Our parents page is designed to keep you informed of rules, procedures, and activities at Mineral Springs Middle School. For additional information, please call 703-6733.
At the end of our parents section will be information for our students. For additional information, please contact your child's grade level administrator at 336.703.6733.
Bulldog Agenda Book
The student agenda book will be used by all students as a daily planner, hallpass, and means of communication between parents and the school. Agendas are to be with the student at all times and taken home each day so parents can review school work, check assignments, read notes from teachers, and be aware of important dates. Parents are encouraged to utilize the agenda as a source of information and to send written communication back to the teachers. The first book is free, but when a student loses his/her agenda, a replacement book will cost $5.00. Students who do not have an agenda book will lose the privilege of student-initiated hallpasses (i.e., extra trip to locker, restroom, etc.)
School Day
Students will report to their classrooms beginning at 8:05 a.m. The pupil's day will be 8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Students who arrive before 8:05 a.m. should report to the gymnasium or the cafeteria if they eat breakfast. Arrival after 8:15 a.m. means the student is tardy. Eighth grade students should report directly to guidance to sign-in with a written note from parents stating the reason for being late. Sixth and seventh grade students who are tardy will report to homeroom unless it is after 8:45 a.m. After 8:45 a.m., students must report to guidance to sign-in. The guidance clerk will issue an excused or unexcused pass.
Moment of Silence
In accordance with School Board Policy, a moment of silence will be observed at the beginning of each school day.
All students and staff are to "freeze" and stop what they are doing.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance will be recited each day following the moment of silence. Individuals can not be forced to recite the Pledge; however, all are asked to stand and model respectful behavior.
Dismissal Procedures--Bus Riders
Bus riders are dismissed at 2:45 p.m. They should leave at the first bell and go directly to their assigned buses.
Car Riders/Walkers/Students Staying After School
Car riders, walkers, and students staying after school are dismissed at 2:50 p.m. Car riders and walkers should go directly to the front of the school to be picked up. Students need to make sure that arrangements have been made for someone to pick them up by 2:55 p.m. Those not picked up by 2:55 p.m. will report to the designated area until their ride arrives. Students staying after school for a teacher should go directly to the supervised activity at 2:50 p.m. and be in the designated location by the 2:55 p.m. bell.
After-School Activities
Activities are from 2:55 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These will be the only days that activity buses run and students must have a ticket in order to ride. The bus will depart from Mineral Springs at approximately 4:30 p.m. Refer to the Extra-curricular activities section for more information on after-school activities.
Visitors
We welcome all parents/guardians and grandparents to Mineral Springs Middle. As a security measure for our students and staff, all visitors are required to report to the main office upon arrival on campus, sign in, and receive a visitor's badge. We encourage you to visit your child's classroom or have lunch in our cafeteria.
Student Information
Student safety is a priority at Mineral Springs Middle. It is important that we have current phone numbers and addresses of parents/guardians of our students. In some situations, it is critical that we are able to contact parents quickly. Students and parents should make certain that we have the correct home, work, and emergency phone numbers for your child. Special medical concerns should also be shared with the Administration.
Academic Achievement
The middle school years are a critical time in a child's development. Making a successful transition from elementary school to high school is one important part of each child's future. Parental involvement has been proven to be one of the major factors in a child's success, so we encourage you to be an active part in your child's education. The following information will explain the grading scale, promotion guidelines, and Gateway 3.
The grading scale used for students in grades 6-12 is as follows:
A 93 - 100
B 85 - 92
C 77 - 84
D 70 - 76
F 69 and below
Students making the Honor Roll are recognized and rewarded each quarter. To make the Honor Roll list, a student must maintain a 3.0 GPA and receive no grades lower than a C.
Promotion
In order to be promoted to the 8th grade, students must:
- Pass 3 of the following 4 core subjects: math, science, social studies, and language arts. They must also pass 75% of all other courses. Those students who make passing grades but do not score at a level III or IV in reading or math are encouraged to attend and successfully complete 40 hours of remedial instruction in the area in which they were not proficient. This instruction may occur before school, after school, during summer school, Saturday school or during an intersession.
In order to be promoted to the 9th grade, your child as an eighth grader must:
- Pass 3 of the following 4 core subjects: math, science, social studies, and language arts. They must also pass 75% of all other courses.
- Score Level III or IV in reading and math on the 8th grade End-of-Grade tests.
Gateway III (effective 2001-2002)
Students must have passing grade and score at or above grade level on the 8th grade NC End-of-Grade tests in reading and math, which will be given in May. Students must also score a 2.5 on the 7th grade writing test or show adequate progress on a local writing test during 8th grade.
If a student does not meet promotion standards, he or she will have two opportunities to retake the end-of-grade tests in grade 8. A second administration of the tests will occur before the end of the school year. A third administration of the tests will be given at the end of the Summer Academy sessions in reading and math.
If a student does not meet promotion standards after the second administration of the end-of-grade test for grade 8, and has not been granted a waiver, the student will be expected to attend Summer Academy for additional help in reading and/or math. The principal or a designee reviews the student's non-promotion. A student shall be granted a waiver and promoted if he or she:
- Completes 40 hours of tutoring in reading or math, or a total of 80 hours in both subjects, or receives private tutoring;
- Scores with a range that is close to grade level performance; and
- Makes one year's growth in the subject area(s) - reading and math - in which the student is below grade level.
Absences
Good attendance is absolutely necessary for success at Mineral Springs. Regular daily attendance is expected for all students. An absence is "excused" only for the following reasons: personal illness, accident, serious illness, or death of an immediate family member, quarantine, medical or dental appointments (with a Doctor's note) court or administrative proceedings, religious observances, and approved educational opportunities.
If a student is absent from school for any other reason, it is necessary to give notice to the school. A written note from the parent or guardian, including the dates/reason for the absence must be turned in to the homeroom teacher before the student can be readmitted. A telephone call concerning the absence is not acceptable. The attendance office (principal) has the authority to determine the legitimacy of any absence. If a student is absent from school for more than two days, a parent will be notified. If the pattern continues, the student may be excluded from extracurricular activities.
Tardiness to School
School begins at 8:15 a.m. for all grades. Students are expected to arrive on time to school. Unless you are in your classroom and in your class seat at the scheduled time, you are tardy. Sixth and seventh grade students who are tardy report to homeroom until 8:45 a.m. After this time, they must report to guidance. Eighth grade students who are tardy will always sign-in in guidance. Students must bring a note stating the reason for the tardy or have a parent sign them in. The guidance clerk will issue an excused or unexcused pass. Unexcused tardies will result in detention and will be handled in the following manner:
- First tardy: Warning
- Second tardy: Warning
- Third tardy: Letter regarding tardies sent home
- Fourth tardy: Phone call home
- Fifth tardy: Discipline referral
Tardiness to Class
Students who are tardy to class will receive warnings on the 1st and 2nd tardy to class. On the 3rd tardy, the teacher will contact the student's parent/guardian. On the 4th and 5th tardy, the student will be assigned to after-school detention. the student will receive a D-1 (discipline action) for 6 or more tardies. This policy starts over at the end of each quarter. Make it a priority to be punctual and prepared for each day.
Leaving School Early
Only designated people listed on the "Check-out card" by the legal guardian are allowed to check students out of school. You may be asked to show a picture ID before signing out a student. Parents may designate up to four individuals who have the right to sign out their child. Please be sure the information you list on the card is accurate and updated regularly. Students who will be leaving school early will be called to the office when the designated person arrive to check them out. Upon returning to campus, students must be signed back in by the parent/guardian in the main office.
Withdrawal Procedures
Any student withdrawing from Mineral Springs Middle should notify the office several days prior to the move. The parent/guardian must accompany the child on his/her last day enrolled to complete the check-out procedures. All items (i.e., books, locks, fees, uniforms) must be turned in prior to check-out. Please contact the Guidance Department (703-6733) if you have questions regarding these procedures and a Counselor will assist you.
Emergency Procedures
DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL! Information regarding emergency closing of schools will be announced over local radio and TV stations.
Student Information and Guidelines
Statement of Purpose
The following guidelines have been prepared to assist you in understanding what is expected of you in school. It is intended that each student be fully informed of these guidelines.
The guidelines are designed to assure the safety and health of the the students and to allow the best atmosphere for learning.
Fire Drill
The signal for a fire drill is the constant ringing of the bell in the classrooms and hallways. Students will use room exits as indicated by the classroom teacher. Exit maps are also posted in each classroom. Students who are not in their assigned classroom should exit at the closest exit and locate the nearest faculty member. All classes in the building should exit quickly and quietly in single file. Only two lines in corridors are permitted, with the center left open. When outside the school, stand far enough away from the school building to ensure safety. Each class should remain together under their teachers's supervision and roll will be taken. Missing students should be reported to an Administrator. Remain in position until the "all clear" signal is given.
Building Rules
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Students may enter the building after 8:05 a.m. If a student comes to school before 8:05 a.m., he/she must report to the gym.
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All students not involved in a supervised school sponsored activity are to leave the building by 2:55 p.m. Once students are dismissed, they are not to return to the building. Only students who have valid reasons for returning may do so, and they must report to the main office and receive clearance to re-enter the school.
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Students staying for sponsored after-school activities should leave the campus by 4:25 p.m.
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Telephones (classroom or in the office) are to be used only for an emergency. In addition, to prevent losing instructional time, classes will not be interrupted to deliver phone messages (except in emergency situations), lunch money, PE clothing, etc. Efforts will be made to see that the student receives the information during class change, lunch, or non-instructional times. It is important that parents and students communicate prior to school to arrange transportation and other needs.
Care of School Property
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Students are responsible for taking care of the books and materials issued to them. If lost or damaged, the student must pay for the replacement or repair. If an item is found, please return it and we will refund the money.
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Any student who vandalizes school property must either pay for the damage or do whatever repair is necessary to refinish what he/she has damaged.
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Students should keep the inside and the outside of the building and surrounding areas as neat and clean as possible. The tidiness and appearance of the school building depends on each student's cooperation in keeping locker areas in order and keeping individual desks in classroom neat and clean.
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The lockers are school property and may be inspected at any time by the Principal or other school personnel. Locks issued to student must remain on lockers at all times. Students will lose the privilege of using a school locker when lockers are left unlocked. Always keep your combination lock on your locker and do not share your combination with anyone.
Dress Items and Grooming
Students should come to school in neat and suitable attire that does not distract others from the learning environment or educational process. Shoes are required at all times. Discretion should be used as to the appropriateness and safety of one's attire. All coats, jackets, and outdoor attire should be placed in lockers before 1st period. Coats are not be worn during the school day. Students are advised to wear sweaters if they feel the need to have additional warmth during the winter months.
Listed below are inappropriate items that should not be worn to school:
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Sagging pants (pants worn below the waist)
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Clothing containing obscene/profane words
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Drug, alcohol, tobacco related items on clothing
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Short shorts, short skirts
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See-through clothing
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Tight clothing
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Strapless shirts, tube tops, clothing that reveals bare back, chest or midriff
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Bare feet, bedroom slippers, flip-flops
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Visible underwear
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Heavy coats (Students are asked to put coats in their lockers before school.)
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Headwear (hats, head coverings of any kind, toboggans, scarves, wave caps, bandannas, head bands)
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Sweatbands and wristbands
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Any symbols, styles or attire frequently associated with gangs, intimidation, violence or violet groups
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Any item(s) deemed inappropriate by the Administration
Lunch
The lunch period is designed to provide a well-balanced diet, opportunities for socialization, and relaxation. The cafeteria provides a terrific feature of using student accounts for all purchases. You may find it helpful to deposit money in your child's account, from which purchases will be deducted. This will avoid situations of students forgetting their lunch money. We expect our students to help us take care of the cafeteria. Please follow the rules below:
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The cafeteria is a place to eat. Please help make it a pleasant place by following simple rules of courtesy and showing respect for the rights of others. Each student is responsible for cleaning the entire table and floor around the table at which he/she eats.
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Students are to enter quietly through the western most entrance and exit through the door by the double doors.
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Students should NOT borrow or loan money to fellow students.
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Students may NOT purchase items for fellow students. Any student desiring something from our cafeteria must make his/her own purchase.
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Students are NOT allowed to break in line. Students breaking in line will be moved to the back of the line on the first offense.
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Students are to sit at their assigned tables and should not visit other tables.
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Students are permitted to talk QUIETLY at their assigned tables only.
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Students are to remain seated until the teacher signals the class to return trays and line up at the exit. Students must have their teacher's permission to leave the cafeteria.
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Each class should have two table monitors. One is assigned to wash tabletops and the other sweeps the floor at the assigned area before leaving the cafeteria.
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Food and drinks are not be taken from the cafeteria.
Discipline Guidelines and Consequences
Along with rules specific to Mineral springs Middle, the WS/FCS System Guidelines for Student Discipline will be followed. It is absolutely critical that each student comes to school to pursue an eduction and avoid conduct that is likely to lead to suspension or other disciplinary measures. Please refer to these guidelines, which are included in the agenda. Students and parents are expected to know and abide by all guidelines.
Student misconduct is classified into six levels with recommendations for appropriate disciplinary action. Aggravating and mitigating factors are also considered by Administrators.
After-school detention - Students may be assigned by an administrator for Level I violations and by teachers for violations of the tardy policy. Detention is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:55-4:25 p.m. Failure to stay will result in the assignment of additional time.
In-school suspension - At Mineral Springs Middle, this is referred to as Intervention. Students may be assigned for up to 10 days at a time, generally for Level I offenses. Parents will receive a letter citing the reason and length of the suspension.
The purpose of the Intervention room is to service students and to provide a positive educational environment. Realizing that no one can solve a problem for a student, one can give the structure and guidance for that student to reach a solution. This program is intended to intervene with a student and help him/her get back on the right track and regain focus. By achieving these goals, it is our hope that the student can be successful in academics as well as social experiences.
Basis strategies include working one on one with the assistance of learning packets on discipline. The student will read and sign the entrance contract. Once in the Intervention center, the following rules and procedures are explained by the teacher:
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No talking or communicating in any way with other students
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Remain in assigned seat
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One escorted restroom break in the morning and one in the afternoon with no talking, etc.
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Silent lunch - students will be escorted to the cafeteria and back to the room
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Completion of learning packets to specified requirements and discussion with the teacher
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Write a behavioral contract for classroom as well as school behavior
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Complete any additional assignments as deemed necessary by the Intervention teacher
If violations occur while in the intervention room, the student will receive additional time in that classroom or other disciplinary actions such as:
In addition, Intervention may be used by administrators for the following:
Out-of-school suspension - Generally used for offenses that are Level II and above. Parents will be notified orally before suspending a student.
Alternative school assignment - Students who accumulate 10 days of short term suspensions for Level I, II, and III offenses, may be recommended for an alternative school assignment to a re-entry program for up to 90 days.
"Give Me Five"
When any adult at the school raises his/her hand, it means to SHOW RESPECT and GIVE ME FIVE as follows:
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Eyes on speaker
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Mouth quiet
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Sit still
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Hands free
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Listen
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL
Car riders are dropped off and picked up in the circle drive area on the Ogburn Avenue side of the building. Any student arriving before 8:05 a.m. will report to the gym. At 8:05 a.m., students may enter the building. At dismissal, bus riders are dismissed at 2:45 p.m. Car riders and walkers are dismissed at 2:50 p.m. Car riders should be picked up promptly at 2:55 p.m. It is important that students are picked up in a timely manner. Students who live outside of Mineral Springs' zone and are routinely picked up late, may be to return to their residential school. Please make it a priority to pick up your child by 2:55 p.m.
Bus Information
Parents and students are reminded that riding a bus is a privilege, not a right. The bus driver is in charge of his/her bus. Bus drivers will write up disciplinary problems which occur on the bus. Continued misconduct on the bus will lead to a withdrawal of bus service. This conduct can be avoided by simply following the bus rules:
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Board and exit in an orderly manner.
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Stay seated at all times.
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Talk quietly.
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Obey directions of the bus driver without question.
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No food, candy, or drinks.
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Keep arms, head, etc. inside the bus.
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No walkmans, radios, etc.
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Students may not ride any other bus without written permission from assistant principal in charge of the buses. Notes from parents should be brought to the main office prior to 1st period. A bus pass will be issued for approved notes.
An effort will be made by the administration to contact parents by phone following each offense. Written communication will always be sent home in the student's hand for parent signature. This signed communication will give the student permission to ride the bus the following day after the first offense and the day following his/her suspended time. Drivers will always be informed of a student's bus status.
The general consequences for bus misconduct will be as follows:
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First Offense - Conference/Discipline Plan Warning
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Second Offense - Three-day bus suspension/Parent Conference
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Third Offense - Five-day bus suspension
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Fourth Offense - Ten-day bus suspension
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Fifth Offense - Bus suspension with recommendation that service be denied for the remainder of the school year
Consequences for more severe offenses, such as fighting, may not follow the above guidelines.
General Guidelines for Bus Stops and Routes
1. Bus stops are placed no closer than two-tenths of a mile apart unless safety hazards exist.
2. Buses should be routed so that they pass within 1/2 mile of the residence of each pupil living outside the walk zone.
3. Buses are routed on city and state maintained roads only
While the WSFCS provides school bus transportation for most students, WSFCS does not provide transportation for all students nor does WSFCS provide supervision of students as they walk to and from bus stops and wait at bus stops. It is the responsibility of students as they walk to and from school or bus stops to look both ways before crossing streets, and in general, to be responsible for their personal safety.
School personnel will provide parents with the most recent bus stop information utilizing routing material supplied by Area Transportation Supervisors. Contact the designated Assistant Principal for bus related questions and concerns. A bus stop request form is provided for you in the student handbook.
The following process is used when a parent has a concern with a bus stop:
1. Parent is satisfied with information - process stops
2. Parent is not satisfied with information - requests review of the stop
a) School personnel communicates policy 3541
i) School personnel completes request for service form
ii) Parent not satisfied - requests review of stop
(1) School personnel completes request for service form
(2) E-mail request for service form to Area Transportation Supervisor
(a) Area Transportation Supervisor reviews and makes a recommendation that is communicated to
the school within three (3) days of request
(i) Parent is satisfied with recommendation - process stops
(ii) Parent is not satisfied
1. School Administration and Area Transportation Supervisor review recommendation
2. Parent is satisfied - process stops
3. Parent is not satisfied
a. Refer to Appeal process - Policy 3541
Activity Bus
The activity bus is available only for students who are involved in sponsored after-school activities. No other students will be allowed to ride the activity bus. The bus departs from the school on designated days at approximately 4:30 p.m. There is no cost to the student to ride the bus, but students must request a ticket to ride from the teacher with whom the child is staying.
An attempt is made to get close to densely populated areas for unloading students. Students should make sure bus routes will be hear their home before boarding as we cannot serve all areas. The activity bus can not stop on roadways due to the absence of a stop arm; therefore, the bus must stop in parking lots, stores, etc
Internet Policy
The Internet contains a wealth of information which can be beneficial to teachers and students. Student use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right and is subject to the provisions of WSFCS policy. Violations of this privilege may result in the cancelation of Internet use and potential disciplinary action. Parents must sign and return the Internet User Agreement form when students are NOT allowed to have Internet Access.
Textbooks
Textbooks should be covered to protect the cover the lessen the likelihood of damage. Books are the responsibility of the student and care should be taken that books are returned in the same condition as they were issued. Fees will be assessed at the end of the school year for lost and damaged books.
