TEXTBOOKS
Students are provided textbooks free of charge; however, fees will be charged for books that are lost or damaged beyond normal use. The minimum damage fee is $1.00. More may be charged if the teacher determines that the damage exceeds that expected from normal use. The teacher will take into account the original cost of the book in assessing damage fees. A student who loses a state-adopted textbook must pay the full price of the textbook as published in the current North Carolina state-adopted textbook list. A student also must pay the full replacement cost for any book damaged if it cannot be used in the future. The replacement costs of other classroom books and library books will be determined at the current catalogue price. The price of replacement is $5.00 for a textbook previously listed on a state-adopted textbook list but no longer listed on the current state-adopted list.
FIRE DRILL/SAFETY EXERCISES
North Carolina law requires monthly fire drills to be held throughout the year. The main purpose of these drills is to assure quick, orderly and complete evacuation of the buildings. When windows and doors can be closed and lights turned off without hindering this evacuation, these things should be done also. Monitors will be assigned such duties in each class. The signal for a fire drill is a shrill continuous ring. During the fire drill, there must be no running, talking, pushing, or breaking in line. All classes will be trained to use an alternate exit with no hesitation should the exit normally used be blocked. When clear of the building, the roll should be checked by the teacher to account for every student. All students outside of the building when the alarm sounds will cease all other activities promptly and form a group away from the building. Class groups will remain intact and clear of the building until the ALL CLEAR signal is given. A long ring of the bell will be the signal to return to the building. The return to classes will be as orderly as the evacuation.
In accordance with the Safe Schools Plan, drills may be held for other emergency situations. Students are expected to follow the directions given by the principal or teachers during such drills.
SCHOOL BUS RULES
School transportation service is a privilege, not a right. Students at all times while riding a school bus or other school vehicles shall observe the directives of the school bus driver. The following conduct is specifically prohibited and may result in temporary or permanent suspension from school transportation services and/or from school: delaying the bus schedule; fighting, smoking, using profanity or refusing to obey the driver’s instructions; tampering with or willingly damaging a school vehicle; possession or use of unauthorized drugs or intoxicating beverages on a school vehicle as outlined in board policy; getting off at an unauthorized stop; distracting the driver’s attention by participating in disruptive behavior while the vehicle is in operation; failing to observe established safety rules and regulations; throwing objects from the bus; willfully trespassing upon a school bus; and violating any other rule of the Student Behavior Code while on the school bus or other school vehicles.
A student disciplined for school bus misconduct more than twice can be suspended from riding the bus the remainder of the school year. Students suspended from riding a school bus will be responsible for their own transportation.
TELEPHONE CALLS
Students will not be called to the telephone. Student messages and usage of school telephones must not interfere with instruction. Students may not make calls during the school day or after school to make plans for personal after school activities. Students may not make telephone calls during instructional time except in the event of emergency, illness or injury and only with permission of school personnel.
Parents may call the office with student messages only in the event of an emergency. An emergency is defined as an unexpected situation or occurrence that demands immediate attention. The principal or the principal’s designee determines what is and is not an emergency during the school day. The parent/legal guardian and student should make personal arrangements in advance of the school day.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
SPORTS
WRMS offers students a variety of sports. We offer football, basketball, softball, cheerleading, tennis, soccer, golf, volleyball, track, and wrestling for students in grades 7 and 8. All students are required to have a physical on file in the school office before being allowed to participate in school sports. We encourage all students who are interested to try out for any of our teams.
Cheerleaders are selected after tryouts in the spring for the cheerleading squads for the next school year. The students will cheer at all home and away football and basketball games. All cheerleaders are required to follow Rockingham County Schools’ guidelines for behavior and are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that brings pride and respect to the cheerleading squad and the school.
Athletes are expected to maintain high academic standards. In order to maintain eligibility to play athletics, the student must pass 4 out of 5 subjects each grading period and semester. School attendance must be at least 85% each semester. Sixth graders must meet grade and attendance requirements second semester to be eligible in the 7th grade.
CLUBS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
WRMS has several clubs and activities for students. Each club has a staff sponsor. We encourage as many students as possible to become active in the school-sponsored activities.
Student Council:
The Student Council is made up of selected representatives from each homeroom. They meet periodically with the sponsors and plan projects that make the school stronger. They also assist in the planning of assemblies and activities. This organization is for students in grades sixth, seventh, and eighth.
Honor Society:
The WRMS Honor Society promotes academic achievement and outstanding character. There is a chapter for each grade level. Membership is based on grade point average for one semester. Requirements for membership include: A grade point average of 93.0, and a good conduct record as reviewed by teachers and principal.
New members are inducted in the spring of each year. During each grading period students are expected to maintain a high academic average. Students also complete at least four hours of community service during the school year. Advisors review the grades at the end of each grading period. Probation will result when averages drop below 93.0. Students are expected to raise their grades to Honor Society standards by mid-term.
The Literary Magazine:
The club recognizes the writing of prose, poetry and artwork by sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. The Literary Magazine is printed each year and sold for a nominal fee.
Math Counts:
The National Society of Professional Engineers and CAN Insurance Companies founded math counts in 1983. Current sponsors include the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, NASA and the General Motors and Cray Research Foundations. Math Counts, held at WRMS, offers students of all ability levels an opportunity to meet after school once a week to study together and receive help from math teachers. In January students who would like to be on the Math Counts team may take a test to qualify. Four Math Counts team members and one alternate from seventh and eighth grade will attend the chapter competition in February.
SAVES:
The Substance Abuse and Violence Education for Students Club promotes positive peer pressure to discourage violence and the use of alcohol and drugs in our school and community. During this year, special projects and activities are organized to assist students in making good decisions. Students who wish to become members sign up through their SAVES Club representative. This organization is for students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
All County Band and Chorus:
Any choral or band student may audition to participate in the All-County Band or Chorus. This is sponsored by Rockingham County Schools and is an excellent opportunity for our students.
Drama Club:
This club is open to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. They meet once a week after school. Attendance is mandatory to remain in the club. Drama club members learn the craft of acting as well as other aspects of the theater. This is an exciting organization, with periodic field trips and student productions.
Spanish Club:
This club focuses on cultural activities such as crafts, dancing, singing and acting related to Spanish-speaking countries. It also sponsors trips and artistic events for students.
Gamers' Club:
The Gamers' Club is open to all students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. This club meets weekly from 2:45 pm until 4:00 pm. No prior knowledge of chess or other card and board games is necessary. Students enjoy a relaxed time to learn team problem-solving skills and strategies for improving their game of choice that positively affect their academic endeavors. If a student enjoys competition, he or she may sign up for the grade level tournaments, which are usually held twice a year.
Just for Girls:
This club is for girls in grades six, seven, and eight. Meeting topics will include dressing your best for less, how to be a well-mannered girl, the qualities of being a good friend, pampering yourself, and what it means to be a well-mannered girl. The club is just for girls, just for fun!
**Note: Other clubs are possible provided a faculty or staff member is willing to propose and supervise the club. Proposals should be discussed with the principal and submitted to the principal by the prospective sponsor or advisor.
