ASSIGNMENTS

Daily assignments and long-term projects are an integral part of the curriculum at OLHMS. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to show interest and concern in their child’s work by regularly checking progress and assisting when appropriate. Failure to complete homework assignments or study with proper effort will result in substandard grades, removal from extracurricular activities, and/or other disciplinary action. Putting forth a quality effort with homework assignments and studying is essential to academic success at OLHMS.

BOOKS

Each student will be provided textbooks to help compliment classroom instruction and have the opportunity to check books out from the OLHMS library. Students must be responsible with any textbooks brought to and from home, and make sure library books are returned in a timely fashion.

COMMUNICATION

School news and other information may be sent home by mail or with students. Newsletters and other important information may come home from school, a team, or individual teacher. Parents/guardians may elect to communicate with the school via email and/or the electronic portal, K12 Planet. Proper authorization and passwords are required to utilize K12 Planet.

CONFERENCES

Remaining consistent with our belief that communication between school and home is a necessary component of providing a quality education, we have a variety of conference opportunities to assist students and parents with the learning process.

Family Conferences are held during the fall trimester each year for all students. The purpose of this conference is to provide an opportunity for students to reflect upon their work, discuss areas of improvement, and set specific goals for future success. Scheduling these conferences is done though advisory teachers. Information will be sent home prior to conference dates. Opportunities for this type of conference may take place later in the school year as well.

Parent-Advisory Teacher Conferences are held at the request of a parent or teacher regarding the progress of a student. These conferences are arranged between teacher and parent at a convenient time, or can be accomplished by phone. Concerns are surfaced and interventions established for continued communication and improvement.

Parent-Team Conferences are scheduled during the school day when teacher team meetings are held. This conference is designed to assist parents and teachers in best communicating mutual expectations and student progress. A collaborative effort is made to communicate present level of achievement information and put into place a more formal consistent plan of action between all core teachers and parents. School administrators and students may be asked to be a part of this conference.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES/CELL PHONES

We strongly discourage the possession of any electronic device that emits sound and/or can potentially cause a distraction to the educational environment. Students who bring cell phones to school must abide by the following guidelines:

1. Have the device turned off and stored their locker during regular school hours.

2. Only use the device after 3:30 p.m. in designated areas.

Students violating these guidelines will have the device confiscated by the school and be subject to disciplinary action, which may include a loss of privilege. Cell phones/cameras are prohibited in washrooms and/or hallways. Electronic pagers, laser pointers, cameras, and/or video games are not allowed in school.

ID CARDS – STUDENT INDENTIFICATION

Every individual in the building is required to wear a visible school issued ID card and lanyard. ID cards serve a variety of important safety purposes:

• Identifying students/teachers by grade level.
• Entrance into building/school sponsored events.
• Debit card for hot lunch program.
• Library checkout card.
• Bus or walker identification.

ID cards/lanyards are not to be destroyed, cut, or defaced. A replacement fee of $5.00 will be charged for lost, defaced or destroyed ID cards. One-day temporary ID cards will be produced for a fee of $2.00 if ID’s are forgotten at home. Please encourage your child to be responsible with their ID card. Establishing a central location at home to daily store the ID and lanyard will help students with this responsibility. Consequences will be issued for students who routinely neglect bringing or visibly wearing their ID.

LUNCH PROGRAM

Students at OLHMS have an option each day to either bring a bag lunch from home or take advantage of the hot lunch program at school. A hot lunch program is offered to all students through Arbor Food Service. The student ID card serves as a debt card for all lunch purchases. No cash exchange is accepted in the cafeteria.

Students who purchase hot lunch with their ID cards must maintain a positive account balance in order to purchase food/drink. Students must activate lunch accounts with at least a $20.00 payment and replenish lunch accounts using a minimum cash or check payment of at least $20.00 when needed. Checks should be made payable to School District 123. The school is not responsible for producing change or will not accept any amount of money less than $20.00 to credit lunch accounts. This is necessary in order to efficiently manage student account balances and reduce wait time during lunch periods. Lunch account payments can be made during regular school hours in the school office, in the hallway outside the cafeteria each day during lunch periods, or electronically via epay. Students are responsible for keeping track of their own lunch account information. Lunchroom computers display current account information each day when ID cards are scanned. Current balance information is also available in the main office. No written reminders or notices will be printed regarding low account balances. Students may be denied hot lunch service if account balances do not carry adequate funds.

Cafeteria rules are similar to those of the classroom. Appropriate behavior and manners are expected. Listed below are a few guidelines specific to cafeteria usage:

• Students are to only use their own ID card to purchase their own lunch.
• Students may not buy lunches for each other or borrow food/drink.
• Glass containers are not allowed.
• No carbonated beverages will be allowed.
• No fast food lunches/food deliveries will be allowed.
• Birthday food/treats are not to be distributed.
• Any bag lunches brought to school must be stored in a locker until lunchtime.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

OLHMS provides various opportunities for academic support. Weekly before school tutoring and daily after school instructional support programs have been established to assist students. Parents should contact an advisory teacher or a building administrator for more specific information regarding these programs.

TRANSPORTATION

School District 123 provides bus transportation for students who live over one and a half miles from school. Students who qualify for bus transportation will be assigned a bus route and specific bus stop nearest their residency. Students who reside less than a mile and a half from school will be considered walkers. Student walkers are responsible for making their own transportation arrangements to and from school. Students ID cards indicate bus or walker status. Riding the school bus, walking to and from the bus stop, and walking to and from school is an extension of the school day. All school policies, procedures, and behavior expectations will apply.

Bus Guidelines: Riding the school bus is a privilege that may be revoked due to repeated incidence of inappropriate and/or unsafe conduct, or failure to adhere to the following guidelines.

• Be on time at the assigned stop. Students should be at their stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.
• Display your ID card to your driver when entering.
• Share seating appropriately.
• Sit facing forward with both feet on the floor and out of the aisle. Being seated on the floor, sitting on a backpack, and or standing/kneeling is not permitted.
• Keep the aisle free of all objects.
• Respect the rights and property of others.
• Keep hands, arms, and all other objects inside the bus. Do not lower windows below the indicated window frame line.
• Do not throw/shoot items in, out, or at the school bus. This conduct is unsafe and will not be tolerated.
• Refrain from any unsafe conduct.
• Students may NOT ride an unassigned bus or use an unassigned bus stop for any reason. Notes from parents will not be accepted for exceptions to this policy.
• Students assigned a bus are expected to ride the bus each day. Parents/guardians may wave bus-riding privileges for the school year by submitting a written request to the school office.
• In the case of a bus rider requesting authorization to walk home on a given day. Two written letters of permission/confirmation are required. One from the parent/guardian and a second from the adult assuming responsibility for the child walking home. The written requests must be turned into the main office at least one day in advance.

Late Bus Procedures: It is only normal for bad weather, substitute drivers, traffic, trains, and other factors to cause delays in bus routing both to and from school. Please note that we do everything possible to work with the bus company to minimize such delays. Please adhere to the following procedures for late running AM buses:

• In cases of inclement weather, students must wait at least 15 minutes past the scheduled pick-up time before walking home or the nearest feeder school – whichever is closest.
• If a student walks home from a bus stop, they should call the school office immediately and report the missing bus. If students walk to a feeder school, that school office will contact OLHMS and we will make transportation arrangements from that school.
• Students who are late to the bus stop, oversleep, or miss the bus for any other reason must make their own transportation arrangements to school.

Parking, Pickup, and Drop Off: Student walkers who get driven to school must be dropped-off and picked-up using the circular drive outside doors 4 and 5 on the southeast end of the building or park along the north side of Oak Center Drive. We discourage the use of the 99th Street parking lot for automobile use during student arrival and dismissal times. This parking lot is used for school bus traffic each day before and after school. The use of Oak Center Drive for automobile traffic is the safest and easiest option for parents/guardians.

GENERAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL AT OLHMS

WHAT IS MEANT BY THE “MIDDLE SCHOOL” CONCEPT?

An effective middle school program is designed around the unique developmental needs of the early adolescent (11 – 14 year olds). Because the intellectual, social, physical, and emotional needs of this age group are different from that of elementary school and high school students, a customized educational program is essential. The middle school functions as a bridge between elementary school and high school, blending together the best of both designs.

WHAT ARE SMALLER LEARNING COMMUNITIES?

Upon entering middle school students will become part of a smaller learning community where children and adults work together to foster a strong, more cooperative working relationship. Every child will become part of a small, caring group of adults who work closely together each day to provide coordinated, meaningful, and challenging educational experiences.

WHAT IS TEAMING?

Teaming is an instructional organization in which teachers pool their resources, interests, expertise, and knowledge to mutually meet the learning needs of students. Teachers meet together daily to coordinate curriculum, set policies and procedures, address student concerns, work with support staff, conduct conferences with parents, and generally discuss ways to maximize instructional opportunities and enrich the learning experience for their students.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE TEAMING APPROACH?

There are many advantages. Teaming provides a “school with in a school” setting where students develop an immediate sense of belonging and are given the necessary attention to best succeed in school. Classrooms are contiguously designed near lockers to help reduce hallway-passing time and maximize instructional periods. Communication and support among teachers is greater. Since teachers meet together on a daily basis they are able to plan instructional opportunities, organize special activities, and communicate with parents more consistently since they are responsible for teaching all core subject matter. The team helps provide an atmosphere similar to that of elementary school, balanced with the expectations and academic challenges necessary to prepare each student for high school.

HOW ARE GRADE LEVEL INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAMS DETERMINED?

All students will be grouped heterogeneously on an interdisciplinary team. “Heterogeneous grouping” refers to the concept of indiscriminately grouping students onto equal teams by academic ability, gender, and elementary school affiliation. This will allow a diverse combination of students on each team. The seventh and eighth grade students will be placed on two teams at each level. The sixth grade students will be placed on three teams in order to create a smaller, more intimate setting helpful in building a smoother transition from elementary school.

CAN A CHILD EVER SWITCH A TEAM OR CERTAIN TEACHERS ON A TEAM?

Any organization has certain sacred rules that are not broken. One of ours is to honor the integrity of the team approach. If students are allowed to switch teams and/or teachers on different teams, it defeats the purpose of this approach. As professional educators, we are confident that any conflict between students or between students and teachers can be satisfactorily resolved without jeopardizing the benefits of the team approach. Part of our task in educating children is to teach them to deal with their problems or concerns in an open manner, rather than trying to escape from them.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORE AND ENCORE CLASSES?

The entire academic curriculum at OLHMS will be full aligned to the State of Illinois Learning Standards. CORE classes will focus on the specific content areas of: Mathematics, Literature, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. A “Connections” class will added to the seventh and eighth grade CORE curriculum. Core curriculum is developed to provide students the basic academic fundamentals and building blocks necessary to succeed in future academic endeavors. Our ENCORE curriculum will offer students a variety of courses that will encourage them to explore interests and discover unique abilities or talents. ENCORE classes will involve daily Physical Education and Health, Technology, Foreign Language, Art, Music, Communication Arts, and Drama.

WHAT IS AN ADVISORY CLASS?

The advisory class will function as a social, emotional, and academic support for students. Each child will be assigned to an advisory class and teacher. The goal of advisory is to help develop a strong a sense of belonging at school in each child, by providing a small group and teacher the child can remain in close contact with each day. The advisory time will allow students to build strong relationships with teachers and peers, learn organizational and decision-making skills, engage in service projects, and cultivate positive attitudes in school. When parents have concerns about school the advisory teacher should be their first contact.

WHAT IS “CONNECTIONS”?

Connections is a CORE course of study offered at the seventh and eighth grade levels designed to challenge students to utilize content knowledge across all subjects in making connections to practical, real world units of study. This class will expand learning opportunities between academic subjects, practical problem solving skills, and higher order thinking. Students will be engaged in a variety of differentiated interdisciplinary units and enrichment activities that we challenge individual intellect and drive students to succeed.

HOW MUCH HOMEWORK CAN BE EXPECTED?

Parents should expect to see more homework, studying, and reading at the middle school level. Homework time may vary from student to student, however if a parent feels their child is spending too much or too little time on daily assignments they are encourage to contact the advisory teacher. Establishing a daily routine at home for homework has proven to be important. Eliminating distractions and providing a quiet setting with occasional parental supervision and guidance is essential for quality homework completion. Missing, incomplete, and/or poor quality work is a major contributor of academic decline at the middle level. Students will be required to carry a homework organizer to each class in an effort to record daily assignments and responsibilities.

WILL EVERYDAY MATH CONTINUE TO BE PART OF THE SIXTH GRADE CURRICULUM?

No. All sixth and seventh students will transition to an algebra-rich Middle School Math program that will help compliment Everyday Math and better prepare students for a full year of algebra in eighth grade, as well as higher-level High School Mathematics.

WHAT IS SYNERGISTICS?

Synergistics is an integrated technology program that will be part of the ENCORE rotation of classes. This curriculum will be based on a variety of learning modules that integrate elements of technology, math, science, and language arts. Each module will be directly aligned to Illinois State Standards and address various learning styles. Synergistics will be taught in a special computer lab located on the second floor. Examples of typical modules will include: Towers, Flight Technology, Engines, Light and Lasers, Robotics, and Weather.

WHAT FOREIGN LANGUAGE OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT OLHMS?

Sixth grade students who meet specific academic qualifications will have the opportunity within our ENCORE curriculum to be exposed to language experiences in French or Spanish. Following fifth grade, students who have demonstrated academic readiness in core content areas and standardized testing will be given the opportunity to select a full three-year commitment in either French or Spanish. These full year commitments will take the place of one ENCORE rotation and be designed for students who look to pursue more advanced foreign language opportunities in High School and beyond. Students who qualify for the foreign language program must remain committed to one language for all three years and forfeit one E ncore Rotation each school year.

HOW ARE TRIMESTERS DIFFERENT FROM QUARTERS?

Trimesters divide the school year into 3 – 12 week segments. This will allow our students a greater selection of encore opportunities and simultaneously reduce the number of starts and stops for yearly CORE classes, which will make available more time for CORE instruction and enrichment. Grade progress reporting will be available six times each year, in six-week intervals. At the conclusion of each trimester students will be issued a formal report card grade and at the mid-term of each class a progress report. This will allow students more time following mid-term progress reports to positively raise grades.

HOW WILL PARENTS BE ABLE TO KEEP INFORMED OF STUDENT PROGRESS?

There will be a variety of ways parents can keep informed of student progress throughout the year. Mid-term progress reports for all students will be issued every six-weeks, Report cards every twelve weeks. All parents will have the opportunity to access K-12 Planet online and check school wide announcements, student progress, and homework assignments at any time throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to attend Family Conferences with their child’s Advisory teacher during the first trimester and continue communication with that key individual on a need basis throughout the year.

WHAT IS K12 PLANET?

K12 Planet is a web site that allows parents and students access to grades, attendance, homework assignments, and school activities. Current grades are updated at each grading period to empower students and parents to monitor academic progress. This comprehensive learning tool provides parents and teachers an additional option of school-to-home communication. Parent training opportunities and access codes will be available during the first trimester of the school year.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD WILL BE ABSENT FROM SCHOOL?

When it is necessary for a child to be absent, the parent or guardian is required to call the school before 9:00 a.m. to report the absence. Failure to comply with notification will result in a phone call made by the school to verify absence within two hours of the start of the school day. It is the responsibility of the student to make up academic work missed due to absence. Homework requests will be made only for students homebound for an extended period of over two school days.

HOW WILL MY CHILD GET TO AND FROM OLHMS?

At registration each student eligible for transportation will be assigned a bus route, bus stop and pick-up time. Students will be required to carry a student ID card and for safety purposes present their ID to their bus driver. Students are never permitted to ride a bus or use a bus stop other than the one to which they have been assigned. Students who reside within a 1.5-mile walking distance from school may walk, ride a bicycle or get driven to school. All walkers will be asked to use the rear Oak Center Drive entrance of the school. A district activity bus will be made available to students daily for before and after school activities. The school bus, as well as the bus stop and travel to and from the bus stop home is an extension of the school day. All general school expectations of conduct will apply.

WILL EACH STUDENT HAVE THEIR OWN LOCKER?

All students will be assigned a locker and given a three-digit combination. Students should maintain the confidentiality of their combinations and never share lockers. Students are responsible for maintaining a clean locker and avoid kicking or slamming locker doors. Locker usage will only be permitted at designated times throughout the school day. Students will be also issued a PE locker with a separate lock.

HOW WILL THE LUNCH PROGRAM OPERATE?

Students will be required to wear a bar coded school ID daily. This ID will be used to purchase hot lunches, checkout library books, and board the school bus. Each child will have an active lunch account that will need to be replenished periodically by parents in $20 minimum increments. Each day as a lunch is purchased the ID card will be scanned and the cost deducted. After scanning their ID card, students will be able to view their account balance on a computer screen. Students will be held responsible for informing their parents when account balances become low. Student accounts must reflect a positive balance in order to purchase hot lunch. Next day menus will be posted in the cafeteria each day. Students will have the option of bringing a bag lunch to school any day.

WHAT TYPES OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES ARE AVAILBLE TO STUDENTS?

OLHMS will offer a variety of special education and regular education resources and academic support services made available to students before, during, and after school. Parents or guardians, as well as students seeking academic assistance should contact advisory teachers or the school office to inquire. Students may participate in support services at the recommendation of teachers, teacher teams, or school administrators.

WHAT TYPES OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WILL BE OFFERED?

OLHMS will provide students a variety of extracurricular opportunities as an extension of the school day. Participation in school-sponsored activities is contingent on academic and behavioral success. The following activities will be made available to students.

HOW LONG IS THE SCHOOL DAY?

The student school day will extend from 8:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Classes will meet for approximately 40 minutes at a time. Daily activities will be held before and after school. Students not involved in morning activities will be asked to assemble at their assigned entrance door no earlier that 8:20 a.m. Make every effort to be on time. Tardiness will result in loss of academic opportunities and disciplinary action.

ARE CELL PHONES ALLOWED AT SCHOOL?

Students are not permitted to bring any item to school that may potentially hinder teaching or compromise the learning environment. Any cell phone or electronic device brought to school must be turned off, stored in a locker, and appropriated concealed in a book bag during regular school hours. A parent or guardian will be required to pick-up any device that is confiscated by the school. Continued violation of this policy will result in further disciplinary action.

WHAT WILL BE THE STANDARD OF APPEARANCE AT OLHMS?

Appropriate appearance on the part of students fosters a safe environment, conductive to learning and productive behavior. We expect students to exercise moderation in regard to dress, grooming, jewelry, and make-up, in accord with reasonable standards of safety, decency, and health. The following are some examples of acceptable school attire.

• Clothing that effectively covers a students mid section, arms, and/or undergarments at all times.
• Clothing that is not pajama-like, made of pajama like material, or having pajama like designs.
• Footwear with a heel, heel strap, or shoelaces.
• Clothing free from excessive holes, straps, spikes, metal, and/or chains.
• Shorts or skirts that are at least finger tip in length.
• Clothing free of negative or suggestive wording or symbols, profanity, or illegal substances/advertisements.
• Arms, legs, and heads free of sweatbands, rubber bands, spiked jewelry, or writing in ink/pencil.
• Body piercing limited to the ear lobe.
• Baseball caps with the bill forward outside the building.

The building principal is the final authority for judging the appropriateness of a student’s appearance.

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS AT OLHMS?

• Follow directions the first time they are given.
• Practice respect, responsibility, and positive relationship building each day.
• Be cooperative, polite, hardworking, and honest.
• Always be and try your very best.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING OLHMS?

Please give us a call and let us know. We are willing to help answer any questions that come to mind. We are available at Oak Lawn – Hometown Middle School each day during normal school hours. We encourage parental involvement and support in making each year at OLHMS a success for everyone.