Student Handbook
Please also refer to the District Policies Regarding Behavior https://www.eagleschools.net/parent
23-24 Student Handbook
- Vision and Mission
- Attendance
- Behavior Supports
- Dress Code
- Electronic Devices and Internet Usage
- Lockers
- After School Activities and Athletics
Vision and Mission
Vision
A Community Educating Inspired Learners
Mission
The Berry Creek Middle School community believes our mission is to teach students how to learn, to prepare each student to achieve at their highest levels, and to prepare each student to contribute in the broadest sense to the betterment of the school community as well as to the community-at-large.
The Berry Creek Middle School community has identified the following learning expectations for all students:
Academic competencies:
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to demonstrate P.R.I.D.E. and Essential Skills throughout the school day
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to be independent learners who take ownership of their learning
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to be effective communicators in writing and speaking for a variety of purposes,
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to be critical and analytical readers,
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to be capable problem-solvers, and analyzers
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to be ethical, discerning, and able retrievers and users of information and technology
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to be persons who are globally aware and culturally competent
Civic and Social competencies:
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to demonstrate P.R.I.D.E at all school and community functions
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to be culturally competent: Be aware of one's own world view. develop positive attitudes towards cultural differences and gain knowledge of different cultural practices and world views in order to appreciate, communicate with and effectively interact with people across cultures.
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to be individuals who make healthy decisions about lifestyles and future endeavors.
Attendance
Students who have consistent and regular attendance do better academically and socially. By law it is required that every child aged 6-17 attend school.
If you are absent…
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Your parent/guardian must call school on the day of your absence. The BCMS phone number is 328-2960.
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Students who miss school work because of excused or unexcused absences shall be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students will, at the minimum, be allowed one day to make up work for each day missed. Although the school staff is obligated to facilitate the make-up work process, the prime responsibility for ensuring work is completed in a timely manner lies with the student and family. It should also be understood that there are activities and instruction that happen in the classroom that are experiential and cannot be made up, therefore students and families must accept the natural consequences for missing classes.
Pre-excused absences…
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Must be approved five (5) days before the day(s) you will miss school.
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Must include a note from a parent or guardian, or have his/her signature on the form.
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Forms should be completed and returned to the office two days prior to the absence.
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Check with your teachers regarding work to be done before, during and after your absence.
Tardiness and Chronic Absenteeism
Students perform better academically if they are in school on time and prepared for class every day. We will take attendance in PowerSchool every period. If a student arrives late to school they are required to have an office pass to enter class. A student will be considered absent for that period if they miss 20 minutes or more.
Students who are tardy 3 or more times within a week are considered habitually tardy and may be subject to disciplinary actions. Students are considered tardy if they are not in the classroom by the time class starts.
We have a leveled system for chronic absences. Absences are considered unexcused when we are unable to determine a reason for the absence from parents. Parents should always call in to excuse their student from school when they are absent due to illness or family emergency.
Number of Absences by Period | Possible Actions |
28 Unexcused or 42 Total |
Courtesy call from School |
42 Unexcused or 56 Total | Letter sent home from school |
56 Unexcused or 70 Total | Family Meeting to develop plan |
70 Unexcused or 84 Total | Truancy Court |
Behavior Supports
As a student of BCMS you represent yourself and our school and it is expected that all students help support a positive school and classroom culture. While we want all students to make positive and healthy choices, we also understand that mistakes happen as a natural part of growing up. The purpose of our behavior support system is to ensure a safe and comfortable learning environment for ALL students and staff. We believe we can achieve this if we as a staff work with students to understand classroom and school norms, learn skills to handle conflict, learn skills to repair any harm to the community, remain consistent and utilize restorative practices that decrease negative behaviors. Our leveled discipline process is designed to help students learn from their mistakes.
BCMS Leveled Behavior System
Level I Behavior Examples: Teacher and Student work together to repair harm
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Tardies- Document in PowerSchool
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Dress Code Violations
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Minor Class Disruptions (talking, off-task, not prepared) Student can get back on task with a warning.
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Peer conflicts (arguing, name calling, rough-housing) Refer to counseling if needed
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Inappropriate language not specifically directed at someone
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Littering
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Minor Technology Violations
Level II Behavior Examples: Administration, teacher and student work together to repair harm
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Insubordination or disruption that does not prevent the teacher from continuing class effectively
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Habitual offense of any Level I Behaviors
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Peer conflict (pushing/shoving, shouting)
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Accidental Dangerous Behaviors (Ex: horsing around that results in an injury…send to clinic if appropriate)
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Theft that does not need to be immediately dealt with (item was recovered, no need for investigation)
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Minor destruction/ unintentional vandalism of property
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Skipping class and/or leaving campus without permission
Level III Behavior Examples: Administration, teacher, student and families work together to repair harm
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Insubordination or disruption that prevents the teacher from continuing class effectively
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Peer conflict resulting in a fight (punches thrown, student injured).
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Bullying (on-going name calling after warnings/Level I referrals, physical intimidation, either in person or cyber- email, text, social media, phone apps)
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Sending, receiving, possessing inappropriate photos
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Propagating misinformation via social media*
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Malicious or suspected malicious/dangerous behavior
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Threatening statements involving injuring another person
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Swearing directly at a staff member or another student
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Tobacco violation
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Theft that needs to be dealt with quickly (investigation needs to happen)
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Major destruction/intentional vandalism of property
Level IV Behavior Examples: Administration follows ECSD policies/Colorado state law guidelines while working with students and families to repair harm
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Suspected or verified possession/under the influence of alcohol or drugs
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In possession of drug paraphernalia (Vapor pens, hookah pens, eCigarettes, pipes, bongs, rolling papers, etc)
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In possession of oils used in vapor or hookah pens (nicotine, THC, flavoring)
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Suspected or verified possession of a weapon or dangerous item
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Assault
Level III behaviors may be eligible for suspension at administration’s discretion and also may be recorded as Detrimental Behavior. Level IV behaviors and/or 3 or more suspensions for Detrimental Behaviors may be eligible for an expulsion recommendation.
Dress Code
We want students to respect themselves and others and while we encourage individuality our dress code aims to foster a positive and healthy environment for everyone.
Allowable Clothing and Accessories
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Students and staff should dress comfortably for school, while wearing clothing that is well-suited for a school environment (including specialized classes such as physical education).
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Clothing must cover torso, midriff, private parts and buttocks at all times. Tops must have sleeves or straps
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Clothing must cover all undergarments.
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Fabric covering private parts must be opaque (non see-through).
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Shoes must be worn at all times.
Non-Allowable Clothing and Accessories
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Clothing may not depict, advertise or advocate the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances.
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Clothing may not depict pornography, nudity or sexual acts
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Clothing may not use or depict hate speech or images targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation or any other protected groups.
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Clothing must not threaten the health or safety of any other student or staff.
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No hoods up while in the building. Students may put up their hoods while outside.
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No pajamas or slippers (except on designated dress down days)
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Clothing must not promote any activity prohibited by the ECSC Student Code of Conduct
A violation of the dress code will require a change of clothing. Habitual violations will constitute defiance and will be subject to restorative practices to fix the problem.
Electronic Devices and Internet Usage
BCMS recognizes the importance of communication and collaboration, and provides devices for students to be productive in the classroom. To keep the focus on academics and to reduce unnecessary distractions, the school has an "Away for the Day" policy with all electronic devices other than a students Chromebook.
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Cell phones and electronic devices shall be TURNED OFF when the morning bell rings at 8:40/9:40 am and not turned back on until 3:50 pm.
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Cell phones and electronic devices shall be kept in a student’s locker – not in clothing pockets.
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Cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed to be used on school grounds (inside nor outside) between the hours of 8:40 am-3:50 pm
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Cell phones and electronic devices can be turned back on at the end of school after the bell rings and used to communicate directly with parents/friends who are assisting in transportation and/or after school activities.
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Cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed to be used during transition times, at lunch or between classes
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If a student needs to make an emergency call during the day, they are to come to the office or use a classroom phone with teacher permission
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Students may not use AirPods during class, lunch or during transition times.
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Students may not use Smart Watches to message or communicate with others during the day.
Action steps for violation of the above policy:
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1st Offense: Teacher confiscates device, gives it to the office as soon as possible and the student can retrieve it at the end of the day. The teacher and the student should have a conversation to help prevent further violations.
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2nd Offense: Teacher confiscates device, gives it to the office as soon as possible and a parent must retrieve the phone/give verbal permission to release the phone. Students will be required to have a restorative conversation on their device usage with administration.
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3rd Offense: Student will be required to turn in their device to the office at the beginning of each day and may pick it up at the end of each day.
BCMS is not responsible for any lost or stolen electronic devices. Students are encouraged to leave these items at home, but if a student chooses to bring these items to school they are responsible for them at all times.
Parents may call the school office at (970) 328-2960 during school hours if they need to get a message to their child. If a parent needs to speak with their child, we will arrange for the student to call the parent back using an office phone.
Internet Use
Students are expected to use the Internet and computer network in an acceptable and appropriate manner. Failure to do so can result in loss of privileges. This includes Internet usage both at school and at home when using a School Account. Student usage while on a school device or using a school account is monitored using a program called GoGuardian.
Lockers
Each student is given his/her own locker and are expected to not share lockers or combinations, or exchange locks and lockers, with another student. If a student loses his/her lock, they should contact the office immediately. Replacement locks cost $10.00.
Lockers and locks are the property of Berry Creek Middle School. Only school locks are allowed on lockers unless an accommodation is required per an IEP/504. Other locks will be removed. Students are responsible for the upkeep of their locker and will be responsible for any damages. Students may be removed from their locker for any misuse and not be reassigned another locker. Because lockers are the property of the school, school personnel may search them at any time, with “reasonable suspicion” as determined by the administration, without student permission. Backpacks and other personal belongings in the locker may not be searched by school officials without student permission.
After School Activities and Athletics
After School Activities
We have a wide variety of after school activities available for students. Students must have permission to stay after school and must be with a coach, sponsor or teacher to stay after school.
- YP365 PwrHrs- Please sign-up online or see Ms. Cooperrider for a permission slip
- Study Club
- Girls and Boys Club
- Soccer
- Walking Mountains STEM Leadership- Please see Mr. Clark for details
- Green Team- Please see Mr. Clark for details
Athletics
Each sport costs $35 and students must have an active physical (within the calendar year) on file in order to participate. BCMS offers the following school sports. Please see Mr. Huck, our Athletic Director, for details and/or check out our Activities and Athletics page on our website.
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Cross Country
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Football
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Girls Volleyball
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Boys Basketball
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Girls Basketball
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Wrestling
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Track
Athletic Eligibility and Academic Probation
Students earning a 2.0 or higher will be considered in good academic standing and eligible to participate in sports and other after-school activities and clubs. 8th graders failing 4 or more classes over the course of their 8th grade year, will not be eligible to participate in the Continuation Ceremony.
Students earning two 1.5’s or lower in any classes will be on Academic Probation for one week (Monday-Sunday). Students will be encouraged to participate in any academic support opportunities as directed by staff (lunch bunch, study club, goal setting, tutoring, etc.)
Student athletes who are on Academic Probation may work with their teachers and coaches in order to participate in practices but must complete the following requirements and completely and accurately fill out the Eligibility Appeal form in order to be eligible for participation.
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Complete all eligible missing work and receive teachers’ signatures indicating completion
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Revise any assessment or assignments
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Attend the Academic Probation goal setting sessions and make plans as to how you will demonstrate you learning
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Attend at least one Study Club when in session or meet with your teacher to discuss your learning