^{Mitchell School District Philosophy}: The Mitchell School District No. 17-2 believes that people are our society’s most valuable resource. We further believe in the supreme worth, dignity, and uniqueness of each individual.
    It is the responsibility of the Mitchell School District to provide academic, vocational, and activity programs which will give each student the opportunity to attain full potential in academic achievement, intellectual development, economic understanding, positive relationships, social responsibility, aesthetic appreciation, and physical development.
   ^{The ultimate purpose of the educational process in the Mitchell School District is to prepare each student to accept responsibility to self, family, community, country, and thus to become a contributing member in our changing society.
    These educational responsibilities and purposes can best be attained through a joint effort of students, parents, staff and the community as they work together to motivate students to achieve their individual potential.  These groups also must work together to encourage all citizens to understand the need for life-long learning.}

^{ATTENDANCE (995-3013)    
  Regular attendance directly relates to a student’s ability to achieve in school. A student that is absent misses class instruction, presentations, discussions, audio-visual material, and student-teacher contact-all difficult to make-up after the absence.  In order to encourage regular attendance, the following procedures will be in place each year.}

^{1.       If a student is absent for five days of school per semester, the parents will receive a Letter of Information.}

^{2.       If a student is absent for eight days of school per semester, the parents will receive a Letter of Concern and a resource officer will make a home visit.}

^{3.       If a student is absent for ten days of school per semester, a truancy petition may be filed with the State’s Attorney, parents will receive a Letter of Notification of the truancy, and the Principal of Dean of Students will monitor absences.}

^{Other notes:}

  ^{1.       If a student is more than 30 minutes late for the morning he or she is considered absent for one half day.} 

  ^{2.       If a student misses more than 30 minutes during the school day he or she is considered absent for one half day.}

  ^{3.       If a student leaves for the afternoon more than 30 minutes before class is dismissed for the day he or she is considered absent for one half day.}

  ^{4.       Continuous absence for prolonged illness or a series of medical treatments may be counted as one absence.  A note from the physician will be required.}

  ^{5.       Continuous absence due to bereavement or serious illness of the student’s immediate family may be counted as one absence.  A note from the parent/guardian or physician will be required.}

  ^{6.       Absence due to vacation will be counted one absence per day.}

  ^{7.       Absence for school activities will not count as an absence.}

  ^{8.       In School Suspension or Out of School Suspension will count as an absence.}

  ^{9.       Students may be excused for other exceptional reasons with approval of the principal.}

^{10.       Attendance will be counted on a semester basis.}

^{Excused Absences:}

^{·         A student , who has been absent, on returning to school, must present an excuse (if telephone contact has not been made) stating the reason for the absence.  The student is to get all missed assignments from his/her teacher(s) and make-up all work promptly. Parents/guardians or an adult relative must accompany students on family trips to have these considered excused absences. In special cases a student may be excused from a special outing if “parents” accompany the student.  Absences for reasons other than school-sponsored activities will be counted as a day of absence.  In all cases, the parent must contact the attendance secretary (995-3013) or principal (995-3051) by a written note or telephone. It is the student’s responsibility to have assignments for class upon returning.}

^{HARASSMENT            TOP
 Actions that are meant to intimidate and embarrass others are very harmful in a school environment because they often result in students not engaging in education. It is a type of bullying and a form of violence.
  Bullying - Intimidating actions will not be tolerated. Students should report bullying to teachers, counselors, and administrators so the bullying can be stopped. Continued bullying is harmful to a whole classroom. Students who laugh at it, go along with it, or fail to report it become part of the problem.
  Sexual Harassment in any form will not be tolerated. It is the policy of the school district that no administrator, faculty member, staff member or student shall be subject to sexual harassment by others. This policy (#115) is available in full at the Central Administration Office or the Middle School library and is also posted by the middle school auxiliary gym. Please report harassment to a counselor or administrator.}

HOMEWORK                ^{TOP
  Homework information is maintained at our web site; click on homework information at www.mitchell.k12.sd.us/mms.}

^{HONOR ROLLS 
  To be listed on the Honor Roll, students must have at least a “B” average. The grade point average can be figured as follows: A’s=4, B’s=3, C’s=2, and D’s=1. Add total points. Divide by the number of classes taken (A half-period class such as band counts one half the points and one half the time). The three honor rolls are Bronze (3.0-3.34), Silver (3.35-3.69), and Gold (3.70-4.0). These honor rolls are published and sent to the newspaper approximately 2 weeks after a quarter ends. A uniform grading policy has been established for the school. It is available in the school office.}

^{LIBRARY 
  The library is a place intended to provide magazines, books, and technology needed for class work and leisure reading. Remember that library materials belong to all students and need to be treated properly. Students on the failing list usually do not have library privileges and must have a slip from their teacher to use the library during a study hall. Overdue books are fined at the rate of $ .05 per school day.}

LOCKERS
  The locker is the property of the school and may be checked for physical condition and contents. Valuables should not be kept in the lockers because they may not be secure. For security and safety reasons, we ask that students not share lockers or locker combinations.

^{LOST AND FOUND            TOP}
  Check the office for all lost and found articles. All articles are held for the school year and then are disposed of if unclaimed.

   The federal education law, No Child Left Behind, requires that all parents be notified and given the opportunity to request information about the professional qualifications of classroom teachers instructing their child.  If you are interested in this information, you may contact your building principal or the superintendent of schools who will provide a response.

TELEPHONES
  A pay telephone is available in the front lobby. There is also a student use telephone in the office, but it is not available before 7:45 a.m. in the morning. This limited use is because so much parent/school business is conducted in the office at this time. A telephone is made available from 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. After 3:30 p.m. until the office is closed, the student phone is available to call parents. The school expects conversations to be respectful, courteous, and quick. Failure to follow those guidelines can result in restricted use. School phone use is a privilege, not a right.

VIOLENCE  
  Violence occurs whenever anyone harms - or threatens to harm - a person’s body, feelings, or possessions. Violence can be a mean word, look, sign, or act. Violence hurts everyone involved whether it is verbal violence or physical fighting. All participants in a fight receive a disciplinary referral and may be sent home. Second or serious offenses are usually referred to local police. Any threats of serious harm to students or staff will be treated seriously and may warrant police involvement.

VISITORS 
     Parents are welcome to visit school. All visitors are requested to check with the office before entering any classroom. We discourage visits by students from other schools. Student visits must be approved by the teacher(s) and a principal prior to the visit and are only for one-half school day.

WEAPONS                ^TOP
  No weapon of any kind is permitted at school or on school grounds.  No student shall carry on his or her person, in any way have in his or her possession, store, keep, leave, place or give to or put in the possession of another student a controlled, dangerous or deadly weapon, any destructive device or explosive, any ballistic knife, any stun gun or any firearm or air gun whether such firearm or air gun is designed, adapted, used or intended primarily for imitative or noise making purposes or not in or on any school property or premises, in any school vehicle or other vehicle being used for school purposes or in any other building, structure or property being used for school purposes or function or at which a school related activity is being conducted. This policy shall not apply to any weapon, device, or other item referred to herein which authorized individuals are using as a part of or in conjunction with school related activities or functions. As per SD state law, any student bringing a firearm to school shall be expelled for not less than 12 months and will be referred to law enforcement authorities. The superintendent shall have the authority to recommend to the school board that this expulsion requirement be modified on a case-by-case basis. Any student violating this policy shall also be referred to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system. Refer to Board Policy #1033 for the complete policy.

^TOP