Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017 1
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017
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Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017 3
Table of Contents
VALUES 4 COMMUNITY STANDARDS 4
Faculty Responsibility .................................. 5 GENERAL DRESS CODE 5
Dress for Public Events ................................. 5 Dance Class Dress Code ............................... 5 Physical/Outdoor Education Dress Code ...... 6 Shoes vs. No Shoes ....................................... 6
START OF SCHOOL YEAR 6 DAILY SCHEDULE & ATTENDANCE 6
Early Departure ............................................. 6
Absences – Explained or Unexplained ......... 7 Tardies .......................................................... 7 Student Absences and Work Due ................. 7 Study Abroad and Other Academic Programs ...................................................................... 7
SICKNESS OR INJURY AT SCHOOL 8 Health Guidelines ......................................... 8 Accident Insurance ....................................... 8
FOOD AT SCHOOL & SCHOOL LUNCH 8 Food for Special Events or Assemblies ........ 9
ACADEMIC PROGRAM 9 Honors Programs .......................................... 9 Advanced Placement ..................................... 9
Community College ...................................... 9 Homework .................................................. 10 Tracking Homework Assignments ............. 10 Community Service .................................... 10
GRADES 10 Final Exams ................................................ 11
Report Cards and Evaluations- Middle
School ......................................................... 11
Report Cards and Evaluations- High
School ......................................................... 12
Parent/Student Access to Teacher Grade
Book for High School Classes................. 12
Honor Roll .................................................. 13
Incomplete Work Policy ........................ 13
ATHLETIC PROGRAM 14 Athletic Eligibility ...................................... 14 Sportsmanship ............................................. 14
FUNDRAISING 15 SAFETY AND DISCIPLINE 16
Clean and Sober Student Body .................. 16 Anti-Harassment ........................................ 17 Steps to Avoid or Prevent Harassment ...... 18 Child Abuse Reporting Obligations ........... 19 Swimming Policy ....................................... 19 Skateboarding and Biking Policy ............... 20 Dog and Pet Policy ..................................... 20
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE 20 The Student Guidance System ................... 20 What is the Guidance Council? .................. 21
Guidance Council Members: ..................... 21 Responses to Student Behavior .................. 21 Minor Infractions ....................................... 22 Major Infractions ....................................... 22 Academic Integrity Explained ................... 22
COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY 23 Technology Philosophy ............................. 23 Personal Electronic Devices, Cell Phones, and Wireless Internet Access ..................... 23 Supervision and Monitoring Computer Use ............................................................. 23 IT Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) ............... 23 Photographs and Video of Students, Faculty, Admin and Staff ........................... 24 Digital Devices- Middle School ................. 25 Digital Devices On Field Trips- Middle And High School ........................................ 25 Consequences for Violation ....................... 25 Lost and/or Broken Devices ....................... 25
WORK PERMITS 26 STUDENT DRIVERS 26
Student Parking .......................................... 26
Student Driving During School ................. 27 BUS TRANSPORTATION 27
Bus Stop Policies ....................................... 27
Bus Rider Rules ......................................... 27 Bus Citation Procedure .............................. 28 Bus Stops and Times .................................. 28 After School Activity Van ......................... 29
SCHOOL CLOSURES 29
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017
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Mount Madonna School
491 Summit Road,
Mount Madonna, CA 95076
Tel: 408 - 847 – 2717
Website: www.mountmadonnaschool.org
Middle and High School
Student Handbook
VALUES
We are a community of learners. Faculty,
staff and students support each other in
engaging as caring, self-aware and
articulate critical thinkers, who are
prepared to meet life's challenges with
perseverance, creativity and integrity.
Our learning environment encourages
meaningful relationships based on the
values of:
• Self-Acceptance
• Empathy
• Respectful and Honest
Communication
• Cooperation
• Integrity
• Fairness
• Kindness
We recognize that each student’s
character is influenced both by classroom
curriculum and by daily life and
experience in our school community. In
all that we do, we encourage you to take
responsibility, practice self-discipline,
exercise leadership and serve and care for
one another.
We encourage older students to mentor
and care for younger students through
school-wide activities such as theater
productions, buddy programs and
athletic events.
COMMUNITY STANDARDS
At MMS there is a real friendship and
respect between faculty and students.
The MMS spirit and code are based,
ultimately, on our values of trust and
non-harmfulness to one another. We
revere these principles above all others.
At Mount Madonna School, we wish to
foster a cultural of mutual respect and
caring. Our guidelines can be summed
up under the idea that we want our
students, faculty and families to take
good care of themselves, care for each
other and to help take care of our school
and community.
In order to support an atmosphere that is
conducive to positive engagement with
others in the learning environment and
that encourages active participation in
MMS community life, the students and
faculty support the following examples
of appropriate behavior on campus.
We wish our community members to be:
• Welcoming
• Helpful and Cooperative
• Honest
• Inclusive and kind
The students and faculty agree the
following behaviors are not supported at
Mount Madonna School:
• Negative peer pressure
• Exclusion, teasing, taunting,
ridiculing or bullying in any form
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017 5
• Prejudice or discrimination based on
race, gender, religion, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic class or
age
• Littering, vandalism, stealing or
destroying personal or school
property
• Violence, either verbal or physical,
active or passive
• Excessive and/or inappropriate
displays of affection
• Sexual harassment of any kind
• Use of or providing illegal substances
• Bringing inappropriate items
(weapons, pornography, drugs,
alcohol and cigarettes) to school, in
vehicles or on field trips.
• Use of technology to harm or
marginalize others
• Classroom behavior that interferes
with the teacher’s ability to teach, or
other students’ or ones’ own ability to
learn, including but not limited to
Arriving late to class
Profanity
Cheating
Disruptive behavior
Faculty Responsibility
In order to develop a culture of mutual
respect and care, faculty members and
administrators agree to model behaviors
we wish to see in the students, and
support students in developing
awareness and habits conducive to a safe
and caring learning community. The
faculty will respond to inappropriate
behavior by:
• Identifying the behavior and/or
discussion with the student
• If behavior persists, further dialogue
with the student, referrals to
Guidance/Director/or Head of School,
“work in progress” reports and
communication with parents.
GENERAL DRESS CODE
We agree that our community members
will maintain an appearance that is neat,
clean and suitable to the program of the
day. This means we agree to avoid attire
such as:
Clothing that is dirty, torn or with
holes
Clothing with negative slogans, drug
or alcohol references or demeaning
symbols or language
Clothing unsuitable to a Pre-K to 12th
grade learning environment
Dress for Public Events
(including Open House, Graduations,
Special Friends days, guest speakers on
campus, certain field trips etc.)
The standard expectation is quality
casual, although the administration or
faculty in charge may designate specific
attire for an event. Quality casual
includes: skirt and conservative top, or
dress, or collared shirts, clean slacks or
chinos with a belt and dressy shoes.
In addition to the specific elements of
these guidelines, the faculty and students
agree to act in accordance with the
boundaries and guidelines set forth in the
school handbook.
Dance Class Dress Code
• Long hair is tied back and out of eyes
(no hats).
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• No long or dangling jewelry or
scarves (for safety).
Bare feet or dance shoes (for safety).
Socks or half socks will not be
allowed.
Athletic pants/leggings of an
appropriate length (not dragging on
the floor) are required to allow you to
move freely and uninhibited.
Physical/Outdoor Education Dress Code
Bring or wear sturdy, supportive shoes.
Shoes vs. No Shoes
There are some classrooms where
everyone is asked to remove their shoes.
Please place shoes and backpacks in
designated shelves/hooks or next to the
walls. Do not leave items in the
walkways as they become hazards and
may cause others to trip.
• Shoes may be worn in the classroom
at the teacher’s discretion.
• Shoes must be worn in the labs
(including computer lab), art room
and for P.E.
START OF SCHOOL YEAR
Middle School – Middle School begins
the year with a four-day camping trip.
This trip integrates new students and
faculty, provides a wonderful outdoor
learning adventure, builds trust and
helps us transition from summer to
school.
High School – High School begins the
year with a rafting trip on the American
River that serves to bond friendships and
create an environment of cooperation
and teamwork.
DAILY SCHEDULE & ATTENDANCE
• The school day is from 9:00 am -3:25
pm. Students should not be on
campus before 8:45 am or after 3:45
pm without adult supervision. This
includes the interval between the end
of the school day and the beginning of
an evening event or activity.
• Lunch is 11:30 am to 12:10 pm.
• Five minutes are given for class
transitions.
• You are expected to stay within the
visible boundaries of the Upper
Campus during breaks and lunch.
The forest is out of bounds unless you
are with your teacher(s).
Early Departure
While we prefer that all appointments be
scheduled outside of school hours, we
realize that sometimes there is no other
choice.
• Parents/guardians must call the office
or send a note for you to be released
early.
• Please notify teachers at least 24 hours
in advance if you must miss class due
to a medical/dental appointment.
• You must “check out” with your last
period teacher, and then sign out at
the office if you leave campus for any
reason (other than scheduled field or
athletic team trips) during the school
day.
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• If you miss a class, you are
responsible to find out about – and
complete – missed assignments.
• If you are not in class and not signed
out, you will be given an “unexcused
absence.”
Absences – Explained or Unexplained
• Attendance is mandatory in all classes
and at some required events. A “cut”
is cause for academic and disciplinary
action.
• Absences are recorded for each class
and the number is tallied on your
report card.
• A parent must notify the office by 9:30
am to explain an absence for that day.
If an injury prevents you from
participating in P.E. or Dance classes,
give your teacher a note from your
parent or doctor, stating the length of
time you should be excused from
class.
• Make up for class work missed is at
the discretion of the teacher.
• For excessive absences (5 or more
absences per quarter), the Guidance
Council will meet with you and your
parents to create a contract to
improve attendance. Faculty will be
informed in writing of the contract's
specifics.
• If absence problems continue, the
school administration will discuss
with your parents the appropriateness
of your continued attendance at
MMS.
Tardies
• If you are late for class, you need to
get a tardy slip from the office to gain
entry to the classroom.
• Tardies are recorded for each class
and the number is tallied on your
report card.
Student Absences and Work Due
You are responsible for all schoolwork
missed during any absence, regardless of
the reason for absence. You are
responsible to contact teachers or fellow
students in order to obtain assignments.
In all cases, you must turn in all course
work necessary for full participation in
class.
If you miss a scheduled exam due to
illness, that exam must be taken during
lunch on the first day back at school. If
you are absent due to illness, check with
individual teachers as to their policy for
when missed homework may be turned
in for full credit.
If you and/or your family plans a holiday
during which you will miss school, you
must submit a vacation form 1-2 weeks in
advance.
Study Abroad and Other Academic
Programs
If you choose to participate in a study
abroad or other academic program
outside of MMS' offerings, and you will
be away for less than a semester, it is
considered an extended absence and the
expectations for approval and
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arrangements are explained in the
previous section.
If you are considering a more long-term
study or exchange program, you and
your family should discuss these options
with the Director of High School and
Head of School prior to enrollment.
SICKNESS OR INJURY AT SCHOOL
Health Guidelines
To ensure a healthy environment, and in
accordance with the County Health
Department, please do not come to
school if you have any of the following or
if you feel unwell and/or unable to
participate in school activities:
• Unknown Rash
• Eye Infections
• Green Mucus
• Excessive Coughing
• Fever
• Lice
If you are too sick to stay in class, you
will be sent or escorted to the office to
rest. If you do not show signs of recovery
after a reasonable period of rest, staff will
attempt to contact your parent(s) to
arrange for transportation home. If you
are contagious, you may not be allowed
to ride the bus home.
If you are injured during the school day,
you will be escorted to the Office where
staff will attempt to contact your
parent(s). A nurse and/or doctor will be
called, if needed. If you require
immediate medical care, you will be
taken to Watsonville Community
Hospital.
Accident Insurance
If you are injured at school, on a school
trip or while participating in a school-
sponsored event, you are covered by the
school's accident policy. This policy is a
secondary policy only, with a $25
deductible to be paid by the injured
student. If you have other health
insurance, MMS's insurance company
will work with the primary insurance to
coordinate benefits.
FOOD AT SCHOOL & SCHOOL
LUNCH
The School is hosted by a vegetarian (no
meat, poultry or fish) community, Mount
Madonna Center, and must therefore
follow these rules:
• The school Snack Bar sells vegetarian
lunch, drinks and snack items during
lunch.
• All food cooked on campus, even in
the microwave, should be vegetarian.
• Non-vegetarian items should be
cooked at home and may not be
reheated in the microwave ovens.
• Non-vegetarian items should be
either disposed of at home or placed
in the garbage, not in the compost.
• Eating in the classroom is generally
prohibited; teachers can make
exceptions.
• Food and drinks (including water) are
not permitted in the computer room.
• Clean-up is announced 5 - 10 minutes
before lunch ends. You are expected
to clean up your own lunch area,
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including placing items in either the
recycle, compost or trash cans.
Food for Special Events or Assemblies
• Food for group events must be
vegetarian.
• Important: NO peanuts or peanut
products – We have students who are
very allergic to peanuts.
• Check labels for any peanut product
and refrain from bringing this item
for an event.
• Please- NO items containing trans
fats, artificial food colorings, caffeine
or MSG. Studies have shown that
these are harmful to students’ health
and in addition, some students are
sensitive to foods containing these
items.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Middle School Students enroll in
English, Social Studies, Science, Math,
Spanish, Performing Arts (music, dance
and acting), Visual Arts,
Physical/Outdoor Education, Advisory
and Life Skills.
The Life Skills class provides an
opportunity to explore topics and issues
relevant to the students.
Physical/Outdoor Education integrates
physical education, health/safety and
physical and environmental awareness
(along with many other life skills) within
an outdoor context. The experiences and
tasks will challenge the mind, body and
soul as we use Mother Nature to better
understand and strengthen self, each
other and the natural, physical space that
we occupy.
High School Students are the leaders of
the campus and act as mentors for
younger students. They have a student
government organization that represents
the student body and organizes events.
Student interest has generated programs
such as Model U.N., in addition to
literary magazines, filmmaking and
photography.
Students are required to have four years
of English, Mathematics, Laboratory
Science, Social Studies and Performing
Arts and three years of second-language
acquisition. 240 credits are required for
graduation.
Honors Programs
Honors coursework is offered in both
middle and high school to challenge
those students who are performing
exceptionally in a given subject. Faculty
members establish the prerequisites to
enroll in honors courses.
Advanced Placement courses are also
available in some academic subjects.
These are college level courses, approved
by the College Board.
Community College
Students in 10th-12th grades may attend
Gavilan or Cabrillo College (with
permission of MMS) to take a class that is
not being offered at Mount Madonna
School.
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The State of California permits high
school students to enroll in academic
courses at community college during the
school year if those courses are not
offered at their high schools. Summer
school is sometimes an exception.
If you wish to attend a community
college, contact the Director of High
School to obtain the needed forms before
walk-in registration time. You will need
to take an assessment test to enroll in
most academic classes.
Homework
Home study is important, as is a balance
between school, other activities and
family time. While the following
averages of homework time may be used
as guidelines, these may vary depending
on class level, your work speed and
comprehension. You should expect to
receive more than one assignment per
night and will need to budget your time.
Major written assignments are given with
ample time for you to schedule them into
your normal workload. Average time
spent on homework is:
Grades 6-7 = 60 minutes per night
Grade 8 = 90 minutes per night
Grades 9-12 = approximately 2 hours
per night
Tracking Homework Assignments
Students and parents in grades 6 – 8
may track homework assignments
online.
Students in 6th grade are required to
use assignment books or calendars to
track homework and class
assignments.
Students in grades 9-12 are
encouraged to use assignment books
and are required to develop a tracking
system independent of the school site.
Community Service
We believe that service can be viewed as
stewardship: caring for ourselves, each
other, our families and communities, the
animal kingdom, and the earth. MMS
was built, literally and figuratively, by
volunteers. Middle and high school
students volunteer, both during and after
school, in ways that are meaningful to
them. Our stewardship and community
service program recommends the
following:
Middle School – A minimum of 6
hours/year, completed outside of school
hours, in any of the following areas:
family, school and community (the local
neighborhood may serve as community).
High School – A minimum of 8
hours/year in any of the following areas:
family, neighborhood, school, and larger
community. Pick up a Community
Service Form (in the office), have your
supervisor complete it and return it to
Bob Caplan.
GRADES
Grades are a way to communicate the
level of student performance and mastery
to you, your parents, other schools and
outside agencies. While every teacher has
his or her own grading methods, we
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want each to communicate clearly about
specific grading policies, expectations,
standards and assessments. We want to
provide you with plenty of incentive and
opportunity for improvement and at the
same time, assign the grade you have
earned.
Universal grading percentages are:
97-100% = A+ 93-96% = A 90-92% = A-
87-89% = B+ 83-86% = B 80-82% = B-
77-79% = C+ 73-76% = C 70-72% = C-
67-69% = D+ 63-66% = D 60-62% = D-
The Middle School numerical point
system on report cards, and for
computing the G.P.A., is:
A+ = 4.25 A = 4.00 A- = 3.75
B+ = 3.25 B = 3.00 B- = 2.75
C+ = 2.25 C = 2.00 C- = 1.75
D+ = 1.25 D = 1.00 D-= 0.75
F = 0.00 INC = Incomplete 0.00
The High School numerical point system
on report cards, and for computing the
G.P.A., is:
A’s = 4.0 B’s = 3.0 C’s = 2.0
D’s = 1.0 F’s = 0.0
P’s = 0.0
INC = Incomplete 0.00
Honors and AP = extra 1.0
Final Exams
Final examinations are conducted in
High School at the end of each semester.
Individual faculty members determine
the content, valuation, and scope of the
class exam, which may cover the entire
semester, the entire year or some subset
of these. All honors courses require
comprehensive semester exams covering
the full course of study.
Report Cards and Evaluations-
Middle School
Quarters are approximately 10 weeks
long. The school calendar lists specific
start/end dates of each grading quarter
and semester.
Parents will be emailed Quarters 1, 3
and 4 report cards that list only letter
grades.
Parents will be emailed a formal
narrative with grades at the end of
Semester One (includes cumulative
assessments throughout quarters one
and two). Evaluations provide students
and their parents with additional
feedback to help them make
improvements in subsequent quarters.
Students and parents will be sent
Semester Two grades at the completion
of the school year. This includes all
work assessed throughout Quarters 3
and 4.
If a student’s progress in a class is
evaluated at C level or below, Mid-
quarter Reports and/or Work-in-
Progress (WIP) Reports are given to
students and sent to the parents by the
teacher. These reports are generally sent
to warn the student that additional
support is needed in order to avoid a
poor grade. However, this format may
also be used by teachers to
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12
communicate that a student is excelling
in something or has demonstrated
improvement in an area when an
official evaluation is not scheduled.
Parent-teacher conferences for middle
school are scheduled during tech week
in December.
Report Cards and Evaluations-
High School
Quarters are approximately 10 weeks
long. The school calendar lists specific
start/end dates of each grading quarter
and semester.
Parents will be emailed Quarter 1 and 3
report cards that list only letter grades.
These are considered progress reports
for high school students and are not
listed on the high school transcript.
Parents will be sent a formal narrative
with grades at the end of Semester One
(includes cumulative assessments
throughout quarters one and two).
Evaluations provide students and their
parents with additional feedback to
help them make improvements in
subsequent quarters.
Students and parents will be sent
Semester Two grades at the completion
of the school year. This includes all
work assessed throughout Quarters 3
and 4.
Semester grades are permanent grades
to be entered on the high school
transcript.
If a student’s progress in a class is
evaluated at C level or below, Mid-
quarter Reports and/or Work-in-
Progress (WIP) Reports are given to
students and sent to the parents by the
teacher. These reports are generally sent
to warn the student that additional
support is needed in order to avoid a
poor grade. However, this format may
also be used by teachers to
communicate that a student is excelling
in something or has demonstrated
improvement in an area when an
official evaluation is not scheduled.
Parent-teacher conferences for high
school are held during tech week in
January.
Students are ineligible to play on school
athletic teams or to serve on student
government if they receive a grade of
ʺFʺ in a 5-credit course.
Parent/Student Access to Teacher
Grade Book for High School
Classes
In an effort to help support our
students' continuing growth and
independence as learners, the high
school faculty has decided to open the
teacher grade books to you and your
high school children throughout the
school year. This means you can log in
and check your student’s grades at any
time. This is different from the
homework website where assignments
and information are posted.
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Teachers should still be given a
reasonable amount of time to post their
grades. The expectation is that all
assignments and tests that contribute to
a student’s final grade will be graded
and entered in the grade book within
two weeks of when they were
submitted, but teachers may post them
sooner. Teachers will indicate when
assignments have been turned in if it
will be a while before they can enter the
final grade for the assignment.
In order to access the student grade
book you have two options:
Visit
mountmadonna.powerschool.com
Download the PowerSchool app on
your Android or IOS device. You
will need our specific district code:
DDFG.
Your login is your School Registration
user name and your password is the
one set by you when you first registered
online.
In an effort to help support our
students' continuing growth and
independence as learners, the high
school faculty has decided to open the
teacher grade books to you and your
high school children throughout the
school year. This means you can log in
and check your student’s grades at any
time. This is different from the
homework website where assignments
and information are posted.
Teachers should still be given a
reasonable amount of time to post their
grades. The expectation is that all
assignments and tests that contribute to
a student’s final grade will be graded
and entered in the grade book within
two weeks of when they were
submitted, but teachers may post them
sooner. Teachers will indicate when
assignments have been turned in if it
will be a while before they can enter the
final grade for the assignment.
In order to access the student grade
book you have two options:
Visit
mountmadonna.powerschool.com
Download the PowerSchool app
on your Android or IOS device.
You will need our specific district
code: DDFG.
Your login is your School Registration
user name and your password is the one
set by you when you first registered
online.
Honor Roll
You are eligible for the Honor Roll if
your GPA is 3.7 or above, have no grade
lower than a C, and have good conduct
and no probation in effect.
Incomplete Work Policy
There are situations that may arise
which will result in the possibility of an
incomplete grade. The situations that
are approved of are:
extended unavoidable absence or
illness,
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14
significant learning difference in
processing of the curriculum, or,
desire to return to material that was
not initially understood and to renew
a commitment to learning the
material.
In order to receive an incomplete grade,
a student must enter into an Incomplete
Contract. The contract form, when
completed, ensures that the student and
teacher are clear and agree on the work
to be completed, and the date of
completion. The contract is also
approved by the Head of School, to
ensure that the student is not
overextending themselves, or taking an
incomplete grade unnecessarily.
Please note the following policy
changes as of 2010:
Third and fourth quarter
Incompletes will not be allowed,
unless individually considered and
pre‐ approved by the Head of
School. The end of the year activities,
exams, trips and play practices are
time prohibitive of making up work
from previous terms.
Report cards will not be distributed
that contain an Incomplete for which
a contract was not submitted to the
registrar.
Incompletes must be resolved within
the following term.
Consecutive incompletes in one
course are not allowed. For example,
if a student receives an Incomplete
for first quarter work, that must be
resolved by the end of the first
semester. If the complete is not
resolved, an incomplete for Semester
1 work is not permissible.
ATHLETIC PROGRAM
The Middle School co-curricular program
may include volleyball, basketball and
cross-country for boys and girls. Students
compete in leagues in both Santa Clara
and Santa Cruz Counties. Middle School
Girls Volleyball teams compete in the
Silicon Valley Athletic League in Santa
Clara County.
Our High School athletic program offers
a premier volleyball program for boys
and girls in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic
League. Students also can compete in
coed cross-country in the fall, girls
volleyball, JV boys basketball in the
winter and boys volleyball in the spring.
Athletic Eligibility
Your eligibility is determined by
semester grades. To participate on the
school’s competitive athletic teams, you
must have at least an overall C average
(GPA of 2.0), with good conduct and no
failing grades in any 5 unit academic
course.
You must attend school for at least 1/2
day to participate in after-school athletics
that day.
Sportsmanship
We believe competitive team experiences
contribute significantly to the
development of character and school
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017 15
spirit. Sportsmanship and fair play are
important parts of this training.
We expect our coaches, players,
cheerleaders, faculty, students and
parents to represent Mount Madonna
School in a manner that is respectful to
others, on and off the field of play. It is
our aim and desire that we develop and
maintain the highest standards of
courtesy, emotional discipline, good
sportsmanship and the ability to act as
excellent hosts and guests.
MMS will not tolerate any spectator,
either student or adult, whose
behavior is disrespectful towards
players, officials, coaches,
cheerleaders or any other spectators.
MMS will not permit any type of
spectator behavior that either detracts
from the proper conduct of the game
or disadvantages a player or a team.
FUNDRAISING
We are proud of our students’
involvement in community service and
fundraising activities and fully support
these efforts. Student fundraising
activities need the support of a faculty
adviser. To avoid overlapping
fundraising efforts (which both diminish
our success and confuse potential
donors), the school requires that any
student or staff fundraising ideas come to
the Development Committee for
discussion prior to implementation.
Fundraising refers to anything that
generates cash donations or substantial
in-kind solicitations, whether it benefits
the school specifically or is run by
students, faculty or parents to benefit
another cause.
Please note that 10% of the gross amount
raised is due to MMS to cover
administrative costs.
Please follow this process:
1. Write down a brief description of the
fundraising concept you are considering
and submit it to the Development
Committee.
2. The Development Committee will
respond to the request in a timely fashion
and consult others as needed.
3. The Development Committee will help
advise on projects, if needed. If unable to
support the project, they will try to
suggest alternatives to help the group
meet its goals.
General Criteria for project approval
include:
Timing of activity in relation to and
impact on other planned fundraising
activities.
Having a faculty advisor or school
sponsor.
Needing to use school facilities and/or
staff.
Exceptions that do not need special
approval:
Student Governance projects such as
food sales*, etc. that cover the costs of
travel, need to notify the Development
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017
16
Office but do not require special
approval.
*Please Note: Public health laws
regarding the sale of food items must be
followed, including preparing all edibles
in a commercial kitchen. The Mount
Madonna School Development Office is
responsible for accepting all donations to
the school and issuing receipts and
acknowledgment letters under Mount
Madonna School’s 501(c) (3) nonprofit
status.
SAFETY AND DISCIPLINE
Mount Madonna School is dedicated to
offering a safe learning environment
where you can pursue your education
and process of self-discovery without
unnecessary distraction.
The School’s discipline system is
designed to promote healthy standards
of behavior necessary for maintaining a
positive learning environment, to instill a
sense of respect for self and others and to
communicate positive values necessary
for community living both in school and
later in life.
Clean and Sober Student Body
The school’s policy on drug use is an
important part of the discipline system
and addresses one of the most critical
issues facing students and their families
today.
Mount Madonna School holds as an
important value a clean and sober
student body and expects you to honor
that value of a clean and sober lifestyle,
both on and off campus. Using drugs or
alcohol takes your energy away from
your education and is a distraction to the
learning environment.
Our policy is that we will respond to the
use of drugs or alcohol by any student.
This policy is based on the school’s value
system, our sense of caring for our
students both individually and as a
group, and knowing that the results of
non-response are undesirable.
The following are grounds for immediate
school response, and may lead to
suspension or expulsion:
Bringing drugs (in any form,
including edibles), alcohol or drug
paraphernalia, including but not
limited to vaporizers and e-cigarettes,
onto campus.
Providing drugs or alcohol to other
students.
Attending any school function under
the influence of drugs or alcohol.
MMS reserves the right to search
students’ personal belongings (e.g.
pockets and/or backpacks) brought onto
campus at any time with reasonable
suspicion or cause that student is
violating the law or school policy.
Additional responses are outlined below:
First drug or alcohol offense
Generally, for a first offense, our
objective is to find an appropriate way to
help you avoid future involvement with
drugs and alcohol.
The school will discuss the situation
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017 17
with the student and their parents.
Parents may be asked to have their
student evaluated for counseling, or
enrollment in a remedial drug
program, as a condition for continued
attendance at school.
Students will be asked to re‐evaluate
their commitment to continuing as a
member of the School Community. To
continue, students may receive a
conduct warning, or go on conduct
probation and enter into a contract
that outlines their conditions for
continued enrollment.
Community service hours to the
school of 4-5 hours will be required.
Athletic eligibility will be discussed
with the Athletic Guidance group
with possible suspension.
Co-curricular eligibility will be
discussed with leaders of trips and
clubs (i.e. Model UN, Field trips)
Second drug or alcohol offense
The student’s family will be consulted.
Students may be suspended or
expelled.
If a student is allowed to remain in
school, he or she will be required to
enter counseling or an appropriate
drug or alcohol program.
Students will be placed on summary
(final) probation and a contract of
behavior will be enacted. There will be
appropriate disciplinary measures.
Community service hours to the
school of 6-8 hours will be required.
Athletic eligibility will be discussed
with the Athletic Guidance group and
a minimum of one game suspension
required.
Co-curricular eligibility will be
discussed with leaders of trips and
clubs (ie. Model UN, Field trips). Any
expenses incurred will still be the
responsibility of the family whether
or not the student is eligible to
participate.
Third drug or alcohol offense
The privilege of attending Mount
Madonna School is withdrawn.
We would like to work with students
and families in a spirit of cooperation
and trust on this very important issue.
We will respond to drug or alcohol use
with the intention of making it as
difficult as possible for students to use
these substances. The risk of damage to
the individual and to the learning
community is too great for us to choose
any other course of action.
Anti-Harassment
We are committed to providing a
learning environment free from
harassment in any form. Harassment of
any student, employee or volunteer is
prohibited.
Harassment occurs when an individual is
subjected to treatment that is hostile or
intimidating because of the individual’s
race, creed, color, national origin,
physical disability, sexual orientation or
gender.
A charge of harassment will not, in and
of itself, be assumed to be true and
accurate. The school will treat allegations
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017
18
seriously and will review and investigate
such allegations in a prompt, confidential
and thorough manner.
Confirmed acts of harassment will result
in disciplinary action, up to and
including dismissal. If a student is found
to have filed frivolous or false charges,
that student will also be subject to
disciplinary action, up to and including
dismissal.
Harassment can occur any time during
school, during school related activities, or
off-campus. It includes, but is not limited
to, any or all of the following:
Cyber-Bullying – Using technology to
insult, intimidate or hassle another
student or school employee
Verbal Harassment – Making derogatory
comments or jokes, or using threatening
words when speaking to another person.
Physical Harassment – Unwanted
physical touching, contact, assault or
deliberately blocking a person’s
movements, or any intimidation that
interferes with normal work or
movement.
Visual Harassment – Derogatory,
demeaning or inflammatory posters,
cartoons, written words, drawings or
gestures.
Sexual Harassment – Includes
unwelcome sexual advances, request for
sexual favors and other verbal or
physical conduct of a sexual nature when
any or all of the following occurs:
If a better grade, academic progress or
other favor is dependent upon
accepting sexual or intimate contact.
If rejecting sexual or intimate contact
results in a lower grade or otherwise
negatively affects academic progress
or other school-sponsored
opportunities.
If such conduct unreasonably
interferes with an individual’s
academic performance or creates an
intimidating, hostile or offensive
environment.
Some specific examples of sexual
harassment follow, but are not limited to:
Making unrequested and unwanted
sexual advances and propositions.
Making sexually suggestive
comments or using degrading words
to describe an individual or an
individual’s body.
Displaying sexually suggestive
objects or pictures.
Telling inappropriate or sexual jokes.
Retaliating (or making threats) of
physical harm or spreading rumors
after being rejected when making
sexual advances.
Steps to Avoid or Prevent Harassment
Mount Madonna School has
responsibility to:
Make all faculty, staff, students and
parents aware of this policy and the
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017 19
commitment of the school toward its
strict enforcement.
Remain watchful for conditions that
create or lead to a hostile or offensive
school environment.
Establish practices designed to create
a school environment free from
discrimination, intimidation or
harassment.
You have responsibility to:
Conduct yourself in a manner that
contributes to a positive school
environment.
Avoid any activity that may be
considered discriminatory,
intimidating or harassing.
Consider immediately informing
anyone harassing you that the
behavior is offensive and unwelcome.
Report all incidents of discrimination
or harassment to the Head of School,
whether you are directly involved or
are a witness.
Discontinue the behavior
immediately, if you are informed that
you are perceived as engaging in
discriminatory, intimidating,
harassing or unwelcome conduct.
Child Abuse Reporting Obligations
In accordance with California law,
teachers and staff are obligated, under
penalty of fine and jail term, to report
reasonable suspicion of physical abuse,
emotional abuse, emotional deprivation,
physical neglect, inadequate supervision
or sexual abuse or exploitation.
In this very serious and legally narrow
area, the school will not contact parents
in advance of making a report to legal
authorities. School staff members will
make such reports in the best interests of
the child and do not, once reasonable
suspicion is established, have any legal
alternative except to make a report to the
proper authorities for investigation and
review.
Swimming Policy
MMS students may swim in the lake only
under the supervision of a certified
lifeguard during school hours.
Students must also comply with the
following MMC Rules posted at the lake:
Use of the lake is reserved for
residents, guests and Mount
Madonna School students.
Facilities at the Conference Center
(CC) are for conference guests only;
all others use the Community
Building (CB) or Farmhouse.
Swim at your own risk.
No lifeguard on duty.
Always swim with a buddy.
No swimmers under 13 years old
without supervision.
NO DIVING.
Swimsuit required.
MMS rules apply to students at all
times
Swimming is not advised in our lakes
and ponds when bacteria count is
high
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017
20
Skateboarding and Biking Policy
Skateboarding, roller‐skating, hover
boarding, unicycles, heelies and riding on
Zuka bags and other such devices are not
permitted. The school will not cover
injuries resulting from these activities on
campus. Bike riding on roads is
permitted with helmets. Trail riding on
some pathways may be permitted under
special conditions with permission from
the school office and in consult with
MMC permission.
Dog and Pet Policy
Please leave your pets at home.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
To resolve any type of problem, please:
(a) Discuss the matter directly with the
faculty member involved, with another
trusted faculty member accompanying
you.
(b) If (a) does not resolve the problem,
your parent should discuss the matter
directly with the faculty.
(c) If (b) does not resolve the problem,
your parent should discuss the matter
directly with the appropriate Division
Director or Head of School.
(d) If (c) does not resolve the problem,
the parent should discuss the matter
directly with the Executive Council as a
whole.
A step may be skipped if a parent is not
comfortable with the communication
process at that level.
The Student Guidance System
Mount Madonna School is committed to
providing the highest level of educational
experience for our students. We are
dedicated not only to preparing you
academically and to providing you with
a wide variety of creative outlets, but also
to instilling in each of you a sense of
personal discipline and social
responsibility.
The student guidance system has been
developed to facilitate these aims by
protecting our students and their
learning environment from harmful
distractions. In order to make our
campus a safe and healthy environment,
we need the full cooperation of faculty,
parents and students. Together, we need
to be aware of students’ behavior and
how it is affecting the learning
environment.
It is important that faculty, parents and
students have thorough knowledge of
our guidance system, and that we are
consistent in the support of the rules of
behavior as set out in this handbook. It
should be understood that these
guidelines and rules are an ever-evolving
code developed in response to our
experiences.
Each year the faculty and administration
review the school rules and the guidance
system, with input from students and
parents. Your comments and suggestions
about the guidance system are a welcome
part of our dialogue. However, by virtue
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017 21
of enrollment and participation at Mount
Madonna School, all students, parents
and faculty members are expected to
support the school’s rules and guiding
principles as they are stated in the
Student and Parent Handbooks.
The more open the communication
between faculty members and parents,
the better the chance that we will help
you learn how to make informed and
responsible decisions about your life.
This system is set up to guide and
promote positive behavior and
constructive change, rather than to
punish. Where there are consequences, it
is for the purpose of helping you to
become accountable for your actions and
offering you the opportunity to address
your behavior in a constructive manner.
What is the Guidance Council?
The Guidance Council is a group of 5
faculty and administrators that meets
once each week (or ad hoc as necessary)
to develop appropriate responses to, and
consequences for, individual students’
behavioral, emotional and academic
challenges. Our actions may include
calling a conference with you, other
faculty and/or parents. We also review
school policies as social and cultural
climates shift (e.g. cyber communication,
fashion, etc.). The Guidance Council's
intent is to optimize the learning
environment for students and teachers.
Guidance Council Members:
Bob Caplan (Chair)
Jivanti Rutansky (Administrator)
Shannon Kelly (Director of High School)
Lisa Catterall (Director of Middle School)
Michelle Beske (Middle School Faculty)
The Council’s interest is in supporting
behaviors that build trust, honesty,
positive relationships and a healthy
learning community and in responding
to behaviors that do not. Responses will
vary and may not be transparent to the
school community at large, due to issues
of confidentiality. The Council, through a
discovery process, seeks to learn what is
true, to understand motives for behavior,
to support change in individuals, and to
protect the School.
Responses to Student Behavior
Guidance Council responses will
generally include communication with
the student and the parents/guardians
and may also entail conferences,
contracts, referrals and in more serious
circumstances, changes in student
standing. Students may move from good
standing to conduct warning, conduct
probation, final probation and finally to
dismissal. Students may also resolve
issues and be reinstated in good
standing. Please see the Parent
Handbook for more explanation.
Our hope is that our students avoid the
probation system. Yet, mistakes do
happen. It is part of life and a part of the
learning process. No matter if you are
assigned Academic Probation or Conduct
Probation or both, we will remain
dedicated to helping you achieve success
at school.
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017
22
In order for this system to work, support
is required from students, parents and
faculty. Student and Parent Handbooks
provide a clear statement of campus
policies and should be reviewed at the
beginning of each year.
You are expected to know and observe
the school rules. At the start of first
semester each year, there is a two-week
period for you to become familiar with
the system. However, major rules do not
fall under this grace period.
If students are engaged in off-campus
behavior (ex: harassment via electronic
media, substance use, poor
sportsmanship) that is determined to
have a negative impact on the learning
environment at school, MMS will take
appropriate action.
Minor Infractions
These are less serious infractions such as
violations of rules concerning tardiness,
inappropriate language, dress code,
classroom rules, bus decorum and facility
guidelines.
Major Infractions
These are infractions that deal primarily
with the use of illegal drugs, alcohol or
tobacco; with harassment, disrespect,
academic dishonesty, stealing or abuse of
property, persons or animals, creating
fire hazards, unexcused absences or
attendance violations and inappropriate
sexual conduct. Issues of personal and
emotional safety also fall under this
category. Other areas may include issues
relating to extreme negative attitude, self-
destructive behavior, significant
emotional disturbances or health
problems.
Academic Integrity Explained
As a student, you are responsible for
maintaining your academic integrity.
Make sure that your course work is the
result of your own effort and respect the
work of others. Cheating and plagiarism
are serious violations of academic
integrity. Established cases of academic
dishonesty result in academic sanctions
(e.g. disqualified work or failed classes)
and disciplinary sanctions (e.g. warning,
probation or expulsion).
As a matter of personal honor, resolve
now that you will always hold yourself
to a high standard of academic integrity.
This includes:
Don't Cheat – Clear cases of cheating
include copying on assignments,
using unauthorized resources during
exams, turning in another person’s
work as your own and failure to
explicitly acknowledge the sources of
information that you have used.
Don’t Enable Anyone Else To Cheat –
Assisting someone else to cheat is
cheating. Take care when “helping”
another student by sharing work with
them. Someone who enables another
person to cheat is subject to the same
penalties.
Distinguish Between Group Learning
and Unacceptable Collaboration –
Learning can be a collaborative
activity. In many of your classes, you
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017 23
will be allowed, or even encouraged,
to work together with other students
on certain kinds of assignments. In
such cases, collaboration isn’t
cheating. You should always assume
that written work you turn in is to be
solely your own work. Ask questions
if anything isn’t clear.
Face the Situation – If an instructor
approaches you with a question about
the integrity of work you have
submitted, respond promptly and
honestly. It is the best way to clarify
the situation and resolve any doubts.
COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY
Technology Philosophy
Mount Madonna School recognizes that
technological tools, in all their forms
(computers, phones, cameras, game
consoles, software, etc.) are a relevant
and important part of our lives today.
Within this context we strive to teach
social and ethical responsibility, engage
technology tools in our creative
enterprises, and teach skill sets valuable
to the work place of the 21st century.
Personal Electronic Devices, Cell
Phones, and Wireless Internet Access
Personal electronic devices including cell
phones are only allowed to be used in the
classroom with teacher permission. They
may be used before and after school,
during breaks, and during lunch.
However, the primary purpose of
technology (including personal devices)
while at school should be for school
purposes. The school’s Internet
bandwidth is used by many business
units on property and any large
bandwidth activities (downloading large
files, streaming video, etc.), unless for
academic purposes, should NOT be
engaged in while on campus.
Students are allowed to use the wireless
network labeled “MMS Students”, but
are NOT allowed to use any of the other
broadcast wireless networks. The
password will be communicated at the
beginning of the year during the
Technology Review meeting with the
Technology Director. Students are NOT
allowed to plug any of their personal
devices into any physical network port
on campus.
Supervision and Monitoring Computer
Use
Use of the school’s computers by
students must be supervised by an adult
or faculty member at all times unless
special permission from the Head of
School or the Director of Technology has
been granted.
IT Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
Students, staff and faculty must:
1. Respect and protect the privacy of
others:
• Use only assigned accounts
• Not view, use or copy passwords,
data, or networks to which they are
not authorized
• Not distribute private information
about others or themselves
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017
24
2. Respect and protect the integrity,
availability, and security of all electronic
resources:
Observe all network security practices
and specific classroom guidelines as
posted
Report security risks or violations to a
teacher or network administrator
Not destroy or damage data,
networks, or other resources that do
not belong to them, without clear
permission of the owner
Not connect personal computers or
wireless devices or access points to
the network without specific approval
by the network administrator
Respect the registration policies of
age‐restricted online services (e.g.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snap
Chat, etc.)
Conserve, protect, and share these
resources with other students, staff
and faculty
3. Respect and protect the intellectual
property of others:
Not infringe copyrights (no making
illegal copies of music, games,
movies, or other online content)
Not plagiarize
4. Respect and practice the principles of
community:
Communicate only in ways that are
kind and respectful
Report threatening or discomforting
materials to a teacher or administrator
Not intentionally access, transmit,
copy, or create material that violates
the school’s values (such as messages
that are pornographic, threatening,
discriminatory, or meant to harass) ‐
this includes Cyberbullying
(harassment or bullying using
information or communication
technologies)
Not use the resources to further other
acts that are criminal or violate the
school’s values
Not send spam, chain letters, or other
mass unsolicited mailings
Not buy, sell, advertise, or otherwise
conduct business, unless approved as
a school project or as part of your job
function
Students must additionally:
Respect the learning environment.
Not send spam, chain letters, or other
mass unsolicited mailings
Secure digital devices and laptops in
their backpacks at all times
Only use digital devices and laptops
at the Lower School with teacher
approval
Only use personal digital devices and
laptops in Upper School classrooms
with teacher approval
Not consume food, beverages, or gum
around any computers in the
Computer Labs, Library, or any
classrooms
Photographs and Video of Students,
Faculty, Admin and Staff
Students may not take photos or video of
any other student or adult at MMS
without the permission of that person or
persons. Students may not post (via
Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017 25
photos or video of any other student or
adult at MMS without permission from
that person or persons, even if
permission to take the photo or video
was granted.
Digital Devices- Middle School
Middle school students may bring
personal technology devices onto campus
but they are to remain shut off and in the
backpack unless a teacher is supervising
their use. Teachers often allow and
encourage technology use in their
classrooms; for example, students
photograph the whiteboard or enter
assignments on their calendar. Some
curricular units use technology tools, and
many students will bring ways to type
their writing assignments. These uses of
technology will be permitted. The policy
is in effect from 9 a.m. until 3:25 p.m.
each school day, including during recess,
passing periods and lunch. Teachers will
support communication with parents
when absolutely necessary during recess
or lunch.
Digital Devices On Field Trips- Middle
And High School
Please contact your trip leader to learn
what the policy is for each day and/or
overnight trip as policies differ for each
field trip.
Consequences for Violation
Violations of these rules or failure to sign
the technology and/or digital
communication agreement documents
may result in disciplinary action,
including loss of one’s privileges to use
the school’s information technology
resources, confiscation of a personal
device for a period of time, or the loss of
the privilege of bringing a particular
personal electronic device on campus for
a period of time. The cost of repairing
computers or other technology resources
resulting from careless or irresponsible
use or conduct will be the direct
responsibility of the staff member,
faculty, or student and their family.
School staff may not ask a student to
show the contents of a device without
first getting either written consent from a
parent or having the parent physically
present.
Lost and/or Broken Devices
Students bringing digital devices
(phones, tablets, laptops, headphones,
etc.) to school do so at their own risk.
MMS is not responsible for damaged or
lost devices. We will make every effort to
help students find lost items.
LOCKERS
We want the campus to be a safe and
inviting place, without the risk of
tripping over books or personal
belongings left lying around. You may
keep your belongings in a backpack or
locker.
Students may request a locker and
padlock. Currently, lockers for high
school students are in the boys and girls
bathrooms in the A building and for
middle school students in C building
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017
26
bathrooms. You may not bring your own
lock. The school keeps a record of locker
numbers and padlock combinations for
students.
MMS reserves the right to check personal
belongings brought on to campus at any
time. This includes opening and
inspecting lockers, either for a suspected
violation or at random.
WORK PERMITS
California law requires that a student
over the age of 12 who works for pay
must have a work permit on file at the
workplace. Start the permit process by
obtaining a work permit from the
Registrar. This is a three-step process and
needs time to be accomplished. If you are
looking for jobs during the year, ask the
Registrar ahead of time for instructions
about this process.
At the end of the third quarter, work
permit guidelines are sent, with the
report card, to each parent in order to
facilitate the permit process for summer
work.
Work Permits are not needed for jobs
such as babysitting and yard work.
STUDENT DRIVERS
You may drive to and from school only if
your valid license and car insurance
information are on file in the school
office. Any driver can have the privilege
of driving to and from campus, or on
campus, revoked for reckless driving.
You must follow current DMV laws,
including those regarding driving other
students. At no time are you allowed to
drive on any school field trip.
Be courteous and safe!
The speed limit:
on the property is 15 mph
when people are walking on the road
is 5 mph
on Summit Rd. between MMC and
MMS is 25 mph (signs are posted!)
on Summit Rd. between Mt. Madonna
Rd. and MMC is 35 mph, and is
primarily a no-passing zone
in Mount Madonna County Park is 20
mph
on Mount Madonna Road (oceanside)
is 15 - 20 mph, conditions and width
of road permitting
Right of Way: Cars traveling uphill on
mountain roads have the right of way!!!
Yield to those driving up the hill!
Student Parking
If you drive to school, you are expected
to park in a designated student area for
the entire school day.
Do not park your car in the:
• Upper Campus bus turnaround area
during school hours (8:30 am – 5:30
pm). This needs to be available to
buses, vans and deliveries.
• Short-term (30 minute) parking in
front of the CB or in any handicapped
spaces on campus.
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017 27
Student Driving During School
You should not move your vehicle
during the school day without specific
permission from a faculty member. While
faculty may use their discretion, it is not
OK to drive around the campus because
of inclement weather or because someone
is running late.
Use only Summit Road to drive between
the Upper and Lower Campus. Don’t use
the emergency roads.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Mount Madonna School buses and
drivers comply with all California State
laws and regulations.
Bus Stop Policies
• Meet Parents on Same Side of Road –
If your parent is meeting you, the
parent must be on the same side of
the road on which the bus is stopped.
To cross the street, use the crosswalk
at the closest traffic signal.
• Parents Approve Bus Stop Changes –
Parents must call the office before 1:00
PM if you need to switch to a
different bus stop.
• No Unauthorized Stops – The bus
driver may only stop at scheduled bus
stops.
• Arrive at Bus Stop 5 Minutes Early –
Please arrive approximately 5 minutes
before scheduled pickup time. Parents
should arrive at the bus stops
approximately 5 minutes before
scheduled drop off time.
• After Driver has Closed Bus Doors –
Mount Madonna School and State law
require that once the driver closes the
bus doors, he/she must drive on and
the parent must take the student to
the next stop to board the bus.
• 6th - 12th grade students may be left
at the bus stop unattended with
parent permission. Permission to be
left unattended is set during online
registration and listed on the bus
rider list.
Bus Rider Rules
The following bus rules have been
developed for the safety and well-being
of all the passengers. The bus driver is
responsible for the safety of all
passengers and your cooperation is
needed. Consistent misbehavior will
result in the issuance of a citation and
possible loss of riding privileges.
The bus rider rules include the following:
• Observe the same standards of
conduct as in the classroom.
• The driver is in charge of the bus.
Students must obey him/her promptly
and cheerfully.
• Stay in your seat. Do not sit sideways
or backwards (it is illegal).
• Keep legs and backpacks out of the
aisles.
• No standing while the bus is in
motion.
• No throwing of any objects in the bus
or out of the window.
• Do not, at any time, extend hands or
arms out of the bus windows.
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017
28
• Be courteous; no disrespectful or foul
language.
• Do not be disruptive.
• Keep the bus clean. Do not throw
trash on the floor or leave it behind on
the seats.
• Do not write on, vandalize or damage
any part of the bus.
• The bus driver is authorized to assign
seats. Elementary students are seated
in the front of the bus, in assigned
seats. Middle school students are
seated behind elementary and high
school students are seated in the rear
of the bus. Students must stay in their
assigned seats.
• Older students are not allowed to
“bump” younger students from
assigned seats.
• Damage to bus seats will be charged
to the student(s) assigned to that seat.
• Do not eat on the bus; drink only
from squirt-style containers (to avoid
injury to face or teeth from hard
containers).
• No play weapons of any kind on the
bus.
• No animals on the bus.
• You must never stand or play in the
roadway while waiting to board the
bus.
• If you have any problems, tell the bus
driver at the next stop or tell the
Transportation Coordinator in the
school office.
Bus Citation Procedure
1st and 2nd Citation
• A copy of the citation is given to the
parents, teacher/advisor/director and
administrator to be placed in your
student file.
• You may receive a referral to
Guidance.
• Your bus privileges may be
suspended.
3rd Citation
• You are suspended from riding the
bus for at least one ride.
• You may receive a referral to
Guidance.
• Your bus privileges may be
suspended for a longer period.
Please Note: You can be suspended from
riding the bus at any time if your
behavior is deemed unsafe for yourself or
others in the bus or nearby. Example:
standing or changing seats while the bus
is moving; throwing things on or out of
the bus
Bus Stops and Times
Ocean Side
Santa Cruz
PCC; Seabright/Broadway 7:35am
PCC; Seabright/Broadway 4:40pm
Soquel
Sunnyside Produce 7:45am
Michael’s on Main 4:30pm
Aptos
Aptos Natural Foods 7:55am
Aptos Library 4:20pm
Corralitos
Corralitos Feed 8:10am
5 Miles House 4:10pm
Freedom
Safeway; Airport/Freedom 8:18am
VFW Hall 4:05pm
Mount Madonna School Student Handbook – Updated 2016-2017 29
Watsonville
Fruit Stand; Holohan/E.Lake 8:25am
Valley RC Church 3:55pm
Inland Side Morgan Hill
Church; Dewitt/Dunne 8:10am
Church; Dewitt/Dunne 4:05pm
Gilroy
Fortino’s Winery 8:25am
Watsonville Rd/Redwood Retreat
Road
3:50pm
After School Activity Van
After school activity vans (5:30 PM) are
available only for middle and high school
students who participate in school-
sponsored or faculty-supervised
activities, such as sports and rehearsals.
• You must sign up by 1:00 PM of that
day to reserve a seat. You are
required to follow all “bus rules”
when riding the van.
• You can get off only at the school bus
stops. Some stops (e.g., VFW) are not
used in the evenings, so check to see
where the after school van stops. If a
parent is not at a stop and no prior
arrangements have not been made,
the driver will ask another parent to
wait with the student or try to reach
the parent by phone to make a plan.
The driver may need to continue on
the route and meet the parent
elsewhere.
MMS will provide transportation to
“away games” during or immediately
following the school day (3:25 PM) to the
extent of available resources. Parents are
responsible to transport students to away
games that begin two hours or more after
the school day ends. Parents are
responsible for rides home after all
games.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
MMS remains open unless:
• Roads are closed.
• We have no electricity.
• Emergency services designated
hazardous road conditions and it is
dangerous for students and buses to
drive to MMS.
In case of bad weather, Please call the
school office at 847‐2717 after 7:30 am.
The answering machine will have a
message about road conditions and will
notify the caller if school has been
cancelled. Listen to KSCO 1080 AM. We
will inform them of our status. The
School will initiate the automated calling
system, Power Announce, by 7:15 am to
update families and staff of status at
MMS.
SECURITY/LOCKDOWN
PREPARATION
We hold at least two lockdown drills
each school year, in addition to
earthquake and fire drills. If you arrive at
campus during a lockdown or drill, you
will not be allowed into any classrooms
or offices. The security team (in orange
security vests) may be able to give you
information. If no one is available, please
return to your vehicle. Lockdown drills
generally last 20-25 minutes. We
appreciate your patience and
understanding.
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