School Handbook

Contests
The building principal will permit contests sponsored by outside organizations, provided such contests serve to advance the educational aims of the school. Only those contests specifically recommended by the building principal and designated by the superintendent shall be allowed.

iPads
Each student will be issued an iPad at the beginning of the school year. Once issued, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that their iPad is not damaged or lost. The iPad is a school-owned device. If the iPad is damaged or lost, the fees listed in the iPad agreement, which is signed by parents, will be assessed.  

Students are responsible for following the iPad rules developed by the school. A comprehensive list of rules is listed at the end of the handbook. A student’s iPad may be collected from them at any time to ensure that students are using their iPads appropriately. Failure to follow the school iPad rules will result in disciplinary action.  

In-School Work Habits

• Students must report to class on time with all supplies and their iPad.
• Students are to have completed all assigned homework before class begins.
• Students arriving to class with a late pass are to enter the classroom quietly without disrupting class activities.

Homework
Homework is a necessary part of our instructional program.  Individual teachers will assign homework in varied quantities.  The amount of homework given will be based on the needs of the particular class or student.

At-Home Study Guidelines
School responsibilities and learning do not stop at the dismissal bell. To offer you an idea of how to manage your home study time successfully, try following these guidelines:

• Study in a quiet, well-lit room.
• Pick a time to study when you are most alert. For some, it is best to study right after school; for others, the best study time is just after dinner in the evening. Find the right time for you and use it every day.
• Have all materials (books, pens, paper, etc.) ready before you begin to study.
• Study in short blocks of time (20-30 minutes) with five-minute breaks between study blocks.
• Complete study tasks and then review or proofread your work.
• Check your assignment book to make sure that you have completed all of your homework and study requirements.
• When you have completed your homework, place it in a folder or notebook where it will not be misplaced.
• Be sure to submit all of your homework on time to receive full credit for your efforts.

Grading Scale
Assignments, quizzes, and tests will be evaluated using the district grading standards: 

Grading Scale
A+  100-98	A   97-93	A−   92-90
B+   89-88	B   87-83	B−   82-80
C+   79-78	C   77-73	C−   72-70
D+   69-68	D   67-63	D−   62-60
F     59-0
P = Passing
I = Incomplete

Percentages greater than or equal to .5 will not be rounded up to determine grades. 

Parents will have access to grades online through their Infinite Campus Parent Portal. 

Report Cards
Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter. This evaluation of the student’s progress takes into account individual characteristics, abilities, and effort. If parents or students have questions about a report card grade, please contact the classroom teacher for clarification.

Parent-Teacher Conferences
After the end of the first marking period, a parent/teacher conference day may be scheduled.  Conferences will be scheduled to accommodate working parents who wish to attend.  At other times throughout the year, conferences may be arranged between parents and teachers.

Honor Roll
An honor roll is published at the end of each quarter.  To be included on the honor roll, an overall grade point average of 3.50-4.00 is required.  A grade point average of 3.75 or higher is considered high honors. Percentages greater than or equal to .5 will not be rounded up to determine grades. 

Honor Roll status will not be awarded to any student who receives less than a C grade in any subject. Plus and minus grades appear on report cards, but they will not enter into the determination of the grade point average. The following letter grades and their corresponding numerical value are:

A = 4.0
B = 3.0
C = 2.0
D = 1.0
F = 0.0

Student Activities
We encourage our students to become part of extracurricular activities because they are a vital part of the middle school experience. Various clubs operate throughout the year. It is expected that each club/extracurricular participant will maintain passing grades and appropriate behavior. Attendance during regular school hours is required in order to participate in after-school activities.

Southwest Interscholastic Conference (SWIC)
Prairie View and Grissom Middle Schools are members of the SWIC which offers many competitive activities, including the following: boys’ and girls’ softball, boys’ and girls’ cross country, boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ volleyball, boys’ and girls’ track, Mathletes, and Declamation.

Prairie View and Grissom Middle Schools provide a broad and varied program of extracurricular activities designed to meet the needs and interests of our students. Students who represent either school in extracurricular activities must maintain good academic and disciplinary status to remain eligible for these programs. Student eligibility is determined by their teachers, based on the student’s schoolwork and behavior. Any team member who is not currently passing a subject may be suspended from competition for one week or until academic improvement is noted. At the coach’s discretion, students who are on activity suspension may practice but not play in SWIC-sanctioned games or events until a passing grade or progress is made toward improving their academic performance.

Eighth Grade Class Activities
Eighth-grade students enjoy certain privileges and activities, many of which are scheduled at the end of the year. Eighth graders must demonstrate basic responsibilities, appropriate attitudes, and academic success before they are allowed to participate in these activities. It is up to the discretion of the building administration to revoke a student’s privilege to participate in these extracurricular events.  

Activities

• Attending the class trip to Great America
• Attending the eighth-grade celebration/extravaganza
• Attending any planned end-of-the-year group events
• Participating in the formal graduation ceremony. This participation involves the purchase of a cap and gown, paying the necessary fees, being seated with the class of graduates at the ceremony, and walking on stage to receive the diploma.

Requirements

• Students must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 1.0 (D).
• Students must demonstrate appropriate behavior throughout the school year as supported by behavioral records and staff recommendations.
• Students must show respect and cooperation toward adults and classmates.

Reasons for Exclusion from Activities

• A cumulative grade point average below 1.0 (D).
• Severe or repeated misconduct or misbehavior problems as documented through conduct referral forms, detentions, suspensions, and teachers’ or administrative notations.

In addition to the policies in this handbook, students and parents are also responsible for adhering to the policies in the KSD 140 Parent/Student Handbook.

Regular school attendance is essential to learning. It is important for you to be prompt for all your classes. Successful students are seldom absent or tardy. Students must attend school if they wish to participate in after-school or evening activities.

Absence
When students are ill or need to miss school because of a visit to a doctor, a parent or guardian should call the school between 7:45 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The phone number for Prairie View Middle School is (708) 532-8540, and the phone number for Grissom Middle School is (708) 429-3030. Parents may also call during non-business hours, including the night before, and leave a message for the school regarding a student’s absence. If you are absent for three or more days, parents may request assignments, which may be picked up at the school office between 3:15 and 4:00 p.m. Additionally, a doctor’s note should be submitted documenting the illness.  Students who seek an excused absence for religious ceremonies or holidays that are regular school days will have such days counted as an absent day. It is the student’s responsibility to ask teachers for any work missed due to absence.   

Planned Absence
Vacations should be planned to coincide with the regularly scheduled school breaks, which are identified on the school calendar. If your family chooses to take a vacation at another time, the school office must be notified, and district policy regarding vacations will apply.

Tardiness
A late arrival to school requires an explanation. If you arrive five (or more) minutes late for school, you must immediately report to the office with a parent/guardian, a note from a doctor, or a phone call of explanation from a parent/guardian. You must also arrive on time for all classes during the day. If you are late, you must have a pass to gain entry to a class, or you will be marked tardy. Chronic tardiness may result in disciplinary actions being taken by the administration.

Absenteeism/Truancy
Student attendance is critical to the learning process. Truancy and chronic absenteeism are, therefore, serious issues and will be addressed by the school and district.

Students who miss 5% or more of the 180 regular school days without a valid reason are considered chronically truant. Students who miss 10% of the 180 regular school days with or without a valid reason are considered chronically absent. Students who are chronically truant or chronically absent will be offered support services and resources designed to address the truancy issue.

Students are made aware of the expectations for their behavior at the beginning of each school year. Expectations are posted throughout the building to assist students. Violation of the standards of conduct and dress may be subject to a form of disciplinary action. Our goal is to correct any problems and help the child realize that actions have consequences when a student disregards the expectations.

Students who are subject to disciplinary action may be ineligible for any after-school activities for a period of time determined by the school administration. These include any extracurricular activities and attending or participating in a sporting event/practice.

Minor Infractions
Minor infractions are teacher-managed behaviors typically addressed by the classroom teacher or a school staff member. These may result in a reteach/warning, loss of privilege, or an on-team lunch detention. Minor infractions include, but are not limited to:

• Academic dishonesty
• Cell phone use
• Defiance or non-compliance
• Dishonestly
• Disrespect or insubordination
• Disruptive behavior
• Inappropriate language
• iPad misuse
• Name calling
• Securly Pass misuse
• Tardies/Unprepareds

Major Infractions
Major infractions are office-managed behaviors typically addressed by school administration. These may result in consequences such as office lunch detention, before or after-school detention, or in-school or out-of-school suspension. Majors are issued for more serious behaviors or repeated minor infractions. Major infractions include, but are not limited to:

• Ongoing minor infractions as determined by administrative discretion
• Academic dishonesty (extreme or chronic)
• Any form of bullying or harassment
• Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco/E-Cigarettes (Vapes) use or possession
• Extreme defiance/non-compliance
• Extreme disrespect/Insubordination
• Extreme iPad misuse
• Fighting
• Gambling
• Gang-related activity
• Major disruption
• Physical contact of ANY KIND
• Possession of weapons, perceived weapons, or prohibited Items of ANY KIND
• Profanity directed at staff members
• Racial, cultural, or religious insensitive comments/behaviors
• Refusal to serve or removal from detention
• Sexually inappropriate comments, behaviors, or images
• Stealing
• Theft
• Vandalism to school safety equipment, school property, or the property of others
• Verbal/Physical intimidation

If a student is suspended from school, the student will be excluded from ALL extracurricular activities on the day(s) of the suspension. Days following a suspension, the student may, at the principal’s discretion, be excluded from certain extra-curricular activities. 

Expulsion
Expulsion is the exclusion from school for a period of time greater than 10 days. Only the Board of Education may exercise this serious disciplinary action.

Firearms
District 140 has a strict policy regarding students who bring firearms to school or have firearms in their possession while in school. This also includes look-alike weapons or objects used as a weapon. These students are subject to severe penalties, including expulsion.

Building Evacuation
In the event of a utility failure, fire-related damage, or structural damage, students will be immediately evacuated to the school parking lot. If students cannot return to the building, the following steps will be taken:

Prairie View - Students will first be transported to St. Stephen’s Church, which is across the street. Once transportation has been arranged, the students will be driven to Grissom Middle School, located at 17000 S. 80th Avenue, 708-429-3030, where they will be housed for the remainder of the day. 

Grissom - Students will first be transported to the Tinley Park Recreation Center. Once transportation has been arranged, the students will be driven to Prairie View Middle School, located at 8500 W. 175th Street, 708-532-8540, where they will be housed for the remainder of the day.

Fire/Lockdown/Tornado
In the event of an emergency, either a fire alarm will be sounded or an announcement will be made. During this time, absolute silence is necessary so that everyone can hear and obey orders. Each classroom teacher will give specific instructions either to evacuate the building or to go to a designated area of the classroom or hallway. Throughout the school year, drills will be conducted so that students are familiar with these procedures.

Emergency Closing of School
If KSD 140 needs to close schools due to inclement weather or emergency circumstances, families will receive an email/text message, and an alert will be posted on our District website. KSD 140 also communicates school closure information through social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Telephones
Students may be granted special permission to use the school phone to contact a parent or guardian. However, students should not be placing phone calls during the school day unless a teacher or adult staff member gives them permission. If a student is not feeling well, they should go to the Nurse’s office to be evaluated.  

Cellular Telecommunication Devices/Technology
Students may not use any cellular telecommunication devices, including, but not limited to, cellular phones and smart watches, on school premises during school hours or after school extracurricular activities, including the school bus, without the expressed permission from building administration. Students may not at any time use a cellular communication device, camera, or video camera for videotaping purposes during the same time frames listed above.   

All cellular devices should be turned off upon entering the building and stored in the student’s locker. Personal cellular devices should not be turned back on until the student has left the building. Cell phone misuse may result in consequences that include:

• Warnings
• Lunch or After-School Detentions
• Students may be required to turn their phones into the office each school day for the remainder of the school year

The KSD Board of Education Policy 7.190, in compliance with Illinois School Code, prohibits the use of student cell phones on school property during school hours or after school extracurricular activities, including the school bus, without the expressed permission from building administration.

Arrival
Students are to arrive no earlier than 8:25 a.m.. Students should enter through the correct grade level door. Before entering the building, students should turn off and put away their phones in their backpacks. Once in the building, phones should remain off and be stored in the student’s locker. Students who attend before or after school support are expected to follow school rules.

Student I.D.s
Each student will be issued a photo ID card for the current school year. This ID is the property of Kirby School District #140 and is initially given free of charge. The ID may not be defaced or damaged on either side, which includes writing, holes, pictures, stickers, trimming, cutting, etc.  In the event of loss or mutilation, a temporary ID will be issued until a replacement is reissued at the cost of $2.00 to the student. A student must carry their ID and it must be produced and/or surrendered upon the request of any teacher, bus driver, or staff member for identification purposes at all times throughout the school day and at all extracurricular activities sponsored by Kirby School District 140.

Backpacks
Students are allowed to bring backpacks or other bags to school. However, they are to be placed in the locker throughout the day. Students are not allowed to use them during passing periods. Please use caution in purchasing backpacks. They must be able to fit within the locker.

Bicycles
Bicycle racks are located at the front of the building. All bikes must be parked in the racks and locked. Students assume responsibility for their bicycles. The school cannot be held responsible for bikes that are damaged or stolen. Bikes must be walked while on school grounds.

Candy/Food
All food is restricted to the Commons area, unless granted permission from school authority.  Fountain and Energy drinks are not allowed at school. Students are not allowed to share food. 

Hallways/Passing Periods
Before 8:35 a.m., students are to sit on the floor by their lockers until instructed to open them. The 3-minute passing time between classes allows adequate time to move between classrooms. Students are expected to be seated in their classrooms before the tardy bell rings.

Students are not permitted to leave their assigned classroom without permission from school staff or faculty members.

All students must possess a Securly Pass when in the hallways during class hours. When in the hallway, students should stay to the right, walk calmly, and avoid bumping or shoving others.

Personal Possessions
Students should not bring cameras, lasers, roller blades, baseball bats, or other valuable items to school. These items are a distraction and are often lost or stolen. Skateboards are not to be brought to school. Skateboarding on school grounds at any time is prohibited.

Student Lockers
Lockers are the property of the school district. Combination locks must be used. Students will be assigned a hall locker and a gym locker. Students are not permitted to decorate the outside of their lockers unless it is class-related and a staff member has instructed them to do so. The school reserves the right to inspect lockers. Students should memorize their combinations. Lockers, which are damaged beyond normal wear, will be the financial responsibility of the student’s family. Teaching teams may designate locker visits. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen property.

School Supplies
Students are required to buy the school supplies that their teachers determine necessary for their successful completion of classes. Students must bring these supplies to class each day. 

Injury and Illness
If a student suffers an injury or accident at school, they should report it promptly to a teacher or the nurse’s office. If the injury is minor, the student will be treated and may return to class. If medical attention is required, the nurse’s office will follow the school emergency procedures.

A student who becomes sick during the day at school should ask for permission from the teacher to go to the office. The nurse will determine whether or not the student should remain in school or needs to go home. No student will be released from school without proper parental permission. 

Medicine at School
Students who have conditions that require medication must have a form in the school office that includes both the parent's consent and the physician’s order. Medication must be in the original container from the pharmacy.

Your iPad is a school-owned device that is used daily in all your classes. Your iPad should only be used for schoolwork or school-appropriate activities. Failure to follow these rules will result in disciplinary action. 

• Students must bring a fully charged iPad to school every day.  
• Students must handle their iPad carefully and respectfully. Damage or loss of the iPad will result in fines to fix or replace the iPad. 
• Students must keep their iPads in the district-issued case at all times.  
• Students should never loan their iPad to another person.  
• Students may only download apps that a teacher has instructed them to download.  
• Students should only be on their iPad when instructed to do so by their teacher.  
• Students may not use their iPad for streaming music or video unless required for a class assignment.  
• Students may not play games on their iPad unless instructed by a teacher.  
• Students may not use their iPad to take pictures or videos unless required for a class assignment.  
• Students should not change the home screen of the iPad from the factory-set screen.
• Students should not create folders on their iPad. 
• Students may have their iPad collected and checked by staff at any time. 
• Students must immediately report loss or damage to their iPad to a teacher.  
   

Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities. Various clubs operate throughout the year. It is expected that each club/extracurricular participant will maintain passing grades and appropriate behavior. Attendance during regular school hours is required in order to participate in after-school activities.

Southwest Interscholastic Conference (SWIC)
Prairie View and Grissom Middle Schools are members of the SWIC which offers many competitive activities, including the following: boys’ and girls’ softball, boys’ and girls’ cross country, boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ volleyball, boys’ and girls’ track, Mathletes, and Declamation.

Prairie View and Grissom Middle Schools provide a broad and varied program of extracurricular activities designed to meet the needs and interests of our students. Students who represent either school in extracurricular activities must maintain good academic and disciplinary status to remain eligible for these programs. Student eligibility is determined by their teachers, based on the student’s schoolwork and behavior. Any team member who is not currently passing a subject may be suspended from competition for one week or until academic improvement is noted. At the coach’s discretion, students who are on activity suspension may practice but not play in SWIC-sanctioned games or events until a passing grade or progress is made toward improving their academic performance.

Eighth Grade Class Activities
Eighth-grade students enjoy certain privileges and activities, many of which are scheduled at the end of the year. Eighth graders must demonstrate basic responsibilities, appropriate attitudes, and academic success before they are allowed to participate in these activities. It is up to the discretion of the building administration to revoke a student’s privilege to participate in these extracurricular events.  

Activities

• Attending the class trip to Great America
• Attending the eighth-grade celebration/extravaganza
• Attending any planned end-of-the-year group events
• Participating in the formal graduation ceremony. This participation involves the purchase of a cap and gown, paying the necessary fees, being seated with the class of graduates at the ceremony, and walking on stage to receive the diploma.

Requirements

• Students must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 1.0 (D).
• Students must demonstrate appropriate behavior throughout the school year as supported by behavioral records and staff recommendations.
• Students must show respect and cooperation toward adults and classmates.

Reasons for Exclusion from Activities

• A cumulative grade point average below 1.0 (D).
• Severe or repeated misconduct or misbehavior as documented through conduct referral forms, detentions, suspensions, and teachers’ or administrative notations.

In addition to the policies in this handbook, students and parents are also responsible for adhering to the policies in the KSD 140 Parent/Student Handbook.

Property Searches
To maintain order and security in the schools, school authorities are authorized to conduct reasonable searches of school property and equipment, as well as of students and their personal effects. “School authorities” include school liaison police officers. For the full district policy regarding search and seizure, please see Board Policy 7:140. 

Student Responsibilities
The majority of our middle school students are able to function on a daily basis in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect for others. However, rules must be established for those few individuals who are unable to behave appropriately. The following section of this handbook is designed to establish guidelines for student conduct and dress. The disciplinary measures that will be applied, should these guidelines not be followed, are listed in this section.

Assembly Conduct
Assemblies are provided to entertain, inform, and recognize students. The guidelines for school conduct are to be observed during these assemblies. When an assembly is scheduled, students are to report to their scheduled class and wait for their class to be called to the assembly. Students will proceed with their class to the assembly and sit in their assigned spot with their teacher. After the assembly, students should remain in their seats until they are dismissed.

Bus Conduct
While riding on the school buses, students are required to conduct themselves in a proper and orderly manner. A detailed list of rules should also be reviewed in the district calendar.  These rules are designed to ensure safe travel for all riders. Administration will review and/or reassign seats as needed. Failure to adhere to bus conduct policies may result in suspension from the school bus in accordance with Board Policy 7:220.  

• No food or beverages may be consumed on the bus.
• Students must obey the instructions of the bus driver at all times.
• Students must remain seated and facing forward.
• Students are not allowed to make loud or distracting noises.
• Students should not push, move about, or annoy others.
• Students will be assigned a seat on the bus.
• Students are prohibited from using their cellular communication devices to take pictures or videos on the bus. 
• Students are prohibited from hanging or throwing things out of the bus windows. 

Our office does not have the authority to permit bus riders to transfer from their assigned bus to another bus, even if there is a signed note from a parent. Bus riders must remain with their assigned bus. Students are not permitted to “switch” buses from their original district bus assignments. Students who walk do not have permission to ride the daily buses at any time.

Lunch Conduct

• Each student must remain seated at their assigned table for the entire lunch period.
• Students should raise their hands for permission to use the washroom during lunch period.
• Students should clean their tables and floor area when they are finished eating.
• All Standards of Conduct should be followed during students’ lunch periods.   
• Glass bottles are not allowed.
• All food and drink must stay in the Commons.
• Fountain drinks are not permitted in the Commons and are not to be dropped off at the office with lunches. 
• Lunches dropped off should be labeled and placed in the student’s grade level bin, which is located in the vestibule.

KSD 140 Middle School Dress Code
KSD 140 is committed to fostering a positive, respectful, and distraction-free learning environment. Students are expected to come to school dressed in a way that supports a safe, inclusive, and focused educational setting. Clothing should be clean, appropriate, and not disrupt the school day. If a student’s attire does not meet the expectations outlined below, they may be asked to change or adjust their clothing. Refer to  Kirby School District 140 Policy 7:160 on Student Appearance.

General Guidelines for Student Dress:

• Tops must fully cover the midriff, back, sides, and all undergarments 
• Bottoms -  Undergarments should not be visible.
• Clothing, accessories, and tattoos must be free of:
  • Profanity or offensive language
  • Violent or sexually suggestive images or phrases
  • Gang-related symbols
  • References to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or related products
• Footwear must be safe and appropriate for school activities. Inappropriate footwear includes roller shoes, skate shoes, and slippers.
• Hats, hoods, sunglasses, bandanas, and other head coverings may not be worn during the school day unless required for religious or medical reasons, or with prior administrative approval.