Weekly Calendar
Administrative Announcements:
A Great Start: I am pleased to tell you that the first week of school went very smoothly, with all students getting to classes on time, finding their lockers, and finding each one of their classes.
Student Drop Off: Crestwood Middle School begins receiving students at 7:30 AM. All doors will be locked until this time, and students will not be allowed into the building. You should not drop students off prior to 7:30 in the morning.
Start Time: Operating hours are from 7:45 AM – 3:15 PM for teachers – the office is open until 4:00 PM each day.
Parking Lot / Car Riders: The procedure for dropping students off in the morning has changed. Instead of insisting that student walk in through the back doors of the building to their holding areas, we are allowing students to enter the building through the main doors. Therefore, if you are dropping a student off, you can pull all the way up to the main entrance, eliminating dropping off on the main road. You will be greeted by myself or someone else on the administrative staff. I hope this helps you as a driver.
Afternoon Pickup: We have many students who walk home from school. To provide them with a safe exit from the school, I have placed cones across the driveway to eliminate cars from pulling through. You will now need to use the car loop when picking up your child in the afternoon. This is intended to allow you to have curb side pickup and support the safety of our students. Without fail, I will have a student just walk in front of cars – I am working with students to prevent them from walking in front of you – please pay close attention in the afternoon. Lastly, I am attempting to have cross walks painted, so students have a designated place to cross when walking home. Please join me in keeping our kids safe.
Cell Phones/Ear Buds – What is Acceptable Use – Regulation 400-18, 400-73
As mentioned in my Back to School Night presentation to the community I shared that students are not permitted to use cellular phones during the student day. This is the Acceptable Use policy for CMS. Cell phones and ear buds need to be powered down and out of site during the school day. It is expected that cell phones will be kept out of sight unless otherwise requested by the teacher for instructional uses only. This includes before school in holding area, at lunch, and in the hallways.
Cell phones will be confiscated and placed in the office under lock and key if students are using their cell phone for non-instructional activities.If a student is found not following this school policy, the following consequences will be enforced:
1st Offense: Phone will be taken and stored in the Assistant Principal’s or Principal’s office and returned at the end of the school day.
2nd Offense: Phone will be taken and stored in the Assistant Principal’s or Principal’s office, and parents will need to retrieve the cell phone.
3rd Offense: Referral will be written for not following school rules. *Note: Administrative staff will work closely with parents should this occur.
Friendships: Choosing his/her friend is one of the most important decision a students will make. Here is some helpful information for you regarding friendships. When reading through the list identify which points stand out to you in reference to friendships. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Healthy Friendships
Are supportive
Make you feel good about yourself
Provide a sense of belonging
Boost Confidence
Are nurturing
Support team work
Are inclusive
Can be based on shared interests
Unhealthy Friendships
Are exclusive
Build alliances against someone
Cause hurt
Prompt you to consider doing things that don’t seem right
Damage self-esteem
Leave you feeling lonely or insecure
Yearly Notices/Reminders:
Weapons/Firearm Possession: Possession of any instrument such as a knife, brass knuckles, chains, or any other implement that the school administrative staff deems could inflict bodily harm, or any look-alike weapon is prohibited on school grounds. Possession of any weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder on school property, inclusive of vehicles parked on school property. Possession of a firearm (loaded or unloaded) can carry a disciplinary action of permanent removal from Frederick County Public Schools. Any pellet gun capable of producing the same or similar muzzle velocity of any firearm will be considered a fire arm under this regulation. Please take the time to discuss this with your student.
School Materials: Chromebooks, Books, etc: The student shall be held responsible for the careful use and protection of Chromebooks, books, materials, any other property or equipment loaned or assigned to him. Upon the request of the principal, the student shall return these items in good condition, allowing for normal usage. Failure of the student to comply with this procedure shall require the principal to assess the loss or damage for the student to pay to the school. The student will not be held liable for the loss or damages if the principal has determined that the property has been damaged or destroyed due to fire, theft or vandalism by another person.
Harassment & Discrimination: Students were presented with information regarding harassment, discrimination, and bullying during the first week of school. If you would like to view the policy, please go to fcps.org (Regulation 400-48).
Dress Code: The minimum acceptable standards for student dress in the school system are:
Male and female students are restricted from wearing clothing that is unduly revealing (e.g. cut low at the neck or under the arms, exposes bare midriff, pants worn below the hips exposing the student's underwear or skin).
State regulations require the wearing of shoes in public places at all times.
Students are expected to follow all school rules governing safety in specialized programs that may require the wearing of protective clothing, safety glasses, proper foot protection, or other similar requirements.
Students are prohibited from wearing clothing or items that promote illegal or violent conduct, such as unlawful use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or weapons.
Students are prohibited from wearing clothing or items that are obscene, libelous or feature sexually offensive or vulgar words, pictures, phrases, drawings, etc.
Students are prohibited from wearing clothing or items containing derogatory expressions or language regarding a person's race, color, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability that could substantially disrupt or materially interfere with school activities.
Students are prohibited from wearing specific gang-related attire, hats, clothing that may conceal weapons or other illegal items such as drugs (outerwear jackets, etc.), and items that may be used as weapons (metal belts, chains attached to wallets/keys, etc.). Students may be required to keep these items in a locker or other clothing storage area during the school day. Individual teachers, with the prior approval of the principal, shall have the specific authority to make additional modifications to further teaching and learning in their classrooms.
Principals may grant exceptions to the dress code for disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs if such accommodations are reasonable and do not pose a hardship for the school.
Principals have authority to impose stricter dress code requirements to address specific concerns at his/her school, if necessary, to provide a safe and orderly environment.
http://education.fcps.org/cms