J. Douglas Adams

Middle School Home of the Yellow Jackets

401 American Avenue

Brentwood, CA 94513

Phone: (925) 513-6450 Fax: (925) 516-3470

Website: https://www.brentwood.k12.ca.us/Adams/

Mike Wood, Principal

Property of: ______________________________________________________________________

Phone #: _________________________________________________________________________

In case of emergency, please notify: ______________________________________________

Advisory Teacher: ______________________________________________________________

Brentwood Union School District

2015-16 STUDENT CALENDAR

JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

M T W TH F M T W TH F M T W TH F M T W TH F 1 2 3

H

3 4 5

*

6 7 1 2

*

3 4 1 Fall

Break

2 Fall

Break

6 7 8 9 10 10 11 12

*

13 14 7

H

8 9

*

10 11 5 Fall

Break

6 Fall

Break

7 Fall

Break

8 Fall

Break

9 Fall

Break

13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19

*

20 21 14 15 16

*

17 18 12 13 14

*

15 16

20 21

22

23

24

24 25 26

*

27 28 21

*

22

*

23

*

24

*

25

*

19 20 21

*

22 23

27

28

=

29

* 30 31 31 28

Fall

Break

29 Fall

Break

30 Fall

Break

26 27 28

*

29 30

^

NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY

M T W TH F M T W TH F M T W TH F M T W TH F 2 3 4

*

5 6 1 2

*

3 4 1H Winter

Break

1 2 3

*

4 5

9

10

11

H

12 13 7 8 9

*

10 11 4 5 6

*

7

8 8

9 10

*

11 12

H

16 17 18

*

19 20 14 15 16

*

17 18

*

11 12 13

*

14

15 15

H

16 17

*

18 19

23

^ NWD

24

^ NWD

25

H

26

H

27

H

21 Winter Break

22 Winter Break

23 Winter Break

24H Winter Break

25H Winter Break

18

H

19 20

*

21

22 22 23 24

*

25

*

26

*

30 28 Winter

Break

29 Winter

Break

30 Winter

Break

31 Winter

Break

25 26 27

*

28

29 29

MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE

M T W TH F M T W TH F M T W TH F M T W TH F

1 2

*

3 4 1

2 3 4

*

5 6 1

*

2

* =

3

7 8 9

*

10 11 4

5 6

*

7 8 9 10 11

*

12 13 6 7 8 9 10

14 Spring

Break

15 Spring

Break

16 Spring

Break

17 Spring

Break

18 Spring

Break

11 12 13

*

14 15 16 17 18

*

19 20 13 14 15 16 17

21 Spring Break

22 Spring Break

23 Spring Break

24 Spring Break

25 Spring Break

18 19 20

*

21 22 23 24 25

*

26 27 20 21 22 23 24

28

H

29 30

*

31 25 26 27

*

28 29 30

H

31

*

27 28 29 30

KEY: IMPORTANT DATES:

= First / Last Student Day of School 07/04 07/28 09/07 09/28-10/9 11/11 11/23-11/27 12/21-01/01

Independence Day First Day of Classes Labor Day Fall Break Veterans Day Thanksgiving Holiday Winter Break

01/01 01/18 02/12 02/15 03/14-03/25 03/28 05/30 06/02

New Years Day Martin Luther King Birthday Lincolns Birthday Presidents Day Spring Break District Holiday Memorial Holiday Last Day of School

# 1st Work Day for Instructional Aides

H Holiday

NT New Teacher Work Day

PD Professional Development Day

Teacher Work Day

+ Food Service Work Day District-wide Adjusted Day

^ NWD

No Classes/Non-School Day Non Work Day 258 Day Employees

First Semester xx days Second Semester xx days 180 days Board Adopted: March 11, 2015

AMS PROGRAM

Adams Middle Schools program is designed to be student centered and to meet the unique intellectual,

social, emotional, and physical needs of sixth, seventh and eighth graders. Every child has an adult

advocate for three years through our advisory program as well as being a member of a team that works

together to ensure student success. Our program provides for a smooth transition from the self-

contained elementary school setting to the departmentalized high school. All students experience a full

block schedule in the sixth grade with one teacher teaching language arts and social studies and the other

teacher teaching math and science. In seventh and eighth grade, students will transition to an integrated

team with each subject being taught by an individual teacher. In addition to core curriculum, daily

schedules include Physical Education, Health, and Electives. Our curriculum is aligned to the California

Standards and Benchmarks.

Academic Success

The primary goal at Adams Middle School is to provide a challenging learning experience for you as you

work toward academic success. Commitment to this goal requires a team effort between you, your

parents, and staff members. Communication is vitally important to academic success. Teachers

communicate through their web page, email, and voicemail. Teachers will send progress reports and report

cards to keep you updated on your progress. Homework is an important part of your school experience and

it is critical that you turn in your homework on time. Absences and family emergencies will be given an

extension based on the number of days missed. Attendance is a vital element towards your success at

school. Make sure you are on time and prepared for class every day.

Grading Scale

Adams School determines grades based on an 80/20 split. Eighty percent of a grade is based on tests,

quizzes, projects and class work. Homework and student participation is twenty percent of the grade.

The school wide grading scale is as follows:

100% - 93% A 86% - 83% B 76% - 73% C 66% - 63% D

92% - 90% A- 82% - 80% B- 72% - 70% C- 62% - 60% D-

89% - 87% B+ 79% - 77% C+ 69% - 67% D+ 59% - 0% F

Academic Honesty

AMS is committed to providing well balanced rigorous programs that support the learning needs of all

students. Teachers create environments that are respectful where academic integrity is valued, and

cheating is discouraged. Students are responsible for doing their own work on assignments and tests.

Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable behaviors and hinder the educational process.

Examples of this policy include but are not limited to:

Copying or taking work from another student and presenting it as ones own including essays, study

guides, homework, class work, and reports.

Submitting an essay or report written in whole or part by someone else and submitting it as ones

own.

Preparing an essay, report, or assignment for submission by another student.

Unauthorized collaboration on an assignment.

Using cheat sheets, looking at another students test, or any other assistance unauthorized by

the teacher.

Unauthorized assisting or providing another student the opportunity to copy or share answers

during a test, quiz, class work or homework.

Using direct quotations, large sections or paraphrased material without citations or

acknowledgement of sources including online websites and resources.

Forging the signature of a parent or guardian on an assignment or legal document.

In PE, taking unauthorized short cuts on the fun and fitness activity.

Consequences for Academic Dishonesty will include appropriate disciplinary action consistent with

Board Policy and California Education Code. Consequences include, but may not be limited to:

1. 1st Offense-

a. Teacher/Student conference

b. Parent/Guardian notified by teacher

c. Classroom consequences which may include but are not limited to: zero credit for

assignment, re-do assignment for partial or zero credit, detention

d. Written documentation

2. 2nd Offense-

a. See a-d above

b. Referral to Office

3. 3rd Offense-

a. All of the above

b. Suspension assigned

c. Referral to the school counselor

4. Repeated Offenses in the same class may result in an F in the class.

Attendance/Absences

School attendance is mandatory and directly connected to success in school. We expect students to

attend school every day on time. This must be a priority! Each time you are absent you must bring a note

from your parent or guardian stating why you were not at school, or your parent or guardian may call the

attendance recorder at 513-6451. If you become ill at school or leave campus for any reason, you must

first check out of school through the office. Upon returning to school, you must sign in before going to

class. Only an adult listed on the emergency form may sign you out of school. If you are frequently absent,

you may be requested to bring a physicians note or be referred to the School Attendance Review Board.

Homework may be requested during an absence that lasts more than one day by contacting the school by

11:00 am. Work will be left in the office for you to pick up after 3:15pm.

Tardies

At AMS students are required to move from class to class daily. It is expected that all students arrive to

every class on time. Tardies create a disruption to the classroom and to our focus on academic success.

Excessive tardies may result in after school detention from 2:45-3:45. Students and their parents are

responsible for their own transportation home.

Promotion Policy

State legislation on Social Promotion and Retention requires that students meet grade level academic

standards in order to be promoted to the next grade. The Brentwood Union School District has adopted

Board Policy on Social Promotion. Staff members from throughout the district have worked to establish

grade level criteria for promotion between grades. The intent of the Promotion Policy is to help identify

students who are struggling to meet grade level academic standards. Every effort is made to help all

students meet those standards through classroom instruction, developmental classes in reading and math,

and after-school classes.

SUPPLY LIST

To help in the success of an Adams Middle School student, we recommend the following supplies be

brought to school daily:

3 ring binder highlighters backpack

dividers glue stick calculator

binder paper markers supply box/pouch

index cards erasers athletic shoes

pencils ruler PE uniforms

pens (blue/black) colored pencils or crayons

Note: Some teachers may request additional items specific to their subject.

Student Recognition

School wide recognition of student achievement, citizenship, and accomplishments is important in

establishing a positive learning environment. Recognition promotes pride in learning and gives students a

sense of accomplishment and pride in themselves and their school. AMS provides many opportunities for

students to be recognized for individual strengths and talents.

Honor Roll & Honor Society

Students will be recognized for outstanding academic achievement in an evening celebration after the

first semester. Students eligible for Honor Roll must have a grade point average of 3.30 - 3.69. Students

eligible for Honor Society must have a grade point average of 3.70 or above. Final summative exams will

be factored into GPA. Grade point average can be found by giving points to your letter grades and dividing

by the number of classes you have, A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0

Black and Gold Awards 8th grade only

Students showing outstanding achievement are recognized at the annual Black and Gold Awards Night.

Awards are presented from each department as well as for overall outstanding achievement.

Socials All students are provided the opportunity to attend socials throughout the school year. Socials

are only open to AMS students! Students must meet the following criteria in order to attend:

Purchase tickets during pre-sales only. NO tickets will be sold at the door. Refunds will not be

issued for unused tickets.

A student must not be on the non-activities list

All school rules apply at all socials

Dress Code

Adams Middle School promotes a purposeful environment for learning. Students should come to school

dressed appropriately. The AMS administration reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of

student attire. Students wearing inappropriate clothing will be required to change. The following page

identifies appropriate an inappropriate school attire.

*Pictures are samples and do not represent all dress code violations.

*Appropriate Dress Code *Inappropriate

No sagging pants

No Exposed Underwear

No clothing with

reference to sex, alcohol,

drugs, guns, or vulgar

language/pictures

No short shorts, skirts,

or dresses

Shorts pockets should

not be exposed

Holes in clothing should

not be revealing

No clothing that exposes

the mid section

No tube tops, crop tops,

or revealing clothing

No spaghetti straps or

halter tops that reveal

undergarments

No pajamas, slippers, or

blankets

No belts or chains that

hang down and no bandanas

of any color

Consequences for dress code violations

1st offense: Verbal warning and required to change clothes

2nd offense: Written warning, parent contact, required to change clothes

3rd offense: Required to change clothes, parent contact, and detention

4th offense: Required to change clothes, parent contact, in-house suspension

5th offense: Required to change clothes, parent contact, 2 days of in-house suspension

6th offense: May result in out of school suspension

Behavior

Negative behaviors will be dealt with using the following the Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.)

guidelines:

School Administrators are responsible for adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.) as set

forth in the Agreement between Brentwood Union School District, Brentwood Police Department, Liberty

Union High School District, and Oakley Police Department.

Conduct and document investigations Communicate and collaborate with Law Enforcement

Secure and maintain evidence Communicate with appropriate parties

If a teacher, substitute, custodian, campus supervisor, secretary, coach, instructional aide, school bus

driver, or any other school staff, school volunteer, or student believes he/she has knowledge of any of

the following activities, on campus, at school-sponsored activities, to and from school, or on a bus, he/she

must contact a School Administrator:

Weapons, dangerous objects, dangerous explosives, or incendiary devices.

Alcohol and drugs Fighting- student upon student

Incidents of severe (or potential) violence or fight Threats by word or deed

Act of bullying including by means of an electronic act Sexual crimes or violence

Assault and battery- adult upon adult Gang related activity

Racial, ethnic, or sexual harassment Obscene acts or gestures

Theft, vandalism, or destruction of school or personal property

Search and Seizure

School officials may search any student with reasonable cause or suspicion as stated in the BUSD Board

Policy 5145.12(a).

Grounds for suspension or expulsion (Education Code 48900)

A student may be suspended if they:

(a)(1) Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person or

(2) Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, except in self defense.

(b) Possess, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object.

Unless, in case of possession of any such object, the student had obtained written permission to

possess the item from a certified school employee, which is concurred in by the principal or

principals designee.

(c) Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of any

controlled substance, listed in Chapter 2 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or

an intoxicant of any kind.

(d) Unlawfully offered, arranged or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, listed in Chapter 2 of

the health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and then either

sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and

represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage or

intoxicant.

(e) Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion.

(f) Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property.

(g) Stole or attempted to steal school property or private property.

(h) Possessed or used tobacco, or any products containing tobacco or nicotine products.

(i) Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.

(j) Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Section

11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

(k) Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors,

teachers, administrators, school officials, or other school personnel engaged in the performance

of their duties.

(l) Knowing received stolen school property or private property.

(m) Possessed an imitation firearm.

(n) Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault.

(o) Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or witness in a school

disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil from being a witness or

retaliating against that pupil for being a witness, or both.

(p) Arranged, negotiated, or sold SOMA

(q) Engaged in or attempted to engage in hazing

(r) Engaged in an act of bullying, including by means of an electronic act, directed specifically toward

a pupil or school personnel.

(t) Aid or abet the infliction or attempted infliction of physical injury

Grounds for Expulsion of a Student (Educational Code 48915)

A. Education Code Section 48900

Subdivisions (a) through (o)

B. Education Code Section 48900.2

Sexual Harassment

C. Education Code Section 48900.3

Hate Violence

D. Education Code Section 48900.4

Harassment, threats, or intimidation

Recommendation for Expulsion

(a) Except as provided in subdivisions (c) and (e), the principal or superintendent of schools shall

recommend the expulsion of a pupil for any of the acts committed at school or at a school activity,

unless the principal or superintendent finds that expulsion is inappropriate due to the particular

circumstance.

(1) Causing serious physical injury to another person, except in self-defense.

(2) Possession of any knife, explosive, or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the

student.

(3) Unlawful possession of any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section

11053) of the Health and Safety Code except for a first offense for the possession of not

more than one avoirdupois ounce of marijuana or any other concentrated cannabis.

(4) Robbery or extortion.

(5) Assault or battery upon any school employee.

(c) The principal or superintendent of schools shall immediately suspend, and shall recommend

expulsion of a student that he or she determines has committed any of the following acts at

school or at a school activity off school grounds:

(1) Possessing, selling or otherwise furnishing a firearm. This subdivision does not apply to an act

of possessing a firearm if the student has obtained prior written permission to possess the

firearm from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the principal of the

designee of the principal.

(2) Brandishing a knife at another person.

(3) Unlawfully selling a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 of the Health and Safety Code.

(4) Committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault.

ARTICLES PROHIBITED AT SCHOOL

Problems arise when students bring items that could be dangerous or in some way interfere with school

procedure. The following items are not allowed on campus:

ipads/tablets ipods gaming systems computer games

water guns Frisbees slingshots balloons any toys

If a student brings any of these items to school, they will be taken away, parents may be called, and

he/she may be subject to further disciplinary action. Unless expressly permitted, personal items are not

to be brought to school. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken personal items.

Because safety is of utmost importance at Adams Middle School, a student will be suspended and may be

recommended for expulsion if any of the following items are brought to school:

tobacco firearms(look-a-likes) alcoholic beverages other dangerous objects

knives controlled substances explosive objects look alike weapons

Any offense, in which a law is broken, including bringing any of the previously listed items to school, may

be reported to the Brentwood Police Department.

Cell Phones

In order to mitigate student distractions throughout the day, student cell phones may not be used during

school hours (including passing periods and lunch). They are to remain OFF and in the students

backpack at all times. If cell phones are used during school hours, they will be taken away, parents may

be called, and students may be subject to further disciplinary action. For emergencies, the office phone

is always available. AMS will not be liable for the loss or theft of these items.

Emergency Information

Please be sure to update emergency information when home or work phone numbers change. This also

includes cell phones and emergency contacts.

Bike, Scooters, and Skateboards

Students may not use bikes, skateboards, or scooters while on campus. They must be locked up or secured

by a teacher during the school day. They will be kept in the office if a student is found using them during

the school day. If you ride your bike to school you must use the bike path on the East side of American

Avenue. The bike racks are located near the gym. Please supply your own lock. You will be required to

carry your helmet and other accessories with you. The school provides supervision but cannot guarantee

and will not be held responsible for damage or theft. Students must wear a helmet when riding their

bikes, scooters, or skateboards to and from school.

Lost School Property

All school property checked out to a student becomes the responsibility of the student under all

circumstances and must be returned or paid before the end of the year. Yearbooks and/or diplomas will

not be distributed until the account is clear.

Medications

Students must leave all medications in the student office including non-prescription medicine. Medications

required to be carried with the student at all times must include a physicians note. All medications must

have parental and physician authorization in writing. Forms for this are available in the student office.

Visitors on Campus

Students are not permitted to bring visitors on campus. Adult visitors including parents must sign-in

at the main office and wear a Visitors Badge during their visit at school.

Physical Education

Lockers and Locker Rooms

Each student will be issued a lock and a locker for the school year. Students are not to give their

combination to anyone nor switch or share lockers. All clothing and personal items must be locked up

at all times. The school will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. Only school issued locks will be

used in the locker rooms.

Students will be issued a small locker to store their clothes in when they are not in their PE period.

During their PE period they may use a big locker to store their backpack and school clothes in. The big

locker will be locked up while the small locker is empty and unlocked. They will return their PE clothes

back to their small locker and lock it at the end of their PE period.

Locker Door Number: _____________

Lock Combination: ______-______-______

4 Digit Lock Code: ___ ___ ___ ___ (This number is how you will look for your lock in the lost &

found.)

Directions for opening a combination lock

Turn right three times. Stop at first number.

Turn left one full turn passing the first number to stop at the second number.

Turn right and stop at the third number.

Pull hard

Adams Physical Education Clothes:

T-Shirt: Adams PE logo or plain white/grey crewneck t-shirt with sleeves.

Please label with first and last name across the front.

Shorts: Adams PE logo or plain black athletic shorts.

Please label with first and last name.

Socks: Any color

Shoes: Athletic shoe that must be tied tightly over the shoe tongue.

No altercations are allowed to PE clothes (tearing off sleeves, etc.).

Optional, but recommended:

Sweatpants: Solid, plain, black or gray, not what is worn to school (no logos except Adams)

Sweatshirt or jacket is fine. Students must wear PE shirt underneath sweatshirts or jackets.

*Si necesita una copia de esta gua en espaol, por favor pngase en contacto con un

administrador.

2015-2016 School Year

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN TO YOUR ADVISORY TEACHER

J. Douglas Adams Middle School

401 American Avenue, Brentwood, CA 94513

(925) 513-6450

After you have read and discussed the Adams Middle School Handbook with your

parent(s), please sign below and return this page to your advisory teacher.

________Our family has read and discussed the Adams Middle School Handbook.

________We understand all books and materials must be returned in good condition or

we will be responsible for their replacement.

__________________________ ________________________________

Student Name (print) Student Signature Date

__________________________ ________________________________

Parent Name (print) Parent Signature Date