EMS Supplemental Guidelines

EMS emphasizes the importance of learning. Improving academic performance requires effort and cooperation at all levels. Progressive Discipline may be applied to a student for academic non-performance. Academic non-performance may include the failure to do any of the following:

• Demonstrate consistent, on-task behavior
• Extend sufficient effort to progress in a subject matter
• Turn in daily assignments on a consistent basis
• Bring needed materials to class each day
• Attend school on a regular basis

Typically, Monday through Friday, all students will begin their day in Advisory and either engage in Advisory curriculum, transition to an assembly or to Tutorial.

Students will be provided Advisory Curriculum by a teacher. This teacher will serve as their academic, citizenship, etc. advisor. These teachers will utilize the SECOND STEP curriculum to support students academically as well as socially and emotionally. Also, EMS holds student-led conferences with parent(s) / guardian(s). These sessions have proven to be extremely effective in developing ownership in their own education and future. These teachers will also help students prepare for and then facilitate these conferences.

Students are graded on a Pass/Fair for Advisory based on completion of lessons.

• Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the start of the school day must sign in at the office.
• Students 15 or more minutes late to class will be considered absent.
• Students must sign out in the office when leaving school for any non-school related reason. Students will sign back in when returning.

The EMS Associated Student Body (ASB) is a critical part of the EMS community. It is a student government organization made up of officers and representatives elected by their peers to represent all EMS students. The council meets at least monthly to discuss school issues and organize school events. The EMS ASB provides students opportunities to voice opinions and offer suggestions to improve the school. 

The EMS ASB encourages all students to participate in activities throughout the school year, including school dances, Splash Zone, BBQ, ice cream socials, movie nights, the fall party and music programs. 

An ASB fee of $15 is required for all students participating in EMS Athletics or can be voluntarily paid with proceeds used to support the EMS ASB. This fee does not allow admission to EHS athletic events. A $25, K-8 Student Event Pass can be purchased at EHS that will allow admission into EHS athletic events. If you cannot afford this ASB fee, please see the principal and / or counselor. Confidential financial aid or scholarships may be available.

Bicycles, skateboards and non-walking items are to be ridden to and from school only, not on school grounds. Bikes must be parked in the bike rack area. Rollerblades, skateboards and other items (scooters) must be placed in the racks.

Breakfast and lunch are served in our cafeteria daily. Students are required to consume all food and drink either in the cafeteria or in the picnic table area. Due to allergies, students should not share food with others.

For the safety and well-being of all students and staff, EMS has a closed campus. This means that all students, except those attending a school related event or whose parents excuse them for a legitimate reason, will remain on school grounds from the time they arrive at school until they are dismissed. Bus students are considered "on school property" upon boarding a school bus in the morning and until departing the bus in the afternoon.

We understand that, at times,  parents / guardians need to deliver essential items to their students during the school day. To reduce the impact on the educational environment, students will be notified that there is something in the office for them to pick up. It will be their responsibility to do so.

PLEASE, NO GIFTS, FLOWERS OR BALLOONS

Due to many different factors, including the potential negative impact on the educational environment, we ask that gifts (flowers, presents, balloons, etc.) not be brought or delivered to the office for students. If this does occur, these items will be kept in the office. Students will be notified to pick them up from the office at the end of the school day.

Please Note: Due to safety issues and concerns, DoorDash and/or other third party food deliveries will not be allowed.

EMS Steps to Allow Success

GOAL: To implement a system that protects the educational environment for students who choose to learn.

RULE: "Every individual has the responsibility to support and respect the learning, safety and well-being of others."

STEPS TO ALLOW SUCCESS PROCESS

• STEP 1: Student is turned away from classmates and instruction (facing a wall) but allowed to continue working on classwork, taking notes, etc.
  • A student chooses STEP 1 by interfering with learning, safety or well-being of others.
    • Examples: student talking while the teacher is talking, student poking another student, student talking back to the teacher, student chewing gum, etc.

• STEP 2: Student continues to be turned away from classmates but is now standing and not allowed to continue working on classwork, taking notes, etc. While standing, student is required to read the following rule to themselves: "No individual has the right to interfere with the learning, safety or well-being of others."
  • A student chooses STEP 2 by interfering with the learning, safety or well-being of others while on STEP 1.
    • Examples: student talks to another student on STEP 1, student turns towards classmates and instruction, student refuses to quietly begin STEP 1, etc.
  • If a student chooses STEP 2 multiple times during a class / block of classes, the teacher is not obligated to provide that student the opportunity to choose STEP 1 while the student is on STEP 2 for the second time, third times, etc.

• STEP 3: Student is sent to the office and completes the "Steps to Allow Success Notification Form." Once the form is complete, the student calls a parent / guardian and explains that they have progressed through STEPS 1-3 in the EMS Steps to Allow Success and that they are now in the office. The student will stay in the office during that / those class period(s) (no less than that school day) until they complete, sign and return the form and are able to contact a parent / guardian via phone OR until they complete, sign and return the form once it has been signed by a parent / guardian.
  • A student chooses STEP 3 by:
    • Interfering with the learning, safety or well-being of others while on STEP 2.
      • Examples: student talks to another student on STEP 2, student turns towards classmates and instruction, student refuses to read the rule silently to themselves, etc.
    • Cheating.

• Principal / Assistant Principal / Counselor: Student is escorted to the Principal / Assistant Principal / Counselor. *If it is not possible for the teacher to escort the student themselves, they call the office for an escort to be provided.
  • A student chooses the Principal / Dean of Students / Counselor by:
    • Interfering with the learning, safety or well-being of others while in the office.
      • Examples: student talks to other students while in the office, student refuses to contact a parent / guardian while in the office, student is disrespectful to the office staff while in the office, etc.
    • Violating the Ephrata School District Policy in a way that direct referral to the principal / dean of students / counselor is appropriate.

• Shadowing: If a student chooses to interfere with the learning, safety or well-being of a student who is on Steps to Allow Success, they choose to join the student on the STEP they are currently on.
  • Examples: a student chooses STEP 2 when they talk to a student who is currently on STEP 2, a student chooses STEP 3 if they laugh at a student who is transitioning to STEP 3, etc.

PROCESS OFF STEPS TO ALLOW SUCCESS

• STEP 1: When a student has chosen STEP 1, the teacher revisits the student after 2-3 minutes quietly and politely asking the student "How did you choose STEP 1?"
  • The student chooses off Steps to Allow Success if they are able to answer appropriately. If the student is able to answer appropriately, they are immediately brought back with their classmates.
  • The student chooses to remain on STEP 1 if they are not able to answer appropriately. If the student is not able to answer appropriately, the teacher quietly and politely tells the student "I will give you more time" and the process repeats after 2-3 minutes.
  • If a student is on STEP 1 when the bell rings at the end of class, the student transitions to the next class and may be required to resume STEP 1 at the start of class the following day of the class.

• STEP 2: When a student has chosen STEP 2, the teacher revisits the student after 2-3 minutes quietly and politely asking the student "What is the rule?"
  • The student chooses STEP 1 if they are able to answer appropriately. If the student is able to answer appropriately, they are immediately transitioned to STEP 1.
  • The student chooses to remain on STEP 2 if they are not able to answer appropriately. If the student is not able to answer appropriately, the teacher quietly and politely tells the student, "I will give you more time," and the process repeats after 2-3 minutes.
  • If a student chooses STEP 2 multiple times during a class / block of classes, the teacher is not obligated to provide that student the opportunity to choose STEP 1 while the student is on STEP 2 for the second time, third time, etc.
  • If a student is on STEP 2 when the bell rings at the end of class, the student transitions to the next class and may be required to resume STEP 2 at the start of class the following day of the class.

• STEP 3: When a student has chosen STEP 3, the following occurs:
  • The student completes the "Steps to Allow Success Notification Form." Once the form is complete, office staff assists the student in contacting a parent / guardian via phone. 
    • If the office staff and student are able to contact a parent / guardian, and the student signs the form and returns* the form and the student is able to return to that / those class period(s) the following school day. (*The form is returned to the school office staff)
    • If the office staff and student are not able to contact a parent / guardian via phone, the student signs the form and must have a parent / guardian sign the form. Once the student returns* the form signed by a parent / guardian, the student is able to return to that / those class period(s) the following school day. (*The form is returned to the teacher that placed them on STEP3).
  • If a student has chosen STEP 3 at or near the end of class, the STEP 3 will be processed in office as quickly as possible so that the student can move on to their next class with minimal disruption to the learning process. The student is given an excused tardy to their next class if this is necessary.

When a student chooses STEP 3 multiple times in a quarter:

• 1st time: in addition to what has been explained, the student will serve 30 minutes DETENTION.
• 2nd time: in addition to what has been explained, the student will serve 60 minutes DETENTION.
• 3rd time: in addition to what has been explained, student will serve 2 hours of DETENTION or COMMUNITY SERVICE.
• 4th time: in addition to what has been explained, student will serve 2 hours of DETENTION or COMMUNITY SERVICE and a BEHAVIOR CONTRACT will be created.

EMS PAWS is the official parent support group for Ephrata Middle School. For additional information, please visit Ephrata Middle School PAWS on Facebook.

Grading practices are determined by individual staff members and are subject to periodic review by the principal. If students have questions regarding grading practices, they should talk to their teacher. At the conclusion of each quarter, student grades are recorded on report cards that are given to students for their personal records and to share with their parents. Students may receive high school credit for some courses. These courses are posted to permanent records of students at the end of each semester.

NOTE: ALL students who are proficient in ALL Content Essential Standards in a given class will receive no lower than a C- grade in that class.

Grade Point Averages

Grade point averages are determined by analyzing and computing report card grades earned in grades 7 and 8. At EMS, all grades, except P (Pass) and NC (No Credit) grades are computed. Students may review the computation of their grade point averages with the counselor.

The EMS Honor Roll is computed at the conclusion of each quarter. To be included on the EMS Honor Roll, students must:

• Be enrolled in at least five subjects that earn a letter grade
• Not have grades lower than a "C"
• Achieve and maintain a minimum grade point of 3.0

NOTE: The principal may include additional students who do not meet all requirements on the EMS Honor Roll if individual circumstances warrant it.

The school building, school grounds or school activities are not the place for inappropriate public displays of affection. This includes prolonged hugging and touching. Students that conduct themselves inappropriately in these situations are subject to disciplinary action.

EMS offers a variety of after school activities through the EMS Intramural Program. Activities vary yearly and are scheduled throughout the school year. Events are listed on the official school calendar for each quarter.

FIND EVENT SCHEDULES

• Ephrata Middle School PAWS Facebook Page
• EMS Website -- You can Subscribe to EMS Calendars to receive alerts when events are added / changed
• Visit the EMS Office
• Activities are also announced in the bulletin

It is the student's responsibility to make-up assignments when they are absent.

• Unexcused absences may not have make-up privileges.
• Students will be allowed at least one day more than the number of days absent to complete make-up work.
• If a student will be absent more than two days, assignments may be arranged by calling the EMS Office.

The EMS courtyard, playground and building are open to students 15 minutes prior to the beginning of class.

NOTE: EMS is not able to provide supervision prior to this time.

At EMS, we are committed to a "No Gum Rule" so that our custodians, students and staff do not have to clean gum off various places in the school. If gum chewing is an ongoing issue, it is seen as defiance. The student may receive progressive discipline, including community service.

Students and staff are not allowed to sell items at school unless approved by the Ephrata School Board.

Personal electronic devices, including cell phones, iPods, video game players, cameras, etc., create a disruption to the educational process. These devices are also targets of theft and are seldom recovered. It is strongly recommended that students leave these devices at home.

The school does not accept responsibility for loss or theft of any of these items while on campus or at school events. Students using a personal electronic device on campus during school hours (7:50 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.) will have them confiscated and will be subject to discipline. If a student brings a personal electronic device to school, the device must be turned off and not be seen during school hours unless given permission. Unless granted permission, students may not, at any time while on campus, take pictures using any electronic device.

CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE USE POLICY:

• FIRST OFFENSE: The device will be held in the office. The student will receive an infraction letter, which they must read and sign before picking up the device at the end of the school day.

• SECOND OFFENSE: The device will be held in the office for parent / guardian pick-up.The student will again sign the infraction letter. The parent / guardian must also sign the infraction letter.
   
• SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES: The device will be held in the office for parent / guardian pick-up. Student may be subject to additional discipline.

STUDENT ELECTRONIC DEVICE INFRACTION PROCEDURE:

• Staff member confiscates device from student.
• The electronic device is delivered to the office.
• Secretary places the confiscated device in a secure location.
• Discipline is administered according to the process above.

If the student refuses to give the electronic device to the staff member, the staff member will explain to the student that they may choose to give the device to the staff member or face additional discipline. If the student still refuses, without further confrontation, the staff member will call the office and request assistance. The student will be escorted to the office and receive appropriate discipline for the electronic device use infraction and additional discipline for defiance.

EMS Steps to Allow Success Rule states: "No individual has the right to interfere with the learning, safety or well-being of others." Students not seated and ready to learn as class begins interfere with the learning of others.

Students with multiple unexcused tardies in a week are required to make up for the time they have missed and the interference in learning they've created. Make up time will be as follows:

2-3 Unexcused Tardies:  30 minutes of detention

4 Unexcused Tardies:  1 hour of detention

5 or More Unexcused Tardies:  Require after school community service - amount of service time to be determined

OTE: Students with excessive unexcused tardies (10 or more in a quarter), may be subject to additional discipline.