Newsletter

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2008 NEWSLETTER
Download pdf version of newsletter: August/September 2008 Newsletter

* Important Dates
General Info * Weapons in School * McKnight School Rules
School Voice Levels * McKnight Dress Code *
Group Leadership Roles * Group Leadership Norms

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

• McKnight Open House - September 23, 7pm
• Teacher Training Day (no school) - October 10
• Teacher Training Day (no school) - November 10
• Veteran’s Day Holiday - November 11
• Thanksgiving Break – November 27 & 28
• Winter Break – December 22 thru January 2
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school) - January 19 Teacher Training Day (no school) - January 26
• Mid-Winter Break – February 16 thru February 20
• Spring Break - April 6 thru April 10
• Snow Make-Up Day - May 22
• Memorial Day (no school) - May 25
• Last Day of School (Half day for all students)– June 19

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GENERAL INFORMATION

The first day of school is Tuesday, September 2, 2008. Classes start at 7:55 a.m. Please read the following information carefully. If you have questions, call the school at (425) 204-3600 or (425) 204-3660. You may also access the district web site at www.renton.wednet.edu or McKnight Middle School’s website at www.renton.wednet.edu/mcknight/default.html . School bulletins and teacher contact information are available on this site.

IMMUNIZATIONS REQUIRED BEFORE ENTERING 6th GRADE  

All incoming 6 th graders MUST have a Varicella (chicken pox) and a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) Immunization BEFORE entering sixth grade. In lieu of the chicken pox immunization, the school must have the date or age of the student at the time of the disease.  

FIRST DAY SCHEDULE Student schedules will be available in the Commons on the first day of school for those students who did not pick them up at Lancer Days. If you have not received a locker assignment, you may get it at this time. Students will not be given tardies during first period on the first day of school. If you have any questions regarding your student’s schedule, you may schedule an appointment in Student Services at 425-204-3614.

SCHOOL DAY Students enter the building through the north doors by the clock tower. The doors will open at 7:35 a.m. The first bell will ring at 7:50 a.m. Classes will begin at 7:55 a.m. and end at 2:35 p.m. After classes begin, access to the building is through the front door only. For the safety of your student, please do not drop off or allow your student to arrive before 7:35 a.m..

ATTENDANCE Regular attendance is necessary for successful work in middle school. If your student is absent for any reason, please call (425) 204-3610 by 9:00 a.m. In addition, a written note from the parent/guardian is required for absences or late arrivals (emailed notes will NOT be accepted). Excused absences/late arrivals will be granted only for illness, doctor/dental or legal appointments, family emergencies, or school-sponsored activities. If a student is absent 5 or more consecutive days, a doctor’s note is required for the absence to be excused.

EARLY DISMISSAL For an early dismissal a parent/guardian should write a note and have the student bring the note to the Attendance Office in the morning upon arrival at school. This ensures proper notification to all teachers and eliminates unnecessary interruptions in the classes. The teachers involved can also make sure your student has his/her homework assignments before leaving. The parent/guardian or person designated by parent/guardian (this must be in writing) can pick up the student. However, he or she must come into the Attendance Office and show picture ID and sign out the student. This procedure is required for the protection of our students. Thank you for your cooperation.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE FORMS Should a parent/guardian wish to remove their son/daughter from school (1 or more days) for an extended period of time for medical problems, emergencies, family vacations, etc., a Leave of Absence form must be filled out prior to the student’s absence and returned at least 1 day before the absence is to occur. Leave of Absence forms may be obtained from the Attendance Secretary. To obtain a Leave of Absence form, please send a note that includes the student’s name, reason for the leave, and dates requested to be excused. If a form is not filled out prior to the leave, the absence will be regarded as unexcused.

EMERGENCY CONTACT CHANGES Emergency contact telephone numbers must be up to date at all times. Please notify the school if there has been a change in any of the following information since last year, or if a change occurs during the year: home address, home/work telephone number, and emergency contact telephone numbers.  

BUS SCHEDULE For transportation information, please call (425) 204-4455.

CLOSED CAMPUS Students are required to remain on the school grounds during the lunch break. If a student must go home for lunch on a daily basis, arrangements may be made with the Principal.  

CONSULTATION/CONFERENCES The registrar will be available starting August 18, 2008, from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 until 2:30 p.m.. Teachers, counselors, and administrators are available before and after school for student and parent conferences, or at other prearranged times. Please call (425) 204-3614 if you have questions/concerns regarding your student’s progress.  

FEES

McKnight has some optional fees and required fees as follows:

A) Optional Fees:

• Spirit Pack (ASB sticker, yearbook & spirit wristband) - Spirit packs are only available from August 20 through September 12 .
• ASB sticker only - $20.00 (ASB sticker is required if student participates in sports, extracurricular clubs, such as craft and cooking clubs, or serves as an ASB representative.) With the purchase of an ASB sticker, the student will be entitled to a discount on dance tickets.
• Yearbook only - $25.00 (distributed last week of school - please reserve early in the year as only a limited number will be printed). Yearbooks will only be sold from August 20 through September 12 and November 3 through November 14 . Make checks payable to McKnight.

B)  Required Fees

• Student Planners - $8.00

Individual elective classes such as Art, Home Living, Tech. Ed., Computers, and Drama, have required fees. Make checks payable to McKnight School.

• Art: $20.00 per semester
• Home Living: $25.00 per semester
• Tech. Ed.: $10.00 per semester
• Computer: $2.00 per semester
• Drama: $5.00 per semester

FOOD SERVICE (425) 204-3603 Breakfast prices are $1.25. Reduced Breakfast is no charge.* Lunch prices: Milk - .35 ¢ ; Hot lunches - $2.25; Reduced Lunch price is no charge. * *Free and reduced lunch forms can be obtained in Student Services. If possible have your student pay in advance for at least 2 weeks of lunches. Make checks payable to Nutrition Services.  

LOCKERS All students are assigned their own individual locker. They do not share their locker or combination with anyone. The student is to use only their assigned locker. The student will keep the locker clean (no leftover lunches). Locker combination changes are subject to a fee.

PE UNIFORM Students will need PE clothes by the second day of school if they have a first semester PE class. The required uniform is available for purchase during Lancer Days and at the Cashier in the Attendance Office after school begins. The tee shirt and shorts are sold as a set for $15.00 or $7.00 for a shirt and $8.00 for shorts. Shirts and shorts may be purchased separately throughout the year. Socks and tennis shoes (these need to be normal tied tennis shoes appropriate for running and physical activity, no platforms) are also required. PE instructors will show all classes how and where to mark clothing.

PRESCRIPTION/NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Washington State law requires that schools have a “Medication Authorization” form signed by both the parent/guardian and physician/dentist on file for students taking prescription or non-prescription drugs. Students are required to bring prescription/non-prescription drugs to the Nurse/Student Services Office (room 126) to be stored in a locked cabinet until needed. Medication of any kind is not allowed to be taken by students at school without adult supervision.  

STUDENT PLANNER The McKnight Student Planner will be reviewed with students during the first week of school. Students will then take it home for parents to read. Students and parents are responsible for knowing the rules and procedures outlined in the planner. A planner is required and may be purchased for $8.00 during Lancer Days or from the Cashier in the Attendance Office beginning the first day of school.

NO BALLOONS ALLOWED

Balloons are not allowed in the building due to Fire Code restrictions. In addition, please do not bring flowers or gifts for students. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

ITEMS NOT ALLOWED ON SCHOOL PREMISES

Please note: skateboards, motorized scooters, CD players, walkmans, MP3s/iPODs, roller blades, radios, cameras, pets, toys, fragrances, bodyspray, hairspray, perfume etc., and personal safety devices such as pepper spray or mace are not permitted on McKnight’s campus. Students must leave these at home. If these items are brought to school, they will be confiscated and held in the Security Office until released to the parent or released to the student at the end of the quarter. Repeated violations may result in further disciplinary action. The school is NOT responsible for the theft or disappearance of these items or electronic devices.

District policy does allow students to bring cell phones to school. However, cell phones must be turned off and stored in the student’s locker at all times in the building and during the school day. Students will not be permitted to use cell phones while in school. The school is NOT responsible for the theft or disappearance of cellphones. If a cellphone is confiscated from a student, a parent/guardian is required to pick it up from school.

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WEAPONS IN SCHOOL

Washington State law and federal law have both addressed eliminating weapons from school grounds. Under RCW 9.41.280, it is a gross misdemeanor for any person to carry or possess a dangerous weapon or firearm on public school premises. This includes school buses and non-school facilities that are being used for school activities. The law requires that all school facilities must be posted with signs stating “Gun Free Zone.”

If you have dangerous weapons in your home, especially firearms, please take special precautions to ensure that your children and/or their friends could never have access to these weapons. This is one way that parents can help to keep Renton schools safe.

Students who violate the statute are, following regular due process, to be expelled from the district in which they committed the violation and are considered expelled from all public schools in the state. School administrators are to notify law enforcement promptly of any violations of the law. The confidential Renton School District weapons hotline number is (425)204-2468.

Renton School District policy also prohibits laser pens and objects that look like weapons, such as toy guns and toy knives. That means that a student who brings such an object to school, on a school bus, or to a school activity can expect serious consequences, up to and including expulsion. In addition to District policy regarding discharge of laser devices, the state legislature passed SHB 2086 in 1999. This bill criminalizes the discharge of a laser at a bus driver.

Students or others who are aware of weapons on campus and do not report the information to school authorities are subject to discipline.

The Renton School District is making a concerted effort to provide a safe and civil environment for staff and students. Each of our schools has a Comprehensive Safe School Plan that indicates their preparation in the areas of Prevention, Intervention, Crisis Response and Recovery. These “safety” plans are available for review by contacting the building principal or designee.

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MCKNIGHT SCHOOL RULES

The responsibility for managing student behavior and assuring positive school climate falls upon all of us: students, parents, teachers, teams, administrators, and support staff. Together we can achieve the goal of helping students learn personal accountability for their actions. The following rules, consequences, and procedures will help us maintain a safe and positive environment.

1.  BEHAVE SAFELY

• Walk at all times
• Leave doorways and aisles clear
• Refrain from rough-housing or play fighting

2. RESPECT SELF, OTHERS, AND PROPERTY

• Follow adult directions
• Use positive language
• Keep your hands off other people’s property

3.  BE PREPARED AND ON TIME

4.  UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR ACTIONS

5. KEEP HANDS, FEET, AND OBJECTS TO YOURSELF

6. FOLLOW ALL SCHOOL, CLASSROOM, POD, AND TEAM RULES

Note: Read the entire Student Handbook and refer to the District Regulations and Consequences Grid.

SCHOOL VOICE LEVELS

McKnight has adopted “voice level” guidelines to be used throughout the school so that all students and staff have a clear understanding of appropriate voice volume.

0 = Silent

1 = Whisper so that only the person next to you can hear you.

2 = Conversational tone: only those at your table can hear what you are saying.

3 = Classroom tone: Single person speaking so entire class can hear.

4 = Cheering (yelling): only appropriate when cheering for a sports team.

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MCKNIGHT DRESS CODE

School attire should be comfortable but appropriate to an academic environment. Immodest or suggestive attire is inappropriate. To encourage learning and ensure success, students attending McKnight Middle School must avoid wearing:

1.  Immodest or suggestive attire (including pants that are open or stitched up the leg, clothing with lettering marks which highlight breasts or bottom)

2.  Clothing that allows underwear to be visible

3.  Shirts that reveal cleavage, the stomach, or the back

4.  Sleeveless tops, halter tops, tank tops, half-shirts, or short-shirts that expose the midriff

5.  Shorts, skirts, or skirt slits that are less than finger tip in length when arms are held straight down at the side

6.  Hats, scarves, sport headbands, or any other head coverings except for religious reasons

7.  Clothing or accessories that advertise tobacco, alcohol, drugs , or weapons

8.  Clothing or accessories that show profanity or make sexual innuendos

9.  Clothing that could be perceived as “gang” related (e.g., bandanas, Old English print, tagging, etc.)

10.  Jackets, coats, heavy insulated vests , gloves or sunglasses while in the building

11.  Spiked jewelry, pacifiers, or chains

12.  Clothing that is or looks like pajamas (flannel pants)

13.  Sagging pants (including pants not at the hip, low pants crotch, excessively large pants, or pants that do not stay up)

Consequences for Dress Code Violation

Students not complying with the dress code are subject to discipline. Disciplinary action will include:

1.  Students sent to the office for a change of clothes. Under most circumstances, students will be required to change into clean clothing that is provided by the school. The student’s own clothing will be kept by the school until the school clothing is laundered and returned. Students will not be given the choice to call parents for a change of clothing.

2.  Repeated offenses or refusal to change into appropriate clothing may result in further disciplinary action up to and including suspension.

3.  School administrators are the final authority in determining the appropriateness of school dress.

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GROUP LEADERSHIP ROLES

GROUP LEADERSHIP NORMS

• You have the duty to assist anyone in your group who asks for help.
• Help other group members without doing their work for them.
• You have the right to ask anyone in your group for help.
• Play your role in the group.
• Everybody stays with their group until excused.
• No one is done until everyone is done.
• Everybody cleans up.

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