Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco
The use, possession, sale and purchase of drugs, alcohol, tobacco or paraphernalia is strictly forbidden. Students in violation of this rule will be suspended, referred to the sheriff’s department and subject to expulsion.
Announcements
At the beginning of each school day announcements are shown to all students.
Arrival at School
Due to the lack of supervision, students starting first period are not allowed on campus earlier than 7:57 a.m. Students that arrive at second period should not be on campus before 8:48 a.m. On Wednesdays, students should not arrive more than 15 minutes before their first class starts.
Backpacks/Personal Possessions
Backpacks and the personal possessions placed in them are the student’s responsibility. They must not be left unattended.
Bicycles, Skateboards and Scooters
Bicycles ridden to school should be ridden according to those laws that govern bicycle operations. Students must wear an appropriate helmet when riding bicycles. The school assumes no responsibility for stolen or damaged bicycles. Questions of ownership, theft or damage will be referred to school administration and/or the sheriff's department. Bicycles, skateboards and scooters are not to be ridden on school grounds, before school, during or after school hours.
Closed Campus
To ensure a proper and safe environment, all CUSD schools, including Kennedy Middle School, are closed campuses. Parents and other guests must check-in at the front office and wear a visitor badge at all times. Parents and other guests who have not properly checked-in at the front office will be escorted to the office and/or asked to leave campus. Students may not leave the campus during the day without checking out through the office. Any student who leaves campus without permission will be considered truant. Students from other schools are not allowed on campus.
Communication
Kennedy uses a wide variety of methods to communicate with parents:
The Kennedy website: kennedy.cusdk8.org
For information about your child’s progress, homework expectations, behavior or to set-up a conference, please email your teacher: lastname_firstname@cusdk8.org
For information about school-wide testing, scheduling, private school applications and social difficulties, please email your counselor: lastname_firstname@cusdk8.org
For general concerns or policy questions please contact the administration.
Synergy is our student database. Synergy allows parents to check their child’s grades, attendance and assignments online. Passwords and information are sent home at the beginning of the school year.
Parent Square is our primary communication method with the school and district. Please make sure that families are connected to Parent Square at the start of the school year.
Damage to School Property/Vandalism
Damage to school property and theft are grounds for suspension from school and potentially a referral to the sheriff’s department. In addition, damage to school property will result in restitution to the school district.
Digital Citizenship
Academics: Students are expected to produce their own work.
Cyberbullying: Online social networking sites, blogs and chats are popular ways for students to interact, but some of the interactions can be inappropriate and hurtful. We are all familiar with schoolyard bullies and cyber bullying is the online equivalent. Cyberbullying is any kind of harassment, insult or humiliation that uses Internet-connected technology in some way to hurt or intimidate another student. Cyberbullying can result in emotional harm that can disrupt a student’s time at school, causing the victim emotional harm and distracting students who are naturally curious about rumors spread about a classmate. The administration reserves the right to discipline any student for online activity (whether on campus or off) that results in a disruption at school.
Displays of Affection
Kissing, hugging, hand holding, sitting on laps, and other displays of affection are not allowed on campus.
Dress and Personal Appearance
In accordance with Board Policy and AR 5132, Students are to attend school and school events dressed in a manner that is not disruptive to the normal routine of school. The dress code may be modified as appropriate to accommodate a student’s religious or cultural observance, health condition, or other circ*mstance deemed necessary by the principal or designee. In addition, the principal or designee may impose dress requirements to accommodate the needs of special school activities, physical education classes, athletic activities, and other extracurricular and co-curricular activities. If a student is inappropriately dressed, he/she will be referred to the office to correct the situation.
Shoes are required at all times. Shirts must cover undergarments. Clothing must cover midriffs. Pants must be worn so they fully cover buttocks and undergarments.
Clothing and accessories, such as backpacks and personal items, may not promote or in any way advertise cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, gangs or any illegal activity. Clothing may not have any written or pictorial representation that is deemed offensive, derogatory or otherwise inappropriate.
Drills
Fire and other emergency drills are held monthly. The drills are designed to acquaint students with emergency procedures. Classroom teachers will review all emergency procedures with their classes.
Fighting/Harassment
Fighting, threatening or harassing another student is not allowed. Violent or threatening actions will also be referred to the sheriff. If a student is having a problem and it appears that a fight is imminent, he/she should see the principal, assistant principal or a counselor for help in resolving the problem in an appropriate manner.
Harassment is any act that is severe enough to create an intimidating educational environment or a negative effect on a student. Such behavior includes verbal and visual harassment, such as offensive posters, cards, cartoons, graffiti drawings, obscene gestures, profane or other foul language and religious, racial, ethnic and sexual slurs or innuendos. This includes any online harassment. Physical harassment includes unwelcome or offensive touching and impeding or blocking movement.
Food Service
Meal Services:
● Breakfast and lunch is offered daily to all students at no cost
● All meals come with a choice of fresh fruit, vegetables, and milk
● Vegetarian options are available daily
● Students will scan their student ID card or enter their student ID number when they pick
up a meal. Students may only use their own ID card or student ID number.
● Students may only take one serving of food from the lunch line.
● All menus are posted on CUSD website under Nutrition Services
Free and Reduced Eligibility
● Families are NOT required to submit a free and reduced-price meal application to
participate, but submitting an application for free and reduced-price meals may help
students and families qualify for additional programs and resources.
● In addition, this will help our schools ensure they receive the appropriate funding from
the California Department of Education based on the information you provide. A portion
of every school’s funding and other resources are determined by the needs of its
students.
● One family’s qualification and/or participation does not take away from another family’s
option to qualify.
● Complete your application online in the privacy of your home. The information
submitted on the application is confidential and has no impact on receiving schools
meals.
● Online applications are available on the CUSD website under Nutrition Services.
Forgotten Items
Kennedy has a NO drop off policy. If a student forgets an item at home, please do not bring the item to school or the school office. Due to our size and disruption to classes, we are not able to offer this service; therefore, the office staff and teachers will not accept drop-off items. Students are reminded of this during announcements throughout the year.
Health/Enrollment Cards
Each student must have an updated Health/Enrollment card on file in the office. If there are any changes during the year, please alert the office. These include changes of address, telephone numbers, email addresses, parental employment, emergency contacts and serious medical problems. Students will only be released to authorized persons on the Heath/Enrollment card.
Immunizations
California state law requires every child to be properly immunized and directs the school district to monitor the immunizations status of every pupil. Students who are not properly immunized will be excluded from school. Check with the Cupertino Union School District for further information about immunizations.
Injury and illness
An injured or ill student must report to a teacher or the office right away. First aid will be administered if necessary. If the injury or illness is serious, office personnel will call for emergency medical assistance and notify parents immediately. If a student vomits, has diarrhea, an undiagnosed rash, pink eye and/or has a temperature of 101.4 or higher, he/she will be sent home. He/she cannot return to school until symptom free and fever free (without the use of fever reducer such as Tylenol) for 24 hours.
Library
The library is to be used for quiet activities, doing homework, reading and research. Food and drink are not permitted in the library.
Lost and Found
Lost clothing or items should be taken to the Lost and Found area in front of the office. If items are labeled, we will do our best to return them. Lost articles that are not claimed by the end of each month will be given to a charitable organization. It is important to label all clothing and property.
Medication at School
In order for any medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, short-term or long-term, to be administered at school a medication authorization form must be completed and signed by a parent and a physician. Forms are available in the school office. Until the school has a signed form, medication will not be administered. Self medication forms are also available in the office for students who need to carry an inhaler.
Messages to Students
Please make arrangements with your child before he/she leaves for school regarding appointments, errands and any changes in time or place for after school pick-ups. Please do not text or email your student during the school day. Students will not be taken out of class to receive messages nor will classes be interrupted to take a message to students. The office will only take emergency messages for students.
Money
Students should not carry large amounts of cash. Students are not allowed to ask others for money or food. Repetition of this behavior is considered harassment and is subject to disciplinary action.
Obscenity
Vulgar and obscene actions or language, even in writing, will not be tolerated. Students are expected to interact and speak with each other and adults in an appropriate manner.
Stealing
Stealing will result in disciplinary action and if appropriate may be referred to the sheriff’s department.
Student ID Cards
All students are members of the Kennedy Student Body Association. The Student Body Card serves as identification and is required for school dances and library use. Replacement cards can be purchased in the office for $5.00.
Toys, Games and Nuisance Items
Because of the potential for theft and classroom disruption, personal items such as electronic games, water pistols, water balloons/toys, laser pointers, etc. will be confiscated. Students who bring special card sets to school cannot engage in any sales of these cards. The school is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen personal items.
Transportation
CUSD does not offer home-to-school transportation.
When driving to school, use the southern Bubb road and Hyannisport parking lots. To ensure the safety of our students, there are two traffic lanes: the right is for student-drop off and pick-up, and the left is used to exit the parking lot. Please do not exceed 5 miles per hour. Please continue to move forward and do not block driveways or bus parking. No left turn onto Hyannisport between the hours of 7:00-9:00 a.m. and 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Unauthorized Sales
Students may not sell candy, cards, pencils or any other merchandise, for fundraisers or otherwise, on campus.
Weapons and Fireworks
The possession or use of any weapon or fireworks is strictly forbidden. Students violating this rule will be suspended, referred to the sheriff’s department and may be subject to expulsion from the school. Matches and lighters are considered to be weapons and are forbidden at school.
State law and district policy require the immediate suspension and recommendation for expulsion of any student who possesses, sells or furnishes a firearm; brandishes a knife; sells a controlled substance; commits or attempts to commit a sexual assault; and/or possesses an explosive, on school grounds or at a school activity. Kennedy Middle School and the Cupertino Union School District strictly enforce this law/policy.
