Eighth Grade Party - Any eighth grade student or guest who has excessive unexcused absences (10 or more) and/or suspension from school will not be permitted to attend this affair.

Students will be under adult supervision from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Please do not leave your child at school before or after these hours unless prior arrangements have been made through the administration.

The school policy is to accept only those visitors who have legitimate business at school. Parents and visitors must register in the office and will be given a visitor’s pass. Parents are always welcome. Anyone who does not have lawful or legal business to conduct will be considered to be trespassing. Trespassers will be referred to the police. Visitors are expected to leave promptly when their school business is completed.

Parent-teacher conferences build a strong communication system with the parents of our student body. To arrange a conference, call the grade level counselor in the Guidance Office. The telephone number is (305) 238-2316. Conferences should be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Most parent conferences are held by teams before school. Please follow the guidelines to facilitate the process:

1. If your child is having a problem in a particular class, please call the school and leave a message for the teacher who will return your call as soon as possible.

2. If you are interested in knowing the academic and social progress of your child, please contact your child’s counselor or team leader.

6th & 7th grade - Ms. Ellen Friedman  Ext. 2217

7th & 8th grade - Ms. Eunice Wilson. 2216

EBH Counselor -  Ms. Keisha Johnson Ext. 2214

Career Specialist - Ms. Joan Frawley Ext. 2260

TRUST Counselor - Ms. Monica Milian Ext. 2215

Parents are able to meet with teachers after they have made an appointment a minimum of 24 hours in advance.

Students must be in their seats by the 9:00 a.m. bell. A student who is tardy must proceed as follows:

1. Report directly to their first block class.

2. Report to the attendance office located in the new building if student arrives after 10:00 a.m.

3. Bring a note of explanation signed by the parent/guardian. If lateness is due to problems with private transportation, it will be considered an unsatisfactory tardy. ALL MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SCHOOL BUSES ARRIVING LATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM AS SATISFACTORY TARDIES.

4. After accumulating two (2) unsatisfactory tardies, the student’s conduct grade will be lowered one letter grade. Communication with the parent is made verbally or in writing.

5. Students accumulating four (4) tardies will have their conduct grade lowered to a “C” and will be referred to the administration. Student will be placed in SCSI by the administration.

6. After five (5) tardies, the student will be excluded from class until a parent conference is held.

Detention may be given by teachers for reasons they deem necessary. A 24 hour notice must be given. Failure to serve a detention will result in a more severe punishment.

The S.C.S.I. is for students who are repeatedly referred to the assistant principals for unacceptable classroom behavior. Assignments to the Center may be made as an alternative to suspension. Students will be assigned to this class for no fewer than three (3) consecutive days or more than ten (10) consecutive days.

If during the student’s assignment to S.C.S.I., his behavior, attitude or attendance continues to be poor, he will be placed on outdoor suspension.

The authority set forth in Florida Statutes vest school administrators with the power to establish rules for discipline, develop understandings for the enforcement of obedience, and to enforce classroom regulations. Teachers and administrators have the right to use such means including the moderate use of physical contact as may be necessary to maintain discipline and to enforce school order and rules.

Only the Miami-Dade County School Board, by law, has the right to expel a student from school. Suspensions and/or expulsions may be issued when a student has possessed, used handled or transmitted a substance capable of modifying mood and/or behavior; possessed, used, handled, or transmitted a weapon, including but not limited to, a gun, knife, razor, explosive, ice pick, or club; used any article as a weapon or in a manner reasonably calculated to threaten any person, committed a serious breach of conduct, including but not limited to, an assault on school personnel or another pupil; a lewd or lascivious act; arson, vandalism or any other act which disrupts the orderly conduct of the school or school activity; engaged in less serious but continuing misconduct, including, but not limited to, the use of profane, obscene or abusive language or other acts that are detrimental to the educational function of the school.

Homework is an integral factor in fostering the academic achievement of students and in extending school activities into the home and the community. Regular homework provides opportunities for developmental practice, drill, the application of skills already learned, the development of independent study skills, enrichment activities, and self discipline. Homework should provide reinforcement and extension of class instruction, and should serve as a basis for further study and preparation for future class assignments.

6Gx13 - 6A - 1.23

Homework assignments to exceptional students should reflect the needs of such students.

Each team at Richmond Heights Middle School will provide students with a schedule for homework. This schedule will change as emphasis in the subject area changes.

Reading is recognized as a universal skill that relates to all subjects. Therefore, when specific homework assignments are not given, or when the homework assignment is completed in an expeditious manner, every student will read.

During a semester course, the student’s final grade shall be determined as follows: 40 percent value for each of the two nine-week grading periods and 20 percent value for the final examination, with a provision for teacher override. In annual courses, the student’s final grade shall be determined as follows: 20 percent value for each of the four nine-week grading periods, 10 percent value for the mid-term examination, and 10 percent value for the final examination, with a provision for teacher override. Academic grades are to reflect the student’s academic progress. The determination of the specific grade a student receives must be based on the teacher’s best judgment after careful consideration of all aspects of the student’s performance during a grading period. The Principal reserves the right to review a student’s academic performance each semester to ensure continued academic progress.

All students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades must pass all six (6) courses to be promoted. All students must have a minimum cumulative total of 16-18 courses to be promoted to senior high school.

Interim progress reports are issued every four-and-one-half weeks. Parents are to sign the progress report and return it to your child’s homeroom teacher. Interim Progress Reports will be distributed:

Week of 9/23/02       Week of 2/24/03

Week of 12/2/02       Week of 5/5/023

Report cards are issued at the end of each nine-week grading period. The following is an interpretation of letter and numerical academic grades: