General Information

School Hours

Classes begin each day at 7:55 a.m. and end at 2:40 p.m. Students are not permitted in the building until 7:25 at which time they are admitted to the cafeteria.  Students are to remain on school grounds once they arrive and may not leave without permission from an administrator.

 

Attendance

If your child is absent, please call 301-649-8100 prior to the start of the day to report the absence.  When your child returns to school, you must send a note to the attendance secretary in the main office.  The note is to contain the following information:

 

            1.         Name and grade of student

            2.         Date of note

            3.         Date of absence

            4.         Reason for absence

            5.         Signature of parent/guardian

 

It is your child’s responsibility to find out what was missed in each class during his/her absence.  Work that is not made up will be recorded as a zero.  If a student is going to be out three or more days, the parent/guardian can call the Guidance Office on the third day to arrange to pick up work the following day.   Students should have a “phone buddy” to call when absent.

 

Students are expected to report to school and class on time.  If your child is late for school, please send a signed note.  If your child arrives at school later than 7:55 a.m., he/she must sign in at the office.   If your child must leave school early for an appointment, please send a note from home to the main office before first period.  The child must sign out in the main office.

 

For the purpose of perfect attendance, a student must attend at least four classes of a seven-period day in order to be considered present.  Additionally, a perfect attendance record will not be affected by absence in observance of a religious holiday provided that the parent/guardian presents a note in advance.

 

If you are planning a trip that takes your child out of school, please send a note to the attendance secretary at least one week in advance for the purpose of proper recording of the absence.

 

Backpacks

Backpacks may be used to transport materials to and from school. They must remain in the student’s locker during the day.  Backpacks on rollers may not fit into the Lee lockers.  No backpacks of ANY kind may be worn throughout the school day.

 

Breakfast and Lunch Program

Lee Middle School provides a breakfast and lunch program for all students.  Students may purchase a la carte items or a complete meal.  A free breakfast will be provided to every student in the school.  Breakfast will be served during first period class.  There are three lunch periods per day, one for each grade level.  The lunch period is 30 minutes long.  An application can be submitted for reduced or free lunch.   We use a computerized cash register system for purchasing meals and a la carte items.  All students receive a personalized identification number (PIN), which is confidential and should not be shared with other students.  Each student has an individual account that allows him/her to pay in advance for meals weekly or monthly.  The student will enter his/her PIN on a keypad and the amount will be deducted from the student’s account.

 

Cell Phones

Montgomery County Policy does not permit middle school students to have cell phones on their person during the school day unless they have obtained special permission from the principal. Parents/guardians who wish to request such permission must complete a cell phone waiver request form which can be obtained from the main office.  Parents/guardians must provide an explanation of need in writing when returning the completed form.  The principal will either grant or deny the special permission in writing within 10 school days of receiving the request.

 

Phone Messages

Students who receive telephone calls during the school day will not be taken out of class.  Parents/guardians who need to get in touch with their child should leave a message with the secretary who will make sure the information is given to the student in a timely manner.

 

Extracurricular Activities

Lee offers many extracurricular activities throughout the school year.  There is a MCPS activity fee associated with all non-academic activities.   We hope all students will participate in the activities they enjoy.  NOTE: To participate in any extracurricular activity, the student is expected be in all scheduled classes the day of that activity.  Some activities require academic eligibility.  After school buses run from mid-October through late-May.  Activities run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:40-4:00 pm.  Students may not stay after school unless they are under the direct supervision of a sponsor.

 

Academic Eligibility

Students who have a 2.0 average with no more than one “E” in the previous marking period are eligible to participate or practice in any extracurricular activity during the next marking period.  The eligibility period begins on the day the report card is issued.

 

Hall Passes

All students are required to have a signed hallway pass when outside the classroom during instructional time. Students should not be in the halls without a signed, dated pass.

 

Computer Use

Most technology users are responsible and thoughtful users.  Specific guidelines and consequences have been established to ensure appropriate use of the technology.  Each student receives a copy of the guidelines.   Please read these carefully.

 

Health Room

The Health Room is staffed daily during the hours classes are in session.  If your child needs to take medication during the school day, please contact the Health Room at 301-649-8105 to arrange appropriate procedures.

 

Homework

The Board of Education policy states:  “Homework is a required part of the instructional program...Homework is considered the rule rather than the exception to daily activity.”

 

Students receive a variety of homework.  Teachers assign short- and long-range homework.  The teachers will introduce and explain the homework assignments.  It is expected that homework be completed when assigned so that the student will be ready for the follow-up activities done in the classroom.  There will be consequences for late work.   In addition, if a student is absent, he/she is expected to make up the work at home within a reasonable amount of time with assistance from the classroom teacher.  Students should collect missed work the day they return to school.  Students should be encouraged to call a classmate for homework assignments.

 

Lockers

Each student is assigned a hall locker and a physical education locker to be used for storing school-related possessions. Student must keep their combinations secret and should avoid storing valuables in their lockers.  Students are not permitted to share lockers or use another student’s locker for any reason.  Students are responsible for keeping their lockers clean.

 

Lost and Found

Students who find items of value, such as watches, glasses, jewelry, calculators, etc. should turn them in to the main office. Other items such as lunch boxes, schoolbooks etc. should be turned in at the cafeteria. These will be stored there for a short period of time. Unclaimed items will be disposed of at the end of the school year.

 

Media Center

The Media Center is open before school from 7:25-7:50 am.  Students must get a pass from the cafeteria.  Passes are given on a first come, first serve basis.  It is also open after school on Mondays and Fridays from 2:40-3:00 and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:40-3:40.  Students must arrive with a pass from their after school activities sponsor to use the media center at these times.  If students wish to use the media center during their lunch time, they must get a pass in morning and eat their lunch before coming to the library.  No food or drinks are permitted in the media center.  Computers should only be used for school work and research.  Materials may be checked out for 3 weeks.

 

Report Cards and Interim Reports

Report cards are issued every nine weeks to notify parents/guardians of student progress.  Interim progress reports will be given to students at the mid-point of each marking period.  (Please see specific dates on the school calendar on page 4-5.)  The purpose of interims is to make students and parents aware of academic progress prior to the end of the marking period.  These are not report card grades.

 

Supplies

All students are expected to have a binder with dividers, lined paper, #2 pencils, pens, highlighters, several spiral notebooks and composition books, and a good eraser.  All students are required to have this plan book which costs $6.00.  Gym uniforms must be purchased.

 

Security

If a student has property stolen from him/her, the theft should be reported to the security assistant immediately.  Theft can be discouraged if students:

Ø      Bring no “extra” money to school

Ø      Bring no electronic devices/toys

Ø      Bring no items (like collectibles) to sell or show

Ø      Clearly label all items of clothing with name and grade

Ø      Share their locker or combination with no one

If a valuable item must be brought to school for a “school” purpose, the student should ask a teacher, counselor or administrator to keep the item until it is needed.

 

Transportation

Lee Middle School students who meet the transportation guidelines are provided with bus transportation.  The schedule is mailed to all students. Appropriate behavior is required while riding the bus.  Students are expected to follow the behavior rules set by the school and/or driver.  Consequences may be imposed if students do not exhibit appropriate behavior on buses.  These consequences range from student/parent conference to suspension from bus privileges.  An activity bus is available for students who stay late for a supervised activity. 

 

Visitors

We encourage parents/guardians to visit the school. Appointments can be made through the teacher, counselor, or grade level administrator.  As a courtesy to our staff and students, we ask that you give the school 24-hours notice of your desire to visit any specific class.  As a protection to our students, all visitors must sign in at the main office and wear a visitor/guest badge. Visitors are to use the front main entrance. All other exterior doors are locked after 8 a.m. Students are not to bring children from other schools to visit classes.