Handbook

At Miller Middle School, we believe in “Pursuing Excellence in a Caring Environment”.  To achieve this, we follow Five Core Beliefs that we strive to maintain every day:

These core beliefs are aligned with CUSD's Strategic Plan.  For more information on CUSD's Strategic Plan, click HERE

Miller Middle School has implemented a program called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). PBIS is a nationally recognized program that we have adopted with the support of our school district. PBIS is a systematic approach to promoting positive behavior. This is done by establishing consistent school-wide expectations and recognizing and rewarding those students who meet them. 

THE MUSTANG WAY: We believe all students should act with Respect, Responsibility, and Care towards peers, staff, and property. 

PBIS REWARDS APP: To acknowledge students who are meeting expectations, ANY staff member (including teachers, counselors, office staff, etc) to assign you points for being Respectful, Responsible, and/or Caring.  What can you do with those points, you ask?!?!?!   You can redeem the points for PRIZES!!!!  Scan the QR Code below or go to www.tinyurl.com/MillerPBIS for more information on how to use the PBISRewards app.

  

MARVELOUS MUSTANG MOMENT:  The Marvelous Mustang Moment is a way for staff members to recognize students for exemplary behaviors.  When a student receives a Marvelous Mustang Moment, the student’s parents will receive an email with a certificate that highlights the student’s marvelous moment.

GOLDEN HOOFPRINT AWARD: This program provides recognition to the many outstanding students who attend Miller. Once a month each teacher may select one student for the award. The criteria used to nominate a student include qualities that exemplify one of the Monthly Miller Beliefs Themes. Selected students receive a Front of the Line Pass for the cafeteria for one week.

PLATINUM HOOFPRINT AWARD:  The Platinum Hoofprint Award is presented to students who display traits and characteristics that align with the Miller Beliefs.  These students are Life-Long Learners, Risk Takers, and Persevere through any challenge.  Above all, they are models for the Mustang Way: Respectful, Responsible, and Caring.  This award is only available to 8th graders and is presented at the 8th Grade Awards Night.  Only students who have received a Golden Hoofprint Award are eligible to receive this award.  

Students have an integral role in creating a safe and welcoming learning environment.  Miller Middle School students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, responsible, and caring manner.  

BULLYING: Miller Middle School supports a bully-free learning environment.

Bullying is defined as any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act, and including one or more acts committed by a pupil or group of pupils, directed toward one or more pupils that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

(A) Placing a reasonable pupil or pupils in fear of harm to that pupil's or those pupils' person or property.

(B) Causing a reasonable pupil to experience a substantially detrimental effect on his or her physical or mental health.

(C) Causing a reasonable pupil to experience substantial interference with his or her academic performance.

(D) Causing a reasonable pupil to experience substantial interference with his or her ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

The main ways in which bullying may happen are: 

• Physical: Includes hitting, kicking, tripping, pinching and pushing or damaging property.
• Verbal: Includes name calling, insults, teasing, intimidation, homophobic or racist remarks, or verbal abuse. While verbal bullying can start off harmless, it can escalate to levels which start affecting the individual target.
• Social:  Social bullying can be carried out behind the bullied person's back. It is designed to harm someone's social reputation and/or cause humiliation. Social bullying includes:  influencing another student’s friendships and relationships through deliberately leaving them out, spreading gossip and rumors about them, whispering, giving them the silent treatment, ostracizing or scapegoating, or writing words or creating cartoons, posters or drawings about another student designed to hurt or humiliate that student.
• Cyber: Cyber bullying can be overt or covert bullying behaviors using digital technologies, including hardware such as computers and smartphones, and software such as social media, instant messaging, texts, emails, websites and other online platforms. It can be in public or in private and sometimes only known to the target and the person bullying. Examples of cyberbullying include: abusive or hurtful texts, emails, or posts, images, or videos, deliberately excluding others online, inappropriate gossip or rumors, and/or imitating others online or using their log-in. 

Bullying in any form is not allowed and will not be tolerated at Miller Middle School. Students can report any incidents to a staff member.  Parents are encouraged to contact any school personnel to report concerns about bullying or student conflicts including the school principal, assistant principal, teachers,  and/or counselor.

DAMAGE TO PROPERTY/VANDALISM: Damage to personal or school property is grounds for suspension and in some cases referral to the San Jose Police Department. Parents will be notified and the offender may be responsible for reimbursement for damages.

DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE: Students are to attend school or school functions dressed in a manner that is respectful, clean, and appropriate to their safety or to the safety of other students. Attire should not disrupt the normal routine of school. If a student is dressed inappropriately, they will be referred to the office to correct any issues, which may include contacting parents to bring appropriate clothing. Habitual offenses may result in disciplinary action.

Dress Code:

• Clothing, jewelry, and personal items shall be free of writing, pictures, or any other insignia which is vulgar, lewd, obscene, or which promotes the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or other illegal activity.
• Shoes appropriate to fully participate in all school activities, including physical education must be worn at all times
• Clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments.  See-through-tops and bare abdomens are prohibited.

The dress code shall be modified as appropriate to accommodate a student's religious or cultural observance, health condition, or other circumstance deemed necessary by the administration.  In addition, the administration may impose dress requirements to accommodate the needs of special school activities, physical education classes, athletic activities, and other extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

FIGHTING/THREATS: Fighting or threatening another student may result in suspension. Violent or threatening actions can be referred to the San Jose Police Department. If a student is having a problem and it appears that a fight is imminent, he/she should see a staff member for help in resolving the problem.

HARASSMENT: Harassment is any act severe enough to create an uncomfortable educational environment or a negative effect on a student’s school experience.  A student who feels he or she is being harassed should contact a teacher, the principal, or the assistant principal immediately.  

Harassing behaviors include:

• Verbal and Visual Harassment: includes offensive posters, cards, cartoons, graffiti, drawing, written communication, objects, gestures, profanity, foul language, religious, racial, ethnic, sexual identity/orientation, and sexual slurs or innuendos. 
• Physical Harassment: includes unwelcome or offensive touching or impeding or blocking movement. 

OBSCENITY:  Vulgar and obscene language, writing, acts, or pictures will not be tolerated and are subject to school consequences. Students are expected to interact and speak with one another and adults in a respectful manner.

PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION: Students are asked to conduct themselves in a proper manner. Kissing, hugging, holding hands, sitting on laps, and other displays of affection are not acceptable on campus.

STEALING:  Students who take items that are not paid for or do not belong to them will be reported to the administration immediately.  Consequences will be assigned by the administrator, which may include after school reflection, suspension, and/or referral to the San Jose Police Department.  

TOBACCO/ALCOHOL/DRUGS/VAPING DEVICES:  The use, possession, sale or purchasing of drugs, alcohol, tobacco or paraphernalia is forbidden. Students may not use any form of a vaporizing device and those that are in violation of this rule will be suspended, referred to the San Jose Police Department, and may be subject to expulsion.

UNAUTHORIZED SALES: Students may not sell candy or any other merchandise/services on campus without authorization from the school administration.

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 San Jose Police Department and/or may be subject to expulsion from the school. Matches and lighters 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. Miller Middle School and the Cupertino Union School District strictly enforce this law/policy.

Reporting Safety Concerns: Student, parents, and staff are encouraged to reach out to their site administrator first. Everyone can also easily report tips on bullying, harassment, drugs, vandalism or any safety issue through Gaggle SpeakUp. Every tip submitted to Gaggle SpeakUp is logged and sent to district administrators. You can submit safety concerns in the following ways:

EMAIL    speakup@cusdk8.org

TEXT 408-740-7066

CALL 408-740-7066

 

 

When students do not meet the behavior expectations, they may be subject to various consequences (depending on severity of infraction). Parents will be contacted by email, via a Behavior Report, for support and assistance in dealing with the problem.

BEHAVIOR REPORT (MINOR REFERRAL): A Behavior Report is used to inform the parent of any minor issues at school and does not impact a student’s permanent record.  Multiple Behavior Reports may result in a Discipline Report.

For repeated minor infractions, staff will utilize Miller’s Progressive Discipline:

DISCIPLINE REPORT (MAJOR REFERRAL): If the incident is more severe, a Discipline Report to the school administration will be made. In cases like these, there may be degrees of severity, and the administrator will use his/her discretion in determining the consequences to be assigned. Discipline Reports do not impact a student’s record, however, depending on the severity of the behavior, it may result in a U in Conduct/Work Habits on a student’s report card, class/school suspension, or expulsion – all of which are reported on a student’s record. Multiple Discipline Reports may result in a loss of privileges such as dances, school activities, or end of year activities.

With a Discipline Report, the administrator will meet with the student and the parent/guardian will be contacted. One or more of the following consequences may be given:

• Disciplinary Action Form
• After-School Reflection/Detention
• Removal from Extra-curricular Activities 
• Classroom Suspension
• Suspension For 1-5 Days
• Law Enforcement Contact 
• Recommendation for Expulsion

The Board of Education believes that regular attendance is critical to student success in school and recognizes its responsibility under the law to ensure students attend school regularly. Please review the district’s attendance policy in the Opening Day Packet.

ABSENCES: All absences are classified as either excused or unexcused. Excused absences are those related to illness, injury, quarantine, funerals, or necessary visits to physicians, dentists, optometrists or passport/VISA/legal offices. All other absences are legally defined as unexcused. In order to receive an excused absence for participation in a religious exercise/holiday, sports competition, or performances, please send an email to our Attendance Secretary at miller_absence@cusdk8.org for assistance - a 24 hour advance notice is required.

To report an absence, complete the Online Absence/Tardy form before 9:00 AM.  You may also call the Miller Absence Reporting Line at (408) 252-3755, ext. 6 or send an email to the Attendance Secretary at  miller_absence@cusdk8.org.

Please provide the following information when reporting an absence:

• Your Student’s name (First and Last) with correct spelling, and student ID
• Student Grade Level (6, 7, 8)
• Your name and relationship to the student
• Your phone number
• Date(s) of Absence
• Reason for Absence, for illnesses, please provide symptoms
• Length of the absence

EXCESSIVE ABSENCES: Students who have seven absences due to illness, will be required to have a physician verify any further absences for illness.  A student with three unexcused absences will receive a formal notification in the form of a truancy letter.  Truancy letters will be generated based on the current district guidelines. Excessive absences may be referred to the CUSD School Attendance Review Board (SARB).

HOMEWORK FOR ABSENTEES: Students are expected to make up all work missed during their absence. Students absent for one or more days should check their teachers’ websites for assignments and/or see their teachers on the day of their return to school. 

ARRIVING LATE:  Students arriving late to school, for any reason, must report to the office for a pass to class. If a student arrives late due to a medical/dental appointment, a doctor’s note is required to be considered excused.

LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAY:  Parents/guardians checking their child out of school must report to the office; the student will be called out of class. Upon returning to school, the student must report to the office, sign-in, and receive a pass to class.

DELAY (Late less than 30 minutes): An interruption due to a delay represents a loss of teaching and learning time. All delays are unexcused unless accompanied by a note from the office or another teacher.

Consequences for delays are as follows:

• 1st/2nd Delay: Teacher warning to student.
• 3rd/4th Delay: (Optional) Teacher emails parent(s)/guardian(s) 
• 5th Delay: First formal Delay letter.  Wednesday After School Reflection (WASR) assigned.  Parent signs the reflection and is returned to Assistant Principal.
• 8th Delay: Second formal Delay letter.  Friday After School Reflection with Assistant Principal.  Parent signs student out and completes school attendance contract.  

**Excessive Delays may result in referral to the Student Attendance Review Board (SARB).

TARDY (Late 30 minutes or more): Interruptions due to tardy arrivals represent a loss of valuable learning time. All tardies are considered unexcused unless accompanied by a note from the office or another teacher excusing the tardy.  Once a student receives three tardies within the school year, they will be considered truant under Education Code 48260 and may be referred to the district office.

TRUANCY: Any student declared truant will receive a formal notification. Students with habitual truancy may be referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB). When a student is declared truant, teachers are not obligated to assign make-up work, detention or school service may be assigned, and extra-curricular activities may be suspended. Additional steps will be taken if the problem persists.

REQUIRED COURSES: Language Arts, Math, Social Science, Science, Physical Education, and one elective are required each year.

MILLER HEADER: The Miller heading should be used on all written work, unless otherwise noted by the classroom teacher.

HOMEWORK:  Homework is a valuable and important part of the instructional program at Miller.  Our teachers have identified the following purposes for homework

• To review and reinforce learning.
• To process information and skills learned in the classroom.
• To prepare for classroom activities, including projects, tests, and quizzes.
• To develop personal and academic responsibility.
• To apply and integrate learning while deepening understanding through projects.

Below are guidelines to support student success with homework:

Student responsibilities:

• To write down assignments and due dates immediately in planners.
• To ask questions and seek help if you do not understand the assignment.
• To complete work honestly and on time
• To make a good effort. Let your teacher know ahead if you are having problems.
• To set reasonable timelines to complete projects and stick to them.

Parent/guardian responsibilities:

• To provide an appropriate, quiet, and well-lit space to do homework
• To monitor or supervise the environment, especially television, computer, and/or telephone use, to minimize distractions
• To monitor or supervise the homework beyond “Is your homework done?”
• To communicate with teachers regarding student progress and difficulties
• To check the teachers’ websites and the student’s planner
• To allow and encourage students to be physically active
• To not over-schedule your child and be sure he/she gets enough sleep
• To allow the child to be an independent learner

Teacher responsibilities regarding homework include:

• To provide students an opportunity to record assignments in planners
• To explain the objective of the assignment and give clear directions
• To assign work that, in their judgment, is relevant, necessary, and appropriate
• To make sure students know how much the assignment counts
• To coordinate with other teachers to avoid assigning too many tests and major projects at the same time as much as possible
• To validate the importance of the work with written comments, discussion, or other feedback

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  Students will not take unfair advantage of parents/ guardians, friends, or classmates by asking them for help in obtaining a grade dishonestly.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Is copying homework or receiving answers from any unauthorized source, including but not limited to the telephone, internet, and other social media for the purpose of claiming credit or grades dishonestly.  Allowing another student to copy your homework or give them answers from any unauthorized source, including but not limited to the telephone, internet, and other social media for the purpose of helping another student claim credit or claim grades dishonestly is also academic dishonesty.

Unless permitted by the teacher, the following are examples of this type of Academic Dishonesty:

• Obtaining oral or written answers from other students
• Obtaining answers from other sources such as cheat sheets, class notes, books, notes on desk, translation software, etc.
• Filling in answers while the teacher is providing answers to the class
• Obtaining test questions or answers from students who have already taken the test
• Copying homework or receiving answers over the telephone
• Copying or handing in someone else’s work as one’s own (plagiarism)
• Claiming credit for work not actually done
• Allowing someone to look at one’s answers during a test or giving the answers in any other way
• Filling in answers on a classmate's paper while you are correcting it
• Giving test questions or answers to students who haven't yet had the test
• Allowing a student to copy one’s homework or giving answers over the telephone
• Allowing others to copy one’s work or reports
• Helping another student claim credit for class work that he or she has not read or done

If you are in doubt about any of the above, check with your teacher.

Consequences for Academic Dishonesty may include: 

• A zero or points deducted for that particular assignment
• U in Conduct on the student’s report card for that particular quarter
• A Behavior Report or Discipline Report issued
• After School Reflection
• Conference with Teacher and parents/guardians

8th GRADE PROMOTION & PARTY: The eighth grade promotion ceremony and promotion party are considered to be privileges. The administration reserves the right to remove students from any event for disciplinary reasons. 8th grade students who participate in the promotion ceremony are expected to attend the entirety of the ceremony.  

MONITORING GRADES: Students and parents may check grades at any time via StudentVUE and ParentVUE.  For assistance with StudentVUE and/or ParentVUE, please contact the office.

PROGRESS REPORTS: Progress Reports are issued at the mid-point of each semester to alert students and parents to potentially low grades. In general, only those students with grades below 70%, or with a U or N in Conduct or Work Habits, receive a progress report. Progress Reports are mailed mid-semester.

REPORT CARDS: The report card is a reporting device utilized to inform the student and his/her parent/ guardian of the student’s progress in school.The letter system of grading is used in relation to achievement in the various subject areas. An A indicates excellent achievement, B above average, C average, D below average, and an F indicates unsatisfactory achievement.

A second grade is given in each subject for Work Habits: O is outstanding, S is satisfactory, N is needs improvement, and U is unsatisfactory. The same marks are used to indicate Conduct, which includes: following classroom rules, being on time, acceptance of responsibility, demonstrating good sportsmanship, and respecting the rights of others. A temporary grade of Incomplete is issued whenever a student needs time to make up work, following an extended absence near the end of a quarter. A permanent grade is issued ten days after report cards are distributed.

Students are encouraged to participate in school activities. To be eligible students must maintain the necessary grades and exhibit good work habits and conduct. Academic requirements may be different according to the activity. Students may not be allowed to participate for disciplinary, attendance, or academic concerns.  The administration reserves the right to remove students from any event for disciplinary reasons.

CLUBS: Miller provides a variety of clubs for students in which to participate.  Clubs can meet during lunch or after school. Clubs typically start at the beginning of September. Students should see the daily announcements for more information. An updated list of clubs and meeting times will be posted in the office or online, when available.

DANCES: Dances are only for Miller students, and all school rules for behavior, including dress and cell phone use, apply.  The dances end at 9:00 pm and students are expected to stay for the entirety of the dance.  Please plan accordingly.

END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES:  End of the year activities are privileges. Criteria for event eligibility will be communicated by school administration. School administration reserves the right to remove students from any event for disciplinary reasons. 

STUDENT ID CARDS: All students are members of the Miller School Student Body Association. Student body ID cards will be distributed after school pictures are taken. The card serves as identification and is required identification for library use, purchasing meals, and for participation in some school activities. There will be a charge for replacement ID cards.

STUDENT COUNCIL: The Student Council is the student governing body of the school. The council consists of all student body officers and representatives elected by homerooms. Student Council officers will be enrolled in the Leadership elective course. Students are ineligible to run for office or may be removed from office if they receive a D or an F in a course, or a U in Work Habits or Conduct.

WEB: “Where Everybody Belongs” is a transition program where a select group of 8th grade students serve as leaders and mentors for 6th grade students. WEB leaders work with 6th graders during new student orientation and meet with them throughout the year for various activities. The goal is to help create a friendly and supportive transition for our 6th graders.  

To become a WEB leader, interested 7th graders need to attend an informational meeting and fill out an application. Once selected, new 8th grade WEB leaders must attend a training before the school year and all meetings and functions throughout the year. The number of WEB leaders chosen depends upon the number of incoming 6th graders.

8TH GRADE AWARDS: Near the end of each school year, teachers and parents join together to honor some of our outstanding 8th grade students with Miller’s student awards: the Andy Garrido, the Platinum Hoofprint, and the PTA awards.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Announcements are read or viewed at the beginning of 2nd period on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The announcements can also be found in the office and on the Miller website.

ASSEMBLIES: Assemblies are scheduled at intervals throughout the school year. Students enter the auditorium and are seated by their teachers. Standards for classroom behavior are observed. Students are expected to act with respect, responsibility, and care during an assembly. Students who demonstrate inappropriate behavior will be asked to leave the assembly. Hats and hoods are not to be worn in the MP Room or gym during assemblies.

BACKPACKS: Backpacks are the student's responsibility. It is important that students keep track of their backpack at all times and never leave it unattended. Valuable items including, but not limited to, cell phones, electronics, jewelry and money, should be removed from backpacks and locked in the student’s locker during PE class. Students should not bring large amounts of money to school. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

BIKES/SKATES/SCOOTERS/SKATEBOARDS: Bike riders should enter campus and immediately walk their bikes to the bike cage to lock their bikes. Use of wheeled items in the hallways and surrounding walkways is prohibited at all times. California State Law requires all minors riding a wheeled vehicle to wear a safety-tested and legally accepted helmet.  Bike cages are provided for the convenience of students. The school is not responsible for loss or damage to bikes, whether locked or not. The main bike cage (located near track) is locked during regular school hours only.  The bike racks behind the portables are not locked.

BRUNCH and LUNCH BEHAVIORS: During brunch and lunch, line jumping is prohibited. Students who consistently line jump or ask other students for their ID or food at lunch and brunch will be subject to disciplinary action.  Extreme forms of this behavior may be considered harassment.  No food is to be eaten in the following areas, unless given permission: library, gym, basketball courts, volleyball courts, bars area, and MP Room. On rainy or Spare the Air days, the MP Room, library, and/or classrooms will be made available for eating in a comfortable space. Students are expected to place all refuse in the trash cans and recycle appropriate materials.  Students may not go in front of the gym, outside the campus gates, or beyond the midpoint of the athletic fields.

CELL PHONES and ELECTRONICS: Students may possess cell phones and other electronic devices, however, students are not permitted to use or view any type of electronic devices during class time, passing periods, brunch, or lunch without the permission and supervision of a teacher or administrator. Students may, however, use them before 7:45 am and after 3:05 pm. Students who act in violation of this policy shall be subject to school consequences as follows:

• Initial Violation: The device will be confiscated and brought to the school administration. Warning Issued.
• Second Violation: The device will be confiscated and brought to school administration. Behavior Report issued. 
• Third Violation: The device will be confiscated and brought to the school administration.  Behavior Report issued. A Parent/Guardian will be required to pick-up the device. Admin will conference with Parent/Guardian.  

BOUNDARIES: Students are required to stay within all fenced areas during the school day. Once they enter the school boundaries, they may not leave until 3:05pm dismissal or unless a parent/guardian checks the student out in the office. Students may not go beyond the midpoint of the athletic fields during brunch and lunch.

CAFETERIA 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 who are returning to Miller should utilize last year’s student ID card to obtain meals. If they have lost their card or are new to Miller, they can utilize their 6 digit student ID # to obtain meals.  

• 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 school meals.

• Online applications are available on the CUSD website under Nutrition Services.

CLOSED CAMPUS: School facilities, including the track, field, and workout equipment, are closed to the public during school hours (7:45 am - 4:00 pm).  All visitors are required to check in at the office to pick up a visitor’s pass. Parents/guardians who wish to meet with teachers should contact the teacher for an appointment. Students from other schools are not allowed on campus during the day. 

COMMUNICATION: Communication between school and home is a vital tool. Most concerns and misunderstandings can be taken care of with a simple telephone call or email communication. When in doubt, call or email. A counselor or administrator may also be able to answer parent questions.  School personnel can be contacted by email as follows: LastName_FirstName@cusdk8.org

COMPUTERS: All students must sign a Student Acceptable Use of Technology Policy before they are allowed to use a school computer or iPad. This contract is sent home through Parent Square/Student Square in August. Students are expected to uphold the terms and conditions of this contract.

EMERGENCIES: Should a major emergency occur during school hours, Miller has a well-coordinated plan for assuring the safety of all students. School personnel and/or safety officers care for students until it is safe and/or possible to release them to their families.  

• Major Disaster/Emergency: In any major event, such as an earthquake, parents/guardians should go to the Student Pick-Up location located at the Little League field adjacent to Rainbow Drive to pick up their student. The pick-up process could take some time, so please show patience with staff as they work to locate and retrieve your student. In any case, parents/emergency contacts should be prepared to show identification prior to a student being released. 

• Fire Alarm: If a fire alarm is triggered, all staff and students should proceed to the field with their class. If a fire alarm sounds during lunch or brunch, or passing periods (including just before school), students should proceed to the field and find their 2nd period teacher. 

ENROLLMENT/HEALTH CARDS: It is extremely important to the welfare of students that each one has a registration card on file in the office. If there are changes during the year, please alert the office. These include change of address, telephone number(s), serious medical problem, change of physician, employment, and/or emergency contact persons. Students can be released only to those authorized on the registration card.

GUM: In order to help keep our campus beautiful, gum is not permitted on campus.

LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER: The school library/media center is open for students to use during regular school hours, including brunch and lunch.

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. These forms are available in the school office and online. Until the school has a signed form, medication will not be administered. Self administration forms include medication for inhalers, epi-pens, or diabetic medication.

MILLER COMMUNITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION (MCEF): MCEF is an approved 501c(3) public charity founded in 2005. It funds additional instructional materials, department expenditures for innovative ideas, the incorporation of technology in the classroom, and other educational improvement projects which have considerable expenditures. The main sources of income are direct donations from parents (suggested donation $300/child), matching donations from employers, and equipment donations from corporations.

OFFICE USE: Students should feel free to come to the office whenever there is a need to do so. The smooth operation of the office requires that students transact their business quietly and quickly. 

• Item Drop Off: No deliveries (such as lunches, homework, projects, PE uniforms, etc.) will be accepted.

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA): The Miller School PTA works closely with the school staff and student body and provides materials for classrooms and teachers. Many of the school’s activities are possible only because of the assistance and support of the PTA. All Miller parents are encouraged to attend and participate in the PTA meetings and activities.

SCHEDULE CHANGES: Schedules are carefully prepared according to educational needs and elective requests. Schedule changes may only occur under special circumstances.  No schedule change will be considered unless there is a sound educational reason.

TELEPHONE: Use of the office telephone is available to all students.

TEXTBOOKS: Students are responsible for all textbooks issued to or used by them. Lost or damaged books must be paid for by the student to whom the book was issued.

WITHDRAWAL/TRANSFERS FROM SCHOOL: Students who are leaving Miller to attend school in another district should notify the office no later than two days prior to the last day of attendance. After having turned in all materials and books, the student will be issued a transfer. School records are forwarded at the request of the new school.