Thunder_Mountain_Middle_School_Handbook.pdf

‭Thunder Mountain Middle School‬ ‭2024-2025‬ ‭Handbook‬ ‭Main office phone: 907-780-1900‬ ‭ rincipal‬ P ‭Shawn Arnold‬ ‭[email protected]‬ ‭ ice Principal‬ V ‭Laura Scholes‬ ‭[email protected]‬ ‭Table of Contents‬...

‭Thunder Mountain Middle School‬ ‭2024-2025‬ ‭Handbook‬ ‭Main office phone: 907-780-1900‬ ‭ rincipal‬ P ‭Shawn Arnold‬ ‭[email protected]‬ ‭ ice Principal‬ V ‭Laura Scholes‬ ‭[email protected]‬ ‭Table of Contents‬ ‭‬ ‭Welcome Message‬ ‭ age 3‬ P ‭‬ ‭District Calendar‬ ‭Page 4‬ ‭‬ ‭Mission and Falcon Overview‬ ‭Page 5‬ ‭‬ ‭Attendance‬ ‭Page 6‬ ‭‬ ‭Academics‬ ‭Page 7‬ ‭‬ ‭General Information and Decorum‬ ‭Page 8‬ ‭‬ ‭Health & Safety‬ ‭Page 10‬ ‭‬ ‭School Events‬ ‭Page 12‬ ‭‬ ‭Activities and Athletics‬ ‭Page 13‬ ‭‬ ‭Juneau Partner Activities‬ ‭Page 14‬ ‭‬ ‭Discipline/Dress Code Guidelines‬ ‭Page 15‬ ‭‬ ‭Electronics‬ ‭Page 16‬ ‭‬ ‭Behavior Expectations‬ ‭Page 17‬ ‭‬ ‭Rules and Procedures Agreement‬ ‭Page 19‬ ‭2‬ ‭Welcome Message‬ ‭We are so glad YOU are here!‬ ‭Dear Families and Students,‬ ‭ elcome to Thunder Mountain Middle School! Our staff is excited to work with you in‬ W ‭our new school. We are all committed to providing our students with an excellent‬ ‭education. We are here to teach students to think and be responsible in all they do. This‬ ‭handbook is a tool that will support their success at Thunder Mountain.‬ ‭ e encourage parents to carefully review our school handbook and discuss written‬ W ‭assignments, teacher messages, and printed content with their students throughout the‬ ‭year. The education of Thunder Mountain Middle School students is our highest priority.‬ ‭ e consider parents our #1 partners in this pursuit, and your involvement, concerns,‬ W ‭and feedback are welcomed and crucial to our shared success.‬ ‭ e are honored to serve Thunder Mountain Middle School students and eagerly‬ W ‭anticipate a fantastic school year filled with growth, learning, and memorable‬ ‭experiences.‬ ‭ e are here with a clear mission-to make good things happen for young people! This is‬ W ‭our commitment to the students of Thunder Mountain Middle School.‬ ‭ incerely,‬ S ‭Shawn Arnold‬ ‭Principal, Thunder Mountain Middle School‬ ‭3‬ ‭4‬ ‭Mission Statement‬ ‭ hunder‬‭Mountain‬‭Middle‬‭School‬‭is‬‭committed‬‭to‬‭the‬‭art‬‭&‬‭science‬‭of‬‭teaching‬‭and‬‭the‬ T ‭challenge and joy of learning.‬ ‭We educate the whole child by:‬ ‭‬ r‭ esponding to the uniqueness of the adolescent learner‬ ‭‬ ‭providing a safe, positive environment‬ ‭‬ ‭offering a diverse array of learning opportunities‬ ‭‬ ‭integrating technology into our curriculum‬ ‭‬ ‭fostering high expectations for student success‬ ‭‬ ‭encouraging family and community partnerships‬ ‭‬ ‭creating responsible citizens and life-long learners‬ ‭‬ ‭affirming personal growth and healthy self-concept‬ ‭Falcon Flyer‬ ‭ he Falcon Flyer is a newsletter containing announcements, shout outs, news, and‬ T ‭other need-to-know information for families of Thunder Mountain Middle School that is‬ ‭sent by the front office every week.‬ ‭School Culture‬ ‭ hunder Mountain Middle School is dedicated to creating a positive school culture for‬ T ‭students, families, and staff. We want students to be excited to come to school every‬ ‭day, to be the best versions of themselves, and to recognize that making mistakes is‬ ‭part of growing up; learning from those mistakes shapes us.‬ ‭ hat we do matters. This includes how we act, talk, think to ourselves, put forth effort,‬ W ‭treat others, treat things, and much more. We take purposeful steps to show our‬ ‭commitment to our values (using the acronym P.R.I.D.E.). We believe learning how to‬ ‭make these values part of students’ lives will support their success in and out of school‬ ‭now and in the future.‬ ‭Falcon P.R.I.D.E.‬ ‭.R.I.D.E. is an acronym that represents our values: Positivity, Respect, Integrity,‬ P ‭Determination, and Empathy. When students live these values, they will be their best‬ ‭selves and positive members of our school community and the greater Juneau‬ ‭community. We will explicitly teach what these values and associated behaviors look‬ ‭like and acknowledge students when we observe them. We want to catch students‬ ‭making great choices; that's what Falcon P.R.I.D.E. is all about. Soar like a Falcon by‬ ‭showing P.R.I.D.E.!‬ ‭5‬ ‭Attendance‬ ‭ e aim to build a strong educational foundation for future success. Being here every‬ W ‭day on time for class builds foundations for learning.‬‭When you miss school, we miss‬ ‭you! Attendance matters!‬ ‭ bsences:‬‭Call or email to excuse your student's absences‬‭for all or part of a school‬ A ‭day. Unexcused absences may result in disciplinary action. Call 907-780-1900 (office)‬ ‭or email [email protected], or send a note with your child.‬ ‭ ate Arrival to School:‬‭Excuse your student for being‬‭late to school by calling,‬ L ‭emailing or sending a note from an authorized person. Appropriate excuses include:‬ ‭illness, doctor or dentist or other appointments, etc. Unexcused tardies in the morning‬ ‭and to classes during the school day may result in disciplinary action according to the‬ ‭Middle School Discipline Grid. Attendance letters are mailed monthly to‬ ‭parents/guardians and attendance information is always available via PowerSchool.‬ ‭ arly Pick-up:‬‭Call 907-780-1900 five minutes before‬‭you pick your student up for an‬ E ‭appointment. Your student will be called to the main office to wait for you. All students‬ ‭must be signed out at the main by an authorized person who is identified in‬ ‭PowerSchool.‬ ‭ equesting Homework:‬‭Call the school before 9:30 am‬‭to request homework for‬ R ‭absent students. You may also access Canvas for each of your child’s classes. On‬ ‭return to school after absence, students should meet with teachers after school to‬ ‭discuss how to make up work that could not be sent home.‬ ‭ amily Travel:‬‭Travel forms for three (3) or more‬‭days of travel can be picked up at the‬ F ‭attendance office once a parent/guardian notifies the school of dates of travel. Students‬ ‭can bring this form around to teachers 2-3 days before departure to see if there is work‬ ‭that can be taken ahead of time. Extended travel absences need to be approved by the‬ ‭principal.‬ ‭ ithdrawal or Transfer:‬‭Please provide the office‬‭written notification at least two (2)‬ W ‭days prior to withdrawal. A withdrawal slip will be issued for students to bring around to‬ ‭each teacher. Withdrawal is official after student obligations have been met including all‬ ‭books returned, locker cleaned out and fines paid. The TMMS Registrar is able to share‬ ‭school records with the transfer school.‬ ‭6‬ ‭Academics‬ ‭ lasses:‬‭Students take the following core classes:‬‭Language Arts, Mathematics, Social‬ C ‭Studies, and Science. Students also Program/Advisory class and Exploratory classes‬ ‭such as: Art, PE, Music, Life Skills, Tlingit, etc.‬ ‭ eport Cards:‬‭The four grading periods are each about‬‭nine weeks long. Progress‬ R ‭reports are printed and given to students midway through each grading period. Final‬ ‭quarter grades are also printed and given to students through the Advisory class.‬ ‭Parents/Guardians may contact the TMMS Office for a mailed copy.‬ ‭ onitoring Grades:‬‭PowerSchool is the online tool‬‭that helps you monitor your‬ M ‭student's progress, attendance, test scores, etc., in detail between official report cards.‬ ‭Students and Parents/Guardians can access the system 24 hours a day from anywhere‬ ‭through a link on the Thunder Mountain website and/or an app downloaded on your‬ ‭phone as well. Parent/guardian log-in information will be sent home the first week of‬ ‭school via email. It also is available through our registrar (907-780-‬‭2074‬‭). Advisory‬ ‭teachers will give students their own PowerSchool username and password within the‬ ‭first month of the school year. Office staff will provide account set-up assistance during‬ ‭Open House, PT conferences, and upon request.‬ ‭ ooks:‬‭Textbooks may be assigned to students through‬‭our TMMS Library. Some may‬ B ‭be checked out for the whole year and others may be for shorter periods. Library books‬ ‭are checked out for two weeks and may be renewable if there is no one waiting for the‬ ‭book. If any book (library or textbook) is lost or damaged, fines for book repair and/or‬ ‭replacement will apply. All books must be returned and fines paid by the end of the‬ ‭school year for final grades to be released. In addition, 8th grade students must return‬ ‭or pay for all books to attend the end-of-year 8th Grade Dance. If a book is found after a‬ ‭fee has been paid, please contact our office as we would love to have the book back‬ ‭and may be able to reimburse the fee if it is within 12 months.‬ ‭ tudy‬‭Hall/Homework‬‭Club:‬‭Before‬‭and/or‬‭after‬‭school‬‭study‬‭halls‬‭are‬‭usually‬‭offered‬ S ‭as‬ ‭a‬ ‭quiet‬ ‭place‬‭to‬‭read‬‭and‬‭do‬‭homework.‬‭Please‬‭see‬‭the‬‭school‬‭website‬‭and‬‭Falcon‬ ‭Flyer or updated information about times and locations.‬ ‭ chool Technology:‬‭Students are responsible for understanding‬‭and following the‬ S ‭Juneau School District Technology Use and Conduct and Permission for Student‬ ‭Internet Publishing‬‭and‬‭The Juneau School District‬‭1:1 Program‬‭. Damaging school‬ ‭technology or using it inappropriately has disciplinary consequences, loss of technology‬ ‭privileges, and a possibility of fees.‬ ‭7‬ ‭General Information and Decorum‬ ‭ unch Program/ Food:‬‭Soda, coffee, caffeinated drinks,‬‭and energy drinks are not‬ L ‭allowed at any time during the school day. This includes Lotus and other similar‬ ‭plant-based energy drinks. When preparing lunch for your student, please remember‬ ‭the healthy food groups. Food deliveries such as Uber Eats and DoorDash are not‬ ‭allowed for students at Thunder Mountain Middle School.‬ ‭ chool lunches are available to all students on a purchased, reduced price, or free‬ S ‭basis depending upon income guidelines. To apply for free or reduced price meals,‬ ‭please obtain an application form from the attendance office or the district website.‬ ‭Please see the school website for updated information on lunch prices and how to set‬ ‭up an account to check lunch balances or pay for school lunch. Thunder Mountain is a‬ ‭closed campus which means students must be supervised and remain on school‬ ‭grounds during the lunch period.‬ ‭ us Transportation:‬‭School bus transportation is provided‬‭as a courtesy and is a‬ B ‭privilege, not a right. It is the responsibility of the principal to advise parents when a‬ ‭student has been denied bus privileges due to behavioral issues. Loss of bus privileges‬ ‭does not excuse a student from school attendance.‬ ‭ ockers:‬‭Advisory teachers assign students' lockers‬‭and combinations during the first‬ L ‭week of school. For security reasons, students must only use their assigned locker. To‬ ‭maintain your locker as a safe place to store your possessions, do not share lockers‬ ‭with other students or give out your locker combination to anyone. Items found in a‬ ‭student’s assigned locker will be considered that student’s property. Do not hold/store‬ ‭another student’s items in your locker at any point. Do not jam the lock to prevent it from‬ ‭locking. Items missing or stolen from your locker are not the school’s responsibility.‬ ‭ tudents are responsible for keeping their lockers clean and orderly. When a locker‬ S ‭does not work properly or if you need to change your locker combination, notify the front‬ ‭office immediately.‬ ‭ ockers are considered school property and school administration may examine them‬ L ‭without the permission or knowledge of the student or parent/guardian. Lockers and‬ ‭other school property may be searched anytime there is reasonable cause to suspect‬ ‭that the search will reveal evidence of a violation of law or school rules, or anytime a‬ ‭search is necessary at the discretion of school administration to protect the health,‬ ‭safety or welfare of the student body.‬ ‭8‬ ‭ elationships:‬‭A school is not a place for extreme shows of affection between‬ R ‭students. Hand holding is the only form of affection permitted. Anything beyond this is‬ ‭considered inappropriate school behavior and is not allowed in the school or within the‬ ‭boundaries of the school.‬ ‭ ikes, Skateboards, Etc.:‬‭For safety reasons, students‬‭must get off their bikes,‬ B ‭skateboard and other similar equipment and walk once on school property. Riding in the‬ ‭parking lot, driveways, sidewalks or the courtyard may result in equipment being‬ ‭confiscated and/or disciplinary action. It is required by law for students to wear bike‬ ‭helmets when riding bicycles to and from school. The school district is not responsible‬ ‭for damage, loss or theft of bicycles, boards and other similar equipment so be sure to‬ ‭lock them up. Racks are provided outside for bicycles and skateboards. Please use a‬ ‭personal lock to secure this personal property.‬ ‭ isitors:‬‭Students wishing to bring another student‬‭guest to school must obtain prior‬ V ‭approval from the office and teachers 24 hours in advance. Parents/guardians are‬ ‭welcome to visit students. To minimize instructional disruptions please make prior‬ ‭arrangements with the classroom teacher.‬ ‭9‬ ‭Health and Safety‬ ‭Illness:‬ ‭‬ ‭Please keep children at home when they are ill to prevent spreading germs.‬ ‭‬ ‭All students must have a pass from a teacher to visit the Health Office. TMMS‬ ‭has a Nurse who oversees our Health Office.‬ ‭‬ ‭If the Nurse sends a student home, a parent/guardian or person on the‬ ‭emergency contact list will need to sign the student out at the Attendance office.‬ ‭Medicine at School:‬ ‭‬ ‭Students are not allowed to have in their possession or locker any medication,‬ ‭including, but not limited to: prescriptions, non-prescription medications, cough‬ ‭syrup, lozenges, Tylenol, or any other similar products.‬ ‭‬ ‭Students with prescribed inhalers will need to complete some paperwork with our‬ ‭school nurse to self-carry and self-administer the inhaler.‬ ‭‬ ‭Students must give all medicine, including non-prescription medication, to the‬ ‭nurse/health assistant at the beginning of the school day, and take doses at the‬ ‭health office at the designated time. It is required that the medication be in the‬ ‭original prescription bottle with the student’s name on it. Parents/Guardians must‬ ‭sign the JSD Authorization for Administration of Medication and Release of‬ ‭Liability form before the nurse/health assistant can administer any medication.‬ ‭‬ ‭Students are not allowed to administer medications to themselves unless the‬ ‭student has received prior authorization to possess and personally administer the‬ ‭medication.‬ ‭‬ ‭Students with unauthorized medication found on their person or in their‬ ‭belongings are subject to disciplinary action.‬ ‭ ounselor:‬‭Thunder Mountain’s school counseling program‬‭is part of the district’s K-12‬ C ‭comprehensive counseling program. Counseling services are available to students,‬ ‭parents and staff. During conferences with students, parents/guardians, teachers,‬ ‭and/or community resources, the counselor works toward supporting socio-emotional‬ ‭and educational goals. Other services include individual counseling to address personal‬ ‭and school related issues, small group counseling, referral for services, and assisting‬ ‭with transition in and out of middle school.‬ ‭ e also have a Student Wellness Advocate at TMMS. This position is funded through‬ W ‭the Alaska Project AWARE grant through the Alaska Department of Education and Early‬ ‭Development.‬ ‭10‬ ‭ rohibited Items:‬‭Students may not possess the following items on school property or‬ P ‭at school sponsored events:‬ ‭‬ ‭Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes including e-cigarettes and vapes, marijuana,‬ ‭tobacco products, inhalants, cigarette lighters, matches, and look-a-likes or‬ ‭replicas.‬ ‭‬ ‭Prescription medications AND over-the-counter medications (Must turn over to‬ ‭the nurse.)‬ ‭‬ ‭Enhanced beverages/pills such as Jolt, Amp, Rockstar, caffeine pills, etc.‬ ‭‬ ‭Weapons including but not limited to: guns, knives, chains, nunchucks, or‬ ‭replicas.‬ ‭‬ ‭If these items are brought to school, the item will be confiscated and returned to‬ ‭the parent or guardian only. Items may not be returned if the items are‬ ‭determined illegal.‬ ‭ ccidents:‬‭All families are encouraged to acquire‬‭accident insurance either through an‬ A ‭insurance carrier or through family coverage. The school district does not automatically‬ ‭carry accident insurance to cover students. Any accident or inquiry on school property‬ ‭(including buses) must be reported to the school immediately.‬ ‭ uilding Evacuation:‬‭In the event of an evacuation‬‭where students are not allowed to‬ B ‭return to the school building, a parent/guardian and the community will be notified‬ ‭through emergency messaging systems. A student pick-up point and administration‬ ‭office will be arranged. A parent/guardian should report to that designated area with‬ ‭proper identification to pick up their child. Students will be released only to those‬ ‭individuals listed on the enrollment form and emergency release document as indicated‬ ‭in PowerSchool.‬ ‭11‬ ‭School Events‬ ‭ ssemblies:‬‭Assemblies during the school day are an‬‭educational and entertaining‬ A ‭part of the curriculum and school culture. Students are expected to be attentive and‬ ‭well-mannered.‬ ‭ eekenders:‬‭These events occur once a quarter on a‬‭Friday after school. They are‬ W ‭provided by various school groups as a fun fund-raising event. Only Thunder Mountain‬ ‭students in good standing can attend Weekenders.‬ ‭ ield Trips:‬‭Criteria for participation and transportation‬‭during field trips varies. When‬ F ‭transport is provided by the school, all students must travel to and from the destination‬ ‭with the school group. If a student wishes or needs to travel with a parent to/from the‬ ‭activity for some reason, they must first get approval in writing from the principal prior to‬ ‭the field trip. Parent/guardian must then contact the person in charge of the activity‬ ‭before the student may leave the group. Disciplinary action may result in immediate‬ ‭removal from the field trip and/or a loss of the privilege of participating in upcoming field‬ ‭trips.‬ ‭ th Grade Dance:‬‭Only current Thunder Mountain Middle‬‭School 8th grade students in‬ 8 ‭good standing can attend the 8th Grade Dance. Good standing includes returning‬ ‭and/or paying all book fines and not having disciplinary concerns. This dance is a‬ ‭celebration of the culmination of three years of middle school; we want all students to be‬ ‭able to attend. The parents/guardians of 8th graders typically plan and put on this dance‬ ‭as a gift to the students. Attending the dance is free of charge. If you have any‬ ‭questions or concerns, or would like to volunteer to help with the Dance, please contact‬ ‭our school office, the school counselor, or your child’s Advisory teacher.‬ ‭12‬ ‭‬ ‭‬ ‭ ‭ ‭‬ ‭Local Partnerships‬ I‭n addition to school-sponsored activities, B.A.M. (Body & Mind, Before/After Middle‬ ‭School), a student-named program of diverse activities, is offered throughout the year‬ ‭by the Juneau Afterschool Coalition (JASC) in partnership with TMMS.‬‭B.A.M.‬ ‭activities are based on student preference surveys and have included everything‬ ‭from art studio, babysitting certification, outdoor skills, archery, cooking and‬ ‭more.‬‭Activities are provided by community organizations‬‭and talented volunteers. This‬ ‭offering is year-long.‬ I‭n partnership with the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska,‬ ‭TMMS offers an opportunity for all students to participate in Native Youth Olympics‬ ‭(NYO) events after school. This is a‬‭supportive, inclusive‬‭yet competitive,‬ ‭opportunity to learn about traditional Alaska Native culture, skills, and values of‬ ‭teamwork and cooperation‬‭. Positive sportsmanship,‬‭understanding of ancient‬ ‭strategies for successful hunting, fishing, and survival are expressed through a wide‬ ‭variety of contests. Exact dates are TBD‬ ‭ ur local ski area, Eaglecrest, partners with TMMS to provide‬‭ski and snowboard‬ O ‭scholarships‬‭to middle school participants under an‬‭after school program entitled‬ ‭Books to Boards. With monthly team-building activities after school, opportunities for‬ ‭lessons and support in learning and building winter sports skills, this program‬ ‭encourages both academic success and outdoor recreation. Exact dates are TBD.‬ ‭14‬ ‭Thunder Mountain Discipline Plan‬ ‭ t Thunder Mountain Middle School we use the guidelines set forth by the‬ A ‭Juneau School District in the District-wide adopted Discipline Plan, coupled‬ ‭with restorative practices. Our policy is to enforce consequences for‬ ‭infractions, and to aid students in restoring trusting relationships, and‬ ‭learning from mistakes.‬ ‭ ress Code‬ D ‭Thunder Mountain Middle School students are expected to‬ ‭dress appropriately for the school environment. Building‬ ‭principals shall determine whether the dress or grooming of‬ ‭students are within these guidelines.‬ ‭ lothing must cover the body from the shoulder to just‬ C ‭above the knee, and not be in any way disruptive to‬ ‭the educational process.‬ ‭ lothing may not advertise the use of alcohol or‬ C ‭drugs.‬ ‭ lothing may not contain prohibited speech, be‬ C ‭gang associated, or depict violence.‬ ‭ ats and hoods are not allowed within the school‬ H ‭building in order to ensure student safety and allow‬ ‭for students to be identifiable.‬ ‭ ull pajama sets, slippers, blankets, or sunglasses may not be worn unless‬ F ‭authorized for a special event such as School Spirit Week or a Holiday‬ ‭celebration.‬ ‭ ccasionally, exceptions for groups or individuals may occur in special‬ O ‭circumstances, however, those must be approved by Administrators and/or‬ ‭the Juneau School Board.‬ ‭15‬ ‭Electronics Policy‬ ‭ egarding the use of electronics such as cell phones, smart watches,‬ R ‭gaming devices, earbuds, and the like, Thunder Mountain Middle School‬ ‭students are expected to follow these guidelines.‬ ‭ ell phones must be powered off during the school day and out of sight‬ C ‭while the student is in the building and/or on any school-related outing.‬ ‭ andlines are available to students in the classrooms and the main office.‬ L ‭Parents/guardians who need to get a message to their student may do so‬ ‭by calling the main school office.‬ ‭ ell phone use may be permitted in some circumstances by school‬ C ‭personnel or administration, depending on the circumstances.‬ ‭Students are encouraged to leave electronics of value, such as smart‬ ‭watches, Bluetooth earbuds, and gaming devices at home.‬ ‭ ell phone violations may result in a warning, and/or the cell phone will be‬ C ‭taken, kept secure, and returned at the end of the day. Repeated‬ ‭infractions may result in a return of the phone directly to the‬ ‭parent/guardian when they can pick it up.‬ ‭ e appreciate the support of families in helping us keep the focus on‬ W ‭learning during the day.‬ ‭16‬ ‭17‬ ‭18‬  ‭RULES AND PROCEDURES AGREEMENT‬ ‭THUNDER MOUNTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL‬ Advisory teacher‬ ‭House‬ I,‬ have read and understand the rules and procedures contained in the 2024 - 2025 Thunder‬ Mountain Middle School Student Handbook and have read and understand the‬‭Computer‬ Network Services – Acceptable Use Policy and Technology Use and Conduct Form.‬ As parent/guardian of‬ I have reviewed and am familiar with the rules and procedures contained in the 2024 - 2025‬ Thunder Mountain Middle School Student Handbook as provided on the TMMS website at:‬ tmms.juneauschools.org‬‭and understand the Juneau School‬‭District’s‬‭Technology Use and‬ Conduct – Permission for Student Internet Publishing and Notice of Online Learning‬ Applications.‬ Parent/Guardian Signature‬ Date‬ Comments:‬ ‭All students must return this form to their advisory teacher.‬ ‭For further information please call 780-1900.‬ ‭19‬