J.

Douglas Adams Middle School

Student Handbook

2016-2017
Adams Middle School
401 American Avenue
Brentwood, CA 94513
(925) 513-6450
ams-brentwood-ca.schoolloop.com/

Name: ___________________________
If found, please return this student handbook and planner to the school address listed on this page.

2016-2017 Student Calendar

Who We Are
We Are Committed
Adams Middle School is an excellent learning community. We are a team of administrators, teachers,
support staff, and parents committed to your academic and social development in a safe and positive
environment. We deeply believe in your potential to form a solid academic identity, to view yourself as
a scholar and your education as a path to reaching your dreams. We trust that showing you how to use
21st century thinking skills, and holding you accountable to doing so, will result in academic growth.
We also deeply believe in your potential to form a community character; to view yourself as a member
of the Yellow Jacket Nation. We trust you will embrace our community values of amazing attendance,
beneficial behavior, classroom collaboration, and daily diligence as the adults around you model these
each day. Above all, we are a team who believes that together we can provide the safe, positive, and
supportive environment you need to grow both academically and socially.
We Are Successful
We fully understand your success in school depends largely on four key factors which we have made
our community values. The four key factors are attendance, behavior, collaboration, and diligence. They
are the ABCDs of school success.
A - Amazing attendance is the first value we ask you to pursue. We know that students have a greater
chance of success if they miss one day a month of school or less and get to class on time each period.
B - Beneficial behavior is the second value we ask you to embrace. We know students are successful
when they treat each other in ways that benefit each persons emotional health and sense of well-being.
C - Classroom collaboration is the third value we ask you to hold. We know students succeed when
they work together as active participants in classroom learning, striving to be on-task and productive.
D - Daily diligence is the final value we ask you to honor. We know students are successful when they
establish daily routines to complete and turn in work and when they are organized and prepared.

Amazing Attendance
Absences
We ask you to pursue amazing attendance because we know it is directly connected to success in school.
We ask that you work to schedule vacations and appointments at times that do not conflict with school.
If you are absent, have your parent/guardian call the Student Office at 513-6451 to report the absence, or
have your parent/guardian write a note stating the reason for the absence to bring when you return.
If you are frequently absent, we may require a doctors note stating the medical reason for the absences.
If you cant provide sufficient reason we may refer you to the School Attendance Review Board.
You may request to collect homework for an absence that will last more than one day by contacting the
office by 11:00 am. Your parent/guardian may pick up the collected work in the office after 3:15pm.
If you become ill or have to leave the campus for any reason, you must sign out at the Student Office.
When you return to school, you must sign in at the Student Office before going back to class.
Only an adult listed on the emergency form you fill out during registration may sign you out of school.
Tardies
We ask that you arrive to class on time each period and be present when the daily agenda is reviewed.
Tardies create a disruption to the classroom learning environment and to our focus on academic success.
Each week, we will conduct a random tardy sweep. If you are caught tardy during a tardy sweep, you
will be required to serve a lunchtime detention at the next available lunch period.
If you establish a pattern of excessive tardiness, the office will assign you Friday School detention
which is held on Friday afternoon from 2:45 to 3:45. Your family must provide transportation home.

Beneficial Behavior
Expectations
We expect you to view yourself and everyone on our campus as a member of Yellow Jacket Nation,
part of an extended family. We expect you to treat yourself and others respectfully and to speak about
yourself and others in ways that build up a sense of well-being. We understand that conflicts between
people are a normal part of everyday life and we expect you to immediately notify adults on campus
when you have a conflict with another student.
Standard Operating Procedures
When investigating a report of misbehavior, administrators follow the Standard Operating Procedures
set forth by the Brentwood Union School District, Liberty Union High School District, Brentwood
Police Department, and Oakley Police Department. Administrators will:

Conduct and document investigations

Collaborate with law enforcement

Secure and maintain evidence

Communicate with appropriate parties

If a school staff member, district staff member, transportation staff member, school volunteer, or student
believes he/she has knowledge of one of the following activities occurring on the way to or from school
(including on the bus), on campus, or at a school activity, he/she must contact a school administrator.

Cause/attempt/threaten physical injury

Use of willful force/violence on another
Possess/sell/furnish weapon/imitation
Possess/use/sell controlled substance

Commit obscene/profane/vulgar act

Possess/offer/sell drug paraphernalia
Disrupt school or defy valid authority
Commit/attempt sexual assault/battery

Committed robbery or extortion

Damage school/private property
Stole school/private property
Possess/use tobacco/nicotine product

Harass/threaten a student witness

Engaged in an act of hazing
Bullying, including by electronic act
Aid/abet in the infliction of injury

Because student safety is of utmost importance, a student will be suspended and may be recommended
for expulsion if he/she brings any of the following items to school:

firearms/knives/explosives
imitations of weapons
other dangerous objects

alcoholic beverages
controlled substances
tobacco products

Search and Seizure

Because student safety is of utmost importance, school officials may search any student with reasonable
cause or suspicion as stated in the BUSD Board Policy 5145.12(a).

Classroom Collaboration
Expectations
We expect you to come to school each day prepared to be an active participant in classroom learning.
We also expect you to work collaboratively with students and teachers as part of the learning process.
This means that you must share your thinking with your teacher, group, or class when asked to do so.
However, it also means you must actively listen when other students share thinking out loud in class.
When students work together to be active participants in learning, they are on-task and productive.
Academic Honesty
Though we encourage you to collaborate with others as you learn, we also encourage academic honesty.
It is fine for your thinking to be strengthened by others thinking, but you still must do your own work.
The following examples of cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable and keep you from learning:

Copying work completed by another student and turning it in as your own completed work
Stealing work completed by another student and turning it in as your own completed work
Turning in work as your own that was completed in whole or in part by another student
Completing work in whole or in part for another student to submit as his/her own work

Unauthorized collaboration on work that must be completed by each individual student

Completing a test by using a cheat sheet, another persons answers, or any unauthorized help
Providing another student with answers or the opportunity to copy answers to complete a test
Cutting and pasting or paraphrasing large sections of someone elses text and thinking without
citing or acknowledging the source of those words and ideas

Forging the required signature of a parent or guardian on an assignment or school document

Taking unauthorized short cuts on the Fun and Fitness activity in physical education class

Consequences for academic dishonesty will include appropriate disciplinary action consistent with
Board Policy and California Education Code. Consequences may include, but may not be limited to:

1st offense: student conference, parent notification, zero/partial credit, detention, documentation
2nd offense: student conference, parent notification, zero/partial credit, detention, office referral

3rd offense: parent/administrator conference, zero/partial credit, suspension, referral to counselor

Further offense: may result in a failing grade in a class where there have been multiple offenses

Grading Scale
[80%] Eighty percent of the grade in a core class is based on tests, quizzes, projects and classwork.
[20%] Twenty percent of the grade in a core class is based on homework and student participation.
A 100% - 93%
B 86% - 83%
C
76% - 73%
D 66% - 63%
A92% - 90%
B_ 82% - 80%
C- 72% - 70%
D- 62% - 60%
B+ 89% - 87%
C+ 79% - 77%
D+ 69% - 67%
F 59% - 0%

Daily Diligence
Expectations
We expect you to come to school every day with all the materials you need to be on-task and productive.
We expect you to have a set-time and a quiet place to complete your reading and homework each day.
We expect you to keep an organized backpack that makes it easy to keep track of your work to turn in.
Students who develop daily diligence in completion of work and general organization and preparation
are much more likely to be successful in school.
Supply List
To help you succeed we recommend you always keep the following school supplies in your backpack:

Binder w/Dividers
Binder Paper
Index Cards
Pencils/Pens

Pencil Erasers
Highlighters
Colored Crayons
Glue Stick

12 Ruler
Calculator
Athletic Shoes
PE Uniform

Student Recognition
We believe that student attendance, citizenship, achievement and success should be formally recognized.
Recognition promotes positive identity and school pride, so we provide multiple avenues/opportunities
to recognize students for their individual strengths and talents.
Honor Roll / Honor Society
We will recognize eligibility for Honor Roll [GPA 3.30 3.69] and Honor Society [GPA 3.70 4.00]
during an evening celebration in January. First semester grades and final exams will factor in eligibility.
Black and Gold Awards
We will recognize 8th grade students who showcase all manner of outstanding achievement at the annual
Black and Gold Awards. Each department presents awards to students who excel within that discipline.
Promotion Policy
State legislation on social promotion/retention requires 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 grade level criteria is to help identify students
who are struggling to meet grade level academic standards, in order to provide intervention and support.

Personal Items / Cell Phones / Vehicles / Dress Code

Personal Items
Problems may arise when you bring personal items that can disrupt the social/learning environment.
Unless expressly permitted, you may not bring the following types of personal items to school.

ipads/computer tablets
ipods/music players

gaming systems
any and all toys

If you bring any of these to school, an administrator may confiscate the item, call your parents, and take
further disciplinary action. The school is not responsible for lost or damaged personal items.
Cell Phones
To minimize disruption to the social/learning environment, you may not use a cell phone during school
hours. Cell phones must be turned off at 7:55 a.m. and remain off and stored in a purse/backpack until
the dismissal bell rings at the end of the school day. If you use a cell phone during school hours, you risk
confiscation and disciplinary action. You may ask to use the phone in the Student Office.
Vehicles
You may not ride your bike, scooter, skateboard, etc. on campus. Cyclists must use the bike path on the
East side of American Avenue. You must lock your bike in the bike racks located near the gym using
your own lock and chain. You must store your scooter, skateboard, etc. in a teachers classroom until the
end of the school day. You will carry your helmet during the day and wear it riding to and from school.
If you ride a bike, scooter, skateboard, etc. on campus, you risk confiscation and disciplinary action.
Dress Code
You should come to school dressed in a manner that indicates that you take your education seriously.
School administrators/teachers/staff reserve the right to determine the appropriateness of your attire.
Students wearing inappropriate clothing will change and may receive progressive disciplinary action.
The following types of clothing are not appropriate as school attire.

Pants that sag/sit below the waistline

Tube tops, crop tops, and halter tops
Clothing that leaves underwear exposed
Clothing that leaves midsection exposed
Clothing with rips/holes too revealing
Prints referencing alcohol/drugs/violence

Prints referencing sex/vulgar/profane

Excessively short dresses/skirts/shorts
Shorts cut to expose the pocket lining
Excessively long hanging belts/chains
Bandanas or gang-affiliated clothing
Pajamas, blankets, and indoor slippers

Visitors / Medications / Lost Property

Visitors on Campus
You are not permitted to bring unauthorized visitors on campus. Adult visitors including parents must
sign-in at the main office and wear a visitors badge during a visit at school.
Medications
You must leave your prescription medications and non-prescription medications in the Student Office.
All medications must have parent and physician authorization in writing [form is available in the office].
If you are required to carry medication at all times, a note from a physician must indicate this.
Lost School Property
All school property checked out to you becomes your responsibility under all circumstances and must be
replaced or paid for before the end of the year. Your account must be clear to receive yearbook/diploma.

Socials / Athletics / Non-Activities

Socials and Dances
To attend a school social you must [1] be an AMS student with an ID, [2] purchase tickets at pre-sale,
[3] follow all school rules at the event, and [4] avoid the non-activities list.
Non-Activities List
If you [1] have more than ten tardies in a quarter, [2] earn more than two F grades in a grading period,
or [3] serve a suspension in a quarter, you will be placed on the non-activities list and will not be eligible
to participate in any school-sponsored after-school activities.
Athletics
To try out for a team sport, you must have earned at least a 2.0 GPA from the previous grading period.
Falling below a 2.0 GPA in any grading period during the season will result in removal from the team.
To try out for a team sport, you must have no more than two D grades in any grading period and no
more than one F grade in any grading period.
To try out for a team sport, you must have no more than three days of suspension in any grading period.
Serving more than one day of suspension during the season will result in removal from the team.

Physical Education
Lockers and Locker Rooms
Physical Education teachers will assign a lock and a locker to you at the beginning of the school year.
You may not give the combination to anyone, switch lockers with anyone or share lockers with anyone.
You must keep your clothing and personal items locked up during your physical education class period.
The school is not responsible for lost or damaged personal items.
You will store your gym clothes in your small locker when you are not in your physical education class.
During your physical education class, you may use a big locker for your backpack and school clothes.
You must return your gym clothes back to your small locker and lock it at the end of the period.
You are only allowed to use a school-issued lock in the locker rooms. Other locks will be cut/discarded.
Locker Number : _____

Combination: ____-____-____

4-Digit Code: ___ ___ ___ ___

Directions for opening a combination lock

[1] Turn the dial to the right three times to reset the lock fully. Stop at the first combination number.
[2] Turn the dial to the left one full turn, pass the first number. Stop at the second combination number.
[3] Turn the dial to the right and stop immediately at the third combination number. Pull down hard.
Adams Physical Education Clothes:
You are required to wear the following approved clothing to your physical education class every day:
T-Shirt:
Shorts:

AMS physical education logo shirt or

Plain white/grey crewneck with sleeves
AMS physical education logo shorts or
Plain black athletic shorts

Optional, but recommended:

Sweat: AMS physical education logo sweats or
Pants
Plain black/grey with no other logos

Shoes:

Athletic shoe tied over the shoe tongue

Socks:

Any color

Sweat:
Shirt

AMS physical education logo sweats or

Any sweatshirt with PE shirt underneath

Please label your exercise clothes with first and last name. Do not alter your clothing. Do not wear hats.

Summary of Education Code 48900 and 48915

Category 1

Category 2

Category 3

The Principal is required to

recommend expulsion, without
exception. ED Code 48915(c).

The Principal is required to

recommend expulsion, with
exception. ED Code 48915(a).

Offenses which may result in a

Principals recommendation for
expulsion. ED Code 48900.

1. Possess/sell/furnish a firearm
at school.
2. Brandishing a knife at another
student.
3. Unlawfully sell a controlled
substance
4. Commit/attempt a sexual
assault/battery.
5. Possessing any explosive
device.

1. Caused serious physical

injury, except in self-defense.
2. Possess knife or dangerous
object of no reasonable use.
3. Unlawful possession of any
controlled substance.
4. Robbery or extortion.

.2 Commit sexual harassment

[EC 212.5]
.3 Cause/attempt/threaten act of
hate violence [EC 67380]
.4 Harass/threaten/intimidate and
disrupting environment.
.7 Issued terrorist threat to
school officials or school.

5. Assault or battery upon any

school employee.
Category 4

An administrator may suspend, transfer, or revoke an interdistrict transfer. Parent will be notified after
each offense. ED Code 48900.
a.(1) Cause/attempt/threaten
physical injury to another.
a.(2) Willful force/violence on
another, except in self-defense.
b. Possess/sell/furnish firearm/
knife/explosive.
c. Possess/use/sell controlled
substance.
d. Offer/sell/furnish controlled
substance.
e. Committed or attempted to
commit robbery or extortion.
f. Cause/attempt damage to
school/private property.

g. Stole/attempt to steal
school/private property.
h. Possess/use tobacco/other
nicotine product.
i.(1) Commit obscene act or
habitual profanity/vulgarity.
i.(2) Direct obscene act or
habitual profanity/vulgarity.
j. Possess/offer/sell any drug
paraphernalia.
k. Disrupt school or defy valid
authority.
l. Knowingly receive stolen
school/private property.

m. Possessed an imitation
firearm.
n. Commit/attempt sexual
assault/battery.
o. Harass/threaten/intimidate a
potential student witness.
p. Offer/sell the prescription
drug SOMA.
q. Engaged in, or attempted to
engage in, hazing.
r. Bullying, including, bullying
by electronic act.
t. Aid/abet in the infliction or
attempted infliction of injury.

To refer to the California Educational Code regarding student conduct please visit the following website:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=edc&group=48001-49000&file=48900-48927

Signature Page 2016-2017 School Year

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN TO YOUR ADVISORY TEACHER

After you have read and discussed the Adams Middle School Handbook with your parent/guardian(s),
please sign below and return this page to your advisory teacher.
Student
_____ I read the handbook with my parent/guardian and agree to commit myself to the community
values of amazing attendance, beneficial behavior, classroom collaboration, and daily diligence.
_____ I understand all school books and school property checked out to me must be returned in good
condition or we will be responsible for replacement.

_________________________________________ _________________________________________
Student Name [Print]
Student Signature
Date

Parent
_____ I read the handbook with my student and agree to help him/her embrace the community values of
amazing attendance, beneficial behavior, classroom collaboration, and daily diligence.
_____ I understand all school books and school property checked out to my student must be returned in
good condition or we will be responsible for replacement.

_________________________________________ _________________________________________
Parent Name [Print]
Parent Signature
Date