Parent Guide Table of Contents → Policies and Procedures
Pyle Parent Guide
The Pyle Parent Guide is a project of Thomas W. Pyle Middle School, the Principal’s Guidance Advisory Committee, and the Pyle Parent-Teacher-Student Association.
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Policies and Procedures
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Attendance
Excused Absences include:
- work/activity accepted by school authority
- death in immediate family
- certified illness of student
- court summons
- hazardous weather conditions
- observance of religious holiday
- state emergency
- suspension
- unscheduled lack of authorized transportation
- other emergency
Parents should contact the school between 7 – 8:30 AM on the day their child is going to be absent. On the day of return, the student must present a note to the attendance secretary in the main office with the following information: student name, date of and reason for absence, and a parent’s signature. A doctor’s note is required when a student is absent for a period of five days or longer. An absence note email may be sent to PyleCommunications@mcpsmd.org. The complete MCPS regulation governing student attendance can be found at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/jeara.pdf.
Late Arrival
Students arriving late must bring a note from a parent and come directly to the main office to sign in with the attendance secretary.
Early Pickup
Students who know in advance that they need to leave school early must first bring a note signed by a parent to the attendance secretary in the main office at the start of the school day. The note should include the student’s name, grade, parent’s home, office, or cell phone number, and the date, time, and reason for early dismissal. Before leaving school, parents must sign students out with the attendance secretary in the main office.
If an emergency arises during the day and you must pick up your child early without having sent a note, you must go to the office and the attendance secretary will request that your child be dismissed from their class. Before leaving school, parents must sign students out with the attendance secretary in the main office.
Parents should schedule appointments after school. Please avoid scheduling appointments for your child during the school day, especially when standardized tests (see Standardized Testing) or semester or final exams are scheduled.
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Making Up Work After an Absence
Generally, students will be allowed one day to make up work for each day of excused absence. It is the student's responsibility to obtain and submit all missed assignments when absent from class.
In addition, students should:
- arrange a make-up schedule with each teacher upon returning to class
- contact a homework buddy about missed assignments
- use Edline to check assignments
A student who is present when a long-term assignment is given is expected to submit that assignment on the day of return, unless s/he has made other arrangements with the teacher.
When circumstances require that a student is absent for more than three days, requests for assignments may be made to all of the student's teachers by contacting teachers directly through email or Edline. Allow up to 24 hours for collection of assignments.
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Delivering Items to School For a Student
Pyle’s staff strives to instill a sense of responsibility in students. Parents are encouraged to work with their student and the staff and not make a habit of bringing in forgotten items. Items delivered to school should be placed on the designated counter in the main office, as school policy precludes the interruption of classes for this purpose. Items should be labeled with the student’s name and grade. Students are encouraged to be proactive and come down at breaks during the day to check to see if items have been delivered.
Behavioral Expectations
Behavioral Expectations Lockers
Students are issued individual hall lockers with combination locks. If a student has trouble with a locker, help is available through the main office.
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Medication In School
Policy for Medication in School
Telephone Use
There is a telephone available for students to use in the main office in the event of an emergency.
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Cell Phones
Cell phones or any portable communication devices are not permitted to be used at Pyle during the school day. If a student is found using a cell phone or other devise, it will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day. Further, if a student continues to violate this rule, he or she may lose the privilege of carrying a cell phone at school.
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Computer Use
In order for a student to use the computers at Pyle, s/he will need a Network account. Both parent(s)/guardian(s) and student need to read the computer rules for Pyle as well as the MCPS regulation IGT-RA, "User Responsibilities for Computer Systems and Network Security." (These documents are included in the student registration packet, are online at the Pyle website and are available for viewing at the school.) When a student logs on to the computer, s/he is agreeing to abide by MCPS and Pyle's computer policies and accepts all responsibility for s/he actions.
- Computer equipment, computer services, network access and other technological resources are for educational purposes only.
- Although it is impossible to document all inappropriate conduct and misuse of these resources, the following guidelines provide examples of computer and network use infractions that are prohibited:
- accessing inappropriate URLs and websites, email, web-based computer games, or Internet communications, such as Instant Messenger (IM);
- accessing or using language, pictures, or other material that is deemed obscene, vulgar, harmful or abusive;
- system tampering such as unauthorized alteration of operating systems, individual accounts, software, networking software or hardware;
- changing system settings, such as monitor or sound settings, and/or adding any custom sounds;
- decoding passwords, or gaining unauthorized higher level access or privileges or attempting to do so;
- permitting others to use one's account or password;
- damaging or abusing any hardware components;
- posting personally identifiable information about oneself, other students, or staff without authorization;
- copying or transferring copyrighted materials and software without authorization.
Consequences for inappropriate and/or non-educational use of the computers can range from student conference, to loss of computer privileges, to criminal charges filed with the police and/or the FBI.
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Dress Code
The following expectations have been established to promote an optimum learning environment. Apparel or appearance which tends to draw undue attention to an individual rather than to a learning situation should be avoided. Moderation and good taste are always advised when evaluating what is appropriate for the school setting. In matters of opinion, the judgment of the principal/designee shall prevail.
- T-shirts with inappropriate or suggestive messages are not to be worn to school.
- Clothing or accessories associated with drugs, sex, alcohol, or gangs, including bandanas and chained wallets, are not permitted.
- Shirts must cover the top of the shoulders and come to the armpit.
- Midriffs and backs must be covered.
- Shorts and skirts should fall below the fingertips when arms are to the sides.
- Pants and shorts should be worn at the waist.
- Undergarments should not be visible.
Consequences
1st offense:
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Staff member notifies student that s/he must wear an additional garment (of the student’s own or provided by the school) to cover the area in violation of the policy.
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2nd offense:
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Notification of parent and additional garment provided.
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3rd offense:
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Referral to administration for parent contact and assignment of detention.
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Physical Education Attire and Pyle Spirit Wear
Students are required to wear a grey or white tee shirt and black shorts for physical education (PE) classes. During cold weather, because PE classes often go outside, students should have a sweatshirt and sweatpants to keep warm. While not required, Pyle “spirit wear,” including PE attire with the school name and logos are available through the PE department.
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Hall Passes
During class periods students are only permitted in the halls when accompanied by a school staff member or with a pass from a staff member. The teacher will sign a pass and the student must carry it at all times when out of the classroom.
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Dining Hall
Seats are assigned at the beginning of the year to help ease the transition of new students. Once this is established, students may choose where they sit in the dining hall and are expected to remain at that seat throughout lunch. They are expected to clean their tables and surrounding areas before leaving. With the exception of bottled water, food and drink may not leave the dining hall. Students must have a pass to leave the dining hall during lunch period. A complete list of dining hall expectations is listed in the student Planbook.
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Visitors
MCPS regulations require that all visitors report directly to the main office where they sign in and obtain a guest sticker. Classroom visits by parents/ guardians should be arranged through an administrator and teacher(s). School tours are offered periodically through the School Counseling Office for families new to the area. Students not attending Pyle are not permitted to attend classes or visit school during the school day.
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