2012-2013 Student-Parent Information Packet - Prince George's ...

July 23, 2012Dear Parents / Guardians,Please read and review this information with your child prior to the first day ofschool. We are anxiously awaiting the beginning of the year and know that we willexperience great success together. I look forward to your involvement in our PTSA(Parent/Teacher/Student Association) and expect to see many of you visit the schoolthroughout the year. We have an “open door” policy regarding visitation and wantto see you here in support of your child. Enjoy the rest of the summer and see youon the 20 th .Sincerely,Wendell ColemanPrincipal2012-2013 Student-Parent Information PacketOur MissionWe reward excellence and develop college and career ready students through P.E.A.C.E.,rigorous education, service, and nurturing relationships.7 th Grade/New Student OrientationWe will host an orientation for the incoming 7 th grade and new students on Thursday,August 16, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. The goalof this program is to familiarize students with policies, procedures, clubs, organizations,faculty, and to tour the building. Transportation will be provided by the school system.Students are to report to their bus stop 15 minutes prior to the assigned times for the2012-2013 school year. For bus route information, please visit the PGCPS website:www.pgcps.org.PEACE ValuesStudents should become familiar with the P.E.A.C.E. Pledge of Oxon Hill Middle Schoolto ensure a productive year: Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation.In Good StandingIn-Good Standing has been established to demonstrate our commitment to recognize andreward those students who consistently demonstrate academic excellence, followinstructions and maintain a peaceful learning environment. In-Good Standing students

know and exhibit the P.E.A.C.E. qualities- Positive Energy Activates ConstantElevation.Mandatory Uniform PolicyThe PTSA adopted a mandatory uniform policy at Oxon Hill Middle School (OHMS) inaccordance with the Prince George’s County Policy #0600 effective February 4, 2002.We understand that this is a team effort and that it will take the students, parents, andstaff to make this initiative successful. Furthermore, uniforms help to produce a positiveschool climate, thus promoting a quality-learning environment. Every student isexpected to adhere to this mandated policy.The uniform items can be purchased at a local retail store of your choice. Please ensurethat the style of shirts, pants, and shoes are in compliance with the uniform mandate.STUDENT DRESS CODE- THIS POLICY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE8 th Grade Student Uniforms 7 th Grade Student UniformsNavy Blue Polo Style ShirtsBurgundy Polo Style ShirtsKhaki Color PantsKhaki Color PantsBlack ShoesBlack ShoesAccording to the Board of Education’s modification of policy #0600, students who violate themandatory uniform policy after the second time will be deemed as persistently disobedient andwill be disciplined in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct. The “Opt-out” process hasbeen eliminated by the Board of Education.ITEM STYLE FABRIC COLOR SPECIFICATIONSShirts Polo Style Cotton-PolyblendPantsShortsDockerstyleBelt Any Style Leather,Braided orElasticSweater Any Style Sweater orKnitSlickers,Windbreakers orAthletic jacketsSolid colors only:7 th gradeBurgundy8th gradeNavy BlueAll shirts must have a collar but short or longsleeved shirts can be worn.NO EXCEPTIONSAbsolutely No:Midriff Shirts, T-Shirts, Form Fitting, V-CutCollars, Tank Tops/Muscle ShirtsCotton-Twill Khaki Fitted at the waist and beltedAbsolutely No:Flared Pants, Form Fitting/Spandex, CaprisCut/Torn Pants, Corduroy, Jean Styles,Cargos or Jeggins(All pants must have front and backpockets)Black, Brown, orTanSolid Colors:7 th GradeBurgundy8 th gradeNavy BluePlain solid color beltsAbsolutely No:Designs, Inappropriate Language,Name/Buckle Plates, Graphics, PatchesPlain – No LogosAbsolutely No:Turtleneck Sweaters, Blends, StripesAny Style Any Fabric Any Color Absolutely No:Inappropriate LanguageGraphics, Stickers, Patches, Logos(Not to be worn in classrooms or building atany time)

Winter Coats Any Style Any Fabric Any Color Absolutely No:Inappropriate LanguageGraphics, Stickers, Patches, Logos(Not to be worn in classrooms or building atany time) Must be removed upon entering buildingSocksStockingsShoesJewelrySocks musthave avisible topLoafersTennisShoesPostEarringsOne (1)watchAny FabricAny FabricSolid Colors:White, Navy,Black, TanFlesh ColorSolid Colors:Black(including solesand laces)All socks should at least come to the ankle(Preferable longer)Solid OnlyAbsolutely No:Open Toe or heel shoes, Sandals, Crocs,Slippers, Flip-Flops, insertedAll shoes have to be blackNO EXCEPTIONSAny Metal Any Solid Color Absolutely No:Hoop earrings, Feather earrings, Designearrings, Jelly Bracelets, Wrist bandsUniforms ContinuedUniforms are required to be worn by all students daily. All uniforms must be neat andclean. Students should also practice good hygiene and take pride in their appearance.Hairstyles must be neat and completely groomed prior to arrival at school.In order to qualify for any school sponsored field trips or extra-curricular activitiesstudents must be in complete uniform. The Student Dress Code Policy is subject toannual review.Back to School NightAll parents are invited to attend Oxon Hill Middle School’s annual “Back to SchoolNight.” PTSA will be offering a discounted membership rate if parents join on or beforeSeptember 26 th . The tentative date for this event is Thursday, September 27, 2012 at6:30 p.m. in the Multi-purpose Room.School HoursOur school hours are 9:00 a.m. – 4:20 p.m. Students who walk to school should notarrive before 8:30 a.m. Staff will supervise students beginning at 8:30 a.m. Earlystudents will not be permitted into the building.New RegistrantsStudents that are not registered to attend Oxon Hill Middle School must report to theGuidance Office. The counselors and registrar will be present to offer assistance.School MaterialsAll students will receive a three-inch three-ring binder, dividers and a pencil pouch thefirst day of school. Please provide loose-leaf paper, pencils and pens.Course of StudyStudents will be given a listing of goals and objectives, criteria for grading, and otherspecific information for each of their scheduled courses. It is suggested that you ask yourchild for this by the end of the first week. Sometimes students may be a little too busy toremember to take their information home, so it would be advisable that you tell them you

are expecting these materials. Additional information may be found on the OHMSwebsite http://www1.pgcps.org/oxonhillms.MealsHot lunches are served each day in the school cafeteria and may be purchased for $2.85,reduced lunches are 40¢. Breakfast will cost $1.50, and reduced breakfast is 30¢. Inaddition, a la carte items are available for purchase. Students may prefer to bring theirown bag lunch (no glass bottles or containers permitted); milk is available for purchase inthe cafeteria for 55¢.*Walkers must arrive prior to 8:45 to receive breakfast.*AttendanceAttendance will be taken at 9:10 a.m. during the 1 st mod class. Students should be intheir class, seated, and prepared to begin the instructional day by 9:00 am. Any studentwho arrives to school after 9:00 a.m. (except for late buses) will be considered tardy.Punctuality will be monitored and emphasized, as we instill habits of responsibility in allstudents. We urge parents to bring their children to school on time.Early DeparturesIf you are going to pick up your child before the closing of the school day, please do notcall ahead to the office to ask them to dismiss your son/daughter early from class.Parents must be present in the office to sign their child out in order for the school todismiss the student. If you are allowing someone else to pick up your child from school,they must be on the Emergency Form or a letter of authorization must be given to theMain Office on or before picking up the student. The person who is authorized to pickyour child up from school must be 18 years of age or older and must present a photoidentification.Acceptable Use PolicyThe use of technology at Oxon Hill Middle School (OHMS) is deeply embedded in thecurriculum. In order for you child to have access to any computer at OHMS, a contractmust be carefully read and signed by you and your child. This will be the first of manyassignments that you can complete together. It is an excellent way to reinforce theimportance of carefully reading any document before signing, as well as theresponsibility that accompanies that signature. After you have completed this task, pleasehave your child return the enclosed “Acceptable Use Form” to his/her Science teacher onthe first day that he/she attends science class. Your child will not only be able to use thecomputers at Oxon Hill Middle School, but he/she will also receive a bonus “A” as ahomework grade in Science for turning in the form.All cell phones, iPods, other MP3 players, and electronic devices must be off and out ofsight during school hours or be subject to confiscation. Confiscated items must be pickedup by a parent/guardian per Administrative Procedure #5132.TransportationSchool bus stop information may found from the parent link on the main websitehttp://www1.pgcps.org.