At Granite Oaks Middle School, each student is assigned to an academy. Academies are teams of up to four teachers with 70 to 140 students depending on the number of teachers in the academy. This comprises the student's core classes. In this environment, teachers are better able to network with each other to assist students who may need extra help and support. The teachers are in separate classrooms and students rotate among the academy classrooms.

Each student is assigned a classroom within the academy to be his/her homeroom. Students spend the first five minutes of each day in their homeroom class where roll is taken, flag salutes recited, announcements are made, and any materials to be sent home are distributed. After homeroom, students go to their first class. For some students, this may be their elective or PE class. For others, it will be their academy schedule.

Students spend five periods out of the seven period day in their academies. Four of the periods are scheduled for core academics (language arts, math, history and science) and one period for enrichment. Academies are given the leeway to set class schedules, rotations, block schedules, and adjustments to the day as needed. The enrichment period is a time frame that can be used in a variety of ways, such as enriched classroom activities, building literacy skills, independent reading, interventions for struggling students, make-up or extra help with class work, and special services (RSP).

The remaining two periods of the seven period day are reserved for PE and elective courses. Electives currently offered at GOMS for both grades include: Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Art, Computer Science I and II, Family Consumer Science, Guitar Lab, Falcon Advantage, Manufacturing Technology, Publications, Exploratory Spanish and Spanish I. Students are assigned elective courses but may put in requests for first and second preferences. Advanced Band is scheduled for "0" period (before school).

In the academy environment, teachers actively instruct and demonstrate California State curriculum standards. Students participate in hands-on projects, presentations, group research assignments and class discussions. Students are expected to take an active role in their education.

It is our desire at GOMS to provide a safe, positive learning environment for all students. We strive to communicate with parents the academic progress and behavior choices of students. Each student is important, has value, and is to be treated with respect. Students should leave GOMS prepared for high school with increased maturity and great memories.

Great Teachers + Great Students + Great Parents = Great School

THE FULL TEXT OF ALL BOARD POLICIES, ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS AND EDUCATION CODES CAN BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE DISTRICT WEBSITE OR BY CONTACTING SCHOOL OFFICES. www.rocklin.k12.ca.us

Arrivals/Departures

The school day starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students arriving at school after 8:00 a.m. must report to the attendance window for an admission slip. Students should not arrive on campus before 7:30 a.m. unless they are enrolled in a 0 Period class.

When arriving at school, students may use the east and west court, amphitheater, or library. Students must wait inside the school gates while waiting for school to begin. Students should plan to be off campus by 3:00 p.m. unless participating in a supervised activity. We do not have supervision to permit students on campus beyond these designated times.

Closed Campus

Granite Oaks maintains a closed campus. Once a student arrives for the school day, he or she is not permitted to leave until the close of school at 2:40 p.m., unless checked out in the office by a parent or guardian or any person listed on the student's emergency card who must be at least 18 years of age. All visitors must check into the office upon arrival. Student guests are not allowed to attend classes.

Attendance

Absences: When students are absent from school, it is important that their absences be cleared on their first day back to school. If the student does not have a note, it will be necessary to contact the parent at home or work in order to clear the absence. Any absence not cleared within 5 days will be marked as truant.

Please call the school to report an absence or leave a message at 315-9009, press 4105. Please state your student's first and last name, your first and last name, reason for the absence, and dates of the absence. Parents will be asked to conference about continual non-illness absences and to improve their student's attendance. Failure to do so may result in a referral of the student and parent to the Rocklin Unified School District Attendance Review Board for further action.

According to California law, there are no legally recognized absences. A student may be excused from school for justifiable personal reasons, including but not limited to illness or injury, medical or dental appointments, bereavement, funeral/memorial services, court appearances, religious holidays, or an employment conference, when the student's absence has been requested in writing by the parent/guardian and approved by the principal or designee. A student absent from school under this section shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during the absence which can be reasonably provided and, upon satisfactory completion, shall be given full credit therefore.

Appointments: If a student must leave school at any time for any reason, he/she is to present a written request signed by a parent at the attendance window before school starts in the morning. The student will be issued an early dismissal slip to excuse them at the proper time. If a student does not come to the office with a note before school, the parent will need to be present in the office before a student is dismissed from class. Students will only be released to persons named on the student's emergency card and are at least 18 years of age. When it is time to leave school, a parent or guardian must complete the sign-out form on the chromebook in the office or scan the QR code and complete the check out process from their cell phone.

Tardiness: Upon late arrival, students must check in at the attendance window for an admission/tardy slip before going to the classroom. Any unexcused tardy may result in lunchtime detention on the day a student is tardy. Any tardy thirty minutes or greater is considered truant.

Homework Requests: SCHOOLWORK SHOULD ONLY BE REQUESTED THROUGH THE OFFICE WHEN A STUDENT IS ILL OR ABSENT FROM SCHOOL FOR MORE THAN TWO DAYS. To obtain work each day the student is out for an absence of less than two days, the student may contact a classmate for relevant assignments. Students may view their teacher's weekly assignment calendar on our website or visit their teacher's Schoology page.

Prearranged Absence/Independent Studies Contracts: When students know they will be away from school for at least three days, the school can assign work through an Independent Study Program. Parents must inform the Attendance office one week prior to their departure date to enter into an Agreement.

Telephone Use

Students needing to use a phone during the day may use the student phone located in the office. If a student has an emergency or needs to contact parents, they need to come to the office for assistance.

Messages and Deliveries

Due to the volume of requests and multiple classroom interruptions, the office staff will not accept or deliver nonessential personal messages or items such as food items, school supplies, etc. Food delivery from outside food sources (i.e. pizza delivery, DoorDash, Grubhub, etc.) will not be accepted for students and could result in disciplinary action.

Bicycles/Skateboards/Scooters

Bicycles/skateboards/scooters may be ridden to and from school with the understanding that they must be maintained and operated in a safe manner. Helmets are required by law. In coordination with Rocklin PD, Class 2 ebikes, e-scooters, and electric onewheel/hoverboards are not allowed on campus.

Walking To/From School

When walking, students are to use the sidewalks and crosswalks (NO JAYWALKING) when arriving or leaving campus. Students are NOT to walk across the parking lot at any time.

Food Program

The Rocklin Unified School District rolls out the California Universal Meals Program to ensure all students have access to two nutritious meals each school day, offering free breakfast and lunch meals.

Cell Phones / Electronic Devices (Board Policy 5131)

Cell phones, earbuds, smart watches, and other technology may ONLY be used before and after school (before 8:00 a.m. and after 2:40 p.m.). Otherwise, cell phones, earbuds, smart watches, and other technology can only be used on campus for specific, teacher directed activities. CELL PHONES and OTHER TECHNOLOGY MUST BE TURNED OFF AND PUT AWAY IN A BACKPACK DURING SCHOOL HOURS.

• First Offense: Confiscated and returned to student at the end of the day.
• Second Offense: Confiscated, returned at end of day, 1 day detention, 5 merit loss. Parent email sent.
• Third Offense: Confiscated, returned ONLY to parent, 3 days detention, 15 merit loss.
• Fourth & Subsequent Offenses: Determined individually by administrator.

Student Safety & Campus Bullying

No individual or group shall, through physical, written, verbal, visual, electronic, or other means, harass, sexually harass, threaten, intimidate, cyberbully, cyber sexual bully, cause bodily injury to, or commit hate violence against any student or school personnel.

Homework/Assignments

Homework is an important part of the instructional program that WILL affect the student's overall grade. Students should expect 1.5 to 2 hours of homework daily.

School-wide Late Work Policy:

1. Daily/overnight work is not accepted late for full credit.
2. Major assignments are accepted late for reduced credit, at 10% reduction per day of lateness; parent notification will occur.
3. In the case of student absences, daily work may be accepted for full credit up to the number of days being absent upon the student's return.

Grades

Summative assessments (tests, quizzes, projects) constitute 70% of the student's grade, while formative assessments (homework, class work) constitute 30%. Grading scale: 90%+ (A), 80-89% (B), 70-79% (C). Below 70% earns "No Mark (NM)". No D's or F's are given.

Academic Integrity Policy

Plagiarism is copying or using another person's work, information, ideas, research, and/or documentation, without properly identifying the originator. Consequences may include assigned detention, merit loss, referral to the office, reduction of grade, parent conference, and/or completion of an alternative assignment.

Chromebook Policy

Every GOMS student is required to bring an operational Chromebook to school daily. Students can check out a school-owned loaner Chromebook 4 times each semester without penalty. Further checkouts will result in technology violation referrals, loss of merits, and lunch detentions.

Promotion/Retention

Students are required to demonstrate that they have mastered grade level expectations in order to be promoted to the next grade based on grades, achievement tests, teacher evaluation, motivation, proficiency assessments, attendance, and family commitment.

Clothing Requirements

• Black "Granite Oaks" gym shorts or plain black gym shorts.
• Gray "Granite Oaks Physical Education" T-shirt or plain gray T-shirt.
• Laced athletic shoes.
• Sweatshirts and pants may be worn during inclement weather. (Jackets and zippered sweats are not allowed.)
• PE clothes can be purchased through PE classes for $25.00.

Medicals

To be excused from physical activity, a student must bring a signed and dated note from a parent EACH DAY (accepted for up to 3 days). After 3 days, a doctor's excuse is required.

Loaner Clothing

Loaner clothes are provided to ensure participation. The 1st use is a courtesy without consequence. Additional use will cause loss of daily points. The 5th use in a quarter results in disciplinary action.

Counseling services include Academic Counseling, Career and Vocational Counseling, and Personal and Social Counseling. Students may request to see a counselor by filling out a form in the office or online.

Medications

Written authorization from a physician and parent/guardian is required for all medications (prescription or over-the-counter). All medications must be stored under lock and key in the health office, except for emergency items like Epi-Pens or asthma inhalers approved by a doctor.

Health Screenings & Immunizations

Mandatory vision and hearing screenings occur in 8th grade and for new students. All state immunization requirements must be met prior to attendance.

Our Falcon Creed: Falcons Are Respectful, Responsible, and Resilient.

RUSD District Dress Code

Students Must Wear: Secured clothing that covers personal body parts (torso, buttocks), tops with straps over shoulders, and footwear with soles.

Students Cannot Wear: Visible underwear, images/language depicting drugs, alcohol, vaping, weapons, hate speech, or sexually explicit content.

Merit Program

All students begin each quarter with 100 merits. Merit loss occurs upon administrative discipline referrals. Maintaining below 80 merits results in loss of extracurricular activities.

Discipline Hierarchy

• Level 1 (Staff Managed): Classroom disruption, cell phone sound, dress code, tardies, gum. Action: Detention, no merit loss.
• Level 2 (Office Managed): Defiance, physical aggression, bullying, inappropriate language, vandalism, technology violations. Action: 10-20 merit loss, detention/OCS/suspension.
• Level 3 (Suspendable): Drugs/alcohol/tobacco, weapons, severe physical harm, terroristic threats. Action: 20-30 merit loss, suspension/expulsion.

Qualifications for Extracurricular Activities

Maintain good citizenship (80+ merits), a 2.0 GPA, and no more than one "NM" grade per quarter. Must attend at least 4 class periods on the day of an activity to participate.

Activities Offered

• Dances (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
• Student Government / Senate
• California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF)
• 7th Grade Biology Field Trip

Requirements: 2.0 GPA, 80+ merits, no more than 1 "NM" grade, and proof of medical insurance.

Includes 8th grade dance, 8th grade water park trip, and 7th grade year-end activity. Requirements:

• Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA with no more than one "NM" in 2nd semester.
• Maintain no less than 305 merits during the year for 8th grade.
• Maintain a minimum of 80 merits during 4th quarter.
• Maintain at least 85% attendance.
• Clear all school fines and fees.

• Girl Scouts: (800) 322-4475 | info@girlscoutshcc.org
• Boy Scouts: (916) 929-1417
• Camp Fire Girls/Boys: (816) 285-2010
• Rocklin Recreation Department: (916) 625-5200
• Rocklin Girls Fast Pitch: RegistrationTeam@rocklingirlssoftball.org
• Rocklin Little League: (916) 632-7756

The Rocklin Unified School District has the primary responsibility to insure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations and has established procedures to address allegations of unlawful discrimination and complaints alleging violation of state or federal laws governing educational programs.

For inquiries/complaints, contact RUSD's Title IX Coordinator at (916) 630-3318 or titleixcoordinator@rocklinusd.org.

Granite Oaks Middle School Layout Description:

• Administration & Library: Located near the front entrance, facing the flagpole and parking lot.
• Buildings A & D: Located on the North side of campus surrounding the West Court.
• Building B: Center-oriented classroom block between West Court and East Court.
• Building C & E: Located on the East and South sides surrounding South Court.
• Gymnasium, Multipurpose Room, & Music: West wing adjacent to the outside eating area and Amphitheater.