Katy Independent School District Student Handbook 2015-2016 beck junior high school
XIV. CAMPUS PAGES Beck Junior High Information Page Address: 5200 South Fry Road Katy, Texas 77450 Telephone: 281-237-3300 Fax: 281-644-1630 Campus Web Site: http://www.katyisd.org (Campuses>Junior HS>Beck JH>School Website) Administration: Ms. Carra Fleming, Principal Ms. Cindy Burnham, Principal s Secretary Assistant Principal: Mr. Dan DeYoung... 6th Grade Ms. Marsha Dufner... 7th Grade Mr. Kevin Weber... 8th Grade Ms. Kaylene Berckenhoff... Assistant Principals Secretary Counselors: Ms. Robin Cayon... 6th Grade and 7th A-L Mr. Bill Morgan... 8th Grade and 7th M-Z Ms. Terri Domagas... Counselors Secretary Leadership Team: Ms. Lisa Nguyen... Librarian Mr. Robert Grossie... Athletic Coordinator Ms. Kristi Corn... Assistant Athletic Coordinator Mr. Brenden Steber... Fine Arts Department Chair Ms. Allyson Walker... Language Arts Department Chair Mr. Brian Harrigal... Math Department Chair Ms. Corrine Drom... Science Department Chair Ms. Betty Mayfield... Social Studies Department Chair Ms. Carrie Gay... Special Education Department Chair Ms. Kristi Garcia... Diagnostician Ms. Denise Ward... Testing Coordinator 39
Beck Junior High Campus Supplement The following guidelines and procedures are in addition to those presented in the preceding KISD pages. The following pages refer specifically to Beck Junior High students and procedures at Beck Junior High School. Procedures/Routines Advisory Period Advisory period is a structured, supervised time at the end of the day during which students engage in silent reading, organize and begin their home study, and access extra help from teachers. Advisory period teachers expect students to be well behaved and focused each day. This time can be extremely beneficial to student learning when approached responsibly by the student. Students who fail a core class for a six weeks will attend required tutorials one or more days a week during advisory. Students who are at risk of not meeting expectations on the STAAR test also attend required tutorials. Any student who has a question about a skill/concept/ assignment may request a pass from that teacher to return during advisory period for extra help. Students desiring extra help must have a pass in advance in order to regulate the number of students in a given room and ensure that the teacher will be able to deliver effective assistance. Advisory period is also used for announcements, assemblies, club meetings, and special events. Corridor Instructions With the large number of students changing classes each period, the halls are crowded. The following instructions are presented to ensure an orderly flow of traffic: 1. Keep to the right as you are moving through the halls. 2. Avoid gathering in groups to visit. 3. Walk. Do not run! 4. Do not loiter in halls or restrooms between classes. 5. Books and supplies are not to be left on the hall floors. 6. Avoid whistling, loud talking, and other loud noises. Students are not allowed to spray any kind of fragrance, hair spray, mists etc. while in the corridors, locker areas, or classrooms. Many students have allergic reactions to these items. Any student who needs to be in the hall at any time during school hours other than a regular class break must have a corridor pass of the class from which the student is temporarily absent. Students in the corridors during class periods are expected to walk to their destination without talking. No student is allowed in the school building before or after school hours without permission from and supervision by a staff member. 40
Pets Pets should not be brought into the school when parents come to pick up students or meet with counselors, teachers. Many students have allergies to pet hair and dander. Traffic The location of BJH at a busy intersection requires extra vigilance on the part of all drivers and pedestrians. All drivers must check for pedestrian traffic before the car is put in motion. Pedestrians always have the right of way. All vehicle traffic to/from BJH must adhere to the following guidelines. 1. The front driveway is reserved for bus traffic from 7-8am and 2-3pm. If you are checking your student in or out or are visiting during the school day please use the visitor spaces in the front parking lot. However, if you park here after 2:15 you will be blocked by busses until 2:45. There is no curbside parking, please do not park along the fire lane. 2. The student drop-off/pick-up area (car rider lane) is in the west parking lot drive. Please follow posted signs. 3. Please do not stop traffic on Fry Road to drop off or pick up students. This is unlawful and signs are posted. 4. At all times be acutely aware of pedestrian traffic. Never begin to drive forward without looking carefully for pedestrians crossing the lot. Make sure you talk to your children about looking for moving cars before they walk into the lot to enter your car. 5. Instruct your children to use the crosswalk to cross Fry or Mason Roads. It is unlawful for them to cross in other locations and they can be issued a ticket! Beck Junior High staff including our security guard and KISD police monitor the parent pick up area. However, drivers bear the biggest responsibility for safety on our streets and parking lot. Always choose the safest course of action even if it costs you some extra time. There is no circumstance important enough to endanger our students as they walk to parent cars in the afternoon. INSTRUCTIONAL TOPICS Homework: Homework is assigned in most junior high courses several nights of the week. Homework may be assigned over weekends and many holidays. As students progress from sixth to eighth grades they can expect more homework. All students are expected to purchase an assignment planner in which they record their homework assignments for each class each day. Parents should routinely check their child s planner in order to be sure that the habit of recording assignments is being developed. In addition core teachers post assignments to their teacher web page. Students and parents can access this information from the Beck web page. In all cases, homework is due at the beginning of the period on the date for which it is assigned. Each grade level develops procedures for handling late work. Students and parents will be notified of these procedures in writing at the beginning of the school year. Any student missing two or more assignments in a 41
class will be assigned an After School Detention. Parents are urged to let their children develop responsibility for completing homework including experiencing the consequences for forgotten/undone homework. Parents are discouraged from delivering forgotten homework to the school. We will accept it and will notify your child that it has been delivered. But office staff can in no way guarantee that your child will pick it up before the beginning of the class in which it is due. Parents should contact an individual teacher to discuss rare extenuating circumstances that might impact a child s performance on a home study task. Semester Exams Eighth grade students will take semester exams in their academic courses at the end of first and second semesters. Students in foreign language courses in grade 7 also take semester exams. Semester exams are comprehensive tests which include material covered from the first day of school through the third six weeks and the first day of the second semester through the sixth six weeks. This is the first experience with semester exams for most students. Teachers will help prepare them for the prior study needed. Parents can assist their students by helping them review all previous notes, study guides, chapter questions, etc. The semester exams will count 15% of the semester grade. The exam schedule will be published in December and May and posted on the school web page and in each classroom. Inclusion of semester exams in our eighth grade instructional program is one of many transition activities designed to better prepare students for high school. Students in sixth and seventh grades take several cumulative exams each semester, but do not have semester exams. Test Days: Teachers assign major tests according to the schedule shown below as frequently as possible. However there are occasions when it is necessary to deviate from the printed schedule. Students are given advance notice of upcoming tests and so the student s planner and teacher web page should always be consulted for specific dates that tests are assigned. Note: Department test days are: Mon: Tues: English/Reading/Science Wed: Math/S.Studies/Foreign Languages Thurs: English/Reading/Science Fri: Math/S.Studies/Foreign Languages Elective courses (other than F. Language) may test on any day except Friday. Spelling quizzes may be given on any day. Major projects are due on the department test day or on Mondays. 42
Student Organizations And Opportunities For Participation Students will be informed about club and organization opportunities as the year progresses. The information may be communicated by PA and video announcements, through the school newsletter, enews, and/or by printed fliers. If you have a question about how your child can become involved in these activities please call the school and leave a message for the sponsor(s). In some cases sponsor names are not listed because of changes in personnel. The receptionist will know to whom to direct your call. Many organizations have special entrance requirements and criteria for maintaining membership. Please read these brief descriptions carefully and study all printed information sent home by the sponsors. In order to join, tryout for, or participate in BJH athletics, clubs, pep squad/ cheerleaders, Student Council and National Junior Honor Society, a student must be enrolled at Beck Junior High at the time of the event, tryout, and/or elections. 1. Academic Contests: Throughout the year students are invited to participate in academic contests such as Geography Bee, Scholastic Writing Contest, KISD Spelling Bee, and PTA Reflections Program. Information about these opportunities is made available through core teachers and public announcements. Sponsors: Classroom Teachers, PTA 2. Athletics: Students in seventh and eighth grade may participate in the competitive athletic program. Boys sports include football, basketball, track, tennis, soccer. Girls sports are volleyball, basketball, track, tennis, golf. Girls are also eligible to participate in the football program. Notice of tryouts for each sport is given through the Physical Education classes and published on the school web site. Practices are held before and/or after school. Games are generally played on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday nights. In order to play in athletic contests students must have a current physical exam on file, be academically eligible and must adhere to the Athletic Code of Conduct. Head Coaches: Mr. Robert Grossie, boys athletics; Ms. Kristi Corn, girls athletics 3. Beck Backstage: Students enrolled in theater classes may join Beck Backstage. Students produce two or more plays during the year and students are involved in all aspects of theater from set design to direction to acting. Club members may also participate in voluntary trips to local fine arts performances. Sponsor: Mr. Steve Sisk 4. Beck Buddies: Via this organization, students are paired with new enrollees to help them learn school routines, meet people etc. Teachers nominate current students to be buddies. Students then have the chance to join up if they wish to participate. Sponsors: Counselors, PTA Coordinator 5. Cheerleading Squad: The cheerleaders and a mascot promote school spirit and support student involvement in extracurricular activities and competitions. The squad consists of 24 cheerleaders, twelve eighth grade students and twelve seventh grade students, and one mascot from each grade. The cheerleaders and a mascot are selected in the spring by a panel of judges following an on-campus cheerleading clinic. There is a substantial 43
financial commitment associated with being a cheerleader or a mascot. Announcements about the selection process are made to students in early spring. Tryout Requirements: In order to be an eligible cheerleader or mascot candidate a student must have been a member in good standing of the pep squad or a current cheerleader, have maintained an overall average of 75, have no U s in conduct and no more than one N in conduct per six weeks, and not been assigned a discipline consequence such as ISS, suspension, removal to alternative campus or expulsion. Mascot candidates must adhere to all of the aforementioned guidelines with the exception of the membership on the pep squad or being a former cheerleader. 6. Circle of Friends: This group of students work cooperatively with the special education teachers to provide companionship and game activities for some of our students with special needs. Students are invited to join Circle of Friends after teacher, parent, or self nominations. 7. Destination Imagination: Destination Imagination teams are formed in the fall. Teams select their problem type(s) and begin meeting to develop solutions under the guidance of a parent coach. Selection criteria and team information is published in September or October. Sponsor: 8. Intramural Activities: The intramural program provides a limited opportunity to participate in intra-school sport and game events. Several intramural activities are planned each year and may occur during Advisory Period or be scheduled after school. All interested students in the targeted grade level are eligible to participate in the intramural program. Announcements of upcoming activities are made by public address and printed student announcements as well as through advisory classes. 9. Musical Performing Groups: BJH has a strong music department with opportunities for students in band, choir, and orchestra. To participate in these groups students enroll in the elective course corresponding to their musical talent. The musical groups perform night concerts, attend musical competitions, and hold recreational activities in addition to their class time. A decision to participate in these groups should be made during the course selection process. 10. National Junior Honor Society: The National Junior Honor Society is an honorary society with a national charter which seeks to recognize and encourage academic achievement while developing other qualities of service, character, and leadership. Students must meet several criteria before being selected for membership. The first criteria which must be met is that of earning and maintaining a 3.75 grade point average during the seventh or eighth grade. The student must have been in attendance at BJH the equivalent of one semester. Student behavior and discipline history is also considered. Students are selected for membership in the NJHS at the end of their seventh or eighth grade years. Students are made aware of NJHS through their content classes and information regarding the honor society is published in our school newsletter. NOTE: Membership in NJHS is not a prerequisite for nor a guarantee of membership in the high school National Honor Society. Criteria for entrance into high school NHS differs from criteria for NJHS. 44
11. Pep Squad: The pep squad is a school spirit organization. Members of the pep squad attend designated sports events and participate as a squad at school pep rallies. Membership is open to all interested students. A membership drive is announced to students during the first month of school. A nominal fee is charged members for tee shirts and pom poms. Note: Any student interested in participating in cheerleader or mascot tryouts in the spring must meet pep squad membership requirements. 12. Service Projects: Through several campus organizations students have the opportunity to participate in school or community service projects. Examples include food and clothing drives, recycling activities, collecting toys for foster children, fund drives for charitable organizations, participation in walk-athons and so on. We encourage student and parent participation in our school service projects. Parents please be aware that a paper recycling bin is located in the west parking lot of the school and a plastic bag recycling box in the front entry. The school receives money for products recycled in these bins. Your ongoing help with this recycling service project is encouraged. 13. Student Council: The Student Council works on school wide service projects and recreational activities for students. Student Council officers are elected from council membership in the spring for the following year. Representatives and alternates are elected in September from each grade level through social studies classes. Students must complete an application packet in order to stand for election as a Student Council representative. The application packet will be announced and made available through all social studies classes. Meetings are held periodically during Advisory period. Special Notice: Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege of which students are encouraged to take advantage. However, students involved in extracurricular activities should be aware that a high standard of behavior is set for them. Students may receive disciplinary consequences related to the club or team in addition to school discipline consequences for inappropriate behavior. Students with posted grades below 70 are restricted from participating in activities until they meet requirements of improved academic performance. Beck Junior High 2015-2016 Telephone Extensions and E-mail Addresses Current information is maintained on campus website. You may dial directly to the teacher s voicemail by using the extension listed (281-237-extension number) or you may dial 281-237-3300 to speak to someone in the front office. 45
Beck Junior High Bell Schedules 2013-2014 Sixth Grade Period Start Time End Time 1 7:30 8:20 2 8:25 9:10 3 9:15 10:00 4 10:05 10:50 Lunch (4/5) 10:55 11:20 5 11:25 12:10 6 12:15 1:00 7 (Advisory) 1:05 1:45 8 1:50 2:32 Early Dismissal Bell Schedule Period 1: 7:30 8:05 Period 2: 8:10 8:40 Period 3: 8:45 9:15 Period 4: 9:20 9:50 Period 5: 9:55 10:25 Period 6: 10:30 11:00 Period 7: 11:05 11:35 Seventh Grade Period Start Time End Time 1 7:30 8:20 2 8:25 9:10 3 9:15 10:00 4 10:05 10:50 5 10:55 11:40 Lunch (5/6) 11:45 12:10 6 12:15 1:00 7 (Advisory) 1:05 1:45 8 1:50 2:35 Eighth Grade Period Start Time End Time 1 7:30 8:20 2 8:25 9:10 3 9:15 10:00 4 10:05 10:50 5 10:55 11:40 6 11:45 12:30 Lunch (6c) 12:35 1:00 7 (Advisory) 1:05 1:45 8 1:50 2:35 46
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Katy Independent School District Publications and Printing Department It is the policy of Katy ISD not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, religion, color, gender, age, or national origin in its educational programs and/or activities including career and technology programs, nor in its employment practice.