FMSD ATTENDANCE POLICY

SCHOOL HOURS (Change to Prior Policy)

Our school hours are 8:10 AM- 3:10 PM. The first bell rings at 8:05 AM. Student supervision begins at 7:40 AM; car riders may be dropped off afterward.  ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE IN THE BUILDING BY 8:10 AM. ANY STUDENT  DROPPED OFF AFTER 8:10 MUST BE CHECKED INTO THE FRONT OFFICE BY A PARENT. Students should be seated in their homeroom by 8:10 AM.

SCHOOL CLOSING DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

Please watch TV and radio announcements for FORT MILL SCHOOL DISTRICT # 4 (not York County) schools. The school district website, www.fortmillschools.org, will provide information about school closures. Please inform your child in advance what they should do in the event of an early school closing. The FMSD and SMS will contact all homes when there is a closing via our school messenger system. Please keep your phone numbers and email addresses up to date.

TARDY TO SCHOOL

Please be on time to enjoy uninterrupted class time and a quick start to the day. If you arrive at school by car after 8:10, a parent must accompany your child into the office. See the Minor/Level 1-Disorderly Behavior chart for consequences. 

EARLY DISMISSAL 

Early dismissal procedure: When your child requires early dismissal, please come into the front office and sign your child out.  Someone will then call your student from class to meet you. Students will not be dismissed after 2:40 PM. They must wait for the 3:10 dismissal bell.

ABSENCES

Students should give absence notes to the home room teachers. The following absences will be excused:  

• Personal illness (excused by doctor or parent note)  
• Serious illness or death in the student’s immediate family
• Religious holidays requested in advance  
• Parent notes may cover five days during the school year. Accrued student absences (excused or unexcused) may not exceed ten (10) days during the school year. Absences above ten days may result in a loss of credit for the year. 
• Any student who misses 50 percent or more of the instructional day for any reason for 10 percent (or more) of the enrollment period is considered chronically absent. All absences contribute to chronic absenteeism, including excused or unexcused absences and suspensions.

TRUANCY

A student who has accumulated unexcused absences on three consecutive days or five unexcused absences during the academic year is considered Truant. Parents of truant students are expected to attend a conference with the school administration to develop a Student Attendance Intervention Plan (SAIP).

ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER CHANGE, AND WITHDRAWAL

Please notify the school office immediately of any change of address or telephone number. In an emergency, we need to promptly locate parents. A withdrawal form must be completed if your student is withdrawing from SMS. This form is available in our front office. All books must be returned, and all fees must be paid before the transfer is complete.

LOCKERS/BOOKBAGS

Each student is assigned a locker and must rent a combination lock from the school for $5 (no personal locks are allowed).  All book bags/backpacks must be stored in lockers during the day; these items are not permitted in classrooms.  Any locker decorations should be removable and clean at the end of the year; no permanent locker decorations, such as stickers, are allowed.  School officials acting with “just cause” have the authority to search lockers or other areas of the school when there is reason to believe that items hazardous to the welfare of the student or the student body are present, or when such items are used to violate a law or cause disruption in the school.

Book bags, satchels, totes, and messenger bags are not allowed in classrooms. Students may carry a small purse, clutch, or handbag.  Locker dimensions are height: 28 inches, width: 11 inches, and depth: 10 inches. A 12” high locker shelf fits our lockers nicely.  Students should ensure that any items they bring to school will fit inside their assigned lockers.

Students will not share lockers—we have enough for each student to have their own. Locker combinations should be kept confidential and disclosed only to your homeroom teacher. The administration may be less effective at investigating losses when they occur if the student has disclosed their combination to other students. The school cannot be responsible for items lost or stolen.

Students should follow these locker guidelines:

1. Students can enter lockers at designated times during the school day. 
2. The homeroom teacher will maintain a record of all combinations of students.  
3. The student must keep a written record and memorize their combination. Students should not share their combinations with other students.
4. Students may use a school locker to store coats, books, and other educational materials. Items, including book bags, should not exceed locker dimensions.         
5. Non-school-issued locks may not be used and may be removed by the administration.
6. Broken or non-working locks should be reported to your homeroom teacher immediately.

TEXTBOOKS

Students must take care of their textbooks. The student must pay for a textbook if it is damaged, lost, or stolen. Additionally, the student will be charged the full price if the barcode on the back of the textbook is missing upon return. 

LOST AND FOUND

Students’ names should be on all personal articles, including lunch boxes, jackets, gym clothes, etc. Items found with a name will be returned to students. We maintain a lost-and-found at the end of each hallway; however, items are donated monthly.  

CAFETERIA

Our cafeteria staff serves breakfast and lunch every school day.  Menus, nutritional information, and allergen information are available on our website (fmsdstudentnutrition.com) and on screens in the cafeteria. There is also a free App available for your smartphone called LINQ Connect. A Registered Dietitian plans menus and includes input from parents, staff, and students.  The menus must comply with dietary guidelines that restrict calories, saturated fat, sugar, and sodium.  We provide students with a variety of healthy options and offer several fruits and vegetables daily. 

• A lunch meal includes foods from the five food groups: 2 oz of grains,  2 oz of protein, 1/2 cup of fruit, 1/2 cup of vegetables, and 1 cup of milk. Students may choose all five groups or at least three. One choice must be 1/2 cup of fruit or a vegetable. Students can select a cup of fruit or a vegetable with their meal. 
• A breakfast menu includes four items; students must select three. One choice must be fruit. 
• If a student does not take the required food components, then each item on the tray must be charged at a la carte pricing. Our cafeteria staff reminds students to take the required food groups. 
• The cafeteria also offers additional items for purchase, including milk, juice, water, and snacks. If you do not want your student to purchase these items, please complete the online form Opt Out for Snacks and Extras. 
• All foods served by the cafeteria meet State and Federal guidelines. 
• Our kitchens are tree-nut and peanut-safe.

PIN NUMBER

Each student is assigned a unique meal account identification number to use in the cafeteria to purchase breakfast, lunch, and a la carte items. This number is the last six digits of your student’s PowerSchool number. It should never be shared with other students. Please help your student memorize their PIN. 

MEAL PAYMENTS

Please take advantage of the options to prepay for your student's meals. Prepaid meal accounts help the lunch lines move faster and give students more time to eat, relax, and socialize. It also provides the peace of mind of not having to worry about daily finances or the risk of loss, theft, or diversion for purposes other than meals. Our cafeteria does not deny students meals; we allow students to charge up to $15 for meals. Automated calls, emails, and letters are sent weekly to students who owe the cafeteria money. Our cafeterias rely on meal payments to fund our program.

There are three easy ways to pay for meals and extras.

• Online via the district website’s Pay Fees lunch card feature, Quick Pay. This is a free service for adding money to your student’s meal account. You can also view meal purchases and balances. You can set up email alerts for balances on Parent Portal.
• By a separate check made out to your school’s cafeteria. The check should not include other school fees. Please note the child's cafeteria account number on the check. If the check is written for more than one child, the account number for each child and the amount to be credited to each child should be noted. The check must include a phone number.
• Cash is also accepted as payment, but it is strongly discouraged as it can be lost.
• Transferring funds between siblings is also available by completing the form on the fmsdstudentnutrition.com page.

FREE AND REDUCED MEAL APPLICATION PROGRAM

Our district participates in the USDA Free and Reduced Meal Program. We encourage families to apply if they meet or fall below the income guidelines specified in the application. Applications are printed in English and Spanish; we can provide any language needed. If another language is required, please contact our office at 803.802.1968.

Students must complete their meal applications and be approved to qualify for free or reduced-priced meals. Applications are available at the school office, the cafeteria, and the district website; you can also apply online at https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new. Students must reapply each year.

FOOD ALLERGIES & SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS

Due to the prevalence of food allergies, homemade or home-baked foods may not be distributed to students in the classroom or other applicable classroom settings.  Acceptable foods for distribution are those prepared in a commercial or licensed kitchen and, most importantly, packaged with a label listing the contents and ingredients.  This policy is designed to ensure consistency and minimize allergy-related risks across all classrooms while maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for all students. (Board Policy J LCDD) Students with Special Dietary Needs must have documentation of their diet changes signed by a medical provider. Please contact the school nurse to complete the forms.

WELLNESS POLICY

Our district has a Wellness Policy (Board Policy ADF and EFE). Information on the policy and how you can participate in this committee can be found here: https://fmsdstudentnutrition.com/index.php?sid=1625235896875&page=wellnesspolicy.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES/CELEBRATIONS – ACCEPTABLE FOOD GUIDELINES

Due to the prevalence of food allergies, homemade or home-baked foods may not be distributed to students in the classroom or other applicable classroom settings. Acceptable foods for distribution are those prepared in a commercial or licensed kitchen and, most importantly, packaged with a label listing the contents and ingredients. This policy is designed to ensure consistency and minimize allergy-related risks across all classrooms while maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for all students. (Board Policy J LCDD) Our district also has a Wellness Policy (Board Policy ADF and EFE) on the district website.  THE SCHOOL DOES NOT ACCEPT DELIVERIES OF FLOWERS OR BALLOONS FOR STUDENTS.

CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES “AWAY FOR THE DAY”

SMS is an "Away for the Day" school, meaning students may not use phones, wireless earbuds, or smartwatches during the school day. Electronic devices, including cell phones, may be brought to school and used before or after school to communicate with parents.  

Cell phones must be turned off and left in the students’ lockers from 7:40 AM until 3:10 PM.  Sick students should visit the nurse, not call home. (The nurse will call home if necessary.) Specific devices may be used in the classroom for educational purposes under a teacher's supervision.  

• 1st Offense: After-school detention on Tuesday or Thursday (whichever comes first). Additionally, phones, earbuds, and smartwatches must be submitted to the front office each morning for seven days. Students can claim the items at the end of the school day.
• 2nd Offense: After-school detention on Tuesday or Thursday (whichever comes first). Additionally, phones, earbuds, and smartwatches must be submitted to the front office each morning for 14 days. Students can claim the items at the end of the school day.
• 3rd Offense: After-school detention on Tuesday or Thursday (whichever comes first). Additionally, phones, earbuds, and smartwatches must be submitted to the front office each morning for 30 days. Students can claim the items at the end of the school day.
• Offenses exceeding three will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Students will begin serving ISS. 
• Violation and refusal to provide school employees with an electronic device will result in additional punishment, including at least one day of in-school suspension. 

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS AND SCHOOL

Regular communication between the home and school is an excellent way to support your student. The Parent Portal allows you to review grades and attendance at any time. If you are not registered for this, please ask our receptionist for registration instructions. Sometimes, parent conferences are needed to provide more information. Conferences must be scheduled; if you want to schedule one, please call the school, email the teacher, or send a note. Every teacher maintains a Google Classroom site where class assignments and homework may be viewed. Our school website (fortmillschools.org/sfms) is regularly updated with information. Please ensure that your email address and phone number are correct so that you receive email messages and phone calls from our school. You should also register at Peachjar.com for up-to-date information about school and district activities. Each team sends a weekly email on Fridays to inform parents of the schedule for the following week. Please help your child use these emails to plan their study time.  

SCHOOL VISITORS

All visitors in the building, including parents and volunteers, must sign in at the office and receive a visitor pass. Students may not have school-age visitors, including out-of-town relatives. The administration must approve any visitor who is not a parent, grandparent, or guardian.  THE SCHOOL DOES NOT ACCEPT DELIVERIES OF FLOWERS OR BALLOONS FOR STUDENTS.  

 SCHOOL CLOSING DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

Please watch TV and radio announcements for FORT MILL SCHOOL DISTRICT # 4 (not York County) schools. The school district website, www.fortmillschools.org, will provide information about school closures. Please inform your child in advance what they should do in the event of an early school closing. The FMSD and SMS will contact all homes when there is a closing via our school messenger system. Please keep your phone numbers and email addresses up to date.

ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER CHANGE, AND WITHDRAWAL

YOU MAY UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION HERE

Please notify the school office immediately of any change of address or telephone number. In an emergency, we need to promptly locate parents. A withdrawal form must be completed if your student is withdrawing from SMS. This form is available in our front office. All books must be returned, and all fees must be paid before the transfer is complete.

DRESS CODE

Although each student and their parent/legal guardian are responsible for their dress and appearance, students are expected to demonstrate pride in themselves and their schools by dressing and presenting themselves in a manner that meets acceptable standards. The school administration and Board discourage extreme styles of dress and grooming.

Students will dress in appropriate attire.  Students are expected to dress in accordance with the district dress code policy. Logos or clothing that promotes alcohol, drugs, tobacco, racism, hate, gang affiliation, nudity, violence, or profanity is not allowed. No clothing or accessories are permitted to disrupt the educational process.  The administration reserves the right to determine what is appropriate for the school.

Dress code violations will be addressed with dignity, discretion, and respect for all students by school staff throughout the district. The school board may establish administrative rules and procedures to enforce this policy.

Proper shoes must be worn at all times for safety reasons. Shoes with cleats may not be worn outside of sanctioned athletic events. Students may wear shorts, dresses, or skirts that are no shorter than mid-thigh. Tops must be long enough to be tucked into pants or shorts. Students may not wear headwear (hats, caps, hoods, etc.) or sunglasses in the building upon arrival and until dismissal.

The following items are not appropriate for school: visible undergarments; pants or jeans with holes, tears, or tattered areas to the extent that skin or undergarments are visible above the mid-thigh; see-through garments that show skin or undergarments above the mid-thigh; and tops with straps that are less than three fingers wide.

If there is a disagreement between students and/or parents/legal guardians and staff regarding the appropriateness of clothing, the administration will exercise discretion in making the decision. Disciplinary action for noncompliance with this policy is outlined below.

Violations will result in the following:

• If the violation can be resolved promptly, the student will remain/return to class without further disciplinary action
• If there are three (3) unresolved offenses/violations, all subsequent violations will require a parent conference and detention. 
• At all offense levels, if the article of clothing promotes extreme offenses, such as acts of violence, profanity, nudity, hate-filled language, or other conditions that could disrupt the learning environment, the student may be sent to ISS until suitable clothing is brought to the school.

If you should have further questions, please reach out to your student's grade level administrator.

HEALTH ROOM/MEDICATIONS

The health and well-being of all students are of utmost importance. If your child’s medical condition is unstable or if they are not able to participate in daily activities, we will request that you come to pick up your child. This decision is based upon an assessment conducted by the school nurse. You must report to the school nurse when you are ill.  In addition, to comply with the SC State Health guidelines, the school must follow the DHEC School Exclusion List for specific medical conditions.  

PERMISSION FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION

Prescription medications require a written prescription from a healthcare practitioner. For a child to be given prescription medicine at school, the child’s health care practitioner and parent or guardian must sign a permission form.  This form is available on the school district website under “Departments: Student Health Services: Student Nursing Services.” You may pick up a copy from the nurse or the front office. A form must be submitted for each medication.  A parent or guardian should deliver the medicine and the permission form to the school nurse. The medicine MUST be in its original container with the pharmacy label. The label should list the child’s name, dosage instructions, and the name of the medication. We cannot accept medicines in plastic bags.  If prescription medicine is needed while your child is on a field trip, you must bring a separate supply to school on the field trip day. It must be in the original, marked container. Additional labeled bottles may be obtained from your pharmacy.  

NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION

Non-prescription medications are medicines that you can buy without a written prescription.  Non-prescription medications are sometimes called “over-the-counter (OTC)” medicines. For a child to be given OTC medicines at school, the child’s parent/guardian must sign a permission form. This form is available on the school district website under “Departments: Student Health Services: Student Nursing Services.” You may pick up a copy from the nurse or the front office. A form must be submitted for each medication.  A parent or guardian must deliver the medicine and the permission form to the school. The medicine must be in the original container with the label on it. The dosage of the medicine must not exceed the recommended dosage from the manufacturer without a prescription from the child’s health care practitioner.  

ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Accident insurance is available to cover the student while on school premises and during travel to and from school. It is strongly suggested that you consider this coverage for your child at school. The school will not pay medical bills for injuries that occur at school. 

HOMEWORK POLICY/ “C.H.A.R.G.E.” PAGE

Homework allows students to independently practice content taught in class. Students must also develop crucial emotional and behavioral skills such as responsibility, autonomy, perseverance, and time management. Missing homework assignments will be documented on the student's C.H.A.R.G.E. Page. If your child is experiencing difficulty with the homework, please schedule a conference with their teacher(s). Students are responsible for making up for missed work when absent from school. This also applies when a student is on a school-related trip.  

ECU (Extra Care Unit)

An ECU-qualified assignment is any “quality” task, classwork, or homework as designated by the teacher. These high-quality assignments are essential to understanding the curriculum.  Our Extra Care Unit enables every student to complete all quality assignments.  This means that students’ grades will reflect their knowledge of the content.  We believe that failing to complete work on time is a behavioral issue and that such behavior warrants the expected disciplinary consequences (rather than deducting points from the grade).  Do not be alarmed if you are occasionally on the ECU list; it takes practice to develop time-management skills, and you may sometimes need additional support to master the content.  Your responsibility is to take advantage of all your opportunities for help and not allow yourself to fall too far behind. 

HOW ECU WORKS:

1. When a student doesn’t complete an assignment by the due date, that student completes a Google Doc form with incomplete assignment details. When the form is submitted, it generates an email to the parent/guardian, teacher, administration, and guidance. The child’s name, the teacher’s name, and the assignment will automatically be uploaded onto the ECU list.  
2. Each morning, our related arts teachers, counselors, or administration, called “Lifeguards,” will follow up with students on the ECU list to create a plan to complete the missing work. 
3. Immediate consequences for students on the ECU list, which stay in effect until work is completed: 
   • Students may not practice, perform, or play in games, plays, matches, etc.  
   • Students must remain on campus during field trips. 
   • Students may not attend pep rallies or assemblies. 
   • Students may not participate in Field Day or other school-wide events.  
   • Leaders in the school (WEB Leaders, ambassadors, and student council members) may not participate in their roles. 
4. Students can attend educational or cultural assemblies, such as author speakers or Black History Month assemblies. These will be announced in advance so that teachers, parents, and students know which assemblies students can attend.  

LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF ECU:

1. Students on the list for three or more items will report to ISS during lunch to work on their assignments.  
2. Students holding leadership roles will be removed after their 5th time on the ECU list. This includes WEB leaders, ambassadors, and student council members. 
3. After an assignment is one week late, students will be assigned to ECU After School Detention on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the assignment is complete.  
4. All students (athletes, band, robotics, SOL, academic team, etc.) on the ECU list for assignments two or more days late must be off the list at 8:10 AM on the event date to participate.  

When Can Students Complete Their Assignments or Receive Help?

Students have opportunities to complete work before school, at lunch, or during after-school help; however, the most available time for students to complete missing assignments is at home. 

INTERNET ACCESS AND RESPONSIBLE USE PLAN

Internet accessibility is provided to SMS students to support the instructional program.  Written parental permission is required and will remain on file to authorize the student's access to the internet at school. Students are expected to exercise responsibility for the appropriate use of the internet. Failure to comply with this request will result in denial of Internet access and/or disciplinary action. Students, parents, and guardians should read this policy and familiarize themselves with the RUP outlined below.  The following rules and procedures apply to all students enrolled in district schools on and off campus. Access to the district internet is for educational purposes only. Students must:  

1. Respect their privacy and the privacy of others.  

• Use only assigned accounts; keep personal information, such as name, address, and phone number, offline; and keep passwords confidential.  
• Have permission to photograph/videotape others and to subsequently save and/or post these images/videos to the internet.  
• FMSD cannot assume responsibility for lost or stolen information sent or received via the district’s communication resources  
• Documents may not include the student's phone number, address, or  the full name of the student or others (first name only)  

1. Respect the integrity, availability, and security of all electronic resources. 

• Adhere to all network security protocols when protecting and sharing these resources with other users.  
• FMSD is not responsible for damages to personal digital technologies or electronic communication devices  
• Treat digital technologies carefully and report any damages, security risks, or violations to a teacher or administrator. 

3. Respect the copyrighted/intellectual property of others to assure academic integrity.

• Cite all sources appropriately, comply with copyright laws, and use electronic communication devices properly.  

4. Respect and practice the principles of community  

• Communicate only in kind, responsible, respectful, and lawful ways. 
• Use electronic communication devices (including FMSD email) for schoolwork only. 
• Report threatening or offensive materials to a teacher or administrator 
• Adhere to prohibited email usage rules, including; 
  • Create or transmit any emails containing content reasonably perceived as threatening, obscene, sexual, racist, or discriminatory  
  • Setting up or operating a commercial business  
  • Email signatures should not include religious statements, political statements, or group affiliations.  

5. Students who witness, experience, or otherwise learn about a suspected violation should report the matter to a teacher or administrator. FMSD reserves the right to monitor and/or review all uses of the district network, Internet usage, and activity. 

FERPA INFORMATION

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable U.S. Department of Education program. For further information regarding your rights under FERPA, please refer to the “For Parents'' section of the school district’s website at www.fortmillschools.org. 

RISK ASSESSMENTS

The safety and security of all students are of the utmost importance to our faculty and staff.  Should a concern arise about a student being a danger to themself or others, Fort Mill School District protocols for conducting a risk assessment (suicide and/or threat) will be followed to the extent appropriate. These assessments may include interviews with students and staff, reviews of student records, and consultations with district mental health staff, local law enforcement, or other community agencies that support our schools and students. If, as part of its assessment and response, the school district determines there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals, it may disclose personally identifiable information from education records to any person whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.  

REPORT CARDS

In Parent Portal, you and your student may view report cards, progress reports, and attendance records. Contact our office if you need help logging in.

GRADING SCALE

PROMOTION GUIDELINES

Students who fail one core (academic) class will be promoted. The team could recommend summer school.  

• If a student fails two core classes, at least one of which is language arts or math, they may attend summer school for one of the classes. If the student passes, they will be promoted. 
• If a student fails three core classes, the student will be retained unless extenuating circumstances exist. They may attend summer school and take math and language arts to be promoted.
• If a student fails four core subjects, they will be retained. However, extenuating circumstances may exist in which the principal determines that placing the student in the next grade would be in the student's best interest.  

SUMMER SCHOOL

Students may attend summer school for all core areas. A fee is charged for each session. Summer school may be at any Fort Mill School District middle school. Parents will be notified at the end of the school year if their child is required to attend.

• Our school hours are 8:05 AM– 3:10 PM. The first bell rings at 8:05 AM to notify students to report to class. Students not in classroom seats by 8:10 are considered  tardy.  Student supervision begins at 7:40 AM; car riders may be dropped off after that time.  If you arrive at school by car after 8:05 AM, you must accompany your child into the office. 
• Early dismissal  procedure: When your child requires early dismissal, please come in to the front office and sign your child out.  Someone will then call your student from class to meet you. There will be no early dismissals after 2:40 PM. 
• Our school website is kept current and morning announcements are published on it daily.  
• Students should bring their school supplies to school ON the first day of class (not before).
• 6th graders will use a lock that is provided by the school - there is a $5 lock rental fee charged to each student.
• Most student fees (including lunch fees) can be paid online through our website or any FMSD website.  Look for the “$ Pay Fees” tab at the top of the website to create your permanent account.  If you have already registered, your account login remains the same as in previous years.
• Cell phones must be kept in lockers.  They are not used during the school day.
• Report cards are published on Powerschool at the end of each nine week quarter.  You may also review your child’s performance at any time using our “Parent Portal” website which is kept current to within two weeks.  Sign up instructions are available in our office. If you registered in prior years, your account login remains the same.
• When a student is absent, a parent or a medical note should be submitted to his/her homeroom teacher or provided to our front office within one week.  Five days per school year may be excused with a parent note.
• Sixth grade students take two related arts classes each day.  If not participating in Band, your child will rotate through most of our available related arts classes during the school year.  If your student chooses to participate in Band (a full year course,) he/she will take one semester (two quarters) of P.E. and two quarters of our other available related arts classes.  Band participants must participate in band for at least one full semester.
• Students are provided with an agenda that contains a student handbook  This handbook is a comprehensive list of our policies and procedures.  We ask that you and your child review it together.   All of our school rules are consistently enforced.
• Students who feel ill enough to go home must see the nurse to contact home.  Using their cellphone to contact you without permission is a cell phone violation and their phone will be confiscated.
• Students may not ride a different bus to go home with a friend, except in rare cases as a babysitter request and then only with advance approval from the transportation department.  
• Please pick up your child from all extra-curricular school events on time.
• 6th graders are not able to participate in school sports.  Students may participate in sports in 7th and 8th grade.  You will find more information on www.fortmillathletics.com.  The SC High School League governs our sports programs.
• To minimize classroom interruptions,  we do not call students from class to retrieve dropped off items.  If a student is expecting an item, he/she may check the front office between classes for it.  We will page a child at the end of the school day to retrieve an item.
• We have a fantastic PTO and a Booster Club.  More information can be found on our website.
• Dress code can be found on the second page  of this sheet.
• Lost and Found items are donated to Goodwill in Fort Mill at the end of each month if we can’t return it.  If you put your child’s name on clothing, lunchboxes, etc. it will be returned to your child!  Please have them check the stage in the cafeteria for any items they may be missing.

• Our school hours are 8:05 AM– 3:10 PM. The first bell rings at 8:05 AM to notify students to report to class. Students not in classroom seats by 8:10 are considered  tardy.  Student supervision begins at 7:40 AM; car riders may be dropped off after that time.  If you arrive at school by car after 8:05 AM, you must accompany your child into the office. 
• Early dismissal  procedure: When your child requires early dismissal, please come in to the front office and sign your child out.  Someone will then call your student from class to meet you. There will be no early dismissals after 2:40 PM. 
• Our school website is kept current and morning and afternoon announcements are published on it daily. 
• Students should bring their school supplies to school ON the first day of class (not before).
• Students will use a lock that is provided by the school - there is a $5 lock rental fee charged to each student.
• Most student fees (including lunch fees) can be paid online through our website or any FMSD website.  Look for the “$ Pay Fees” tab near the top right corner of the website to create your permanent account.  If you have already registered, your account login remains the same as in previous years.
• Cell phones must be kept in lockers.  They are not used during the school day.
• Report cards are published on Powerschool at the end of each nine week quarter.  You may also review your child’s performance at any time using our “Parent Portal” website, which is kept current to within two weeks.  Sign up instructions are available in our office. If you registered in prior years, your account login has not changed.
• When a student is absent, a parent or a medical note should be submitted to his/her homeroom teacher or provided to our front office within one week.  Five days per school year may be excused with a parent note.
• Seventh and eighth graders take two related arts classes each day.  Each related arts class is 18 weeks long (one semester), except for Band and 8th grade Honors Chorus, which is taught both semesters.   (Students must audition to participate in the Honors Chorus.)  If your student participates in Band or Honors Chorus, he/she will also take one semester of PE and one semester of our other available related arts classes. If your child does not participate in Band or Honors Chorus, he/she will take four related arts classes each year.  We do our best to accommodate your child’s interests.
• Our student handbook is published on our website under “Students.”  This handbook is a comprehensive list of our policies and procedures.  We ask that you and your child review it together.   All of our school rules are consistently enforced.
• Students who feel ill enough to go home must see the nurse to contact home.  Using their cellphone to contact you without permission is a cell phone violation and their phone will be confiscated.
• Students may not ride a different bus to go home with a friend, except in rare cases as a babysitter request and then only with advance approval from the transportation department.  
• Please pick up your child from all extra-curricular school events on time.
• Students may participate on our sports teams in 7th and 8th grade.  You will find more information on www.fortmillathletics.com.  The SC High School League governs our sports programs.
• We have a fantastic PTO and a Booster Club.  More information can be found on our website. 
• Dress Code can be found on the back of this sheet.
• Lost and Found items are donated to Goodwill in Fort Mill at the end of each month if we can’t return it.  If you put your child’s name on clothing, lunchboxes, etc. it will be returned to your child!  Please have them check the stage in the gym for any items they may be missing.

SCHOOL BOARD POLICY ON HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, OR BULLYING

Purpose: To establish the basic structure for maintaining a safe, positive environment for students and staff that is free from harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

The board prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying of a student by students, staff and third parties that interfere with or disrupt a student's ability to learn and the school's responsibility to educate its students in a safe and orderly environment whether in a classroom, on school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, at an official school bus stop, at a school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises, or at another program or function where the school is responsible for the student.

For purposes of this policy, harassment, intimidation, or bullying is defined as a gesture, electronic communication, or a written, verbal, physical, or sexual act reasonably perceived to have the effect of either of the following.

• harming a student physically or emotionally, or damaging a student's property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of personal harm or property damage
• insulting or demeaning a student or group of students, causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school

Any student who believes they have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, or bullying is encouraged to file a complaint in accordance with the superintendent's established procedures. Complaints will be investigated promptly, thoroughly, and confidentially. All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the principal or their designee. Reports by students or employees may be made anonymously.

The district prohibits retaliation or reprisals of any kind against a student or employee who has filed a complaint or report of harassment, intimidation, or bullying. The district also prohibits any person from falsely accusing another as a means of harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

The board expects students to conduct themselves in an orderly, courteous, dignified, and respectful manner. Students and employees have a responsibility to know and respect the school and district's policies, rules, and regulations. Any student or employee found to have engaged in the prohibited actions outlined in this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion for a student or termination for an employee. Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement officials. The district will take all other appropriate steps to correct or rectify the situation.

Students, parents/legal guardians, teachers, and staff members should be aware that the district may take disciplinary actions for conduct initiated and/or created off-campus involving the inappropriate use of the Internet or web-based resources if such conduct poses a threat or substantially interferes with or disrupts the work and discipline of the schools, including discipline for student harassment and bullying.

The superintendent will be responsible for ensuring notice of this policy is provided to students, staff, parents/legal guardians, volunteers, and members of the community, including its applicability to all areas of the school environment as outlined in this policy.

The superintendent will also ensure that a process is established for discussing the district policy with students.

Cf. GBEB, JIC, JICDA

Adopted 2/5/07, 11/19/13

Legal references may be found here: here:https://boardpolicyonline.com/?b=fort_mill

AFTER-SCHOOL DISMISSAL

All students must exit the building immediately upon dismissal, unless they remain for an after-school activity. Car riders report to the front of the school, where they sit and wait for their rides. Bus riders report to the bus loading area in the back of the school.  

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Students riding the school bus must comply with all district bus policies and rules as communicated by the bus driver. Riding the school bus is a privilege, and students may lose that privilege if their behavior is disruptive and jeopardizes the safety of other students. Students may not ride a different bus without advance approval from the transportation department. 

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

A student who is involved in school activities is well-rounded. We have many clubs and activities with which students may become involved. Sports, band, chorus, and academic activities are available. Students must be at school for at least half of the day and not be on the ECU list to participate in an extracurricular activity that day.  The South Carolina High School League governs all sports. The SCHSL determines eligibility in conjunction with school board policy. Students must be picked up no later than 15 minutes after all school functions have concluded. Failure to comply with this policy may result in the student being prohibited from attending after-school activities.