Circleville Middle School
Home of the Superstars

 

Your middle school years mark an important milestone of change in your learning experiences. Every change represents a new beginning and the possibility to make our world a better place. As a middle school student you will have many opportunities to bring your ideas, hopes, dreams and energy into a different place. 

Whether it’s the friends you choose, the courses you select, the clubs or sports you join or the dedication you put into your academic endeavors, these choices will help shape the adult you become. 

CVMS is invested in your success. Please know that you can always turn to the staff at CVMS along with your families for support and guidance.

 

Bell Schedule

Teachers sign in at 7:25 a.m.

Period                                                      Time

• Students enter building                  7:26 A.M.
• Academic Advisory Period            7:30 – 7:39 a.m.
• 1st                                                       7:42 – 8:23 a.m.
• 2nd                                                     8:26 – 9:07 a.m.
• 3rd                                                       9:10 – 9:51 a.m.
• 4th                                                      9:54 – 10:35 a.m.
• 5th (6th Grade Lunch)                    10:38 – 11:19 a.m.
• 6th (7th Grade Lunch)                     11:22 a.m. – 12:03 p.m.
• 7th (8th Grade Lunch)                     12:06 – 12:47 p.m.
• 8th                                                       12:50 – 1:31 p.m.
• 9th                                                       1:34 – 2:15 p.m.
• Dismissal                                            2:15 p.m.

 

Academic Advisory

starts at 7:30 a.m. Academic Advisory period is essential for the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, announcements, and other housekeeping matters. You should use this time to prepare yourself for the school day by checking your schedule, making sure you have the necessary materials including charged Chromebooks, pens, pencils, and related books and reviewing some of the class work from the previous day. This is also the time and place to eat your breakfast if you obtained a “grab and go” bagged breakfast upon entry to our school.

Academies

At CVMS, students are assigned to an academy. An academy encompasses the same group of students sharing the same teachers. Teachers in academies are given the freedom to set aside a shared time for common planning time, parent-teacher conferences, student-teacher meetings, interdisciplinary projects and trips. All academies in grades six through eight foster learning environments that are 21st century-based and embrace the 5 C’s: collaboration, citizenship, communication, creativity and innovation, and critical thinking and problem-solving.

 

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Activities

Join as many activities as you possibly can. It is a great way to develop interests, have fun and make friends. An active student is usually a very successful student.  Pay close attention to the daily announcements, web site, and bulletin boards for the different clubs and activities available this year. Our clubs and organizations include:  Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, Yearbook Club, S.T.E.A.M. Club, Multi-Cultural Diversity Club, Activities Club, Art Club, Drama Club, Interact Club, Media Club, World Languages Club, Code Warriors, 8th Grade Planning Committee and two Odyssey of the Mind teams.

Attendance

Make achieving perfect attendance a goal. To be successful, regular school attendance is important. One day’s absence is usually equivalent to the loss of two days of instruction. Legal reasons for being absent include the following: personal illness or death in the family, recognized religious holidays, quarantine, remedial health treatment, court attendance, and impassable roads. Trips with parents, and vacations, etc., will be classified as illegal absences.

Academic Advisory begins promptly at 7:30 a.m. Students enter school when the bell rings at 7:26 a.m. and the LATE bell rings at 7:30 a.m. Students who are late to school need to sign in at the greeter’s desk and present a parent note of excuse. Excessive lateness to school may result in a disciplinary consequence.

Absences

The day you return from an absence, you should bring a written excuse signed by your parent or guardian stating the date, duration, and reason for the absence. If a written legal excuse is not presented within one week, you may be credited with an illegal absence (truancy). Students who are absent during the day may not attend any school function that afternoon or evening. Please expect an automated messages to your home when your child is absent from school.

Early Dismissal of Students

If you need to be excused from part of the day’s session, bring a written request from home, signed by your parent or guardian, stating the exact time to be excused and the reason. Such excuses from school should be used only in cases of emergency and extreme necessity.  

Please bring this note to the office before the first period. Authorized adults picking up students must present photo identification before students are released.

Other than this procedure, once you arrive at school, you are to remain on school grounds at all times.  Leaving school grounds without permission will be handled according to our District Code of Conduct. 

Lateness

Make a point of being prompt! Get to school and class on time.  Excessive lateness to school and to class may result in disciplinary action.

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Awards

Academies recognize the accomplishments of their students in behavior and academic performance. Celebrations occur as necessary within each academy.

Books

Each of you will have textbooks loaned to you during the year. You are responsible for paying for these books if they are lost or damaged. Know where your books are at all times and do not lend them to others unless you are willing to assume responsibility if they are lost or damaged. Report all lost books to your teacher immediately.

Bookbags/String Bookbags/Backpacks

Students are permitted to carry their books and belongings to and from school using any one of these items.  However, due to health and safety concerns, students are not permitted to bring a bookbag, string bookbag, or backpack into any of their classes.  Students are given enough opportunities throughout the day to use their lockers and plan accordingly.

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Bus Procedures

Bus transportation is a privilege. Under no circumstances will we compromise safety for inappropriate behavior. Unsafe bus behavior may result in bus riding privileges being suspended. If you are assigned school bus transportation, you may ride only your assigned bus. You will be picked up and dropped off at the same stop each day. Students will not be permitted to ride home on a different bus. If a change needs to be made for childcare, parents can fill out a form found on our website: https://www.pinebushschools.org/departments/transportation/alternate-site-pick-up-and-drop-off-criteria/

After-school Bus at 3:30 p.m.—Dismissal time is 2:15 p.m. The School District provides buses at 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for those of you who have permission to stay for extra help, are kept for after-school detention, and/or wish to participate in a club or activity. Please note that the late bus stops are “batched” and your child may not be dropped off at his or her regular bus stop. The bus company determines the late bus stops based on the students on the bus, and where they live, and amends as necessary.

 

Cafeteria

The cafeteria is a setting where students eat their lunch and enjoy the opportunity to socialize with classmates. To maintain this environment, it is necessary that the following procedures occur:

• Students will enter the cafeteria during their assigned lunch period and sit down at a lunch table. The number of students at a table will be limited to eight on each side.
• Students will immediately stop talking and give full attention to the adult on the microphone when announcements are being made. 
• Students will be dismissed from their table by an adult to line up at the serving line door. 
• Students will appropriately wait in line and enter and exit the serving area. 
• Wandering from table to table is not permitted. Students may socialize with  peers at their lunch table.
• Students are to be mindful of being respectful and adhering to the school rule of keeping one’s hands to themselves.
• The table and floor areas should be cleared of debris before being dismissed.
• Food waste and garbage should be placed in trash containers.
• If weather permits, students will be dismissed to recess by table, to exit the cafeteria through the ramp door to the blacktop area. 
• All food and drink must remain in the cafeteria. 
• At the end of recess, students will re-enter the building through the main entrance doors.
• Students are not permitted to enter our building or walk through our halls carrying any type of hot beverage regardless of its container.
• Soda and energy drinks are not permitted in the building.
• Glass containers are not permitted in the building.

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Cell Phones 

Cell phones are not allowed to be used at Circleville Middle School.  They are disruptive to classes and shift student focus away from academics.  Circleville Middle School does not assume liability if such devices are damaged, lost or stolen.  If your child brings a cell phone to school, he/she assumes such risk and is responsible for its security at all times.

This also applies to all wearable technology devices such as Apple watches. Cell phones are to remain out of sight throughout the entire school day. Students may only use a cell phone in the classroom when directed by a teacher at a designated time to record assignments, add notes to a calendar etc. Cell phones should not be kept on student’s desks, chairs or on the classroom floor. Cell phones should not be visible or in use during passing time in the hallway. Cell phone use is not permitted during lunch or recess time. Students may not use their phones or any other devices to make personal phone calls, text or take pictures/videos at any time during the school day. If a student needs to contact a family member, they should notify a teacher and if given permission, should come to the main office to use the office phone. Students who do not adhere to the CVMS cell phone practices will face the following consequences:

First offense – WARNING

Second offense – Cell phone is confiscated and kept in the main office and will be returned to the student at the end of the school day.

Third offense – Cell phone is confiscated and will only be returned to a parent/guardian.

Computer Games and Other Technology Devices

are a distraction and are not allowed in school during the school day. Should your child ignore our policy, and bring these items to school, it is their responsibility to secure these items in their locker during the school day, after the school day, and if they attend any after-school or evening activities at CVMS. Students bringing these items to school do so at their own risk. Circleville Middle School does not assume liability if such devices are damaged, lost or stolen. If your child brings any of these devices to school, he/she assumes such risk and is responsible for its security.

 

Chromebooks

All students will have access to a Chromebook throughout the day. Students must use Chromebooks for academic purposes only for activities including but not limited to the following:

• Accessing assignments and resources on Google Classroom
• Completing assignments and projects
• Doing research
• Any academic activities as directed by the teacher

Students should not use Chromebooks to access unauthorized websites, gaming sites, social media apps, etc. Students are not to use their Pine Bush email accounts or other shared documents to socialize during or after the school day. Students may not download any programs or use any external devices such as flash drives, hard drives or other computer hardware.

All student accounts are regularly monitored by teachers and administrators for acceptable use. Students who do not follow the PBCSD acceptable use policy may face consequences such as the loss of Chromebook privileges.

 

Dances and Evening Fundraising Events

These events are open to CVMS students ONLY. To participate, you are to be in classes the day of the event and not:  absent, in In-School Suspension or on Out-of-School Suspension. All events are supervised, and you are expected to follow school guidelines, or you will be directed to call your parents and leave the event. Once you arrive, you should plan on staying. If you leave early, you will not be able to return. Students are responsible for informing their parents of the time that the dance or event will end. Each student is expected to be picked up at the conclusion in a timely manner. Being picked up late may jeopardize attending future events. Students must secure all valuables in their lockers.  We are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items of any kind. 

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Dress

Student dress is very important to create and maintain an environment  conducive to learning. CVMS students do not wear hats or hoods in the building, unless it is a special event and we announce to the students that hats may be worn. Halter and/or tube tops, tank tops, spaghetti straps or straps less than three fingers width, wide openings under the arms, half shirts, or anything that shows a bare midriff or bare back, is unacceptable for school. Shorts and skirts are acceptable as long as they are reasonable in length. However, any shorts, skirts, or jeans with holes that bring undue attention and disrupt the learning environment will be deemed inappropriate. This includes shorts that do not meet our dress code policy even if worn over Spandex, tights or leggings. Pajama pants are inappropriate for school unless we announce a “Pajama Day.” Tee-shirts and other clothing with messages about drugs, tobacco, cigarettes, sex, alcohol, or violence are unacceptable. In addition, students may wear winter jackets, coats, and other heavy garments to school but are not permitted to wear these items in classes.  They must be stored in his or her locker until dismissal.

We want our students to be successful. One way to be successful is to “dress for success.” In the event of non-compliance, identified students will be given the option of changing into an acceptable alternate outfit, or a parent may be called to rectify the situation. Therefore, it is recommended that students have an appropriate “back-up” outfit to minimize an inconvenience to parents.

Earbuds/AirPods/Headphones 

Students are permitted to bring in these items. However, due to health and safety concerns, students are not permitted to have these items in their ears and or in use when walking throughout our building. These items must be out of sight and not in use during the school day. They may only be used in a classroom with specific permission given by a teacher to utilize academic resources such as videos on a Chromebook, audio recordings, etc. We have disposable earbuds that we provide to our students if need be.

Hall Passes and Conduct

You are expected to be in your assigned room on time. Running in the halls is a safety hazard and is not permitted. If you leave a room, you must have a paper pass signed by your teacher, counselor, nurse, principal etc. Every student must have their own individual pass. Students may not be in the halls during class periods without a pass. Pre-signed passes are necessary during lunch periods for extra help sessions, teacher detentions etc. If you need to see the nurse, a pass may be issued by your teacher. Students who abuse pass privileges will have such privileges limited via the consequence of “Pass Restriction” for a discretionary period of time. 

Public displays of affection are not acceptable in our school. We realize socialization is a part of growing up; however, personal pride and integrity are to be maintained.  Students who insist on making public displays of affection can expect their parents to be notified and may receive a disciplinary consequence.  

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Health Office

The school nurse is on duty during the school day and has facilities available for first aid only. Students are required to report to the Health Office regarding: any injury that occurs in school, outside on school grounds, or on a school bus, illness during the day, Physical Education excuses, hearing and vision examinations, etc.  All injuries occurring in a classroom, on school grounds or on a school bus should be reported immediately to the teacher or adult in charge. If you receive an injury of any type during the school day, you are to report it, and receive a pass to the nurse. Even if you do not feel that you are seriously injured, you must report the injury to the nurse immediately. 

 

Lockers

Students are issued a hall locker and a combination lock. This is to protect your possessions from theft.  Under no circumstances should you give another student your combination, or share your locker with others. These items are on “loan” to you for your use.  Each year you will be assigned a new locker and with it a new lock. You are not permitted to bring a lock from home. You may decorate the inside of your locker, but only with removable stickers that leave no damage. Permanent pen, magic marker, glue or anything else that is not easily removed are not to be used. Damage to lockers will result in a fine. Should you lose your lock, you must purchase a school issued lock to replace the one that was given to you. Students must use their personal lockers and not carry all of their belongings with them throughout the day. Students are also not allowed to store their book bags in teachers’ classrooms. Circleville Middle School does not assume liability if personal belongings are damaged, lost or stolen.

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Lost/Found

You are responsible for your own items. You must have your name on everything that is not attached to you. If you do not have your items labeled, we will not know who to return them to. A lost and found area is set aside on one side of the lobby. Money, eyeglasses, and jewelry should be turned in to the main office. Check in the main office if you are missing these types of items. Do not bring valuable items to school or lend these possessions, including books, to friends. Circleville Middle School does not assume liability if personal belongings are damaged, lost o stolen.

 

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Messages

Students are not allowed to be pulled from class for phone calls unless it is an emergency. The office staff will do its best to give messages to students during the day. We strongly discourage your child from frequenting our main office to use our phones to call home for non-essential reasons.

Visitors

The safety of the members of our school community is our highest priority. No admittance to our building will occur without photo identification. Please ring the bell for entry into the building. You will then be asked to show photo ID to the camera when prompted by a staff member. Once admitted into the building, visitors are required to sign in with the greeter, show identification, and pick up a visitor’s pass. In the event a student is being picked up early, please be advised, our students are only released to persons we have documented as being authorized to do so.  In addition, student visits from high school students are not allowed without prior building administration approval.

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