Bear Necessities (Policies and Procedures)

Live Oak Middle School

A California Distinguished School

Live Oak Middle School is a safe, caring place where staff challenges students to reach his/her fullest potential in academics and personal character.

Tulare City School District Dress and Appearance Code

General Guidelines	►Dress and appearance standards are in effect during all times at school, on the way to school, on the way home from school, at any school function or activity regardless of location, and at any other Tulare City School campus and/or function. ►A student may not remain in the classroom dressed in a manner which (1) creates a safety hazard for said student or for other students, (2) constitutes a serious or unnecessary distraction to the learning process, (3) tends to disrupt the campus order, or (4) is in conflict with the district’s goals and philosophy regarding the prevention of substance abuse and gang activity. ►Students that wear unacceptable clothing will be required to change to accepted dress All time missed from class due to unacceptable dress may be made up in detention.
Clothing	*Items Not Allowed:* •Pants, shorts or cutoffs that are oversized, without hems, frayed and slit up the side, sag or don’t fit at the waist, or have excessively large legs •Oversized tops, tube tops, backless dresses, mini-skirts, see-through tops, fish net, half tops, muscle shirts, undershirts, and tank tops with large arm holes •No bare midriffs will be allowed •Lycra stretch or other excessively tight or revealing clothing •Any clothing worn inside out •Any clothing that exposes posteriors or undergarments All wearing apparel must be of a size that is considered normal for the child. Oversized clothing will not be allowed
Accessories	Jewelry or accessories that are disruptive or that might cause a health or safety hazard may not be worn. *The following Accessories are Not Allowed:* •Head Covering - hats, caps, nets, bandanas Exception: Hats may be worn outside only and solely for the purpose of sun protection. Hats shall be made of pliable canvas material with a 3-5 inch brim around the entire circumference of the hat. They may not sport an insignia, other than the school insignia. Hats, by nature of the color, arrangement, trademark, or racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice, drug use, violence, intimidation or disruptive behavior are prohibited. •Cleats, high heels, or sock-like slippers •Initialed belt buckles, wallets with attached chains, hanging belts, suspenders, straps hanging off the shoulders •Hoop earrings larger than a dime, nose rings, facial or body studs •Glasses, other than prescription (inside buildings) •Shoes with no back strap and flip flops are not allowed in grades kindergarten through 6^th
Others	*Items Not Allowed:* •Tattoos are not allowed. A student with gang related tattoos will be placed in an alternative program. Other permanent tattoos must be covered at all times. Temporary tattoos will be removed before the student is allowed in class. •Altered eyebrows, hair colors and/or styles that disrupt student education will not be allowed. •Words or pictures that are not appropriate for the school environment may not be worn on clothing. (Examples include obscenities, symbols representing alcohol, drugs or tobacco, gang colors, gang materials, gang behavior, weapons, sexually explicit words or pictures, tagging, or violence.) Words and pictures on all garments may not be altered in any way. Words and pictures may not be added to plain garments. •All clothing and materials with Old English or similar lettering will not be allowed. •Makeup, fake or acrylic nails are not allowed in grades kindergarten through six. Before purchasing clothing for their children, parents are strongly urged to consider the possible gang implications of all clothing with logos or insignias. It is not our purpose to dictate specific dress, but rather to ensure that our students will be dressed in such a way as to maximize their school experience. Decency and safety are the guidelines by which the principal will make all decisions regarding clothing.

Tulare City School District General Policies

Confiscation of Personal Items	Our goal is to educate students. In order for students to stay focused on their class work, it is necessary to prohibit students from bringing items to school that will distract them from learning, or teachers from teaching. These distracting items will be confiscated. The list shown is not all-inclusive. Any item that distracts from learning and or teachers from teaching, whether or not it appears on the list, will be confiscated. Administrators will use their own discretion in returning items. Students may not bring the following items to school or related function: Gum, sunflower seeds, laser pointers, permanent markers, rubber bands, electronic games, game software, trading cards, toys of any kind, sports equipment, audio, video tapes, DVD’s, CD’s, Tape/CD Players, I pods, MP3 players, radios, cameras, Heelys, Aerosol spray cans, gambling items (dice, cards, pogs, etc.), offensive pictures or reading materials, matches, lighters, poppers, firecrackers or any items that spark, create heat/electricity, or make noise, stink bombs or offensive smelling items, weapons, ammunition, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or any other controlled substances, any medication (aspirin, prescribed medicine from doctors, etc,) Note: If a child needs medication, parents need to fill out a permission slip located in the school health aide office
Electronic Signaling Devices	Students may possess or use electronic signaling devices, including but not limited to pagers, beepers, and cellular/digital telephones, provided that such devices do not disrupt the educational program or school activities. Electronic devices shall be turned off upon arrival at the school campus and not activated until the end of the school day. Electronic devices may not be activated within the gates of the school. Electronic devices shall be also be turned off at any other time as directed by the school employee. Such items are considered personal property. Students possess these items at school entirely at their own risk. The administration will not investigate the loss of these items. The school or district is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices. Confiscated devices will be returned to parent/guardians only.
Hands Off Policy (HOP)	Live Oak School maintains a policy of no public displays of affection (hand holding, hugging, kissing, etc.).
Food and Snack Consumption	Snacks are not allowed during class time or passing periods. Snacks are allowed to eat during break and lunch, provided you place your trash inside a trashcan when you are done. All snacks are to be eaten in the Quad area.
Lunch Deliveries	Bringing lunch for your child: If a lunch is going to be delivered to a student during the instructional day, it must be brought to the office for delivery. Bringing lunch for a group of students: If a parent or guardian is going to bring lunch for other students on campus, a note from all of the involved students parents’ and or guardians’ must be provided to the office prior to the lunch period. Pizza deliveries will not be accepted without prior written consent from the office.
Walking home for Lunch	Students who go home for lunch must have written parental consent on the students’ rights form sent home with the first day packet. A student may only go home and back for lunch. They may not be accompanied with a friend or stop at any location (store, mini-mart) along the way.
Removing Students from Campus	In order to maintain a safe and secure learning environment, students may only be signed out from school by their legal guardian or listed emergency contact people. Students are not allowed off campus (lunch dates, trips, etc) unless their legal guardian or emergency contact person signs them out in person in the school office. Notes and phone calls will not be accepted, due to the inability to verify.
Entering and Exiting campus	Students are under the responsibility of the school from the time they leave home in the morning, until they return home at the end of the day. ►Students may not linger in the park or around school campus before or after school. All students arriving on campus between 7:45 am and 8:00 am, must report to the cafeteria. All students not involved in after school activities, must go directly home following the final bell. ►The gates on Ben Franklin by the 200 wing are for bus students only. If a student does not ride the bus, they may exit from the gates by the band room, gates by the bike rack or gate located at the end of the 300 wing. ►Students who ride their bicycles to school must obey all traffic laws pertaining to bicycle safety, including but not limited to BIKE HELMET LAW. Students who bring a bike to school without a helmet or are not wearing their helmet will have their bike impounded until a parent can pick it up and/or will have their bike riding privileges suspended.
Activities Code	Students may be removed from extracurricular activities, such as athletics, assemblies, dances, concerts, noon activities, carnival, graduation, or any other school-related function, which is not directly related to a course requirement. Failure to comply with any one of the following may result in the loss of extracurricular activities: ►GPA under 2.0 ►Twenty (20) absences in a school year ►Late arrival to school (excused or unexcused) exceeding 20% of the time ►Accumulated detention time or discipline referrals ►Failure to pay outstanding school debts
Student Behavior and Discipline	State law says that every student will attend school punctually and regularly, obey promptly all of the directions of their teacher and others in authority; be respectful to their teacher and their schoolmates; and refrain from using profane or vulgar language. The discipline policy protects students’ rights to a quality education in a safe and positive environment Students who do not comply with the above stated will be subject to disciplinary action.
Disciplinary Consequence	►Lunchtime detention - students are assigned to a designated table in the cafeteria for their entire lunch period. ►After school detention - students are held after school for 1 hour and will be engaged in campus beautification ►Saturday School ►Suspension School* - students are transported from Live Oak to the Suspension School located behind the District Office. Suspension School hours are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. ►Suspension from School* ►Assignment to an alternative school District policy requires students who are assigned suspension in or out of school to spend one hour after school for each day of assigned suspension. Students will also be placed on 20-day activities probation.
Office Phone Use by Students	The office phone may be used by students in case of an emergency. Students need a pass to enter the office and use the phone during the day. After school, students may use the phone 10 minutes after the bell rings. The school office closes at 4:30. If a student is going to be staying after school for sports or another activity, prior arrangements for transportation need to be made.

Miscellaneous Information

CHARACTER COUNTS!®	CHARACTER COUNTS!®is a strong component of the daily activities at Live Oak School. CHARACTER COUNTS!® incorporates six pillars of character into daily behaviors, and allows students, teachers, and parents to use a common language when dealing with character. The six pillars of character are Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship
Extracurricular Activities	Extracurricular activities include athletics, assemblies, dances, graduation, music concerts, drama, noon activities or any other school-related function, which is not directly related to a course requirement. These activities are a privilege, not a right. Students are required to adhere to school rules, as well as the dress code during all extracurricular activities held on or off the school campus. If a student receives a referral to the office on the day of an extracurricular activity, the student will not be allowed to participate in the activity for the remainder of the day.
Athletic Program	Live Oak’s after-school sports program is open to all 7^th & 8^th grade students who maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA.
Student Council Guidelines	►Posses a cumulative GPA of 3.00 ►Exemplary attendance, no more than a total of 10 absences and unexcused tardies (including morning arrival and lunch re-entry) ►Be a model of the Six Pillars of Character
Dances	Several evening dances are offered to 7^th and 8^th grade students. There are school dances and a carnival during the school year open to all 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students. Students must have a GPA of 2.0 to attend dances. Students must return signed permission slips by the listed deadline, and check to see if their name is on the master list, prior to the dance. Parental transportation must be provided for each student at the conclusion of the dance. Students absent or leaving school early due to illness on the day of a dance may not attend. Students, who are tardy, unexcused, the day after a dance may not attend the next scheduled dance. Students, who are picked up 30 or more minutes from the dance, may not attend the next schedule dance. *Students are prohibited from participating in any after-school activity on the day of an absence*.
Library	The school library is available to all students. All materials checked out are the responsibility of the student. If materials are lost or damaged, the student is responsible for reimbursement.
Physical Education	All students are expected to participate in P.E. activities. If a parent feels that a child is too ill to participate in P.E., a note signed by the parent will excuse him/her from P.E. A note signed by the parent will excuse the student from P.E. for a maximum of three (3) days. If an illness or injury necessitates more than three days out of P.E., a doctor’s note is required. All students are required to dress daily in the appropriate clothing. Clothing can be purchased from the P.E. teachers.
Volunteer Bureau	This is an on campus service club. 6^th, 7^th & 8^th Grade students may volunteer their time for various school projects. A service certificate is awarded at the End of the Year Awards Assembly.
Peer Mediators	This is a group of students trained in conflict resolution. They work during the lunch hour with peers who request mediation.
Independent Study	Independent study is encouraged for students who will miss school for five or more days in any period during the year. Independent Study requires a signed contract between the school, parents, and the student. In order that work is assigned on time, please contact the school at least one week prior to the absence. All work must be completed and turned in to the office upon return to school for grading and accounting purposes.
Homework Requests	Homework may be requested through the school office (685-7310) by 10:00 AM if a student is going to be absent for two days or more.
Attendance Guidelines	►Students who come to school tardy or unexcused for 30 minutes or more are considered truant and will be required to make up missing instructional time during detention. ►Daily attendance requires a student to be present on campus 30 minutes or more in order for the student to be considered “Present” for the instructional day. ►Perfect Attendance is awarded to students who are present everyday, enrolled prior to October and do not accumulate more than 10 unexcused tardies (including morning arrival and lunch re-entry). ►After three unexcused tardies the student will serve detention for each successive unexcused tardy. ►Students who are absent 15 or more days will be placed on “Attendance Supervision.” Attendance supervision is a board policy, which requires each additional absence, be cleared with a doctor’s note. ►Students who are absent three or more consecutive days will be required to provide a doctor’s note to clear the absences. ►The Tulare City School District employees a full time Attendance officer to assist with issues of attendance.
Progress Reports	During the trimester, progress reports will be handed out to students to take home . Parents are encouraged to contact teachers to discuss any concerns and steps to be taken for improvement. We recognize the importance of communication between school and home, and will contact parents throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to contact the school any time they have concerns.

Graduation Policies

Graduation Requirements

Participation in the graduation ceremony is for students who have successfully met these standards:

►The student has met the minimum academic standard of a cumulative 2.0 GPA for their 8th grade year.
   •Graduation clearance requirements have been met (debts paid, books returned, etc.)
   • No more than twenty (20) absences in the school year; tardy not more than 20% of the time.
►Good citizenship has been demonstrated and/or shows compliance with the Discipline Policy:
►Students may be removed from graduation for any behavior deemed serious in nature.
►Excessive disciplinary referrals could lead to removal from graduation.
►Enrolled prior to April 1st of their 8th Grade year.

Students who do not qualify for graduation are excluded from participating in and attending the graduation ceremony or dance.

Graduation Ceremony and Dress

The graduation ceremony is a formal occasion for our students. In order to conduct a dignified ceremony, while keeping clothing costs to a minimum, all graduates will wear graduation gowns. The costs of gowns are reasonable. Parents will receive detailed information regarding the graduation ceremony, tickets, and dress standards during the month of April.

Graduation Speaker Guideline

►Possess a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
►Exemplary attendance, no more than a combined total of 10 absences and unexcused tardies (including morning arrival and lunch re-entry).
►Be a model of the Six Pillars of Character.

Positive Recognition

Award Assemblies	Award assemblies are held monthly to honor academic, character development and athletic achievement.
A.C.E. Card (Academic Card of Excellence)	Students who earn a 3.5 GPA or higher earn an ACE card, which has several items students may redeem throughout the quarter. Students who maintain a 4.0 GPA each trimester earn a T-Shirt.
Say Yes to Life	Throughout the year, students can participate in noontime activities, which are motivational, and discourage drug and alcohol use.
School Carnival	Near the end of the school year, Live Oak School and the PTO put on a school carnival. Students who have cleared all debts, and have acceptable behavior, will be allowed to attend. There are various games for students, run by each homeroom, and food booths will be open to sell pizza, nachos, popcorn, beverages, and various items from the student store.
Live Oak Post Cards	Positive Recognition post cards from teachers may be mailed home at any time during the year to students doing a great job at school. Students may receive a post card for any deed or accomplishment which the teacher feels needs to be recognized.

Student Services

Guidance	Students are encouraged to visit with Mrs. Merten our school counselor for personal guidance and information on grades, study help, and testing programs.
Nurse’s Office	The school nurse’s office exists for emergency situations and as a waiting area for ill students who are going home. If a student must take medication while at school, the student and parent must fill out a medication form with school nurse. Students are not permitted to possess any drugs or medication at any time at school.
Transportation	Students who reside within the attendance area of Live Oak may ride the school bus. Riding the bus is a privilege. Students who do not obey the bus rules will receive a citation, which may result in revocation of bus riding privileges.
Cafeteria	Lunch is served everyday in the cafeteria. Students qualifying for free or reduced lunch need to complete a lunch application and return it to the school office upon registration. Charging of meals is not allowed. Students who do not have lunch money and wish to eat may be asked to call home or sent to the end of the check in line. No one is denied a lunch.
Meal Prices	Full Price Breakfast $1.00 Reduced Price Breakfast $.30 Full Price Lunch $ 1.75 Reduced Price Lunch $ .30 Milk Only $ .30

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