Download this handbook in pdf format

• Academic Information
  • Academic Probation
  • Social Probation
  • Math and Language Arts Help
  • Grades
    • Grading Scale
    • Notification
    • Periods
    • Updates
    • Reporting System
    • Updates

• Administrators and School Counselors
• Arrival at/Departure from School
  • School Hours
  • Traffic Safety
    • Traffic Flow Map
• Attendance
  • Absences
  • Tardies
• Behavior Expectations and Student Conduct
  • Behavior Expectations
  • Bullying Policy
  • Cheating/Plagiarism
  • Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior
  • Dress Code
  • Inappropriate Behavior
  • Rewards for Positive Behavior
  • School-wide Rules
  • Sequence of Disciplinary Consequences
  • Unacceptable Items
• Bell Schedules
• Extracurricular and Co-Curriculuar Activities
  • Graduation Activities
    • Graduation Attire
• Getting Around the Campus
  • School map
• Homework
• Library/Media Center at Redwood
  • Saratoga Public Library
• Lunch and Break Time
  • Food options
  • Lunchtime Activities
• Main Office
• Mascot and School Colors
• Materials for Learning
• School Service
• Student Recognition
• Student Support
  • Guidance and Counseling
• Technology
• Tips for Middle School Students
• Typical School Day
• Visitors
• Welcome

Welcome

The entire staff welcomes you to Redwood Middle School.  We look forward to working with our returning and new students.  This handbook has been prepared to provide you with information about daily life at Redwood, activities and support available to you, and the school community's expectations of you as a Redwood student.

Your first responsibility is to read this handbook thoroughly so that you will become familiar with the information needed to be successful at Redwood.  Please review its contents with your parents. Please sign the page entitled "Agreement Statement" and return it to your homeroom teacher. If you have any questions, please free to ask any Redwood staff member. We look forward to working with you and hope that your school year at Redwood will be sucessful and enjoyable experience.

Our school mascot, the Griffin, originated in India and ancient Scythia.  It has the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.  The Griffin drew the chariot of the sun and helped the gods of Mount Olympus.  It stood as a guard to things of value.  The Griffin grants the gift of knowledge and guards the school and its students.

Redwood School Colors are:  BLUE and WHITE

BELL SCHEDULES - 2009-20010

*Announcements are made daily from 8:15-8:20 a.m.

Redwood Middle School Administrators and Counselors

To send an email to the above administrators, click on a name above.

Academic Information

The Redwood Curriculum is described in separate grade-level pamphlets in the school office and can also be reviewed on the school web site, www.saratogausd.org/redwood.

Math and Language Arts Help

Saratoga Union School District has established an academic summer school program to help students in need of language arts and math support.  This program meets four weeks at the beginning of each summer.

Students can qualify for this program through teacher recommendation, SAT 9 scores (below the 50%-ile) and academic grades.  Students work in small groups to refine study skills, organization, reading, writing and math.  Students who are recommended for both Language Arts and Math support attend the program for four hours a day and students with needs in one area attend for two hours a day.

Students who fail a semester course are required to attend summer school to earn credits toward graduation.  Students can retake up to two semester courses during summer school.

GRADES

Grade Reporting System

Redwood teachers post their grades online at the website www.saratogapowerschool.org. At the beginning of the school year, you will receive the information necessary to access your grades online, via letter.  For security reasons, we may assign a new username and password to each family at the start of the new school year.  Parents and students should use the following procedure when there are questions regarding a grade:

Grade Inquiry Communication Protocol:

Communication Protocol for grade inquiries has been established to help parents to get information, to preserve the time of teachers and parents, and to build responsibility in students.  Parents, when you have a question related to grades:

1. Discuss the issue with your student.
2. Ask your student to talk to the teacher.
3. Contact the teacher by email or phone (email is preferred).
4. Request a meeting with the teacher.

Grade Updates

Online grades will be updated by the 15th and 30th of each month.  Assignments will generally be updated within two weeks from when they are collected.  Projects or writing assignments may take longer than two weeks to grade and record.  Please encourage your student to give teachers at least this much time before they contact them with a grade inquiry.

Grade Notification

A report card is issued and mailed home at the end of each semester.  You will also receive progress reports after the first 9 weeks of the semester.  These reports indicate the academic grade and conduct mark you have earned in each subject.

Grading periods for the 2009-2010 academic year are as follows:

A grade of "incomplete" is given only when an excuse, unavoidable absence occurs so late that work missed cannot be made up by the end of the semester.  The work, however, must be made up within two weeks after the semester ends.

Written notification will be provided for any progress report with a "D", "Fail", or "Incomplete" grade, or any report with an Unsatisfactory ("U") or three Needs Improvement ("N") marks in conduct.  This notification must be signed by a parent and returned to the school.

The school will inform your parents at or before the nine-week progress report if there is any danger of your failing a class.  A letter is sent to the parents of poorly performing students after each progress report to encourage immediate communication with the school.  This letter will restate requirements for graduation.  In addition, teachers make every effort to contact parents with any concerns about a student's academic performance or progress.

Standard Grading Scale

The following grading scale applies school-wide:

Late Work

Redwood Middle School staff members believe that students should be encouraged to learn the standards-based content of all subjects.  Prompt completion of work is strongly encouraged.  Prompt completion of work is strongly encouraged.  Late work is accepted by all Redwood teachers, for reduced credit.  Teachers will determine the amount of time passage before late work will no longer be accepted.

Extra Credit

Redwood Middle School staff members believe that students' grades should be primarily based on the learning acquired in attaining the standards.  Learning that extends beyond the standards can be enriching and stimulating for students, but can only be offered once all assignments are completed.  Not all Redwood teachers allow extra credit work.  Those that do require that all regularly assigned work must be completed first.

Honor Roll Requirements

Requirements for Honor Roll are:

1. 3.55 grade point average or higher in a semester
2. Letter grades in at least five classes
3. Enrollment prior to the ninth week of a semester

A student will not qualify for the Honor Roll if a "Fail" is received in a Pass/Fail course, or a "D" or "F" is received in a graded course.

Academic Probation and Eligibility for Activities

In order to encourage and support academic excellence, all students who participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities must meet the eligibility requirements established by the district.  The school counselor will assist ineligible for participation in such activities.  When extra curricular or co-curricular activities are designed for your academic or educational achievement, eligibility will not apply.

Social Probation

One requirement of maintaining eligibility for extra/co-curricular activities is proper conduct.  You will not be allowed to participate in extra/co-curricular activities if you receive one (1) unsatisfactory ("U") or three (3) Needs Improvement ("N") marks in citizenship during the preceding grading period.  Probation is reviewed at three-week intervals.

Academic Integrity

Please see Cheating/Plagiarism in the section “Inappropriate Behavior”.

Homework

Homework is important.  Students need to develop responsibility for their individual study habits.  Homework provides the practice, review, make-up and enrichment necessary to make school learning more effective.  Assignments include additional practice on work started during class time, enrichment, review of materials already studied, or make-up of missed work due to absence.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact teachers for make-up work.  Some teachers limit time allowed for this process.  The complete district homework policy is included in the packet sent home on the first day of school.

Homework Guidelines and Testing Days

According Board Procedures No. 3800, Students should spend the following amount of time, on average, working on homework assignments:

Grade 6:  60-90 minutes per evening, Monday-Thursday

Grade 7:  90-120 minutes per evening, Monday-Thursday

Grade 8:  90-120 minutes per evening, Monday-Thursday

No homework will be assigned on Friday and due on Monday

The table below shows the amount of time, on average, that a student will be expected to spend on homework in each subject area:

Testing days have been established for each subject area to reduce the number of tests given to students on a single day.  Each department has agreed to assign major tests on certain days of the week.  Informal quizzes may be given on any day.  Testing days may be changed by teaching teams.  If this is done, the number of tests per day will not exceed two and advance notice will be given.

Homework Make-Up Due to Absence

Homework Websites

Many teachers record homework assignments on their website.. You will receive the teacher’s website at “Back to School Night”. Links to many teachers’ web sites can be found on the Redwood Website under “staff directory”, in the navigation pane.

Daily Procedures

Attendance

Attendance Regulations

Students are required by state law to attend school punctually and regularly.  The following information is provided to help you understand Redwood's attendance policies.

Tardies - Excused/Unexcused

The word tardy means late.  A student's tardy may be excused or unexcused.  California State law and school district policy define what is excused.  Tardies are excused ONLY by a parent or guardian and ONLY for:

• medical/dental reasons
• religious holiday (not cultural)
• four hours per year allotted for religious instruction
• family medical emergencies

Each semester a student may receive up to two unexcused tardies without consequence.  For the third unexcused tardy, and for every 3rd unexcused tardy thereafter, a student will be assigned a school consequence listed on the Progressive Disciplinary Action Chart at the end of the book.

Absences - Excused/Unexcused

Excused:  California State Law and District Policy define an excused absence.  Absences are excused only for illness (longer than three days must be excused by a doctor's note), medical professional services (doctor, dental, etc.), quarantine by public health office, funeral services for a student's immediate family, exclusion from school for insufficient immunization, or court required appearance.  Urgent personal reasons may be excused by the Administrators if requested in writing (including e-mail) more than two school days prior to the absence.  Teachers will provide a reasonable amount of time for assignments to be made up for excused absences.  If a student is expecting to be absent for health reasons for more than one week, please notify the counselor.

Unexcused:  Any absence not described above is an unexcused absence.  Common examples are:  family travel, travel for competitions or staying home to be with visiting relatives.  Students may or may not be given credit for make-up work resulting from an unexcused absence.  Decisions about make-up work lie with each teacher.

Medical Excuse from Physical Education

The District requires a doctor's note if you are to be excused from PE for more than three consecutive days.  This note must give the reason, extent of restriction of PE activities, and the date of doctor's release.  Students should bring a doctor's note to the Main Office.

Early Dismissals and Appointments

Redwood Middle School is a closed campus.  Parents must call before the start of the school day for the student to receive permission to leave campus early.  Early dismissals are Excused and Unexcused under the same conditions as tardies.  Students who become ill during the school day must go to the Attendance Office in order to get permission to go home.

Materials for Learning

Binder and Supplies

We recommend that you use a large three ring binder to organize your work for your classes.  Most students find it helpful to have an assortment of pens, pencils and colored pencils or markers to work with.  Please do not bring white out, liquid glue or permanent markers to school.

Student Calendar/Planner

All students are required to carry and maintain a student calendar.  A three hole punched "binder reminder" will be provided to all students at the beginning of the school year.  Students will be expected to record their assignments and tests in their calendars.

Textbooks

Textbooks are provided to you on a loan basis.  You are responsible for their care.  Books must be covered at all times and must be paid for if lost or damaged.  All books and supplies must be accounted for before the final report card can be issued and the yearbook distributed.

Physical Education Equipment

You are required to wear the Redwood Physical Education uniform.  Uniforms are purchased from the P.E. department.  Any uniform purchased from Redwood in past years will also be acceptable.

Arrival at School/Departure from School

School Hours

It is recommended that you arrive at school fifteen minutes before school starts to ensure that you have enough time to reach your first class prepared to learn.  You should be picked up or leave the school campus promptly at the end of school, unless involved in an organized after-school activity.

Traffic Safety

The safety of Redwood students is a top priority at Redwood.  The heavily congested parking lot, especially after school, creates a challenging situation for students, motorists and school personnel.  Patience, courtesy and adherence to safety and traffic regulations is needed and expected.  It is very important that you follow all safety rules:

Safety Rules for Bicycles, Scooters, Skates, Roller Blades and Skateboards

Bikes, skateboards, scooters, skates and roller blades may not be ridden on school grounds.  Immediately upon arrival, scooters, skates and roller blades must be stored in your locker; bikes must be locked in the bike cage and skateboards stored in the office in the skateboard bin.

Bike Parking

Students are expected to lock bikes in the bike racks on the path next to Wing 1.  Bicycles are to remain parked and locked during school hours.  Bicycles are NOT to be parking in easement or traffic ares, or secured to school fencing.

Typical School Day

Schedules

See bell schedules on back of first page Student Planner

Personal Belongings

You should carry no more than twenty dollars cash.  You should not bring valuables to school and should take care to secure your own belongings in your hall or PE lockers.  The school is not responsible for lost or stolen property.

Homeroom

Homeroom will be held for 22 minutes, each day except Wednesdays, with your homeroom teacher. This will be an opportunity to get to know your teacher and fellow students well..

Closed Campus

Students arriving at Redwood in the morning are to remain here for the rest of the school day.  You may not leave the school grounds at any time during the school day without permission from the office.  If you must leave campus during the school day, you must present a note from your parents in the Attendance Office, before school, giving the reason for leaving.  Sign out in the Attendance Office at the time you leave and sign in when you return.  Student visitors not allowed on campus or in the parking lot areas.

Lunch time and Break time

Food Options

You have several options for lunch.  You may bring a bag lunch, buy a complete hot lunch in the cafeteria, or buy individual items from the snack bar.

Break and Lunchtime Procedures

Please follow the established lunch time guidelines:

• WALK to the Cafeteria or Quad.
• Eat ONLY in the Cafeteria  or Quad.  Food/drinks/candy are not allowed in the corridors, field or blacktop area.
• Students must wait 10 minutes before entering the blacktop.
• Be courteous to students and adults.
• Do not engage in inappropriate behavior such as pushing, chasing or throwing food.
• Don't cut in line or save a place in line for other students.  You must be single file.
• Buy only your own food.  You many not buy food for other students.
• Use garbage cans for your trash.  Do not litter.  It is each student's responsibility to keep our campus clean.
• Do not go into hallways without permission.  No students are allowed in the hallways or lockers ten minutes after lunch begins.
• Bathrooms are located on the upper blacktop and bottom of the 2nd story.

Lunchtime Activities

Often there are activities scheduled during the lunch period.  Students may work quietly in the Library.  A cart with sports equipment is provided for us on the lower blacktop.  There is an organized intramural sports program during lunch as well.  Some teachers allow students to work in their rooms.  The Leadership class and Student Council organize activities for students at lunch as well.  Some students work in the cafeteria or volunteer to be part of the Lunch Bunch.

Lunch services are provided by Sodexho food services.  SUSD is now offering a new internet service to help parents better manage their child's school meal account.  This new service is available now at www.EZSchoolPay.com.  To contact the Sodexho manager at Redwood, please call (408) 867-3042, x212.

Getting Around the Campus

School Map - click to download

Locker Assignments at Redwood

You are assigned both a hall and a P.E. locker.  This is a convenience to store items necessary for school.  Contents of the locker are your responsibility.  The school will not replace lost items.  You may go to your locker before school, between classes, and after school.  The school strongly recommends that you:

• Use a locker in the block of lockers assigned to you by your core teacher.
• Do not share your locker with friends.
• Only use a standard master lock with center dial and keep your combination private.
• Use your locker only to store books and items necessary for class.
• Keep your locker clean.
• Tampering with or opening other students' lockers is a SERIOUS offense and will be treated accordingly.  If locker damage occurs, a student will be billed for the cost of locker repair.
• Report locker problems to the office immediately.
• Locker searches may be conducted throughout the year, without any additional notice.

Corridors and Hallways

Safe and responsible behavior is expected from everyone on the campus.  RUNNING and PUSHING in hallways crowded with people IS DANGEROUS.  It doesn't matter if you do it in fun, in anger or without thinking.  If someone is injured, it will hurt just as much.  Students MUST WALK in all areas of the campus.

Passes

During the day when class is in session, a student must have a valid pass to be out of class for any reason.

Main Office

Office Procedures and Behavior

You are reminded that the office is a place of business.  This is an area where reasonable quiet is expected.  Your courtesy in cooperating with the secretaries is expected and appreciated.  Clearly state your purpose for being in the offices each time you visit. Our office is small; therefore, we ask that you not bring friends with you when you are seeking information.

Messages

It is our school policy to keep class interruptions to a minimum.  We will not deliver messages from home, except in an emergency.  Please be aware of plans for the day before leaving home in the morning. If you forget your lunch, it is your responsibility to check the Main Office.  The Main Office will not deliver your lunch to you. Redwood School is not responsible for items left in the office.

Health Services

First aid services are provided by Redwood's Attendance Office personnel throughout the school day.

Medications

Saratoga Union School District Policy #JGCD states that only specific school staff may dispense medication on school grounds.  These medications must be kept in the Main office.  The office must have your doctor's instructions on file for your specific medication.  No medication may be administered without parental permission.  With the exception of inhalers, all medication must be kept and administered in the Main Office.

Lost and Found

Students finding lost articles should turn them in to the Attendance Office.  Clothing will be kept for several months and then given to a charitable organization.  Unclaimed books will be given to the library.  Valuables such as watches, glasses or wallets should be given directly to a teacher or the school office.

Use of the Telephone

A pay telephone is available for student use before school, during the morning break, and after school only.  The office telephone may only be used in emergency situations.  Telephones are not available during the lunch period.

Redwood School Library/Media Center

Hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  You are expected to behave appropriately while using the library, which includes quiet study and good use of time and resources.  At lunch time, the library is for individual study only.  No food or drinks are allowed in the library.  You may finish your lunch and then proceed to the library.

Fines will be charged for overdue items.  Long-term unpaid fines may result in loss of school activities and privileges.

Visitors

Student visitors are not allowed on campus due to the interruption of the normal routine in the classroom and on campus.  All guests must register in the Main Office upon arrival.

Additional Information

Saratoga Library

Having this library so close to Redwood is an advantage for you.  With the privilege of using this library after school hours come certain responsibilities.  The Redwood staff and city library work together to ensure the public library is used properly.

Saratoga Public Library Policy

The Saratoga Library welcomes students seeking resources for their assignments and recreational reading material. The library is happy to provide recreational and informational materials in book and media formats, and Reference help.  The library is unable to provide supervision, phone messages, recreation, tutoring or school supplies.

Behavior concerns

• Students who are noisy and disruptive will be asked to leave the library for the rest of that day.
• Names of repeat offenders will be given to school administration to contact the students' families.  These students may be restricted from using the library for up to two weeks.
• Library personnel reserve the right to enlist the support of the local Sheriff's Department for ongoing or high level problems.

You will be issued an identification/student activity card, including a personal photograph.  You are required to carry this with you at all times.  You must contact the school secretary to arrange for the replacement of your card if it is lost or stolen.  This card will be necessary for admittance to after-school activities and for borrowing or checking out school equipment.  Consequences may result from continued failure to have your ID when asked.

Student Debts

Students will be billed  for all lost textbooks, library books, and for willful destruction of school materials and property.  It is to everyone's advantage for you to take care of school property.  Report cards and yearbooks will not be distributed at the end of the year until all debts are cleared.  Parents are responsible for student debts.

Student Store

The leadership class will host the Student Store (next to room 45) for 30 minutes after school, twice a week.  The store will sell snacks and other assorted items.

Yearbooks

You may order your yearbook throughout the year.  Supplies at the end of the year are extremely limited, so it is a good idea to order your yearbook ahead of time.  Yearbooks will be distributed during the last week of school.  Students are expected to show respect for other students' yearbooks.  Students who deface or damage the yearbook of another student will face serious consequences, including replacement cost.

Student Support

Guidance and Counseling

Guidance Services

If you have a school or personal problem, you should meet with one of Redwood's Guidance Counselors.  Students can see a counselor by filling out a request form provided in the main office.  The counselor will contact you as soon as possible.  The administrators are also available to meet with you about any concerns, questions or problems.

Teen Counselor

The Teen Counselor works with students individually and in small groups on a long-term, in-depth basis.  Referrals to the Teen Counselor come from the Redwood School Counselor with prior parental permission. This position is subject to funding availability.

Student Study Team "SST"

When you are having difficulty in one or more of your classes, it is helpful for you, your parents, teachers and school counselor to work together to help you improve the situation.  SST meetings are usually scheduled before school.  The main purpose of the meeting is to discuss the situation and brainstorm ways that you may be supported to succeed.  Teachers, parents and staff can request an SST.  The school counselor coordinates and facilitates the SST process.

Health Screening

Please note that as part of the District's school-health program, all 8th grade students will be included in the district-wide hearing screening.  7th grade students and new students will be included in the district-wide vision screening.  Parents must provide a written statement at the beginning of the school year if they wish to have their child exempted from these screenings.

Tips for Middle School Students

Conflict Management

Remember:  Conflict is normal.  People have different values and ideas.  HOW you resolve conflict makes a big difference.  Some common problems are:

Ways to Resolve Problems

Managing Harassment at School

Harassment tends to increase unless you do something.  You are entitled to feel comfortable and safe at school.  Take action if you are not.

• During an Incident:  Send a clear message to the person, E.g:
  • Don't call me names, it makes me angry.
  • I want you to stop now.
  • Cut it out - now.
  • Stop.  Listen to me.  I said stop.
  • Yes, I have a sense of humor, but this isn't funny.  I want you to stop saying that now.
• If you are scared, do whatever you need to to get out of the situation.  Pretend you don't feel well, run and get help; call out for someone to help you.  Report the incident as soon as possible.
• After an Incident:  Talk to an adult at school.  Begin with a staff member who is closest to the problem.  If there is a problem in the classroom, speak to the teacher in private about what is happening to you.
• If you see someone getting harassed, get involved.  Speak up.  Help the person being harassed to go to an authority at school.  Do not be a spectator.
• See the counselor or Assistant Principal and inform them of the problem.  They will help you write a formal complaint letter that is confidential and effective at stopping harassment.  Letters are written and read in private.  The letter is composed of three parts:  a) a description of what happened, b) how the victim felt, and (c) what the victim wants to happen now.

The Counselor or Assistant Principal will follow up with the student who has been engaged in harassing behavior.

Talking to an Adult

The most important thing to remember is that if you need help solving a problem, it is always okay to get help from an adult.

Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities

Student Activities

Extracurricular activities are not part of the regular school curriculum, are not graded, do not offer credit and do not take place during classroom time.   Co-curricular activities are programs that reinforce the curriculum.

Participation Guidelines

Students on Social Probation are not allowed to attend Activity Nights.  Students on Academic Probation or earning a failing grade are not allowed to participate in school-sponsored activities without prior approval of the administration.  Students absent from school on the day of an event may not participate.

LIFE AT REDWOOD IS NOT CONFINED TO THE CLASSROOM!  Show your school spirit by participating in some of the following:

Student Council

All students have the opportunity  to participate in student government.  The purpose of student government is to promote the welfare of the school, provide school service, encourage loyalty and school spirit, and develop leadership.  You may run for a student council office if you receive teacher and administrator approval and have not been suspended more than one day in the current school year.  You are also encouraged to become a student council class representative.  Student Council meetings are open to all students.  Even if you are not elected to office, your contribution is valued.  Student Council meets twice per month.

After School Sports

After school sports are available to boys and girls in the seventh and eighth grades.  Sixth grade students are eligible to participate in some sports as designated by the league.  Sports include wrestling, cross-country, basketball, volleyball, soccer, track and field, Spirit Squad and tennis.  Sign-up and try-out information is provided during morning announcements.

If you cannot physically participate in the physical education class, leave school early due to illness, or are absent from school, you are not allowed to participate in after-school sports on that day.

A-Period Band

A-Period band meets from 7:25-8:10 a.m. daily for interested students.

Honor Chorus and Color Guard

Honor chorus and color guard meet outside school hours, either before or after school and during lunch.

Spring Musical

Each year, the PTA supports a production of a spring musical.  There are many opportunities for interested students to participate as cast members or as part of the technical crew.  Listen to the announcements in the spring for more information.

Fundraising Activities

Activity Nights (Dances and Socials)

School activity nights are intended for the enjoyment and pleasure of our students.  These rules must be followed and requirements met:

• In order to attend the activity night, you must have attended school that day.  Students on Social Probation may not attend.
• You must show your Redwood ID card to attend Activity Night.  Only currently enrolled Redwood students may attend activity nights.
• Activity Night hours:
  • 7:00-7:30 p.m. - Students are admitted to activities
  • 7:30-9:00 p.m. - Students must arrive by 7:30 p.m. unless previous written permission was given by an administrator.  All students must remain at the activity night until 9:00 p.m. unless picked up by a parent or guardian with prior written permission from an Administrator.
  • 9:00-9:30 p.m. - All students must be picked up by 9:30 p.m.  If you are not picked up from the activity night by 9:30 p.m. you will not be allowed to attend the next activity night.

At the Dance:

Graduation Activities

Great America Trip

Graduation Ceremony
The Graduation Ceremony will be on the afternoon of the last day of school at 4:00 p.m.  All eighth grade students who have met the Redwood Graduation Requirements will be eligible to participate in the ceremony.

Graduation Party
The Graduation Party is organized by the PTA and will be held in the evening immediately following the Graduation Ceremony.

Student Recognition

The school provides a variety of opportunities to recognize students for their positive contributions to the school.  Besides recognizing academic achievement, Redwood acknowledges students who help create a positive school climate.

4.0 Students

Awards Assemblies
Redwood Students are recognized for a variety of achievements at Awards Assemblies held during the school day in June. Honor Roll, Student of the Month, sports awards, etc. are just a few of the many ways students are recognized for their achievements.

Student of the Month
It is important to recognize positive qualities as much as possible, and not just for high academic success. Once a month, each staff member nominates a student he or she feels deserves special recognition because of effort, good citizenship, service, improvement, or a combination of these.  The students recognized for this honor will have their names published in the school newsletter, receive certificates, and have their pictures posted in the School Hall of Fame. A letter will also be sent home recognizing this special accomplishment.

Other Recognition

School Service

WEB
This is a Peer Mentor program with 8th grade student leaders helping 6th graders to be successful at Redwood. The program offers a back-to-school orientation, social activities and academic follow up.

Peer Helpers
The Peer Helper program is coordinated by the school counselor. Students volunteering for this program will help new 7th & 8th grade students on their first day of school. Peer helpers will call new students before they arrive at Redwood and then show them around the campus on the first day of school. During the first week of school, Peer Helpers will continue to provide support to these students.

Lunch Bunch

Cafeteria Workers
Over the years, many students have enjoyed helping out in the cafeteria in exchange for free lunch. Student cafeteria workers assist in selling food and in cleaning up. To sign up contact the food service manager at 867-3042 ext 212.

Behavior Expectations and Student Conduct

Behavior Expectations

Student Council Description of a Model Student

A model Redwood student is well rounded and involved in many aspects of school life. A model student works to reach his or her highest potential in academics and athletics. A model student shows leadership and is dedicated to Redwood, takes action to make it a better place for all students, and follows through on all responsibilities and commitments.

Rewards for Positive Behavior

School:  School recognition (see student recognition)

• "Head of the Line" pass
• Special notes home
• Positive Referral (recognition for positive behavior)

Classroom: These are decided upon by the individual teacher, but may include the following:

• Praise
• Notes and/or calls home
• "Head of the Line" pass
• Class awards

Student Responsibilities

EACH OF YOU HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO:

Rewards and Consequences

School Wide Rules

Cell Phone Possession and Use

• Keep phones turned OFF and out of sight during the entire school day, including Break and Lunch.
• Not use phones inside any instructional space, even after school hours.
• Not use camera or functions of phones without prior permission of an administrator.

Dress Code

Graduation Attire

Gum

No gum is allowed on the Redwood campus.  Chewing gum inside the classroom will be dealt with by your teacher.  If you are caught chewing gum outside the classroom you will be assigned a school detention or a work detail

Social Relationships

You are expected to show maturity and respect in your relationships.  Public displays of affection are inappropriate at school.

Selling of Candy or Other Items

You are not allowed to sell candy or merchandise at school unless it is part of a school-sponsored fundraiser, and only with the prior permission of the school administration.

Campus Cleanliness and Recycling

Assemblies

When attending an assembly, you are expected to:

• Walk to the cafeteria with your teacher.
• Sit down quickly and quietly in designated areas with your teacher.
• Follow the directions of the person in charge. Do not make inappropriate noises such s booing, whistling, etc. Noisy students will be removed and face disciplinary action.
• Remain seated until dismissed.
• Remove all hats and hoods.

Unacceptable Items

The school will not accept responsibility for theft or loss of students’ personal property.  Unnecessary items found at school will be kept for a specific time period; some items will be returned only to parents.

Inappropriate Behavior

You are expected to follow all school and classroom rules, both during school hours and when engaged in other school-related activities. In addition, you are responsible to follow the laws governing the District and Community, as well as State and Federal laws. If you are found in violation of these rules and laws, you will face serious consequences.

Serious Acts of Misbehavior

• Violence: Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person. Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, except in self-defense.
• Weapons: Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished a firearm*, knife (including Swiss Army knife), explosive, or other dangerous object. This may result in the principal or the superintendent recommending your expulsion. (Ed.Code 48915). It is a most serious offense to bring any of the above to school. If you discover upon arrival at school that you mistakenly have in your possession a dangerous object, you should immediately bring the item to school personnel. It will be placed in safe keeping until an adult comes to retrieve it. When promptly handled in the manner described, no school disciplinary consequence will be assigned.
• Dangerous acts - includes tampering with fire alarms, involvement with arson or bomb threat, or other dangerous weapons or objects at school or school functions. Possession or use of matches, lighters, and firecrackers are included in this category.
• Knife: Brandishing* a knife at another person.
• Explosive: Possession of an explosive.
• Replica or “toy” gun: Possessed an imitation firearm. (a replica of a firearm that is so substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm).
• Alcohol and Other Drugs: Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of, a controlled substance, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind. Unlawfully possessed or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell drug paraphernalia.
• Alcohol and Other Drugs: Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell a controlled substance, or otherwise furnished to a person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.
• Stealing: Stolen or attempted to steal school property or private property. Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion. Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.
• Vandalism: Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property.
• Tobacco: Possessed or used tobacco, or products containing tobacco or nicotine products.
• Obscene Acts: Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.
• School Disruption: Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, administrators, school officials, or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties.
• Sexual Assault:* Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault or a sexual battery.
• Retaliation: Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or a witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil from being a witness or retaliating against that pupil for being a witness, or both.
• Hazing: Engaged in, or attempted to engage in, hazing.
• Bullying: Engaged in an act of bullying, including, but not limited to, bullying committed by means of an electronic act, directed specifically toward a pupil or school personnel.Sexual Harassment: Committed sexual harassment. Examples include:
  • Unwelcome repeated acts of leering, sexual flirtations or propositions
  • Unwelcome sexual slurs, epithets, threats, verbal abuse, derogatory comments, or sexually degrading descriptions
  • Sexual jokes, stories, drawings, pictures, or gestures, spreading sexual rumors
  • Teasing or sexual remarks about students enrolled in a predominantly same-sex class
  • Touching a person’s body or clothes in a sexual way
  • Displaying or posting of sexually suggestive objects in the educational setting
  • Any act of retaliation against an individual who reports a violation of the District’s sexual Harassment policy or who participates in the investigation of a sexual harassment complaint
• Hate Violence: Caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of, hate violence.
• Harassment: Intentionally engaged in harassment, threats, or intimidation, directed against school district personnel or pupils.
• Threats: Made terroristic threats against school officials or school property, or both.

 * Mandatory recommendation of expulsion.

During this probationary period, you will not be able to:

a. Participate in or attend after school sports
b. Serve on School Site Council
c. Serve on Student Council as a representative or an officer
d. Run for student office
e. Participate in Leadership Class activities
f. Be on campus before 8:00 AM or after 3:10 PM without prior approval from an administrator

Other measures may include:

a. Counseling
b. School/Community service

• Loss of privileges
• Saturday detention
• Suspension
• Legal action