Middle School Student Life

Middle School Morning Assembly begins promptly at 8:10 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Students should arrive by 8:00 a.m. On Wednesday, classes begin at 8:40 a.m. Students are expected to arrive on time and be prepared for class to begin promptly at 8:40.

Students may not bring beverages, breakfast food, etc., to consume at school; any such items should be consumed and disposed of before entering the building.

Consistent daily attendance is important to the success of each student. There is no substitute for participating in class discussions, contributing to group activities, and engaging in the learning process with the teachers and classmates. It is the expectation of Webb that each student will be in school and on time every day.

Students and parents are expected to be familiar with the school’s attendance policy and procedures, and it is your responsibility to communicate with the Middle School’s attendance coordinator any and all absences from class.

• When students are or will be absent due to illness or are running late for any reason, parents must notify the Middle School Office (865-291-3779) before 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence.

• If students arrive late to school, they must sign in at the Middle School Office and have an adult’s written or verbal explanation for being late. The student will be marked absent in all classes that they have missed prior to arrival and tardy for the class they enter late. If the student does not have an adult’s explanation, it is an unexcused tardy and will require a meeting with the Dean of Students, who will assign consequences.

• If a student must leave school early, parent notification is required – either by note, email, or phone call.

• All students who leave early must be signed out in the Middle School Office by a parent or parent representative.

• AFTER-SCHOOL PARTICIPATION – Students must be in attendance for at least four class periods to participate in after-school activities. This rule is in place to ensure that our emphasis is on academics, not extracurricular activities. If students leave school due to an illness, they may not participate in after- school activities (practices, games, rehearsals, concerts, etc.). Approval for participation must be granted by the Dean of Students if the absence is due to a family emergency or otherwise exception.

Students will be assigned a locker to use for the year. Lockers are the property of the school and may be checked without students’ permission. It is the responsibility of students to keep their lockers clean and in good condition. Please follow the following guidelines for decoration:

1. No adhesives other than tape or removable strips are to be applied, inside or out. 2. Cardboard and foam core inserts are not allowed, because they consume storage space and prevent the locker door from closing completely. 3. Small dry erase boards, pen/pencil holders, etc., may be installed, provided the door shuts completely. 4. Fronts may not be decorated without the permission of a teacher or the Dean of Students.

Students will be required to clean their lockers at the end of the second and fourth quarters. The student’s bookstore account will be charged a maintenance fee for anything that must be removed or cleaned at the end of the year.

Food, candy, and drinks may not be kept in lockers. Snacks brought to school for morning Snack Break must be kept in the advisor’s room in a sealed storage bin.

Students should never open someone else’s locker without permission. “Borrowing” anything, such as a book, without the owner’s permission could be perceived as stealing, and as such, constitute an honor offense.

Athletic bags should be stored in grade-level specified bins. Please ensure that all items are labeled with the student’s name. Hallways must remain clear at all times of any large items, such as book bags, athletic bags, and band instruments. Musical instruments should be stored during the day in the area specified by music teachers.

Students should not bring personal or valuable items, such as expensive jewelry or electronics, to school. These items are easily lost or damaged and are better left at home.

Students are expected to eat lunch in the cafeteria or other specified outdoor eating spaces unless they are participating in a special event. They should not bring food on to the campus for lunch, except for special circumstances (permission must be granted by an administrator or advisor). Food should not be brought or delivered to the school without school permission, and students may not leave campus during lunch period unless accompanied by parents. Parents are required to check their student out in the Middle School Office.

CAFETERIA USE

The atmosphere for dining in the cafeteria is informal but considerate, dictated by good manners, not rigid rules. Students are required to assist in keeping the tables clean. They may sit where they choose but may not save a seat for someone else. Conversation should not be

loud. The tables should be left clean and neat for other people to use comfortably. All dishes and paper waste should be returned to the dishwashing room.

Only cafeteria staff may go into the kitchen.

If there is a special occasion or a special dietary need for which a student needs to bring food or drink items to school, arrangements for doing so can be made with the student’s advisor or the Dean of Students.

It is very important not to waste food. When choosing meals, students should take what they want but not more than they will eat.

Gum is not permitted during the school day. Only bottled water is allowed in school buildings, and it may not contain additives (e.g., sports powders). Snacks are not permitted during Extra Help.

Snacks and drinks may be purchased from the vending machine located in the lobby of the Haslam Center after 3:25 p.m. Middle School students may not use the vending machine in the Lee Athletic Center or the Upper School Commons or Café.

All trash must be disposed of properly.

School supplies, textbooks, and clothes are sold in the Webb School Bookstore in the Central Building. With a parent’s permission, students may charge items.

The Webb Bookstore is typically open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

All student clothing and books should be legibly labeled with the student’s name. Items found unattended will be kept in the Middle School Office. Unclaimed, unlabeled clothing will be sent to the Webb Wearhouse or to a charitable agency several times during the school year. Advanced warning will be given to students and parents regarding the date of the donations. There is one telephone outside the Middle School Office designated for student use. This phone may be used only with permission granted by an adult. Students may bring cell phones, but they are required to be turned off during the school day and kept in the advisor’s room in the caddy provided.

When necessary, the Middle School administrative assistants can take messages and deliver them to the students. Students should not be calling or messaging anyone during the school day.

Aftercare is provided free of charge for students in grades six through eight from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the Middle School Library. All students must sign in with the adult who is supervising aftercare. Students may be in the Library, the Innovation Center, or outside within sight of the adult supervisor. Students are expected to remain courteous of each other’s time and space.

The only guests permitted at Webb are prospective students who are visiting campus as part of the admissions process. Prospective students will have their visits coordinated by the admissions staff. Parents typically do not eat lunch with students on campus.

In cases of poor weather that would cause a delayed opening, early closure, or cancellation of school, families will be notified by mass phone communication from the school. Additionally, this information is posted on the school’s website.

If school is in session while snow is on the ground, there will be no throwing of snow or ice anywhere on campus.

FIRE

When a fire alarm sounds, all students and teachers are to evacuate the building IMMEDIATELY. Do not stop for any reason, except to receive instructions from adults. Students should stay with their class and use the proper exit as depicted on evacuation plans posted on each classroom wall. The teacher will be the last to leave the room and will close doors and windows.

SEVERE WEATHER

When a loud bell rings in short bursts for six or more times in a row, students are to take shelter in the safe areas designated by the plans posted on each classroom wall. Stay away from glass doors and windows if possible. When the signal sounds, students are to immediately move to designated areas. Remain quiet. Listen for information or further instructions. Students who are outside when severe weather arises should quickly enter the nearest building and follow procedures for that building. If unable to reach a building, students should lie flat on the ground in a ravine or open ditch.

INTRUDER

If an intruder is discovered on campus, an alarm will sound and there will be instructions as to where you should be.