Middle School
Middle School students in grades 5 and 6 have homeroom teachers and grades 7 and 8, have advisors. Homeroom teachers and advisors are faculty members who oversee the students’ performances and serve as a liaison between other teachers and parents, and assist students in understanding their own needs, decisions, attitudes and behaviors.
GRADE TEAMS
The Middle School is comprised of teams of teachers who primarily teach one grade level. Each team of teachers meets once a week to discuss students’ progress and curriculum planning. Through these grade level meetings the teams are able to focus on individual student learning and coordinate a flexible approach to their Student Learning Profile. The Head of Middle School appoints a grade team leader every year who serves as a liaison between the Middle School office and the team. The grade team leader is also the point person who deals with any behavioral issues before they are brought to the Head of Middle School.
PLAN BOOK
Each Middle School student is given a plan book at the beginning of the school year. Students are expected to record assignments daily in their plan books. Homeroom, classroom teachers and advisors may check these books in order to assist any student who is experiencing difficulty keeping up with his/her assignments. Plan books may also be used as a means of communication between school and home. Parents are encouraged to check their child’s plan book on a regular basis to monitor assignments and test dates.
EXAMINATIONS
All grades operate on a semester school calendar, with each semester further divided into two quarters. Students in grades 7 and 8 take examinations twice a year in December and May/June.
STANDARDIZED TESTING
Students in grades 5 through 8 take standardized achievement tests in the spring of each year. The results of these nationally standardized tests are recorded on the student’s file. These scores offer a profile of the student’s cognitive growth and academic achievement over the year. Copies of testing results are sent to parents during the summer. In addition to Stanford 10 Achievement tests, often students in grades 5 through 8 are administered diagnostic pre- and post- tests in math and reading. These tests, if used, are given during literature and math classes in the fall and the spring. They are considered informal and do not become part of a student’s permanent file. Parents may request to meet with the Learning Specialist or to review these tests’ results. Parents will be contacted if any significant patterns emerge on the diagnostic tests.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT
Back-to-School Nights are held at the beginning of the school year. This is a time for parents to learn about the academic program and to meet their children’s teachers and advisors. If parents need to conference about their child, we ask that you request a separate time.
CONFERENCES
Conferences are scheduled twice a year for parents to meet with all teachers. Individual conferences may be scheduled with teachers at any time throughout the year and parents should request an appointment by calling the Middle School Office. The goal is to give the parents an opportunity to talk to their student’s teachers about their educational goals and progress.
ACADEMICS
Report Cards
At the end of each quarter, summative grades are sent home to parents. Second and fourth quarter include narrative comments from each individual teacher explaining the student’s performance and progress achieved. During the first quarter teachers write comments for new students to McLean and for any students that have averaged a C- grade or less. There are no written comments in third quarter, unless the student has dropped an entire letter grade and/or has averaged a C- grade or less. Instead, we hold parent conferences during the first and third quarters.
Grades
Students earn grades in each class, depending on how well they met each course subject requirements in the class. Grades are assigned using letters as symbols for achievement as shown below:
| A : 93-100 | B+ : 87-89 | C+ : 77-79 | D+ : 67-69 |
| A- : 90- 92 | B : 83-86 | C :73-76 | D ::63-66 |
| B- : 80-82 | C- : 70-72 | D- : 60-62 | |
| F : 59 or below |
Electives
For Electives, grades are assigned as follows:
O = Outstanding
P = Pass
F = Fail
Alternative Grading
NG To be eligible for a “No Grade” a student must have been placed in a class past the mid-point of any given marking period, have been absent from school for an extended period of time due to an illness, or have missed more than 50% of classes due to scheduling him/her with outside providers.
INC To be eligible for an “Incomplete” Grade, a student must not have completed the academic quarter’s requirement. An “INC” cannot be given in the fourth quarter.
Friday Reports
Friday Reports are emails sent on Fridays and serve as a mechanism to communicate between teachers, parents and the student when the student is having difficulty with meeting assignment requirements and deadlines, or other issues that are impacting his or her progress at school. Friday Reports are completed only by the teachers who have a concern, wish to report a poor grade, or are missing assignments. Students in grade 8 who receive Friday Reports are expected to email a reply to their respective teachers regarding the status of missing/overdue assignments and their plan to complete and submit their work. In order to ensure solid communication between the home and school, we will require the weekly responses to the Report in order for the Reports to continue being sent home. Additionally, the need for the weekly Report for each student receiving it will be reviewed periodically. Friday Reports may be discontinued either because the student is performing adequately or because the teachers are not receiving timely responses from home.
Interims
Interim Reports are mailed every mid-quarter to those students who are averaging a grade of C- or below or who have dropped an entire letter grade.
Academic Probation
If a student’s grades and effort are determined to be deficient, performing at the “D” or “F” level in any class, he/she may be placed on Academic Probation until his/her performance reaches “C” level. After consultation with the student’s teachers and parents the Head of Middle School may determine that the student should not participate in extra-curricular activities until his/her grades is raised to “C”. This means that the student on Academic Probation may not be involved in social events or Student Climate Committee activities without the permission from the Head of Middle School. The student’s re-enrollment contract will be held until his/her grades and effort has improved sufficiently. Continued poor grades and lack of effort may result in the student not being offered a re-enrollment contract for the following year.
Academic Honesty and Honor Violation
Every student in the Middle School is expected to be honest and be a positive member of the McLean School community. Students are expected to adhere to the Middle School policies on academic honesty and plagiarism detailed in this handbook. Honor Violations behavior includes:
- Cheating —using notes or study guides/aids, or information on a quiz or test without the teacher’s knowledge or permission; forging anyone’s signature or giving false information of any kind including permission.
- Plagiarism —submitting work that in part or whole is not written by the student including unfair use of digital media.
- Getting Unfair Advantage —stealing, circulating, reproducing information about tests and quizzes; working with another student on an assignment without the teacher’s knowledge or permission; intentionally interfering with another student’s work.
Lapses in integrity such as stealing, cheating or plagiarizing including lying, deceiving or concealing to avoid disciplinary or academic consequences are considered Honor Violations. Any work submitted by students must be their own work. All students using material that is not that of the student (Internet, books/magazines, newspapers or any other printed material) should be properly cited.
Academic Achievement Recognition
The Middle School recognizes our students’ accomplishments throughout the year through Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, PRIDE and Effort Awards during the Award Ceremonies held at the end of each quarter.
Honor Roll and High Honor Roll
The Honor Roll recognizes students in grades 7 and 8 who maintain a grade point average of B+ (3) or higher in the core academic courses and receive no grade lower than a B- minus in any subject including the “specials” (art, music, physical education, and computers). Grades of B- through A will be weighted with the numerical values listed below. In addition, any student earning all A’s in any given marking period will receive High Honor Roll recognition. Students who earn an A- minus in any subject will not be eligible for High Honor Roll.
| A = 5 | A- = 4 | B+ = 3 | B = 2 | B- = 1 |
Example
| Courses | Student A | Student B | Student C |
| Literature | B- (1) | B+ (3) | B+ (3) |
| English | B (2) | B+ (3) | C+ (N/A) |
| Geography | A- (4) | A (5) | B (2) |
| Math | B (2) | B (2) | B (2) |
| Science | B- (1) | B+ (3) | A- (4) |
| Foreign Language | B+ (3) | A- (4) | B+ (3) |
Student A: grades’ average of 2.17 disqualifies him/her from making Honor Roll.
Student B: grades’ average of 3.33 places him/her on the Honor Roll.
Student C: grade (C+) in English makes him/her ineligible for Honor Roll.
YEAR END AWARDS
The Terry J. Edwards Award
The Terry J. Edwards Award was established in 1983 in memory of the father of grade 5 student Chris Edwards. Mr. Edwards’ relatives and friends established this annual award which is presented to that grade 5 student who is conscientious and exhibits excellent effort, good citizenship and a desire to learn.
The Charles H. Levine Memorial Award
The Charles H. Levine Memorial Award honors the memory of grade 6 student Jordy Levine’s father, who died in September 1988. Charles H. Levine was a distinguished professor of public administration and political science at the American University and an expert on government civil service. This annual award is presented to an energetic, hardworking grade 6 student who demonstrates a keen sense of right and wrong and who is able to overcome difficulty in accomplishing his or her goals.
The Arnold P. Cornblatt Second Mile Award
This award was established to honor Mr. Arnold R. Cornblatt, a member of the Board of Trustees from 1980 to 1984. During his service on the Board, Mr. Cornblatt gave unselfishly of his time and talents to support the school. He often went the “second mile” in fulfilling his Board responsibilities. This award goes to that grade 7 student who has gone the “second mile” in fulfilling his or her school responsibilities.
The Jamie Kleeblatt Friendship Award
This award honors the memory of Jamie Kleeblatt, who in 1987 died in a tragic accident after completing grade 7 at McLean School. One of Jamie’s most outstanding qualities was the capacity for friendship he shared with his fellow students. This annual award, established by his parents, honors a student in grade 8 who, by vote of the entire class, is felt to exhibit the greatest capacity for friendship.
Grade 8 students also write a composition entitled Friendship. The winning composition is read at the Closing Ceremony.
The Gareth C. May Leadership Award
This award was established to honor Mr. Gareth C. May, founding member and chair of the McLean School Board of Trustees in the first year the school became non-profit. Mr. May remained chair for six years, from 1978 to 1984, before retiring from the Board in 1986. Under his outstanding leadership and guidance, McLean School grew and prospered. This award goes to that grade 8 student who best exhibits the qualities of outstanding leadership.
The William P. McClure Citizenship Award
This award was established to honor Mr. William P. McClure, founding member of the McLean School Board of Trustees in the first year the school became non-profit. Mr. McClure’s abiding interest was a well-disciplined school in which students were good citizens. This award goes to that grade 8 student who best exhibits the highest qualities of good citizenship.
Head of Middle School Award This award was established to honor that grade 8 student who demonstrates persistence, integrity, and character.
Homework
Homework is given to reinforce learning through additional practice and to develop independent study habits. The homework guidelines that are mentioned below are based on the assumption that the student is organized in their study skills, and are able to manage time and content well. Preparing for tests and working on projects should be paced to avoid last minute rush and overload study schedule. Students are encouraged to utilize their plan book as a tool to assist them in their organization.
We recommend that in grades 5 and 6, students work at home on an average 50 to 60 minutes per day. Students in grades 7 and 8, an average of 20 minutes per subject per day, as assigned. This recommendation does not include long-term projects which may encompass extra time.
DISCIPLINE
CODE OF CONDUCT
The school encourages students to be positive members of the McLean School community. Every McLean community member is expected to be honest and courteous, to show respect for the rights and opinions of others. This often means going beyond an individual commitment to abide by stated rules. In all situations—on or off campus—McLean students are to display the good judgment, behavior, and attitude that are cornerstones of constructive relationships with others and that reflect positively on the entire school community. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.
The Middle School strives to maintain a safe and respectful educational environment for all. Established in 2003, the PRIDE expectations (including Positive interaction, Respect and responsibility, Individual safety, Dependability, and Effort) are the foundation from which we reinforce positive behaviors. Students may earn PRIDE banners for exhibiting these positive behaviors. By encouraging and recognizing positive behaviors we shape the climate of our Middle School community.
BULLYING, TEASING, AND SOCIAL AGGRESSION
As a Middle School, we are committed to a learning environment that is a safe and respectful one for all students. As the research suggests, issues of bullying, teasing, and social aggression can peak during the Middle School years. As a Middle School community, we all have a responsibility to address these behaviors and help students treat each other with empathy and respect. In our common understanding, the definition of bullying involves behaviors that can be direct or indirect, blatant or subtle. It involves an imbalance of power, teasing, name-calling, threats, unwanted physical contact or violence, often in repeated basis, which demeans, belittles, humiliates, or frightens the other student, intentional actions, and unequal levels of feelings. It can take place in and out of the classroom and even outside School. Bullying is behavior considered to be physical aggression, social aggression, verbal aggression, intimidation, written aggression, sexual and religious, ethnic or gender-related harassment and purposeful exclusion.
All bullying and harassment incidents will be reported to the Head of Middle School and due diligence investigation will follow to substantiate the cases and determine cause of action. The response from the school will be proactive and supportive; our counselors may be included in the cause of action process to provide counseling and mediation. Parents of all students involved will be contacted and all actions documented to assess the effectiveness and interventions of our school policy of zero tolerance for bullying and harrassment.
Bullying behavior through the use of student electronic communication (cyber-bullying, texting and/or sexting), including that sent from off-campus, to or about any member of the school community, will be treated as if it had been written or spoken at school. Any bullying behavior demonstrated at school or outside of school that impacts our school community will be addressed by the school. Bullying behaviors will be responded to, as all negative behaviors are, through a continuum of consequences and interventions up to and including suspension and/or social probation, depending on the severity and frequency of the behavior. Any student who is suspended will not be permitted to return to school without a re-entry meeting with parents and an administrator.
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
Any attitude or behavior that disrupts or destroys the learning process in the Middle School is unacceptable. Middle School faculty is the first line of discipline for problems in the classroom.
Any student who disrupts the learning process in an academic or co-curricular activity may be removed from a class or an activity and may face serious disciplinary action. Students who do not support in spirit the accepted community guidelines can expect to meet with the Grade Team Leader and/or the Head of Middle School. Repeat offenders may face suspension.
Faculty members are responsible for daily discipline. In their interactions with students, faculty uses a variety of positive and encouraging behavior management techniques, in coordination with staff, parents and administrators to support positive reinforcement systems. At times, faculty may also need to define consequences for negative behavior to ensure a safe and productive learning environment. Homeroom teachers and/or advisors keep a record of discipline infractions through behavioral reports as a tool to notify parents and the Head of Middle School of behavior offences.
The Middle School examines each case fairly and equitably, properly assessing the circumstances and seriousness of the negative behavior, the frequency of the offence, the student’s attitude and the potential impact or effect of the behavior on the school environment. The process may include direct communication with parents. The faculty and the Head of Middle School work together to determine the most appropriate consequences for negative behavior. Disciplinary actions range from warnings to expulsions.
Other Behavior Issues
· Dress code violations
· Being untruthful
· Cheating
· Excessive horseplay. Students in the Middle School must not engage in any physically aggressive behavior or any inappropriate activity that has the potential for injury. Except in the friendliest of instances, students should keep their hands to themselves.
· Unexcused absence from school or lateness to school or class
· Destruction of property/defacing property - damaging or vandalizing the property of the school, faculty, staff, visitors or other students, as well as wasteful diversion of school resources
· Gum (unless approved as an accommodation by the learning specialists) and sodas (unless distributed during Monday pizza lunch days) are not allowed at any time
· Eating or drinking beverages in unauthorized areas or at unauthorized times
· Acts of disruption in school, on buses, or on field trips
· Possession of cell phones, music playing devices, hand-held electronic games. These are not allowed to be used during the school day and must be turned into the students’ Homeroom teacher/Advisor at the start of each school day. Phones and iPODs will be returned to the students before dismissal. Any of these devices seen during the school day will be confiscated; the parent will be required to come to the Middle School office to retrieve it. None of these devices are allowed to be used in the building except with permission from a Homeroom teacher/Advisor or Head of Middle School.
Physical Contact
The Middle School believes that every student has the right to learn in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect free from the fear of unwanted physical contact. Students are expected to keep their hands and feet to themselves. When students engage in physical contact altercations that may lead to a student or more to get hurt by this aggression, a suspension is a likely consequence to be applied. Unwanted physical contact between students or that that could be perceived as fighting is not permitted. Excessive horseplay or pretend fighting is also not allowed and will be handled as if it were actual fighting as it will be difficult for an observer to discern fighting from pretend fighting.
Public Display of Affection
The physical expression of affection is disruptive to the nature and work of an educational institution. In addition, it may offend the various sensibilities of a diverse community. For Middle School students a quick greeting, a smile, laughter or handshake are acceptable forms of public displays of affection. Holding hands, kissing, hugging, caressing are not appropriate in the Middle School.
Definition of Consequences
Behaviors are addressed through a continuum of proactive and responsive strategies as well as the use of consequences. Proactive strategies include anything that can be helpful to a student before a particular behavior occurs or in anticipation of a trigger that may lead to a behavior. These strategies may target individuals or groups of students. Responsive strategies are any strategies implemented once a behavior has occurred that can help a student to move past the inappropriate behavior and begin to demonstrate more appropriate behaviors. Depending on the severity of the behavior, responsive strategies may be enough to assist the student. Consequences also occur on a continuum and can range from temporary removal from the situation, to a detention, suspension, or expulsion. All disciplinary actions may provide students with an opportunity to process and learn from the incident so they may make better behavioral choices in the future. Behavior Reports are used to document behavior offenses. If a student earns three (3) behavior reports in one quarter, they will be scheduled for a Friday detention. The parent of the student will be contacted by the teacher/staff who observed the behavior by the end of that day.
Social Probation:
If a student’s behavior is deemed to be detrimental, he/she may be placed on Social Probation. This means that the student’s re-enrollment contract is held until such time as the Head of Middle School deems appropriate. Continued negative behavior may result in the student not being offered a re-enrollment contract for the following year.
Students, parents and some specified faculty will sign the contract of the terms and reasons for the social probation. Students failing to show the necessary improvements may be recommended for expulsion
Temporary removal from a situation:
A student may be removed from the class/activity in which the behavior is occurring or from recess and/or lunch. Temporary removal may be used as either a responsive strategy or a consequence. This action does not require parental notice; however, the Head of Middle School will be made aware and parents will be notified if repeated offenses occur.
Detention:
Students are expected to stay after school on a designated Friday, for up to an hour in a supervised setting for disciplinary reasons to reflect upon their behavior. Detention slips must be signed by a faculty/staff member and copied to the student’s Homeroom teacher or Advisor and/or the Head of Middle School. A student may receive three behavioral/ slips before earning a Friday detention. However, if the behavior is deemed serious, a Friday detention may be given. Students will be given a 48 hour notice of their detention whenever possible.
Suspension:
Students may be removed and excluded from school community and any school-related activities for a specified period of time for disciplinary reasons. Notice is given to parents by the Middle School Head and/or Head of School. A parent conference as a re-entry meeting will be required between the Head of Middle School, parents and student before the student may return to regular classes. During an in-school suspension students remain in the building in a separate setting with teachers sending students their work from the classroom. When a student is suspended and sent home, only 50% credit of the work missed will be honored and they are not permitted to participate in after school sports. During school suspension, students are not permitted to ride the bus to or from school.
Expulsion:
Severe or repeated cases of student behavioral offences will lead to the removal of a student from school and all activities related to the McLean School community. Expulsion may be recommended when it is determined that a student is a threat to the safety of the community, or when a student has been placed on a Social Probation contract by the Head of Middle School and has either violated or failed to fulfill the requirements of the contract.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT LIFE
DRESS CODE for Grades 5-8
Students in the Middle School wear uniforms (see guidelines below) during regular school days and field trips. Students should follow the guidelines stated on the footnotes below when participating in “Free Dress” or Spirit days.
(Foot notes for each dress item apply to both Males and Females for clarification)
| Males | Females |
| Shirts1 | Shirts |
| Plain White or Navy Blue Polo Shirts (with no logos except McLean insignia), not to hang below pants’ pockets. Long-sleeves shirts are not permitted to be worn underneath the short-sleeve Polo Shirt |
Plain White or Navy Blue Polo Shirts (with no logos except McLean insignia), not to hang below pants’ pockets when wearing skirts, not to hang below six inches from the waist. Long-sleeves shirts are not permitted to be worn underneath the short-sleeve Polo Shirt |
| Pants/Shorts2 | Pants/Shorts |
| Khaki or Navy Blue (well-fitted) Dress Pants or Capri length Khaki or Blue Shorts (Bermuda length) |
Khaki or Navy Blue (well-fitted) Dress Pants or Capri length Khaki or Blue Shorts (Bermuda length) Blue Plaid Skirt |
| Sweaters/Sweatshirts3 | Sweaters/Sweatshirts |
| White or navy blue crew neck, v-neck or cardigan with buttons or zip-up sweaters and no logos Navy blue crew neck and hooded McLean sweatshirts McLean Athletic sweatshirts may be worn with uniform pants or shorts |
White or navy blue crew neck, v-neck or cardigan with buttons or zip-up sweaters with no logos Blue crew neck and hooded McLean sweatshirts McLean Athletic sweatshirts may be worn with uniform pants, shorts or skirts |
| Footwear/Socks4 | Footwear/Socks |
| Flat-heeled/soled shoes (with backs) Athletic shoes Black or brown loafers or tie shoes Crew or low solid color socks |
Flat-heeled/soled shoes (with backs) Athletic shoes Black or brown loafers or tie shoes Crew or low white socks White, navy blue, black or gray tights or leggings |
| Hair5 | Hair |
| Clean and neatly trimmed Uniform, natural color, not dyed or bleached and unnatural color |
Clean and neatly trimmed Uniform, natural color, not dyed or bleached and unnatural color |
| Game Day Attire6 | Game Day Attire |
| Collared Dress Shirt & Tie Khaki Pants or Dress Slacks Black or White Athletic Shoes Game Jersey & Khaki Pants |
Dress Pants and Dress Blouse Flat-heeled Dress Shoes Black or White Athletic Shoes Game Jersey & Khaki pants or Blue Plaid Skirt |
1 Only white T-shirts may be worn under, not it place of, the white/blue polo shirts. Under T-shirts should not protrude from arms or waist. For girls, chest and midriff areas should be covered, and undergarments should not be visible. Camisoles or other see-through garments may not be worn.
2 Students should wear a black or brown belt, unless the pants have no belt loops. No cargo pants, over-sized, frayed, patched, torn, or faded pants allowed. All pants must be worn at the natural waistline. Low-ride pants are not permitted. Skirts’ lengths should not be shorter than 3 to 3.5 inches above the top of the knee. Soft shorts may be worn under the skirt, but should not show below the 3 to 3.5 inches hemline. No skorts are permitted in the Middle School.
3 Only McLean insignia sweatshirts are allowed; other insignia sweatshirts are not permitted. A dress code shirt must be worn underneath sweaters/sweatshirts. All sweaters and sweatshirts must be longer than the shirt underneath. Students are not permitted to wear their sweatshirt hoods indoors.
4 Sandals, flip-flops, plastic shoes, platform shoes, and clogs with no backs are not permitted. Shoes with laces and athletic shoes should be neat, tied and fastened at all times. Students may not wear shoes with lights, wheels and decorative studs or knee high colored socks. Socks worn with tights/leggings must be of the same color.
5Hats are not permitted indoors and will be confiscated. Boys are not permitted to wear headbands. For girls, headbands/bows of reasonable size are allowed and may be worn; one at a time. Headbands should be worn on the hair and not on the forehead. Jewelry must not be excessive or ostentatious. Bracelets should be limited to a total of two (2) at a time. Students are not permitted to wear long, dangling earrings or heavy chains as jewelry nor as accessories. One pair of simple one-inch hoops or stud earrings may be worn.
6 The following are Game Day guidelines: Dress shirts should be tucked in at all times during the school day. For girls, high heels are not permitted.
Eighth grade students who have PE the last period of the day may leave without changing back to dress code clothes. All others should get on the bus in dress code.
Beyda’s Lad and Lassie at Westbard Shopping Center in Bethesda carry the McLean dress code. Sweatshirts and polo shirts with the McLean logo can be purchased through the School Store. No other logos are permitted. The following apply to all students in the Middle School:
- Students must be in compliance with the dress code during school hours or they will not be permitted to participate in the day’s activities.
- If in doubt, students should ask before wearing the item to school
- All clothing must fit properly, be neat, clean and in good repair.
- Students may not wear clothing advocating violence, sex, or the use of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. Symbols that demean any individual or group (racial, ethnic, or religious) may not be displayed.
- No outdoor clothing such as jackets, scarves, hats and gloves may be worn indoors during the school day.
- Students are not permitted to wear make-up at school.
- Free Dress Attire does not include hats, short shorts, cropped shirts, flip flops, cut-out, shoulder tops, tube, tank, sheer and halter tops, low necklines, mini skirts, open-toed or open-heel shoes.
On matters of the Middle School dress code, the Head of Middle School judgement will be final. In an event of a dress code violation, the student may be asked to remove the article of clothing or item out of uniform. On the first offense, the Advisor/Homeroom teacher will hold the article in their possession for one day. On a second offense, the Advisor/Homeroom teacher will keep the article for one week. In the event of a third offense, the parents may be asked to come to school to retrieve the item form the Advisor/Homeroom teacher. If a replacement item is available in the Lost and Found bin, the student may be asked to wear the item. If a replacement item is not available (i.e., shirt, sweatshirt) in the Lost and Found bin, the student will be provided with a McLean shirt or sweatshirt from the school store and parents will be billed for the cost of it. Parents will be notified of any offenses.
STUDENT CLIMATE COMMITTEE
The Student Climate Committees are conformed by students to create attitudes and systems that impact our community and develop awareness in the need and value of service. Committee meets periodically throughout the year to decide and carry out a variety of efforts to promote a positive student climate.
SPIRIT COMMITTEE
Student volunteers, participate on this committee to develop and coordinate activities for students in grades 5 through 8. Activities include non-academic and school spirit building events.
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
Each month the Middle School participates in a Community Service Project. Annual projects include:
Manna Food Drive
Sandwich Making for Bethesda Cares Shelter
Walk for the Homeless
Send a Kid to Camp
Additional projects can be arranged through the Student Climate Committees. Due to the large number of community service projects students are involved in outside of school, it is not possible for McLean to sponsor Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation projects or other service-hour requirements.
ABSENCES
Students are expected to attend school every day. Only absences for illness or family emergencies will be excused. When a student will be late or absent, the parent is required to call the Middle School office that morning by 8:00 am to explain the lateness or absence. We ask that advance notice of absences be provided whenever possible. A parent should call the school before 9:00 am for homework. A student who has been absent for any reason must bring a note to the homeroom teacher (5-6) or advisor (7-8). In addition, students must see their teacher for make-up work immediately upon their return to school. The school will be as flexible as is reasonable with make-up work for students who miss school for excused reasons. Changes in the child’s afternoon transportation routine should also be submitted in writing by parents on the morning of the desired change, or through a phone call to the Middle School office before 1:00 pm. Extensions of vacations for family convenience, trips, and/or excursions will not be acknowledged as excused absences and are strongly discouraged. Excessive and repeated absence from school may result in a student being placed on medical or academic leave.
The School reserves the right to place a student on Medical Leave (for emotional/mental or physical health reasons) or Academic Leave. Although both carry no punitive status, the student and his/her family must meet with the Head of Middle School in order to fulfill the necessary conditions for the student to return to school.
If a student leaves school early for any reason, a parent must notify the school in writing or by phone and the student must stop by the Middle School office to check out. Any absence caused by a communicable disease must be reported immediately to the school nurse as soon as a diagnosis is made.
The non-public schools division of the State of Maryland, which regulates all aspects of Maryland schools, requires that we report unexcused absences and excessive absences and tardiness for that agency’s investigation.
LATENESS
Students are expected to be in class on time. All students who are late to school for any reason must sign in both in the front office and in the Middle School office before reporting to class so that their name can be removed from the absentee list. Students will not be admitted to class until they have reported to the Middle School office. Parents may not walk students to class.
CAMPUS HOURS
Arrival is at 8:15 am and scheduled classes end at 3:15 pm. Students are expected to leave campus promptly at the end of the day unless they are under the supervision of a teacher, coach or tutor, or a participant in the After-School Program. If for any reason a student needs to remain after school for a special activity, a written note from home giving permission for the late stay must be submitted to the Middle School office, homeroom teacher (5-6) or advisor (7-8).
AFTER-SCHOOL STUDY HALL
The Middle School offers a structured, teacher-led Study Hall available Monday through Thursday (grades 6-8) from 3:15-6:00 pm. Students who benefit from completing homework while at school are encouraged to attend. Drop in attendance is allowed. Contact the After-School Programs office for additional information.
LUNCH
Milk is provided daily to students at no extra cost. Your child may bring a bagged lunch to school (sorry, no facilities for heating food) or enroll in McLean’s catered lunch program for an additional fee. We ask that food and drink be restricted to assigned areas and not consumed in the hallways or common areas. Sodas are not permitted in the Middle School. (Please note: vending machines in the Faculty Lounge are for faculty use only. Students will not be permitted to buy from the Faculty Lounge vending machines.)
LOCKERS
On the first day of the school year, every student in the Middle School will be assigned two lockers: an academic locker and a physical education locker and lock combinations. Lockers may not be switched without the approval from the Middle School office. Students are advised not to share lock combinations.
PROPERTY OF STUDENTS
All personal belongings, including clothing worn to school, should be clearly marked with the student’s name. The school cannot accept responsibility for lost or stolen property. Student athletes should not leave their backpacks or sports’ bag unattended in the gym hallway or PE locker room. Items should be locked in their Middle School hallway lockers, and students should not share locker combinations with others. To avoid property theft, we discourage all students from bringing personal valuable items, such as cellular phones, iPODs, MP3 players and/or handheld games to school.
If a student finds something, it must be returned immediately to either the Middle School office or to the Main Reception Desk. Stray clothing is deposited in the bins in the Middle School hall; watches, glasses, keys, backpacks and lunch bags and other items at the Main Reception Desk.
TELEPHONE CALLS
Students who need to call home may do so from the Middle School office. Parents are welcome to call the Middle School office to leave a message for a student. Students are not to use the telephone from the Main Reception Desk without the supervision of a teacher, coach or tutor. Students are not allowed to call parents to request being picked up due to an illness. Dismissals due to illness are only to be done by the Health Room —-the nurses will make a telephone call to the parents and will inform the Middle School office of the student’s dismissal.
HEALTH ROOM
Staffed by two nurses, the Health Room’s function is to promote health and safety of our students and the McLean Community. The nurses’ responsibilities include to assess student’s illnesses and injuries and provide basic first aid as needed, review and maintain student health records, communicate disease prevention and control, administer daily medications to students, assist in managing students with asthma or other heath conditions, and medical emergency preparedness. If a student is ill or has an injury and needs to go home, the nurses will contact the student’s parents. The student must be picked up from the Health Room by a parent or other adult.
FIELD TRIPS Teachers schedule periodic educational field trips that relate to what is being taught in the classroom. Students are required to submit a signed permission slip for all field trips. Students are expected to be in dress code during school related field trips unless otherwise notified. Generally, teachers do not collect money from their students for trips. Notwithstanding, some field trips may require that parents pay additional fees. Prescribed medications normally dispensed at school by the Health Room will be sent on all applicable field trips. The medications are labeled and a unit dose is provided for the teacher/chaperone to administer during the field trip. Good behavior is expected on all field trips.
LIBRARY
The library is open daily and McLean encourages students to use it as much as possible. Along with a comprehensive collection of books and reference materials, students enjoy a variety of online subscription services. These services can also be accessed from home in order to support homework and research. Books can be borrowed for two weeks and the cost of any lost books will be charged to the student.
SCHOOL STORE
The school store, located next to the Library, sells McLean sweatshirts, notebooks, pens, pencils, other supplies, and novelties. Cash and checks are accepted. The school store is run by grade 4 students.
SUMMER PROGRAM - SUMMEREDGE
McLean’s SummerEdge offers coeducational programs for students between the ages of PreK-12. Our unique program invites students to design a schedule of half day and/or full day experiences. Academics are offered in the morning and recreational activities in the afternoon. Throughout the 8-week program students are encouraged to sign up for a variety of options. The name of the course does not change from week to week, but the content does, so the activity can be taken more than once! The SummerEdge mission is to provide students with a wide range of activities that stimulate learning and enrich their summer experience outside of the classroom.
TUTORING PROGRAM - KNOWLEDGE
KnowlEdge@McLean is a tutoring service that provides support to area public and independent school students through a tutoring collaborative between McLean School of Maryland and William R. Stixrud Tutoring Services.
An ever-increasing number of Washington area students are struggling with the demands of their academic work. For students with learning issues and diagnosed disabilities, traditionally effective teaching and tutoring strategies may not be enough. Research has found that individuals with academic difficulties experience the most successful intervention through one-on-one tutoring. And so, KnowlEdge works one-on-one with students to develop specific skills and strategies that will improve their learning and the quality of their schoolwork.
Our approach to working with students is based on a neuropsychological model of academic skill development, which theKnowlEdge tutors learn in their training with Dr. Stixrud and from hands-on implementation. Information about brain functioning helps our tutors understand why students learn easily - or struggle - and how to support them through brain-based teaching strategies. Grounded in the scientific study of learning and learning disorders, our approach also emphasizes caring and empathy, vital in nurturing successful students.
The KnowlEdge collaborative matches the right KnowlEdge tutor with each student, considering tutor personality, interest, style, training and experience; and each student’s evaluations, report cards, testing and parent surveys.