Our Students
BACKPACKS
Students are permitted to bring backpacks to school. The backpack and its contents are the responsibility of the student. Therefore, students are encouraged to leave any items of value not required for school at home. Backpack searches will be conducted on Metal Detector days and as needed when there is reasonable suspicion.
BUS EXPECTATIONS
Students who are assigned to a bus are expected to ride their assigned bus home. Parents are required to request authorization before walking home. Requests must be submitted in writing by a parent/ guardian to the office on that day. For a student to ride a different bus, they must obtain prior authorization from the Administration.
CAFETERIA PROCEDURES
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All students eat free in the Hickman Mills School District.
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Teachers will take students to the west cafeteria doors to enter for lunch.
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Students will use the restroom and wash their hands before entering the cafeteria.
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When entering the cafeteria, students will sit with their class in assigned seating.
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Students will be dismissed from their seats to get in the lunch line by an administrator.
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At 12 minutes into each lunch shift, students who are finished eating will be allowed to clean up and wipe down their area. Then they will line up at the east doors to have an administrator take them to the gym.
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Students who are still eating will remain in the cafeteria until their lunch shift is up. Then they will clean up and wipe down their area.
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They will leave the cafeteria through the east doors and go to the gym.
CAR RIDERS
Pick up and drop off will take place in the North parking lot. Students are to be dropped off and picked up along the curb.
CELEBRATIONS
No celebration shall be organized, planned, or held during the school day without the approval of the building administration. Celebrations must be connected to student achievements or classroom accomplishments over a period of time and supported by data.
CELL PHONE POLICY
Cellphones are not to be used during school hours. At the beginning of the school year, every student will be assigned a personal Yondr Pouch with an ID Number, similar to being assigned a textbook. While the Yondr Pouch is considered school property, it is each student’s responsibility to bring their pouch with them to school every day.
YONDR Bag Procedures
Beginning of school day, during Homeroom, students will:
- Turn their phone off.
- Place their phone inside the YONDR pouch, securely close it, and store it in their backpack.
- Each student will maintain possession of their cellphone inside their Yondr Pouch for the duration of the school day.
End of school day procedures, students will:
- Unlock their pouch using an Unlocking Base
- Remove their phone from their pouch.
- Securely close their empty pouch and turn it into their homeroom or last-period teacher.
Violations
Example:
- Physical damage to the pouch in an attempt to circumvent its intended purpose.
Ex: Discoloration, pen marks, bent pin, or stripped lock inside the pouch) - Phones and/or other electronic devices, such as Bluetooth Headphones, earbuds, and Apple/Smart watches, are seen in use at school.
CHROMEBOOKS
Students will have access to a student Chromebook during individual class periods. Devices are not checked out to every student. Each core teacher has a classroom set of computers that stay in the room. Teachers will distribute them to students as needed for classroom work. The devices remain in the classroom. We expect students to utilize technology to enhance their learning further. Students who misuse district technology will lose their technology privileges.
DELIVERIES
Students are not permitted to order food from outside vendors or delivery services. If they do so, the items will be kept in the office until the end of the school year.
DRESS CODE
Students are expected to adhere to the Dress for Success expectations outlined in the Hickman Mills C-1 School District policy, as addressed in the Student Code of Conduct. Students’ attire must not distract, disrupt, or interfere with teaching or learning, nor disrupt the school's climate. Clothing is prohibited when an administrator deems items unsuitable, unsafe, or an interruption to the learning environment.
The dress code criteria are as follows:
- Shoes must be worn at all times. Avoid backless shoes, slippers, slides, heels (more than 3 inches), shoes with spikes, skates, etc.
- Appropriate coverage of the body is expected and defined as being covered from the shoulder to mid-thigh (about 3 inches above the knee). The chest, back, ribs, midriff, underarms, and buttocks must be covered. Undergarments (such as sports bras, bra straps, boxers, or shorts) worn under pants may not be visible. Sagging is not permitted. All shirts must have sleeves.
- The following items are not permitted and addressed as part of the dress code procedures:
- Ripped jeans, leggings/spandex pants, see-through tights or yoga pants (unless with a shirt covering buttocks), pajama pants.
- Clothing that is see-through, revealing, or displays profanity or words/symbols that advocate or depict violence, ethnic/racial slurs, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, illegal gang affiliation, political statements, or any other expressed or implied illegal activity.
- Jewelry or accessories that may be used as weapons, including but not limited to wallet chains, spiked rings, spiked bracelets, two or three-finger rings that are joined, spikes, oversized belt buckles, and bulky chains worn around the neck or waist.
- Headphones (i.e., Beats), wireless headsets (i.e., Bluetooth), unless used for an academic purpose with the permission of the building administrator.
- Metal picks and combs, hats, hoods, hoodies, bandana prints, wave caps, sweatbands, sunglasses, or any head covering (excluding those worn for religious reasons).
DRILLS AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
The fire alarm or bullhorn signals the start of fire drills. Tornado, Disaster, and Earthquake drills will be announced over the intercom system or signaled with a series of short blasts from a bullhorn. Students will receive full instructions from their individual teachers on where to go and what to do during the drill. Students are expected to treat all drills with seriousness.
FINES AND FEES
Students are responsible for all financial obligations to the school. This includes but is not limited to: lost textbooks, charged ID badges, any technology devices, and lost athletic equipment. If fines and fees are not resolved, no official documents will be released in the student’s name, including grade cards and official transcripts. If necessary, the school will hold the student’s diploma upon graduation.
FOOD AND DRINKS
Students are not allowed to have food of any kind out during class to eat. Students who arrive at school with breakfast or a breakfast drink (e.g., Starbucks, Dutch Bros) will finish the product before going to class or discard it. Snacks are strictly forbidden during the school day. Food is not allowed in classrooms. Food can cause distractions during class time and hinder the learning process. For drinks, students are allowed to have a water bottle, and only water can be kept in it. Students are not allowed to put any flavored powders that change color. Flavored water, when spilled, can stain the clothes of other students. There are some exceptions to this policy, such as classroom parties, in which case, families will be notified ahead of time.
FUNDRAISERS
Students must have approval from the building principal or designee. Students are not permitted to sell or trade personal items for any reason on school premises.
HALLWAY BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
- Walk on the right-hand side of the hallway.
- When waiting at the water fountain, avoid blocking the hallway by forming a line next to the wall.
- Voices at a level 1.
- Keep your hands, feet, etc., to yourself.
- Use your passing time to go to the bathroom or locker, then go directly to class.
- Obtain a pass before going to see the nurse.
- Do not block heavily used traffic areas.
- Must have a pass to be in the hallway outside of passing time.
INFINITE CAMPUS AND PARENT PORTAL
To facilitate school-to-home communication, parents are encouraged to use the Parent Portal, which enables them to engage in their child's day-to-day education through Infinite Campus. Parents and students can access pertinent information about attendance, grades, homework assignments, and a history of academic work.
LOST AND FOUND
Lost articles found should be sent to the Main Office. Anyone losing an item should check in with the front office secretary before or after school. Every effort will be made to identify the rightful owners of the lost articles and return them to their owners. Articles unidentified and unclaimed may be donated to charity at the end of the semester.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Students are encouraged not to bring personal items of value to the school. The school will not be responsible for personal items lost, stolen, etc. This includes phones, earbuds, earphones, electronic devices, etc.
POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS (MO-PBIS)
We are excited to announce that, starting this school year, South Middle School will implement the Missouri PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) framework. This initiative aims to create a more positive, consistent, and supportive environment for everyone. Through Missouri PBIS, we will focus on reinforcing positive behaviors, ensuring a safe and respectful school culture, and supporting all students in their success. We look forward to working together to make our school a great place for learning and growth!
RECORDING CONTENT ON ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Creating a video or audio recording in the school setting is prohibited unless it is for specific curricular reasons as determined by school officials. The school has an obligation to ensure the safety and privacy of all students. Students are not allowed to post inappropriate photos or videos on social media. Students who exhibit unacceptable behavior at school will receive consequences for phone violations in addition to other Code of Conduct violations. For example, if a student records two students fighting in the restroom, all three students will receive consequences for fighting or inciting a fight, and the student who recorded the incident will have a phone violation.
SEARCHES
Students may be requested to undergo voluntary personal searches when there is reasonable suspicion to warrant such action. School lockers and desks are the property of the Board of Education and are subject to periodic inspections without notice. Lockers and desks may be subject to search by school administrators for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to: suspicion of concealing drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or materials of a disruptive nature, stolen properties, weapons, or other items which pose danger to the health or safety of the student, other students, or school employees. An administrator and an additional staff member will conduct all searches. If student vehicles are parked on school grounds, they are subject to search when reasonable suspicion warrants such action, following the procedure outlined for searching lockers and desks.