CORVALLIS MIDDLE SCHOOL
STEAM Magnet
Student Handbook for 2022-2023
11032 E. Leffingwell Road
Norwalk, CA 90650
Office Phone #: (562) 210-4125
Fax #: (562) 863-4755
Website: www.corvallisms.org
Dr. Nancy Ruvalcaba, Principal
Mrs. Alejandra Rosales, Assistant Principal
Ms. Lupe Acevedo, Dean
Mrs. Erika Vesper, School Counselor
Ms. Alexis Mendoza, Intervention Counselor
Mrs. Daisy Hernandez, Wellness Specialist
8:35 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
8:35 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Wednesdays.
8:35 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Selected minimum days
The Associated Student Body Government (ASB) is the body responsible for student affairs such as approving the organization of clubs and activities. All ASB officers are elected by the student body and are expected to act in a responsible manner at all times. Information about activities, dances, rallies, and student government can be found in the school bulletin, on the marquee in front of the school, and on the school website: (www.corvallisms.org)
Each school is issued an ID card at the beginning of the school year. School ID cards are required for bus riders and must be presented to the driver before boarding each day. Lost ID cards may be replaced in the school office, at a cost of $5.00, before school, during snack or lunch. ID cards cannot be replaced after school.
Corvallis offers a variety of after school activities, including tutoring, sports, and clubs. Students may remain on campus, only if participating in a school activity. A late bus is available for approved student bus riders who participated in an after school activity. The late bus leaves no later than 4:00 pm on select Tuesdays and Thursdays (a schedule is available in the school office and on our website www.corvallisms.org
Students who are not participating in after school activities must exit the campus no more than 15 minutes after dismissal. Students may use the office phone to contact parents if needed.
Learning is a priority at Corvallis. Students and/or parents may not bring food items to share with other students due to possible health issues, including food allergies.
All students are issued textbooks for core educational classes. Any textbook returned will be credited to the student who was issued the textbook originally. Students who return a textbook that was not issued to them will not receive credit for returning the book. An obligation will remain on the student’s record until the correct book is returned. Students are responsible for the textbooks issued to them. Students who do not return any textbook(s) will be required to pay for the textbook. Students who damage or deface textbooks will be required to pay for the textbook. It is the student’s responsibility to keep books in good condition and in a secure area to prevent other students from damaging the textbook in any way. Textbooks damaged by graffiti will be confiscated and the student charged for the replacement of the book.
Students in Physical Education are issued a P.E. locker. Corvallis Middle School is not responsible for articles stolen from lockers. The law provides that if there is a reason to believe something is prohibitive, illegal, or dangerous inside the locker, it may be searched. The student assigned to the locker will be held responsible for all items inside. Students are not to share a locker or give their locker combination to another student. Students are to notify a staff member right away with any concerns regarding lockers. Replacement locks can be purchased for $5.00 during snack and lunch.
Information regarding this program and application forms are sent directly to the student’s home during the summer. Applications must be renewed each school year. Any student who did not receive an application in the mail may request one in the administration office during the school year. Information can also be accessed online at: www.yourchew.com.
Student accident insurance is optional. Forms for regular insurance and athletic insurance will be available at the beginning of the year in the Physical Education department or the Administration Office.
In accordance with district policy, Corvallis is a closed campus. Students are not allowed off campus during school hours unless checked out from the office by an adult listed on the emergency form.
All visitors must obtain a visitor's pass from the Administration Office. Parents are required to provide the office of any classroom visitation at least 24 hours prior to the visit. Please call the front office at: (562) 210-4125 to make an appointment. Brothers, sisters, cousins or friends may not accompany students to school.
CELLULAR PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Cell phones are permitted on campus, but must be turned off during school time between 8:35 am and 3:00 pm - this includes campus restrooms and lockers. Cellphones are to remain in backpacks or pockets during school hours. Cell phones or any other electronic device may not be used during instructional time, unless directed by the teacher. If a mobile communication device or other electronic or digital device rings or makes noise during class time, is used for inappropriate activities, or in any other way causes disruption of school activities, the device will be confiscated at each offense:
Other electronic devices such as headphones/earbuds, speakers, cameras, video games, etc. are not allowed on campus. Please do not allow your student to bring these devices to school, as they pose a high theft risk, and the school is not responsible for the recovery of prohibited items. Students are responsible for their electronic or digital devices when bringing them to school. The School and District are not responsible and will not investigate lost or stolen electronic or digital devices. (Board Policy 5412-Student Conduct)
It is the policy of the Board of Education to ensure the highest level of safety for students who ride bicycles to and from school. Students who ride bicycles to school must wear a helmet to prevent head injuries. It is the responsibility of the student to lock his or her bike in the bicycle rack. It is at your own risk. Neither the district nor school assumes any responsibility for the loss or damage of bicycles.
It is important that classroom interruptions be kept to a minimum and students will not be called to the Main Office for the retrieval of dropped-off items. Any non-essential item may be kept in the Main Office to be picked up by the student during snack, lunch, or at the end of the school day. Please do not bring or send items to school, such as balloons, flowers, gifts, cakes, etc.
Addresses and Telephone Numbers
Up-to-date and accurate student information is critical. Parents must notify the school office whenever there is a change of address or phone number for the parent or student. This would include work address and phone number. Parents may request new emergency cards to fill out at any time during the school year. These may be obtained in the school office. If your address has changed you must present proof of residence (utility bill, mortgage bill) along with a valid I.D.
Students may find that they need some additional instruction in subject matters. Tutoring is available before and after school. See the counselor or front office for the schedule.
When transferring or withdrawing from school the parent/guardian must come to the school office and fill out an affidavit of school withdrawal. All books and technology, such as iPads and iPad accessories, must be returned to the office and any obligations paid. The student's new school will request student records.
Students' grades are reported at the Middle School level at the conclusion of each semester. Additionally, progress reports are distributed every quarter via email, which is halfway through the semester. All Corvallis parents/guardians have access to the Parent Portal, which provides the most updated attendance and grading information for each student. The PowerSchool website is: https://powerschool.nlmusd.k12.ca.us/public.
All students must attend a full schedule of at least six, and up to seven, periods. Parents who want to check out students during the school day must go to the Main Office. All parents picking up students early must sign a student release form. This procedure is for the student’s protection. Students will not be released to anyone not specified on the Emergency Card without your prior permission.
The school is a setting in which respect for rules and common decency is expected of all staff and students. Rules and regulations are established to maintain a safe environment that is conducive to learning. All students are required to behave in a responsible and mature manner toward all members of the staff and to one another at all times: in the classrooms, on school grounds, and at all school related activities. Students must recognize that proper rules of conduct in classroom situations will vary from teacher to teacher; it is the responsibility of the students to adapt to these variations. The teacher will exercise professional judgment regarding appropriate disciplinary measures in the classroom. If more extensive discipline is required, the teacher may refer the student to the counselor or an administrator. The Discipline/Attendance Policy is a guide to be used by the school to ensure acceptable student conduct at Corvallis Middle School. The following is an explanation of the most common forms of discipline:
Students may be assigned detention for a variety of infractions of school and or classroom rules. Detention will be held during nutrition, lunch and/or before and after school.
Students may be assigned in-house suspension for a full day or for a number of periods during the school day.
Students assigned home suspension must remain under their parent or guardian’s supervision for the day. Students on suspension may not be at school or in the community during school hours. Suspended students are not allowed on campus or at any school function.
The following outlines class and school infractions and consequences for these infractions. Disciplinary action is progressive and may vary based on the severity of the incident and student disciplinary history.
The following violations are suspendable offenses per California Education Code 48900 and are enforced at school and to and from school:
(Markers of any kind are not to be brought to school)
matches and cigarette lighters
All violations of the above rules could result in one or more of the following: In-house suspension, suspension, citation, referral to District Guidance committee for adjustment transfer or expulsion. If there is more than one violation of BP 5495, a student will be recommended for expulsion.
*According to the Education Code and Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School Board Policy, the principal or superintendent may under certain circumstances, by law, recommend a student’s expulsion for committing the acts in numbers 15 -21 listed above. Any student who is expelled by the School Board cannot attend any school within the district during the period of the expulsion.
Students are considered in violation of suspension if they are on any campus, within sight of the school, or in attendance at any school-related activity while under a suspension order. Students must be at home during school hours and cannot be on any school campus within the district.
All rules and regulations apply to students on the way to or from school, while on campus, or while attending school activities.
BICYCLES ON CAMPUS
Bicycles are to be walked onto campus. Any violation of vehicle regulations will be treated as overt defiance.
Bus rules are made for one reason – student safety. If a bus driver must discipline a student, he or she is distracted from the safe operation of the bus. Pupils transported in school buses are under the authority of the bus driver. Disorderly conduct or refusal to submit to the authority of the driver may result in suspension or expulsion from bus transportation and further school discipline.
A late bus is available for approved student bus riders who participated in an after school activity, including sports. Late buses depart at 4:00 pm.
Any student who is disrespectful, insubordinate, defiant toward adult personnel, disorderly, or creates a disturbance is demonstrating poor behavior.
NOTE: A student is sent directly to the administrator for a major offense such as: fighting, threatening to fight, profanity, vandalism, or obscenity.
DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION
Displays of affection are inappropriate for students at Corvallis Middle School and not allowed at school.
Verbal abuse, arguing, name-calling or other types of confrontational behavior are unacceptable and may lead to suspension. It is the responsibility of the student to inform school administration of potential conflicts so that positive intervention can be implemented.
Any student throwing food, ice, or water will be disciplined. Students may be held liable for the cost of the cleaning or repairing school property.
Students who fight on campus are jeopardizing their opportunity to remain at Corvallis Middle School. Fighting on campus is an unacceptable way of solving problems.
Possession of explosive materials, firecrackers, cherry bombs, etc. is against State Law. These items are not permitted on the school campus or at any school-sponsored events.
The defacing or destruction of school, staff or student property will not be tolerated. Students who graffiti any surface of the campus will face disciplinary action and will be held financially responsible for repairs and clean up. In addition, students in possession of any object that can be used for defacing school or private property will face disciplinary action and may receive a citation from School Safety or Norwalk Public Safety. These items may include but are not limited to: permanent markers, spray paint, or any sharp object that could be used to mark a surface. Students may not use graffiti on their personal property. Student backpacks, notebooks, clothing and books must be free from graffiti or other defacing marks. These items will be confiscated and the parent will be required to pick them up.
Pitching coins, throwing dice, or any other kind of gambling will not be tolerated.
Students are prohibited from grouping in such a manner, or in such numbers, that the group creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.
Chewing gum is prohibited on the campus.
HARASSMENT OF STUDENTS (Bullying)
No student may verbally abuse or harass another student, threaten another student with bodily injury, or engage in any gang type activity.
It is unlawful in the City of Norwalk, for a student under the age of 18 to be in a public place unsupervised between 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on days when school is in session. Students will be cited with fines up to several hundred dollars. (City of Norwalk Ord. 1550 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1474 § 2, 1997; prior code § 5-6.2).
Students are not permitted to loiter in front of the school or in restricted areas on campus. Students loitering will be cited for poor conduct.
Any student who persistently defies school rules and school authority will be considered defiant. Belligerence and hostility directed toward school authority or personnel are defiant actions.
Any student who uses obscene language, gestures or engages in obscene acts shall be cited for defiance.
Use of vulgar and profane language will not be tolerated in any form.
Items that can cause harm to students or individuals and/or create disruptions are prohibited on campus during school or at school sponsored events. They can include but are not limited to : laser pointers, cameras, speakers, etc.
School officials may search individual students and their property when there is a reasonable suspicion that the student is violating the law or the rules of the school or district. The Board urges discretion, good judgment and common sense in all cases of search and seizure. Because lockers are under the joint control of the student and the district, school officials have the right and ability to open and inspect any school locker without student permission when they have reasonable suspicion that the search will disclose evidence of illegal possession, or when odors, smoke, fire, and/or other threats to student health, welfare or safety emanate from the locker. Notification of this policy will be posted throughout the secondary campuses.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT/ASSAULT
Any student who engages in the sexual harassment of anyone in or from the District may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Engaging in sexual harassment acts can be verbal, gestures, and/or physical contact, that are severe or pervasive as to have a negative impact on the student's academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Sexual assault as defined in Section 261, 266c, 286, 288, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code or committed a sexual battery as defined in Section 243.4 of the Penal Code.
In an effort to keep the schools free of drugs, the district uses specially trained non-aggressive dogs to alert staff to the presence of substances prohibited by law or district policy. The dogs may sniff areas around lockers, vehicles within the student parking lots or at district-sponsored events as long as they are not allowed to sniff any person.
Corvallis Middle School is committed to providing an atmosphere that is conducive to positive learning for all students. A major goal of the entire staff is to maintain this environment and to foster and nurture school pride and self‑discipline. An integral part of self‑discipline is maintaining good attendance habits.
Every absence affects a student's learning experience. Although a few absences each year for illness and school business are unavoidable, the student should strive to be in class, on time, each day. Family vacations, during school days, are considered parent violations and will be marked accordingly. Every effort should be made to schedule medical and dental appointments and family vacations during non‑school hours. Communication from school to home is important. Students and parents are advised of attendance procedures as follows:
Examples of Excused Absences per California Education Code (48205) are:
Truancies will not be tolerated. Verified truancies are defined as absences without parent permission for either all or a portion of a given day.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE REVIEW TEAM (SART) / STUDENT ATTENDANCE REVIEW BOARD (SARB)
The SARB process begins at the school, where students with chronic attendance problems are identified and meet with the SART team comprised of student, parent/guardian, administration, and counselor. The student may be referred to SARB if the problems are not resolved through existing school and community resources identified in the SART meeting. The school can do the following as a form of intervention: Phone calls or letters to the parent, parent meetings with the counselor or teacher, attendance contract with the student, school, and parent, and convene a SART meeting.
ABOLISH CHRONIC TRUANCY (ACT) PROGRAM
The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District has partnered with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to implement the Abolish Chronic Truancy (ACT) program to ensure that students attend school every day. The ACT program operates to combat truancy. Specially trained District Attorney personnel, along with site administrators and teachers implement the program with a three step process:
Step 1: Students with school attendance problems are identified and placed into the ACT program. They and their parents or guardians are required to attend a meeting with school officials and District Attorney personnel. If school attendance problems continue, the students and their parents or guardians are referred to a School Attendance Review Team (SART) for further intervention.
Step 2: SART provides one-on-one intervention that gives individualized attention to each family and student. Efforts are made to determine the reasons behind the child’s excessive absences and resolve them. If this does not produce satisfactory school attendance, the student and his/her parents or guardian are referred to the district-level School Attendance Review Board (SARB).
Step 3: SARB offers a last chance to resolve the truancy problem through intervention and assistance. If truancy continues students and their parents or guardians may be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for mediation or prosecution.
CORVALLIS MIDDLE SCHOOL UNIFORM/DRESS POLICY
Corvallis Middle School strongly believes that proper uniform attire contributes to the success of all students by promoting safety, a sense of pride and distinction. It is expected that all students at Corvallis maintain a neat, clean, and appropriate appearance. A student’s dress and general appearance should not draw undue attention, nor interfere with the learning process or the discipline in the school.
All students are required to wear the Corvallis uniform. This uniform consists of a:
The following items are prohibited on campus, school activities, and all athletic events.
A. Students shall not wear jackets, sweaters, outerwear or accessories related to unauthorized groups or gangs. Gang or group related apparel include but are not limited to: bandanas, head bands, chains hanging from belt loops, dangling belts, insignia belts, gang markings, hair nets, jewelry with gang symbols, or any clothing, backpacks, or notebooks which the sheriff or school consider gang related.
D. Pants with holes or tears located between the knee and the waist are not acceptable. If there are tears, then you need to have leggings underneath your pants.
E. Pants or shorts are to fit properly and be worn at the waist (no sagging).
F. Pant legs should not touch the ground. Pants and shorts must be hemmed or cuffed with no split seams.
G. No long or short shorts are allowed (the hem must be no more than one inch below the knee or not shorter than mid-thigh length).
I. High knee socks or socks touching the bottom of the leg of shorts are not allowed.
J. Appropriate footwear should be worn at all times. Flip-flops, slippers, shower shoes, and opened-toe sandals are not allowed.
K. Sunglasses are not allowed, unless prescribed.
L. Hoods of hoodies are not to be worn in class.
1stst Violation- Log of incident, verbal warning & opportunity to change
2ndnd Violation- Log of incident, parent call & opportunity to change
Ongoing Violations- Log of incident, parent call & progressive school discipline will be assigned by school administration.
REQUIRED ANNUAL NOTIFICATION TO PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND STUDENTS
(In accordance with California EC § 48980) for 2020-2021
The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District (“NLMUSD”) Student and Parent/Guardian Handbook is an annual notification based on California Education Codes 48980-48984 and public law to parents, guardians and students regarding their rights and responsibilities. Some other timely information is provided for your awareness; additional related items will be communicated throughout the year in school newsletters/notices and other District publications. Please review this information with your student.
A minor between the ages of 6 and 18 years is subject to compulsory education and, unless exempted, must enroll in school in the school district in which the residence of either the parent or legal guardian is located. A pupil may alternatively comply with the residency requirements for school attendance in a school district, if he or she is any of the following: placed in a foster home or licensed children’s institution within the boundaries of the school district pursuant to a commitment of placement under the Welfare and Institutions Code; a pupil who is a foster child who remains in his or her school of origin; an emancipated pupil who resides within the boundaries of the school district; a pupil who lives in the home of a caregiving adult that is located within the boundaries of the school district; or a pupil residing in a state hospital located within the boundaries of the school district ;or a pupil whose parent is transferred or is pending transfer to a military installation within the state while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order.
School districts do not receive funding from the State for pupils who are absent from school for any reason. Studies have shown there is a direct correlation between good school attendance and student achievement, therefore, parents are encouraged to reinforce the importance of good school attendance.
The NLMUSD urges parents to make sure their children attend school regularly and to schedule medical and other appointments so that a student misses none or only a small portion of the school day. The District also asks that travel, or other absences, be avoided during the time school is in session. The higher the District’s daily attendance rate, the more a student will learn and the greater the amount of funding the District will receive from the state for classroom instruction and academic programs. The school calendar is designed to minimize problems for families which plan vacations around traditional holiday periods, and thereby minimize student absences. Following an absence, a student is required to bring a written excuse from home when returning to school. Illnesses, doctor, and dental appointments are considered excused absences. Absences without a written excuse are recorded as unexcused.
Notwithstanding Section 48200, a pupil shall be excused from school when the absence is:
Pupils, with the written consent of their parents or guardians, may be excused from school in order to participate in religious exercises or to receive moral and religious instruction at their respective places of worship or at other suitable place or places away from school property
designated by the religious group, church, or denomination, which shall be in addition and supplementary to the instruction in manners and morals required elsewhere in this Code.
The parent or legal guardian of a pupil may seek release from the school district of residence to attend a school in any other school district. School districts may enter into agreements for the interdistrict transfer of one or more pupils for a period of up to five years. The agreement must specify the terms and conditions for granting or denying transfers, and may contain standards of reapplication and specify the terms and conditions under which a permit may be revoked. Unless otherwise specified in the agreement, a pupil will not have to reapply for an interdistrict transfer, and the school board of the district of enrollment must allow the pupil to continue to attend the school in which he/she is enrolled. A student who has completed grade 10 by June 30, may remain enrolled within the district of enrollment through grades 11 and 12 without any revocation from the desired district, and must be treated the same as any other resident student.
Regardless of whether an agreement exists or a permit is issued, the school district of residence cannot prohibit the transfer of a pupil who is a child of an active military duty parent to a school district of proposed enrollment if that district approves the application for transfer. Nor may a district prohibit an interdistrict permit release when no intradistrict permit options are available to a victim of bullying. A “victim of an act of bullying” means a pupil that has been determined to have been a victim of bullying by an investigation pursuant to the complaint process described in Section 234.1 and the bullying was committed by any pupil in the school district of residence, and the parent of the pupil has filed a written complaint regarding the bullying with the school, school district personnel, or a local law enforcement agency. “Bullying” means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal communication made in writing or by means of an electronic act directed toward one or more pupils that results in placing a reasonable person in fear of harm of self or property. It may cause a substantially detrimental effect on physical or mental health, interfere with academic performance or the ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school, and may be done in person or online. Bullying may be exhibited in the creation or transmission of bullying online, on or off the school site, by telephone or other device in a message, text, sound, video, or image in a post on a social network internet website or burn page that creates a credible impersonation of another student knowingly and without consent for the purpose of bullying. Sharing or forwarding messages contributes to the act of bullying.
A student who is appealing a decision for an interdistrict permit approval through the County Office of Education may be eligible for provisional admission to the desired district in grades TK through 12, while continuing through the process of appeal, if space is made available by the desired district, not to exceed two months.
A pupil who has been determined by personnel of either the school district of residence or the district of proposed enrollment to have been the victim of an act of bullying, as defined in EC 48900(r), shall, at the request of the parent or legal guardian, be given priority for interdistrict attendance under any existing agreement or, in the absence of an agreement, be given additional consideration for the creation of an interdistrict attendance agreement.
Each school district shall post their interdistrict policy agreements and local district caps on their district and/or school websites. Reasons for approval and denial of interdistrict transfer requests must be updated on the district website according to board policies. The County appeals process will be offered with the final denial in writing by the school district. The County appeal process may take up to a maximum of two months. If you have any questions about the interdistrict process, please call the Student and Family Services Department at (562) 210-2415 or call the Los Angeles County Office of Education at (562) 922-6233.
Residents of the school district may apply to other schools that serve the same grade levels within the district, beginning on December 1st and no later than January 31st of the school year preceding the school year for which the student wishes to transfer. The parent shall be notified in writing by the end February if the student was provisionally accepted, rejected, or placed on a waiting list for the next school year. A modified application process is available for children of relocated military personnel. No pupil who currently resides in the attendance area of a school can be displaced by pupils transferring from outside the attendance area. Students who are a victim of bullying shall be allowed an intradistrict permit to transfer if space is available at the same grade level. If there is no “intra-district” space to attend, the student may seek an “inter-district” permit to another district without any delay in release from the home district, but it does not guarantee entrance to an outside district. The process to enter another school district will be according to the desired district’s transfer policies. A “victim of an act of bullying” means a pupil that has been determined to have been a victim of bullying by an investigation pursuant to the complaint process described in Section 234.1 and the bullying was committed by any pupil in the school district of residence, and the parent of the pupil has filed a written complaint regarding the bullying with the school, school district personnel, or a local law enforcement agency. “Bullying” means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal communication made in writing or by means of an electronic act directed toward one or more pupils that results in placing a reasonable person in fear of harm of self or property. It may cause a substantially detrimental effect on physical or mental health, interfere with academic performance or the ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school, and may be done in person or online. Bullying may be exhibited in the creation or transmission of bullying online, on or off the school site, by telephone or other device in a message, text, sound, video, or image in a post on a social network internet website or burn page that creates a credible impersonation of another student knowingly and without consent for the purpose of bullying. Sharing or forwarding messages contributes to the act of bullying. For further information, please contact the Student and Family Services Department at (562) 210-2415.
Some school districts may choose to accept employment in lieu of residency. A school district allows a student to have complied with the residency requirements for school attendance in the district if at least one parent/guardian of the pupil is physically employed within the boundaries of that district for a minimum of ten hours during the school week. Once admitted to residency, the pupil’s transfer may be revoked only if the parent ceases to be employed within the boundaries of the district. As a resident, the student does not have to re-apply for the transfer to be valid.