The staff and administration welcome you to Caro Middle School. It is our sincere hope that you will find this year to be challenging, exciting and rewarding. Your success in school will depend upon the development of effective study habits, regular attendance and self-discipline.
The purpose of this daily planner is to help you become aware of your privileges, opportunities and responsibilities as a student in this school. Each student should read the following information and be knowledgeable of our rules and procedures that reflect board policies.
Daily Planner Philosophy
The Caro Middle School staff believes that students need to develop organizational and study skills in order to achieve school success. We also believe that the consistent use of a daily planner by students will help to develop these skills. Therefore, as a staff, we promote the use of daily planners in Caro Middle School to achieve the following student outcomes.
- To increase organization of self and school assignments.
- To improve study habits in and out of school.
- To improve student success in life.
Daily Planner Requirements for Students
- Take daily planner to all classes.
- Record class activities and assignments hourly.
- Check off assignments when completed.
- Have planner available for grading during any class.
- Discuss planner with parents.
- Do not tear pages out of planner as some teachers may grade planners.
Middle School Discipline Plan
Caro Middle School believes that discipline is an important aspect of the education process. Discipline is necessary to develop socially acceptable behavior and to produce an environment in which complete attention may be directed to teaching and learning activities.
The staff of Caro Middle School believes that discipline must be a cooperative effort of the total school community- the board, parents, staff and students.
- To ensure a safe and orderly classroom and school environment which is conducive for all students to learn.
- To provide a consistent framework of discipline that holds the school community (Board, parents, staff and students) accountable.
- To use positive reinforcement to bolster self-esteem of students who stay within socially acceptable guidelines.
- To instill in our students a social conscience.
- To develop students with an understanding of socially acceptable behavior and exhibit it.
- To hold students accountable for their own behavior and accept the consequences for it.
- To provide an atmosphere for students to become respectful, responsible, and safe law-abiding citizens in our community.
Caro’s Middle School discipline plan is a sequential series of steps with a hierarchy of progressive consequences including but not limited to after-school detention, an in school suspension (ISS) and out of school suspension. In school suspension (ISS) is an alternative to out of school suspension where students are placed in a specified classroom to do homework for part or all of the school day. Violations of the ISS guidelines will result in extension of ISS placement or out of school suspension. Strict guidelines govern this room.
The classroom teacher is the first step in the plan for most offenses. Depending on the severity of inappropriate behavior, the building principals may bypass steps when administering consequences.
Every effort will be made to contact parents regarding student behavior. This will be done in writing, by phone, or both. Students will be given a written form which requires a parent’s signature, describing the misbehavior and consequence given. This form must be returned when the student returns to school.
Copies of discipline action are kept on file and are used to determine student eligibility for end of year field trips and special student activities.
Caro Middle School staff appreciates parent support of our efforts to provide a safe and orderly environment in which all students can achieve to their potential.
Caro Middle School Staff
Michigan law requires regular school attendance. Therefore, the school has the responsibility of keeping complete attendance for every student. Attendance is taken each hour in every sixth, seventh and eighth grade class. When a student is absent for any reason the parent/guardian has 3 days to contact the middle school office or the absence will remain “unexcused”. Contact can be made by phone/voice mail at 673-3167, ext. 2001; e-mail to email@example.com; a written note; or in Family Access under Attendance and Absence Notification. Parents will receive a letter via US mail as documentation for every five absences/tardies recorded in skyward.
Excused Absence - Absences due to personal illness, health professional appointments, court, funerals or religious obligations. Absences due to extenuating circumstances must have administrator approval. Documentation will be required for all of the above except illness less than 3 consecutive days.
Unexcused Absence – Absences that are not in the excused category. Examples would be shopping trips, barber or beauty appointments, missing the bus, oversleeping, driver’s ed, etc. or when a student’s behavior excludes them from the class for more than 15 minutes of the class period, etc.
For security reasons, students will not be allowed to leave for appointments unless a parent or guardian personally checks them out of the office or has made arrangements ahead of time with the principal. Students are not to leave the school grounds at any time during the school day without permission from office personnel and without signing in/out on the sign-out sheet in the office.
Students are responsible for obtaining any work missed on the days absent. This includes students who are suspended. Vacations, Hunting and pre-planned trips need to get approval in advance from administration and homework obtained beforehand.
Obtaining and completing make-up work is the responsibility of the student. A student should ask the teacher for the work missed during an absence. If the homework IS NOT requested before or during the absence, the student is allowed the same number of days to make up work, as they were absent. Exceptions may be made with individual staff members.
Two full days absence is required to request make-up work before returning and if requested it MUST be completed and handed in on the day the student returns to school. The office must be called before 9:00 a.m. to have the assignments ready to pick up at the end of that day. Only 5 days of work can be requested at a time. If a student will be absent or suspended more than 5 days, they must return the completed assignments from the first five days before requesting the remaining days work.
Students are taught that being punctual is of value not only in school, but also later in life. Prompt attendance in class is an important aspect of academic performance. Frequent tardiness could result in detention, in school suspension or a referral to truancy. Students must sign in and out in the office if they arrive late due to tardiness or have permission to leave early for an appointment or illness. A tardy becomes an absence fifteen (15) minutes after the bell rings. A first hour tardy is NOT excused without an appointment slip. Students who leave early or miss more than 15 minutes from class will have an absence.
The first two unexcused tardies within a trimester results in warnings from the teacher. The third unexcused tardy results in an after school detention assigned by the teacher. The consequence for being tardy four or more times is a day in ISS (In School Suspension) or additional after school detentions as deemed by administration. Multiple excused absences are subject to truancy reporting and/or disciplinary action.
Study Group and Lunch Study
Homework help is available to all sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students through a “Study Group” program. Study Group meets every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, to start five minutes after school ends and lasts for one hour. Teachers are available to answer questions and give homework support.
Students may be assigned to Lunch Study if they fail to do their homework or are failing classes. In Lunch Study a student reports to a designated room to eat, study and/or complete assignments during their lunch period. Teachers that assign a student to Lunch Study must give students some credit for the assignment (50% or more recommended). A student may also be assigned to attend After School Study if they are unable to complete assignments during Lunch Study or if deemed necessary by a parent or staff.
Middle School Promotion-Retention Policy
The following criteria will be used as a basis for recommending promotion to the next grade while attending Caro Middle School. While we encourage all students to do their best and pass each subject, each grade level has a slightly different policy. The different policies help the 6th grade student transition from elementary to middle school, yet begins to prepare the middle school student for high school expectations. Each grade level will reference “core subject”. Core subjects include; English Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Social Promotion (a parent lifting a student) will not be allowed.
6th grade: The average of all trimesters must be at least 60% in each of the core subject areas. If a student’s 3 trimester average falls below a 60%, the student must complete a credit recovery class for each trimester he/she failed as outlined below.
7th grade: The average of all trimesters must be at least 60% in each of the core subject areas and must not have failed 2 or more trimesters in a given core subject. If a student fails, 2 or 3 trimesters in a given core subject, he/she will be required to complete a credit recovery class for each trimester he/she failed as outlined below.
8th grade: The student must pass all core subjects in order to be promoted to 9th grade. If the student fails one (1) or more trimesters in a given core subject, he/she must complete a credit recovery course as outlined below.
Summer school, supervised by a staff member will be available for credit recovery.
- Parent/Guardian will receive notification of credit recovery requirement with final report card.
- The student must successfully complete assignments in the Compass Learning program or other designated program as prescribed by the staff for those subjects the student has failed. The Compass Learning program is available on the internet and can be worked on at home or any other location where internet is available, with approval from administration.
- The student must successfully pass the Compass Learning assessment or other designated assessment in the academic areas in which they did not pass during the school year.
A student must have a “B” average (3.0 GPA) or better to be on the honor roll. The grading scale for students in grades six through eight is as follows.
1st and 2rd Trimester mid-terms will be available at parent/teacher conferences. Midterm grades are available online in Skyward Family Access or you can pick up a hard copy in the office. If you receive hard copies of the report cards they will be mailed at the end of 1st and 2nd trimester. Everyone, regardless of whether you have opted out of receiving hard copies, will receive a report card in the mail along with summer school notifications. If you have not received the end of year report card by mid-June, please call the office.
Middle School Dress Code
The following rules shall be in effect at all school related activities or events.
- Clothing which is negative or offensive, puts oneself or others down by language/message or gestures, sexually suggestive wording or sketches, advertises or advocates violence, death, or illegal practice (drugs, alcohol, or tobacco) or may be interpreted as a sexual connotation is not allowed.
- Baggy jeans or shorts or over-sized clothing are not allowed. i.e., sagging pants.
- Chains and offensive jewelry are not allowed.
- Gang signs and gang clothing are not allowed.
- Graffiti and inappropriate gestures are not allowed.
- Shoes must be worn at all times.
- Pajamas, flannel pants, halter tops, tank tops, muscle shirts, bare midriff shirts, see-through clothing, short shorts, short skirts and exposed under garments are not allowed. Sleeveless shirts are allowed if they cover the shoulders and do not expose undergarments. Any type of clothing, tops or bottoms, which show undergarments are not allowed. Shirt and pants must overlap each other, or shirt tucked into pants or skirt. Low cut shirts are not allowed. Shorts and skirts must be mid-thigh length or longer.
- Backpacks may be carried to school, but are not to be carried from class to class.
- No jackets, coats, hats, or headgear of any kind (including hoods) may be worn during the school day without prior administrative approval. These items, if worn to school, are to be kept in locker during the day.
- All clothing should be neat, clean and in good repair. NO TEARS, SLITS, or HOLES will be allowed that present a safety hazard, exposes skin or undergarments. Holes in clothing will be allowed if they fall at mid-thigh or below. Any holes above mid-thigh are allowed if there are leggings covering bare skin.
- Any other apparel will not be allowed which the principal determines to be inconsistent with community standards.
Violation of the above will be subject to consequences described in our discipline procedures. Students may need to call someone to bring acceptable clothing. If no one can be contacted, acceptable clothing may be provided or they may be placed in ISS (In school suspension).
A telephone is available in the office for students to use only in case of an emergency such as illness or injury. A phone is available outside the office for other calls. Caller ID does not work for Caro School Systems as there are so many phones, the school has no way of knowing which phone or which building the call was made from.
In order to reduce disruptions to the learning environment, and protect individual’s right to privacy, the following devices may not be used from the time a student enters the building until the last bell of the day at 3:18, without prior teacher or administrative approval:
- CD/DVD/MP3/iPod players and headphones
- Electronic recording devices (visual or audio images from cell phones, cameras, PDA’s, etc.)
- Computerized games
- Cell phones, cameras, or pagers
With the installation of Wi-Fi in the district, it is possible that personal electronic devices may be utilized in the classroom, at the teacher’s discretion. Therefore, in the event that a teacher does allow use of these devices, it is expected that students will use them responsibly and only for educational use. It is also expected that when devices are brought to class, they will be placed on top of the student’s desk and visible to the teacher at all times. If the student brings such devices, the school is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items and they are to be kept turned off and locked in assigned lockers throughout the school day, unless they are being used in class for educational purposes. If these devices are, inappropriately used, any staff member can confiscate the electronic device. The parent or guardian will be responsible for picking up confiscated electronic devices. Use of photographic or video-recording devices in restrooms or locker rooms at any time, or in any way that is exploitative, will result in suspension or expulsion.
Web Page/Photo Usage/Email Permission
As a school, we want to celebrate your child and his/her work. Therefore, there is a possibility that your child(s) picture may be published on an individual classroom or sports related website. Their name may appear in articles on said websites; however names WILL NOT be used in captions of pictures. Filtered email accounts are also issued to students in grades 3rd-12th.
If you would prefer that your child(s) name and picture ARE NOT used on an individual classroom or sports related website or that your child not be issued a filtered email account, please contact your child’s Principal’s Office in writing with your request.
Tobacco / Alchohol / Drugs
The Caro Middle School believes that a more healthful educational environment and more healthy body and mind can be achieved without the use of tobacco, e-cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs. Therefore, the possession or use of these products on school grounds or in any school-related area, activity, or function is prohibited. Students who violate these policies will be subject to suspension and/or expulsion. For more information see the Board Policy located on this website.
Classroom Rules & Regulations
- Follow directions the first time given.
- Bring required material to class daily. (Books, assignments, paper, pencil) Students that are missing assignments may be sent to lunch study or after school study as determined by the teacher or Principal’s office.
- Be in your seat ready to work when the bell rings.
- Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
- Raise your hand to get permission to speak or leave your seat.
The teacher will decide if a student breaks a classroom rule and whether it is severe enough to warrant a warning, a consequence, detention or being sent to the Principal.
Our discipline policy is set by the school board and is explained in the Middle School Code of Conduct section of this planner. Choosing to follow or not to follow the rules determines a student’s citizenship grade at report card time.
To provide an environment with a minimum of distractions the following items are not allowed at school unless required for a class: perfume, cologne, lasers, electronic devices, cameras, scissors, toys, etc.
Students are to have no access to classroom phones or computers without permission of the teacher.
Lunch Hour & Cafeteria Regulations
Caro Middle School is a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave the school grounds at any time during the school day unless accompanied by a parent, or parent approved individual. They must also sign in and out in the office. It is the student’s responsibility to conduct him/herself in a safe and appropriate manner while in the cafeteria.
Clarification of Responsibilities
- Do not cut in line.
- Walk at all times.
- Do not sit on tables at any time.
- Keep the table area free from trash.
- Leave the cafeteria only with permission of supervisor.
- Food may not be taken from the cafeteria.
- Use restrooms closest to cafeteria and only with permission.
- Place refuse in appropriate containers.
- Throwing of any object is not allowed.
- Do not talk after the second whistle blows. To allow for announcements and orderly dismissal, students are expected to be quiet at the 2nd whistle.
- Clean table area at the end of lunch.
- Sit at the table you choose. You may not move from that table unless you get permission from the lunch supervisor.
- After you eat and take care of your trash you may sit at any table until the whistle blows, then you must return to your assigned table.
Violation of the above items will be subject to lunch detention
It is the student’s responsibility to conduct him/herself in a responsible, respectful, and safe manner while in the hallway.
Clarification of Responsibilities
- Walk at all times.
- Keep hands and feet to yourself.
- Use acceptable language.
- Put waste in its proper place.
- No open containers in the hallway or lockers.
- No public display of affection.
- Students may not be in the hallway without their planner or an appropriate pass during class time.
- Hallway is to be cleared at 8:15 each morning.
Violation of the above items will be subject to the same consequences as described in our discipline procedures.
Middle school dances are scheduled throughout the school year. Our dances are limited only to students who attend Caro Middle School. Dances are held after school from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Dances are school functions, so all school rules apply. It is the student’s responsibility to conduct him/herself in a safe and appropriate manner while at a dance. Students with 4 or more teacher or office detentions/suspensions will not be allowed to attend dances for the rest of the year. The student must have paid all fines, debts and returned all overdue library books in order to attend. Exception: All 8th graders may attend the 8th Grade Dance in June, unless suspended or absent the day of the dance. If absent more than three of the school day hours, the student may not attend the dance or other school functions. (Reminder: Absences for barber or beauty appointments, shopping trips, etc. are “unexcused”.) Absolutely no strapless dresses. Dresses must be at least mid-thigh length, nothing see-through to allow under garments to be seen and no hoods are to be worn. Students who do not follow the dress code will have their money returned to them at the door and will not be able to attend the dance.
Clarification of Responsibilities
- Students will be required to prepay in the morning for the dance.
- Once a student enters the dance, he/she cannot leave until the dance is over without parental permission.
- No running.
- No food or pop is allowed in the gym.
- No slam dancing or other dangerous or obscene dancing.
- Excessive displays of affection are prohibited.
- Students are to respect the authority of all chaperones.
- School dress code will be enforced.
- Dances end at 5:00 p.m. Students MUST be picked up by 5:15.
- Students must be in attendance for at least 3 hours the day of the dance or they may not attend.
Violation of the above items may result in exclusion from future dances and/or subject to the same consequences as described in our discipline procedures included in this planner.
Field Trip Qualifications for the End of Year Field Trip
To qualify for a class field trip during the year, a student must meet the following criteria:
- The student must have passed all trimester classes.
- The student must be passing all classes for the current grading period in which the trip takes place. Grade reviews will be completed no later than one day before the trip and the grade at that time will determine eligibility.
- The student must not have received a four (4) in citizenship from two or more classes and/or teachers up to the date of the trip.
- The student must not have received a five (5) in citizenship from any one teacher up to the date of the trip.
- The student must not have been assigned more than 3 teacher or office detentions or a major level discipline referral during the year to the date of the trip.
- The student must not have been suspended from bus privileges.
- The student must not have received 6 or more Lunch Detentions.
- The student may be disqualified by excessive absences as determined by the administration.
- The student must have been enrolled in Caro schools by the last scheduled school day in January and remain enrolled for the remainder of the year or submit an appeal to be considered.
- The student must have paid all fines, debts and returned all library books.
If there is considerable improvement in a student’s behavior and/or grade during the year, the administration and staff retain the privilege of making exceptions to any of the above rules. An appeals committee will be used to determine a student’s eligibility. The committee’s decision is final.
Students that do not go on the field trip day and stay in school will be suspended for any discipline issues on that day.
**Education is a learning and growth process. Improvements in academic work and in behavior will be recognized and rewarded.
Athletic Eligibility Requirements
Each student must be passing/meeting IEP requirements in all classes he/she is enrolled. If an athlete fails a class the previous semester, he/she will be ineligible for the first week of contests in the following semester. Middle School grade checks will begin with the first day of practice for each sport. Grades will be checked on Mondays and students will be given a four strike policy for athletics (See Below). A student will only be allowed to receive no more than 2 strikes in a week. A student will skip the lowest offense and jump to the next offense if failing more than 1 class in any week. A student will receive a strike for each class that their grade is below 60%. Students will be given a letter of standing each week for any strikes they receive. The letter of standing will need to be signed by parent/guardian before they are allowed to return to participating in athletics.
- Offense 1: Warning
- Offense 2: Miss one contest
- Offense 3: Miss a week
- Offense 4: Removed from athletic team
Student athletes will abstain from any conduct that shall bring discredit to the athlete, team or school. If the athlete receives an office referral where the Principal or Assistant Principal assign In School or Out of School Suspension, the consequences will be as follows:
- 1st offense-Suspension from one game unit. The suspension will be effective with the next game.
- 2nd offense–Suspension from two game units.
- 3rd offense–Automatically goes to Level 2, suspension from athletics for 1/3 of the athlete’s present season. See Athletic Handbook.
The Athletic Handbook is available for viewing on the Caro Community Schools Athletics website.
Homework is an integral part of the educational program. It serves as an intellectual discipline, establishes study habits, and assists in the development of strong work ethic. In addition, it fosters student initiative, independence, and responsibility. Homework is an educational tool, not a disciplinary measure.
Homework is defined as out-of-class tasks assigned to students as an extension or elaboration of classroom work. There are three types of homework: practice, preparation, and extension. Practice assignments reinforce newly acquired skills. For example, students who have just learned a new method of solving a mathematical problem should be given sample problems to complete on their own. Preparation assignments help students get ready for activities that will occur in the classroom. Students may, for example, be required to do research on a topic to be covered later in class. Extension assignments are frequently long-term projects that parallel class work. Students must apply previous learning to complete these assignments, projects and term papers.
A Student’s Responsibilities
- To know what the assignment is before leaving class.
- To make a written note of the assignment for later reference.
- To complete the assignment on time.
- To seek help when having difficulty on an assignment.
- To do his/her own work.
- To use time wisely.
A Teacher’s Responsibilities
- To make the assignment clear.
- To show the relevance of the assignment to class work.
- To be available to help students having difficulties with classroom content.
- To collect, assess/grade (or evaluate), record and return the assignment in a timely manner.
- To use homework as part of the student’s assessment.
- To set time limits for homework.
- To be aware of the various learning styles and deliver instructions accordingly.
- To be aware that students have activities outside of school which provide valuable and necessary life lessons for them.
- To use homework to reinforce and practice, expand and extend, to create and apply, to prepare and gain background.
- To be sensitive to the unique factors inherent in group assignments.
A Parent’s Responsibilities
- To provide a place for student to do his/her homework.
- To monitor that homework is done.
- To organize activities (social, athletic, occupational, etc.) so that they do not interfere with completion of homework and/or attendance.
- To know that a student always has homework - sometimes formal assignments; sometimes less and practice work; sometimes material to read; sometimes getting ready for a test; and sometimes general study and review of the material presented in a class.
- To plan for 10 minutes per grade level of daily homework. Example 6th grade=60 minutes, 7th grade=70 minutes, 8th grade=80 minutes
A School’s Responsibility
- To provide quiet study areas for students to use to do homework during the day.
- To provide an area for teachers to work individually with students.
- To provide necessary facilities and equipment (library, laboratories, etc.)
Effective Study Skills
Making Time for Studying
Studying doesn’t have to be a drag. If you get organized, you’ll get more done in less time, earn better grades and have more time to spend with friends. By using a little time each day to review your notes, complete homework assignments, and prepare for the next day of class, you will remember more information, and avoid having to cram for tests. Your planner will help you use your study time effectively. List all of your homework assignments and check them off when they are completed.
If an assignment will take several days, like a research paper or studying for a test, break the project into small, more manageable parts and divide them over several days. By breaking up the assignment, you will accomplish more without feeling overwhelmed.
When to Study
- Good organization will help you complete your homework. Plan a block of time each evening at home to complete your assignment.
- Start by studying the hardest subject first since it will require the most time and energy.
- Arrange your time in manageable blocks.
- Allow more time for subjects which need improvement.
- During the time you plan to study, avoid the temptations to call your friends, watch television, or do anything except study.
Where to Study
- Find a quiet place to study. Listening to the radio or television will only pull your attention away from your studies.
- It is easy to get sleepy sitting in a soft chair or lying on your bed. Sit in a straight back chair. A well-lighted area will make it easier to read and keep you alert. Open a window for fresh air.
- Make a study kit that stores all of your supplies. This way you will be using your time for homework, not searching the house for a ruler or colored pencils. Include a dictionary, pens, highlighters, pencils, paper, paper clips, note cards, a protractor and a calculator in your kit.
The best way to avoid having pretest jitters is to prepare well for the test. Be sure to schedule plenty of time for reviewing. Get plenty of rest the night before; late night cramming will only make it more difficult to concentrate the next day.
- Read all of the questions included on the test. Answer the questions you know best; save the hardest question for last.
- Underline key words in the question which gives clues as to how to answer it. Words like explain, define, compare, contrast, list and give the reasons, are hints telling you what to do.
- Quickly outline the answer you’re going to write.
- While writing, take time to reread the question. Are you sticking to the question and answering all of its parts?
- Allow more time for the most difficult questions and those worth the most points. Pace yourself so you can complete all the questions required.
- Be as neat as possible.
- Go through the test and complete the questions you know.
- Take your time. Read the entire question, think of the answer, then read all of the possible answers.
- On more difficult questions, narrow your choices by crossing out the answers that you know are wrong. Carefully think out the correct answer. If you don’t know the answer, take a logical guess.
- When answering a question, go with your first hunch; don’t change your answer unless you’re sure you’re right.
- Look for answers to the questions within the test. Sometimes one question will include the answer to another.
- Read the directions carefully.
- Read both columns and see if they have the same number of items. You might use one twice or some not at all.
- Answer the ones you know first.
- Mark answers when used, so you don’t get confused.
True / False
- Read the question carefully. If any part of the question is untrue, the answer is always false.
- Questions that include the words “all,” “never”, “no one”, and “always” are often false.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support
PBIS Mission Statement
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports encourages students to be respectful, responsible, and safe. This helps students develop successful strategies to become better citizens, in turn leading to overall success in school and in the community as a whole.