GAINESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL

FOR THE ARTS AND SCIENCES

“Home of the High-Flying Hawks”

8001 Limestone Drive

Gainesville, Virginia 20155

Phone: 703-753-2997

Fax: 703.753.4331

https://gainesvillems.pwcs.edu/

STUDENT HANDBOOK & INFORMATION GUIDE

VISION

WE STRIVE TO BE THE BEST SCHOOL IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, AND WE WILL PURSUE

THAT STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE BY HOLDING TO A DEMANDING BUT REWARDING POLICY:

*EVERY* STAFF MEMBER AT GAINESVILLE WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR *EVERY*

CHILD’S ACADEMIC SUCCESS. WE WILL ALWAYS BE FOCUSED ON DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR

OUR CHILDREN.

MOTTO

“COURTESY AND RESPECT FOR ALL”

MISSION

GAINESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL PROVIDE A SAFE, STRUCTURED, ENGAGING

ENVIRONMENT IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE STUDENT GROWTH, RESPONSIBILITY AND

ACHIEVEMENT. COURTESY AND RESPECT ARE INTEGRAL PARTS OF OUR LEARNING

COMMUNITY AND ARE EXPECTED FROM EACH MEMBER. WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THE

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF ALL STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, STAFF, AND PARENTS TO

ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF ALL.

GAINESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL EXPECT ALL STUDENTS TO PERFORM

ACADEMICALLY AT OR ABOVE THEIR LEARNING LEVEL AND TO EXHIBIT POSITIVE

BEHAVIOR TOWARD THEIR PEERS AND THE STAFF. STUDENTS SHALL ACCEPT

RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEARNING, DO THEIR BEST AT ALL TIMES, AND DEVELOP

RESPECT FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS WITH AN APPRECIATION FOR DIVERSITY.

TEACHERS WILL SUPPORT AN INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH THAT FOSTERS MOTIVATION

AND EMPHASIZES DIFFERENTIATION BY USING BEST METHOD INSTRUCTIONAL

PRACTICES. HIGH EXPECTATIONS WILL BE CONVEYED.

REVISED

09.2019

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ATTENDANCE

Daily attendance is very important for all students to achieve maximum success. According to Regulation

724-1, absences are classified as excused or unexcused. Excused absences are defined as: illness, death

of a family member, medical and dental appointments, religious or commemorative observances, or

emergency conditions in the home. ALL other absences are unexcused. Family trips and vacations are

NOT considered excused absences. Attendance is required during the school year, and we respectfully

request vacations and events be planned during the scheduled school holidays. The principal has the

authority to review pre-arranged absences on a case-by-case basis.

Verification of absences requires a written note from parents, telephone contact with parents, or a

combination of these. Verification must be received by the end of the second day after the student

returns to school or the absence will be recorded as unexcused. Late notices will not be accepted. It

is up to the parent/guardian to ensure that notes are received on time. To avoid unexcused absences,

parents should call the office at 703.753.2997, or email griffisp@pwcs.edu to report their student’s

absence. Parents can also send in a written note addressed to the main office with the returning student.

PREARRANGED ABSENCES: We encourage full attendance throughout the school year. Please

consider the school calendar when planning vacations/events. Absences for family trips will not be

excused unless accompanied by extraordinary circumstances. Preapproved absences which become

excessive in length (over five days) may result in the absences being marked unexcused and a referral

made to the Attendance Officer for compliance with the compulsory education laws. Students who have

requested a prearranged absence must bring a note to the office at least three days prior to the absence

for approval by the principal. If approved, the student will receive a prearranged absence form to have

signed by his/her teachers and is responsible for securing the work to be missed from the teachers either

before the absence or upon return.

As with any absence, students will be given reasonable time to complete all make-up work. Teachers are

not required to provide assignments in advance of the absences but may provide assignments requested in

advance at their discretion. Parents/guardians and students are expected to access assignments and class

materials through School Messenger.

MAKE-UP WORK: Students are responsible for making up work missed due to excused absences

immediately upon returning to school. Homework assignments can be accessed through School

Messenger. Parents can also email the teachers to request work. Please give twenty-four hours notice for

homework to be gathered. If a student is absent for one day, the work will be provided the next day in the

student’s class. For additional absences, work will be collected at parent’s request and parents may pick

up these assignments in the main office at the end of the school day.

TARDY TO SCHOOL: Students arriving to school after 8:10 a.m. are considered tardy. Students

are asked to make every effort to be punctual as to minimize distractions and interruptions to the

classroom. Students who are late to school must check in at the main office with a parent/guardian.

Excused tardies are defined as illness, medical or dental appointments, emergency conditions in the home,

or extenuating circumstances as judged by the administration. Students may receive consequences for

tardiness including: verbal warnings, parent contact, lunch detention, discipline referral, and after-school

detention. All tardies resulting from late buses will be excused.

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ATTEND ALL CLASSES ON TIME

Students will be seated in assigned place when class begins.

Excused tardy students must have a late pass.

Students must carry their agenda when in the halls while class is in session. The agenda must

indicate the destination, time, and must be signed by a teacher or other school official.

Students will only go to the approved destination indicated on the pass.

Students will use their lockers during designated times.

EARLY DISMISSAL: Students will be dismissed from the main office. Parents should arrive with

picture identification in accordance with Prince William County Schools policy and the student will be

called to the office. Students will report to the main office to be signed out by a parent or guardian prior to

leaving school grounds while school is in session.

DISMISSAL: All students are expected to leave the building at dismissal unless staying for official

after-school activities with a school representative/sponsor.

BOOKBAG AND PURSE POLICY

Students may bring book bags and small purses to and from school but may not carry book bags to and

from classes during the day. Oversized purses will also not be allowed as determined by administration.

Book bags are to be stored in lockers which students can have access to during the day as determined by

each team. This book bag and purse policy has been established to help students organize themselves for

their classes and promote a safer environment. GVMS mesh athletic bags are the only athletic bags

permitted.

BULLYING PREVENTION

Bullying will not be tolerated at GVMS.

Students and staff will immediately report any acts of bullying.

Students and staff will be mindful of their actions, respecting individual rights to privacy and

safety.

Students and staff will look out for one another and practice at least one act of kindness per day.

CAFETERIA

BREAKFAST: Complete breakfasts will be available in the cafeteria. A student who plans to eat

breakfast must report immediately to the cafeteria upon arrival at school.

LUNCH: Student lunches are available and additional items will be available a la carte. Each student

who uses a lunch account, versus paying cash for meals, will use their student ID number as their account

number. Free and reduced-price meals are available to students whose households qualify under federal

standards. If your family chooses to apply, please complete a "Free and Reduced Meal Price

Application Form" online at http://pwcsnutrition.com/. A paper application can also be obtained from

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and returned (completed) to the school’s counseling office. You will be notified by US mail or e-mail of

your child's status. Until you are notified, you must provide your child with meals or money for meals.

CHEWING GUM

Gainesville Middle School for the Arts and Sciences has a “no gum chewing” policy. Students who

violate this policy will receive a warning from their teacher and/or administrator. Continued infractions

may result in lunch detention and/or community service. This policy is in place to help preserve our

beautiful school.

CLINIC

MEDICATION: It is the intent of the PWC school division to assist parents/guardians when they are

unable to come to school to administer medication by giving needed medication to students so that the

student may maintain school attendance. Parents must complete the form available in the office and

provide the proper medication and details of its administration on that form. New forms are needed

every school year. Forms are available from the school nurse.

Prescription medications must be authorized, in writing, by a licensed provider. The school is not

permitted to provide any medication, even aspirin or cough drops. Students may not take any medication

without approval from school officials. To do so is a serious violation of the PWCS Code of Behavior. No

student is permitted to carry ANY medication to and from school or during the school day unless it

has been previously authorized.

PARENT NOTIFICATION: The school nurse will notify parents/guardians when their child has been

seen in the clinic and needs to be picked up early from school due to illness or injury. At no time should

students use their personal cell phones to arrange for early dismissal. Students are permitted to use

the school telephone in the clinic should they need to call a parent/guardian due to illness during school

hours.

CLUBS

GVMS CLUBS: Students have the opportunity to participate in the following clubs: Art Club, Battle of

the Books, Beyblade Club, Book Club, Chess Club, Code Club, Dance Team, Drama Club, Dungeons &

Dragons Club, Girls on the Run, History Bee Club, History Film Club, Homework Club, National Junior

Honor Society (NJHS), Robotics Tech Team, Step Team, Student Ambassadors, Student Council

Association (SCA), and Yearbook Club.

*Club activities will be announced via morning and afternoon PA announcements. Also, please check the

school’s website for additional information.

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COMMUNICATION

Gainesville Middle School for the Arts and Sciences is committed to effective communication with our

school community. We urge all students and parents to view our school’s web site on a regular basis.

This will be the most effective way of finding out pertinent information.

Website - https://gainesvillems.pwcs.edu/.

Our school also shares news and information through a monthly e-newsletter, which is posted on the

school’s web site and is also e-mailed to parents through School Messenger.

Additional communication methods include:

Daily morning and afternoon announcements

School Messenger calls, e-mails, and text messages

School marquee

Letters

Phone calls

Video Newsletter

ParentVUE (accessed through The Hub)

Twitter (@HighFlyingHawks)

School Messenger teacher pages (SLMS)

Note: Students do not have to register for ParentVUE. They will receive a new login at school or use

their same login from previous years. Students will be able to view schedules, grades and contact

information, but will be unable to edit the contact information.

Parents/Guardians can register for ParentVUE. The process for activating a ParentVUE account

depends on when and how the parent received their ParentVUE activation information.

Parents/guardians who received an email on July 15, 2019 with instructions to activate their

ParentVUE account, and those who are provided instructions directly by the school (in-person or

via an individual email) will have a letter with step-by-step instructions. These users will need to

follow the instructions included in the letter and enter their name and activation key exactly as it

is displayed in the letter.

Parents/guardians who receive their activation instructions by email after July 15, 2019 will be

provided a unique activation link, with the instructions embedded directly into the body of the

email. These users will need to follow the instructions included in the email, bypassing a few

extra steps, including those requiring the entry of the user’s first name, last name, and activation

key.

If the parent/guardian never received an email, they should contact the school directly and an

email can be generated for them at that time.

Once the account is activated, parents/guardians will be able to view their student’s contact

information, attendance, schedules, and grades.

DRESS CODE

Students shall be appropriately dressed for school as determined by the dress code which is developed

cooperatively at the school by students, parents, and school staff. Student dress and overall appearance

must meet basic standards of health, safety, cleanliness, and decency. Students are not permitted to wear

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or display items which represent drugs, alcohol or tobacco/nicotine vapor products, gang membership, or

which promote violence or hate. Students are not permitted to wear long trench coats. Except in the case

of inclement weather where students must walk between remote facilities to and from class, students are

not permitted to wear hats, gloves, scarves, or bulky, oversized coats within a school building.

Dress/appearance/hygiene which disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school will not be

tolerated. If dress/appearance/hygiene violates school standards, the student may be required to remove

the offensive item(s), change into something appropriate, or the principal/designee may send the student

home to be properly prepared for school. Extreme or repeated violations may result in more serious

corrective measures. The following items are considered improper dress. Principals have the right to

include additional items as they deem necessary.

Hats, scarves, skull caps, headbands, visors, or any other type of head covering unless

related to one’s religious beliefs or practices;

Sunglasses;

Beachwear;

Sleeping apparel;

Undergarments worn as outer garments;

Garments which are excessively short;

Sheer “see-through” garments;

Clothing with lewd, obscene, patently offensive, or sexually suggestive signs, slogans,

pictures or messages;

Garments which expose the midriff;

Garments which are too revealing, expose undergarments, are excessively tight and form-

fitting or which have very low necklines;

Jewelry or other items which could be regarded or used as a weapon (i.e., belt buckles

that conceal weapons, studded belts or collars, large rings, etc);

Tops with oversized arm openings, strapless tops, tube tops, tops with spaghetti straps,

tank tops;

Bare feet, bedroom slippers, stockings/socks only;

Cleats (except while at athletic activities);

Gloves;

Non-jewelry chains attached to clothing; and

Gang-related clothing, jewelry, or paraphernalia.

END OF YEAR EXAMS

Final or end of year exams are given only to those students taking high school courses for a Carnegie unit

of credit (Algebra I, Geometry, French I or Spanish I). The high school numerical grading scale will be

used for middle school students taking these Carnegie unit classes. Exemptions from final

examinations/cumulative course assessments shall be granted to all students who have an “A” for the first

semester and an “A” average in the course going into the final examinations or those who have passed

their SOL.

HONOR CODE

“I understand that Gainesville Middle School for the Arts and Sciences upholds the values of integrity

and honesty. I know that cheating is wrong and dishonest. I promise that the work I do on tests and

assignments will be done by me unless I am instructed differently by my teacher. As a Gainesville Middle

School for the Arts and Sciences student, I promise that I will not cheat, plagiarize, give or receive any

unauthorized help, or misrepresent the truth in any way on any assignment or test.

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As a member of the Gainesville Middle School for the Arts and Sciences community, I must honor my

fellow members by pledging to keep us safe from harm. I will report to an adult any behavior that will

harm myself or other students, illegal or dangerous activity, and/or violates the Code of Behavior and the

Gainesville Discipline Plan.”

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

The Library Media Center is available to all Gainesville students for class work, research, and pleasure

reading. The following rules apply:

During class time a student needs a pass from their classroom teacher to use the library.

All students who come to the library without a teacher must sign in when they arrive and sign

out when they leave.

Books may be borrowed for up to two weeks.

A book may be renewed if no one else has reserved it. Students must bring the book to the library

to renew it.

If a student has an overdue book, he/she will not be allowed to check out any other books until the

overdue book is returned.

Overdue books may affect other special occasion opportunities.

Students cannot check out more than two books at a time.

Students must pay for lost or damaged books.

Students who wish to visit the library during their lunch period must obtain a pass from the

librarians prior to their scheduled lunch or from the administrator in the cafeteria. Students

must first go to the cafeteria and eat in the lunch room before coming to the library. Grade levels

are assigned specific library days.

No food or drinks are allowed in the library at any time.

LOST AND FOUND

Please label or mark all personal items - including coats, jackets, shoes, pencil pouches,

reusable water bottles, school supplies, and book bags. Use of permanent ink is recommended.

Lost valuables will be kept in the designated lost and found areas.

All textbooks should have the student's name in ink inside and will be returned to the teacher.

Securing the locker, checking for all possessions before leaving class, and good organization help

to prevent loss. Labeling helps with the return of lost belongings.

Students should see their P.E. instructor for lost workout gear or other items lost during P.E.,

including locks.

RECOGNITION PROGRAMS

HONOR ROLL: An honor roll list will be published at the end of each nine-week grading period and

students will receive an invitation to the High-Flying Hawk awards ceremony to celebrate the

achievement.

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Principal's honor roll: A student must earn an "A" in achievement in each class in which he/she is

enrolled.

A/B honor roll: A student must have a "B" average with no more than one "C" in achievement.

There must be at least one "A" to bring the "C" to a "B" average.

PRINCIPAL’S PRIDE AWARD: The Principal’s Pride Award is given to a group of students who are

chosen by their team of teachers every nine weeks. These students are celebrated, and parents are invited

to attend. Selected students are students who complete assignments, exhibit courtesy and respect, have

exemplary conduct, and strive to be good citizens.

POSITIVE REFERRALS: Students can receive a positive referral for excellent behavior, having a

positive attitude, and demonstrating respect and good citizenship both inside and outside of the

classroom. Each quarter, there is a special Positive Referral day set aside for each teacher to recognize

students throughout the day. PTO provides a special treat for students who are recognized during Positive

Referral days.

SOARING HAWK AWARDS: The Soaring Hawk Award is given to students who have exhibited a

positive attitude, excellent effort, and/or shown improvement. Teachers choose one Soaring Hawk

recipient each quarter.

SCHOOL COUNSELING CENTER

Counseling services are available to every student in the school. These services include assistance with

educational planning, interpretation of test scores, information on occupations and careers; middle and

high school transition, developing plans to improve academic achievement, after school tutorial services,

peer mediation and personal counseling. Students are assigned to a counselor. Students should use the

iPad located in the counseling center to request an appointment with their counselor. Students must have

a pass written in their agenda from a teacher to go to the counseling office while classes are in session.

SCHOOL HOURS & VISITOR CHECK-IN PROCEDURES

The school day begins at 8:10 a.m. and concludes at 2:50 p.m. Students will be allowed into the building

beginning at 7:55 a.m. and buses will be released at approximately 3:05 p.m. Note: Parents, please do not

drop students off early unless the student has a written pass from a teacher. We do not want students

unsupervised for safety reasons. In keeping with our ongoing commitment to safety, the school will

continue to utilize an entry system requiring all visitors to push a buzzer at the main entrance and identify

themselves before being permitted entrance to the building. Visitors will then report to the check-in desk

and follow all existing procedures, including picture identification collection and scanning and the

creation of a visitor’s pass. This entry system and procedure will be in use during regular school hours.

SCORE

All Gainesville students will meet the expectations set forth in the School-wide Discipline program

entitled Success through Courtesy, Organization, Respect, and Excellence (SCORE). This program uses

positive support and tiered interventions to improve student behavior in the classroom, hallways,

cafeteria, and on the bus. Staff will review and reinforce behavioral expectations with students

throughout the school year.

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The SCORE program incorporates a variety of strategies and interventions to promote positive student

behavior including: early parent notification, alternative consequences to out-of-school suspension,

Intervention Plans and SCORE cards.

The school administration and Positive Climate committee will work together to review data on student

behavior and adapt the program to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of students.

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The Prince William County Code of Behavior applies when students are involved in all school activities.

This includes on-site and off-site school related activities, school sponsored events, athletic events, travel

on school buses, and at bus stops. Students are expected to abide by the rules and regulations at all times.

PRACTICE SELF CONTROL

Students will walk, not run.

Students will keep to the right in the hallways.

Students will keep hands and feet to themselves and refrain from horseplay.

Students will be civil to all.

Students will act appropriately in all situations.

RESPECT THE RIGHTS AND PROPERTY OF OTHERS

Students will not alter, deface, damage, or destroy school or another person’s property,

equipment, furnishings, or supplies.

Students will not take, move, or possess the property of any other student or teacher.

Students will place litter in trashcans and show pride in their school by keeping classrooms, halls,

restrooms, and grounds clean and gum-free.

Students will protect the rights of other students to learn by setting a positive example.

Students will demonstrate respect to staff members, other students, and visitors.

Students will only use the locker assigned to them and will not give their combination to others.

RESPECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Students will only use acceptable language.

Students will demonstrate appropriate behavior.

Students will follow instructions from all adults.

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SPORTS

Fall Season: August 28-October 30) Winter I Season: (November 6-January 10)

Football Girls’ Varsity Basketball

Boys’ Soccer Girls’ JV Basketball

Girls’ Track Cheerleading

Girls’ Volleyball

Cheerleading

Winter II Season: (January 21-March 14) Spring Season: (March 23-May 19)

Boys’ Varsity Basketball Baseball

Boys’ JV Basketball Softball

Wrestling Boys’ Track

Girls’ Soccer

**Please check the school’s web site for sports calendars and schedules.

Please note: All students who try out for a sport MUST have a current (after May 1st of the current

year) and completed physical form on file in the Athletic Director’s office and must have

participated in the mandatory concussion training. Concussion training sessions are offered as

follows: August 22, October 29, January 16, and March 18 at 6:00 p.m. in the GVMS gymnasium.

ELIGIBILITY RULES FOR SPORTS: If a student fails more than one subject for the nine-week

reporting period, the student shall be declared ineligible for sports or ineligible during the next grading

period (this also applies to the next year.) This rule applies to practice, as well as game participation, and

is effective the day after report card distribution. Interim reports will allow ineligible students meeting

eligibility criteria to try out for the next sport's season. The student may practice, but may not participate

in scheduled games until the academic standard is met at the end of the reporting period (the day after

grades are due). Ineligible students who become eligible after team selection may not join a team.

If a student receives disciplinary consequences of ISS and OSS, they will not be permitted to participate

in after-school activities on these days and are deemed ineligible for the sporting event or practice.

STUDENT AGENDA USE

The student agenda is to be used as a means of communication between the home and school, as well as a

student’s record of homework. An agenda is furnished to each student. Students are expected to carry it

with them daily. If it is lost, students will be expected to replace it at a cost of $5. (All pages should be

kept intact and not removed from the agenda. Students are to have their agenda with them at ALL

times throughout the school day.) Students are to use the agenda whenever they leave the classroom

during instructional time.

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TECHNOLOGY USE

Computers and other forms of technology are an integral part of the educational process; all students will

be encouraged to utilize technology to enhance their education. All students and their parents will be

required to sign the Gainesville Middle School for the Arts and Sciences Acceptable Use Policy before

utilizing the technology opportunities at GVMS. Computer use will include and not be limited to: use of

the mobile labs, tablets, library computer use, and classroom computer use. Technology use will include

and not be limited to: Cameras, video, and any specialty equipment. Failure to comply with the

Acceptable Use Policy may exclude a student from all technology use at GVMS.

ELECTRONIC DEVICE GUIDELINES:

All electronic devices, with the exception of E-Readers, will be stored in lockers during the day.

However, with a teacher’s permission for individual classes, students may use their own

technological devices during class.

Students are encouraged to have their name on their devices, permanently engraved or marked.

Students will not use the devices in bathrooms, locker rooms, hallways, and other inappropriate

places.

Students will abide by their teachers’ directions concerning use of the devices in the classrooms.

Students will not photograph or record other students or adults in the building without their

permission.

Students will not loan or borrow anyone else’s device. Above all, all students will abide by the

Prince William County School Acceptable Use Guidelines.

Consequences for not meeting the expectations include a warning, confiscation of the device, and

parent contact. For repeat offenders, parents will be required to pick up the device at the end of

the school day.

Leave distractions to the learning environment at home. Students will leave candy, gum, toys,

radios, electronic gadgets, personal entertainment devices, skateboards, roller blades, scooters,

and mini bikes etc. at home.

TELEPHONES

The office telephones are reserved for business or emergency use only. Students needing to make a

personal phone call must use the phone located at the check-in desk in the front lobby either before

school, during lunch, or after school, and fill out the telephone log. Students must use a school phone to

call home during the school day – not a cell phone. Cell phones must be kept in the student’s locker and

turned off during the school day unless being used for instructional purposes. Arrangements for after-

school transportation must be made before the student leaves home.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks may be issued to each student for academic classes. It is the student's responsibility to maintain

them in good condition. Lost or damaged textbooks are the responsibility of the student to whom they

were issued.

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TRANSPORTATION

BUS INFORMATION: Bus schedules will be available at https://pwcs.edu. Specific

questions about bus stop locations and times should be directed to the McCuin Transportation Center at

571.402.3902. Find your neighborhood bus stop and a.m. & p.m. bus schedules by using use the Find

My Bus tool and sign up for Here Comes the Bus from your My PWCS Mobile App. Information for

both are located on the Department of Transportation web page at https://pwcs.edu. Parents should

make sure their child knows his/her bus number before leaving for school, especially in cases where

students are driven to school in the morning and ride the bus home in the afternoon.

ACTIVITY BUSES: An activity bus is to be used by students who are actively participating in a school

sport, club, or staying after with a teacher/sponsor. Activity buses will run on Mondays and Thursdays

and will depart the school at 4:30 p.m. The activity bus schedule with drop-off locations are available on

the GVMS web site.

BUS PASSES: To change a bus to and/or from school, it is necessary to provide a written note to the

office in the morning. Please provide a telephone number for us to reach you to confirm the change of the

bus number. Once verified, the office will issue a bus pass to permit the student to board the requested

bus.

WALKING TO SCHOOL: Students living in the Wentworth Green subdivision, which is

within one mile of Gainesville Middle School, will not be provided bus transportation and may walk or

ride a bicycle to school. A Crossing Guard will be present prior to the start of school and at dismissal to

assist walkers crossing Limestone Drive.

For safety and supervision reasons, Wentworth Green students must have a pass to walk or ride a bicycle

to or from school. A Walker’s Permission Form can be obtained through the front office. Once a school

staff member has verified the form with a parent, either by phone or in person, the appropriate pass will

be issued to the student. Students without the appropriate pass will not be permitted to walk home.

Parents should be aware that the school will not issue a walking pass to students who are provided

bus transportation by the School Division.

For those Wentworth Green students who prefer to ride a bicycle to school, bicycle racks are

located on the side of the building. Bicycles should be secured with an appropriate lock. Gainesville

Middle School is not responsible for monitoring bicycles. Students should wear an appropriate bicycle

helmet as directed by state law. Skateboards are not permitted on school grounds or buses and will

be confiscated if brought to school.

KISS AND RIDE: The safety and well-being of our GVMS students is of vital

importance to us. To ensure students’ safety and to ease the flow of traffic before and after school, we ask

for your cooperation during drop off and/or pick up.

Please follow these simple guidelines:

Follow the Kiss and Ride pattern at all times, to include early morning drop off and after-school

activities.

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At no time should automobiles use the bus drop off/pick up lane at the front door of the school or

in the bus loop.

Kiss and Ride students cannot be dropped off on Limestone Drive to use the crosswalk.

To ease the traffic flow, parents/guardians should park in the left lot if students need to unload

anything other than a backpack and/or lunch. This is especially important when large projects are

due.

Students are not permitted to cross the kiss and ride zone into the parking lot by themselves.

Students must stay on the sidewalks and crosswalks.

Please see a map of the Kiss and Ride traffic pattern on the following page.

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WORK AT HOME

The purpose of assigning work at home to middle school students is to provide pre-learning opportunity

to organize new information or build interest, practice of an idea already presented, revisit knowledge and

concepts for review, and/or prepare for an upcoming assessment. To do well in middle school, students

should read, study, and complete work at home on a daily basis. PWCS Regulation 663-1 states that

middle school students should expect a total of 60 to 80 minutes of work at home Monday –Thursday.

Work at home will be reviewed and returned with feedback.

BE PROUD; DO YOUR OWN WORK

Students will only take credit for their own work.

Students will identify sources of borrowed information and ideas.