Student Parent Handbook

Board Police 3420: Student Promotion and Accountability

Grading

Board Policy 3400 Evaluating Student Progress: Grading System

Regulation Code: 3400 - R Evaluation of Student Progress 
 

Type of Assignment / Assessment	Grades K-8
Tests/Projects	50%
Quizzes/Classwork	45%
Homework	5%

 

Homework

Board Policy 3135: Homework

Grade Span	Suggested Maximum Length of Nightly Homework
K-2	30 Minutes
3-5	45 Minutes
6-8	60 Minutes
9-12	60-120 Minutes

 

State Testing Requirements

Students will take the following summative assessments within the last 10 days of the school year: 

• 6th & 7th Graders - ELA and Math End of Grade tests (EOGs)
• 8th Graders - ELA, Math, and Science End of Grade tests (EOGs)
• Summer Proficiency remediation and retesting opportunities are available in June. 

District Testing Requirements

Students will participate in Benchmark testing at the end of Quarters 1, 2, & 3. See district testing calendar for more details.

 

Darden's Behavior Procedures

Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) and CHAMPS

Darden Middle School is a PBIS School. We use positive reinforcement to showcase the behaviors that are desired and consistent classroom management processes to correct non-productive behaviors.

With “Trojan PRIDE,” Darden staff developed five tenants to headline the behaviors most desired to provide for an environment conducive to uninterrupted instruction and respect for oneself, other people, and property.

The detailed expectations of each of the five categories have been applied to behavior in the classroom, the hallway, the restroom, the cafeteria, and on the bus. Students must experience consistent application of these expectations for Trojan PRIDE to be effective.

Teachers will provide explicit instruction at the beginning of each semester to teach and reinforce Darden procedures and provide students with reasoning skills behind each expectations. Staff members will also model the expectations by adhering to Trojan PRIDE themselves.

Schoolwide, we will use CHAMPS to reinforce explicit expectations. In each class, students will be aware of how they should perform or behave in reference to Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, and Participation. Following of the explicit directions provided through CHAMPS should lead to Success!

Discipline Procedures

Policy Code 4300: Student Behavior Policies​

Restorative Practices

Restorative practices support the development of Social-Emotional Learning.  This approach focuses on:

• • • resolving conflict and preventing harm

    • developing community and relationships

    • being proactive to reduce conflicts

 

Those who have been impacted by the behavior are given opportunities to explain the impact of the harm to the responsible party.  The responsible party acknowledges the impact and develops a plan to move in the right direction.  All in all, it provides the platform for meaningful accountability of behaviors. Darden has two Restorative Justice Facilitators who mediate conflict and help students plan for individual success throughout the school year. Administration tries to incorporate restorative practices as much as possible, but repeated patterns of behavior could lead to disciplinary consequences.

 

Disciplinary Consequences  

CLASS BOUNCE - Teachers may remove students from the classroom by "bouncing" for a short time to another room to redirect behaviors/encourage emotional regulation and return to class. 

PERIOD DETENTION -Teachers may remove disruptive students from the classroom by period detention in the ISS room for the remainder of the class period.

IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION - Students may be assigned In-School Suspension (ISS) in the ISS classroom with the ISS Coordinator. Teachers will be notified by email when one of their students will be in ISS. Once the teacher is notified, assignments for students will be sent to the ISS classroom. Teachers will also check in with students in ISS during their planning to assist them with academic questions.  Students are responsible for completing all assignments while in ISS.  

OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS - Out-of-School Suspensions (OSS) will be assigned by administration based on severity of the infraction, teacher referral, student statements, and discipline history. Admin will exhaust all resources before assigning a student OSS; however, there is no tolerance for possession/distribution of drugs, possession of weapons, or physical fighting. 

 

Dress Code

Policy Code 4316: Student Dress Code

Highlights from WCS Board Policy - students shall avoid wearing the following items in the building during the instructional day:

• Hats, bandanas, bonnets, sweatbands

• Sunglasses or sun visors

• Cropped shirts or shirts/tanks with "spaghetti straps"

• Jeans with intentional and excessive rips/holes - leggings must be worn underneath

• Pajamas and/or bedroom shoes/slippers

• Spandex pants/shorts/bodysuits

• Any clothing items that promote alcohol/drugs/nudity/violence/obscenities

• Shorts or skirts that are more than 3 inches above the knee

• Any clothing items that intend to convey membership/affiliation with a gang

 

 

Student Recognition Procedures

PBIS Events

Darden has PBIS Events at least once a quarter that recognize students for good behavior.  These events may be announced or unannounced.  Participation in these events may be hindered by period detentions, office referrals, attendance, or missing assignments.  

 

Students of the Month

Each grade level recognizes a male and female student of the month who represent Darden well by exhibiting our core values through his/her Trojan PRIDE (Punctuality, Respect, Integrity, Discipline and Effort).  These students are featured in the Trojan Times newsletter and their pictures will be posted on a bulletin board near the cafeteria!

 

Honor Roll Trip

Students who achieve Honor Roll (all A's and B's in ALL classes) during at least two grading periods are invited to attend a trip to have all-day fun at an amusement park [location and date TBD]. 

Policy Code 4151: Residence and Address Verification

Address verification is required when new students enroll at Darden or when they move to a new physical address. During this process, parents/guardians must submit two proofs of residence. The following documents (with parent's/guardian's name and address) will satisfy this requirement: 

1. Property tax records which indicate the street or road address location of the residence;

2. Copy of lease or copy of deed to property which indicates the street or road address of the property;

3. Copy of current utility bill in the name of the parent showing residence address (electric, gas, water, or cable);

4. Copy of voter registration form showing street or road residence address;

5. Copy of automobile registration showing street or road address; 

6. Copy of photo ID/driver's license with an address matching the given location, or

7. Affidavit by designated school district official setting forth that the address and residence has been verified by such designated school district official based on a personal visit by such school district official to the residence address.

Please keep your student's address updated at all times, especially since we mail the final report card to the physical address in Infinite Campus. 

See the data manager for updating addresses/phone numbers.

Board Policy: 4400 Attendance

INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS

8:30AM-3:30PM 

ARRIVAL

Students are encouraged to arrive at school no earlier than 8:00AM.  There is no morning supervision or before-school care to monitor student safety.  Students arriving by car in the morning must remain in their vehicles until the building opens at 8:00 AM.  Upon entering, they will walk through the metal detectors, grab their breakfast in the cafeteria and eat it in their homerooms.  Arriving before 8:30AM gives our students time to get settled, so they are ready to begin instruction promptly.  Students who arrive after 8:30AM will be marked tardy.  

CHECK-IN

Students who arrive to school after 8:30AM should report to the front office to sign-in before reporting to class. 

CREDIT FOR ATTENDANCE

To be counted present for the school day, a student shall be in attendance at least one-half of the school day. 

Students who check out of school before 12:00 noon will be counted absent for the day.

A student shall be considered present for that portion of the day that he/she is present to attend an official school activity at a place other than the school with the approval of the principal.

EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES FOR STUDENTS

Absences are of two types – excused and unexcused. Excused absences are defined by the state as the following:

• Illness or injury that makes the student physically unable to attend school

• Quarantine or isolation ordered by the State Board of Health

• Death in the immediate family

• Medical or dental appointment

• Participation as a party under subpoena as a witness in a court proceeding

• Observance of an event required or suggested by the religion of the student’s or the student's parents (requires prior approval from the principal)

• On rare occasions an absence may be excused, with prior approval from the principal, for participation in a valid educational opportunity.

​TARDINESS

A student shall be seated or at his assigned station for work at the time appointed for the school day or class to begin, or be recorded as tardy for the day or class.

Students who arrive at school after the beginning of the school day or leave school prior to the end of the school day will receive a tardy.   

Students will receive administrative conferences once they accumulate three tardies. Excessive tardies to school will result in parent contact and lunch detention.

4th Tardy-one lunch detention block and Parent contact.

5th Tardy-three lunch detention blocks and Parent contact. 

6th Tardy and beyond-Parent contact and student will be assigned additional consequences per administration. 

NOTES EXPLAINING ABSENCES

When students are absent, they are missing instruction. Upon return to school, students must be responsible for notes and assignments missed. Students should bring notes to justify their absence and give them to their homeroom teacher who will submit the notes to the data manager each day.  Doctor's notes are preferred; handwritten notes excusing absences should have the student's first and last name, the date absent and the date returning to school, and should be signed by a parent or guardian citing the reason for such absence or tardiness. Failure to comply will result in the absence or tardiness being recorded as unexcused, as provided in Board Policy: 4400 Attendance

DISMISSAL

School dismisses at 3:30PM.  Walkers and car riders will exit out of the side door.  Walkers should leave campus and car riders should look out for their rides in order to expedite the traffic flow.  Bus riders will exit to the rear of the building when their bus numbers are called over the intercom. 

EARLY CHECK-OUT

Students who have appointments after school must be checked out before 3:00 PM. The school will not check students out between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM.  Persons checking out students may be asked to present a picture ID to verify that they are on the student's Reunification Form or Infinite Campus contact list. No students will be released to individuals who are not listed on the Infinite Campus contact list.

REUNIFICATION FORMS

Each student is required to submit a Student Reunification Form. This form is the only reference for contacting families in an emergency situation where computers/Internet access may not be available to staff. Students may not be released from the school or any emergency evacuation location with any person who is not listed on the form. Information on the form must be updated when telephone contact information changes. 

ATHLETIC EVENTS

Students may remain at school the entire day to attend athletic events that begin at 4:00 PM. All students, kindergarten through 12th grade, and all adults (excluding WCS employees) pay an entry fee of $5.00 at the gate. Infants and preschool children may enter free of charge. Students are told by staff and the SRO when it is time to start contacting their rides, so they should have a ride at school to pick them up no later than 15 minutes after a game ends. 

DANCES AND AFTER-SCHOOL EVENTS

The school and the PTO may host fundraising events after school hours as publicized by the school. Students may remain at school for dances and after-school events unless otherwise instructed.  Students must make arrangements to be picked up from the school as soon as an event ends.

Students whose rides are chronically more than 15 minutes late may lose the privilege of attending events after school.

 

PARTICIPATING IN ATHLETICS

Students in grades six, seven, and eight are encouraged to participate in athletics at Darden. Sixth graders are not permitted to participate in football. The athletic teams will be expected to represent the school in a manner that will bring praise and positive recognition to the entire school community. Student athletes and their parents/guardians will be expected to sign an athletic agreement outlining academic and behavioral expectations.

The following general requirements are imposed on each athlete:

1. Each student must receive a physical examination by a certified physician before he/she will be eligible for practice. Physicals are valid for one (1) calendar year.

2. Each student must present written proof of insurance coverage (preferably school insurance).  This form will be furnished at the beginning of each season.

3. Each student must pass 3 out of 4 core classes.  Athletic participation will be discontinued if a student does not meet promotion/eligibility requirements.

4. Each student must maintain acceptable conduct in the school building and on the field/court. A student athlete should avoid being suspended from school for any disciplinary infraction during the athletic season, as this may result in game suspensions and/or ultimately expulsion from the team.

5. Each student must be in attendance 90% of the days enrolled in a semester (can only miss a maximum of 9 days).

6. We encourage parents/guardians to attend a pre-season meeting prior to each sports season to discuss expectations and guidelines, and a participation contract must be signed by the parent. 

7. Refer to Policy 3621, Interscholastic Athletic Eligibility for additional information.

*If there are not enough eligible players due to academic, behavioral or medical challenges, a team faces possible forfeiture of the remainder of the season. Once eligibility rosters are submitted at the beginning of the season, we cannot hold tryouts again and add new players to the team (unless the student moves into the WCS district). 

 

Students are allowed to bring lunchboxes/bags with food that is packed at home. 

Parents/Guardians should avoid dropping off "snacks" for students as they will be held in the front office until the end of the day.

Food/drink will be consumed in the cafeteria only.

 

NO FAST FOOD FROM FAMILY OR FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE  IS ALLOWED IN THE CAFETERIA FOR STUDENT CONSUMPTION DURING LUNCH TIMES.

 

Lunch Times for Each Grade Level

6th grade 30 minutes between 11:30-12:25 depending on teacher

7th grade 30 minutes between 10:35-11:25 depending on teacher

8th grade 30 minutes between 1:00-1:30 depending on teacher

STUDENT DRESS CODE/APPEARANCE

The dress code applies to students and faculty. In order to maximize time on instruction and to maintain a safe and orderly environment, these rules are enforced. Students violating school board policies or DMS’ rules will be disciplined according to the severity of the misconduct and/or accumulated incidences of referral. Please see the WCS School Board Policy or the Acceptable Behavior page on this site for a full explanation of the code. 

Procedure for Student Dress Code Violation

Students who are found to be out of dress code violation will be sent to the front office. These students are offered two choices - obtain a change of clothes from the school clothes closet or call home to have a parent bring additional clothing. Students will wait in ISS until additional clothing is brought. Refer to Policy 4316, Student Dress and Appearance for additional information. Repeated violations (after the third violation) constitute non-compliance and will result in disciplinary consequences.

CELLULAR PHONE USE

Students’ use of personal technology devices (including, but not limited to, cell phones, tablets, and laptops) must be in accordance with Policy 3225/4312/7320, Technology Responsible Use Policy. Students are prohibited from using personal technology devices to engage in misconduct such as bullying or harassment or to maliciously or intentionally disrupt, damage, or destroy school system technological resources or networks (hacking or introducing viruses). 

Wireless communication devices include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones, electronic devices with internet capability, paging devices, two-way radios, or any similar device. Students are permitted to possess such devices on school property so long as the devices are not activated, used, displayed, or visible during the instructional day or as otherwise directed by school rules or school personnel. 

Although use generally is permitted before and after school, use of cellular phones and other wireless communication devices may be prohibited on school buses when noise from such devices interferes with the safe operation of the buses. 

Consequences

a. 1st Offense: Parental notification 

b. 2nd Offense: May receive up to a 3-day suspension

c. 3rd Offense (or more): May receive up to a 10-day suspension; may be recommended for long-term suspension only if the principal determines that aggravating circumstances warrant a more severe response and provides notice of those aggravating circumstances in the notice of suspension.

BUS RULES AND REGULATIONS

Bus rules and regulations are as follows:

1. The school bus driver is authorized by the Superintendent, Board of Education, and principal to supervise the students riding the bus to and from school.  Students who insist on disrupting the driver while he/she is driving will be subject to disciplinary actions.

2. Students must leave the bus immediately upon arrival at the discharge point.

3. Students are not allowed to return to the buses until the end of the school day without permission from the office.

4. For chronic or severe acts of misbehavior on the bus, the student will be removed from the bus for the remainder of the school year.  The action taken by the school’s administration may be appealed to the WCS Board of Education.

5. All school rules apply equally to the bus. Gum and food are not allowed at school and therefore must not be used on the bus.  Hats may be worn on the bus.

The following consequences will be applied if discipline issues arise on the bus:

• 1st referral: Warning (conference with administration) and parent contact. 

• 2nd referral: 3 day suspension off the bus

• 3rd referral: 5 day suspension off the bus

• 4th referral: 10 day suspension off the bus

Additional referrals could result in a permanent removal from the bus. If a student is suspended off the bus, they will have to find transportation to and from school until the suspension days are served.

WEAPON POLICY

No student shall knowingly possess, handle, or transmit any weapon or facsimile of a weapon (including toy guns, knives, etc.) as defined in G.S. 14-269.2, or any explosive as defined in G.S. 14-284.1 (including fireworks), or any other object that reasonably can be considered a weapon or dangerous instrument.

Any violation of this policy involving a gun or facsimile (likeness) of a gun or any other weapon included in G.S. 14-269.2 will result in a recommendation to the superintendent that the student violating the policy be suspended from school for the remainder of the school year.

Any violation of this policy involving any weapon other than those identified in G.S. 14-269.2 or a facsimile of a gun will result in the student violating the policy being given a ten-day suspension from school for the first offense.  For the second offense, the student will be recommended to the superintendent for suspension from school for the remainder of the school year.

Any student using a weapon in a fight will be recommended to the superintendent for suspension from school for the remainder of the school year.

Any violation of G.S. 14-269.2 shall be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

​Students will be assigned Chromebooks for instructional use at school and home, if they pay the technology fee or are approved through waiver. Students must have a completed agreement on file before being assigned a Chromebook.

Technology Usage Fee:  $30 

This fee can be waived if a student has a Letter of Direct Services from the Child Nutrition department.  The office staff does not have a copy of this letter, and they cannot obtain copies for our families. 

Needs-Based Assistance Application - Families may complete this form to apply for a waiver of the tech fee.

Gaggle for Schools: As a school district, Wilson County Schools is required by The Child Internet Protection Act to filter and monitor the online activity and school-based email accounts of our students. Our district is currently using a monitoring system called Gaggle.  If you have any questions about this program, please contact the counselor, Mr. Mitchell. 

Lost & Found: Chromebooks and chargers that are found or confiscated for disciplinary reasons will be taken to the Media Center. 

STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CHROMEBOOKS AND THEIR CHARGERS! THERE WILL BE A CHARGE FOR LOST OR BROKEN DEVICES, REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES. 

Board Policy: 3225/4312/7320: Technology Responsible Use

School Phone    PHONE NUMBER 252-206-4973 

The school phone is our first line of communication with families and the community. When you call the school you will be greeted by one of our front office staff who will provide answers to your questions or redirect your call to another person. 

*Families should use the school phone, rather than your child’s cell phone, to inform the school of changes in contact information, changes in student transportation, and any other instances concerning your child.

Voicemail

Every Administrator, Student Support Staff, and Teacher has an extension where you may speak with them directly or leave a voicemail. Teachers are not likely to take outside calls during instruction but are available during their planning period and after dismissal. Please leave your name, your child’s name, your phone number, and a brief message.

School Website

http://darden.wilsonschoolsnc.net/

The school website is updated and maintained to include important information and reports about all of the great things going on at Darden. 

Facebook and Instagram

The Darden Middle School Facebook and Instagram feeds may be accessed through the website or you may join us @dmstrojans.

Email Guidelines

Students have email accounts that are to be used for instructional communications only. Student email accounts are monitored by the Gaggle software system for appropriate usage. Student email addresses are in the format of firstlast####@wilsonstudent.net. (The ####s are the last 4 digits of the student ID number.) 

Each staff member has an email address: firstname.lastname@wilsonschoolsnc.net. This email is used for communications with families and community members and provides a link for students to access instructional tools and receive feedback from teachers.

Blackboard Connect

Reminders and emergency bulletins will be communicated through Blackboard Connect Phone Calls. A call with weekly updates will be sent out every Sunday. The numbers provided in PowerSchool will be called and emails sent to the families of the children who are directly associated with the information.  Please make sure your contact information is updated throughout the year.

Inclement Weather

According to School Board Policy, the Superintendent will make decisions concerning Inclement Weather.  In the event of Inclement Weather, Amber Lynch will send out Blackboard Connect phone calls.  You may also tune into your local news stations for updates.  In the event that inclement weather affects after-school activities, the school will notify parents as soon as the decision is made.  WCS has a 24-hour weather line that gives the status of the school day in the event of inclement weather. The number is 252-265-4037. Parents should make sure the school has their current contact information, so they receive all automated phone calls or email messages related to inclement weather. Parents can also find the status of the school day at wilsonschoolsnc.net, the WCS Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram page, and on WRAL Channel 5. 
 

Volunteers

Board Policy: 5015 School Volunteers

Volunteers play an important role in helping students to be successful at Darden.  There are many ways volunteers can assist around the school.  Some examples including helping in the media center, helping with beautification of schools grounds, and helping proctor during EOGs.  Parents who wish to volunteer should contact the front office. The volunteer's interests and abilities are considered when making assignments. Assignments and continuation of the services of a volunteer shall be at the principal's discretion. Volunteers are bound by the standards of conduct for school employees provided in the board policy manual.

We are excited to share that the new Volunteer Portal is now up and running!   All individuals interested in volunteering—whether you are a returning volunteer with a current application or a first-time applicant—will need to submit a new application through the updated platform. Individuals who are interested in volunteering should click the link - Volunteering.


Visitors

All visitors (including parents and volunteers) must check in with the front office when entering the school building.  Visitors will sign in electronically and get a visitor's pass.  If the system is not functioning properly, a paper sign-in sheet will be provided. ​

Visiting Classrooms

To protect the safety and privacy of all students, parents are not permitted to visit classrooms during instructional time. Please schedule an appointment to conference with teachers during planning periods.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Darden has an active PTO comprised of parents, teachers, staff and community members.  A teacher representative from each grade level attends our PTO meetings.  Meetings are held monthly, usually on the second Tuesday at 5:30pm. All families are welcome to attend. 

Student academic success is closely tied to their feeling of safety while they are at school. Darden has a detailed Emergency Plan that is accessible by all staff and that can be reviewed with parents/guardians.  The following guidelines are in place to protect students and to maintain smooth school operations.

DAILY SAFETY GUIDELINES

Classroom doors will remain locked and closed during each class.  Students should remain in sight of an adult at all times. Students will be allowed restroom breaks and will be monitored by their teachers during transition between classes and to the cafeteria. 

*Students who must leave the classroom unsupervised should have a pass from the staff member who gave them permission and should go directly to their destination. Student emergencies, including sickness, injury, and student reports of conduct violations are handled in the front office at the time of the event. 

No doors in the building will be propped open or unlocked outside of arrival and dismissal times, which will both be heavily monitored by staff.

RESTROOM PROCEDURES

Students will be provided restroom breaks with their classroom teachers throughout the day.  To lessen loss of instructional time and in order for staff to monitor appropriate behaviors, students are encouraged to take these opportunities to use the restroom.  

Students will not have restroom breaks during electives (teachers will use their discretion for cases of emergency or special circumstances).  

Students who have documented medical needs should have a note on file with the school nurse and the front office.

SAFETY DRILLS

Safety drills will be conducted in the school as required. During each drill, students should swiftly and quietly follow directions.   Teachers will have emergency backpacks with updated rosters and emergency supplies.

• FIRE DRILLS (MONTHLY)

• TORNADO DRILL (YEARLY)

• LOCKDOWN DRILLS (AT LEAST TWICE PER YEAR)

We will not share the dates of the drills, so as to not defeat the purpose of being ready for response at any time. Admin will follow all lockdown drills with a phone call to families. 

MEDICATIONS

Shannon Waddell, the School Nurse, is typically at Darden a few times a week. Medical needs of students are communicated to teachers and staff. The secretary maintains the responsibility for administering prescription medication to students who have been approved to receive them by the School Nurse.  No student shall be administered medication that has not returned a Medication Administration Form signed by their physician. Upon approval, some students are responsible for testing and administration of their own medications and are allowed to keep them with them in the classroom.  Teachers will be notified of these special circumstances by the school nurse.  

​WASH CLINIC

Darden now has a Wilson Area School-Based Health center! Students, staff, and families can be seen in WASH with appointments (just like a regular doctor's office). Visit the Wilson County School's WASH webpage for more information: https://www.wilsonschoolsnc.net/departments/wash-centers

SCHOOL COUNSELING 

All students at Darden have access to services provided by the school counselor. On-campus counseling is available to students who are experiencing difficulties with academics or behavior, social problems, family problems, including medical emergencies and adjustment to school in general. 

In non-emergencies, students should let their teacher know that they would like to speak with the counselor, then the teacher will refer students to the counselor by emailing or calling her about the situation.  The counselor will call students to her office for conferences.

Students arrive and leave Darden by bus, personal family or afterschool care vehicles, or walking. Students are responsible for arriving and leaving on time; they should pay close attention to afternoon announcements when bus numbers are called. Students who miss the bus must find transportation to or from school.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Bus transportation is a privilege, and it is not guaranteed for students who are repeatedly noncompliant with WCS bus expectations. 

Darden administration and staff do not plan or arrange bus routes, stop locations or arrival/departure times. 

Detailed information about bus transportation may be accessed on the Wilson County Schools Transportation Department page. The information below applies to all students who ride Darden buses in compliance with those policies.

BUS ASSIGNMENTS AND SPECIAL BUS PERMISSION

• Bus assignments will be posted for all students registered with the school during Open House. They may also be obtained by visiting the website above and typing in the family’s residence address.

• Any requests for special bus assignments or other special requests must be completed on a bus form and submitted to our office for Transportation Department verification and approval.

• Students who do not have bus assignments will need alternate transportation until they receive approval.

• Requests for temporary bus reassignment must be requested in writing by a family member listed on the Student Reunification Form and include an accurate phone number for verbal confirmation by the school office. 

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS ON THE BUS 

All school policies regarding student conduct apply to students at their bus stop and on the bus. Students should follow these basic procedures when riding the bus.

• Wait for the driver to indicate that it is safe to board the bus. Every student will receive instruction about the correct procedures during the first 10 days of school and again at the beginning of the 3rd quarter. 

• Board the bus using the handrail.

• ​Move quickly to your assigned seat. Be seated, face forward and remain in your assigned seat until you arrive at your destination.

• Keep the aisle clear so the driver can observe traffic behind the bus.​

• Speak in a quiet voice and listen for instructions from the driver.

• Silence is required when the bus is stopped at railroad crossings.

• Keep yourself and your possessions inside the bus.

• Refrain from eating and drinking on the bus. 

• Remain seated on the bus until your driver dismisses you.

DAMAGING SCHOOL BUSES

Board Policy states that any willful or careless damage to a school bus shall be paid for by the person responsible for such damage.  The principal and the Transportation Director will inspect all school buses and assess fair and reasonable damage fees.  All persons should be aware that, in addition to violating Board policy, it is unlawful to willfully demolish, destroy, deface, injure, burn or damage any public school bus or public school activity bus.

Students who are assigned to a seat on the bus will be expected to maintain those seats.

​BUS DISCIPLINE

Drivers will make every allowance before submitting referrals for bus discipline. Students who are written up will conference with administration and discipline will be applied based on the behavior. The general guidelines listed below will be followed.

Depending on the seriousness of the offense, administration reserves the right to suspend bus privileges at their discretion. During bus suspensions, the student must be provided with alternate transportation to and from school. 

All buses are equipped with audio/video recording devices. ​Parents/families will not have access to hear/view those recordings in consideration of all students' privacy.

FAMILY VEHICLE (CAR RIDERS) OR WALKERS

MORNING

Students arriving by car in the morning must remain in their vehicles until the building opens at 8:00 AM. Walkers should not arrive until the building opens at 8:00 AM. There is no morning supervision or before-school care to monitor student safety. Students who arrive after 8:30AM will be counted tardy and must sign-in at the front office.

AFTERNOON

Students are released through the side doors of the school at 3:30 PM. Walkers should immediately leave campus.  Families may park in the car line and wait for students to leave the building. Individuals who need to enter the building should park in a parking space rather than the pick-up line to avoid congestion at dismissal. Please avoid passing someone in the car line or creating two car lines. Cars waiting in the parking lot should be in a parking spot, not in a line blocking staff vehicles from exiting in the case of an afternoon event/meeting. 

EARLY CHECK-OUT

Students who have appointments after school must be checked out before 3:00 PM. The school will not check students out between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM.

All of the info above also applies to students in 7th and 8th grade. 

**7th and 8th grade students may try out for football.**

SEE COACH ERIC LYONS, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY SPORTS OR HOW TO REGISTER IN FINAL FORMS.

Title 1 is the largest federally funded educational program. 

The program provides supplemental funds to school districts to assist schools with the 

highest student concentrations of poverty to meet school educational goals.

Darden, Speight, and Forest Hills are the Title 1 middle schools in WCS.

 

Darden Middle School

Title I Parent/Guardian Engagement Policy

Darden Middle School is dedicated to the success of our students. The faculty and staff of Darden believe that all parents/guardians are equal partners in the education of their children; we believe that parent involvement is essential to the success of students.

The Darden administration shall work in collaboration with all stakeholders to enhance parent/guardian involvement by:

• Respecting parents as partners in the education of their children and honoring their role as first and life-long teachers
• Setting high expectations for excellent customer (student/parent) service
• Expecting high student achievement for all students
• Promoting parent involvement in site-based leadership and decision-making
• Fostering a welcoming and responsive environment for all parents
• Establishing and promoting communication as a source of trust and understanding between the Darden staff and parents

At Darden, we expect parents/guardians to be involved in their children's learning and education by:

• Collaborating with the staff and teachers to maximize the best educational opportunities for their children
• Respecting the teachers and supporting the staff as partners in the education of their children
• Utilizing two-way lines of communication with the staff to collaborate on the instruction, achievement and conduct of their children
• Participating in site-based leadership and decision making
• Actively volunteering at school events  

Opportunities for Parent Engagement

The Darden administration will facilitate parent involvement by providing a variety of opportunities for parents/guardians to be informed, communicate with the staff, and be active participants in the education of their children.

The parents/guardians of Darden students have the opportunity to stay informed and to communicate with the staff. The resources listed below provide important information for all parents.

• Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook
• School/Parent Compacts
• Parent/Teacher conferences
• School website
• School Facebook/Instagram pages
• Google Classroom
• Student planners
• Teachers’ emails
• Teacher-facilitated apps (i.e., Remind)
• Blackboard Connect-Ed phone communication
• School marquee announcements

The parents/guardians, faculty and staff of Darden have the opportunities to interact by attending:

• Parent/Teacher conferences
• Transition nights
• Open House
• PTO-sponsored meetings and events
• Athletic/Arts events

The parents/guardians of Darden students are invited to become directly involved in daily school activities by participating in:

• Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)
• Volunteer opportunities
• Proctoring during EOG testing
• Community agency-sponsored programs

Parent/guardian input is valued at Darden. Parents/guardians have the opportunity to be a part of the decision making process at our school through:

• School Improvement Team representation
• Parent Surveys
• Title I Parent Engagement Survey

 

Escuela Intermedia Darden

Póliza de Participación de Padres de Título I

Darden Middle School está dedicada al éxito de nuestros estudiantes. La facultad y el personal de Darden creen que todos los padres son socios iguales en la educación de sus hijos; Creemos que la participación de los padres es esencial para el éxito de los estudiantes.

La administración de Darden trabajará en colaboración con todas las partes interesadas para mejorar la participación de los padres mediante:

• Respetando a los padres como socios en la educación de sus hijos y honrando su papel como sus primeros maestros y de por vida.
• Establecer altas expectativas para un excelente servicio al cliente (estudiante / padre)
• Esperando un alto logro estudiantil para todos los estudiantes
• Promover la participación de los padres en el liderazgo basado en el sitio y la toma de decisiones.
• Crear un ambiente acogedor y receptivo para todos los padres.
• Establecer y promover la comunicación como fuente de confianza y comprensión entre el personal de Darden y los padres.

En Darden, esperamos que los padres / tutores participen en el aprendizaje y la educación de sus hijos al:

• Colaborar con el personal y los maestros para maximizar las mejores oportunidades educativas para sus hijos.
• Respetando a los maestros y apoyando al personal como socios en la educación de sus hijos.
• Utilizando líneas de comunicación con el personal para colaborar en la instrucción, el logro y la conducta de sus hijos.
• Participando en áreas de liderazgo basado en el sitio y ayudar a tomar decisiones
• Ser Voluntarios activos en eventos escolares 

Oportunidades para la participación de los padres

La administración de Darden facilitará la participación de los padres al brindar una variedad de oportunidades para que los padres estén informados, se comuniquen con el personal y participen activamente en la educación de sus hijos.

Los padres de los estudiantes de Darden tienen la oportunidad de mantenerse informados y pueden comunicarse con el personal. Los recursos enumerados a continuación proveen información importante para todos los padres.

• Código de Conducta del Estudiante y Manual del Estudiante
• Pactos entre la escuela / padres
• Conferencias de padres y maestros
• Página de Facebook de la escuela
• Correos electrónicos de los maestros
• Comunicación telefónica Blackboard Connect-Ed
• Anuncios de carpa escolar

Los padres, la facultad y el personal de Darden tienen la oportunidad de interactuar asistiendo a:

• Conferencia de padres / maestros
• Noches de transición
• Casa abierta/Puertas abiertas
• Reuniones y eventos patrocinados por el PTO
• Eventos atléticos

Los padres de los estudiantes de Darden están invitados a participar directamente en las actividades escolares diarias al participar en:

• Organización de padres y maestros (PTO)
• Oportunidades para voluntarios
• Supervisión durante las pruebas EOG
• Programas patrocinados por agencias comunitarias

El aporte de los padres se valora en Darden. Los padres tienen la oportunidad de ser parte del proceso de tomar decisiones en nuestra escuela a través de:

• Representación del equipo de mejoramiento escolar
• Encuesta de participación de padres del Título I