General Guidelines: (Any staff member may address any student on campus) 

All clothing and accessory choices MUST support the FORMAL ENVIRONMENT for EDUCATION at school. 

Clothing worn at Booker Middle will represent our mission of academic excellence.  Sleepwear and swimwear is not permitted.   Undergarments must be completely covered at all times. 

Tops:  All shirts must have sleeves, and must cover the waist, with no gaps front or back. 

Bottoms: Pants must not sag or expose underwear. All shorts and skirts must fall at or below the fingertip on the leg. No holes in pants above the knees, which includes mesh. 

Shoes: Shoes must be worn at all times. Bedroom slippers are not permitted. 

Jewelry/accessories: Must be worn in a manner that does not present a safety or health hazard. Jewelry with studs is not allowed. Non-prescription glasses of any kind are not allowed, including glasses without lenses. Camelback backpacks are not permitted.  

Containers & Bags: All staff reserve the right to check the contents of backpacks, bags, or any container based on reasonable suspicion. 

The Following Items Are Not Allowed: 

• Sexually implicit or explicit messages or designs.  

• Clothing or jewelry that represent or suggests drugs, alcohol, weapons, tobacco, gangs, religious or racial disrespect, or violence.  

• Caps, hats, visors, and hoods are not permitted on campus. Winter caps/hats and hoods, may be worn outdoors when the temperature is below 60°F.   

• Items for grooming (pick, brush, comb, scented deodorant or lotion, nail polish, etc.)  are not permitted on campus with exceptions for brushes, combs, only unscented deodorant & lotion use in locker rooms. Perfume, body spray, cologne, or any scented products of any kind are NOT ALLOWED at ANY TIME OR ANY PLACE ON CAMPUS. 

• Oversized coats/ trench coats, and blankets, are not allowed. 

Dress Code Violations: 

• A DRESS CODE/ELECTRONIC VIOLATION form will be completed for students out of compliance.  The student will keep the student copy to show other staff members. 

• The staff member writing the violation will contact the parent, preferably with the student, informing the parent of the infraction. 

• ONLY If a student’s clothing is a major disruption to the ACADEMIC environment, the student will be sent to the front office to either change into clothing provided by BMS or to call a parent to bring a change of clothing.  Students will wait for parents in ISR.  The borrowed item should be returned in exchange for the item held due to lack of compliance. 

• If the clothing is NOT disruptive to the academic environment, the student will continue in class after receiving a dress code violation form.  If a student violates dress code three times, they will receive a consequence determined by administration.  (ISR or other) 

• Upon the fourth dress code violation, the student will be sent home for the day and a parent conference will be required. 

   

SDMT reserves the right to adjust Dress Code and Electronic Guidelines as necessary throughout the school year. 

Booker Middle School Electronic Devices And Cell Phone Policy 

ALL student cell phones, and electronic devices, must be turned off and stored in backpacks at ALL TIMES when on campus.  (IF a student does not have a backpack or purse for storing the items, the items will be stored in the office until after dismissal. 

Students and parents should NOT plan on students storing phones or devices in their pockets.  This will not be permitted. 

Students may use cell phones ONLY FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES under the direct supervision of teachers. 

At NO TIME should students use cell phones for photography or music, unless directed by teacher for ACADEMIC PURPOSES.  Students are NOT allowed to use cell phones to make phone calls.  Parent phone calls must be made from a school phone, with staff permission. 

Booker Middle does not allow students to listen to music on student owned devices while on campus. 

Ear Buds Or Blue Tooth Ear Phones Or Speakers 

• Students ear devices should not be visible unless the student is using them for an ACADEMIC ACTIVITY under Direct Teacher Supervision. 

• Speakers, large or small are PROHIBITED on campus. 

Electronic Violations 

If a student has cell phone, earbuds, or other devices visible, (in use or NOT), a DRESS CODE/ELECTRONIC VIOLATION form will be completed by staff.  The items will be confiscated to the office.  Refusal by student to turn over a cell phone is considered a serious infraction. 

Upon the first offense the student may retrieve the items AFTER the dismissal bell. 

All further violations will result in an Electronic Violation form and confiscation.  For the second offense and beyond a PARENT/GUARDIAN MUST RETRIEVE the device. 

If a student has THREE electronic violations, they will receive a referral and a parent conference will be required. 

General Guidelines For Items And Activities At Booker Middle School 

STUDENTS are PROHIBITED   from bringing the following: 

• Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, lighters, or any related paraphernalia  

• Weapons of any kind, including small knives 

• Lasers of any type 

• Animals 

• Toys, or gadgets that are disruptive to the ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT; teachers have discretion to disallow any item that disrupts instruction 

• Purchasing or selling any items other than school fundraisers and school store 

Change Of Address And Telephone Number: The school must have a correct phone number (in service) and addresses of all parents/guardians and emergency contacts on file in the school office.  It is important for the school to be able to contact parents/guardians in case of an emergency.  Notify the registrar immediately if your address, home telephone number, or your work number changes. 

A change of address must be accompanied by written documentation of new address, i.e., electric/water bill, lease, or mortgage. 

Attendance Procedures: 
No students will be dismissed after 1:45 PM unless previously arranged.  We encourage you to send your child in with a note for every early dismissal to keep our classroom interruption to a minimum.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Campus opens at 7:00 a.m. and classes begin at 7:30 a.m. Students are tardy at 7:30 a.m.  After the 7:40 a.m. bell, students arriving on campus must have a parent or guardian sign them in at the office. Students that are habitually tardy may receive disciplinary consequences as decided by administration. All students who have been absent, upon returning to school, will be required to bring a note which must contain: 

• Legal name and grade level of student 

• Date(s) of absence/tardiness 

• Reason for absence/tardiness 

• Parent Signature (please sign and print name) 

• Parent contact telephone number (notes may be verified) 

• Students have three days following date(s) of absence to obtain and show an excused notice to all of their teachers.  After three days, they will be considered “unexcused.” 

   

Students have a RIGHT to:

• Information defining rules for absences, tardiness, withdrawal and make-up assignments.

• Transportation within the student’s school zone, but outside the two-mile limit from school.

• Appeal a decision about an absence.

• Make up all work missed during an out-of-school suspension or an unexcused absence, including tests and quizzes. In the case of unexcused absence, a teacher may deduct up to 30 percent from the earned grade for the work made up.

Students have a RESPONSIBILITY to:

• Attend classes daily and be on time.

• Provide notification from a parent/guardian when absent.

• Abide by school bus rules and regulations.

• Request make-up assignments from teachers upon their return to school after an absence and to complete this work within a reasonable length of time, as specified in school and district attendance procedures and the Student Progression Plan.

Excused Absences

• Student illness (if documented by parent/guardian or medical doctor)

• Observance of a religious holiday or service that is recognized as such by members of the student’s faith

• Medical appointment with documentation

• Death in the family

• Subpoena by law enforcement agency or mandatory court appearance

• Other individual student absences beyond the control of the parent or student, as determined and approved by the principal or principal’s designee

• Therapeutic services appointment (i.e. speech, occupational, physical, behavioral therapy)

Absence Reports

• Absences should be reported in accordance with school policy and documented by a written note.

• The report must come from a parent/guardian or a physician and give the date(s) of the absence and the reason for it.

• These absence reports must be submitted within three days following the absences, although school principals may make exceptions in cases of need.

• Parents may be asked to provide written medical documentation when excused absences for illness are excessive. Over nine absences for illness per semester or eighteen for illness in a school year is considered excessive.

   

Booker Middle School will follow district procedures outlined in the Student and Family Handbook.