Absences & Tardies

Please call the WMS office by 9:00am if your student will not be in attendance and the reason for their absence. All students arriving on campus after the start of school must check in at the office.



After School

Students are expected to leave campus by 2:45PM unless in a supervised activity. Students staying for an activity are expected to be in that activity or leave the school grounds. Students will not be allowed to loiter on campus.

 

Attending Assemblies

During school assemblies all students are expected to show respect for all participants, spectators, and each other. All school rules apply, including dress code. Students must respond immediately and appropriately to all adults and staff requests. Consequences for failure to do so, may result in suspension from attending/participating in future extracurricular activities.

 

Buying or Selling

No items are to be bought or sold at WMS without the consent and approval of the principal's office. Items will be confiscated without consideration for monetary loss if this occurs at WMS. Fund-raising for outside activities is also not allowed.

 

Classroom Behavior

Students are expected to comply with all classroom behavior expectations. If a student becomes too disruptive to learning in a classroom environment, the teacher reserves the right to refer the student to the office for disciplinary intervention.

 

Closed Campus

WMS is a closed campus. This means students must remain on school grounds and in designated areas at all times unless excused by a staff member. Once a student arrives on school grounds for the day, they are not to leave the campus or designated areas without parent and school permission until school is dismissed. All students leaving campus during the school day must sign out in the office.

Non-WMS students are not permitted on campus during school hours without permission granted through the office.

 

Dress Code


"Dress for Success"

Students' clothing should be clean and promote a positive image for themselves and Washington Middle School. Extremes in dress and personal appearance, which tend to cause distraction or pose health problems,will not be tolerated. All styles of clothing designed to call undue attention to the wearer are not appropriate at school. While fashions change so quickly that specifics are difficult, the following are some general guidelines for dress.

We ask that parents support our efforts when shopping for school clothes.

  • Hats, scarves, bandanas, and hoods are not to be worn at school or at any school function.
  • Shirts must completely cover midriffs, shoulders, backs, and chests, and be made of fabric that is not transparent.
  • Spandex, long underwear or boxer shorts are inappropriate apparel for school.
  • All skirts and shorts are to be mid-thigh length (fingertip length) without slits.
  • There should be no large holes or tears in student clothing
  • Pants must be worn properly secured above the mid hip-no sagging!
  • At no time should undergarments be exposed
  • Shoes should be worn at all times
  • Gang-related clothing, styles, or accessories are not allowed
  • Chains and long belts are not allowed
  • Clothing, backpacks or any accessories promoting drugs, alcohol,
    tobacco, music groups, or with inappropriate, offensive or
    disrespectful messages are not allowed.
  • Sunglasses will not be worn during school hours.

Emergency Drills

Fire, earthquake, and lockdown drills are set up to help prevent injuries in the case of an emergency. These drills are required by law and will be held at regular intervals. All drills are to be taken seriously and students are to cooperate fully by practicing effective procedure to ensure the safety of all. Specific instructions for evacuation and response to such drills will be given at the beginning of the school year. In the event of a fire drill, all students are to exit the building immediately with their classes, line up quietly in their designated areas and await further instructions. In the event of an earthquake or lock-down drill, students are to remain in a "hold" position as directed and wait for further instructions to be given.

 

Guest Teachers

Guest teachers (substitutes) are to be treated with respect. Students are expected to be polite and helpful. Any disciplinary problems with a guest teacher will be handled as a serious offense and consequences will follow.

 

Hallway Behavior

During passing times, halls are crowded and busy. We ask students not to congregate in large groups, to walk, be respectful, and keep hands and feet to themselves. This behavior is necessary for safety and order in our halls. Throughout the school day, students needing to use the library, restroom, or other areas outside of the classroom must have a legitimate hall pass.

 

"Hands Off !"

All students are expected to keep their hands, feet and bodies to themselves. Any form of wrestling or play fighting is prohibited.Public displays of affection (PDA) are not tolerated. These are defined as holding hands, kissing, hugging, etc. The staff will assist students in establishing appropriate contact with fellow classmates.

 

Homework

Students should be absent at least one day before requesting homework from the office. It is helpful if teachers have a 24 hr.notice.


Inappropriate Items

Toys and other noneducational items are not allowed at school. Additionally, laser lights, skateboards, roller blades, any type of collection cards, pagers or other electronic devices including cellphones, ipods, CD players, lighters, matches, aerosol sprays, breath sprays, and fingernail polish are also prohibited. The administration reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of items not listed. These items will be taken away if brought to school and returned to a parent or to the student at the end of the year.

 

Lunchroom

Students are asked to demonstrate courtesy and consideration for fellow students. Acceptable manners and civil behavior are to be used at all times. Panhandling is not allowed. Students are expected to pickup after themselves and recycle whenever possible. Food and drink are allowed ONLY in the cafeteria and in designated outdoor eating areas.

Students are not to gather in areas without direct adult supervision. During lunch, some areas of the building are off-limits due to classroom instruction that may be taking place.

 

PE Dress Expectations

All WMS students will be required to wear a PE T-shirt, which can be purchased for $7.00. Any students not following the dress code outlined in the PE guidelines will face consequences outlined by the PE staff,and a negative impact on their grades may result. Although showers are available,students are not required to shower.

 

School Agenda Use

School Agendas are required of all WMS students. They are used to communicate with parents and keep assignments organized. Students will be expected to carry their School Agenda with them every day at school.

 

Telephone Use

Please plan ahead! The office phone is for student emergency use only. Students may use the phone after receiving permission from an administrator or office staff personnel. Phones in the classrooms are to be used only with permission from the teacher in the class.

 

Cell Phones 

Cell phones should be turned off and stored in the student's locker during the school day.  Students using their phones throughout the day at WMS will have them confiscated and will serve detention.  Parents will be asked to retrieve phones from the office that have been confiscated.