SOUTH LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL

SOUTH LAKEMIDDLE SCHOOLSTUDENT HANDBOOK 2013-2014SOUTH LAKEMIDDLE SCHOOL

class. Students are responsible for all work missed during thistime.EXCESSIVE ABSENCES/TARDIESParents will be notified of absences or tardies (excused and/orunexcused) at the following target areas:1. Five days absence or tardy: parents/guardians willreceive a letter outlining the attendance policy and remindingthem of daily attendance responsibilities.2. Ten days absence or tardy: a letter of notification willbe sent requesting that a conference be scheduled with thePrincipal. Based upon the outcome of the conference,appropriate agencies may be contacted to investigate theexcessive absences.3. Fifteen days absence or tardy: If determined to be acase of truancy, appropriate county agencies will be notified. Anattendance hearing will be conducted with the student, parents orguardians, and the truant officer. The student may be requiredto:a. Attend summer school in order to make up anymissed instructional time, or;b. Be retained at their current grade level. A hearingwill be conducted with the student, parents orguardians, and the truant officer.TARDIES TO CLASSStudents are expected to arrive to class on time. A student istardy if they are not in the classroom when the end of passingtime bell rings. Distance to classes is minimal and does notcontribute to tardiness.Consequences for each individual class:Step One – 3 rd tardy, the teacher warns student,Step Two– 4 th tardy, the teacher assigns a detention,Step Three–5 th tardy, the teacher calls the parent forassistance,Step Four – 6 th tardy and beyond, referral to office.If a student is more than 5 minutes tardy to class without a pass,he/she may be referred to the office and/or assigned a detention.Tardies to school in the morning are recorded on a yearlongbasis. Tardies to classes throughout the rest of the day arerecorded on a trimester basis.REPORT CARDS AND PROGRESS REPORTSSince there are three marking periods (trimesters) ofapproximately fourteen weeks each, students will receive threeofficial report cards and three official progress reports for theyear. Progress Reports will be issued at parent-teacherconferences for each marking period. Report cards will bemailed home at the conclusion of each marking period. If astudent’s grade in a marking period is an incomplete (I), thestudent may be granted a two-week extension in order to submitthe required assignments.PROMOTION POLICYIf a student has a failing average in two or more full-yearequivalent classes or combined exploratory classes, the studentmay not be promoted to the next grade level.1. At the end of the first trimester, the counselor will senda letter to the parents of those students identified as not passingone or more classes.2. At the end of the second trimester, teachers, parents,and counselor will discuss and update a plan for success. Thisplan will outline what the teacher, parent, and student can do tohelp the student be successful and to be promoted.3. At the end of the third trimester, a letter will be sent tothe parents of any student not passing two or moreclasses. This letter will:a. Recommend summer school, taking one or twoclasses.b. Require summer school for promotion, enrollingin one, two, or three classes.c. Promotion on a probationary basis.d. Retention.2. Parents will be notified by mail and by telephone of therecommendation. A parent who disagrees with therecommendation may appeal the decision in the followingsequence:a. Principalb. Superintendentc. Board of Education3. A student who has accumulated 15 or more unexcused absencesfrom school may be recommended for retention.STUDENT AGENDA BOOKEach student will be issued one Student Agenda Book free ofcharge to help develop his/her organizational skills. The studentmust carry the agenda throughout the entire school day and writeassignments for each class every day.If a student loses his/her agenda, he/she may purchase anotherfor a $5 replacement cost, although there is a very limited supplyof extras; half of the Hallway Passes will be removed. Teachersand parents may also use the agenda for questions and to makecomments.Parents should have their child bring this agenda home daily tohelp your child review, plan homework time and encourageassignment completion. Students should spend approximately 1to 1½ hours per evening doing schoolwork.ASSIGNMENTS AND HOMEWORKAssignments are due on the date assigned by the teacher. Astudent who has an excused absence, however, has two days forevery day missed to turn in assignments.GRADING SCALE93 -100%= A 73 - 76% = C90 - 92% = A- 70 - 72% = C-87 - 89% = B+ 67 - 69% = D+83-86% = B 63 - 66% = D80 - 82% = B- 60 - 62% = D-77 -79% = C+ Below 60% = FATHLETICSA wide array of athletic activities is offered at the middle level.All participants must have a valid physical on file to participateand follow the rules of eligibility. As a reminder, athleticparticipation and/or attendance are a privilege. Students attendingsporting events as spectators are reminded that all school rulesapply. In addition, once they leave the premises of the event,they will not be readmitted.RULES FOR ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITYCitizenship and academic performance of students participatingin school sports will be checked weekly. If citizenship oracademic grades decline, the student is given a warning. If thereis no improvement after the warning, the student may be3

ineligible to participate in the sporting event.DANCESDances are held during the school year. All dances will be heldimmediately following the school day, approximately 3:00 to4:00 p.m. After students enter the building for the dance, theywill remain until the dance is over. If students wish to leaveearly, their parents must come into the school to call for them.All school rules apply at dances. Once students leave, theycannot return to the activity.BREAKFAST/LUNCH PROGRAMSouth Lake Middle School currently uses the Meal MagicProgram for students to purchase breakfast or lunch. . Allstudents use the Meal Magic Program, including thoseparticipating in the free/reduced meal program. All students areissued a PIN to access their Meal Magic account. Money can bedeposited in student accounts through the office or in thecafeteria prior to school starting in the morning. Breakfast willbe available to students from 7:30 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. in thecafeteria. The middle school has a closed campus policy duringlunchtime. All students are expected to eat lunch at school.Students may bring lunches from home or utilize their MealMagic account. An ala-carte line is also available on a dailybasis. Food or drinks are not permitted out of the cafeteria. If astudent chooses to leave the cafeteria with food, it will beconfiscated by staff and thrown away. The student will not bereimbursed for the cost of the items. Students must clean upafter themselves. Cafeteria work duty may be assigned forinappropriate behavior or for not following cafeteria rules.FREE/REDUCED MEAL PROGRAMAt the beginning of the school year, an application forfree/reduced meals is provided to families in order to apply oryou may print it from the South Lake website, solake.org. Thisapplication is to be brought back to the office for approval. Youmay also apply on line at www.lunchapp.com. If approved, youwill receive a letter confirming eligibility for your student.Applications for the free/reduced meal program are available inthe office throughout the school year.LOCKERSEach student is assigned a locker. It is the responsibility ofstudents to keep their lockers locked at all times. Do not leaveitems of value in the locker. The school is not responsible foritems lost or stolen from lockers. If the locker is broken or notfunctioning correctly, it is the responsibility of the student toinform their 1 st hour teacher so repairs may be made. Studentsmay not change lockers or share lockers with other studentsand should not share locker combinations with friends. Inaddition, students are not to alter their locker function toallow it to open without the combination. Students will bebilled for any and all repair costs resulting from this or otherdamage. Students are not permitted to put their own locks on thelockers. Any non-school locks will be cut off at the student’sexpense. Lockers are school property and are subject tosearches, including canine searches, at any time and inaccordance with Board of Education Policy.TEXTBOOKSStudents will be responsible for the condition of their textbooks.The following policy will be enforced:1. Textbook condition will be recorded along with thebook number at the time the book is issued. If there is writing inink in a textbook, the page numbers will be recorded on theStudent Textbook Report Form so that students are not chargedunfairly at the end of the school year.2. Books will be rated new, good, or poor condition.3. If any pages are removed or torn excessively, the bookwill be considered unusable and the student will be charged areplacement fee.4. Replacement charges for textbooks will be based onthe condition of the book when it is issued.5. A lost or completely damaged textbook will bereplaced when it has been paid for. The teacher issuesreplacement books.STUDENT FINESStudents are responsible for loss, excessive wear, or damage toschool textbooks and equipment. Teachers or the mediaspecialist may issue fines throughout the course of the schoolyear. Fines must be paid promptly in the media center or themain office.LOST AND FOUNDThe lost and found is located in the cafeteria. Items not claimedat the end of each trimester are donated to charities.PERSONAL PROPERTYStudents are responsible for all personal belongings. Neither theschool nor teachers will be responsible for any student’s personalbelongings. Students should not bring personal property toschool that is not needed for educational purposes. Valuableitems or large amounts of money should not be brought toschool. Items that are needed should be clearly labeled with thestudent's name.ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENTThe use of cell phones, pagers, video games, music playingdevices, laser pointers or other electronic devices is prohibited inschool. If these items are brought to school they must be turnedoff and remain in the student’s locker during school hours. Theycannot be used during school or school related activities, unlessauthorized by school staff. Electronic devices will beconfiscated, turned into administration, and held for aparent/guardian to pick up if in violation of this policy.TELEPHONE CALLSOffice and school phones are only available for school relatedbusiness and emergencies. Office personnel do not transmitpersonal messages to students except in case of an emergency. Apay phone, located in the hall across from the office, may only beused before lunch and after school.HALL TRAVEL AND PASSESWhile switching classes, all students must carry their agendas.When students move from class to class, they are expected tomove in an orderly, quiet fashion. Food, drinks, and gum arenot allowed in the halls. Students who are in the halls duringclass time will be required to show a valid hall pass. Passes areto be written in the student agenda book. Hallway passes areonly for emergencies and at the discretion of staff members. Astudent may not be in the hallway, office, or bathroom without apass either in his/her own agenda book or an office request pass.VISITORSVisitors must check in at the main office and have approval to bein the building. Students of middle school age may visit classes4

only if they are planning to attend SLMS and are accompaniedby a parent. Arrangements must be made in advance. Friends,relatives, and former students are not permitted to visit classeswithout building approval.FIRE DRILLSFire drills are conducted six times each year. Exit routes areposted in each classroom. Students are to leave the roomquickly, walking quietly in single file to their outsidedesignations. Outdoors, students must line up for attendance. Abell will ring to signal a safe return to classrooms.TORNADO SAFETYThe St. Clair Shores Police Department and weather forecasterswill attempt to alert the schools of serious weather conditions.Two tornado drills will be conducted per year. Students will beexpected to move quickly and quietly to their assigned area. If awarning is in effect at dismissal time, students and staff willremain in their safety areas. Students will not be released duringa tornado warning. Students will be dismissed at their regulartimes if a tornado watch is in effect.EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGSouth Lake Schools is a member of the Michigan EnforcementInformation Network which reports school closings. Closingwill be reported on Comcast Channel 42, local televisionchannels 2, 4, and 7; radio stations WWJ, WJR, CKLW,WWWW, WBRB, and WCZY.HEALTH SERVICESStudents who become ill at school will be referred to the office.Parents will be contacted if it is necessary for a student to gohome. Students must be signed out by a parent/guardian orindividual authorized on their emergency card. Under nocircumstances can students leave school without permission fromthe principal or the principal's designees.STUDENT INSURANCEStudent accident insurance is made available to all students at thebeginning of the school year. The contract is between theinsurance company and the parents with the school acting as anintermediary for communication. The Board of Education hasimmunity from financial responsibility for accidents occurring inthe normal course of school.EMERGENCY CARD/CAREParents must complete and return a new emergency card at thebeginning of each school year. Keeping this informationup-to-date is very important. Please let us know if names,addresses, or phone numbers change. We must be able toreach you in the event of an emergency. Should a studentreceive a minor injury at school, first aid will be administered.For serious injuries, the parent (or name listed on the emergencycard) will be contacted.IMMUNIZATIONSState law requires that new students entering the district mustprovide a current immunization record and birth certificate. Ifimmunization boosters are needed, the school will notify you.Students who have not completed the required immunizationswill be excluded until requirements are met.PERMISSION TO ADMINISTER MEDICINEIf a parent would like the school to administer medicine,including aspirin or Tylenol, during or after the school day, theparent must provide the medications and have on file in theoffice the Permission to Administer Medication form.Medication must be in the original container and properly labeledby the physician or pharmacy. Dosage instructions must beclearly stated. Students cannot carry any medication on theirperson.DRESS CODEStudents shall dress appropriately for school. Any style of dressor personal accessory (piercings, etc.) which is conspicuous,brings undue attention, and/or disrupts the educational process ofthe school is inappropriate. If in doubt, do NOT wear it. Thefollowing guidelines must be observed:• Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times (noslippers).• All shirts, blouses or dresses must have at least a three-inch(3”) wide shoulder covering. The material must also meetthe under arm area. No torn or cut off sleeves are to beworn.• Clothing and personal items which promote or supportalcohol, tobacco, drugs, gangs, profanity, violence, sexualconduct or suggestion thereof, cannot be worn on campus orat any school sponsored activity.• Overly revealing clothing is inappropriate. Blouses or shirts,which expose bare midriffs or undergarments, are notpermitted. Shirts or blouses with low necklines are notallowed. All shirts or blouses must be able to stay tucked in,if asked to do so.• Shorts, skirts, dresses are to be no more than four-inches(4”) above the top of the knee. This applies even if thestudent is wearing leggings underneath.• Pants, skirts, and shorts must be worn at the waistline. Nobaggy or saggy pants are allowed. Undergarments showingin any form are considered inappropriate.• Pajamas, pajama pants, or lounge wear are not permitted.• “Roller Shoes” or roller blades are not allowed.• Wallet chains or pocket chains are not allowed.• All backpacks, handbags, or hip pouches are to remain inlockers during school hours.• Coats, hats, sunglasses, and other clothing designed foroutdoor wear may not be worn to classes.• Hats must be removed upon entering the building. A hat isdefined as a “covering for the head”. Hoods, bandannas,scarves, and do-rags may not be worn in school.• The use of any type of body sprays is limited to the lockerroom areas only for those students who are enrolled inphysical education at the time. They may not be used in thehallways or classrooms.The building administrator or designee can require a student tochange inappropriate clothing or personal attire. Studentsrefusing to change inappropriate clothing will be sent home tochange. Repeated incidents will be referred to the student code ofconduct.STUDENT CONDUCTSTUDENT HONOR CODE“I have a choice in everything I do, and I have a responsibilityfor the choices that I make.”UNIFIED CLASSROOM RULES- Follow directions.5

- Be in the classroom when the tardy bell rings.- Bring all required supplies.- Be respectful of others.STUDENT BEHAVIORStudents attending assemblies, field trips, dances, sportingevents, and any other school-sponsored activities are remindedthat school rules apply even if the event is not on schoolproperty.SCHOOL WIDE DISCIPLINE PLANTeachers are the front-line authority regarding discipline andshould try to handle issues with students first, by enforcingschool/classroom rules. Teachers will make every reasonableattempt to intervene with students and their parents beforeenlisting the assistance of building administration.The following categories of behaviors are the type prohibitedduring school hours, at school sponsored events, on or adjacentto school property, and while riding busses. The categoriesinclude but are not limited to safety, citizenship, harassment,public property, attendance and persistentdisobedience/misbehavior. The specific nature of each categoryhas been placed into the following classes of offense andconsequences:NOTE: The following definitions will be used for items underclass A, B and C offenses:Physical Assault is defined as intentionally causing or attemptingto cause physical harm to another through force or violence.Verbal Assault is defined as any willful verbal and/or writtenthreat to inflict injury upon another person, under suchcircumstances which create a reasonable fear of imminent injury,coupled with an apparent ability to inflict injury, including anywritten or verbal bomb threats.Class A OffensesBomb threats, physical assault against a school employee,volunteer or contractor; possession or use of dangerousweapons or substances.Consequences for all Class A offenses will include:- referral to administration- minimum 10 day suspension- notification to police liaison- appropriate building, central office and Board ofEducation hearings- expulsion from school for 180 daysClass B OffensesPossession, sale, distribution or use of drugs, alcohol, fake drugs,prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, steroids, inhalants,look alike drugs or drug paraphernalia; physical assault againstanother student, verbal assault against a student or staff member.Consequences for all Class B offenses may include:- referral to administration (consequences will bedetermined by administration based upon the seriousnessof the violation)- minimum 5 day suspension up to a 10 day suspension- notification to police liaison- parent / student / administration reinstatement conference- appropriate building, central office and Board ofEducation hearings- expulsion from school up to 180 daysClass C OffensesLarceny; false fire alarms/911 calls (plus fine); harassmentverbal,sexual or physical; disrespect/insubordination to a staff6member.Consequences for all Class C offenses may include:- referral to administration (consequences will be determinedby administration based upon the seriousness of theviolation)- suspension for 3 to 10 days- notification to police liaison- parent/student/administration reinstatement conferenceClass D OffensesPossession/use of tobacco products and paraphernalia (plus fine);possession/use of fireworks (including poppers and smokebombs); threatening violent behavior; gang related behavior(including signing and graffiti); fighting/two or more studentsexhibiting violent behavior toward each other; repeateddisruptive behavior/ disorderly conduct; swearing; destruction ofpersonal/school property (plus restitution); insubordination;(refusing to comply with a reasonable request) gambling;repeated misbehavior in the halls, on the bus, at lunch or atschool sponsored activities; possession of pornographic materialor inappropriate material; theft; trespassing; failure to attendassigned detention; skipping class(es); bullying or intimidatingbehavior.Consequences for all Class D Offenses may include:- referral to administration (consequences will be determinedby administration based upon the seriousness of theviolation)- detention- suspension for 1 to 5 days- parent/student/administration reinstatement conference- referral to counselor for workshop/training- notification to police liaisonClass E OffensesViolation of electronic equipment statement; violation of dresscode.Consequences for Class E offenses may include:- items listed as electronic equipment will be confiscated andreturned only to the parent. Any student who fails tosurrender the items will be cited for insubordination underthe Class C offense.- student will be directed to remove the inappropriateclothing, which will be replaced with appropriate clothing.Student’s parent/guardian will be informed of school’s dresspolicy. Confiscated clothing may be picked up by theparent/guardian. Any student who fails to surrender/changetheir clothing will be cited for insubordination under theClass C offense.DETENTIONSTeachers or administration can assign detentions before or afterschool, and also during lunch (for minor infractions). Studentsare to be given a minimum of one day’s notice to serve thedetention. The student will receive a copy of the detention noticethat must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned on the dayof the detention. Duration of the detention is not to exceed onehour. It is the student/parents responsibility to providetransportation, if needed. Students who fail to attenddetentions will face the following consequences:First No Show – Rescheduled with the officeSecond No Show – Detention time is doubledThird No Show – Places on Restricted List for 6 weeksFourth No Show and after – Assigned a Suspension.HALLWAY BEHAVIOR TICKETSAny student who is found exhibiting poor behavior in thehallway such as running, tripping, shouting, etc. can be issued a

Hallway Behavior Ticket from staff. Should these ticketsaccumulate; students will be subject to the followingconsequences:Three tickets – 30 minutes of detention timeFive tickets – 1 hour of detention timeSeven tickets – Restricted List for 6 weeksTen tickets – 1 day of suspension from schoolTickets will be recorded on a trimester basis. At the end of eachtrimester the ticket count starts over.RESTRICTED LISTStudents that are placed on the Restricted List will not beallowed to participate in school wide activities, including but notlimited to athletic events, dances, field trips, recognitionactivities, and assemblies. Students will be restricted fromschool-wide activities for a 6 week period upon:A. 6 or more detentionsB. Any suspensionC. Unpaid/outstanding obligations (fines, fees, etc)D. A 3 rd no show to an assigned DetentionShould a student earn another consequence listed above duringthat 6 week restricted period, he/she will remain on theRestricted List for an additional 6 weeks.SUSPENSIONSuspension is defined as exclusion of a student from school for aperiod of time terminating at the end of specified period or uponthe fulfillment of a specific set of conditions. When a studentreturns to school following a suspension, it is his/herresponsibility to become knowledgeable of assignments missed.A suspended student may make up all missed work upon his/herreturn. For all suspensions, regardless of the length of absence,missed homework and assignments are part of a student’s gradeand should be completed for credit. Suspended students are notallowed on school property or at school events for the length ofthe suspension. If a student suspension day has been assigned fora day in which school is cancelled, the suspension will be servedthe school day immediately following the cancellation day(s).EXPULSIONExpulsion is defined as the permanent exclusion of a studentfrom school by action of the Board of Education. Students faceexpulsion for Class A and B offenses, or as determined byadministration, based upon the seriousness of the violation.DUE PROCESSSouth Lake Middle School acknowledges that students areaccorded procedural and substantive due process in alldisciplinary matters, as well as in all other matters involving theirright to an education.PARENT APPEALS/COMPLAINT PROCEDURESIf it is believed that South Lake Middle School or any part of theschool organization has inadequately applied the principlesand/or regulations of this Handbook or District Policy, parentsmay file an appeal. The following appeal process should befollowed:1. Discuss problem with school employee involved,2. If not resolved, appeal may be made to the Principal,3. If not resolved, appeal may be made to theSuperintendent of Schools.4. Final appeal may be made to the Board of Education.HUMAN REPRODUCTION EDUCATION RIGHTSThe Board of Education has established a program of instructionentitled Human Reproductive Health and Sexuality, in whichmatters relating to family planning and birth control are taught.According to law (PA 226 of 1977), parents have the right toreview materials to be used in class or course of instruction. Thiscourse also mandates that the Principal modes by whichdangerous communicable diseases including, but not limited toAIDS, are spread and the best methods for restricting andpreventing transmission of these diseases shall be taught in everypublic school in the state. By law, parents have the right toexcuse their child from participation in these 7th and 8th gradeclasses. If parents wish to exclude their child from instruction inreproductive health, they must send a written request to thePrincipal.DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND EQUALEMPLOYMENTThe Board of Education is committed to maintaining a learningand working environment in which all individuals are treatedwith dignity and respect, free from discrimination andharassment. There will be no tolerance for discrimination orharassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion,creed or ancestry, sex, marital status, genetic information, height,weight, sexual orientation, disability or age. The School Districtprohibits harassment and other forms of discrimination whetheroccurring at school, on School District property, in a SchoolDistrict vehicle, or at any School District related activity orevent. Furthermore, the Board is committed to equalemployment opportunities and the prevention of discriminationin all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection,training, promotion and retention of staff. The Superintendentwill designate compliance officers and develop and implementregulations for the reporting, investigation and resolution ofcomplaints of discrimination or harassment. For additionalinformation, contact the Director of Human Resources or theDirector of Special Services, 23101 Stadium Blvd., St. ClairShores, MI 48080, (586) 435-1600.EQUAL OPPORTUNITYAny person who believes that s/he has been discriminated againstor denied equal opportunity or access to programs or servicesmay file a complaint, which shall be referred to as a grievance,with the District's Civil Rights Coordinator.Director of PersonnelSouth Lake Schools23101 Stadium Blvd.St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080586-435-1630The person who believes s/he has a valid basis for grievanceshall discuss the grievance informally and on a verbal basis withthe District Civil Rights Coordinator, who shall in turninvestigate the complaint and reply with an answer to thecomplainant. S/He may initiate formal procedures according tothe following steps:Step 1 - A written statement of the grievance signed by thecomplainant shall be submitted to the District Civil RightsCoordinator within five (5) business days of receipt of answersto the informal complaint. The Coordinator shall furtherinvestigate the matters of grievance and reply in writing to thecomplainant within five (5) business days.7

Step 2 - If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision of theDistrict Civil Rights Coordinator, s/he may submit a signedstatement of appeal to the Superintendent within five (5) businessdays after receipt of the Coordinator's response. TheSuperintendent shall meet with all parties involved, formulate aconclusion, and respond in writing to the complainant within ten(10) business days.Step 3 - If the complainant remains unsatisfied, s/he may appealthrough a signed written statement to the Board within five (5)business days of his/her receipt of the Superintendent's responsein step two. In an attempt to resolve the grievance, the Board ofEducation shall meet with the concerned parties and theirrepresentative within twenty (20) business days of the receipt ofsuch an appeal. A copy of the Board's disposition of the appealshall be sent to each concerned party within ten (10) businessdays of this meeting.The District Coordinator will provide a copy of the District'sgrievance procedure to any person who files a complaint and willinvestigate all complaints in accordance with this procedure. Acopy of each of the Acts and the regulations on which this noticeis based, may be found in the Civil Rights Coordinator's office.Section 504/ADA-Complaint and Due Process ProceduresIf a person believes that s/he has been discriminated against onthe basis of his/her disability, the person may utilize thefollowing complaint procedures as a means of reaching, at thelowest possible administrative level, a prompt and equitableresolution of the matter.The Special Education Director is the District’s Section 504Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer can be reached at:South Lake Schools23101 Stadium Blvd.St. Clair Shores, MI 48080586-435-1600Building principals shall serve as Building Section 504/ADACompliance Officer(s).Grievance Procedure – StudentsA student and/or parent may initiate the procedure whens/he/they believe that a violation, misapplication ormisinterpretation of Section 504 has occurred.Step 1 - Principal/Building 504 Officer Conference: A student orparent may initiate a grievance by making a written request for aconference with the building principal or Building 504 Officer todiscuss the complaint and seek resolution. The request shall fullydescribe the grievance (i.e., it must set out the circumstancesgiving rise to the dispute and how the child is adverselyaffected), and be filed as soon as possible, but not longer thanthirty (30) calendar days after disclosure of the facts giving riseto the grievance. The principal shall conduct the conferencewithin five (5) school days following receipt of the request. Theprincipal will state in writing his/her decision to the individualwithin five (5) school days following the conference.Step 2 - Appeal to the District’s Section 504 Compliance Officer:If the grievance is not resolved satisfactorily at Step 1, thestudent or parent may appeal the principal’s decision in writingto the District’s Section 504 Compliance Officer. The appealmust be made within five (5) school days following receipt of theprincipal’s decision. The Compliance Officer will review thecase, may conduct an informal hearing, and will notify all partiesin writing of his/her decision within ten (10) school days ofreceiving the appeal.Grievance Procedure – Public Complaints About Facilitiesand/or ServicesA person who has a complaint about District facilities or servicesmay register such complaint with the site administrator or theDistrict’s Section 504 Compliance Officer. Such complaintsshould be filed within thirty (30) calendar days of thecircumstances or event giving rise to the grievance.A. The complaint must contain the following information:1. Name(s) of person(s) filing complaint.2. Whether the person(s) represents an individual orgroup.3. Whether the person(s) making the complaint hasdiscussed the problem with the site administratorand/or the District’s Section 504 Compliance Officer.4. A written summary of the complaint and a proposedsolution.B. The site administrator or the District’s Section 504Compliance Officer will respond to the complaint within five (5)business days.C. If a satisfactory response is not received within five (5)business days, the person should forward a copy of the complaintto the Superintendent, who will respond within ten (10) businessdays.D. If a satisfactory response is not received within ten (10)business days, the person may forward a copy of the complaint tothe Board of Education. The Board will consider the complaintand respond within forty (40) calendar days.MICHIGAN CHILD PROTECTION LAWReporting of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation is required byMichigan law. All teachers, counselors, administrators, socialworkers, and others who are child care providers. (all schoolemployees) are required under penalty of prosecution to reportchild abuse. Child protective services workers will perform theinvestigation. They may talk with the child in school withoutparental consent, if necessary. School employees are notexpected to investigate child abuse, only to report it. After areport is filed, they are released from all liability for the report.They can be held liable for not reporting suspected abuse. Copiesof the South Lake Schools Procedures Bulletin on the ChildAbuse Protection Law may be requested by calling 445-4206.DISABILITIES ACTIf a person with special needs plans to attend any of our publicschools, he/she should contact the Principal's office within 48hours of the scheduled meeting.HARASSMENT POLICIESHarassment of a student(s) by other students or any member ofthe staff is contrary to the Board's commitment to provide aphysically and psychologically safe environment in which tolearn and may be a violation of Federal or State law.In addition to sexual harassment, which includes unwelcomesexual advances or any form of improper physical contact orsexual remark, harassment shall also include any speech or actionthat creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive learningenvironment. The Superintendent is to ensure that the StudentCode of Conduct contains language prohibiting any form ofsexual harassment and any use of racial, ethnic, religious, orother verbal or physical harassment. It should also provide ameans for a student to report any incidence of harassing behaviorfrom a fellow student, staff member, or a school visitor, in a way8

that avoids embarrassment and protects the confidentiality of thestudent. All such reports are to be promptly investigated by theSuperintendent. Anyone found to have violated this policyand/or the Code of Conduct shall be subject to disciplinary actionup to and including suspension or expulsion from the District.Students who feel that they have been harassed by anotherstudent or a staff member should immediately meet with theCounselor or the Principal. The student will be asked to put inwriting their complaint outlining in detail the facts of thecomplaint. An investigation will be conducted by the Principalor designee. Interviews will be kept confidential (to the degreepossible) to protect the involved parties. Disciplinary action willbe taken if supported by the investigation.BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGSMeetings are 6:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month. TheBoard of Education and Administrative Offices are located at:23101 Stadium Boulevard, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080Telephone: 435-1600Mrs. Pamela Balint, SuperintendentMr. John Thero, Director of Instruction and AssessmentMr. Matthew Dishman, Director of OperationsMr. Ted VonHiltmayer, Director of Human ResourcesMrs. Marty Kliebert, Director of Special EducationSOUTH LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL ADDRESS21621 California, St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERSMain Office 586-435-1300Attendance Hotline 586-435-1350Fax 586-778-31519

SOUTH LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOLI have read over the contents of the South Lake Middle School Handbook with mystudent. We are aware of and understand our responsibilities.Student Signature_______________________ Date:________________________Parent Signature _______________________ Date:______________________Please return this signed form to the student’s 1 st hour teacher no later than Wednesday,September 14th.10