Handbook and Expectations

We expect your child to be at school, on time, for the full day, every school day. School is not optional. It is important! Make school a family priority.

APS students are allowed no more than five unexcused absences per semester, and no more than 10 unexcused absences per school year.

The parent/guardian must notify the school when the child returns with a note to report the reason why the child was absent, the day(s) of absence(s). In addition, make sure the name of the child is included on the note and the parent/guardian’s name and date, time, phone number.

Excessive absences will be addressed per the APS Student Behavior Handbook

Absences may be excused for the following reasons, with appropriate documentation:

• Doctor’s appointment
• Death in the family
• Religious commitment
• Illness
• Family Emergency
• Diagnostic testing
• School or College Visit

In the event that the school has not received notification of absence by a parent for three (3) consecutive days, the school will make an attempt to contact parent/guardian.

Excessive excused absences may result in further inquiry from the principal and request for additional documentation.

Family vacations are considered unexcused absences, and it is expected that parents will schedule vacations during periods of time when school is not in session.

Students who are signed out before the end of the instructional day must have written documentation of the reason (as defined under excused absences) or be subject to the same consequences as tardy and/or absent.

It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to notify the school when their child is absent. Please send a note with your child upon their return to school indicating your child’s name, the day(s) of absence, and the reason(s) of his/her absence, parent’s or guardian’s name and date, time, phone number. Your child will need to drop the note off in the attendance office.

Parent permission is required if a student leaves school during the day; students must first report to the attendance office. Parents must pick up their child in the administration office. If someone other than a parent will be picking up the child, they must be listed as an Emergency Contact in ParentVue with the "Release To" option selected. We will request a picture I.D. before we release your student.

Family trips or vacations during the school year are considered unexcused absences. See district handbook. When assignments are requested, teachers should be given 24 hours notice to prepare the assignments. If the teacher is unable to provide the assignments prior to the trip, the work would be due in a period of time equal to the number of days absent or a time mutually agreed upon by the student and the teacher.

Scholar possession of cell phones and other personal electronic devices on campus is permitted. These devices must be placed into their locker at the beginning of the school day, or upon their arrival to school, and powered off during the school day. Administration reserves the right to confiscate a personal device if a scholar is not complying with these expectations, and the scholar and family will complete the following for each infraction:

1. 1st offense: Device is confiscated and returned to parent/guardian at the end of the school day.
2. 2nd offense: Scholar is assigned one lunch reflection (30 minutes) & device is returned to parents/guardians after 7 days. 
3. 3rd offense: Scholar is assigned one lunch reflection, device is returned to parents/guardians at the end of the semester.

Garfield Middle School is not responsible for preventing theft, loss, damage, or vandalism to students’ personal technology devices or other valuables. Garfield Middle School is not responsible for recovering lost or stolen student valuables.

Grey Wolf Scholars are expected to dress in neat, clean, and appropriate clothing that does not pose a safety hazard to oneself or others.  It is up to the administration to determine what is and is not objectionable, and will do so with fairness and equity in mind.  With that being said, the following dress code guidelines will be utilized, and students will be reminded by staff and administration:

• College and career, and Grey Wolf school spirit clothing is always encouraged; sports teams, whether professional, amateur, or college, can be worn as long as it does not create student conflict.
• Closed toed shoes must be worn at all times in order to maintain safety for students from falling objects, thorny plants outside, chemicals and science materials, and more.
• Slightly torn and distressed jeans are OK, and all holes above the knee must be one inch or less in size.  Pants must be pulled up, and shirts must meet the pants.
• Any clothing that depicts drug/alcohol/tobacco use, sexual aggression or activity, profanity, gang affiliation, or violence of any kind through images or written text is not acceptable.  In these cases, students will be asked to remove the item of clothing, turn it inside out, or will be given a temporary replacement that can be worn at school.  Families will be notified by administration.

Garfield STEM Magnet administration reserves the right to make the final decision regarding clothing that may fall outside of our stated dress code, especially clothing that is excessively tight or is not appropriate for an educational environment.  Administration will collaborate with students, staff, and parents to make sure dress code decisions are made equitably and fairly.

The southern side of the school is the only safe and acceptable drop off. Please use the loop road on 4th Street and Matthew. The front (east side) of the school is considered a fire line. No drop off or pick up is allowed on the east side of the school. Please use our parent and visitor parking on the north side of the building.

 

Bullying is prohibited by APS and at Garfield STEM Magnet and Community School. We expect our Grey Wolf Scholars to participate in anti-bullying actions to and from school, at the bus stop, during school and school-related activities before and after school and during on-campus or off-campus events. This also includes avoiding cyberbullying through social media and other online spaces.

To report bullying, please contact the school counselor (Ms. Begay). You can also fill out our "Help Stop Bullying" Report Form.

"Don't Bully...Be A Friend!"

All Grey Wolf Scholars will be taught to avoid plagiarism, collusion, and malpractice, and be made aware of expectations of academic behavior that is responsible and ethical.

All Grey Wolf Scholars will be informed by their instructor if academic honesty has been broken, and be given a chance to correct any issues for full credit (first incident) and partial credit (second or more incidents).