Tampico Middle School Student Handbook

 ACADEMIC INFORMATION

MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Required: Mathematics, Language, Reading, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education

Elective:  Band, Chorus

Enrichment Classes: May include: Art, Health, Quest, Fine Arts/Drama, Technology, Home Economics, General Music, Intro. to Foreign Language

Students have the first five (5) days at the beginning of the semester to drop an elective with parental and teacher permission.

GRADING GUIDELINES

A+ = 99-100%        C+ = 81-82%        F = 63-0%

A   = 94-98%          C   = 76-80%

A-  = 92-93%         C-  = 74-75%

B+ =  90-91%         D+ = 72-73%

B   =  85-89%         D   = 67-71%

B-  =  83-84%         D-  = 64-66%

MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR ROLL

Academic Excellence    4.33-4.00 GPA

High Honors                  3.99-3.75 GPA

Honors                           3.74-3.50 GPA

Scholastic Recog.          3.49-3.00 GPA

Honor roll status will be determined on a nine-week basis.  The Individual High Academic Award presented at the 8th grade promotion ceremony will be determined by the student’s nine-week grades for grades 6, 7, and 8.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMOTION

Illinois House Bill 452 (1999) prohibits “social promotion” of students and underscores Board policy that decisions to promote or retain a student rests with school personnel based on student progress.  In order to promote to the next grade at Tampico Middle School, a student must show satisfactory progress by earning six (6) total credits per year.  Credits may be earned as follows:

• Each of the following courses for which the student earns a passing semester average (D- or better) will count as ½ credit: Reading, Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, and PE/Health.  Passing both semesters results in a full credit per course.  A minimum of five (5) credits per year must be earned in this category for promotion.
• Each exploratory or enrichment class, including band and chorus, will count as ¼ credit per nine-weeks grade (D- or better, “Pass,” or “Satisfactory”).  While students may earn more total credits in this category, a maximum of one (1) credit per year may be counted toward the six credits required for promotion.

When it is determined that a student is to be retained, parents will be notified in writing of a conference to discuss the child’s academic future.

PROGRESS REPORTS/REPORT CARDS

Progress reports will be distributed approximately 4 ½ weeks into the 9-week grading period.  Report cards are distributed every nine weeks during the year to inform parents of their child’s progress.  Grade values are explained on each card.  Parents, who have questions or wish a parent/teacher conference, please call and consult with the teachers.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parents are welcome to confer with teachers at any time during the year.  An ideal time to meet with teachers is between 3:00 and 3:30 P.M.  If parents are unable to be at school during this time, arrangements can be made for conferences at other times during the day.  Individual conference times will be scheduled at the end of the first and third grading periods.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

• The following uniforms will be required: Clean white T-shirt and red shorts with TMS Warrior logo, white socks, and tennis shoes.  P.E. uniforms are to be worn in P.E. class only, not during other classes.
• Five (5) failures to dress properly for physical education per quarter will result in an “F” for the quarter.
• Three (3) excused absences from class will be allowed per quarter.  After the third absence, participation points will be lost.
• For the students’ protection, no jewelry may be worn in P.E. class.  This includes, but is not limited to, dangling earrings, watches, bracelets, and necklaces.