Student Handbook

Billinghurst Middle School
6685 Chesterfield Lane
Reno, Nevada 89523
775-746-5870
Fax 775 746-5875

School Mascot – Bighorns
School Colors – Turquoise-Gold-White

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS

* Maintain a positive learning attitude in the classroom.
* Cooperate with other students, teachers and staff members to make Billlinghurst a positive school.
* Use good judgment in making decisions concerning personal behavior.
* Maintain a safe, clean environment. We are a zero tolerance school for violence, weapons, drugs and alcohol.
* Engage in behavior that enhances everyone’s self-esteem and school spirit.
* Respect the rights of others. Remember!! We are all representatives of our school to the community.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

* Leave radios, headsets, tapes, CD’s, pagers and telephones at home.
* No sunglasses, hats, scarves, or beanies at school.
* Wear clothes consistent with our dress code. Gang attire, pajamas, slippers, beachwear, tank tops, spaghetti strap shirts, crop tops, flip-flop shoes, and short shorts are unacceptable.   Also, shirts with advertisements such as cigarettes, drugs or inappropriate pictures or words will not be allowed.
* Sweatshirt hoods may not be worn in the building.
* Eat in the cafeteria only. No food, drinks or candy in the classrooms halls, or outside. Be responsible for picking up your litter in the dining commons and all areas of the school. Put litter in the trash containers provided to help keep our school looking top notch. NO GUM OR SUNFLOWER SEEDS ALLOWED ON SCHOOL CAMPUS AT ANY TIME!!
* Use appropriate language on school grounds. Inappropriate use of verbal or written language will result in negative consequences.
* Use lockers at appropriate times.
* Do not shove, push or yell in the halls during passing time, and please keep to the right.

DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES

We wish to make it clear that VERBAL, PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT of another student is considered a very serious offense. No one at Billinghurst will have to tolerate bullies or other students who verbally threaten or intimidate. Verbal harassment has many disguises.   We will not tolerate students who specialize in having a laugh at another person’s expense. Such immature and insensitive behavior may result in an office referral, parent contact and possible suspension from school. Harassing a student by pulling or tugging at their clothes with the intent to remove such clothing or to improperly expose the student will not be tolerated.
* Automatic 10-day suspension for drug/alcohol related offenses.
* Disruptive students in an assembly will be removed and receive appropriate consequences
* Disruptive students for a substitute teacher will be removed from class and may receive a one-day in-house suspension for 1st offense. Parents will be called; Additional offenses may result in an out-of-school suspension.
* Vandalism is a major offense at Billinghurst Middle School. School police will prosecute all individuals found responsible for such behavior to the highest degree.

* As per Washoe County School District Administrative Regulation 5144.6F#6, and Nevada Revised Statute 392.4655, a student who has participated in behavior resulting in five or more suspensions during a school year will be suspended from the Washoe County School District through the end of the current semester.
* Washoe County School District has established a Zero Tolerance policy. Threats involving weapons, bombs, and other safety concerns will be taken very seriously. Students participating in such incidents may be suspended, arrested and taken to Wittenberg Hall and possibly expelled from school.

* Students who do not use any passes during a nine-week period will be invited to the Billinghurst Planner party at the end of each quarter.

DANCE PROTOCOL

The last set of lights will be left on in the gym during the entire dance. Students will not wear shoes, sweatshirts, jackets or inappropriate clothing. Students will wear socks.
ATTENDANCE
1.      All students must be in their seat when the bell rings. If you arrive late in the morning, you must check in with the office before reporting to class. Students are referred to the office on the 4th and subsequent tardies. Students will do school community service on their 5th through 9th tardy. On the 10th tardy, students will be assigned to Saturday School or lose activity privileges. When you are absent, your parent must call the school in the morning (preferably before 9:00 a.m.) to excuse your absence.
2.     You will be required to bring a note to the office on the day you return to school.
3.    It is the student’s responsibility to check with teachers regarding missed work. We require that you phone the students on your Billinghurst Planner’s Personal Directory Sheet for the assignments you are missing while absent. We ask that you and your parents not call the school for homework assignments unless you will be out for 5 or more days.
4.    You may prearrange absences for religious holidays, court appearances and medical appointments.
5.    OFF CAMPUS PASSES- If you have to leave school for any reason, bring a note to the student window at the office before school starts in the morning to obtain a street pass. When you return to school from your appointment, please check in at the office.
6.     WITHDRAWAL – If you are moving to another school, your parent must send a note to the office. The office will give you your paperwork that must be signed by all of your teachers. It will take two (2) days to withdraw. Please return your transfer papers to the office before leaving school on the 2nd day.

SUPPLIES

Each student must bring their planner, pencil, notebook and book to each class period. Each student is responsible for his or her planner.
TEXTBOOKS: Each student is issued textbooks valued at approximately $350.00. If you lose a textbook, you must buy a new one. Textbooks must be covered at all times. Book covers are available in the office. It is mandatory that you put your name and teacher’s room number in ink in the front of your textbook on the day it is issued.

COUNSELORS

Billinghurst is fortunate to have three counselors in the building. If you would like to see a counselor, you may make an appointment by writing out a pass on the clipboard in the office. The counselor will arrange to see you at the earliest possible time. Students must have a pass from a teacher or counselor to go to the counselor’s office. Counselors have special training which will assist students in the following areas: Personal and social maters, adapting schedules, planning high school programs, career planning. Remember, the counselors are here to help you!

SNOW DAYS
      Students are not to throw snow
      Students are not to push others
      Students are personally warned only one time and then they are suspended.

TELEPHONE USAGE

THE TELEPHONES IN THE OFFICE ARE LIMITED TO EMERGENCIES ONLY!!!   A pay phone is located outside the office for student use. Office permission is required during school hours. The cost is $.50

BILLINGHURST SCHOOL SONG

What do you think when you think of a school that’s a winner
What do you think?
What do you think?
(clap hands) B.D.B

Where to you go when you go to a school that’s a winner
Where do you go?
Where do you go?
(clap hands) B.D.B

Chorus:
Billinghurst, Billinghurst, that’s the school for me,
Billinghurst, Billinghurst

(YELL) Bighorn Country!!

HEALTH SERVICES
The nurse’s office is located in the main office.
* Illness at school – if you become ill during the day, you are to obtain a nurse’s pass from your teacher before going to the nurse. If necessary, your parent will be contacted to pick you up.
* Health Records – when the nurse asks you to have your parents fill out a medical form, this is to be done immediately for your own protection.
* School Insurance – the advisory teacher issues forms at the beginning of the year. Parents are to fill out these forms and mail them to the appropriate carrier.
* Accidents that occur at school must be reported to the nurse immediately. Parents will be notified if you need further medical attention.
* Contagious disease – you or your parent should inform the nurse of any communicable diseases such as measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc. The nurse will record this information on your health record.
* Medication – if you need to take medication during the day, you must have a form with your parent’s signature and your doctor’s signature stating the prescribed dosage and times to be taken. The nurse’s office will hold the medication for you so it can be taken at the prescribed time. The school nurse, clinical aide, secretary, or any staff member may not administer non-prescription medication.

HOMEWORK
Homework is given on a regular basis at Billinghurst. Completion of homework assignments greatly affects your academic grade. In most classes, homework assignments account for as much as one-third of the final grade. The purpose of homework is to provide review and reinforcement of daily lessons.
You must record the name and telephone numbers of two students in each class on your Billinghurst Planner’s Personal Directory sheet. This is the way you will get the work missed if you are absent.

HONORS CRITERIA
Honor Roll - GPA of 3.5 – 4.0 with no
citizenship grade lower than a “C-“
Honorable Mention -GPA of 3.0-3.49 with no
citizenship grade lower than a “C-“
Citizenship Honor Roll      All A’s or A-‘s in citizenship
Honor Pass – Students must receive all “A” or “A-“ in citizenship

                                 LOCKER
Locker assignments are made for the year. Locker or combination changes will not be made! Lockers should be clean and organized at all times. Decals, stickers and writing on or in your locker are prohibited. Do not share your locker with anyone or your locker privileges may be revoked. You may go to your locker during the following times: Before or after school, 5 minutes between each class, before lunch- drop off your books and pick up your coat, after lunch, return your coat and pick up your books. DO NOT GIVE YOUR LOCKER COMBINATION TO ANYONE! Jackets and backpacks must remain in your locker during class time. It is advised that students use restrooms and drinking fountains during locker breaks.

DISTRICT LIABILITY
Please be aware that the district is not an agent for any student and IS NOT responsible for any loss, theft, or damage to any such items whether in the student’s possession or stored or left on campus or other school property. All students are responsible for any instruments, books, equipment, or other items that they have on campus, whether they are owned by the student or have been entrusted to the student by the school district or others.

LUNCH GUIDELINES
* Go to your locker before going to the lunchroom. Books are not allowed in the lunchroom. Be sure to get your sweater/coat if it is a cool day. You are not allowed in the halls during lunch without a pass.
* Line up in the appropriate line. Cutting in the lunch lines, saving places in line, or buying food for friends is not allowed. KEEP YOUR PIN NUMBER CONFIDENTIAL.
* Billinghurst has a closed campus. You may not leave the campus at lunch without a street pass.
* Food served from the lunchroom is not allowed on the outside grounds or in the classrooms.
* Each student is responsible for cleaning his/her plate and other disposable items. Please respect others and take care of your own trash.
* Use only the dining commons restrooms during lunch. Upon finishing lunch, all students are to go directly outside.

Due to safety concerns, Washoe County School District does not allow skateboards on school property. DO NOT BRING SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER BLADES OR SCOOTERS TO SCHOOL.

SCHOOL SECRET WITNESS
REWARDS, REMAIN ANONYMOUS CALL 8 TO 5 WEEKDAYS – 329-6666 or call “202” from any pay phone!

TRANSPORTATION

Riding the bus is a privilege. Disorderly or rude conduct will not be tolerated. Students who are cited by the bus driver will receive a three-day bus suspension on the 1st offense, the 2nd is 5 days, the 3rd is 10 days and the 4th is for the remainder of the semester and a mandatory meeting among parents, school administrator, and a representative from transportation. A BUS SUSPENSION IS NOT A SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL. IT IS THE PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THE CHILD TO SCHOOL.

Appropriate conduct is expected on the buses and at the bus stop. The buses will load and unload on the east side of the school. When the bell rings students are to enter the building on the east side.

Students wishing to ride a bus with another student or wishing to get off at a stop other than their own must have a WCSD Bus Permission form available from the BDB office. These forms must be picked up in advance and filled in by the parent/guardian and then signed by a school official.

Bicycles should be parked and locked in the bike compound on the east side of the building. The compound is locked from 7:48 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Students arriving late or leaving early should lock their bikes to the fence outside the compound.

Due to safety concerns, Washoe County School District does not allow skateboards on school property. DO NOT BRING SKATEBOARDS TO SCHOOL.

AB521
* A teacher has had problems with a student who is constantly disrupting class.
* The teacher removes the pupil from his/her class
* The administrator/teacher must notify the parents about the pupil’s removal
* A conference must be held with the pupil, parent, teacher and principal
* The pupil is assigned to a temporary alternative placement in which he/she is:
Separated from other students
Studies under the supervision of the assigned teacher
Prohibited from engaging in any extracurricular activities.
* The principal will recommend whether to return the student to the classroom or continue the temporary placement.

Canine Drug Search – In an effort to be pro-active in the fight against drugs, the Washoe County School District Administrative Regulations allow for “canine searches of school hallways, lockers, classrooms, buildings, parking lots, and other school property through the use of canine unit. The canine unit consists of a qualified handler, and a dog specially trained to detect illegal or prohibited substances, weapons, or bombs.” (544.10#5) The purpose of conducting random canine searches is to provide a drug-free learning environment where all students feel safe.

Washoe County School District has a “zero tolerance” attitude regarding illegal drugs and related paraphernalia being brought into any school. We will have drug-detecting dogs on campus during the school day on several different occasions throughout the school year. We want a drug-free student body and a drug-free campus.

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