Table of Contents

Planning Your Education

Your school provides this course curriculum guide as a means of assisting students and parents in understanding and planning their course of study. Students are encouraged to carefully select related arts courses during the registration process. Your school's guidance counselors and teachers stand ready to assist them. Parents are invited and encouraged to actively participate by assisting their student.

Related arts classes are scheduled based upon student requests. However, due to schedule conflicts and changes in course offerings, the staff cannot guarantee that students will be scheduled for all courses they request. In addition, be aware that the school builds a master schedule and employs teachers based on students' requests; therefore, schedule changes will only be considered on a very limited basis.

Online Registration

Online Registration was implemented in 2004. It allows parents and students to request related arts courses for the next school year from home via the Internet. Families who do not have access to the Internet will be given opportunities to use school computers to register online. Parents and students should understand that requesting a related arts course through online registration does not guarantee that the student is placed in the course the next school year. Final placement in a course is dependent upon enrollment, scheduling feasibility, and teacher allocation. Schools will post the courses that they will be offering the next school year in a course curriculum guide which will be located on the school's website. Parents without Internet access at home will receive a printed copy of the course curriculum guide by request. The window for students to select related arts courses online is posted by the school on the school's website and in parent newsletters. Schools will provide instructions on accessing the online registration tool.

Promotion Criteria for Grades Six through Eight (GCS IHE / Rule 9/11/2006)

IGPs, Career Clusters and Personal Pathways to Success

The South Carolina Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) requires school districts to develop a curriculum organized around the career cluster system–16 career clusters, schools of study, and majors. In the organization of the district curriculum around the career cluster system, Greenville County Schools divided the 16 career clusters into five schools of study. These five schools of study include School of Arts, Media, & Communication; School of Business, Marketing & Information Systems; School of Engineering, Manufacturing & Environmental Sciences; School of Health Science; and School of Public and Human Services. Under each school of study a student will find related career clusters. The career clusters are then broken down into academic focus areas (majors) that students may choose based on interests and skills.

Personal Pathways to Success is the name given to this reorganization of the curriculum which is designed to help students take control of planning for their futures. Personal Pathways to Success provides the solid mix of academic and technical skills students need to compete in the global economy. It gives students a reason to achieve in school by connecting success in school with success in life. It maintains South Carolina's core academic requirements while opening up pathways to success for students no matter where they lead – to two-year colleges, four-year colleges or universities, the military, or directly into the workforce. Students, parents, and counselors work together to develop Individual Graduation Plans (IGP) that specify a student's cluster, academic focus (major), post-secondary goals, planned high school activities, and planned out-of-class activities. The Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) is a document that states the student's intentions related to courses that are taken during high school. The IGP is initiated in the 8th grade with the choice of a cluster area. When the IGP is updated in the 10th grade, the student will select an academic focus (major) within their cluster of choice. The courses that are taken are determined by the student's interests. It can be modified over time as interests and skills develop or change. The IGP is like a road map to the future: if the student stays on course, the student will reach the destination – graduation – with all the courses, skills and experience needed to take his education or career to the next level. Each year the student, parents/guardians, and counselors will review and update the plans for the coming year. Switching clusters or majors is okay -- as the high school years progress and the student learns more about his interests and skills there are bound to be changes in choice of coursework. It is just as important for a student to learn what he doesn't like as it is for him to learn what he does like. Just remember: This is a road map to the future.

The following link provides more information on Personal Pathways to Success: http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/district/schools/eeda/index.asp

Dear Students and Parents:

Welcome to Greer Middle International Baccalaureate School!  We are looking forward to an exciting year full of learning, sharing, and excitement that will become a fabric of our Yellow Jacket Pride.  Our primary goal is for every student at GMS to have a great school year that will allow them the opportunity to grow both socially and educationally.  Our expectations are extremely high, and we hope that you and your child will rise to that challenge with the assistance of our faculty, staff, and administration.  We have a great middle school and we are looking forward to having you and your child a part of our community.

In August, your child will receive a student planner that is designed to communicate between school and home in addition to showing clear expectations and procedures for all students at GMS.  Yellow Jacket Pride includes showing respect for our school, each other, and our community. 

Students will have the opportunity to read through the handbook with their teachers during the first few days of school.  I encourage every parent to also read through the handbook with their child.  It is my expectation that all students and parents are clear on the items covered in this handbook in order for all of us to work together for a great school year.  If you have questions that are not included in this handbook, please do not hesitate to ask your teacher, principal, or guidance counselor.  We are here to make sure that your middle school experience is a great one!  I look forward to working with each of you.

Sincerely,

Scott Rhymer, Principal

Students that are late to school or late to a class cause major disruptions to the school day for office personnel and classroom instruction.  Excuses for tardies to school will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a doctor’s note.  All students are given two warnings for tardies (without a consequence) that allow for unusual circumstances (wreck that slowed traffic, oversleeping, car breaks down, etc.).  All other tardies will (unless accompanied by a medical excuse) be deemed “unexcused” and fall into the 3^rd Offense category as listed below.

There is no reason for a student to be tardy to class once they arrive at Greer Middle School.  Students are allowed 3 minutes to change classes (5 minutes for Locker Breaks), which is ample time to leave one class, use the restroom and get water, and arrive at their next class.  Students late to a particular class will also follow the guidelines below with two warnings and then subsequent consequences.  Any student that is more than 5 minutes late to class (other than 1^st Period) without a pass should be referred to a principal for skipping class.

1.                              Before a student withdraws from school, he must have a Transfer Form completed by his teachers, media center, cafeteria and checked out through the guidance office.

2.                              Please announce to students withdrawing that they should bring a note from home two days prior to the withdrawal.  On the day he brings the note, the student should also obtain the transfer form from the guidance office and begin clearing his record with each teacher and the media specialist and the cafeteria.

3.                              The student should turn in all regularly issued textbooks to the media center.

4.                              The transfer form must be completed and returned to the guidance office before an official transfer may be granted.

1.                              Students who buy lunch can deposit their money before school or during lunch.

2.                              It is unlawful for a student to eat lunch by using someone else’s lunch number.

3.                              Teachers are not allowed to charge lunches onto their account.

                                      93-100                       A

                                                  85-92                         B

                                                  77-84                         C

                                      70-76                         D

                                                  63-69                         F (Partial GPR Point Credit)

                                                  62- or below             F (No GPR point Credit)

Student work missed work due to absences is to be made up as soon as reasonably possible after the student’s return to school.  Teachers may set a limit to the amount of time extended to a student for making up missed work. If a student needs to makeup a test, homework, or other assignment, the teacher can issue that student a BUG pass for the next available day during Flex period. A student may not miss one class in order to make up work in another class.

Routinely, make-up work should not take place during class time; if the teacher has given the students prior notice, the teacher may require that makeup work be completed after school or before school. However, the Flex period on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays have been established for that purpose.

All teachers should include the Weekly Planner into their web site if they are not using another form of calendar for communication with parents.  This Weekly Planner should remain brief, but should include the day by day agenda items that teachers ask their students to write down in the weekly planners.  This will allow parents to access, from the teacher web site, what the students should have written down in their planner.

A generic example is included on the next page along with a blank table for use.  Teachers are welcome to modify this form at their discretion.

The purpose of the library media center within the school setting is to:

·                    Motivate reading for personal growth and encourage lifetime reading

·                    Teach students  to become independent and critical users of information and technology

·                    Provide support, collaboration, and resources for teachers in planning units

·                    Support and enrich the curriculum

·                    Provide materials for the professional development of teachers and administrators

·                    Assist and support parents in guiding the learning of their children

Monday                           BUG Time   

Tuesday                           BUG Time

Wednesday                     BUG Time

Thursday                        BUG Time   

Friday                              Career Development/IB Day

The Need

Fifty percent of teenagers in America are dropping out of school after their freshman year. Tom Wagner, a Harvard professor, found in his recent study of high school students that the most important aspect of their education they would like to change (to help keep them in school) was their relationship with their teachers. Therefore, Flex Time is designed to develop relationships with the students and to help provide them the resources to improve their academic and social achievement.  

Attendance and Tardies

Teachers should record attendance for Flex Time in PowerSchool.  Students arriving late to Flex Time must sign the tardy register just as with a typical class. The teacher will follow the tardy policy and procedures including parent contact and referrals to principal as needed.

BUG Days-Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Expectations

Students should be engaged in at least one of the following areas during this time:

·                    Obtaining a BUG Pass to go to another class (this should be done prior to Flex Time…most of the time these passes should be obtained the day before).

·                    Reading silently at their desk

·                    Completing homework assignments

·                    Writing (school related)

·                    Going to the Media Center for class research.  Only two students at a time from each Flex Time class can be sent to the Media Center. Students who go to the Media Center should remain there for the entire Flex Time period.

·                    Other school related activities such as Ambassadors, Student Council, Model UN, etc.

There should be absolutely no talking by students during Flex Time.  At a minimum, the classroom should be quiet except for teachers working in small groups with students they have Bug’ed.  Any student that does not remain quiet and on task during Flex Time should be written up following the Discipline Procedures outlined earlier in this handbook.

Reasons To Be Bug’ed

The following are reasons for a student to be “BUG’ed” from their Flex class.

§         Tutoring by academic teacher

§         Make up tests or other work

§         Review sessions for struggling students

§         Attend specialized school related activity approved by the administration.

Mandatory Tutoring:

The teacher must write a BUG pass for a student to come to his or her room for extra help during Flex Time IF:

·        A student failed a test

·        A student’s grades are dropping

·        A student has a D or F on an interim grade report

BUG Passes

Students must have a BUG pass from another teacher in order to leave the room.  Students should report to their Flex Time teacher for attendance purposes prior to going to their BUG destination.  Flex Time teachers should initial the BUG pass before letting the student leave the Flex Time room for their destination.  Any student who fails to check in to their Flex Time class prior to going to their BUG destination should be marked absent or tardy.  Students must have their BUG pass signed in their handbook by the teacher requesting the student PRIOR to being allowed out of Flex Time.  Once a student leaves their primary Flex Time teacher to go to another class, they should not return back that day so that we can minimize the traffic in the hallways.  

Silent Reading

Since literacy is always a goal for our students, silent reading time is very important for our students. They can use Flex Time days to read for any class or read for pleasure.  They can also read magazines and newspapers. If you need reading materials for your room, please speak with Ms. Jenkins.

South Carolina Law requires the regular attendance of all pupils. The School District of Greenville County Schools has adopted uniform rules to assure that students attend school regularly.

Students are counted present only when they are actually in school, on homebound instruction, or are present at an activity authorized by the school principal. The school year consists of 180 days. To receive credit, students must attend at least 85 days of each 90-day semester course and at least 170 days of each 180-day year course, as well as meet all minimum requirements for each course. Accrued students absences may not exceed ten (10) days during the school year. Any absence in excess of ten (10) may cause the student to lose credit for the year. Because 170 days are the minimum required by the state, the first ten (10) absences may be lawful, unlawful, or a combination. All absences beginning with the eleventh (11th) day must be lawful and will be excused if they fall within the following guidelines:

Lawful Absences

Personal illness of a child verified by a statement from a physician within two (2) days of the students' return to school. Absences for CHRONIC or EXTENDED illness will be approved only when verified by a physician's statement. (This includes doctor's appointments.) Serious illness or death of an immediate family member verified by a statement from the parent within two (2) days of the student's return to school. Absences for religious holidays when approved in advance.  Requests must be made to the Principal in writing. Absences for extreme hardships must be approved by the Principal. Such approval should be prearranged when possible.

Unlawful Absences

Any student absence, with or without the knowledge of the parent, which does not meet the conditions for a lawful absence, shall be counted as unlawful and will not be excused. When a student returns to school from being absent he/she should bring a note explaining why he/she was absent. The note should be signed by a parent/guardian and dated.  Students should present parent excuses to the Front Office on the day they return to school. This should be done before the 8:30 a.m. bell. The admission slip should be presented to ALL of the student’s teachers. Upon return to school, please secure the admission slip promptly. A student will not be permitted to enter class without it.

In order to participate in athletics, students must meet the minimum criteria stated by the High School League. Students wishing to participate must have an overall passing average in each of their academic classes. Each athlete is expected to conduct himself/herself in an honorable way at all times-in school and in the community. In addition, students who have been suspended from school will be ineligible for participation. Students must also provide the required forms to participate.

Students may deposit money into their cafeteria account on Mondays in the cafeteria. Students wishing to pay on a daily basis may pay the cashier. Money for extra milk should be paid to the cashier.

(All prices subject to change)

Daily Lunch Cost                                    $2.00

Weekly Lunch Cost                                 $10.00

Reduced Lunch    Cost                               $.40

Weekly Reduced Lunch Cost                   $2.00

Daily Breakfast Cost                                $1.00

Reduced Breakfast Cost                           $.30    

Extra Milk                                                $.65

Students are not permitted to have candy, food, or soft drinks in the classroom or in the halls. Bag lunches are permitted in the cafeteria but should remain in your locker until that time.  Free and Reduced Meal applications must be completed annually.

Bus students are to remain in their 7th period class until their bus is called. Bus students found in the hallway before their bus has been called will be disciplined by the administration. 6th Graders should be picked up in the front car loading area.  7th and 8th graders should be picked up in the back car loading area.  It is the responsibility of the student to look for parents in the car lines and enter the car in a timely manner to ensure a quick and safe car loading process.  Students are not allowed to walk to Greer High School unless they are participating in an after school event at Greer High.  All other GMS students should be picked up on GMS property.