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Administration

Melissa Weber, Principal

Kenneth Bencomo, Assistant Principal

Counselors

Rekha Bakshi (Last Names A-L)

Scott Nielsen (Last Names M-Z)

ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Board of Education

Miki R. Inbody – Superintendent

Jennifer Quezada– President

Joe Armendarez – Vice President

Marcelino "mars" serna – Board Member

 Adam Perez– Board Member

Mary Sandoval – Board Member

Adriana-Rene Humber - Student Board Member

Alder Middle School

7555 Alder Ave.

Fontana, California 92336

Phone: 909-357-5330 Fax 909-357-5348

http://www.fusdweb.com/sites/middle/alder/default.aspx

Office Hours 7:00 a.m. – 4: 00 p.m.

Students

The expectations for attendance, behavior, and academics will be high! The Falcon staff is ready to help and encourage you to meet and exceed these goals!  When you do, we will reward and recognized you!  If you fall short, you will have the support you need to overcome and do better.  The bottom line is that as a middle school student, you are ultimately and mainly responsible for your own learning and success.  Falcon students are expected to demonstrate responsibility, integrity, safety and excellence.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports: RISE

At Alder Middle School, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports are being used as a comprehensive approach that uses discipline to teach rather than punish. This approach promotes positive student behavior while preventing negative behaviors, ensuring that students thrive in school. Some of the positive approaches to discipline used are: Acknowledging appropriate behavior, implementing a school-wide multi-tiered behavioral framework, RISE Tickets, restorative Justice, Community Building Circles, Harm and Conflict Circles, Restorative Questioning, and Monthly Behavioral expectations lessons

How are students acknowledged?

To acknowledge our students who are meeting the school expectations (Responsibility, integrity, Safety and Excellence) staff members distribute tickets to students. Students are awarded tickets in the classroom, before and after school, during lunchtime, and during passing periods.

How do RISE Tickets work?

When students receive a ticket, they are to write their name on the front. Students can use these tickets to “purchase” an item from the RISE store. The more tickets a student accumulates, the more opportunities they will have to receive RISE prizes.   RISE store will be open every Tuesday and Thursday during lunch.

What can my student purchase?

• School supplies: Pencils, Backpacks, Pens, Erasers
• Lunch Passes: Lunch with a parent pass, Eating with the Principal pass, Front of the line pass
• Helping teacher for a period pass, Morning Announcements pass, Homework Pass
• RISE shirt

There will also be monthly incentive days such as:

• Food: Snow Cones, Lunchtime Pizza, Ice Cream Party, Nachos, Pop Corn, Candy Table, Staff Pie Face, etc.
• Fieldtrips: High School Pep Rallies, College fieldtrips, museums, etc.

Tier II and Tier III supports:

Alder Middle School is committed to providing our students with a rigorous academic program.  All students are exposed to our Common Core State Standards-aligned curriculum as well as a myriad of daily supports.  We do understand that some students will need additional supports to assist them in achieving high academic standards.  For this reason, we have established several programs to support students; these additional supports fall under the umbrella of Tier II and Tier III programs. 

The additional supports will be in the form of small group meetings, one-on-one meetings with school personnel, and/or daily/weekly check-in/check-out monitoring.  Once again, these systems are intended to ensure that students are meeting high academic standards.

Responsibility Integrity Safety Excellence

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Extra-curricular Activities, Clubs, and Leadership Opportunities

Alder Middle School has several ways in which students can participate, assume a leadership role, be a decision-maker, become a role model for other students, and make a difference at Alder Middle School.  Some of these activities include:

Schoolwide events

• Alder Rallies
• High School Rallies
• Dances
• Fundraisers
• College Fieldtrips
• RISE Activities
• Renaissance Activities
• WEB activities
• ASB activities
• AVID Activities
• Movie nights
• Campus beautification

Clubs and Athletics

• Boys & Girls Volleyball
• Boys & Girls Basketball
• Boys & Girls Soccer
• Softball
• Chess Club
• Who Club
• Movie Club
• Spirit Squad

*Clubs and sports may be added based on student interest and advisor availability.

Leadership Opportunities

• ASB
• Renaissance
• WEB
• School Site Council Representative
• Student Success Panel
• Principal’s Advisory Council

8^th Grade Events

• Promotion
• Bestie Awards
• Yearbook distribution
• Movie Day
• 8^th Grade Dance
• Knott's Berry Farm Trip 

*Activities may be added throughout the course of the year.

Participation Criteria

The extra-curricular activities, clubs, and leadership opportunities are open to all students who meet the following criteria:

• 0 GPA or above during the most recent quarter.
• Must be passing at least five classes.
• Must have 92% attendance or above.
• No suspensions.
• In good standing behaviorally.  
• No outstanding fines.

Alder Middle School Grading Policy 

ACADEMIC HONESTY (Board Policy 5131.9, 6162.6)

FUSD requires all students to demonstrate honesty and to abide by ethical standards in preparing and presenting materials, as well as in testing situations. Grades should reflect the student's own work in the fairest possible way. Academic dishonesty, cheating, or plagiarism involves an attempt by the student to show possession of a level of knowledge or skill, which the student does not possess. It involves any attempt by a student to substitute the product of another, in whole or in part, as the student’s own work. This policy covers all school-related tests, quizzes, reports, class assignments, and projects.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

Cheating

• Obtaining information from another student during an examination
• Communicating information to another student during an examination
• Knowingly allowing another student to copy one’s work
• Offering another person’s work as one’s own
• Using an unauthorized electronic device to solicit, transmit, or search for answers
• Taking an examination for another student or having someone take an examination for oneself
• Sharing answers for a take-home examination unless specifically authorized by the teacher
• Using unauthorized material during an examination
• Altering a graded examination or assignment and returning it for additional credit, under the pretense that the teacher made an error
• Having another person or a company do the research and/or writing of an assigned paper or report
• Misreporting or altering the data in laboratory or research projects

Plagiarism

• Plagiarism is to present the ideas, words, or creative product of another as one’s own. Credit must be given to the source for direct quotations, paraphrases, ideas, and facts, which are not common knowledge.

Other Dishonest Conduct

• Stealing or attempting to steal an examination or answer key
• Stealing or attempting to change official academic records
• Intentionally impairing the performance of other students and/or a teacher, for example, by adulterating laboratory samples or reagents, by altering musical or athletic equipment, or by creating a distraction meant to impair performance
• Alteration of computer and/or grade book records or forgery of signatures for the purpose of academic advantage
• Sabotaging or destroying the work of others

Collusion

• Collusion occurs when any student knowingly or intentionally helps another student perform an act of academic dishonesty. Collusion is an act of academic dishonesty and will be disciplined in the same manner as the act itself.

The Role of the Teacher

• A teacher who has evidence that an act of academic dishonesty has occurred shall, after speaking with the student and parent, take one or more of the following disciplinary actions depending on the level of the infraction as established by the Site/PLC guidelines:
• The student will receive an oral reprimand and the student will redo the assignment as determined by the Site/PLC (for example, in cases where there is reasonable doubt that the student knew that the action violated the standards of academic honesty)
• The student will receive an F/NC, zero points or a reduced number of points on all or part of a particular paper, project, or examination (for example, for a first-time occurrence of a relatively minor nature)
• The student will receive and F/NC for the grading period (for example, in cases where the dishonesty is more serious, premediated, or a repeat offense)

In each of the instances listed above, the teacher will make annotation on the Visit Maintenance screen on Q Connect, and the students Work habits and Citizenship marks may be affected.  A student found to be academically dishonest may not have made a reasonable attempt on the assignment/assessment and therefore may not be able to resubmit their work as determined by the Site/PLC. However, because it is essential that the teacher know the true level of mastery that the student has for a particular standard, the student may be required to demonstrate their knowledge on a like assignment/assessment.

The Role of the Administrator

Each incident of academic dishonesty, which is sufficiently serious for the teacher to take advanced disciplinary action that can lower the student’s grade, the teacher shall report the incident to the Administration for appropriate disciplinary action. The Administrator will determine the appropriate level of discipline based on the school’s discipline hierarchy. These consequences will be recorded as part of the student’s discipline record. Students found to be academically dishonest are subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension; dismissal from student offices, athletics, and extracurricular activities; involuntary transfer; or expulsion.

DISTRICT GRADING POLICY

Grades for Achievement (AR5121)

• Grades will reflect student achievement toward mastery of course content standards.
• Grades should reflect a student’s progress toward objectives and outcomes as defined by the district core curriculum and key learning for each grade level and content area
• Grades shall be reported each marking period as described in the Secondary Grading Policy.
• Teachers are expected to provide supporting data for grades assigned. Grade records shall reflect an adequate sampling of work in a given area to justify the assigned grade.
• In all aspects of grading and reporting, it is critical that teachers give accurate and complete information to families. Grades should reflect levels of achievement consistently and fairly. It is not appropriate to “inflate” a student’s grade or to create artificially high standards for a particular student.
• Students with a current Individual Education Plan (IEP) may be given differential standards in grading if written in their IEP. Appropriate resource personnel should be consulted in giving these grades.
• Grades shall be available and kept current for parent and student monitoring through the district approved electronic grading system.

Nonacademic Grading (AR 5121)

• “Incomplete” is for students who have been enrolled for 10 days or less.
• An incomplete is also given only when a student’s work is not finished because of illness or other excused absence.
• Plus (+) and minus (-) signs may be used at the discretion of the teacher with the exception of an Incomplete or F grade.
• No academic grade of a student participating in a physical education class may be adversely affected due to the fact that the student, because of circumstances beyond his/her control, does not wear standardized physical education apparel.

Work Habits and Citizenship

• Work habits and citizenship are reported separately from academic grades.
• Work habits are based on a student’s responsibility for completing assigned work, including completing work that is missed due to absences, suspensions, or assignments to alternative learning centers including school suspension.
• Citizenship is based on compliance with site and district expectations for student behavior.

TESTING AND ASSESSMENT

Students are tested several times each year. California students are required to take the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). FUSD also administers the MAP assessment 3 times a year. This assessment along with other factors can be used to determine student placement. It is in the students’ best interest to give their best effort on these exams. Students are expected to be on their best behavior.

RETENTION INFORMATION

State law dictates that students not achieving the grade level standards in specific content related skills are to be retained. The grade level standards have been established by the California Department of Education and are the basis for the statewide California Standards testing program. All students in grades 1-8 will be identified according to specific curriculum components. The retention/promotion identifying areas are the state mandated standardized tests, district assessments, and grades.

Students and parents/guardians will be notified if the student is at-risk of failing a grade. Students who are notified they may be failing have the ability to change their status by earning passing grades in their classes and earning passing marks on the district assessments. Additionally, students who are notified they may be failing a grade may be assigned to receive additional help in reading, writing, or math. This extra help may be held after school. It is important that all students take their classes seriously and work to their full potential. If you have any questions about this policy or how your child is doing, please contact the school counselors

ACADEMICS

HOMEWORK

Homework is an integral part of the school program. Homework helps develop students’ responsibility for their own learning, is designed to reinforce classroom learning, supplement class work, and give the students opportunity to practice their skills.

For most students in a normal school week, a minimum of four nights of homework will be assigned. Skill areas must be addressed with the assignment meeting the needs of the individual student or as a completion of the daily assignments. The assignments shall be evaluated and included in the student's grades. Students who do not complete and return their homework are not fulfilling the requirements of the course and their grades will be affected. (Board Policy 6154)

Subjects should expect to receive homework including language arts, math, social science, and science. Many elective classes will also have homework. Teachers post their homework assignments on Q Connect. Please visit the Alder website for more information

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The physical education program allows each student the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities at a level of skill that produces a feeling of satisfaction, achievement, and success. The standard physical education uniform includes tennis shoes, socks, black shorts and a gray t-shirt. Sweatpants and sweatshirts may be worn in cold weather only. PE clothes may be purchased through the PE department. The cost for Short/shirt set is $20.00. Shorts and shirts purchased separately are $10.00 each. Students are expected to dress out and participate in PE each day. PE clothes can only be worn during PE class.

If a student is unable to participate in physical education because of injury, illness, or a disabling condition, parents must write a note requesting a PE exemption. Students needing to be excused more than 3 days must have a physician’s statement documenting the specific activity limitation. Students’ with asthma need to be aware of what triggers an attack, and what steps need to be taken if an attack is eminent. Students are still required to dress out even when not participating. During periods of high heat or unhealthy smog conditions, physical activity will be limited for all students.

STUDENT RECOGNITION

Alder recognizes students with good attendance and who show academic achievement and superior citizenship throughout the year. The Renaissance class will celebrate students throughout the year. An awards committee comprised of teachers plan a special awards night each semester to honor our Alder Falcons.

STUDENT SUPPORT

The school counselors are available to help all students. The counselors offer services such as, educational, personal/social and behavioral support; educational and career advisement for students and parents; monitor student progress and implement grade checks; meeting with parents, students, and faculty to strategize academic and behavior interventions; organize reform programs, such as anti-bullying, conflict management, and anger management workshops; and, teach students the skills necessary to achieve their educational and career goals.

Students are encouraged to talk to the counselors before and after school or during lunch. Students may fill out an “Alder Request” slip, located in the front office, to see the counselors. If there is an emergency, students are to let the teachers know about the need to seek advisement. Information regarding counseling agencies and brochures are available in the office.

INTERVENTION CLASSES AND TUTORING

Alder offers support for students who are in need of additional time and help mastering state standards. Intervention classes are offered for Math and Language Arts in lieu of taking an elective. Read 180 and Math 180 offer more intensive support for students significantly below grade level. Centralized After school tutoring will be offered in the library.

ATTENDANCE

We miss you when you are gone! Good attendance is important. State law dictates which absences qualify as excused absences. The following reasons are considered excused absences:

• Student illness or injury
• Emergency medical or dental treatment
• Death in the immediate family
• Student court appearance

Students are required by California law to attend school regularly and promptly. If a student is absent from school, it is the parent’s responsibility to notify the attendance clerk at 357-5330. Excuse notes are to be turned in during first period upon student’s return. Please try to schedule all medical/dental appointments after school.

Ten (10) excused absences are considered to be excessive. Education Code Sec. 48260- Any pupil subject to full-time education or to compulsory education who is absent from school without valid excuse more than three days or tardy or absent for more than any 30-minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or any combination thereof, is a truant and shall be reported to the attendance administrator or superintendent of the school district. School starts at 7:25 a.m. and all students are to be in their seats ready to learn before the tardy bell rings at 7:25 a.m. Students who are not in their seats will be considered tardy. Frequent tardies will result in disciplinary action. Refer to Tardy Policy below. Parents/guardians can be issued a citation for truancy, requiring an appearance in court. Truants from school may be picked up and ticketed by police officers resulting in fines and possible court intervention.

Alder is a closed campus; students may not leave the grounds at any time during the day without permission from the office. If a student is to leave during the day, a note from the parent should be brought to the attendance office before the school day begins. Only parents may sign a student out in the attendance office. Every time a child is checked out early, the adult must present their picture ID. We ask that parents do not check students out after 1:07 p.m. (20 minutes before the bell rings)

Making Up Absences

• Saturday School: Students also have opportunities to make up absences by attending Saturday school. Saturday school classes are offered throughout the school year. Students who are eligible to attend Saturday school will receive letters with dates and times. The letters must be signed by a parent/ guardian and returned to the attendance clerk.
• Study Buddy: We encourage students to select a “Study Buddy” for each class and exchange phone numbers. When students are absent, it is their responsibility to contact the “Study Buddy” and get the homework for the day. Parents/Guardians may request work for their student by calling the attendance office. The teachers are entitled to one day (24 hours) to provide the requested homework. Students are responsible to ask and make arrangements with their teachers for any work missed while they were absent.
• Independent Studies: If students will be absent more than 5 days, they should make arrangements with the Independent Study Coordinator to get work for them while they are out. The Coordinator must be notified a week prior to the first day of the absence.

Attendance Incentives:

• Monthly: Random classes will be visited and when 100% of students have (HATS) homework, attendance, no tardies, the entire class will be rewarded.
• Quarterly Award: Students with perfect attendance for the quarter will be rewarded with special events such as Movie & Popcorn, Hot Chocolate and Cookie party, and Sundae Fun Day.
• Semester Award: Students with perfect attendance and excellent attendance will participate in our awards night held each semester.

TARDY POLICY

School starts at 7:25 a.m. and all students are to be in their seats ready to learn before the tardy bell rings at 7:25 a.m. Students not in their seat ready to learn when the tardy bell rings for any period will be considered tardy. The following disciplinary action will be taken for tardies:

1^st TARDY- WARNING

2^nd TARDY- PARENT CONTACT

3^rd TARDY-TARDY REFLECION

4^th TARDY-TEACHER CONSEQUENCE

5^th TARDY-PARENT CONFERENCE

6^th TARDY-REFERRED TO ADMIN

7^TH TARDY: Student Attendance Review Team

ID POLICY

ALL students must wear their Alder MS IDs throughout the day.

• Students will be given a free ID at the beginning of every school year or when they enroll.
• Students who forget their ID will need to get a temporary ID-sticker from the attendance office prior to 1st period. * Students who receive a temporary ID sticker between the hours of 7:30 am – 2:30 pm will be considered tardy and subject to tardy consequences.
• On every 5th temporary ID- sticker (5th, 10th, 15^th, etc.), a new permanent ID will be immediately made for the student and a $5.00 charge will be added to the student’s account. Parent contact will be made every time a new ID is printed.

DISCIPLINE

Alder currently uses PBIS as our means of implementing a continuum of practices to encourage appropriate behavior and discourage inappropriate behavior. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports.

Behavior Statement of Purpose:

Alder Falcons believe that success will be achieved when we promote a positive school climate and a safe, effective learning environment. We have 4 school wide rules we expect all students to follow in all settings:

Responsibility Integrity Safety Excellence

Behavior infractions that can lead to disciplinary action include but are not limited to the following:

Inappropriate language, Horse playing/physical contact, Defiance/non-compliance, Off-task/Disruption, Property misuse, Tardy, Ditching class, Dress code violation, Profanity directed towards a peer or adult, Fighting/physical aggression, Bullying/Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Forgery, Theft, Tobacco/Drugs/Alcohol possession, Attempt to sell Tobacco/Drugs/Alcohol, Vandalism, Weapon/Firearm Possession, Property Damage, Bomb Threat, Committed Obscene Act.

Disciplinary Consequences and Interventions

• Parent Shadowing: A parent may be asked to shadow a student for part of or the whole school day. This arrangement is made at the discretion of administrators only.
• Alternative to Suspension Contract: Students with continual behavioral problems may be asked to enter into an Alternative to Suspension Contract with a teacher, and/or administrator, and their parent/guardian. These contracts direct specific requirements for that student. The point of these
• contracts is to modify behavior while limiting suspensions. However, failure to fulfill the requirements of a contract will result in suspension.
• Suspension: Suspension is the removal of a student from ongoing instruction at Alder Middle School. During suspension, classes or activities may not be attended. Students are not allowed on any school campus in California. If suspended students enter school grounds, they will be subject to further disciplinary actions.
• Student Behavior Contract: Students with continual or serious behavioral problems may be asked to enter into a Behavior Contract with a teacher, and/or administrator, and their parent/guardian. Behavior Contracts direct specific requirements for that student. Failure to fulfill the requirements of a contract shall result in further disciplinary action, such as suspension or appearance before an Administrative Review Panel to determine whether procedures should be initiated to expel the student.
• Citations: Citations may be issued to students by the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ School Police Department or the Fontana City Police Department for the following penal code violation such as: Fighting, Vandalism/Tagging/Graffiti, Truancy, Possession of a Weapon, Possession of Tobacco, Possession of Marijuana/Drugs, Possession of/or consuming Alcohol. This list is not all inclusive of the infractions for student citation.
• Other Means of Correction: The following are additional disciplinary consequences. This list is not exhaustive and other OMOC’s may be utilized: Counsel and warn student, Contact parent by phone, In-person parent conference, Behavior Contract, Office referral, Lunch detention (after Reflection Form), ASWP (After School Work Program), Classroom Suspension, Time out in office (complete Reflection Form), Home visit, No Fight Contract, Shortened Day, Refer to Counselor, Schedule change, Conference with DSO/ SRO.

EDUCATION CODES

Suspension is the removal of a student from ongoing instruction. Education Code 48900 states that a pupil shall not be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion unless the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is currently enrolled determines that the pupil has committed an act as defined pursuant to one or more of subdivisions (a) to (r) inclusive:

(a1) Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person.

(a2) Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, except in self-defense.

• Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearms, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object, unless, in the case of possession of any object of this type, the pupil has obtained written permission to possess the item from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the principal or the designee of the principal.
• Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of, any controlled substance, an alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind as defined in the Health and Safety Code. (Education Code allows for varied searching methods of students and their belongings including, but not limited to “Drug Sniffing” dogs if there is reasonable cause.)
• Unlawfully offered, arranged or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, as defined in c above, or an alcoholic beverage or an intoxicant of any kind, and then sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.
• Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion.
• Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property.
• Stolen or attempted to steal school property or private property.
• Possessed or used tobacco, or any products containing tobacco or nicotine products, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets, and betel.
• Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.
• Unlawfully possessed or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia.
• Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, administrators, school officials, or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties.
• Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.
• Possessed an imitation firearm. As used in this section, “imitation firearm” means a replica of a firearm that is so substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm.
• Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault as defined in Section 261, 266C, 288, or 289 of the Penal Code or committed sexual battery as defined in Section 243.4 of the Penal Code.
• Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil from being a witness or retaliating against that pupil for being a witness, or both.
• Unlawfully offered, arranged to sell, negotiated to sell, or sold the prescription drug Soma.
• Engaged in, or attempted to engage in, hazing. For purposes of this subdivision, “hazing” means a method of initiation or pre-initiation into a pupil organization or body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to a former, current, or prospective pupil. For purposes of this subdivision, “hazing” does not include athletic events or school sanctioned events.
• Engaged in an act of bullying. For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:  (1)”Bullying” means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act, and including one or more acts committed by a pupil or group of pupils as defined in Section 48900.2, 48900.3 or 48900.4, directed toward one or more pupils that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:  (A) Placing a reasonable pupil or pupils in fear of harm to that pupils or those pupils’ person or property.  (B) Causing reasonable pupil to experience a substantially detrimental effect on his or her physical or mental health.  (c) causing a reasonable pupil to experience substantial interference with his or her academic performance.  A pupil may be suspended or expelled for acts which are enumerated in this section and related to school activity or attendance that occur at any time, including but not limited to, any of the following:  while on school grounds, while going to or coming from school, during the lunch period, whether on or off the campus, or during or while going to or coming from, a school sponsored activity.

EDUCATION CODE 48900.2 (SEXUAL HARASSMENT) In addition to the reason specified in Section 48900, a pupil may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has committed sexual harassment as defined in Section 212.5  For the purposes of this  chapter, the conduct described in Section 212.5 must be considered by a reasonable person of the same gender as the victim to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to have a negative impact upon the individuals academic performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.  This section shall not apply to pupils enrolled in kindergarten and grades 1 to 3, inclusive.

EDUCATION CODE 48900.3 (HATE-VIOLENCE) In addition to the reasons set forth in Sections 48900 and 48900.2, a pupil in any of grades 4 to 12, inclusive, may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of, hate violence, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 233..

EDUCATION CODE 48900.4 (HARASSMENT, THREATS OR INTIMIDATION) A student enrolled in any of grades 4 to 12, inclusive, may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion... if the student has intentionally engaged in harassment, threats, or intimidation, directed against a student or group of students, that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to have the actual and reasonably expected effect of materially disrupting class work, creating substantial disorder, and invading the rights of that student or group of students by creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment.

EDUCATION CODE 48900.5 Suspension shall be imposed only when other means of correction fail to bring about proper conduct.  However, a pupil, including an individual with exceptional needs, as defined in Section 56026, may be suspended for any of the reasons enumerated in Section 48900 upon a first offense, if the principal or superintendent of schools determines that the pupil violated subdivision (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) of Section 48900 or that the pupil’s presence causes a danger to persons or property or threatens to disrupt the instructional process.

EDUCATIONAL CODE 48900.6 As part of or instead of disciplinary action prescribed by this article, the principal of a school, the principal’s designee, the superintendent of schools, or the governing board may require a pupil to perform community service on school grounds or, with written permission of the parent or guardian of the pupil, off school grounds during the pupil’s non-school hours. For the purposes of this section, “community service” may include, but is not limited to, work performed in the community or on school grounds in the areas of outdoor beautification, community or campus betterment, and teacher, peer, or youth assistance programs. This section does not apply if a pupil has been suspended, pending expulsion, pursuant to Section 48915. However, this section applies if the recommended expulsion is not implemented or is, itself, suspended by stipulation or other administrative action.

EDUCATION CODE 48900.7 (TERRORISTIC THREATS AGAINST SCHOOL OFFICIALS, SCHOOL PROPERTY OR BOTH)

(a)In addition to the reasons specified in Sections 48900, 48900.2, 48900.3, and 48900.4, a pupil may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has made terroristic threats against school officials or school property, or both.

(b)For the purposes of this section, "terroristic threat" shall include any statement, whether written or oral, by a person who willfully threatens to commit a crime which will result in death, great bodily injury to another person, or property damage in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), with the specific intent that the statement is to be taken as a threat, even if there is no intent of actually carrying it out, which, on its face and under the circumstances in which it is made, is so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific as to convey to the person threatened, a gravity of purpose and an immediate prospect of execution of the threat, and thereby causes that person reasonably to be in sustained fear for his or her own safety or for his or her immediate family's safety, or for the protection of school district property, or the personal property of the person threatened or his or her immediate family.

EDUCATION CODE 48904 (VANDALISM/TAGGING) Vandalism includes negligent, willful, or unlawful damaging or taking of any district owned real or personal property. Any student, or the parent/guardian of any minor student, shall be held liable for all property belonging to the district that has been damaged, destroyed, stolen or lent and not returned upon demand. The parents or guardian having custody or control of a minor who commits an act of vandalism may be held liable for up to $10,000 for that act. The student who commits an act of vandalism shall also be subject to disciplinary action by the district including suspension and expulsion.

EDUCATION CODE 48915 (c) States that the principal or the superintendent of schools shall recommend the expulsion of pupil for any of the following Education Code violations committed at school or at any school activity off grounds. Causing serious physical injury to another person, except in self-defense.

• Brandishing a knife or other dangerous object at another person.
• Selling of any controlled substance.
• Committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault.
• Possession of an explosive.
• Robbery or extortion.

*Knife means any dirk, dagger, or other weapon with a fixed sharpened blade fitted primarily for stabbing, a weapon with a blade longer than 3.5 inches, a folding knife with a blade that locks into place, or a razor with an unguarded blade.

Health and Safety Policies

HEALTH SERVICES/IMMUNIZATIONS

Parents/Guardians are to notify the health office about serious health concerns and regularly prescribed medication. (See health office for PE exclusion forms, inhaler permission slips, etc.) Students are to notify the teacher or staff member immediately if an injury occurs. In case of serious injury/illness the student’s parent/guardian will be contacted if the student needs to go home or if medical attention is required. It is vitally important that we have updated emergency numbers on file so we can reach parents/guardians in an emergency. The health assistant’s office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Note: By law, students who do not have proof of receiving the Tdap booster show will not be able to start 7^th grade or allowed to participate in any sport program or other sponsored school events.

MEDICATIONS

All medications taken at school, a physician or dentist must prescribe including over the counter medications. The school is required to have a written statement from the prescribing physician and written authorization from the parent or legal guardian before a student may take medication at school. These statements must be renewed. Medication must be provided to the school in the container in which it was purchased. The health office accepts medications only one week at a time. Students may not transport medication to and from school or carry it with them while they are on campus. Under no circumstances will school personnel provide aspirin or any other medicine or nostrum to students (AR 5141.21). Medication will be accepted by the Health Assistant between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

INSURANCE

Although Alder will exercise care to prevent accidents, neither the school nor the District can assume responsibility for accidents or injuries to students. Parents are encouraged to carry personal insurance coverage. Insurance coverage information is included in the parent information packet and is also available through the District’s Child Welfare and Attendance office.

Safety Procedures and Regulations

BICYCLE/BIKE RACK

Students may ride their bicycles to school. When entering campus students are to walk their bikes to the bicycle rack located in front of the school by the attendance window and lock them. Under no circumstances are bikes allowed on the main campus. The school is not responsible for theft of parts or damages to bicycles while parked in the area. Students are to obey the law and wear their bicycle helmets while riding. If a student does not wear a helmet, he/she can be subject to a citation. Riding privileges will be taken away if a student violates the bicycle safety rules.

CAR RIDERS

The following traffic rules have been established for the safety of our students. Remember to drive no more than the designated speed limit in a school zone. Remember not to double-park or park in areas where the curb is painted red. Stop for all school busses with flashing lights. Please remember to obey all signs and directions by school personnel. Parents who do not follow the aforementioned traffic laws are subject to a citation from the Fontana Police Department.

School Policies

PERSONAL PROPERTY POLICY

The school will make every attempt to protect the personal property of students, but is not responsible for any loss or damage. Students are responsible for loss or damage of personal property such as books, cell phones, MP3 players, clothing, equipment or instruments. IF ANY OF THESE ITEMS ARE LOST OR STOLEN THE INCIDENT WILL NOT BE INVESTIGATED.

Students are not to bring valuable belongings to school. Large sums of money and articles of real or sentimental value should not be brought to school. Students must not ask a friend to look after their books, purses, backpacks, jackets, etc. or share a locker to store PE clothes. When items of value must be brought to school they should be brought to the office for safe keeping until they are needed. Parents are asked to mark all clothing and property with student’s name.

Students are not allowed to bring radios, CD players, MP3 players (including IPods) video games, markers, toys, cameras, trading cards, balloons, costumes, blankets, hard balls, skates, scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, or any other item not necessary for class instruction. Cell phones are not to be used and must remain in the off position throughout the instructional day. In addition, ear buds and headphones are not allowed to be used during the school day. Alder will use the following disciplinary actions for any and all items used during school hours, including electronic devices such as, cell phones and MP3 players and hats. Reading this statement is your warning.

1^st Offense: Confiscate & turn it into the office.  Student may pick up after school. Logged into visit maintenance

2^nd Offense: Confiscate & turn it into the office. Student may pick up on Friday; 1-day ASWP

3^rd Offense: Confiscate & turn it into the office.  Parent/Guardian must pick up on Friday; 2 days ASWP

Note: Cell phone hierarchy is to be used when students have cell phones out or they ring in class any time from 7:25 a.m. to 2:12 p.m. including passing periods.

TEXTBOOKS AND LIBRARY

At the start of each school year, students check out textbooks for each academic subject. Students are expected to maintain the books in good condition. Students are also responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged textbooks. If your books are lost or stolen during the school year, contact the librarian. Students are responsible for all library books they check out. The lending period is two weeks, with one renewal. Books must be turned in on time and in good condition. Late fees may be accessed for overdue books. Students will be charged for damaged or lost books. If fines are not paid for, student will be disqualified for participating in 8^th grade activities.

INTERNET POLICY

FUSD has established a Student Internet Acceptable Use Policy that parents must sign and agree to follow for students to have access to the Internet. A master student list will be generated and distributed to staff. Supplementary Alder policy states that students may not communicate with anyone online. Also, specific sites are blocked and additional sites are prohibited. Inappropriate Internet access will result in disciplinary action. See pages 30- 31 in this handbook for the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Internet Use policy.

TELEPHONE/MESSAGES

The office phones are used for school business. Please note the office staff will not deliver messages given to them over the phone due to district policy. The office staff is unable to verify the caller’s identity over the phone and thus is making efforts to protect the students’ safety. Due to a large amount of prank calls made on school phones, phones will not be made available after school. Please make arrangements for walkers, rides, students staying afterschool, etc., prior to coming to school.

VISITORS

Families are welcome to visit the school during the instructional day. During the visit we ask that parents do not inhibit instruction. All visitors must obtain a “Visitor’s Pass” prior to entering campus by signing “in” and “out” in the front office. School office hours are 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. It is required to give teachers a 24-hour notice.

VANDALISM AND CARE OF SCHOOL

PROPERTY

Students have a responsibility to respect the property of others. Students and their parents/guardians shall be liable for the total cost of damage or loss of school property. This responsibility applies in the matter of books, supplies, and equipment of all kinds, as well as vandalism and damage to buildings, grounds, or equipment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION NOTIFICATION Board Policy 5145.3

District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, including harassment, with respect to the actual or perceived ethnic group, religion, gender, color, race, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or sexual orientation. The Board prohibits intimidation or harassment of any student by any employee, student or other person in the district. Staff should be alerted and will immediately respond to student conduct, which may interfere with another student’s ability to participate in or benefit from school services, activities or privileges. Students who harass other students shall be subject to appropriate discipline, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion. An employee who permits or engages in harassment may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Any student who feels that he/she is being harassed should immediately contact the principal or designee. If the principal or designee does not promptly remedy a situation involving harassment, a complaint may be filed with the Superintendent or designee who shall determine which complaint procedure is appropriate.

PARENT ENGAGEMENT

As a means of encouraging and welcoming parents to take a more active role in their children's education, Alder Middle School has opened the Falcon Parent Center. The parent center is home to the office of our Community Aide and will serve as a gathering place for parents. It is stocked with materials and resources to assist parents in supporting our Falcons through middle school.

Parents are encouraged to serve on a number of our existing committees, begin and run our PTA, volunteer to help in the library, office, and classrooms!

Coffee with the Principal meetings will also take place in the parent center once a month. We encourage all parents to attend!

Parents can also stay connected with current happenings by signing up to receive reminder text messages, in addition to our Connect 5 phone calls home. Text @alderms to 81010 to subscribe.

DRESS CODE

The Governing Board of the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. The Board expects students to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to wear clothes that are suitable for the school activities in which they participate. Students’ clothing must not present a health or safety hazard or a distraction that would interfere with the educational process. (Board Policy 5132)

Students, while at school or any school-related activity, are to follow the AMS Dress Code. The following regulations set limits on what is permissible:

• Ear piercing will be the only visible piercing allowed on Alder’s campus. Any other piercing is a distraction to the learning process of others and found to be inappropriate as pursuant to Education Code 35183.5 (1)Specific clothing and hats determined by the school district or school site to be gang-related or inappropriate apparel may be prohibited by the dress code policy. If a facial piercing is confiscated, piercing will be confiscated until following Friday and will require a parent to pick it up.
• Shoes must be worn at all times. Sandals must have heel straps. Thongs/Flip-Flops, slippers, house shoes, backless shoes or sandals are not acceptable.
• Clothing, jewelry and personal items (backpacks, fanny packs, gym bags, water bottles etc.) shall be free of writing, pictures or any other insignia which are crude, vulgar, profane, gang related or sexually suggestive, which bear drug, alcohol or tobacco company advertising, promotions and likenesses, or which advocate racial, ethnic or religious prejudice. Sagging will not be tolerated and “loaners” may be given to that student, and/or student’s parent may be called to bring new pants.
• Hats, beanies and hoodies are not allowed on campus unless permitted by administration under severe weather conditions.
• Clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times. See-through or fishnet fabrics, halter- tops, off-the-shoulder or low-cut tops, bare midriffs, spaghetti straps, jogging shorts and skirts shorter than mid-thigh are prohibited.
• Gym shorts may not be worn in classes other than physical education.
• Hair shall be clean and neatly groomed. Any coloring that would drip when wet may not spray hair.
• Chains, spiked belts and/or bracelets are prohibited.

Dress should be appropriate for normal school activities; it should reflect pride and respect. Just as overall attitude and competency contribute to a productive learning and work environment, so does appropriate dress and grooming. Health and safety are guides to acceptable school attire. Garments should meet acceptable standard sand be appropriate and in good repair. The administration retains the sole discretion to determine if the garment meets this standard. In case of questionable dress (not covered in the rules listed above),the site administrator will make the final decision.

The purpose of these basic dress guidelines is not to infringe on any individual student’s rights to freedom of expression but rather to encourage students to “dress for success” and come to school properly prepared for participating in the educational process.

Ladder of Consequences (all logged in visit maintenance)

• 1^st violation: warned and removal/change of dress code violation
• 2^nd violation: removal/change of dress code violation/ parent communication
• 3^rd + violation: removal/change of dress code violation/ parent conference/ ASWP