Mission

 The mission of Hartselle Junior High School is to provide a positive environment, motivation, and knowledge needed for each student to develop fully the capabilities and skills needed to become an effective citizen in an ever-changing society.

Philosophy

We, the faculty of HARTSELLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, believe the purpose of education in our school is to provide the positive environment and motivation for each individual to develop his capabilities and skills to the fullest so that he may become an

effective citizen of society.

The faculty strives to develop an individual who has an open mind, a respect for himself and others, a willingness to examine all sides of a question, and a desire to use the democratic process in settling problems. In encouraging the development of the individual, we strive to meet his basic needs including love, acceptance, security, protection, independence, faith, guidance, and control.

We recognize the worth and individuality of each student and accept the fact that each is valuable and should be accepted for what he can contribute.

We seek to provide a desirable balance among activities designed to enhance the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains.

We desire to utilize technology as an effective tool for learning.

Beliefs

We believe that our basic responsibility is to promote the development of the individual. To achieve this development, the school should:

1. Teach, by practice, the democratic process and the American way of life.

2. Provide extra-curricular activities to develop the varied talents of our students.

3. Build upon what the child has been taught at the elementary level and prepare him for high school.

4. Present a challenging program so that students learn through curiosity and desire.

5. Educate students to continue a qualify of education by attempting to kindle a love for learning.

6. Instill within each child the importance of good work habits, self-discipline, a sense of responsibility, and a respect for all authority.

7. Guide students in the wise use of leisure time.

8. Help the child development physically by utilizing a daily exercise program.

9. Instill in each child the ability to think for himself. Encourage creative, critical, and analytical thinking.

10. Provide programs for the remediation of language, reading, and math skills.

11. Encourage in each child the need for community, school, and individual pride.

12. Incorporate the advantages offered by society’s technological advancement.

13. Implement and enrich the Alabama state course of study.

(The use of the masculine gender in the above test is meant to refer to both male and female genders.)

School Policies

GRADES

A complete and careful record will be kept of all grades earned by students and each teacher shall be able, if called upon, to justify any report card grade on the basis of grades recorded in his/her grade book.

The following scale shall be utilized in assigning grades:

A 90 - 100 D 60 - 69

B 80 - 89 F 59 or below

C 70 - 79

The lowering of grades should not be done for disciplinary purposes. Conduct grades should be turned in separately from academic grades.

HONOR ROLL

A first or “A” honor roll shall consist only of those students who have all “A” grades. The second or “B” honor roll shall include only those pupils who have “B” or better in all subjects.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards will be issued to students on the Thursday following the end of each six-weeks, in the student’s homeroom.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks are furnished by the State of Alabama for all students in our school. Each class teacher is responsible for issuing and accounting for the textbooks used by the students in the courses which he/she teaches.

Each student shall be required to sign for the textbook that he/she receives. At the close of school, all books must be turned in to the teacher who issued them and checked off by student name and book number. Also, any pupil who transfers must present to the office proof that all textbooks have been turned in or paid for before any records will be forwarded to the school to which he/she transfers.

Each classroom teacher will conduct a book inspection each six-weeks. At this time, damages will be charged and must be paid by the students. The teacher will make a record of all names and money collected and get a receipt in the office. The third inspecting each semester will be held at least one week prior to exams.

FEES

A locker maintenance fee is collected at HARTSELLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. Other fees or moneys may be collected in various classes for various items. You will be provided a receipt book in which to write receipts for the collection of these moneys. You should keep one copy attached in the receipt book and give the other copy to the student. No receipt shall be signed in advance of the actual collection of money and moneys should not be stored in a classroom overnight. ALL MONEY COLLECTED ALONG WITH THE RECEIPT BOOKS SHOULD BE TURNED IN TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE BY 2:15 P.M. EACH DAY.

Homework Policy

SOURCE: Board of Education, Hartselle, Alabama

The Board believes that education is not limited to the confines of a classroom. Therefore, to extend learning beyond the classroom setting, the Board endorses homework--an assignment given to a student to be completed outside the regular instructional time. Home and school must work cooperatively to make the instructional program a meaningful experience for the student.

The Board grants authority to the classroom teacher to determine actual homework assignments

--being consistent with regulations of Policy IHB and

--recognizing that parents have other aspirations for their children outside of school time.

Teaching study habits and study skills shall be included as part of the instructional program throughout the School System.

The school principal shall be responsible for enforcing the regulations for homework.

1. All teachers shall be informed of the homework policy and its regulations.

2. Homework shall be required when deemed necessary by the teacher in each subject prescribed by the State Course of Study.

3. Homework shall reinforce classroom instruction.

4. Homework shall not be used as busy work nor as punishment.

5. Time required to complete homework shall be reasonable.

6. Homework assignments shall be coordinated when possible among teachers to prevent students from being overburdened with too much homework at any given time.

7. Homework assignments shall be varied to accommodate individual differences when appropriate.

8. All homework shall be evaluated by the teacher.

9. When appropriate, homework assignments shall include practice in higher-order intellectual skills.

10. Teachers shall be responsible for justifying the objectives for homework assignments and the academic progress of the students.

Classroom teachers shall plan instructional activities that teach and reinforce good study habits and study skills.

Efforts should be made to request parents to assume the responsibility --to provide an environment conducive to effective study activities at home.

--to communicate with the school to clarify information about homework and the academic standing of their children.

Students are responsible for completing homework assignments.