eliminates negative stigmas.
Students can learn from other students.
Expectations are a powerful tool.

CWC relies on both the subject area teacher and the resource teacher adjusting and understanding this new role as partners. Collaboration between these teachers in the areas of:
1)    planning lessons
2)     delivering the instruction
3)    monitoring and assessing student learning
We owe it to every Barr Middle School student to utilize this partnership to its fullest. Keep in mind, what helps a gifted student may help a resource student, but what helps a resource student may also help that gifted student.
Also, remember to document all attempts at helping a student be successful (i.e. phone calls to parents, meetings, notes sent home).
     CWC will be primarily conducted in language arts and math classes.



Student Arrival Time
Students may wait inside the building, but within the glass enclosures, until 7:53 a.m. each morning. Students waiting in the building prior to 7:53 a.m. will be seated in the following areas:
Grade 6 - east side of gym
Grade 7 - west side of gym
Grade 8 - commons area

Student Schedules
Please know that the office needs current student schedules. Each team is responsible for keeping the office’s student schedules current.

Student Lists
Remember to provide the secretaries with student lists, staff cell phone numbers, and any letter sent home to the parent explaining the details of any field trips. Please include student numbers as well. When a field trip is planned, all exploratory teachers must know so that they can prepare accordingly.

Student Retention
Research over the past 50 years has indicated that retention is not an effective tool in promoting student learning. There appear to be conditions when retention seems applicable. For example, the student misses many days throughout the year for no valid reason and work is not made up. This creates large gaps in learning.
Special Education causes some unique situations. However, it is not appropriate to retain a SPED student who has been working to the best of their ability. Should a team or teacher consider retaining a SPED student, the following must be shared with a principal and counselor:
A copy of the I.E.P.
A list of specific accommodations and/or modifications made by each subject area throughout the school year, to include a more restrictive environment.

Student Transfers
The office will determine the grades for those students transferring from other schools to Barr. Credit for past work will be granted. A transfer student will not be expected to make up work missed.
Teachers shall submit progress reports to the office during the middle of each grading period the names of those students failing or near failing in their classes. A copy of these progress reports needs to be kept by a counselor and the teacher.

Substitute Preparation
All teachers should have the type of classroom management that will carry over into the days when a substitute might be taking over their classes. It is a good idea to mention from time to time the possibility that a substitute might be necessary and what you as their regular teacher expect of them.
Your plans should be available and detailed.  It is most helpful, if possible, to notify the secretary or the sub by phone or e-mail of your detailed plans.
Have a current seating chart available at all times. Also, it would be wise to have some sort of statement as to your attendance procedure. Let the sub know that attendance is taken at the beginning of each period and needs to be sent to the office with a student.  If you have a particularly capable student in each class, it might be a good idea to indicate such student’s names so the teacher is aware of that student’s ability in taking care of classroom activities.
Have a class roster available for the sub to take attendance each period.

Substitute Procedures
Substitute teachers are employed when teachers are absent for a half day or more. The assistant principal should be informed of emergency absences, such as illness. Generally, a teacher will know by 6:30 a.m. and this allows the sub to be secured and arrive on time. It is helpful if teachers call as early as possible because of our limited supply of qualified subs.
Share the location of your plans with your team leader.
Substitute Requests
Please call Brian at home, 382-4886, or his cell (390-6532) before 10:00 pm the night prior or by 6:30 a.m. that morning if you are in need of a sub. Do not leave a message on an answering machine. If you do not reach him after the third attempt, call Jeff at 398-8032.

Summer School (STARS)
The district provides a middle school summer school. Teams or teachers may recommend a student for summer school by notifying a counselor near the end of the regular school year.  Generally, 6th and 7th graders who are not proficient in language arts or math may be invited to summer school.  Mr. Ramsey is the director of the STARS program.

Supervision
Supervision is extremely important in preventing discipline problems. Teachers are asked to assist in the supervision of all students before, during, and after school. It is mandatory that each of you are on time for this supervision each day. A.M. supervision begins at 7:35 a.m.  
All staff members will supervise after school as well,  in the commons and  outside. P.M. supervision is from 3:30 - 3:45 p.m. (See Appendix H for your dates and times.) If you are unable to supervise, you must find your replacement; be flexible and return the favor when possible. See Appendix H.  If you have early supervision, you may choose to leave early during that week or the following week.
Early supervision means you are entitled to leave early as a means of compensation.

Tardies
If a student is tardy to their first class, he/she must present a tardy slip from the office.  If the student arrives tardy and has no slip, please send the student to the office to ensure that the student is not counted absent in attendance.
Teachers should keep a record and deal with tardy students on an individual or team basis. This also includes a student’s arrival to school. Dental and medical appointment cards must be presented at the office before students will be excused from class. A
student should present an early dismissal pass to his/her teacher to be excused from the classroom. No student shall leave the building early without signing out in the office.

Teacher Interventions

STUDENT CHECK LIST FOR CURRICULUM SURVIVAL

    Teams and/or teachers could implement any of the following suggestions in order to guarantee student success:

    *modify curriculum at any time (shortened assignments)
    *adjust the core or exploratory schedule
    *S.A.T. or RtI process
    *modify to meet a student’s strength
    *effective use of enrichment time
    *counselor intervention
    *planner checks
    *weekly progress reports (through counselor’s office).

Team Leaders
Your team leader is your liaison with the office. B.A.T. members will keep teams informed and updated.  The team leaders, counselors, and media specialists will serve as the building advisory team.

Teen Talk Groups
The middle level years are a time of great change, which presents difficult times for many students. To offer support in dealing with concerns in a positive manner, Barr provides 7th and 8th graders an opportunity to be in a Teen Talk group. Teen Talk deals with issues such as divorce, grief, stress, alcohol, drugs, relationships, and communication skills.
These support groups are facilitated by trained Barr staff members. Because these groups discuss some sensitive issues, confidentiality and continuity are essential. This valuable time for students assists in improving not only their academic life, but their life in general. Teachers are encouraged to make arrangements to have all assignments and tests made up outside the group’s time so that all may attend.

Tolerance
Teach your students to be tolerant of others.  Our student body is becoming more diverse and students must be able to tolerate other students and cultures. Students speaking a second language at times should be accepted and even encouraged. Ask those students to be your translator, for example.

Tornado drills
    Please follow the directions posted in your classroom.
EVERYONE SIT ON THE FLOOR AND FACE THE INTERIOR WALL.

Either an announcement or a warning signal will be heard over the intercom. In case of a power failure we will use the bullhorn. After being seated, teachers will take roll. Emphasize to students to pass in silence and emphasize the importance of following instructions.
Each room has a map located next to the door for emergency purposes.  Please be sure the map is available.

Videos
Copyright laws will be followed. If you are unsure, please check with an administrator. Viewing movies as a class assignment is prohibited.  Videos must be used sparingly and not used as primary means of instruction.  You must provide a direct curriculum connection to any/all videos.  Videos used as class rewards is unacceptable.