Linden Grove Middle School

Participation in the end of the year dance and field trip for 8th graders is contingent on positive school behavior during the second half of the trimester. Beginning April 29, students who receive more than one level 1 referral or one level 2 or 3 referral are ineligible for both events. However, they may still attend the ceremony at Chenery.

To participate in the ceremony, dance or field trip students must also:

• Attend school at least 20 days from April 29-June 3 (unless there is a valid excuse-see the KPS excused attendance rules in the LG newsletter).

• Pay for or return all overdue or lost books

• Pay for all uniforms and instruments

• Pay any Chromebook repair fees

***If students are excluded from attending Linden Grove due to suspension, exclusion or expulsion, or are repeating 8th grade, they are not eligible to attend the ceremony, dance or fieldtrip.

Team awards, department awards, NJHS and other awards will be presented at this ceremony. Families will be notified in advance if their child is receiving an award. All are welcome.

We are ramping up our tardy enforcement until the end of the school year.

2 tardies in one day -next day lunch detention

5-9 tardies in one week - after school detention

10 tardies in one week - mandatory parent meeting, Out of school suspension if the problem persists.

Please talk to your child about getting to class on time.

Thursday, April 18 @ Lakeview

Port. West, Milwood, Linden Grove

Monday, April 29 @ Battle Creek Central

Port. North, Linden Grove, Mattawan

Thursday, May 2 @ Portage Central

Gull Lake & Linden Grove

Thursday, May 9 @ Kalamazoo Central

Port. West, Port. North, Linden Grove

Monday, May 13 @ Kalamazoo Central

“KPS Classic” Linden Grove, Maple St. Millwood, Hillside

Monday, May 20 @ Vicksburg

MHSAA Regional Meet

Wednesday, May 22 @ Portage Central

KAMSL League Meet

The PowerSchool app is a great tool for parents. It gives live access to grades and class attendance in an easy to view format (the picture is what you see on the app dashboard).

The district's automated monitoring system flags terms that could signal potential self harm, violence or inappropriate materials on student Chromebooks. We have seen an increase in students using other students' Chromebooks to search terms that will trigger an investigation from a staff member. This behavior is a violation of the Acceptable Use Agreement that students and families sign. School administration is assigning consequences commensurate with the level of violation. Please discuss appropriate Chromebook use with your child.

Beginning Monday, students will have to input their KPS ID number to check out of the lunch line. Please practice a few times with your child so they have the number memorized.

To keep our hallways orderly and safe, we have very strict horseplay rules. Students running in the hallways, chasing other students, or putting hands on one another will be assigned a one hour after school detention.

Any staff member can assign this detention. Parents will be contacted to arrange the date of the detention.

If a student receives a detention it must be served. We contact parents through email and robo call and send a paper letter home with students. We will also work with parents to find a date the allows the parent to provide transportation home. If a student fails to serve a detention, we offer one make up session. If that detention goes unserved the student is suspended for one day and a parent meeting is required for reentry.

An safe and orderly school environment is essential to a positive school culture. To this end, we are focusing on loitering after transitions. If your child is found to be loitering in the hallway or pod at the start of class, they will be given a reentry/suspension notice for the following day. Parents may bring the student to school for a brief reentry meeting or may have their child serve the suspension and return the day after. Please discuss the importance of getting to class on time with your child.

We strive to create a safe and orderly school environment. Students must help us create a safe and orderly environment by following the school's rules. If a physical altercation occurs during the school day, students are expected to leave the area immediately. Students who linger to watch or move to the conflict will be identified and given consequences the administration feels are appropriate, including possible suspension. In addition, any student who videotapes a fight will receive a 3 day suspension from school.

After 8:03 there is no student cell phone usage allowed at Linden Grove. Cell phones are expected to be silenced and stored out of sight. The safest place for a cell phone is at home. The next safest place is locked in the pod locker. Cell phones may not be carried in hands. If a student violates the cell phone policy the phone is confiscated for the day and returned at the flag pole at dismissal. The following additional consequences apply for cell phone violations:

1st violation- reminder

2nd violation- after-school detention and a parent phone call

3rd violation- 1 day out of school suspension and a parent meeting to return to school.

Students wearing airpods or headphones are assumed to be connected to a phone are considered in violation of the cell phone policy.

Students who use a cell phone or other device to tape a fight or other students will receive a three day out of school suspension and parents are required to attend a reentry meeting.

1: Students may not wear hats, hoods, or head coverings after 8:03

2: Shirts must cover the midriff.

3. Bags and jackets must be stored in lockers.

4: The school reserves the right to ask a student to change if the student's outfit is causing a disruption to the learning environment.

Students in violation of the dress code are offered an item from the school or can call home to have an adult bring a change of clothes. Students who refuse either option will be sent home.

Please see the KPS code of conduct for other dress code rules.

When your student has the following number of unexcused absences in a trimester, you should expect to receive the following notifications and support.

3 days of unexcused absences in a trimester

Letter or email to parent/guardian

Robo text or phone call

5 days of unexcused absences in a trimester

Letter or email to parent/guardian

In person, virtual or phone conference

10 days of unexcused absences in a trimester

Letter or email to parent/guardian

School attendance committee creates and individualized plan of support

15 days of unexcused absences in a trimester

Letter or email to parent/guardian

Referral to central office. The central office attendance team will make further recommendations that may include:

• wrap around services

• referrals to community support organizations

• academic interventions

• summer school attendance

• possible recommendations for grade level retention

Parent(s)’/Guardian(s)’ Responsibility:

• It is the responsibility of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to notify the student’s school as early as possible on the day of an absence and explain the reasons for the absence.

• Written or email verification of a student’s absence by a parent/guardian is required (unless otherwise indicated by the appropriate administrator) and should be provided to the school the day after an absence.

• Student absences are considered unexcused if documentation supporting an excused absence is not provided.

• After 3 consecutive absences, a medical note from a physician may be required.
  

• It is the responsibility of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to make arrangements with the teacher to obtain missed assignments due to absences.

As the weather turns colder it is important that students are appropriately dressed. The school doors open at 7:45 am for breakfast and no-referral gym. Students have to wait outside until 7:45 am.

If there is an issue with a specific class, please contact the teacher first by email. Teachers will respond within 24 hours. If there is a non-classroom issue, you can email the teacher, Mr. Hughes, Ms. Frison or call the main office.