Handbook

Attendance Line: (505) 344-4389 ext. 54896

Albuquerque Public Schools believes that opportunities for Academic Success are enhanced when students are ON TIME and IN ALL CLASSES DAILY. Excessive absenteeism, regardless of the reason, will negatively impact student academic achievement. For this reason APS has adopted a new policy regarding student attendance. The focus of the new policy is on unexcused absences. However, excessive absences of any kind are of concern.

• No more than five unexcused absences per semester
• No more than 10 unexcused absences per school year

5th Full Day Unexcused Absences:

Mail parent letter indicating student is truant as per state Public Education Department

• Student and parent must attend Truancy Prevention program at school
• Review intervention strategies and revise as needed
• Record absences and interventions on discipline record

10th Full Day Unexcused Absences:

Mail parent 10th full day unexcused absence letter indicating student is a Habitual Truant as per state Public Education Department

• Student will be referred to the APS Court Liaison
• Absences and referrals are entered into student discipline records

Excused Absences are as follows:

• Doctor appointments
• Religious commitment
• Death in the family
• Illness
• Family emergency
• Diagnostic testing
• School or college visit

Please remember to call the school anytime your child is absent and indicate the reason for absence. Family vacations are considered unexcused absences, and it is expected that parents will schedule vacations during school breaks.

Review the complete APS Attendance Policy

Cell Phone Policy: The cell phone policy is in place at Taft Middle School to address concerns that are present when cell phones are allowed on campus. Concerns include: Disruption to the educational environment and learning process, Theft of cell phones, Misuse of phones - text messaging, calls, photos/videos, etc., Right to Privacy of students, staff, and visitors. Taft Middle School staff will not investigate incidents of theft or damage of these items.

Rules Governing the Use of Cell Phones on Campus: Cell phones must be turned off (not just on vibrate) between 8:00 AM and 3:05 PM. Cell phones must be kept out of sight during the school day, including lunchtime. Possession of another student phone may constitute theft and will be disciplined accordingly. Violation of these expectations will result in disciplinary action. In all cases, students using a cell phone during the school day will have their phone delivered to the office and will be kept until a parent/guardian picks it up.

E-Readers: E-Readers such as the Kindle, Nook, and iPad may be used by students in the classroom at the discretion of the teacher. EReaders may not be used in the hallways, cafeteria, during lunch, or any other time during school. Simply put, E-Readers can only be used in the classroom with the permission of the classroom teacher. Students bring E-Readers to school at their own risk. Taft Middle School is not responsible for lost or stolen E-Readers.

iPods and Other Electronic Devices: iPods and other electronic devices/MP3 players, computer games, etc. are not allowed on campus. These items create a disruption to the educational process. If brought to school, they will be confiscated and kept in the office until a parent or guardian picks them up. Bringing these items to school is a blatant violation of the discipline policy. Taft Middle School staff will not investigate incidents of theft or damage of these items.

Review the complete APS Student Acceptable Use of Personal Electronic Devices

Taft Middle School Dress Code

Taft Middle School will have a modified dress code for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. 

Please see below.  If your child needs support with clothing, please contact Monica Archuleta , Taft Counselor, at:  monica.archuleta@aps.edu , for help and resources.

 

*Masks worn following CDC guidelines are mandatory for students and staff.

 

*Water fountains cannot be shared.  Students need to bring their own water bottle

*Student I.D.s are required to be worn at all times while on campus. I.D.s are required to receive breakfast & lunch, check out library books and may be required by the district to get on the bus. Students will receive a free I.D. upon return to school.

I. Pants/Shorts

1. Pants and sweat pants allowed.  Please see number 3.
2. Short length MUST follow the Modesty Zone – top of knee.
3. NOT ALLOWED:
   1. oversized (wide legs, excessive length – touching floor).
   2. dropped crotch, saggy, baggy, excessively torn or shredded / torn or shredded in the modesty zone (see bottom of page 2 for modesty zone).
   3. pajama bottoms of any kind, blankets.
   4. spandex, tight fitting/immodest, leggings as pants.
   5. underwear showing.

II. Skirts/Skorts

1. Knee length skirts/skorts may be worn with tights and leggings underneath.

III. Shirts

1. ALLOWED:  Shirts with long or short sleeves:  T-shirts, polo’s, button down shirts, sweat shirts
2. NOT ALLOWED:
   1. tank tops, spaghetti straps, muscle shirts,  showing midriff/skin or see through / sheer fabric.
   2. low-cut shirt necks of any kind, or camisoles worn alone.
   3. smoking, alcohol, gambling, drug symbolism or advertising.
   4. writing/graphics that are suggestive, sexual, violent, or disrespectful.

IV. Accessories/Miscellaneous

1. Shoes:
   1. Closed toe shoes must be worn at all times. No flip flops or sandals.
   2. Bedroom slippers (a soft sole) are never allowed.
2. Jackets/Coats:
   1. Classrooms may be cold or hot.  Dress in layers.  Hoodies allowed for the remainder of this year.  Hoods down in hallways and classrooms.
3. Jewelry:
   1. Any jewelry that is disruptive to the educational process is not allowed. For example:  Earrings larger than 1 1/2 inches, dog collar necklaces, spiked jewelry, chains, wallets on chains, facial or tongue jewelry or any accessories that can be construed as weapons.

V. Hair Styles and Make-up:

1. Students’ hairstyles must not be distracting or disruptive to the educational process.
2.  Other Accessories:
   1. No hats, sunglasses, hairnets, or bandanas.
   2. Students are not to share: masks, computers, water bottles, writing utensils, food, snacks or any other personal items.

VI. Gang Related Dress: 

1. Paraphernalia/clothing that can be construed as gang-related (bandanas, sweat bands, etc..)  are not permitted.

The APS District Behavior Handbook stipulates that Interpretation of the school dress code is left to the administration.  Taft will collaborate with students, staff, and parents to make sure dress code decisions are made equitably and fairly.