Parent Communication and Involvement

The single most important correlation to stu-

dent success is parent involvement.

Our faculty is dedicated to an effective, mutually

supportive partnership with the parents and fami-

lies of our students. Students of this age need their

parents’ involvement as much or more than any

time in their lives and we are committed to provid-

ing the necessary communication links to help.

Communications at Mount Garfield Middle School often

incorporates technology. Optimally, all families will have

access to an email account. (many free services such as

Hotmail and Yahoo are available.)

NEW MGMS Phone App for Parents and Students

Receive up to date MGMS notifications weekly on your

smart phone. The new APP is designed to communicate

current news, calendars, events and deadlines. Enjoy

instant Access to parent bridge, meal pay plus, and web

connect for students.

Go to the Apple APP store and download it for free!

Type in : Mount Garfield Middle School!

Auto Dialer Notification System– Our auto dialer notifica-

tion system allows us to send a common voice message

to every parent with a current phone number. The mes-

sage will be left on answering machines if no one is

home. We will use the auto dialer to notify families of

current and upcoming information. If your phone number

changes anytime during the year, please contact the At-

tendance Secretary at 970-254-4722.

School Advisory Committee- (SAC): Meets four times

during the school year. Membership is open to interested

parents who would like to stay involved and informed

with topics going on at MGMS. The group consists of

parents, staff, and on occasion community members.

SAC dates and times TBA.

Parent VUE/Parent Bridge- Available through the internet

on our school website. This system permits parents to

access their student’s attendance, grades, class sched-

ule, test scores, student information, and will allow par-

ents to have email contact with their student’s teachers.

Sign-up information is found in the main office at MGMS.

All current District 51 students have the opportunity to

have access to Parent Bridge.

Parent-Teacher Conferences: These should be viewed as

ongoing, regular conversations that can benefit all in-

volved throughout the year. We will meet on September

10th from 3:00-7:00 p.m., October 22nd from 3:00 p.m.-

7:00 p.m., October 23rd 7:10 a.m.—3:10 p.m. February

4th from 3:00-7:00 p.m., and April 22nd 3:00-7:00 p.m.

Contact your child’s teacher if you feel a conversation is

desired between parent-teacher conference times.

Teacher Email: Teacher email addresses are available on

our website and through Parent Bridge for student and

parent use. This is one method of communication for

teachers and staff. If your email is not being attended to,

feel free to called the school and speak to the person you

are trying to contact.

School Webpage- Our web page can be accessed at

http://mgms.mesa.k12.co.us . The Parent Bridge link,

updated calendars, information, committee and core

work, agendas, and staff email addresses are provided.

2014-2015

Mount Garfield Calendar of Events

July

Thur 31 Back to School Night

August

Fri 1 Staff Work Day

Monday, 4 First Day of School

Monday, 4 Volleyball Practice Starts

Tuesday 5 Student ID Pictures

August 5-15 STAR Reading/Math Baseline Assessment

September

Monday 1 No School –Labor Day

Wednesday 10 Mid-term Parent Teacher Conferences 3:00-7:00pm

Friday 12 School Pictures (Retakes will be on Sept. 26th)

Monday 22 Girls Basketball Practice Starts

October

Thursday 2 End of First Quarter– Celebration

Friday 3 No School– Teacher Workday

Mon 6 - Fri 10 Intercession/Fall Break

Wednesday 22 Parent Teacher Conferences 3:00pm-7:00pm

Thursday 23 Parent Teacher Conferences 7:10pm-3:10pm

Friday 24 No School

November

Saturday 15 District Basketball Tournament

Monday 17 Boys Basketball Practice Begins

24th-28th No School– Thanksgiving Break

December

December 9--17 STAR Reading/Math Progress Assessment

Friday 19 End of Second Quarter– Celebration

22nd-Jan. 2nd No School- Holiday Winter Break

January

Monday 5 No School– Teacher Workday

Tuesday 76 FIRST DAY Second Semester

Monday 19 No School– Martin Luther King Day

February

Monday 2 First Day Wrestling Practice

Wednesday 4 Mid-term Parent Teacher Conferences 3:00–7:00pm

March

Thursday 5 End of Third Quarter– Celebration

Friday 6 No School—Teacher Workday

9th-20th PARCC Testing Reading/Writing/Math

Performance-Based Assessment

Monday 16 Girls and Boys Track Practice Starts

23rd-27th Intercession/Spring Break

30th-Apr 3rd No School– Spring Break

April

Wednesday 22 Mid-term Parent Teacher Conferences 3:00– 7:00pm

Monday 20 Track Meet Hosted by MGMS

Thursday 16-18 CO Music Festival

13th - May 1 7th grade: CMAS Social Studies Testing

13th - May 1 8th grade: CMAS Science Testing

May

May 4 - 15 PARCC Testing Reading/Writing/Math

End of Year Assessment

Weds 20 End of Fourth Quarter– Celebration

Thursday 21 No School—Teacher Work Day

G r o w i n g F o r G r e a t n e s s

ATTENDANCE

In order for optimal student learning to occur, all students are wanted, and expected to attend school: on time, all day, every day. A primary school focus is for students to be on time to all their classes. This will minimize classroom and learning disruptions. Each day that you are absent, your parent should notify the school between 7:15 and 8:30 A.M. at 254-4750. Parents will be contacted if we do not receive a phone call. Mount Garfield Middle School follows Dis-trict and State guidelines in attendance matters.

Tardy Policy: @ 3 tardies = Lunch detention; @ 4 tardies = parent contact; @ 5 or more tardies = will be cause for disciplinary action which may include not participating in celebration or Saturday School. This is on a per quarter basis.

Dress Code, Back Packs, Cell Phones, and Assorted Devices

Our school must be a safe and orderly place of mutual respect and learning. Dress and behavior should be conducive to responsible work.

The school dress code is developed to ensure that undergarments are not

visible and distractions within the learning environment are at a mini-

mal. The following are unacceptable: *shorts fingertip length and skirts no more than 3” (credit card length) above the knee

regardless of what is worn underneath.

*pants which “sag” below the top of one’s buttocks

*pajamas/underwear as outerwear/lounge pants

*cleavage showing

*halter, off the shoulder, or one shoulder tops, spaghetti straps of any kind (sleeveless tops

must have at least 1-2” straps).

*torso showing whether side, back, or middle.

*mesh or see-through apparel, sleeveless undershirts

*headgear: bandanas, scarves, visors, hats. (Hats may be worn outside.)

*t-shirts or apparel which mention or promote sexual themes, drugs, tobacco, alcohol or

violence - per School Board policy.

*Excessive markings on the body (i.e. by sharpies, writings, drawings, etc.)

*trench coats or outrider coats

*bare feet, slippers, roller shoes *chains, spiked accessories

*colors, clothing, or styles that represent gang affiliation

If your child is not in compliance with the dress code, you will be notified

and asked to bring a change of clothes, or your child will be loaned a

change of clothes provided by MGMS.

The administration reserves the right to determine the appropri-ateness of a student’s attire/apparel.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

MAY NOT BE USED BETWEEN 7:25 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. We ask that all electronic devices (i.e. cell phone, pagers, music players, cameras, laser pointer, etc.) be kept at home. If any electronic device is brought to school, it must be turned off, remain incon-spicuous, and unused during school hours. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

CELL PHONES

Students may not use their cell phone between

7:25 a.m. and 2:40 p.m.

Student cell phones that are used improperly during school hours will be confiscated. Phones will be turned into the office by staff. 1st incident = returned to student at day’s end; 2nd or more=Parent picks up phone. 3rd offense = Disciplinary Action.

Mount Garfield Middle School

Main office: 970-254-4720 http://mgms.mesa.k12.co.us

Attendance: 970-254-4750 2014-2015

Fax: 970-464-0536 3475 Front St. Clifton, CO 81520

Respectful

Responsible

Ready

Safe

School Fees

At Mount Garfield we do have several classes that require fees. The

fees are used to purchase materials that your child will use in the clas-

ses or required by the District. The following are the specific fees:

Student Exploratory Fee (Entire Year) = $40.00

(Includes: Art, Tech Ed., Science Lab, Show Choir, Computer

lab, P.E.)

Instrument Rental- Band= $75.00

Instrument Rental- Orchestra= $75.00

Yearbook-Optional= $25.00

Athletic Participation Fee= $70.00 per sport

P.E. uniforms Must be:

Black Shorts—Fingertip Length

T-Shirts– Plain Grey, With Sleeves, or Previous MGMS P.E.

T-Shirt.

Lunch — $2.75

Breakfast- $1.60

Want to pay these fees online? go to: www.mealpayplus.com

Standards Based District Curriculum Proven research-based priorities and programming

inherent to a quality instructional program is clearly articulating what is learned and assessed in a consistent manner. At Mount Garfield we value the importance of implementing the following practices to support this priority:

Core grade level content will be consistent from teacher to another.

Core grade level content will be consistent with district expectations.

Students will be assessed and graded utilizing common expectations.

All content areas will differentiate instruction to address individual students’ needs, interests, and abilities.

Tools that measure student performance will reflect expectations of quality and data driven goal setting.

State and District standards and assessments are embedded in all instruction.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

You should not arrive on campus

prior to 7:00 A.M. unless you ride

an early bus or have made special

arrangements with a teacher; i.e.,

extra help, music practice, study

time, or early arrival due to special

circumstances. If you have made

special arrangements to be in the

building, enter through the main

entrance door. Students with band

instruments will enter through the

music room in the mornings.

Students may enter the building at

7:20 A.M. at their designated grade-

level outside entrance door. You

will have five minutes to place/

retrieve items from your locker and

report to class. At the end of the

day, unless you are involved in an

after-school sponsored activity, you

are encouraged to leave campus by

3:00 P.M. for your personal safety

and as a result of no adult supervi-

sion being available. At the end of

the school day, you should wait out-

side the building for transportation

home. During inclement weather,

you may wait in the main hall. Par-

ents, please arrange to have your

student picked up by 3:00 P.M. Stu-

dents are to be dropped off or picked

up in the east parking lot sidewalk

area. No vehicles are allowed in the

north bus loading/unloading area.

Vehicles should stop in front of the

school (bus zone). This is for the

safety of students.

21st Century Community Grant

We are fortunate to have re-

ceived a grant from CDE three

years ago. The grant was in part-

nership with Clifton Elementary

and Rocky Mountain Elementary Schools. The grant has

three main goals: increase reading and math proficiencies

for students who scored in the partially proficient range on

TCAP, provide additional afterschool opportunities for all our

students, and increase parental involvement in our school.

To assist us in meeting those goals, we offer various after-

school and Saturday opportunities throughout the year. For

example, our library is open Monday- Thursday from 3:00 –

6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. till noon throughout

the year. For your convenience, Buses will be provided Two

days a week to provide transportation for those students

recommended to attend intervention classes. Specific days

will be forthcoming. This is a great opportunity for your

child to receive tutoring and for you to have access to our

library too. We encourage you to check out our monthly

newsletters, and website and for updated calendar of

events/programs that you and/or your child could partici-

pate in for we change offerings monthly. In addition, there

may be times in which a staff member would call and invite

your child to participate in an intervention class that targets

reading and math skills. Should this occur, we would appre-

ciate it if you could help us in encouraging your child to par-

ticipate in the intervention. The funding for this grant will

be expiring in December, therefore some of these support

services may change. Finally, if you should have any ques-

tions regarding our grant offerings or have ideas for future

offerings- whether it is for students or adults, we would love

to hear from you at 254-4720.

SPORT PROGRAMS Interscholastic sports programs, those with other middle schools competing, are offered to grades 7th and 8th after school throughout the year. Girls: volleyball, basketball, and track. Boys: basketball, wrestling, and track. The goals of each program are to promote good sportsmanship, attitudes, coordination, and enjoyment of the sport. A sport fee, permission form, and proof of insurance are required per sport. Weekly eligibility grade checks will be used to determine if a student may participate in the upcoming week’s events.

School District 51 Standards Based

Grading Policy

D51 Academic Achievement Grades:

4 = Advanced– The student regularly meets and at times

exceeds (more depth / extension with grade level work and/or performing at higher than grade / course level) the standard as described by the grade level expectations. The student extends and applies key concepts, processes and skills for grade level.

3 =Proficient– The student regularly meets the standard

as it is described by the grade level expectations. The student, with limited errors, grasps and applies key con-cepts, processes and skills for grade level.

2 =Partially Proficient– The student is beginning to, and

occasionally does, meet the standards as described by grade level expectations. The student is beginning to grasp and apply the key concepts, processes and skills for the grade level work but produces work that contains many errors.

1 =Unsatisfactory– The student is not meeting the stand-

ard as is described by grade level expectations for this grade level. Insufficient evidence at this time.

IE= Insufficient Evidence-The student has not provided

enough evidence to make a determination of their profi-ciency as described by grade level expectations.

D51 Learning Behavior Grades:

Each class will report a secondary grade for Learning Behav-iors based on the following categories:

Collaboration, Work Ethic, Civic and Personal Responsi-

bility

Disciplinary Consequences

A Three level system

1). Classroom based intervention

2). Parent participation

3). Administrative involvement

An important intention of the discipline process is to provide students an opportunity to reflect upon their actions and understand when their behavior is not con-ducive to a safe and productive learning environment. This does not preclude tangible consequences for inap-propriate behavior. State law and Board of Education policies mandate suspension or expulsion from school and/or the involvement of law enforcement for certain serious offenses. Alternative placement, detentions, Saturday school, suspensions, and-or loss of privileges sometimes are appropriate consequences for lesser of-fenses. A copy of the district’s conduct code is distribut-ed to all students at the start of the year and should be reviewed with all parents.

G r o w i n g F o r G r e a t n e s s

Parent Response To A School Emergency

One area that contributes to the successful handling of an emer-

gency is parent response. Your child’s safety is our first priority.

We regularly revise our emergency plans using recommendations

of those who have had first-hand experience.

In order to promote the safety of all persons directly involved in a

dangerous situation at a school site, the following are recom-

mended actions parents can take when an emergency arises a

MGMS:

1. Do NOT call the school, go to the school or enter the school

building.

2. Do NOT call your student on his/her cell phone. Students

with cell phones will be instructed to use them only when an

adult is present to monitor the call for accurate information.

3. Listen to the radio. The school district will provide pertinent

information to the local stations.

4. Honor the perimeter that is established by law enforcement.

5. Keep access to the school clear for emergency vehicles.

6. When we evacuate to an alternative site (Palisade Church of

the Nazarene or Clifton Elementary), go to that site to expe-