Our vision statement speaks of our “challenge to students to be responsible for their academic progress while becoming respectful and caring members of the community.” As such, students are expected to meet the standards for conduct at ManhattanMiddle School that have been established to encourage students to take pride in themselves and their behavior at all times. Three basic values for student conduct are:
RESPECT: I will respect the dignity and worth of everyone, including myself. I will respect everyone's property.
RESPONSIBILITY: I will accept responsibility for my actions, and I will hold others accountable for their actions.
SAFETY: I will act in a manner that does not endanger myself or others.
BULLYPROOFING
There is no tolerance for bullying at ManhattanMiddle School!
Here at ManhattanMiddle School we continue to implement the “Bully-Proofing” curriculum approach. This is a systematic, comprehensive program which focuses on climate change, teaching of skills and strategies to avoid victimization, and developing and maintaining a caring majority.
The main focus is climate change:
Design is to create a positive, pro-social school climate.
There is a commitment to broad cultural change.
Positive change is continuous and gradual over time.
Bullyproofing teaches skills and strategies to avoid victimization:
There is a common school wide vocabulary related to bullying and intervention.
A goal is for students to take a stand for self and others.
The community must take care of each other.
There is always an emphasis on problem solving and community building.
Emphasis is on developing a caring majority:
A goal is to shift power away from the bullies to the silent majority members.
Focus is on empowering and mobilizing the silent majority to become the caring majority.
The caring majority is the foundation of the caring school environment.
DRESS CODE
Students are expected to dress in a manner that:
1. is not disruptive or distracting to the learning environment;
2. does not indicate affiliation with or admiration of negative social influences such as gangs, cults, substance abuse, or sexual degradation.
Therefore, the school will not allow:
1. Hats, caps, bandanas, or visors to be worn in the building.
Clothing, jewelry, wallet chains, emblems, symbols, signs or other items which may be considered gang, sexual or drug related, or with unauthorized logos or slogans for substances illegal for minors (beer, cigarettes, drugs, etc.) or inappropriate language.
Bare midriff tops or tops which expose undergarments, skin or any other immodest or revealing clothing. Straps on tops must be at least the width of an inch.
Bare feet. Shoes must be worn at all times.
Sunglasses worn in the classroom.
Students who are not dressed appropriately will be asked to change.
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
Cell phones are allowed for before and after school and emergency use only and must be turned off during the school day.
Headphones or other electronic devices are not allowed in school, unless for educational purposes in a specific class.
ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to be in attendance every day school is in session. We understand however, there are times when students must be away from school.
Excused absences include:
1. Temporary illness or injury.
2. Extended absences due to physical, mental or emotional disabilities.
3. Absences which occur when the student is in the custody of a court or law enforcement authority.
4. Emergency, serious illness or death in the family.
5. Medical and dental appointments which cannot be scheduled outside the regular school day.
6. Extremely inclement weather.
7. Absence directly related to the primary handicapping condition of an identified handicapped student.
8. Religious observances.
9. An absence resulting from participation in a work-study program under the supervision of a public school.
When you are absent, your parent/guardian must call the school by 10:00 a.m. to explain the reason.
Manhattan Middle School complies with ColoradoState attendance laws.
Permission to leave during the day requires a note or phone call from a parent. A pass for early release from class will be sent to the student. Upon the student’s return to school s/he must obtain an admit slip from the office. Any student who leaves the building without checking with the office will be considered unexcused.
Makeup work arrangements are the responsibility of the student. Students must make arrangements with each of his/her teachers within two days of the return to school to make up his/her work.
Extended absence homework may be picked up after the third consecutive day of a student’s absence. The parent/guardian may call the office to request homework assignments.
Pre-arranged absences should be made by a parent note or phone call to the office as far in advance as possible.
Tardies are considered unexcused absences and are subject to consequences for time and work missed. If a student is late to school, s/he should report to the office for a pass to go to class.
