Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival.
W. Edwards Deming

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CAUTION!
This is still the 1997-98 Handbook.
The new handbook will be completed before August 12, 1998

Handbook Contents

Mission Standards

The six week average will be determined from the following types of grades:

Homework (15%)

Homework is 15% of the overall grade. It typically consists of completing an assignment designed to provide background information or reinforcement of concepts previously covered in class. The content of a homework assignment may be the subject of a quiz on the day the assignment is due.

Class Work (35%)

Class work contributes 35% to the overall grade. These assignments are designed to be completed primarily during the class period. The student who is working efficiently in class should be able to complete the assignment. At the teacher's discretion, the students may take these assignments home to finish.

Major Work (50%)

Major work is half of the total grade. Major work consists of tests, projects, laboratories, long-term assignments, compositions, and other assignments which are used for assessment of the major elements of the core curriculum.

LATE WORK POLICY
For an assignment to receive full credit, it must be turned in at the time it is due. Assignments turned in late will be assessed according to the following schedule:

• 1 day late 15 point deduction from the grade earned.
• 2 days late 25 point deduction from the grade earned.
• 3 days late 35 point deduction from the grade earned.
• 4 days late 45 point deduction from the grade earned.
• 5 or more days late Maximum grade of 50

Homework and class work that is more than 5 days past due will not be accepted.

The Mercury 7 Team will have a study hall and tutorials available for students who wish additional help or need to complete assignments.

PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress reports will be sent home during the fourth week of the six week grading period. The grade on the Progress Report will reflect the work completed during the first three weeks of the marking period. Progress reports must be returned with a parent signature. A tentative schedule for progress reports is:

• First Six Weeks during the week of September 1
• Second Six Weeks during the week of October 13
• Third Six Weeks during the week of December 1
• Fourth Six Weeks during the week of January 26
• Fifth Six Weeks during the week of March 23
• Sixth Six Weeks during the week of May 4

ABSENCES
When a student is absent, s/he must bring a parent note explaining the absence. An absence is unexcused until a parent note is received.

MAKE-UP WORK
Students will be given one day for each day absent to complete work missed while absent. It is the student's responsibility to ask the teacher for the make-up work at an appropriate time in class. It is also the student’s responsibility to turn in the completed make-up work on time. Work assigned prior to the student's absence is due the first day back.

TEXTBOOKS
Textbooks will be issued during the first two weeks of school. If a student has an outstanding book fine, textbooks will not be issued until the fine is resolved. Garcia Middle School students are required to complete a textbook inventory which notes any damage in the book when it is first issued. Any damages to a textbook that were not listed will be assessed to the student. If the student loses a textbook, the replacement costs are as follows:

State law requires that textbooks be covered at all times. Students will cover their books in class.

Vehicle Guidance System

CLASSROOM RULES
Our rules are designed to assure that every student feels safe and relaxed and that every student has the opportunity to learn.

• Respect the property of others at all times.
• Be in class when the tardy bell rings.
• Bring required supplies to class each day.
• Follow all MGMS student handbook rules.
• Follow all directions first time.

We expect all students to obey all school and classroom rules at all times. This will assure we have a positive environment that is conducive to learning.

POSITIVE RECOGNITION
Mercury 7 teachers believe positive recognition increases students’ self-esteem, motivates students to choose appropriate behavior, and creates a positive atmosphere in the classroom. We will recognize students throughout the year for their positive actions, efforts, and contributions with a variety of incentives and privileges.

Individual Recognition

Student citizenship will be recognized on a continual basis with verbal praise, positive notes, and special privileges.

Honor Roll And Conduct Recognition

Students who have made all A’s or all A’s and one B will be honored at a reception each six weeks.

Birthdays

Student birthdays will be recognized each month.

Team Activities

Every six weeks a team building activity will be planned.

CONSEQUENCES
Disruptive off-task behavior means a student is keeping the teacher from teaching and the other students from learning. Consequences are actions students know will occur should they choose to break the rules of the classroom or the school.

When a student chooses not to follow rules, he or she chooses a consequence. Consequences for infractions might include any one or more of the following. The consequence will depend upon the persistence and/or the severity of the infraction.

• Verbal warning
• Last out
• Parent contact
• Lunch time detention
• In-class suspension
• On-team suspension
• Office referral

Mission Communications

Conferences may be arranged by contacting Mrs. Harrison, our Team Parent Communicator. The main number for the school is 634-3160.

NEWSLETTER
Garcia Middle School publishes Gator Tales, its own periodic newsletter. You will find an article discussing Mercury 7 Team activities in each issue of Gator Tales.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS
For this year’s mission to be successful, it will require the cooperation and help of everyone. Many opportunities exist for parents to assist the Mercury 7 Team both at school and at home. We know that your time is precious, but if you can contribute any time at all, it will greatly enhance the team’s success this year. Please see the volunteer sign-up sheet included at the end of this packet.

Mission Themes

CLASSICS OF GREECE
This unit will combine math and literature in an exploration of ancient Greece. One of foundations of civilization, Greece provides us with a rich history in both literature and mathematics. In English, the students will explore Greek mythology while mathematics classes will learn about the important contributions of Greek mathematicians and scholars.

ECOLOGY
It is important for us to understand the environment which supports us. Texas History and science classes will explore the geography of our state and understand the effect man has had on its ecological balance.

DATA ANALYSIS
Collecting, analyzing, and reporting data is important in both mathematics and science. Science and mathematics classes will work together as the students learn how numbers can tell a story.

TEXAS LORE
Throughout history there have been those special people whose work has affected all of us. Texas History has its share of heroes, folk tales, and myths for the students to study. English classes will explore how lore and folk tales shape much of our American culture.

A NOTION OF MOTION
Texas is on the move, and so is everything else. Cattle drives, railroads, and oil to fuel the engines of change put Texas in motion. Science echoes the theme with discussions of motion, gravity, and the thoughts of a guy named Newton. In mathematics, numbers move up one slope and down another with the help of a few formulas and functions. The fast pace will continue at AstroWorld as our students participate in the annual Middle School Science Day learning the science behind the excitement of amusement park rides.

Homework -- The Daily Mission

DAILY PLANNER
Every student is given a Daily Planner to record homework assignments. The planner is considered a class tool and is required in the classroom daily. Make it a habit to check your student’s planner every evening.

ASSIGNMENT POSTINGS
Homework assignments are posted during each class period. Your student should get in the habit of immediately writing down the assignment and directions in the planner.

HOMEWORK BUDDIES
We encourage your student to find a homework buddy that s/he can call in case of an emergency. Choose someone who is in most of the same classes. Be sure phone numbers are exchanged and written in the planner.

MISSION UPDATE
The Mercury 7 Mission Update (634-3176) is our team’s homework message center. The Mission Update will list each class and the assignment for that evening. Unless specifically stated, the assignments listed are always due the next day. No assignment directions will be on the tape. In the event Mission Update malfunctions or is not accurately undated, the student is still responsible for assignments. Mission Update is a service, not a substitute for writing down assignments.

Mission Update will begin at 5:00 PM each afternoon and will be available until 7:30 AM the next day. When you call, please have your student's planner ready to verify and/or write down missing assignments.

Mission Update is an outgoing message service only; you cannot leave a message. Should you need to contact the team or a specific teacher during the day, please call the main office number (634-3160). Your call will be forwarded to our team office, or if we are in class, a message will be taken by the receptionist. We try to return all calls promptly, but please understand that calls can only be returned when we have a free planning period or after the school day is over.

MISSION UPDATE
634-3176

Daily Mission Accomplished

Mercury 7 Team Suggested Homework Procedures

"I do all my homework at school."
"I don't really get that much homework."
"The teacher lets us turn it in like this."
"It's okay if it's a little late. The teacher doesn't care."

How many times have you heard these and similar responses from your student? Do not accept them. Here are the facts: there is seldom enough time to do homework in the classroom; there is generally homework in at least two classes (and usually four classes) every night; we do care about the way the students turn in their assignments; and late work always carries a penalty.

Homework is an integral and necessary part of your student's education. We use it in many ways to extend the classroom: a) to reinforce the day's lesson; b) to complete a project or class assignment: c) to extend a classroom lesson; and d) to prepare for the next day's lessons. When your student does not complete the homework assignment, the result is that he or she is often not prepared for the next day's lessons.

Below is a series of steps we have found works with those students who need to be more successful with their homework. This process is not necessarily easy or fun, but it might just prevent considerable grief at report card time.

Have a homework area in a part of the house where you can keep an eye on your child.

Have your student bring home all books and notebooks every night. "I don't have my book," should never be an excuse.

Check your child's planner daily and compare it to the assignments on the Mission Update.

Visually check every assignment your student completes. Has it been done properly? Is it complete and correct? Are you proud of your student's work?

If your student says the work was done at school, have them show it to you. If the work is not available, have your child do it again.

· Have a positive reward (i.e. TV time, etc.) when your student has successfully completed the night's work.

MISSION UPDATE 634-3176

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This page updated: 7/13/98