Student Handbook - NCR 25-26

 

NORTH COUNTRY ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL

191 North Country Road
Miller Place, New York  11764
(631) 474-2710
Fax (631) 474-5178

Seth A. Lipshie, Superintendent of Schools	Christine Mangiamele, Principal
Sue G. Craddock, Assistant Superintendent	Diana Tufaro, Assistant Principal
Sandra Wojnowski, Executive Director for Educational Services	Don Denning, Dean of Students
Colleen V. Card, School Business Official
Christopher J. Herrschaft, Director of Human Resources

Your time at NCR is filled with opportunities, both in and outside the classroom. While academic success should always be your top priority, middle school is also about exploring new interests. We encourage you to get involved in extracurricular activities, athletics, and music programs. These years are also key for building lasting friendships, so take the time to connect with your peers.

As you go through this planner, you'll find all the information you need to make the most of the year. You’ll also learn who to reach out to if you ever have any questions or concerns. Remember, your teachers and the entire staff are here to support you every step of the way.

Best wishes for a successful and exciting school year at NCR!

Ms. Mangiamele 

Principal 

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Student Schedule

Bell Schedule

Period 1	7:40 AM - 8:25 AM
Period 2	8:28 AM - 9:10 AM
Period 3	9:13 AM - 9:55 AM
Period 4	9:58 AM - 10:40 AM
Period 5	10:43 AM - 11:25 AM
Period 6	11:28 AM - 12:10 PM
Period 7	12:13 PM - 12:55 PM
Period 8	12:58 PM - 1:40 PM
Period 9	1:43 PM - 2:25 PM

 

NORTH COUNTRY ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL 

COURSE OFFERINGS

6th Grade	7th Grade	8th Grade
English (Periods 1 & 2)  Language Arts  Math   Science   Social Studies    Physical Education   Art   Music  Health  AIS Math  Lunch	English  Math/Math Honors  Science  Social Studies   Physical Education   Art   Music   Health   FACS 7/Technology   AIS Math/AIS English Italian   Spanish   Lunch	English   Math (with lab)/Algebra I  Science/Earth Science (with lab)   Social Studies   Physical Education   Art   Music   Health   FACS/Tech 8/APPS in Technology  AIS Math/AIS English  Computer Literacy  Italian I   Spanish I   Lunch

 

Student Questions & Concerns

If you have questions or concerns, here’s who can help: 

Question and/or Concern	Who to Contact
Classwork, Curriculum, Grading or Academic Progress	Classroom Teacher
Student-Teacher Relationship	Classroom Teacher
Overall Student Progress	Guidance Counselor
Extracurricular Activities	Guidance Counselor
School Policies, DASA or Programs	Principal
School Bus Incidents	Assistant Principal/Dean of Students
Student Behavior	Assistant Principal/Dean of Students
Eligibility for Activities	Dean of Students
School Accident or Illness	Nurse’s Office
Absences or Tardiness	Attendance Office

 

Student Lockers 

Lockers are provided to store books, supplies, and personal belongings during the school day. Students are responsible for keeping their lockers clean, organized, and locked at all times. Sharing lockers or locker combinations is not allowed. Lockers should only be accessed before school, between classes (if time allows), and after school—frequent visits during class time are not permitted. Any issues with lockers should be reported to a teacher or the main office. The school reserves the right to inspect lockers if necessary.

Academic Integrity & Plagiarism 

A student should not engage in any form of academic misconduct. Such acts are treated seriously. A student found to be engaging in such acts will incur an academic penalty and will be subject to disciplinary procedures. Examples of academic misconduct include:, plagiarism (Plagiarism is defined as the act of passing off as one's own the ideas or writings of another), cheating, copying, altering records, or assisting another student in any of the above actions. Any unauthorized display or use of an electronic device during an exam will result in a zero for the exam and/or disciplinary action according to the electronic device procedures.

Arrival, Departure & Transportation Guidelines

For safety reasons, the north roadway to NCR is closed to all traffic except buses during arrival and dismissal. Parents should drop off and pick up students in the parking lot on the Sound Beach School driveway. Students must ride their assigned bus to and from school, but in an emergency, a parent/guardian note and school principal approval are required for a different bus, as long as there’s available space. Only students involved in supervised after-school activities may take a late bus. For those who bike to school, helmets are required, and bicycles must be parked and locked in the designated area. Bicycles should be walked on and off school property during arrival and dismissal.

Transportation

The Miller Place School District provides bus service for all students attending the middle school. Schedules are sent home before the first day of school and students are to be at the bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Students will follow the directions of the driver and will maintain the proper level of decorum and safety. All school rules and regulations are to be adhered to by students using school transportation. Student misconduct on buses could result in a loss or suspension of bus privileges as the school district retains the right to deny transportation due to misconduct. 

The following regulations are in effect at all times: 

1. Be courteous, use no profane language 
2. Keep the bus clean. Do not throw papers or any other objects. 
3. Stay in your seat 
4. Keep head, hands and feet inside the bus 
5. Cooperate with the driver 

Students that do not conduct themselves in an appropriate manner will be subject to disciplinary action that may include suspension from transportation.

Student Dress Code

Students should dress in a way that is safe, appropriate, and not distracting to learning. Clothes should not have rude, inappropriate, or offensive messages, and they should not mention alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or violence. Some clothing is not allowed, including very short shorts, skirts, or skorts (they must be longer than your fingertips when your arms are at your side), tube tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, low-cut shirts, or see-through clothing. Shirts must fully cover your stomach, and undergarments should not be visible. Hats and bandanas are not allowed unless worn for medical or religious reasons, and shoes must be safe for school activities. By dressing appropriately, we help keep our school a respectful and focused place for everyone.

Rules of the Cafeteria

All students are required to use the cafeteria during their lunch period and are requested to be considerate. If a family is experiencing financial hardship they should contact the school and request information pertaining to free/reduced breakfast/lunch. 

1. Students are only permitted to be in the cafeteria during their scheduled lunch period. 
2. Students are expected to arrive on time to the cafeteria.
3. Good table manners are expected and students are responsible to keep their tables clean. Students should dispose of their garbage appropriately when they are finished eating. 
4. Any student throwing food will be subject to disciplinary procedures. 
5. Students are responsible for cleaning up any mess left behind. Students at tables that are left in an unacceptable manner will be subject to discipline. Common respect and courtesy for those arriving for the next lunch period should guide your actions. 
6. Students wishing to purchase food items should enter the serving areas in an orderly fashion. No cutting of the line will be permitted. Common rules of courtesy should be used when speaking to food service workers and other personnel. The school reserves the right to refuse to serve unruly or uncooperative students.

Electronic Device Procedure

The display of cellular phones, ear phones and other electronic devices are prohibited in the classroom setting. Students are prohibited from taking photos or videos on school grounds unless it is for an appropriate academic purpose or school related event with prior approval. If a student is observed displaying their phone or electronic device in the classroom setting, the device will be confiscated and the student will be subject to discipline.

Electronic Device Violations – Consequences

Violation of the electronic device policy will result in progressive disciplinary action:

• Step 1: You will receive a warning & item will be returned at the end of the day.
• Step 2: Parent will be contacted & item will be returned at the end of the day
• Step 3: Parent will be contacted to retrieve the item.
• Step 4: Parent will be contacted to retrieve the item & students will serve lunch detention.

Fire Drills and Emergency Evacuations

The building principal is responsible for conducting fire drills in order to instruct students and staff in exiting the school building in an emergency in the shortest time possible and without confusion and panic. Fire drills shall include instruction on fire drill exits and fire alarm boxes, as well as fire drill procedures. 

All students are expected to cooperate with staff members during fire drills, and to leave the buildings in a quiet and orderly manner. The exit route is posted in each room. Students must stay with their teacher. Distracting behavior will be subject to either teacher or administrative discipline.

In case of an emergency (such as a fire, lock down or a bomb threat), it is imperative that all students immediately comply with the directions of staff and emergency personnel. If an evacuation of the building is necessary, all students must follow the directives of school personnel. This must be done as quickly and as quietly as possible. Any students who deliberately disrupt the orderly evacuation procedure or who leave school property without permission will be subjected to suspension from school.

School-Wide Discipline Plan 

• Warning: Incident recorded.
• First Step: Incident recorded, one lunch detention, and phone call home to parents.
• Second Step: Incident recorded, two lunch detentions, and phone call home to parents.
• Third Step: Incident recorded, one lunch detention, one after-school detention, loss of privilege to attend the next dance, and phone call home to parents.
• Fourth Step: Incident recorded, one day of in-school suspension, one lunch detention, one after-school detention, loss of privilege to attend the next dance, and parent conference.
• Fifth Step: Incident recorded, two days of in-school suspension, two lunch detentions, two after-school detentions, loss of privilege to attend the next dance, loss of privileges for trips or end-of-year 8th grade dance, and parent conference.

Exhaustion of School-Wide Discipline Plan

Any additional infractions will result in appropriate disciplinary actions as per the Miller Place School District Code of Conduct and the building administration. 

1. A student will be placed on the appropriate step based on the severity of the infraction. 
2. Out-of-School suspensions may be utilized as an appropriate consequence 
3. Twenty infractions will result in an automatic Step Five and loss of school functions (e.g., sports, trips, dances, etc.)

**By having no further discipline events for a period of five weeks, students will be afforded one opportunity to retract a step.

Responsible Technology Use in Middle School

Technology is a valuable tool for learning and communication, but it must be used responsibly. Here’s how to make the most of your school-issued laptop and personal devices:

School Laptops

• Use laptop for academic purposes only–stay on task during class
• Keep your device charged and bring it to school daily. 
• Handle your laptop with care–inquire about device insurance.
• Follow the school’s internet use policy–avoid inappropriate websites or online behavior. 
• Do not download unauthorized software or attempt to bypass security settings. 

Cell Phones & Personal Devices

• Phones may be used during lunch periods but must be put away during class time. 
• Be respectful–don’t take photos or videos of others during the school day. 
• Use headphones responsibility–keep volume low and be aware of your surroundings 
• Do not use your phone to text, call, or access social media during instructional time. 

Digital Citizenship

• Think before you post–what you share online can have lasting consequences. 
• Be respectful of online interactions–no cyberbullying or inappropriate messaging. 
• Keep personal information private–never share passwords or sensitive details. 
• Do not use school technology for inappropriate or non-educational purposes. 

By following these guidelines, we can create a positive and productive learning environment for everyone! If you have any questions about technology use, ask a teacher or administrator.

NCR Sports Teams

Basketball | Baseball | Cross-Country & Track & Field | Field Hockey | Football | 

| Lacrosse | Soccer | Softball | Tennis | Volleyball | Wrestling | Cheerleading

Interscholastic sports are an important piece of the middle school experience. Students are encouraged to participate in grades 7 and 8, whether as athletes or by supporting their peers as spectators. Participation in sports promotes teamwork, leadership, school spirit, and personal growth. No prior experience is necessary—students of all skill levels are welcome to try out or get involved.

Student eligibility for participation in interscholastic teams includes authorization by the school physician, written parental consent, and endorsement by the school principal based on the established school rules.

Student Spectators: Students are welcome to attend games but must leave school at dismissal and return for the game’s start time (typically 4:00 PM). Students may not remain in the building unsupervised while waiting for games to begin. While attending games, students are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship, follow school behavior expectations, and show respect toward players, coaches, officials, and fellow spectators. Disruptive behavior may result in removal from the event.

Before & After School Programs/Clubs

Throughout the school year, NCR offers a variety of exciting before and after-school programs. Students can only stay for a program if they are participating in a supervised activity. Be sure to listen to the morning announcements on WNCR and check the hallway postings for club start dates. Thanks to strong support from our community and students, we’re able to offer a wide range of clubs that cater to many interests. Here’s a look at the available programs:

Academic Center  Art Club  Art Portfolio Club  Badminton (AM)  Chess Club  Culinary Club  Gaming Club  Jazz Chorus  Jazz Ensemble Junior Panther Players Drama

Lego League  Math Olympiad (Grade 6)  Mathletes (7th and 8th Grade)  Mock Trial  Media (WNCR)  Open Courts Club  Operation Success (Algebra I & Earth Science) Science Club  Sign Language  Yearbook Club

Student Government: Students in grades 6–8 are encouraged to get involved in the NCR Student Government. This leadership group plans and hosts school events like dances, spirit wear sales, SPIRIT WEEK, and more. They also organize fundraising activities to support school initiatives during the year.

National Junior Honor Society: Being selected for the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a prestigious honor recognized nationwide for 8th grade students. Students don't apply directly; instead, they provide information that the selection committee uses to assess their candidacy. Membership is not based solely on academic performance, but also on excellence in five key areas: scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character. At NCR, the scholarship requirement is a cumulative GPA of 93 from the student’s sixth and seventh-grade years.

Merit Roll, Honor Roll, and High Honor Roll

Students are recognized for academic achievement each marking period through the Merit Roll, Honor Roll, and High Honor Roll. Eligibility is based on the following grade averages:

• Merit Roll – 85% overall average
• Honor Roll – 90% overall average
• High Honor Roll – 95% overall average

These distinctions acknowledge consistent effort, strong performance, and a commitment to academic success.

Behavior Expectations at Off-Campus Events

Students are expected to represent our school in a positive and respectful manner at all off-campus events, including field trips, athletic competitions, and other school-sponsored activities. All school rules apply during these events, and students are expected to follow the directions of school staff and event supervisors at all times. Demonstrating good sportsmanship, respectful behavior, and responsibility helps ensure that these opportunities remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Parent Involvement & Communication

We encourage parents to stay engaged in their child’s education! Ways to stay connected:

• School Website: Check for updates, schedules and important announcements. 
• SchoolTool: View grades, assignments, and attendance records. 
• PTA & School Events: Attend meetings and stay involved in upcoming events

A strong school-home partnership helps students thrive!

Attendance/Absence Policy

Reporting Absences & Tardiness

• Parents/guardians must notify the school office by phone or email on the morning of an absence or within 24 hours of the occurrence.
• A written excuse (note or email) is required when the student returns to school.
• If a student arrives late, they must check in at the attendance office, sign in, and get a pass before going to class.

Excused Absences

• Personal illness
• Loss of an immediate family member (during the grieving period)
• Religious observances
• Government-mandated quarantine
• Court appearances
• Pre-approved educational trips or activities

Consistent attendance is key to student success. Being on time and present helps build strong learning habits and responsibility.  Any other absences—including class cuts, undocumented absences, tardiness, and unapproved early dismissals—are considered unexcused. Attendance will be reviewed quarterly to identify patterns that may require follow-up. A student arriving 20 or more minutes late will be marked absent. Three unexcused tardies of less than 20 minutes will count as one absence.

For students that participate in Earth Science, Algebra I and World Language:

1.  Students must maintain 85% attendance to be eligible for credit. Twenty-seven absences within a full year course will result in no credit given for the course. Students taking Earth Science, which meets 270 class periods yearly, may not exceed forty-one absences to receive credit for the course.

2.  Students who are unable to attend a class on a given day/period due to their participation in a school-sponsored activity may arrange with their teachers to make up missed work. Participation in these events will not count towards the total number of absences; however, students with 20 or more absences will not be permitted to miss class for school-sponsored activities (including school trips).

3.  Students with “no credit” status before the end of the year are obligated to continue to attendthe class. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary procedures.

4.  A student that receives a Non-Credit (NC) in a course will have a score of 50% calculated into their Cumulative Grade Point Average for each Non-Credited course.

​​Eligibility Policy & Probationary Status for Extracurricular Activities

To participate in extracurricular activities, students must maintain an acceptable level of academic performance and attendance.

Eligibility Requirements

• Academic eligibility is based on the previous 10-week grading period (except for September, which is based on final grades from the prior year or summer school).
• Students with two or more failing grades in a marking period will be placed on probation.
• Students must attend at least 85% of school days (no more than 27 absences) to remain eligible.
• Suspended students are ineligible for extracurricular activities during the suspension period.
• Students must arrive by the end of the second period (9:10 a.m.) to participate in after-school activities that day.

Probationary Status Procedure

Students on probation must attend a mandatory Academic Center session before or after school three times a week for academic support.

• A weekly progress report must be submitted to the school office. Failure to submit or meet academic expectations will result in a one-week suspension from activities.
• Students demonstrating consistent effort and improvement will be removed from probation.
• Lack of improvement may lead to an administrative review and possible suspension from all extracurricular activities.

Bullying & Harassment Policy

Our school is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) ensures that every student is free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying. This law prohibits bullying based on race, color, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics. We encourage all students to speak up if they witness or experience bullying or harassment and to work together to create a positive and inclusive school community.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is repeated behavior that involves a power imbalance, including:

• Emotional (exclusion, intimidation, spreading rumors)
• Verbal (insults, threats, harassment)
• Physical (hitting, pushing, damaging property)
• Online (Cyberbullying) (harassing messages, social media attacks)

Bullying is not tolerated on school grounds, at school events, on buses, or online when it affects the school environment.

What is Harassment?

Harassment includes unwanted verbal, nonverbal, or physical behavior that causes fear, embarrassment, or harm. Examples include:

• Repeated insults, threats, or demeaning jokes
• Unwanted advances or sexual comments
• Interference with academic performance or participation in school activities

Reporting & Consequences

• Students should report bullying or harassment to a teacher, counselor, or the principal. Reports can be made in person, in writing, or anonymously.
• The school will investigate all complaints promptly and fairly.
• Consequences may include counseling, loss of privileges, suspension, or other disciplinary actions.
• Retaliation against anyone who reports bullying is strictly prohibited.

Our goal is to ensure every student feels safe and supported. If you experience or witness bullying, speak up—help us make our school a respectful place for all. 

Final Thoughts

At North Country Road Middle School, we believe in respect, responsibility, and resilience. By following the guidelines in this handbook, you’ll help create a safe, supportive, and successful school community.

Remember, your education is what you make of it—stay curious, work hard, and always be kind to others. Each day is a new opportunity to learn and grow.

"Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours."

 

 

School rules published in this handbook are subject to such changes as may be needed to ensure continued compliance with federal, state or local regulations and are subject to such review and alteration by the Board of Education, as becomes necessary for the routine operation of the school. Not all rules of behavior can be written and inserted in a guidebook; however, we expect students to follow reasonable rules and not violate the rights of others. Please refer to the Districts Code of Conduct for additional information regarding student behavior.