In This Handbook

Section 504 Information
Bullying/sexual harassment
Character counts
Respect
Bell schedules
Albuquerque public school's mission
McKinley Middle School's mission
McKinley instructional component
When is the student handbook in force?
Assemblies
Attendance
Bus transportation
Campus visitors, cell phones/electronic devices
Closed campus/counselors
Deliveries to the office
McKinley uniform policy
Emergency procedures & drills
Food, drinks, and gum
Grades
Hall passes
Health room
Homework
Intramurals & clubs
Library-media center
Lost and found
Lunch
Mediation
Mid school athletics
Parent organizations
School supply list (general)
Standards
Student aides
Student rights & responsibilities
Teamed intervention to promote self-responsibility (t.i.p.s.)
Classroom offenses and use of contracts
School discipline
Substitute teachers
Telephone usage
Textbooks
Transfers
Transportation
Valuables/personal property/money
Albuquerque public schools profile of the graduate

Parent/Student Handbook

Handbook Essentials

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.

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 7:45am -3:30pm. 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.

Dress Code/Uniform Policy

The students and their parents/guardians are responsible for compliance with the MMS Uniform Dress Policy. Please read this policy carefully, so that your student will not be subject to correction or disciplinary action. This list is not all-inclusive and administration may determine the appropriateness of clothing articles or accessories if not listed in policy to follow. The MMS Dress Code Policy is in effect from the time the student arrives on campus until he/she leaves campus after school. Students are not permitted to change into or out of their uniform clothing at school. Students must remain in dress code while on campus.

General Guidelines

Most articles of clothing including jackets and socks are to be solid colored. Any color is acceptable. Striped shirts, plaid, checkered designs, polka dots, patterns are allowed. No camouflage of any kind. Articles of clothing should not show graphics or writing of any type.
All articles of clothing should fit properly. No tight or baggy clothing is acceptable. This includes items worn under the approved dress code shirt. Undergarments shall not show at any time, this includes leggings and jeggings.
All articles of clothing must be neat and in good condition. No torn, tattered, or excessively long clothing.
Undershirts must be worn tucked into pants, shorts or skirts. If the shirt pulls out of the pants, shorts or skirts when the arms are raised above the head, the shirt is too short.
Materials: Most materials are acceptable, with the following exceptions: No transparent or sheer materials, no net or lace, and no spandex, which includes leggings, jeggings, yoga pants, and sweat joggers. This guideline applies to those articles of clothing worn under acceptable dress code clothing.
MMS graphics are acceptable on collared shirts and approved sweatshirts on Monday through Thursday, and on collarless shirts on Fridays.
Manufacturer logos will be allowed on approved articles of clothing as long as they are no larger than 1 ½ inches in diameter. No graphics or writing on jackets, sleeves, shirt or pants of any kind. Skull graphics are not permitted.
Negative messages: No clothing or accessories that promote negative behaviors (profanity, violence, sex, drugs, alcohol, bigotry, disrespect, gangs), or that are highly distractive, disruptive or immodest.
Jewelry: No chains, dog collar necklaces, metal ball, studded, or spiked jewelry, no oversized rings, no wallets or pocket chains, or any accessories that can be construed as a weapon (ex: a cluster of objects on a necklace, oversized rings, or a large belt buckle). No more than two necklaces may be worn at one time, and necklaces must be worn underneath the shirt. No facial or tongue piercings or jewelry. Pierced ears only.
Hair Styles: Students hairstyles must not be distracting or disruptive to the educational process. No graphics or lettering is allowed to be shaved or dyed into the hair. NO BANDANAS ALLOWED
Other Accessories: No sunglasses, baseball caps, hair nets, or bandanas. Absolutely no writing or graphics on wristbands, backpacks, skin or clothing. No stickers, buttons or patches are allowed on clothing or skin. Gloves and knit hats are allowed, (weather permitting and outside only). No fingerless gloves or baseball caps allowed at any time.
Belts: Belts are encouraged unless the student has been contracted for dress code violation such as sagging of the pants or shorts. If worn, belts must comply with the same rules as "jewelry," and must fit properly with no belt hanging. No large buckles or inappropriate messages on belt or buckle are allowed. No studded belts are permitted.
Shoes and Socks: Shoes must be worn at all times. Bedroom slippers are never allowed. Socks should be worn as appropriate. For safety reasons flip-flops, backless shoes, platforms, high heels and sandals are discouraged.
Jackets and Coats: Jackets are discouraged while in class. If jackets must be worn, clothing under jackets must be in compliance with MMS dress code policy.
No gang-related clothing.

Shirts (Boys and Girls)

Observe all guidelines listed in "general guidelines"
Collared, polo, button down, Oxford or turtle necks (mock or regular), no designs/writing. No transparent or sheer fabrics.
McKinley Spirit Shirts only on Fridays.
Short or long sleeves, no sleeveless
All shirts must have buttons or snaps, and button/snap to the neck (collar). No more than two buttons/snaps from the top may be undone.
No zippered shirts, tank tops or midriffs.
No shirts are tied to make them tighter at any time.
Un-tucked uniform shirts are allowed within the following guidelines:
Un-tucked shirts must not be longer than wrist of a student when his/her arms are held at the side. Un-tucked shirts must not rise above the waistline of the student when arms are raised above his/her head. Shirts that are too long need to be tucked in. Shirts that are too short need to be changed. Only the outer uniform shirt may be un-tucked. Undershirts or layered shirts worn under the dress code shirt are to be tucked in and are not to be seen. Only ONE undershirt of uniform color may be worn UNDERNEATH a uniform shirt.

Skirts, Jumpers and Shorts

Observe all guidelines listed in "general guidelines"
Must be no shorter than fingertip length with arms fully extended

Sweatshirts, Sweaters and Vests

Observe all guidelines listed in "general guidelines"
Must be worn over a legal shirt
No logos or writing on front, back or sleeves.
Hooded sweatshirts are appropriate when weather indicates. Hoods may be worn outside only.
No sweatshirt graphics are allowed including those garments with zippers. Teachers may ask you to remove this item of clothing during class.

Pants, Shorts

Observe all guidelines listed in "general guidelines"
Pant legs no wider than 10 inches. Pant legs that drag on the ground or are rolled up are not allowed.
Straight legged or regular cut pants fitted at the waist. (No sagging/baggy, dropped crotch, overly tight pants.)
No overall or one-piece jump suits.
No outside stitching or decoration.
A belt
No sweat shorts, bike shorts, athletic shorts, leggings/jeggings, swishy/nylon pants, sweatpants, shorts, leather or pleather.
Shorts must be at least fingertip length, but no longer than the bend of the knee.

Coats, Jackets

Observe all guidelines listed in "general guidelines"
Must be worn over approved MMS clothing
Any jacket with the approved colors for shirts may be worn.
No graphics or writing allowed on coats or jackets.
Hoods to be worn outdoors only
All coats/jackets must be waist length. No short jackets permitted.
Teachers may ask students to remove jackets in the classroom.
No shirts (denim, flannel, plaid, etc.) may be worn as jackets.

Spirit Days/Dances

Observe all guidelines listed in "general guidelines"
On Fridays and other administration approved days students may wear MMS insignia shirts without collars.
Athletic participants may wear dress approved by the administration on designated days
No Del Norte or any high school graphics will be allowed.

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.

Parents