1997 Horseback Run
Chesapeake, VA 23323
Phone: 757-558-5382
Fax: 757-558-5386

Bell Schedule
School Supply List

ATTENDANCE POLICY, TRUANCY, and TARDINESS

Regular school attendance is necessary for students to make acceptable progress in school.  In accordance with School Board policy, if a student is absent more than thirty days, he/she may not be promoted to the next grade.  If an absence is necessary, an excuse written by the parent or guardian stating the reason for the absence is to be presented to the homeroom teacher on the day the student returns to school or you can submit an absence via the link on the school webpage.  Failure to do this will result in an unexcused absence for that student. Per Chesapeake School Board Policy, absences from school are excused for sickness of a student, medical appointments, severe illness or death in the family, exposure to contagious disease, religious holidays, or extenuating circumstances such as fire, accident, or extremely inclement weather. Exceptions for absences or tardies may be authorized by the principal.  Absences are considered to be unexcused for all other reasons.  Students who accumulate 7 or more unexcused absences that are not verified by a parent will be referred to Truancy Court for further action.  Periodically during the school year, parent/guardian(s) will be notified as to the number of days missed.  A student who is absent more than 15 days in a semester or 30 days in a year-long course may not receive credit for that course.  Virginia has a compulsory attendance law for students until the age of eighteen.  The student should present a note to their homeroom teacher immediately following an absence for submission to the Attendance Clerk.  For your convenience, you may use our website to “Report Your Child’s Absence” online to alleviate the need to bring in a note the following day.

Chesapeake Schools are required by the Code of Virginia to conduct specific interventions for truant students.  Truancy is defined as “the action of staying away from school without good reason; therefore, parents must always provide written excuses when their child is absent from school. Interventions include: a letter after the fifth unexcused absence, a telephone call after the sixth unexcused absence and a parent conference scheduled to develop an attendance plan. After the seventh unexcused absence, a court referral may be sent to the Office of Student Services where it is then sent to court services for further action.  On days when it is necessary for a student to be absent, parents are required to provide a written excuse note. If a student is entering the building after the school day has begun, a parent/guardian is required to enter the building to sign in the child.  In addition, please send a letter, to be verified by office staff, if someone other than the parent/guardian(s) is picking up the child.

Students are expected to always be on time for school and for all classes during the school day to avoid missing important announcements and valuable instruction. A student who arrives late to school must report to the security desk. Parents are expected to provide a note explaining the student’s tardiness.  Arriving late to class without a pass may result in consequences.  A student who is detained by a staff member must be given a pass from that staff member before entering the next class.

MAKE-UP WORK (Student Absences)

Work Missed When Absent

1. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for and complete all work missed when absent. The student may have up to three (3) school days to complete the work for full credit.  Exceptions may be made for extended absences.

2. When a student is absent for more than three (3) school days, parents should request work.  Twenty-four hour notice is required for this request.

3. When parents request work, it should be picked up from the office between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on the following school day or thereafter.  When a student is absent on the day of a test, but was in school the day before, the student will take the assessment on the return day to school.

4. Work that is not made up will be entered as a zero in the teacher’s gradebook.

 Absences for Vacation and/or Trips

Prior approval from the principal is required when students are absent due to vacation or family trips. Per Chesapeake School Board Policy, these absences are generally considered to be unexcused.  Approved unexcused absences will NOT be considered for truancy.  Assignments may be provided in advance with a three-day written request from a parent.  Work that is not made up will receive a zero in the teacher’s gradebook.

 Make-Up Work for In-School Suspension

1. Whenever possible, the classroom teacher will provide the student with assignments to complete in the ISS room.  Students are expected to complete classwork and homework when they are assigned ISS.  If assigned work is not completed, a grade of zero will be given.

2. If the student missed a test, quiz, or other assignment, which could not be completed during ISS, the assignment will be given and completed when the student returns to the classroom.

3. Homework due the day the student is assigned to ISS should be turned in during homeroom.

4. Students assigned ISS who do not follow ISS rules may be given OSS.

 Make-Up Work for Out-of-School Suspension

1. Students are expected to complete work missed when they are assigned out-of-school suspension.

2. Work may be provided, with at least a 24 hour notice, while the student is suspended.  Otherwise, assignments should be requested the day the student returns to school.

3. Make-up work is due within three days after the student returns to school from a suspension of up to three days.

4. If a student is absent due to suspension for more than three days, the student will be       responsible for making up the work in a timely manner.  Timelines shall be determined by the teacher based on the nature of the assignments missed and number of days absent.

5. When prior notice is given about a test, the test will be taken the day the student returns to school.

6. Work not made up will receive a zero.

Make-up Work for Intentional Absences

In the case of intentional absences (e.g., skipping school or skipping an individual class) students will not be permitted to make up work for credit and will receive a zero for any graded work assigned during the time of the absence.

GRADING POLICY and STUDENT PROGRESS

GRADE WEIGHTING

ASSESSMENTS  40%     QUIZZES/LABS  30%     PRACTICE  30%

 HONOR ROLL

At the end of each grading period, students will receive recognition as noted below.  At the end of the 3rd marking period, students’ grades will be reviewed to identify the students that will receive recognition at the Academic Awards Night.  Students identified to participate may not have received a grade lower than a C during the first three grading periods.

LOCKERS and LOST AND FOUND
Students’ core teachers assign student lockers.  Students are not to share lockers, both in the academic area and gym locker room.  Locker combinations will be kept on file to be used in case of emergency.  Periodically throughout the year, the teams will hold locker clean out. Students should be sure their lockers are properly secured in order to protect their belongings. In physical education, all valuables should be locked in student’s lockers. Any student who does not use a lock in physical education does so at his or her own risk. Locks may be purchased at the school store during homeroom. Since various items often are lost and sometimes found by others, a lost and found area is maintained in the office.  Students may check this area for anything (except money, check with the secretary in the office) that may go astray.  Articles found in and around the school should be turned in to the main office.  At the end of each semester, all articles still remaining in lost and found will be donated to a charitable cause.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

 Parent/teacher conferences are encouraged and may be requested by either the parent or the teacher.  Conferences will be scheduled at a time convenient to both parents and teachers.  Grade-level administrators are available to attend conferences if requested by a parent or teacher.  All conferences are by appointment.  If you are unable to keep the appointment for a conference, please notify the school office.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Chesapeake Public Schools and Hugo Owens Middle School are not responsible for any personal items that are lost, stolen or damaged while at school or on school property.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION and SUPPORT

The Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) initiative has been adopted by many Chesapeake Public Schools including HOMS. The purpose of this initiative is to support positive academic and behavioral outcomes for all students. The program is based on extensive research and utilizes a preventative and proactive approach to discipline that reduces the amount of time spent dealing with office referrals, thereby increasing time spent on teaching and learning. In accordance with the mission statements of Chesapeake Public Schools and HOMS, our students are expected to follow general guidelines for appropriate behavior at all times.  Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in disciplinary action.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

DISCIPLINE

All students and parents should refer to the CPS Student Code of Conduct and Policy Guidelines. When a student does not comply with the behavioral expectations, disciplinary measures will be taken. Discipline is an integral part of the educational process as it relates to the development of personal integrity and ultimately to good citizenship.  Those students who violate established teacher and/or team rules and regulations will be subjected to team consequences.  Students who do not modify their behavior will be referred to the administration.

 Students are reminded that the following behaviors may result in suspension or expulsion from school (this list is not all inclusive):

• The use or possession of tobacco products on school grounds

• The illegal use, possession, or distribution of drugs, drug paraphernalia or alcohol on school property

• The use, possession, handling, or carrying of any gun, weapon, pepper spray or other dangerous object

• Physical and/or verbal threats to do bodily harm and/or assaults on other persons

• Vandalism and/or destruction of school or personal property

• Threats dealing with bombs or other explosive materials

• Forgery and/or cheating in any form

• Obscene actions, words, profanity, ethnically degrading statements and/or gestures

• Bullying and/or cyberbullying other students physically, verbally, etc.

• Fighting and/or unauthorized physical contact (i.e., horseplay)

• Sexual harassment committed by students of either sex against students or staff of the opposite or
  same sex

• Repeated failure to comply with the directions of teachers or other authorized school personnel

• Stealing and/or the unauthorized possession and use of someone else’s property

• Skipping class or being tardy to class

• Any other act or action that may be considered disruptive to the educational process.

• Overt displays of affection such as kissing, amorous embraces, holding hands, sitting on another person’s lap, sexual touching, grabbing, patting or hitting are strictly prohibited in the school building, on school grounds or during school activities.

Disciplinary Consequences:

The following consequences are used to maintain a safe learning environment for all students. There will be no academic penalties associated with any disciplinary consequence.  Students have the right to make up all assignments missed during a suspension.

·      Parent contact – Teachers and administrators will make every effort to communicate with parents when student behavior becomes an issue.

·      Silent Lunch – a short-term intervention for students not following minor cafeteria rules

·      Lunch Detention – an alternate dining location for students repeatedly not following cafeteria rules

• ISS (In-School Suspension) – an isolated classroom where students work on regular assignments without changing classes.

• OSS (Out-of-School Suspension) – students may not be present on school property during periods of out of school suspension.

• Alternative school placements – Chesapeake Public Schools has several alternative placement schools that are available for students with severe or chronic discipline problems or who may be better served in another environment (e.g., CAS, TRAEP, SECEP).

Discipline Appeals Process:

Parents should direct all questions in regards to disciplinary consequences to their child’s grade level assistant principal.  If the parent would like to appeal the grade level assistant principal’s decision, please contact the school to set up an appointment to meet with the principal.  Appeals of the principal’s decisions may be made to the Office of Pupil Discipline at 547-1318.

 SAFE SCHOOLS INITIATIVE

 Chesapeake Public Schools is committed to providing a safe learning environment. Trained security monitors will assist administrators in supervising the school building and grounds. Our school hallways and exterior are monitored by security cameras. A Youth Services Officer from the Chesapeake Police Department is assigned to Hugo Owens Middle School. In addition, the Police Department, in cooperation with Chesapeake Public Schools, will conduct random unannounced searches on the premises and in the building using specially trained dogs.

SEARCH and SEIZURE

 The school principal and other administrators may conduct a search if they believe a student has drugs, weapons, alcohol, or other materials in violation of school rules or state law.  The search may include inspection of clothing, purses, wallets, backpacks, and other personal property.  The search may also include an inspection of school property including student lockers, desks, and other areas in which items may be kept.

 SCHOOL HOURS

 The academic school day is from 8:15 a.m. to 2:53 p.m. for students.  Students on the permanent pick-up call list will be released as students are dismissed to the buses. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

 SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST

STUDENT DISMISSAL

 Students will be dismissed at the end of the school day at approximately 2:53 p.m. immediately following the afternoon announcements and in the following order: students on the parent pick-up list; students on the daily call list; bus riders; walkers; athletes; and students staying for after school tutoring or clubs.  

 STUDENT DRESS CODE

 The Chesapeake School Board expects all students to dress in a manner appropriate for the promotion of learning.  Student appearance shall not be disrespectful, indecent, dangerous to the health and welfare of students, or disruptive to the school environment.  Listed below are general guidelines for HOMS students to follow:

1. In an effort to ensure a safe, productive, and positive work and learning environment, clothing and accessories that present safety concerns or obstacles to the educational environment are prohibited (i.e., clothing adorned with spikes or chains, unsafe footwear that may be a tripping hazard, etc.).

2. Clothing and accessories should be appropriate for all scheduled classroom activities including but not limited to physical education, science or food labs, wood shop, and other activities where individual hazards may exist.

3. Students are not permitted to wear clothing and/or accessories that advocate violence, profanity, alcohol, and other drug use and/or distribution. Clothing that displays gang activity and/or membership, displays disparaging or presents messages of hate or symbols associated with hate toward any group based on race, sex, ethnicity, gender ability, heritage, sexual orientation, religion or are reasonably likely to create a substantial disruption to the educational environment are prohibited.

4. Students must wear clothing that covers their skin from chest to mid-thigh with non-see-through fabric (in front, back, and on the sides).

   1. The length of shirts and other tops must at least meet the top of the student’s pants.

   2. Shirts must be worn under sheer or see-through tops.

   3. Clothing must cover undergarments, with the exception of straps, when sitting, standing, or bending.

   4. All sleeveless tops must be securely connected over the shoulders by straps.

5. Students must wear bottoms of the appropriate length. the length of bottoms (i.e., shorts, skirts, etc.) may be no shorter than mid-thigh.

6. Pants, shorts, or leggings with rips, holes, or see-through mesh that expose skin above mid-thigh are not permitted. Students may wear shorts or leggings under garments with rips or holes above mid-thigh. Additionally, all bottoms must comply with the following requirements:

   1. All pants, skirts, and shorts must fit at the waist.

   2. Hemlines and slits above mid-thigh are not acceptable.

   3. Wearing leggings under shorts, skirts, or dresses is permitted if these bottom items of clothing are at least mid-thigh.

7. Headwear, including hats, hoodies, sweatbands, and bandanas are generally prohibited in the school building. Exceptions for headwear will be made for students to reasonably accommodate medical/health or disability-related issues (i.e., protective helmets), as an expression of sincerely held religious belief (i.e., hijabs or yarmulkes), or cultural expression (i.e., geles).

8. For reasons of health and safety, students must wear footwear at all times when on school property, except in instances when changing for practices, performances, or physical education classes. Athletic shoes that are close-toed, secured in the back, and have a rubber or hard sole will be required for participation in certain school-based activities (i.e., physical education classes, extracurricular sports or clubs, wood shop, or other technical education classes, science labs involving chemicals, etc.).

9. Students whose dress is considered contrary to good hygiene or in any way disruptive to the learning process will be required to meet the school division’s standards for dress and appearance and shall be disciplined in accordance with the Chesapeake City Public School’s Student Code of Conduct.

10. Exceptions to the above standards are outlined below:

    1. School administrators shall grant exceptions to the dress code as previously indicated based on disability, health/medical reasons, or for sincerely held religious beliefs unless deemed a safety concern.

    2. Exceptions may be made for spirit week celebrations or for extracurricular and athletic-related purposes, as approved by the school administrator.

11. Prior to the end of the first month of each school year, each local school will make available to parents/guardians and students school dress code standards established herein.