Information
Breakfast
begins------------------------------- 7:50 a.m.
1st Warning bell ------------------------------- 8:12 a.m.
2nd Warning bell------------------------------- 8:17 a.m.
School begins---------------------------------- 8:20 a.m.
School ends------------------------------------ 3:00 p.m.
Buses leave------------------------------------ 3:05 p.m.
VTS Activity Bus Leaves .......... 4:15 p.m.
(Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays)
Kirkwood Activity Bus Leaves... 4:15 p.m.
(Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays)
Report Cards, Progress Reports, Conferences 2006-2007
The
tentative dates for report cards, progress reports and parent conferences
are on the Nipher Calendar page.
However, parents and students are encouraged
to contact the teachers to arrange conferences as needed.
NIPHER
CALENDAR
Academic
grades will be given in all subjects.
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 59 and below
Behavioral Guidelines
The following guidelines indicate behavioral expectations for all middle school students. Potential consequences for specific acts of misconduct are assigned in accordance with disciplinary classifications (Level I through Level V) contained in the Student Handbook.
Students are expected to:
1. Comply with all school and classroom rules. These rules apply in school
buildings, on school grounds and at recognized school functions. Disciplinary
guidelines
may be applied to difficulties off school grounds which are prejudicial to
good order and discipline in the schools or which tend to impair the
morale or good
conduct of the students.
2. Arrive on time to school after 7:45 am and to all classes beginning at 8:20
am.
3. Be cooperative in the classroom, follow all classroom rules, and respond
to correction by changing behavior positively.
4. Be well mannered during the school day. Respect adults and fellow students.
5. Walk in the hallways and refrain from pushing, shoving, blocking walkways,
or causing disturbances.
6. Bring to school only items that belong in school for educational purposes. Items
confiscated will be returned to students at the discretion of the administration.
If pagers
or cell phones are brought to school they must be placed in a locker between
8:20 am - 3:00 pm or they will be confiscated.
7. Work with everyone else to keep the building, equipment and materials clean
and in good condition.
8. Take proper care of textbooks and equipment.
9. Refrain from any acts of vandalism.
10. Remain in designated areas before school, during lunch, and after school.
11. Consume food, candy and beverages in the cafeteria only, unless a specific
activity allows consumption elsewhere in the building. Deposit trash in containers
provided. Leave the tables and floor areas of the cafeteria clean.
12. Complete homework assignments.
13. Dress appropriately so as not to disrupt the educational process.
14. Give all authorized medications to the school nurse with instructions for
use.
15. Remove all hats, caps, sunglasses, scarves, and bandanas.
16. Leave campus by at 3:05 pm unless in a supervised activity.
17. Refrain from leaving campus at any time during the school day unless authorized
to do so, including upon arrival in the morning.
18. Resolve differences and conflicts in a peaceful manner, without verbal
or physical fighting.
19. Refrain from making threats and harassing others.
20. Respect the possessions of others and never take or use them without the
owner's permission.
21. Be honest about everything. Realize that cheating and other forms of dishonesty
are serious acts of misconduct.
22. Show respect for others, the building, and grounds. Bring no item to school,
which could be deemed a weapon. Refrain from any behavior which could injure
another person.
23. Respect ones self and others. Do not possess or use tobacco, drugs, or
alcohol. Do not
provide or sell tobacco, drugs, or alcohol to others.
24. Be absent from school only by parent and/or school authorization.
25. Correct misconduct promptly.
26. Refrain from indicating gang affiliation through speech, gestures, or clothing,
etc.
Bus Transportation
Bus
transportation is made available for Kirkwood students who live more than
1 1/2 miles from school. Students who come to school on the bus should return
home on the bus unless they have a note from the parents signed by the principal.
Riding the school bus is a privilege, not a right. Improper conduct on school
buses will result in that privilege being denied.
Only regularly scheduled bus students are to ride the school buses. Students
assigned a bus route may not ride another bus or get off at a different stop
without written parental consent and approval of the principal or assistant principal.
Notes should be submitted to the principals one day in advance of the date for
which a change is requested. Last minute requests may be denied. Bus students
must go immediately to their buses and board as soon as they are dismissed from
school in the afternoon.
STUDENT
CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES
Riding a school bus is a privilege that the school can revoke for failure to
observe the regulations as outlined. If a student fails to observe the regulations
established by the Board of Education for safe conduct of all passengers on
the bus, the school will take disciplinary actions. The nature and severity
of punishment and the availability of less severe but equally effective means
of discipline will be considered when determining the action to be taken. A
student who repeatedly fails to follow bus rules will face progressively more
severe consequences with the maximum consequence being exclusion from riding
the school bus and suspension/expulsion from school.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS ON BUSES:
Students should...
* arrive at their bus stops on time. Buses have schedules to follow and cannot wait for students rides.
* observe all traffic rules.
* always approach bus stops carefully.
* be considerate of others' property while waiting for the bus.
* wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before getting on or off the bus.
* remember bus drivers are in charge of their passengers and their buses.
* follow the directions of their bus drivers.
* not distract
the driver in any way.
* never put arms, heads or other body parts outside the busy windows.
* use the emergency door only in case of emergencies.
* never smoke on the bus.
* help keep the buses clean.
* treat bus equipment with respect.
* always remain seated while the bus is in motion.
Dress and Appearance
The
Board of Education has established the following policy on dress and grooming. "The
Board of Education of the Kirkwood School District R-7 takes the position
that the appropriate and acceptable appearance of students is the basic responsibility
of the home. However, administrative restrictions applicable to the school
day may be imposed with regard to a student's hair style, appearance, grooming,
or attire when such dress and grooming creates possible danger to health
and safety, causes interference with work, creates classroom or school disorders,
or results in undue maintenance problems. Any student violation of such administrative
restrictions will be subject to disciplinary action." Students are expected
to dress appropriately so as not to disrupt the education process. Clothing
with chains, violent symbols, alcohol logos or drug-related pictures are
not permitted. Any suggestive clothing (tub-tops with thin straps, shorts
above the mid-thigh or exposed midriff) is not acceptable. Pants are to be
worn at the waist with no undergarments showing. Hats, caps, bandanas, sunglasses
are not to be worn during school hours (8:20 am 3 pm). Students should keep
these items in their lockers.
Cafeteria
The
Nipher Cafeteria is fully automated and all students will have options to
pay for lunch and breakfast either with cash or by establishing a personal
account. Students will be assigned a PIN number for their personal use. Students
enter their PIN number at the time of payment. It is important for students
to not share their PIN number with any other student. Students and parents
will be responsible for charges made to the account. We encourage parents
to pay by check, however, we will continue to accept cash in a sealed envelope
with the Students Name, ID Number and the amount enclosed written on the
front of the envelope. Checks should be made payable to the Kirkwood School
District. We strongly encourage parents to prepay for meals at least one
week at a time. Parents may request a record of deposits and purchases at
any time.
Lunch Program: A variety of entrèe choices, side choices/food bar, and
a variety of milk will be served daily.
Students must choose 1 entrèe,
and may choose up to 3 different sides, and 1 milk.
Breakfast Program: A variety of breakfast entrèe choices, with variety
side choices and variety milk served daily.
Students may choose up to 3 different
choices.
Students approved for the free and reduced lunch and breakfast program last school
year will remain approved until October 3, 2006. The Parent/Guardian must complete
a new application at the beginning of each year and be approved to avoid being
removed from the program. Please complete the new application and return it to
the school as soon as possible. Families of students eligible for free meals
through Direct Certification do not have to submit an application.
Lost & Found
All
lost and found items are placed in the Lost & Found box located in basement
stairwell.
Any item that is not picked up within a reasonable amount of time
will be appropriately discarded.
Telephone & Lockers
TELEPHONE
USE OF THE OFFICE TELEPHONE SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR EMERGENCIES.
LOCKERS
Each student is assigned a locker. This is a space loaned to students by the
school and subject to inspection if the need arises. Students are reminded
to use only the locker assigned to them and to keep it locked at all times.
Lock combinations are not to be given to any other person. PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY!
Print your name in ink on all property for which you are responsible. Do not
bring items of value or large sums of money (in excess of $20) to school. THE
SCHOOL DOES NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOST OR STOLEN ITEMS. Valuable items
are to be left at home.
After School Activities
Power Hour - Tuesday thru Thursday, in the Library - where students can receive extra help and extra time to complete assignments and projects. Computer access is also available.
Intramurals - Offered Tuesday thru Thursday each week with many types of sports and designated for different grade levels.
To find out what activity is offered when, please check out the Intramural Calendar. (Adobe reader is needed.)
Kirkwood Weight Training Program - Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays. Age appropriate athletic development training for highly motivated children. For more information contact Coach Bielik or Coach Grana.
Science Olympiad - Days of training TBA. Individuals or small groups particpate in various science events to prepare for a competition in February 2007. Some of the events are Balloon-Launched Glider, Disease Detective, Ecology, the Solar System, Storm Castle, and Tower Building. For more information contact Ms. Goeke.
Crafts Club - Meets the third Wednesday of every month starting in October. Each month a different 45 minute take-home craft is created.
Jazz Band - Meets every Tuesday. This is an auditioned group that rehearses music every week for at least one performance per semester.
Jazz Ensemble - Meets every Thursday. Any instrumentalist is welcome to come in and Jam with some Jazz lics.
6th Grade Choir - Meets every Thursday. This group is an auditioned group of 6th Graders that rehearses music every week in preparation for at least one performance per semester.