Sidney Lanier Middle School

 

 

Cafeteria Management Plan:

       Students may chose to purchase food and eat in the cafeteria or bring a sack lunch and dine on one of the two patios.   All other areas are off-limits during lunch.  The assigned lunch period is an opportunity to enjoy being with friends and enjoy a well-prepared lunch from the cafeteria, sack lunch from home, or personal favorites from the snack machines or snack bar.  The following guidelines will assist all in making lunchtime a more enjoyable experience.

  1. Arrive on time to lunch.
  2. Purchase all food items desired from vending machines before entering the cafeteria.
  3. Purchase all food items desired from snack bar or cafeteria line, then select a place to sit.
  4. Remain seated in the one selected seat until the end of the lunch period.  If the student would like to return to the snack machine or snack bar, he/she will need permission from your section supervisor.
  5. Upon completion of lunch, trash receptacles will be available for disposal of trash.
  6. At the 5-minute signal (lights switched off/on), clean the eating area (table and floor).  A cloth will be provided for each student to wipe his/her space.
  7. When the dismissal bell rings, walk (DO NOT RUN) to class.  BE COURTEOUS.   Keep the noise level at a whisper - classes are in session.

CONSEQUENCES:
       Remember that your behavior is your choice.  If you CHOOSE to act inappropriately during lunch (outside the above stated guidelines), you will be assigned to lunch in the PUP House.  You must bring a sack lunch from home.   The consequence for a first offense is one day of PUP House assignment at your lunch period.  Parents are notified.  An increase in lunchroom offenses brings on an increase in responding consequences.

PATIO PRIVILEGE:
       Enjoying the outdoors with your friends at lunch is a group privilege shared by all students assigned to your lunch period.  The guidelines and consequences for cafeteria dining are relevant on the patio as well.  As a CONSEQUENCE of inappropriate behavior on the patio, the Patio Staff Monitor can assign individuals to lunch in the PUP House and/or choose to close the patio to all students of that lunch period.  Eating on the patio is a group responsibility that goes beyond your personal space.  Encourage others to dispose of their trash responsibly.  Do not complain about cleaning up "unidentified trash" and/or cans that may appear in your area.

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Campus Supervision:

       Assigned teachers supervise the arrival of students and the timely dispersal of students at dismissal.  Teachers have the authority to correct any student at any time on the Lanier campus.  Lanier is not an extended-day campus (unless the student is registered in the after school program).  Students are not supervised before 7:40 a.m. nor after 3:15 p.m.  Parents are strongly encouraged to make arrangements for their children to arrive on campus just 15 minutes before instruction begins at 7:55 a.m. and leave immediately at 3:15 p.m.

       For the safety and security of Lanier students, staff, and school property, strict regulations are enforced.  Students inside the building before or after school hours without permission (and a signed permit) from a teacher or activity sponsor will be subject to disciplinary action.

       Note: Students who have not been picked up by 3:45 p.m., Monday – Thursday and 1:45 p.m. on Fridays, will be taken by the campus police officer to the cafeteria.  Parents arriving late (after 3:45 & 1:45) must proceed to the bus lane driveway and enter the cafeteria to sign-out their child.   Repeated instances of late arrival will result in the need for a parent conference and a required fee to pay a teacher for extending his/her stay to supervise the student.

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Coats and Jackets:

       Coats and jackets may be brought to school, but must remain in the student's locker throughout the entire instructional day, including P.E. class.  In addition to the short-sleeved uniform shirts, only the official Lanier uniform sweatshirt can be worn in the building or during the instructional day.  The Lanier Sweatshirt will be sufficient for chilly weather needs in Houston.

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Codes of Student Conduct (HISD's and Lanier's):

       Lanier Student Code of Conduct

       Achievement with Honor is our motto because I AM...

       Because Achievement with Honor is our motto, I WILL...

       The THREEFOLD GOAL of Lanier's Code of Conduct is:

  1. to set the expectations that students always will be held accountable for the behavior they CHOOSE,
  2. to show students how to MONITOR their behavior, and
  3. to give students practice in EVALUATING the behavior they choose on a moment-to-moment basis.

       Houston ISD Code of Student Conduct

       Students have been given a copy of the Houston Independent School District publication of your student rights and responsibilities within the greater HISD community.  It is their responsibility to be familiar with the information in this book.  Students and parents are to review this information and sign and return the acknowledgement page.  Points of interest are below.

       HISD students have the right to a well-balanced curriculum and instruction.  They have the right to attend public schools.  They have the right to evaluation of their academic progress.  They have the responsibility to participate in the educational process by attending class, paying attention, completing assignments, and asking questions if they don't understand a subject they are being taught.  They especially have the responsibility to behave appropriately; not interfering with the goals of the educational community.
   
       School teachers and administrators have the right and responsibility to respond to student acts of misconduct that interfere with the goals of education.  The following information regarding student misconduct is provided in detail in the HISD Student Code of Conduct.

Level I The offenses generally occur in the classroom and can be corrected by the teacher.
Level II These offenses are more serious than Level I and/or represent the student's inability to control Level I misconduct.  Level II offenses call for administrative intervention.
Level III These offenses seriously disrupt the educational process in the classroom, the school, and/or at school related activities, or are a continuance of repeated Level I, II, or III misconduct.  Level III misconduct may result in student suspension and optional removal to an alternative education program.
Level IV Level IV misconduct involves more serious criminal offenses.  This includes any felony, whether school related or not, unless it is one for which expulsion is required.  This level of misconduct requires placement in an alternative education program.
Level V Level V offenses are dealt with by the expulsion of the offending student.   Expulsion is fit punishment for violations, which seriously threaten the safety of the school community.  Expulsion is fit punishment in response to criminal acts of mischief, including, (but not limited to): weapons possession, possession of illegal substance, and assault.

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Communication:

       Communication within our school is of vital importance to the entire school community.  Lanier hopes to improve communication within our school community by establishing a system for communication between parents, students, teachers, and administration.

       When the concern involves the classroom:

  1. The student should speak directly to the teacher, at an appropriate time, to discuss concerns.  Appropriate times might include passing periods, or an appointment made before or after school, but should not interrupt classroom teaching and learning time.   Concerns might also be offered in writing, and the teacher can arrange a conference with the student.
  2. Students also have the option of speaking with their Advisory teachers to gain perspective on the issue from another teacher’s point of view, and to seek help with problems that can easily be handled at the school level. (ie: I was absent yesterday and my teacher is absent today.  I need a signature for my coach stating I am pasing class…what do I do?)
  3. If concerns continue, the student should speak with his/her parent to discuss the issues, gaining parental perspective of the problem and determining if the issue warrants further contact with the student’s teacher.
  4. Based upon the discussion between parent and student, parents may elect to contact the teacher directly, either by phone or by parent conference to discuss the concerns of the student and parent.
  5. If a resolution of the issue is not possible, the parent’s and student’s next venue would be the student’s administrator.  Please call or make an appointment to see your administrator.  Students may elect to see the administrator by themselves, or to bring their parents for a conference.  These conferences may or may not include the teacher, as warranted by the issue.
  6. If the administrator is not able to mediate a resolution to the issue, the parent may make an appointment to see the principal of the school.

       When the concern involves school policy:

  1. The parent should call the student’s administrator to verify or clarify the policy.
  2. The parent may share, either verbally or in writing, concerns regarding the policy with the school principal.
  3. If further action is desired, the parent may request that a discussion of the issue is placed on the agenda of the SDMC.  Parents are weldome to attend all SDMC meetings, and to represent their views to the committee.

       A few words about Praise:

Praise is always appreciated when a job well-done is recognized.  Be it verbal or in writing, your thoughts are greatly valued.  All praise directed at the administration level regarding teachers and faculty will be shared with those who are named.

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Conferences:

       Arrangements can be made for parent conferences with individual teachers, academic teams and grade-level administrators.  These meetings must be prearranged and cannot be guaranteed on a drop-in basis.  A telephone message (713-942-1900) left in a voice-mail box will be returned no later than the following day.

       All visitors to the building must report immediately to the main office on the second floor for a visitor’s pass.     A listing of faculty and staff members' voice mail numbers and e-mail addresses can be found at http://www.rice.edu/armadillo/Schools/Lanier/faculty/index.html.

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Cooperative Discipline:

        Cooperative Discipline is a philosophy of social learning that emphasizes the responsibility of all members of the community and establishes an environment for social learning that emphasizes courtesies and expectations.

       Students choose their behavior, and are responsible for the effect of the chosen behavior on the community.  Within this system, there are clear limits stated as a "Code of Conduct" based on the vision and values of the entire school community.  It is the responsibility of teachers to provide consistent modeling of appropriate community behavior and consistent supervision and correction of student behavior.
        Students of community behavior, should remember the following:

  1. I am responsible for learning the expectations of my community.
  2. I choose the ways that I behave.
  3. I understand that my appropriate behavior impacts positively within my community.
  4. I also understand that my inappropriate behavior impacts negatively within my community.
  5. I know that I am accountable to my community for my chosen behaviors.

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Counseling Services:

       Guidance services are available on a daily basis to assist the student in achieving success and coping within the limits of his/her abilities.  Information is available on test-taking skills, extracurricular needs, dates of tests scheduled, career choices, as well as other academic, social, vocational, or personal concerns.

       Any student or parent may make an appointment with their child's grade level administrator.  Students wishing to meet with their administrator during the school year must request, and fill out an administrator referral form.   Advisory teachers will be happy to assist in filling out referrals and delivering them to the grade level administrator.  Upon receipt of the referral, the grade level administrator will meet with the student as soon as possible.

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Crimestoppers:

       Lanier Middle School participates in the Crimestoppers program.  If you encounter anything that seems unlawful or suspicious, report it to an administrator, teacher or any staff member in the school. If you are uncomfortable reporting to school personnel, you should call Crimestoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).