Handbooks

Welcome to Tooele Jr. High School – Home of the Road 
Runners! 
Tooele Jr. High School 411 West Vine Tooele, Utah 84074 
School Telephone: 435-833-1921, Fax Number: 435-833-1923 
Web Address: https://tooelejuniorhigh.tooeleschools.org/ 
Tooele Jr. High School Students, Parents, and Faculty,
Welcome to Tooele Jr. High School. As we anticipate the upcoming school year, the Student Body Officers wish to welcome you to the Home of the Roadrunners. We have many different activities planned for the year, and we hope you will participate. TJHS is a great school and we are excited to have you in our school. If you have any questions or concerns, please seek assistance from an adult in the school or from a student. As your student body officers, we are here to serve you and assist you in any way needed. Again, welcome to our GREAT SCHOOL – TOOELE JR. HIGH SCHOOL! 
Administration: 
Kalem Norton Principal 
Clint Poole Assistant Principal 
Ashlyn Drew Administrative Intern 
Karen Bitters Counselor 
Richard Farley Counselor 
Sharmel Walker Secretary 
Karen Ware Counseling Secretary 
Heidi Kaletta-Johnson Finance Secretary

“WELCOME TO OUR STUDENTS AT TOOELE JR. HIGH SCHOOL” 
What is your direction? Do you know where you are going? Be like the roadrunner, plan to head in a straight direction, keep your eye on the prize, and do your best! Be sure not to let any obstacle get in your way. KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO GET THERE! Welcome to Tooele Jr. High School. 

Welcome to Tooele Jr. High School! We look forward to helping ALL STUDENTS succeed. Please refer to our web page for answers to parent questions, teacher web pages, how to email teachers, gradebook programs and much more at https://tooelejuniorhigh.tooeleschools.org/. Please make sure we have your current email address so that we are able to send you the newsletters and up-to-date information of what is happening in our school. 
We are excited to have your son or daughter at Tooele Jr. High School for the school year. The students will be using computers to complete some assignments, so please be sure to agree to the Acceptable Use Policy during registration. Our teachers will be teaching from the Utah State Core Curriculum and following the Tooele School District Curriculum Mapping for your student’s core classes. The Utah State Core may be accessed at http://www.uen.org/core/. 
 

Students are allowed in the school building at 7:30 A.M. Students may go to breakfast in the cafeteria at that time. If students or parents need to meet with the counselors earlier, special arrangements may be made by calling the counselors to arrange a time. If bad weather occurs, students will be allowed to wait for class in the gym. 

It is important for students to be in school at all times. Educational achievement comes through participation as well as by assignments, projects, and assessments. ATTENDANCE IS ONE OF THE MAIN FACTORS OF HOW WELL STUDENTS DO IN SCHOOL! When a student is absent please notify the office at 435-833-1921.

CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS FOLLOWING AN ABSENCE: Following any absence, excused or unexcused alike, the STUDENT is responsible for obtaining missed assignments upon his/her return and completing the work according to this policy. The student has three (3) school days following an absence to make up missed work for full credit. After that time, missing assignments become LATE WORK, unless the student and teacher have previously negotiated an extended due date for absent work to be completed. Students will be notified in advance of projects/assignments for which this absent work policy does not apply. If a student is absent more than three (3) consecutive days, a request for homework can be made through the Attendance Office at 435-833-1921. Students absent from school in connection with an excused absence or school-sponsored activity will be allowed to make up all work and receive full credit for the work. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher and make arrangements for any missed work.

VACATION PLANS: When a student is going to miss school due to a family vacation, the parent must contact the Attendance Office in advance to approve the absence. The student will take a Prior Excused Absence Form to the teachers for signatures and notification. Students will collect the work to be completed while absent. The work is due upon the return of the student.

TARDY POLICY: In our school, instructional time is viewed as a precious resource. Therefore, we consider chronic tardiness a serious problem. Teachers will contact the parent/guardian and discuss situations and possible solutions when problems arise. Students who are tardy will sign the digital tardy log at one of the school Kiosks. They will then be escorted to class by a TJHS staff member. There may also be consequences for tardiness, such as lunch detention, escorted to classes, after-school detentions, or suspension.

TRUANCY: A student is considered truant if he/she: (1) leaves home for school, but does not arrive at school; (2) Arrives at school, but does not attend classes; (3) Leaves school without permission and does not check out through the attendance office; (4) Obtains permission to go to a certain area, but fails to report there; (5) Leaves class early without permission; (6) Attends a class other than scheduled; (7) More than 20 minutes late to class without prior permission will be considered truant. Because learning is our top priority, students who are truant are expected to complete missed work.

1. Be on time and in the proper place. Students will be marked tardy if they are not inside the classroom when the bell rings. Students should begin working on the self-starter (bell ringer) when entering the classroom.

2. Be prepared for class. Students are expected to bring the proper materials for class. These materials include the student’s Chromebook. 3. Hall Passes. Students are expected to use the restroom, go to their lockers, or get a drink during the five-minute passing period. Students are not to carry cell phones during hall passes.

3. Complete all homework and assignments. Students who do not complete their homework will be in danger of failing the class.

4. Respect all people and all property. Everyone in the school will use appropriate language, be polite to others, and keep all hands, objects to self.

5. Above all, Respect yourself and your own right to learn and be responsible. Do Your Best!

6. Appropriate gum chewing is a privilege that may be revoked. Please be respectful with gum. Some classes may not allow gum due to safety and sanitation, i.e. band, physical education, auditorium, foreign language classes, and computer labs.

7. Candy, food and drinks are only allowed in the cafeteria, not halls or class. 9. The teacher’s desk, office, computer, storage rooms, and telephones are off limits to students.

8.The classes are dismissed by the teachers, not by the bell. Students will be dismissed when clean-up is finished, when chairs are pushed in, and students are ready to exit the class.

Students in Tooele Jr. High School are expected to take responsibility for their actions in every aspect of the school. If not, the following will occur:

1. Verbal Warning / Redirect the Student

2. Phone Call Home / If Problem Continues

3. Removal from class, lunch detention, ALC Referral

F--Follow Directions

A--Apply Academic Effort

S--Show Respect and Kindness

T--Take Responsibility

FAST PASSES: Roadrunners are FAST. They follow directions, act respectfully, consider safety first, and take responsibility. Students who get to class on time, are prepared with the necessary materials, treat everyone with respect, and that follow the FAST guidelines will receive a FAST pass. The pass is turned in and exchanged for a small prize and students will become eligible for larger prizes during the school’s activities.

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship grades are based on attendance, participation, preparation, and behavior in classes. Citizenship is determined in each class by the teacher’s guidelines.

CITIZENSHIP GRADES

“H” indicates Honors; “S” indicates Satisfactory; “N” indicates Needs Improvement; “U” indicates Unsatisfactory.

MAKE-UP FOR CITIZENSHIP GRADES

A student may make up a “U” citizenship grade by completing three after-school detentions. Upon completion of detentions, students are to take a copy of the receipt of attendance to the teacher for a grade change. Receiving a “U” grade in citizenship will result in students not being allowed to attend school activities until the grade is cleared.

Midterm grades and final quarter grades will be sent home each quarter.

Grades are based on an accumulation of total weighted points from assessments, assignments, homework, and participation in class. Parents, as well as students, should remain aware of academic standing in the student’s classes by checking the teacher’s gradebook via Skyward. Points are converted to a percentage, and letter grades are assigned according to the following scale of percent:

C+ 77%-79% 2.33/4.00 F 0%-59% 0.00/4.00

Students that wish to dispute a grade must resolve it with the issuing teacher within two (2) weeks of the reporting period.

LATE WORK: Late work is defined as any work not completed and handed in by the due date except in the case of an excused absence.

Late Work Policy

● Students are expected to complete all missing work.

● Each teacher reserves the right to require an alternative or additional assignment if the original assignment has been corrected in class. ● To re-take a test, students must complete all assignments prior to retesting.

● Late work has a 10% late penalty.

This is a place where students can visit when they need a moment to collect their emotions. With comfortable seating, soft lighting, nature sounds, and an array of sensory activities, the wellness center offers overwhelmed students a place to relax and refocus, practice healthy coping mechanisms or have a pep talk. Students can choose “tools” to help calm them or simply meditate. Students must have approval from their teacher to go.

Students at Tooele Jr. High School are encouraged to dress appropriately for school. The following dress standards are designed to provide a positive school environment:

1. Appearance should not disrupt the classroom environment or school activities and/or should not hinder other students or teachers from participating.

2. Clothing or personal items will not display obscene or suggestive words, pictures or advertise crude, vulgar, profane, violent, or sexually suggestive, or promote gang or gang-related or other illegal/criminal

activity.

3. All students shall wear clean clothing. Students shall not wear clothes that are mutilated, cut off, overly distressed or grungy/grubbies”, or immodest.

4. No shorts or skirts above midthigh are permitted unless leggings are worn. Such leggings may not be see-through.

5. Clothing must cover the midriff, underwear, and cleavage at all times (even when seated). This includes clothing that has holes above mid-thigh.

6. Hats or head coverings, including hoodies, are permitted as long as they do not disrupt the learning environment or make it difficult or impossible to identify students.

7. The wearing of sunglasses, chains or spiked jewelry is not allowed.

8. Shoes or sandals shall be worn at all times to ensure personal safety and hygiene.

9. We will work with students where there are dress code issues.    Usually students can fix the problem themselves. If not, we can have the student contact a parent for support.

10. The school has acceptable clothing to loan to students who have violated the provisions of this policy.

11. Reasonable accommodations may be made for students whose religious beliefs are substantially affected by dress code requirements.

Tooele Jr. High School is a Closed Campus School. Students may not leave campus during the day without administrative approval. Students must be signed out through the office and accompanied by a parent/guardian in order to leave campus.

Suspension may be used when students do not comply with rules of the school. A student who is suspended may not participate in school activities, return to school, or be on school property until the student has been readmitted to school by an administrator. Whenever a student is suspended, parents/guardians will be notified of the suspension. When it has been determined that a student is to be suspended, the parent/guardian, upon meeting with administration, may be given the option of attending all classes with the student in lieu of suspension. If this option is accepted, the parent must attend all of the student’s classes with the student for each day of the suspension.

The student will receive a zero on the assessment, and the teacher will call the student’s parent.

All students will agree to an Acceptable Use Policy upon registering for school at Tooele Jr. High School.

All visitors are required to check in at the office. Visitors may not come into the school to visit classrooms, students, or school personnel without first obtaining permission from the school administration. Students are not 
allowed to bring friends or relatives to school without prior administrative approval. 

In compliance with Utah State Law, students will recite the Pledge of Allegiance, as a class, each morning, in the first period of the day.

Eligibility for field trips (if any are held) and events are based on student grades and behavior. If the student has a poor citizenship “U” grade, the student may not be eligible to participate. There may be a cost for field trips.

Bus drivers are in charge of all behavior on buses. All rules must be strictly followed by all students. Students who do not follow the rules may be denied the privilege of riding buses. Students and parents are responsible for any deliberate damage to a bus. If students ride a bus to school, they should arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the bus arrives. All school rules apply while riding a school bus. No food or drink will be allowed on the bus. Parents must send a written note to the bus driver in order for a student to exit the bus at any other stop than the designated stop for the student. Parents and students are required to sign a copy of the rules and regulations regarding bus transportation.

Student Fees: Student fees need to be paid prior to the first day of school. Parents may make payment arrangements with the administration if needed. Such payments are due no later than 90 days after registration. Unpaid fees will be sent to collections

Fee Waiver: Students who are in State custody or foster care or are receiving public assistance in the form of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, by application approved by the principal, may have all fees waived (full documentation is required). Other fee waivers may be granted because of extenuating circumstances. Requests for fee waivers are to be made to the school’s administration.

Fee Waiver Approvals do not cover the following: Yearbooks, lost or replaced locks, lost or damaged books, damage to school property or rented school

property. Complete fee waiver packets are available in the main office and at registration.

Public display of affection is not allowed in the Junior High. This includes holding hands, walking arm-in-arm, hugging, kissing, or any display of affection. Failure in following this procedure will result in a referral to school administration.

Tooele Jr. High School has a policy of zero tolerance concerning drugs, alcohol, tobacco, guns/weapons, gang activity or association, sexual harassment, violent behavior, fires, fireworks, fire alarms, cheating, theft, vandalism, trespass on property, defiance, or inappropriate behavior on school activities/buses.

APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE: Appropriate language will be displayed at all times. Swearing and use of offensive language will result in disciplinary actions by teachers/staff and administration.

POSSESS, USE, OR KNOWINGLY PRESENT: (as Related to Drugs and Alcohol) The use, possession, distribution, or sale of illegal drugs, alcohol, prescription drugs, look-a-like drugs, over the counter drugs, or drug paraphernalia constitutes a safe school violation. It is illegal under the laws of the State of Utah to possess any such item at school. Students who may be under the influence of, in possession, be knowingly present where there is use and possession of, and/or distribute any of the above items during school hours, on school property, or during any school sponsored activity or event will receive disciplinary action as required through District policy and procedures. Students will be suspended from school, referred to law enforcement, and referred to the district’s Case pictureManagement Team (CMT).

TOBACCO USE: The use and/or possession of tobacco products are prohibited and illegal. This applies to students who are in school, on school property, on the way to and from school, and at all school sponsored activities. Possession or use of spit less, odorless tobacco, vapes or e-cigarettes, or any other tobacco similar drug will not be permitted on school property. If such is found, consequences will follow the district and school policies and procedures.

WEAPONS: Any student who is found to have a weapon on school property or at a school-sponsored activity shall be suspended from school. The case will be

referred to law enforcement and referred to Case Management Team (CMT), and a PRE (Predicts Risk Evaluation) will be conducted. In situations where school officials determine that such objects may be present, the administration will: (1) Contact local law enforcement agencies; (2) Identify and contain the student; (3) Confiscate any such item if possible; (4) Contact the student’s parents/guardians; (5) Suspend the student until the investigation is complete and a recommendation from CMT is delivered. The student may be placed on an alternative educational plan following district policy and procedures. SEXUAL HARASSMENT: The purpose of this policy is to assure a learning environment exists where a student is able to learn free from sexual harassment and is in compliance with state and federal law. Any form of sexual harassment by staff or students is prohibited. This includes any verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature, which has the purpose of effecting or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to the following: unwelcome touches, sexually vulgar words (written or spoken), sexually graphic pictures, obscene gestures, spreading of sexual rumors, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature. The key word is “UNWELCOME OR UNWANTED.” This means that the hearer or receiver has the right to define whether the actions, pictures, gestures, words or rumors are harassing. A good rule of thumb to follow is “Keep Your Language and Behavior Appropriate and Socially Acceptable. Always show respect for yourself and others.” Sexual harassment by students must be reported to school administration. Following a thorough and fair investigation, students or staff members who have violated this policy may face suspension, alternative placement, other appropriate legal or school consequences. Sexual harassment by staff must be reported to school administration, who must report such behavior to the District’s Assistant Superintendent.

BULLYING: Tooele Jr. High School will follow the guidelines when addressing bullying: (1) Student conferences will be held with teachers/administration to address the problem. Verbal warning will be given to the student causing the bullying and the behavior should cease happening; (2) Student conference held with administration and parents contacted with consequences assigned; (3) If the bullying continues, additional and more serious consequences will be addressed; (4) If bullying continues, suspension and/or referral to Case Management Team (CMT) for additional consequences, such as, but not limited to a PRE (Predicts Risk Evaluation) and consideration for suspension.

FIGHTING: Students who experience difficulty with other students should discuss the situation with an adult in the school – SEEK ASSISTANCE. Fighting and physical abuse will not be accepted at Tooele Jr. High School. Suspensions for fighting may range from one to ten days based on the circumstances. Students that are involved in fighting may be referred for a PRE (Predicts Risk Evaluation)

and to Case Management (CMT) for consideration of placement. The key element is to SEEK ASSISTANCE!

THEFT: Stealing is not only inappropriate, but it is against the law. Administrative action will occur and law enforcement referral may be necessary based on the individual’s circumstances.

VANDALISM: Destruction of personal, private, or public property will not be allowed and will be dealt with by school administration. Parents will be notified of such vandalism and arrangements will be made for restitution. A referral may be made to law enforcement.

TRESPASS: Under the law, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if he/she enters or remains on school property without proper permission. When notice is given of a trespass by a school official, the person is warned to leave immediately or he/she will be referred to local law enforcement.

EMERGENCY AND SAFETY DRILLS: Safety drills will be held regularly as required by Utah Law. These drills include learning such routines as fire drills, bomb threat drills, intruder drills, shelter-in-place drills, earthquake drills, etc. All emergency and safety drills will be discussed through the homeroom teacher. Practicing the drills is a serious matter and students will be aware of the procedures in such drills. In the case of a major emergency, parents are encouraged not to call the school. The best way to communicate would be to turn on the radio or television for any broadcasted information. In case of a hazardous release event (chemical spill near the school) a lock-down or shelter-in-place procedure will occur. If students are outside, they will move quickly into the building and safety procedures would be put in place. If the school needed to relocate to another site, the school would move to Tooele High School auditorium or the LDS Church on Coleman Street. At any time during an emergency, students would only be released to parents/guardians as identified through identification.

Students wanting an appointment with a counselor must make an appointment with the Counseling Secretary. Appointments will be scheduled before/after school or during lunch time. Parents may call 833-1921 to schedule an appointment. 
 

Students have many opportunities to earn incentives. Such incentives are given due to grades, attendance, FAST Passes, reading points, positive behavior in class and within the school, Mayor’s Award, etc.

Students who lose materials, supplies, or equipment should report the lost items immediately to the office. All lost and found items should be turned in to the office. The Lost & Found will be put out the last 3 days of each month by the office. We encourage all students to look through it and see if they can reclaim their lost items. The items left will be donated to charity.

Students may use the media center with permission from a teacher. No food or drink will be allowed in the media center. Overdue notices for library materials will be sent out through the homeroom teacher. Students are responsible to pay any overdue charges. Accelerated Reading (AR) will be completed in the media center. 

Students who bring bicycles, skateboards, or scooters to school must secure the equipment in the bike storage area. Students take full responsibility for such equipment. This equipment may NOT be ridden in the school building at any time, or the student may lose the privilege of having such equipment at school. The school will not assume any responsibility for such equipment.

Tooele City Park has been designed as part of the Tooele Jr. High School Campus. The rules and procedures of Tooele Jr. High School and Tooele District apply to the park. 

Tooele County School District, as a standing policy, does not discriminate against individuals because of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, or status as disabled veteran.

This policy applies to all school programs and employment handed by the school district or through contractors, sub-contractors, or any other educational agency. Such discrimination is prohibited by Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Acts of 1974 and other Federal and State statutes and regulations.

Inquiries regarding the application of these laws and regulations or grievance procedures to be followed in the event of non-compliance may be directed to the District’s Equal Employment Officer: Assistant Superintendent Doelene Pitt, 92 South Lodestone Way, Tooele, Utah or to the Director Denver Regional Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.