2022-2023 Back To School Information

The following information will ensure your child’s success and will provide answers for the most commonly asked questions related to policies and procedures at Hennessey Middle School. Please take a few minutes to read and go over with your child. Our student handbook is available on our school website. 

 

CLASS SCHEDULE

Q: When will my child receive his/her class schedule? 

A: Schedules will be available on August 9th from 4:00-6:00 on Meet the Teacher night. 

Q: My child needs to change his/her schedule.  What is the procedure for getting a class change?

A: Requests for schedule changes must be made through the counseling office. Requests must be submitted by Aug. 18th. Requests won’t always be approved. 

 

GRADES

Q: How many grades will be taken in each of my child’s classes? 

A: At least two grades per week will be taken in each class each week.

Q: How do I keep track of my child’s grades?

A:  Wengage is available to all parents through the district website.  The student information system contains current information on attendance, grades, and discipline. It is highly recommended that parents track it weekly. 

Q: Will I be notified if my child is failing a class?

A: Yes, beginning the third week of each semester, grades will be calculated on Fridays at 1:00pm to report all students who are failing a class. Those students will have their parent/guardian contact emailed to the address provided to us. 

Q: If my child is failing a class, will they be able to participate in extracurricular activities? 

A: No. Students who participate in an extracurricular activity will be on probation the first week they are failing any class but may still participate in the activity. If your child is failing any class for two consecutive weeks, they will be ineligible to participate or travel with the group to the activity. 

 

Q: Will my student be able to turn in their work late or past the assigned due date?

A: No. Students will be given a due date for all work that needs to be completed and turned in by each teacher at the time the assignment is given. Late work will not be accepted. 

Q: Will my child be issued a Chromebook, and will they be allowed to take it home? 

A:  7-8th graders will be issued a Chromebook and be allowed to take it home daily. 5-6th graders will be issued a Chromebook, but will turn it in at the end of the day. They will have access to it only during the school day. 

Q: Will there be semester test exemptions?

A: No. Every middle school student will be required to take 1st semester and 2nd semester tests. These will be completed during the last couple days of each semester. 

 

DAILY SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Q: What will be the daily check-in procedure at our school?

A:  Students who arrive by car ride or walk to school will need to be dropped off in the south drive of the high school. Students will then walk through the front doors and walk to the cafeteria for breakfast. If they will not be having breakfast, then they are to walk into the old high school gym. When the bell rings at 7:55am, they are to proceed to their 1st hour class. If a student arrives after 7:55am, then they are to be dropped off in front of the middle school (East side).

Q:  Will my child be allowed to go off campus for lunch?

A:  Students will only be allowed to leave school for lunch when it is a special occasion (birthday, etc.) They must be checked out by a parent.

Q: Will my child be issued a locker? 

A:  Yes. Students are to keep their backpacks in their lockers during the school day. Backpacks are not allowed in the classroom. 

Q: When will my child be able to use the restroom and get a drink during the school day?

A: All restroom breaks and water breaks must be done during passing periods. Students are allowed to have a water bottle in class. No flavored drinks are allowed. 

Q:  How will my child access the buildings to enter each morning and in between classes if they have a class in another building?

A:  All students who are dropped off at school by a parent should be dropped off in the front drive of the high school.  During the school day, middle school students will use the front entrance to the middle school only.  Students who have a class at the high school will use the main front entrance, cafeteria door entrance on the east side by the courtyard, or the south door of the Science building.  The Ag building will use the main door to enter.  Students who have a class in the auditorium will use the east entrance.

 

ATTENDANCE/TARDIES

Q:  What do I do if my child is sick and can’t come to school?  

A: A parent/guardian must contact the office when their student is absent.  It is the responsibility of the parents to see that their child attends school. If your child has to miss school, it is the student’s responsibility to get with their teachers to get the work that was missed. Students are required to turn in all assignments by the assigned due date or a zero will be recorded for those assignments. Again, this is a student’s responsibility, not the teacher’s.  If your child is absent, have them email their teacher, check their google classroom and do the assignment while they are at home.  All work missed, FOR ANY REASON, must be made up.  

Q: If my child is absent, how many days will they have to complete their missed work? 

A:  MAKE UP WORK:  All work not completed due to absences will be made up. Students will have the days missed plus one day for each day of absence to make up work. Work not made up will become a zero.  

Q: What happens if my child is late to school or to a class? 

A:  TARDY POLICY:  For each tardy to school or to any class, the student will have the tardy documented on Wengage.  Students who are late for class must bring a note from the teacher who detained them or from the office. Students who do not provide a note will be counted as tardy. Students who are tardy more than 10 minutes will be counted as absent.  

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Q: What is the rule on cell phones and electronic devices while at school? 

A: ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY: 

HMS recognizes the importance of communication and collaboration, and provides devices for students to be productive in the classroom. To keep the focus on academics and to reduce unnecessary distractions, the school enforces the following: 

• Cell phones, smart watches and all mobile devices shall be TURNED OFF when entering school campus. 
• Cell phones and all mobile devices should be out of sight at all times. (Students may drop off their mobile device in the main office before school begins.) 
• Cell phones and all mobile devices are not allowed to be used in a classroom, library, common areas, or restrooms. 
• Cell phones and all mobile devices can be turned back on at the end of school bell and used to communicate directly with parents/friends who are assisting in transportation. 
• Cell phones and all mobile devices are not allowed to be used during transition times or between classes. 
• If a student needs to make an emergency call during the day, they are to come up to the office. 
• Requests to use the phone or cell phone will be screened and the conversation monitored. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a behavior detention and confiscation of the phone. The cell phone may be retrieved by the parent at the end of the day. This policy is in effect throughout the entire school day. 

Q: What is the dress code policy for my child’s school?

A:  (Refer to the student handbook for a complete list)  Students must wear appropriate clothing for school according to the student handbook. The list below provides a brief explanation on the most commonly addressed issues with the dress code: 

• Shorts must reach below the fingertips when arms are naturally placed by their side. 
• Holes in jeans must be below the fingertips when arms are placed by their side. 
• All pants, shorts, jeans must be worn at a student’s natural waistline. If sagging, a belt may need to be worn while in the building. 
• Hats are not allowed to be on while in the building at any time. 
• Hoodies may be worn but students may not cover up their head at any time while in the building. 
• Clothing which is deemed offensive or inappropriate will not be allowed to be worn during the school day or at school activities. 

A student who fails to meet appropriate standards or to maintain good grooming may be asked to correct a violation. Students will not be allowed to call home for clothes to be brought. They will have to wear what we provide. Repeated violations of the guidelines may result in disciplinary action.  Final determination of appropriate dress is the responsibility of school administrators.

 

COMMUNICATION / PARENT PARTNERSHIPS

Q: How do I contact my child’s teacher? 

A: All teachers have school email addresses on the district website. 

Q: How will parents receive updates and information throughout the school year?

A: To stay up-to-date on the most recent and current information, please check the district website, All About Hennessey, the district’s Facebook page, and local newspapers. Other communication will come through Email (Teachers, Students, and Parents need to check it often.) and Google Classroom.
 

Q: If I have a question that hasn’t been answered here, what do I do?

A: If, after reading these FAQs, you still have questions, please feel free to email Mr. Tarango at rtarango@hps.k12.ok.us. Our school handbook is available on our school website, most of your questions can also be answered on there.