DRESS CODE / Standard School Attire:

Students are expected to dress according to the guidelines established by the MNPS Personal Appearance and Dress Code Policy # 1737.

John F. Kennedy’s shirt colors are White, Navy, Blue, Red, Green and Black.

METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT-WIDE GRADES Pre-K-12 STANDARD SCHOOL ATTIRE POLICY

All shirts must have short or long sleeves and must have a collar (polo, dress-style, peter pan or turtleneck).

White or navy blue shirts are acceptable in all Metro schools. Check with your school to learn
what additional colors are permissible for shirts.  John F. Kennedy = Red, Green, Blue, and Black.

All pants, shorts, Capri pants, skirts, skorts or jumpers must be navy blue, black or any shade of khaki. Cargo pants and denim jeans of any color are not permissible.

Items worn with belt loops must have a belt.

All shirts must be properly buttoned and neatly tucked inside pants, shorts or skirts (not bloused over belts).

All clothing must be appropriately sized. Tight fitting, baggy or sagging shirts or pants are not
allowed.

Logos or manufacturer trademarks, if any, must be no larger than two inches. School logos are permitted and are not limited in size.

T-shirts with or without sleeves may be worn as undergarments. They must be solid white, navy blue or one of the additional solid colors approved by the school and may not display any writing, pictures or images.

A single blazer, suit jacket, vest, sweater, or cardigan is permitted as an item that may be
worn over the Standard Attire top. These garments must be in one of the district- or school-approved solid colors. Hooded sweatshirts are not allowed.

Outerwear such as raincoats, windbreakers and cold-weather jackets and coats may not be worn in the school.

Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. Laces on shoes or sneakers must be tied. No house shoes are allowed.

Torn clothing or see-through clothing is prohibited.

Spiked accessories, oversized jewelry or belt buckles and inappropriate head coverings
such as bandanas or do-rags cannot be worn or seen during school time or school functions.

RADIOS, CD PLAYERS, BEEPERS, CELL PHONES (ANY ELECTRONICS)

Radios, CD players, beepers, cellular phones, and similar electronic equipment are not permitted during school hours. Do not bring electronic games, MP3 players, iPods, etc., on the bus.  Such devices interfere with the educational atmosphere of the school and are likely to be lost, stolen, or damaged.  John F. Kennedy Middle School will not take responsibility for any of these devices being stolen, lost, or damaged.  A parent/guardian may pick up confiscated items, otherwise they will be returned the last day of the school year.

METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CELL PHONE POLICY – subject to Metro Board Policy

A student may possess a cellular telephone on school property, during after-school activities, or at school-related functions, provided that during school hours and on a school bus, the cell phone remains off, not on vibrate, and is concealed.  Possession of a cellular telephone by a student is a privilege.  Phones will be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of this policy.  Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action against the student.  Phones will immediately be confiscated if the phone is used for inappropriate activities, including but not limited to:

Text messaging that contains inappropriate content, profanity, or threats to others;

Cheating on tests;

Taking or showing inappropriate photographs;

Calling outside groups or individuals to participate in fights, retaliate, or participate in other inappropriate activities on the school grounds or at school events.

Students who use their phone for any inappropriate activities or refuse to relinquish their phone upon request to any person in authority in a school will have their phone immediately confiscated and LOSE THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING A PHONE FOR THE BALANCE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

The student who possesses a cellular phone shall assume responsibility for its care.  At no time shall Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools be responsible for preventing theft, loss, or damage to cell phones brought onto its property.

*Confiscated items can be picked up by parents/guardians.  Otherwise, they will be returned on the last day of the school year.

GRADING SYSTEM

The Metro Nashville Public School Board of Education grading system is as follows:

1. A 70% mastery of a subject is considered passing.
2. 9-week grades are numerical (0-100) based on daily work, homework, projects, tests, and other assignments.
3. GRADING SCALE

A= 93-100

B= 85-92

C= 75-84

D= 70-74

F= 0-69

4. Semester grade is numerical (0-100%) and is the average of the first two report card grades.
5. Final grade is numerical (0-100%) and is the average of all 4 reporting periods.

REPORT CARDS/PROGRESS REPORTS

Report cards are issued four times per year, at the end of each nine weeks grading period.  Report cards serve as an indication to the parents of a student’s progress.  Progress reports are also sent out by all teachers after the completion of approximately 4 ½ weeks of each nine weeks grading period.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks are issued to students at the beginning of the school year. The books are to be returned in good condition at the end of the year.  Students are responsible for all textbooks issued to them. Books damaged or lost must be paid for by the student.  Failure to pay for the damaged or lost book will result in the holding of report cards, record transfers, issuance of new books, etc. until the total amount is paid.

STUDENT ACTION IN CASE OF ILLNESS OR INJURY

If a student becomes ill, he/she will get a pass from the classroom teacher whose class he/she will be missing and bring the pass to the office. For injuries or accidents occurring at school that require medical attention, the student should report to the main office.  We will make the student as comfortable as possible and call the parent/guardian.  If the parent/guardian cannot be reached, we will attempt to contact the emergency number listed on the location/emergency card.  (Please be sure to complete this card at the beginning of the year and have it updated any time changes in phone number, address, place of work, etc. occur.)  In the event of an extreme emergency, an ambulance might be called.

NOTE: Under no circumstances should a student who is ill leave school without permission from the office, nor should a student go to a restroom while ill and remain there for an extended period of time without notifying the teacher or office.

Insurance: At the beginning of each school year, an insurance offer is sent home. It is a parent’s choice to accept for the state fee, or decline the offer. Neither the school nor the district provides insurance for students.

MEDICATION – Prescription and Over-the-counter

A student may not take medication at school without WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PARENT AND A DOCTOR’s signed medication form which must be submitted.  SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS OF THE AMOUNT AND TIME OF DOSAGE MUST BE CLEAR.  THE MEDICATION MUST ALSO BE IN ITS ORIGINAL CONATINER.  Permission slips are available in the office.  All medications must be turned in to the front office receptionist. We will keep the medicine secure until the student comes to take it.

ABSENCES

After an absence, the student should bring a written note explaining the reason for the absence, the date of the absence, and a parent/guardian signature.  This note should be turned in on the first day the student returns to school.  The note must be given to the homeroom teacher.  Returning to school without a notice constitutes an automatic unexcused absence.  Students shall be considered excused for the following reasons:

1. Personal illness;
2. Illness in the family requiring the student’s temporary help;
3. Death in the family (not more than 3 days);
4. Head lice, up to three days per infestation (must have a doctor’s clearance before returning to school);
5. Recognized religious holidays regularly observed by persons of the child’s faith;
6. Court appearances or legal mandates.

JUSTIFIABLE PERSONAL ABSENCES/TARDIES

Upon written request of the parent/guardian, a student’s absence or tardy may be excused for the following reasons:

1. Unforeseeable emergencies such as car problems;
2. Doctor or dental appointments;
3. Other reasons requested in writing by the parent/guardian and considered legitimate by the principal or designee.

Students will be considered unexcused for any other absence.  Any absence over three days must be accompanied by a physician’s statement noting the exact dates of the illness.  All doctor’s notes should be given to the homeroom teacher.  The written note is the responsibility of the parent/guardian and student, not the school.

It will be the student’s responsibility to: (1) turn in assignments missed during an excused absence; (2) arrange a convenient time with the teacher for making up tests, projects, etc.; and (3) obtain class notes.  All make-up work should be completed as soon as possible upon return from the absence.

BUS TRANSPORTATION – Riding a bus is a privilege.  This privilege can be lost if students are disruptive at bus stops or while the bus is moving.

Obey the bus drivers’ instructions

Remain in your seat on the bus

Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself

Talk quietly

Students who live at least 1.25 miles from school may ride the bus

Bus drivers must approve any requests for additional passengers-this must occur a day in advance of the request

A bus driver’s job is an EXTREMELY difficult task.  The school makes every effort to support them in their efforts to be effective, responsible, and safe.  Bus incidents are handled using progressive discipline.  Should a driver bring a child into the office and file a formal complaint, the student is given a warning.  Additional trips to the office will result in a gradual loss of bus privileges, in some cases; students may lose the privilege of bus transportation for the remainder of the school year.  Please be sure to read MNPS rules for riding the bus with your child, sign, and return the appropriate copy to school.

ALTERNATE FORM OF TRANSPORTATION

If it is necessary for students to leave school through a method other than usual (i.e. riding a different bus, riding in a car with someone other than a guardian, etc.) they should bring a note of explanation from their parent/guardian and present it to the office BEFORE the beginning of the school day.  The person picking up the student or caring for the child after school (in the event that he/she is riding a different bus) must also write a note of explanation.  Both notes should include a telephone number where the parents/guardians can be reached so that permission for alternate transportation may be confirmed and allowed. Bus drivers may refuse additional passengers. Please ask the driver before making the request.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS

Parents/Guardians are welcome at John F. Kennedy Middle School.  We encourage you to visit, participate in special activities and have lunch with your child.  We encourage parents to buy their lunch from our cafeteria when visiting their child.  No restaurant food is permitted in the school cafeteria.  Please remember to check into the main office to get your visitor pass. Parents who want to visit a classroom to observe should meet with the teacher and an administrator prior to making the appointment.