Handbook

Attendance

If you must be absent, parents must call our MCKINLEY MONITOR LINE (881-9390 option 2) before 9am EACH DAY you are to be out of school.  Failure to notify the school of absences will result in a documented, unexcused absence.  Excessive excused or unexcused absences can result in loss of credit or disciplinary consequences.  Chronic unexcused absences will result in a referral to the District Attendance Office.

Regular, consistent attendance is of high importance here at McKinley Middle School.  It is imperative that you are here at school.  It is your responsibility, along with the cooperative effort of the school and your parents to assure this policy is enforced.  The student needs to be in his/her class no later than 8:20am EACH SCHOOL DAY.  If you are absent more than 50% of the class period, you are considered absent for that entire class.

When arriving late to school, you must report to the administrative office to receive an “Admit Slip”.  Your parent must:

1.  Come into the office and sign you in OR
2.  Supply a note explaining your tardiness along with a phone number where your parent can be reached OR
3.  Phone the attendance secretary explaining the tardiness. 

If you arrive late three or more times, please refer to the school discipline policy on page 25.

Remember if you are late or leaving for the day, your parent must check you in or out through the attendance desk in the Administrative Offices.

According to the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Children’s Court Liaison Office, a student cannot be absent for more than 9 days throughout the entire school year or 4-5 absences per semester. Three steps have been developed to deal with truancy and excessive absences.  Please be advised that these steps are outlined in the APS Attendance Plan.  For further information, please read School Attendance Policy in the Student Behavior Handbook.

If you are absent, excused or unexcused, it is your responsibility to make up any and all missed work. You will need to make arrangements with each of your teachers upon returning to school. If you will be out for more than three consecutive days, your parent can call the attendance secretary for your assignments. There is a 24 hour waiting period to gather assignments from your teachers.  All work can be picked up in the administrative offices during school hours.  For each day you are absent, you will be allotted one day for the return of assignments to your teacher or as is deemed reasonable by your teacher, parent or administrator.

On special schedule or activity days, all students are expected to remain in school until 3:05pm.  Students will not be allowed to use the phone except in extreme emergencies, specifically on these days.  Faculty and staff appreciate parents and guardians refraining from picking up students early as educational activities are happening on these days, too.  McKinley Middle School values your cooperation and support.

Parent Link will place a phone call and email to parents of students that are absent for any reason, excused or unexcused, to ensure parents are aware of the absence.  It is not necessary to phone the school to discuss the absence, as long as they have contacted the attendance line.  It is very important that Parents/Guardians go to the school to update any phone or address information so that your student’s record is accurate. Thank you for your cooperation.

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Cell Phones/Electronic Devices

Cell Phones/Electronic devices brought to school by students must be used prior to 8:13am bell or after 3:05pm bell. They must be turned off during the school day and kept in the student’s backpack.  Failure to follow these guidelines will result in these items being confiscated by a staff member and brought to the main office.  On the first confiscation, the teacher will write the referral and the parent or guardian must pick up the item(s) from the main office during school days between 7:45 a.m. -3:30 p.m. Upon the second confiscation, the parent will need to wait seven days before being able to pick up the item.  Upon further confiscations, there will be a minimum of fourteen days before the release of the confiscated item to the parent. The student will be given a referral for a minor consequence which must be signed by the parent/guardian. Further violations will result in disciplinary action. Teachers who allow cell phone use in class for instruction are responsible for those students.

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Dress Code/Uniform Policy

McKinley Middle School follows the Albuquerque Public Schools Dress Code Policy. The dress code is designed to promote a positive, safe, and healthy learning environment. Students may choose from items within this dress code. As a general rule, clothing that is torn, shredded, excessively tight or revealing, oversized, gang-related, or that contains inappropriate messages or symbols is unacceptable. No styles of hair or clothing that will distract from the educational process are allowed. Shoes must be worn at all times. No hats may be worn inside the school buildings.

Please read this policy carefully. The MMS Dress Code Policy is in effect from the time the student arrives on campus until he/she leaves campus after school. Please check with a school administrator if you are in doubt about an item not listed here. Students who are out of compliance will receive a dress code infraction and will be allowed to call home for a change of clothes. They will wait in the TIPS room until they are provided with the appropriate clothes. Continued violation of dress code will result in consequences.

Please contact the office if you need assistance with clothing.

Student dress and grooming is to reflect high standards of personal conduct so that each student’s attire promotes a positive, safe and healthy atmosphere within the school.

Unacceptable Clothing

Unacceptable clothing and accessories include, but are not limited to:

• Gang-related attire
• Excessively tight or revealing clothing
• Short shorts
• Clothing that exposes the stomach or midriff
• Low-cut blouses
• Spiked jewelry
• Chains
• Belts with more than 2 inches excess
• “Sagging”, or the wearing of pants below the waist and/or in a manner that allows bare skin or underwear to show
• Clothing or accessories promoting:
  • Drugs (including alcohol and tobacco)
  • Sexual activity
  • Violence
  • Disrespect or bigotry toward any group

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Transportation

PARENTS TRANSPORTING STUDENTS TO OR FROM SCHOOL ARE ASKED TO USE THE DRIVEWAY AND ADHERE TO THE MARKINGS FOR STUDENT PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF.  PLEASE BE AWARE OF MARKINGS THAT INDICATE USE IS FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES ONLY. 

When dropping off/picking up students in the driveway, please pull to an open non-marked gray curb area.  Please do not stop and drop off/pick up in the middle of the road.   Please refrain from using the bus lane either at the beginning or end of the school day.  The buses must have free access to get in and out quickly and safely.  If you must pick up a student who normally rides a bus, please park your vehicle in the north parking lot, rather than the bus loading zone.

Bicycles are not allowed on the McKinley sidewalk or the main part of the building at any time.  It is unsafe for students to bring bikes to school because of traffic concerns.  Skateboards, scooters or roller blades are not allowed on campus at any time.  THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS! Bikes brought to school must be parked on the west side of the campus and must be locked in the bike rack. Bike riding is only allowed on campus in the parking lot and riding to the bike rack.  The school assumed no responsibility for damaged or lost items.