Student Handbook

Attendance Policy

There is a direct link between student success and attendance; for that reason, our goal is for students to maintain optimum attendance. Students are expected to be present each day that school is in session. Parents have both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility to see that children are present every day that school is in session.

The Compulsory School Attendance Law in Tennessee requires children to attend school each day. A student who has been absent five (5) days (this means a total of 5 days during the school year and not necessarily 5 consecutive days) without adequate excuse is considered truant and will be referred for progressive truancy intervention.

LCMS Verified Excused Absence

LCMS Parent/Guardian Excused Absence

An absence is defined as when a student is not in attendance at the school or in the class to which he or she is assigned. Missing more than one half of a day or a class counts as an absence. Absences are considered either excused or unexcused.

Excused Absences

For absences of a full or partial day to be considered excused, a written note from the parent, guardian, or doctor must be provided. Students are only allowed 5 “parent note” excused absences per semester.

The following are adequate excuses for absence and should be reported to the school attendance clerk:

• Student’s personal illness, medical appointment, or hospitalization verified by a licensed physician, dentist, or health agency. If the illness or hospitalization is to exceed ten (10) consecutive days, the parent or guardian may apply for homebound instruction.
• Death of a family member. Death of a non-family member if approved by the principal.
• Special recognized religious holidays regularly observed by a particular faith. A parent note must be submitted to the school principal prior to the student being absent for a religious holiday.
• Required court appearances. Verification of court appearance times from appropriate authorities must be provided.
• Pre-approved school related activities.
• Other extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student. For such absences to be excused, the building principal or his or her designee must approve them.

Unexcused Absences

Absences that are not verified or do not meet valid reasons for absence will be unexcused. A student may not have more than three (3) unexcused absences during the school year. At three unexcused absences, the parent and school will meet to develop an attendance plan for the student. All out-of-school suspensions are unexcused. Because Sumner County Schools have a fall break, Christmas break, and spring break — family trips, mission trips, and vacations that occur during school will be unexcused unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Tardy to School

Students will be marked tardy when he/she arrives after 8:00 a.m. In such cases, the parent/guardian must accompany the student into the front office and sign in the student. On the third tardy to school within a quarter, the attendance clerk will call home. Every fifth tardy to school during a semester a student will be issued a detention.

Tardy to Class

Punctuality is a practice valued by business and society. When students arrive to class late, they interrupt or miss valuable instructional time. Every third class tardy equals detention.

LCMS employs a zero tolerance bullying policy. A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself.

Bullying involves aggressive behavior that typically is a pattern of behavior repeated over time and involves an imbalance of power.

Other forms of harassment based on a Student’s or Employee’s gender, color, race, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, handicap, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, religion, or other legally protected status, and either affects tangible job benefits; unreasonably interferes with Student’s learning environment or an Employee’s work performance; or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning or work environment is also expressly prohibited. Harassment can be in the form of any unwelcome conduct such as: written, verbal, physical, or visual.

Cyber Bullying is verbal harassment using electronic forms of contact. Cyber bullying can take many forms, which may include the following:

• an unwelcome or threatening instant message or e-mail
• an unwelcome or threatening text message
• repeated text messages or phone calls
• a website set up to mock, rate, or poll others
• bullying others in online chat rooms
• “Borrowing” someone’s screen name and pretending to be them while posting a message
• Forwarding supposedly private messages, pictures, or videos of others
• Social networking sites, including Facebook, Snapchat, etc. to harass others

All claims of bullying and/or cyber-bullying will be investigated in accordance with Board Policy. Administration will determine appropriate disciplinary action (see Board Policy 6.304).

Transportation to and from school on buses operated by the county is a privilege. Students are to follow the same expectations on the bus as they do at school in order to ensure a safe environment. If students demonstrate behaviors that violate school policy on the bus, parents will be communicated and administration will determine appropriate consequences. Students may be denied the privilege of riding the bus if administration deems most appropriate. (See board policy 6.308)

Any student in possession of illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, or found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will receive up to a ten-day suspension, and/or possible expulsion from school depending on the severity of the offense.

Drug paraphernalia will include, but is not limited to: pipes, clips, and papers.

Illegal drugs include, but are not limited to: marijuana, alcohol, prescribed drugs that are not in compliance with medications policy, cocaine, narcotics, and hallucinogens. It is against Sumner County Board of Education policy for any student to possess, sell, furnish, or barter any illegal drugs on school property or during a school-related activity. Violators will be referred to the Discipline Committee of the Board of Education and will be subject to existing local, state, and federal laws.

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages are not permitted on school property or while attending, participating, or traveling to and from school-sponsored events. Any student in possession of or under the influence of alcohol will be liable to suspension from school.

Possession or use of tobacco products, including vape products, is not allowed on school property or while attending, participating, or traveling to and from school-sponsored events. Use of these products will result in the consequences determined by school administration. Possession of lighters, matches, vape pods, and vape paraphernalia will result in one day of ISS. Confiscated items will not be returned.

It is considered early dismissal when a student leaves school before 3:00 PM. In such cases, the parent/guardian must sign out the student in the front office, at which point he or she will be called from class. Parents should try to schedule doctor and dental appointments after school. If the student becomes ill during the day or must go home for emergency purposes, the student must report to the office, where an adult will call home for the student. Unless approved by the administration, students who are absent for a full or partial day will be prohibited from participating in after-hour, school related activities on that same day.

If it is necessary for a student to leave early, the parent/guardian must come in the office to sign out the student. The student will not be called from a class until the parent is in the office to pick up the child. If a student becomes ill at school, school personnel will assist the student in contacting a parent/guardian. Only the parent/guardian or someone the parent/guardian designates may sign out the student. It is a parent’s responsibility to notify the office if this information changes during the school year. In cases where custody is an issue, we must have copies of any pertinent legal paperwork. Upon returning to school, the student must obtain an absentee note from the office to be admitted to class. A note from a parent/guardian should be presented at this time to excuse or verify the absence from class. It is state and county regulation that students are not released during school hours unless actually delivered into the custody of the child’s parents or persons acknowledged on the emergency contact list. We will not comply with any request for release of the child contrary to these regulations.

Electronic devices, including games, cell phones, etc. are not to be seen at school, unless allowed and monitored at the discretion of the classroom teacher. If devices are used without permission for use from a teacher, they will be confiscated, and a consequence will be issued.

Students may carry personal communication and/or electronic devices while participating in off-campus activities such as field trips, if specifically authorized by the teacher. Principals may authorize the use of these devices in the event of an emergency or serious situation. LCMS is not responsible for lost, stolen, or confiscated devices.

Use of cameras on personal communication and/or electronic devices, without the permission of a teacher and/or principal, is strictly prohibited on school property or at school functions, including restrooms and locker rooms. A student in violation of this policy is subject to disciplinary action and possible legal action, if warranted. (See board policy 6.312)

Earbuds/Headphones

Usage of earbuds/headphones will not be allowed from the time that students are dismissed from gym, or other designated area, before school until 3 PM when school is dismissed, unless given permission from teacher/staff member.

• First offense= warning from teacher and confiscation of the device by teacher. Student can retrieve device at the end of the day in the front office. Teacher will communicate offense with parent.
• Second offense= warning from teacher and confiscation of the device by teacher. Student can retrieve device at the end of the day in the front office. Teacher will communicate offense with parent.
• Third+ offense= confiscation of the device by teacher and detention. Teacher will contact parents/guardian regarding detention. Parents must retrieve device from office.

Each student’s number of offenses will restart every 9 weeks. Number of cell phone violations may impact students’ ability to participate in end of quarter celebrations and school-wide/grade level incentives.

Cell phones can have both positive and negative impacts on students in middle school. Cell phones have made it much easier to stay in constant contact, help with organization, provide easy access to all sorts of information, and can help students learn new concepts. However, research also points to several negative impacts on our students. Excessive use of cell phones can lead to distractions and decreased productivity. It can also impact our student’s physical and mental well-being. Access to smartphones, texts, and social media magnifies the issues of inclusion and acceptance, issues most middle schoolers grapple with during the day. In efforts to help our students establish healthy boundaries and a balance of in-person and digital connections, we have an “Away for the Day” policy.

Cell phones can be brought to school but must remain powered off and completely out of view from 7:50 a.m.–3:00 p.m.. If a backpack is not utilized, then the phone should be placed in the cell phone holder in each classroom.

Any phone or communication device in view and on-site will be confiscated, logged, and securely held until the end of the school day, at which point it can be collected by the student and/or parent depending on the number of offenses. All students are informed of this policy several times during the first week of school.

Offenses & Consequences

• First offense: Detention from teacher and confiscation of the device by teacher. Students can retrieve at the end of the day from the teacher. Teachers will communicate offense with the parent.
• Second offense: Detention issued from teacher and confiscation of the device by teacher. Students can retrieve devices at the end of the day in the front office. Teacher will communicate offense with the parent.
• Third+ offense: Confiscation of the device by teacher and detention will be issued. Teacher will contact parents/guardians regarding detention. Parents must retrieve device from the office.

FAQ

What if I need to get in touch with my child in an emergency?
We have a great office staff that can immediately get in touch with your student.

What if my child forgets something from home?
We feel an over-reliance on cell phones can hinder a child’s development of important executive function skills like planning and organization. If it is something that the child needs for that day, you are able to contact our office staff and they will ensure your child receives what they need.

What if I want my child to be able to access information from the internet and create digital resources?
Your student will be receiving an iPad for school and home use during the year.

We appreciate your support and feel that when students are able to remove the distraction of their phones, they will be more engaged socially and academically.

Liberty Creek Middle School believes students learn just as much inside the classroom, as they do outside of the classroom. For this reason, a variety of extra-curricular activities are available for students to participate in at the middle school level. Students who attend these events are expected to be in and stay at the correct location throughout the activity. Students who attend athletic events are expected to remain at the field or in the gym. All dress code rules of the school are in effect at athletic events and other extracurricular activities

LCMS enforces a strict hands-off policy. This policy includes, but is not limited to, hugging, kissing, hand-holding, horse playing, fighting, or any other type of physical contact. Consequences will be assigned accordingly to students who violate this policy and dependent on if it is a minor/major offense.

Students who seek help with problems in personal relationships before a fight occurs will find a positive response from school administration and counseling staff. LCMS believes that harmonious relationships can be developed among all students and promotes positive ways of handling disagreements. Administration will investigate each situation individually and determine appropriate action.

Students are permitted to access the Internet only with a signed technology use agreement form on file and the permission of a supervising staff member. Use of the Internet shall be consistent with the Sumner County School Board policies and objectives. The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use could result in cancellation of those privileges.

Students are prohibited from the following actions when using a computer at school:

• Accessing e-mail or chat rooms
• Storing personal files or data
• Installing or removing software
• Modifying system settings
• Introducing resource-draining applications
• Bypassing existing security restrictions
• Accessing other Internet services
• Publishing inappropriate content
• Viewing threatening, obscene, or objectionable materials.

Books in the circulating collection may be checked out by students for three weeks and may be renewed once. Books must be present in order to be renewed. Fines will not be charged for overdue books. Fees will be assessed if a book is damaged beyond repair or lost.

Books with hold requests are not renewable.

Students may have two books checked out at any one time. If a student has one or more overdue books, another book may not be checked out until the overdue books are returned.

The library is open daily from 8:00 to 3:00.

Students are allowed to come to the library any time during the school day with a teacher's permission, in order to check out and/or exchange books.

The librarian will work with students to ensure availability to access the library before and after school if they are not able to come during the school day.

Students must have the prescription or non-prescription medication form (signed by physician and parent/guardian) completed before the school can administer medication(s) to the student. No medication(s) will be given without the properly completed and signed form. All medications must be kept in the office. Additional information:

• Forms will not carry over from one school year to the next. A new medication form must be completed each school year.
• Any change in medication must be accompanied by a new form with the changes noted. The physician must sign the new form.
• All prescription medications must be brought to the school in the pharmacy labeled bottle with the student’s name and instructions. This bottle must match the physician’s order.
• All non-prescription medications must be brought to school in their unopened original containers.
• Inhalers will be kept in the office and the student must have completed and signed orders from the doctor. Inhalers may be carried by the student with doctor's orders specifying this.
• Any remaining medication must be picked up by the end of the last day of the school year. All remaining medications will be destroyed.

Students needing to visit the nurse should check in with teacher to get a clinic pass and report directly to the office.

Car riders will loop on back side of the building.

Bus traffic will be in the front of the building.

Any damage or destruction of school property will result in immediate disciplinary action. In addition, students will be required to pay for repairing or replacing the damaged item. Sumner County Board Policy states that any student who is responsible for destroying, damaging, or defacing school property (books, equipment, buses, etc.) shall be held responsible for the actual cost of replacing or repairing such material or equipment. Students may also incur legal ramifications.