Family Handbook

Carson Middle School is a public school located on Fort Carson, an Army post ten miles northwest of the city of Fountain, Colorado. Our beautiful setting at the base of Cheyenne Mountain adds to the educational atmosphere.

Students at Carson Middle School come from several surrounding communities, both on and off the post, resulting in a diverse population of military dependents and civilian students. This diverse student population in grades 6-8 enriches and strengthens the atmosphere at Carson Middle School.

We believe that the school’s success is founded in a partnership between parents, students, and the school staff. Parents can participate through various volunteer opportunities, attending parent/teacher conferences and supporting school events. We also want parents to know they are welcome in our school and classrooms at any time. Please feel free to arrange with teachers or the administration to visit classes or to volunteer your services.

Carson Middle School Colors: Black and Gold
Carson Middle School Mascot: The Eagle

CARSON CORE VALUES

We believe that…

• High growth is critical for all students

• Strong, supportive teacher teams are essential for professional growth and student success

• All students should be responsible and respectful citizens who give back to their community

• Performing, STEM, Health and Visual arts education is essential to fostering the talents of all students

POST ACCESS

• Visitors must present a valid ID, proof of auto insurance and vehicle registration at the Fort Carson Visitor Center to obtain a temporary visitor pass.

• Occupants’, 18 years of age and older, identification will be checked

• All vehicles may be inspected

• Visitors must go directly from Gate 1 to the school

• Visitors must leave Fort Carson immediately after the event

* Carson Middle School operates in accordance with the policies and regulations established by the Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 Board of Education. The information, expectations, procedures, and guidelines outlined in this handbook are intended to support and align with District Board policies. In the event of any discrepancy, District Board policy shall take precedence. Families are encouraged to review the complete Board Policy Manual, available on the District website, for additional information regarding student rights, responsibilities, and district operations.

CURRICULUM FOR GRADES 6-8

Students are required to take language arts, science, mathematics, social studies, and physical education / health. The curriculum in academic classes is based upon Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 Public Policy Statements, as well as Colorado Academic Standards. We have high expectations for academic success of our students and will continually assess their progress towards meeting district standards and benchmarks.

ELECTIVE OFFERINGS

In the middle school setting, students should explore many areas of elective programs. Our elective offerings are as follows:

• Art: 2D, Ceramics 
• Band: Beginning, Jazz, Symphonic, Concert
• Choir: Beginning, Intermediate, Honor
• CTE: Design and Modeling, VEX, Automation and Robotics, Coding, Woods (Intro/ Advanced), Medical Detectives
• Misc: Spanish and Culture, Spanish I, Physical Education, Partners in PE, Wrestling, AVID

Students must meet academic prerequisites in order to enroll in advanced level courses.

HOMEWORK

Homework completion is the students’ responsibility. Students who regularly complete their homework seldom have problems with their grades. We encourage parents to get involved with their child’s homework by providing uninterrupted study time and by checking the completed work.

INFINITE CAMPUS (Parent Portal)

The Infinite Campus system allows parents to check on “real-time” progress of their students. Attendance and final transcripts can be immediately checked on-line. Parents need to come to the Main Office to set up an account. Instructions on how to access the IC portal system will also be given. Training sessions will be periodically conducted for parents who need help. Parents must provide identification to the office secretaries to receive their account information or reset password. No information will be given over the phone. Please visit the CMS website to view a training video on how to access IC.

AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING

After school tutoring provides students with additional instruction in math, language arts, science, and social studies. Tutoring is provided Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school from 3:25 to 4:25. Content teachers provide at least one day of tutoring per week. Students attending after school tutoring may ride the tutoring bus that leaves at 4:30 pm. Students will also have an opportunity to seek additional help during most ACCESS periods.

GRADING PRACTICES

In FFC8, our vision is for every grade to serve as an accurate, student-centered reflection of learning. Through evidence-based grading, students demonstrate their understanding and application of priority standards using clearly defined proficiency scales and rubrics that describe a progression toward mastery. Grades communicate a student's current level of proficiency based on the most recent and consistent evidence of learning.

Traditional grading systems often assign point values or percentages to assignments, quizzes, and tests, combine those scores into a single average, and report one overall course grade. While this approach provides a summary of overall performance, it can mask a student's strengths and areas for growth because the final average does not clearly communicate mastery of individual standards. A student may earn a passing grade while still having significant gaps in essential learning, or conversely, early struggles may continue to lower a student's grade even after they have demonstrated mastery.

FFC8's evidence-based grading model shifts the focus from accumulating points to demonstrating learning. Each priority standard is assessed independently using a common proficiency scale that describes increasing levels of understanding and application. Students receive meaningful feedback on their progress toward mastery and have opportunities to continue learning and provide additional evidence of their understanding. Academic achievement is reported separately from essential skills and work habits, ensuring that grades accurately reflect what students know and can do.

By focusing on evidence of learning rather than point accumulation, FFC8's grading practices provide students, families, and educators with a clearer picture of academic progress. This approach promotes equity, encourages continuous improvement, empowers students to take ownership of their learning, and ensures that grades are meaningful indicators of readiness for future learning.

Kindergarten through 8th-grade students can review their course grades in the Otus system, while high school students use InfiniteCampus. 

View more information on the FFC8 Evidence-Based Grading System

FINALS

Semester final exams are administered the last 2 weeks of December and May. The only students excused from these exams are students whose parents’ PCS orders indicate that they must clear Fort Carson prior to testing. Students will receive the grade they have earned at the time of withdrawal.

MAKE-UP WORK

Students are responsible for completion of make-up work/missed assessments following an absence. Make-up work can be requested by emailing his/her teachers or requesting work upon returning to school. Students have one day for each day missed, plus one additional day to make up the work. Students anticipating a long-term absence can access work online and may obtain any additional missing assignments upon their return to school. Students and parents may work with the team teachers and counseling office to develop a plan that involves accessing teachers after school, during lunch and during ACCESS.

AWARDS’ ASSEMBLIES

Assemblies are held throughout the year to honor students whose achievements have merited recognition in a public forum. Students are encouraged to work for recognition in all areas, including academic excellence, attendance, citizenship, creativity, and athletics. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend these assemblies in support of their child’s successes at school.

EAGLE PRIDE

Eagle Pride is an award given to exemplary Carson Middle School students. Students are nominated and selected for the Eagle Pride award by the faculty. Each month a student from each grade level is selected by teacher vote to receive this honor.

ATTENDANCE

One criteria of a student’s success in school is regular and punctual attendance. Frequent absences may lead to poor academic work, lack of social development, and possible academic failure. On the 4th day of an unexcused absence during a 30-day period, the student may be placed on an Attendance Plan.

At that time, a letter will be sent home encouraging attendance and outlining district policy and state law. Documentation must be provided for any additional absences to be excused after an Attendance Plan has been enacted.

Absences are excused when a parent or guardian notifies the school. However, once a student reaches 10 total absences, they are approaching chronic absenteeism. At which point, documentation (like a doctor’s note or official paperwork) will be required for any further absences to be excused.

ABSENCE/LATE ARRIVAL

When a student is absent or late arriving to school, his/her parent or guardian should call the attendance line, 719- 382-1630, to notify the school of the absence or late arrival or accompany the student to check-in at the office. Absences can also be reported on the Google Form that is pinned in Parent Square.

Documentation must be provided to excuse a student due to a family emergency or parent/guardian deployment. A doctor’s note must be provided to the attendance secretary to excuse absences if the student is required to stay home for more than 2 consecutive days due to illness. The Infinite Campus phone dialer will contact you if your student is absent for any reason, unless the attendance office has been notified of the absence. Calls are made after 4:00 pm. If your student was marked absent by mistake, please contact your student’s teacher via email or call the main office at 719-382-1610 to be transferred to the teacher’s voicemail box.

TARDY TO CLASS

We believe that prompt arrival to all classes is essential to the educational environment. When students arrive late to class it creates an unnecessary disruption and impacts learning. The Infinite Campus phone dialer will contact you if your student is tardy to class. Students will earn a lunch detention on their 5th tardy to class. Students will serve lunch detention. A parent meeting with administration may occur after the 6th tardy.

WITHDRAWALS

Parents who are withdrawing their students from school must give the office a five-day notice. The parent/guardian will need to complete a “Withdrawal Notice” in the main office, which informs the school of the check-out date. Students must be enrolled for 15 days in that quarter to receive grades.

SOAR STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Carson Middle School has SOAR expectations for students for various parts of the building. The SOAR expectations can be found throughout the school. View the SOAR expectations for various spaces around campus.

RESPECT FOR THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The flag of the United States of America is the symbol of freedom in our country. Proper respect for the flag will be shown at all times. The daily announcements will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. All persons should stand, face the flag, and participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Students may place their right hand over their heart or stand at attention during the Pledge of Allegiance.

DISTRICT STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Students are required to read and follow the District Student Code of Conduct, which is available on the district website.

CLUBS/ATHLETICS/ACTIVITIES

CLUBS/ACTIVITIES are available for student participation after school. Clubs will be announced during the school year as they change based on student interest. 

ATHLETICS provide opportunities for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to participate in seasonal competitive sports in the Pikes Peak Athletic Conference. Students must have a completed registration for each sport (found on the school website), and a current physical on file before participating in any practice.

Fall Sports:

Fall 1: Co-Ed Cross Country, Girls’ Volleyball, Football (7th and 8th grade only)

Fall 2: Girls’ Soccer, Co-Ed Wrestling

Winter Sports:

Winter 1: Boys’ Basketball

Winter 2: Girls’Basketball

Spring Sports: Girls’ Softball, Co-Ed Track, Boys’ Soccer

ATHLETIC EVENTS—Students and parents are welcome at all Carson Middle School home events. There is no charge for attendance at regular contests. Tournament events will charge an entrance fee.

ELIGIBILITY POLICY

At Carson Middle School, students will be held to a weekly eligibility policy. All students must have passing grades to participate. Students who are failing any class will be ineligible for the following week. The ineligible period runs from Monday through the following Saturday. Quarter grades and semester grades have no bearing

on eligibility. Ineligible students do not “dress out” for home events or travel to away events. Participation in practices during a student’s ineligible period will be at the discretion of the head coach. The eligibility policy applies to athletics and activities that involve competing with students from other schools, including academic competitions. Students who have completed missing work or raised grades after an eligibility report is pulled may request a waiver from the Athletic Director. Final determination of participation will rest with the school administrators with input from the activity sponsor or coach.

COUNSELOR

Our building has three full time counselors. Students are urged to see the counselor when there are concerns that should be discussed or when there is a pressing situation. Talking over the problems will many times help to relieve the situation. Students need to sign up for appointments in the Counseling Center.

Carson Middle School also has a Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) available to students. Permission slips are required to meet with the MFLC.

HEALTH ROOM

The health room in the main office is for student use. If a student is suffering from a minor illness or accident, the student will be sent to the health room for rest and/or first aid. If the illness/accident is more severe, the parent will be contacted. Students will not be sent home without parent approval.

MEDICATION POLICY

ACCORDING TO COLORADO STATE LAW : Teachers and office personnel cannot and will not dispense any type of medication to students without a signed statement from the student’s doctor. This includes any type of prescription medication or over-the-counter medication. Students taking prescription medication or over-the-counter medication must have a parent or guardian bring the medication and signed form to the office.

LOST AND FOUND

The lost and found area is located near the counseling office. Articles of clothing are placed in the lost and found bins, while more valuable items are locked up at the front desk in the main office. It is encouraged to have some form of identification marked on your clothing or personal items. Lost and Found items are donated to a charitable organization at the end of each quarter. Carson Middle School is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items. Students are highly encouraged to leave items of value at home.

Communication

Carson Middle School and Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 are committed to maintaining strong communication between home and school. ParentSquare serves as the district's primary communication platform and is used to share important school and district information, including announcements, reminders, emergency notifications, events, and other timely updates.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to ensure their contact information is current in Infinite Campus so that they can receive ParentSquare messages by email, text message, phone call, or through the ParentSquare app.

Additional school and district information may also be found on the Carson Middle School and District 8 websites. When applicable, updates, celebrations, and event information may also be shared through official school and district social media platforms, including Facebook.

Families are encouraged to regularly monitor ParentSquare, the school website, and official social media channels to stay informed about school activities, important dates, and district communications.

CAMPUS REGULATIONS

Carson Middle School has a closed campus. Students are required to stay on campus all day unless a parent/guardian signs the student out of school. Students are required to be in a supervised area at all times.

Supervision is provided from 8:00 am - 3:55 pm. School begins at 8:30 am for all students and ends at 3:55 pm. Breakfast begins at 8:00 am. Students are expected to leave school grounds at 3:55 pm, unless they are in a supervised activity with a staff member. The library is open daily at 8:00 am. Students must remain in supervised areas before school and during breakfast and lunch. Bicycles must be locked at the bike rack.

The classroom is the focus for our efforts to help students grow and succeed. It is essential that students recognize the importance of their conduct in the classroom. Any behavior that materially or substantially disrupts the classroom is not acceptable and will result in disciplinary action.

BELL SCHEDULE

CAFETERIA

In the cafeteria, students need to abide by the following rules:

• Use inside voices in the cafeteria.
• Use good manners while eating.
• Clean up your own trash.
• No Food or drink allowed outside cafeteria.

Students are not permitted to have any type of food or beverages outside of the cafeteria (except water).  Students bringing food or drinks other than water outside of the cafeteria will be asked to dispose of the items immediately. Additionally, students are not permitted to sell their personal food or beverages items to other students. Students not following these expectations will be subject to disciplinary action.

The cost of hot lunches is set by the Board of Education with the understanding that the program will be self- supporting. Lunch and breakfast costs will be determined in the fall.

BREAKFAST/LUNCH

Carson Middle School uses a computerized meal account system for breakfast and lunch purchases. This system functions like a bank account, with funds deducted each time a student purchases a meal. Parents and guardians may add money to their student's account at any time. For convenience, families are encouraged to make payments online or by check and to maintain a weekly or monthly balance.

Food Services will notify parents or guardians when a student's account balance becomes low or carries a negative balance. Charging meals is not permitted.

Families can add funds to student meal accounts and view current breakfast and lunch menus on the District Nutrition Services webpage.

Carson Middle School offers A La Carte items for purchase. Students may pay with cash or use funds from their meal account to purchase these items. The A La Carte line opens after the main lunch line has been served and is no longer busy, helping ensure all students have an opportunity to receive their regular lunch first.

LAPTOP COMPUTERS

Students will be issued a school computer for academic use. Students are expected to bring their computers to school each day fully charged and in the proper carrying case. All students are required to sign and abide by the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). School computers are monitored by a district-level team. Students who violate the AUP may face disciplinary action. Students are responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged computers assigned to them.

View the district's board policy for Student Use of Technology

TEXTBOOKS

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure proper care for the textbooks/ instructional materials assigned. Any lost or damaged books/ materials, classroom or library, will result in a fine at the time a student checks out.

A Colorado State Law was passed in May of 1999 which states that students must pay for lost or damaged textbooks. If they fail to do so, then the school will take the following actions: withhold transcripts or grades and refuse to allow any student participation in any continuation ceremony. If a family is unable to pay due to financial concerns, the school may choose to assign the students to community service at the building level.

SCHOOL PROPERTY

We are extremely proud of our facility provided by the Board of Education. At Carson Middle School, the staff and students work together to keep the building, grounds, and grade-level areas clean and free from damage.

Students defacing any school property shall repair or pay full replacement cost for the damaged property and are subject to disciplinary action.

MEDIA CENTER

Carson Middle School’s Media Center is a student-centered facility. The hours are 8:30 am to 3:50 pm daily. Students are encouraged to come in to study, conduct research, and check out books. Students may check out up to two items for a two-week period with one renewal. Reference material is available for overnight check out, and back issues of magazines may also be checked out. Students are financially responsible for items that are lost, stolen or damaged. The Media Center is also open to students during their assigned lunch period.

Carson Middle School abides by the district dress code policy. View the district's board policy for Student Dress Code

View the district's board policy for Student Use of Cell Phones and Other Personal Technology Devices
View the district's board policy for Student Use of Technology

In FFC8, we recognize that personal electronic devices, including cellular phones, can be valuable tools for communication and learning. However, they can also create significant distractions that interfere with teaching, learning, and positive student engagement. Research consistently shows that the presence of cell phones can reduce students' attention, increase off-task behavior, and limit opportunities for meaningful interaction with teachers and classmates.

Students are permitted to bring cell phones and other personal electronic devices to school. During instructional time, all devices must be silenced, stored, and kept out of sight unless a teacher specifically authorizes their use for an educational purpose. This expectation helps create a focused learning environment where students can fully engage in instruction without unnecessary distractions.

To protect the privacy, dignity, and safety of everyone in our schools, students may not use personal electronic devices to photograph, video-record, or audio-record another student, staff member, or visitor without that individual's knowledge and permission, except as otherwise authorized by school staff.

Students who do not follow school expectations or the district's personal electronic device policy may be subject to disciplinary consequences, including the temporary or permanent loss of the privilege of bringing a cell phone or other personal electronic device to school, as determined by school administration.

SAFETY

There will be no snowball throwing, whitewashing, or rock throwing on school grounds at any time. Involvement in these activities may result in disciplinary action. In addition, riding skateboards, bikes and/or scooters is not permitted on campus at any time.

Hall passes issued by a teacher with a date and time are required for students who are in the halls after the tardy bell. Students who do not have a pass or a teacher escort will be sent back to class to get a pass. Appropriate hallway behavior is required. This includes use of quiet voices, walking, and respect for others. Inappropriate language and put-downs may result in disciplinary action.

Safe school behavior is essential for a proper learning environment. Fighting, harassment, and intimidation are not tolerated. Any type of direct or implied verbal or physical threat, sexual harassment, acts of theft, or intimidating others will not be tolerated by the school, nor should they be tolerated by the students. The entire school staff will assist students in resisting these acts. Persons involved may be held responsible for damages incurred or physical harm done to others. Civil charges may be filed by the victim.

BULLYING

Bullying is defined as "Targeted and repeated physical, verbal or written acts over time that are intended to cause physical, mental, or emotional harm, intimidate or have a detrimental negative impact on a victim."

Fountain-Ft. Carson School District 8 believes prevention and education are the most impactful practices that prevent bullying behaviors. We strive to establish a school culture that incorporates expected behavior and effectively responds to non-bullying and bullying incidents through the disciplinary process. All incidents of bullying need to be reported to appropriate school personnel. Students may report to a teacher, counselor, or school administrator.

DRUGS, ALCOHOL, TOBACCO and weapons

Drugs of any type, tobacco, alcohol and weapons will absolutely not be tolerated on school grounds or at school activities. Any student involved in activities of this type will face disciplinary action and parent notification in accordance with the “Student Code of Conduct".

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

The safety of students and staff members is the number one priority at Carson Middle School. Unannounced emergency drills will be held monthly.

Lockout is the protocol used to safeguard students and staff within the building. A Lockout recovers all students from outside the building, secures the building perimeter and locks all outside doors. This would be implemented when there is a threat or hazard outside of the building. Criminal activity, dangerous events in the community, or even a vicious dog on the playground would be examples of a Lockout response. While the Lockout response encourages greater staff situational awareness, it allows for educational practices to continue with little classroom interruption or distraction.

Lockdown is the protocol used to secure individual rooms and keep students quiet and in place. Lockdown is called when there is a threat or hazard inside the school building. From parental custody disputes to intruders to an active shooter, Lockdown uses classroom security to protect students and staff from threat. Visitors are not allowed to enter or leave school property during a Lockdown.

Shelter is the protocol for group and self-protection. Students may be required to shelter during spontaneous events, including tornadoes, earthquakes, or a hazmat situation. Evacuate is used to move students and staff from one location to a different location in or out of the building. Evacuations may be necessary during unexpected events, such as fires or gas leaks. Students may evacuate on site, or they may be required to evacuate off-site dependent upon the severity of the situation.

Students should be cell phone and distraction free during safety drills, evacuations, etc., so they may hear and receive important information and instructions.

SCHOOL CLOSING

When the weather poses a threat to health and travel, school may be closed. You are to listen to the local radio or television stations where announcements will be made regularly about school closings. Closings and delays will also be communicated via emails, texts, and calls. Our school is a part of El Paso County School District 8 in Fountain, Colorado. (MILITARY CLOSINGS OR DELAYS ARE FOR POST MILITARY PERSONNEL ONLY AND DOES NOT AFFECT CARSON MIDDLE SCHOOL OR OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT). Two hours late starts will be announced through the same channels as a school closure. These channels include television, radio and the district’s website. A two hour late start means that all bus pick-up times will be moved back 2 hours. So a normal pickup for 6:30 am would become 8:30 am, etc. No breakfast will be served on a 2 hour delay.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

The staff at Carson Middle School believes that students learn best in an orderly and safe environment where the classroom is free from unnecessary disruptions. We recognize that discipline issues are not a concern for the great majority of our students; however, we will fairly and firmly deal with discipline problems when they arise. Parents may be required to participate in a discipline meeting with administration when students receive multiple referrals.

DETENTION

After school or lunch detention may be assigned by individual teachers for unacceptable classroom behavior. Students who miss detention or refuse to attend may be assigned an alternative consequence.

IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION

Students may be assigned in school suspension for unacceptable behaviors that may include, but are not limited to, excessive tardies, insubordination, disrespect, foul or uninclusive language, physical contact, etc. Students may be assigned for the entire day or a portion of the day. In school suspension is an intermediary step prior to out of school suspension. Students who refuse to cooperate with the expectations of in school suspension may receive an out-of-school suspension. Students who receive excessive monthly in school suspensions may receive an out-of- school suspension.

SUSPENSIONS

Students may be suspended from school by the principal, assistant principal, or dean of students due to disciplinary reasons for a period of time not to exceed five days. Any of the following are grounds for suspension:

• Continued willful disobedience or open and persistent defiance of proper authority.
• Willful destruction or defacing of school property.
• Behavior on or off school grounds which is detrimental to the welfare, safety, or morals of school personnel, including behavior which creates a threat of physical harm to the child or children.

* No student shall be re-admitted to school following a suspension until a conference with the parent(s) has been held.

For a severe infraction, the Board of Education delegates to the superintendent the power to suspend a pupil for another ten school days, with the provision that the suspension may be extended another ten school days if necessary to present the matter to the Board of Education. The total days may not exceed twenty-five school days.

STUDENT RIGHTS CONCERNING SUSPENSION

View the district's board policy for Student Code of Conduct

In FFC8, we believe that attending school every day, ready to learn, is one of the most important factors in a student's academic success and overall well-being. Regular attendance helps students build strong relationships with their teachers and peers, engage in meaningful learning experiences, and develop the habits and skills needed for future success. Every school day matters, and even occasional absences can make it more difficult for students to stay connected to learning.

At the same time, we recognize that circumstances sometimes make attendance impossible. Our goal is to partner with families to support students and achieve the highest possible level of attendance for every child.

If a student must be absent for a non-school-related reason, families should notify the school as soon as possible. Unless a student is already on an Attendance Success Plan, absences during the first ten days of the school year are excused when a parent or guardian notifies the school. No additional documentation is required during this initial ten-day period.

After a student has accumulated more than ten days of non-school-related absences, they are at risk of becoming chronically absent, meaning they have missed at least 10% of the school year for reasons unrelated to school activities. Chronic absenteeism is strongly associated with lower academic achievement, reduced engagement, and decreased likelihood of graduating prepared for college, careers, or military service. To ensure absences continue to be excused after the first ten days of non-school-related absences, families must provide appropriate documentation. Documentation is also required for any student who is currently on an Attendance Success Plan, regardless of the total number of absences.

In FFC8, our vision is for every grade to serve as an accurate, student-centered reflection of learning. Through evidence-based grading, students demonstrate their understanding and application of priority standards using clearly defined proficiency scales and rubrics that describe a progression toward mastery. Grades communicate a student's current level of proficiency based on the most recent and consistent evidence of learning.

Traditional grading systems often assign point values or percentages to assignments, quizzes, and tests, combine those scores into a single average, and report one overall course grade. While this approach provides a summary of overall performance, it can mask a student's strengths and areas for growth because the final average does not clearly communicate mastery of individual standards. A student may earn a passing grade while still having significant gaps in essential learning, or conversely, early struggles may continue to lower a student's grade even after they have demonstrated mastery.

FFC8's evidence-based grading model shifts the focus from accumulating points to demonstrating learning. Each priority standard is assessed independently using a common proficiency scale that describes increasing levels of understanding and application. Students receive meaningful feedback on their progress toward mastery and have opportunities to continue learning and provide additional evidence of their understanding. Academic achievement is reported separately from essential skills and work habits, ensuring that grades accurately reflect what students know and can do.

By focusing on evidence of learning rather than point accumulation, FFC8's grading practices provide students, families, and educators with a clearer picture of academic progress. This approach promotes equity, encourages continuous improvement, empowers students to take ownership of their learning, and ensures that grades are meaningful indicators of readiness for future learning.

Kindergarten through 8th-grade students can review their course grades in the Otus system, while high school students use InfiniteCampus. 

View more information on the FFC8 Evidence-Based Grading System

View the district's board policy for Student Use of Cell Phones and Other Personal Technology Devices
View the district's board policy for Student Use of Technology

In FFC8, we recognize that personal electronic devices, including cellular phones, can be valuable tools for communication and learning. However, they can also create significant distractions that interfere with teaching, learning, and positive student engagement. Research consistently shows that the presence of cell phones can reduce students' attention, increase off-task behavior, and limit opportunities for meaningful interaction with teachers and classmates.

Students are permitted to bring cell phones and other personal electronic devices to school. During instructional time, all devices must be silenced, stored, and kept out of sight unless a teacher specifically authorizes their use for an educational purpose. This expectation helps create a focused learning environment where students can fully engage in instruction without unnecessary distractions.

To protect the privacy, dignity, and safety of everyone in our schools, students may not use personal electronic devices to photograph, video-record, or audio-record another student, staff member, or visitor without that individual's knowledge and permission, except as otherwise authorized by school staff.

Students who do not follow school expectations or the district's personal electronic device policy may be subject to disciplinary consequences, including the temporary or permanent loss of the privilege of bringing a cell phone or other personal electronic device to school, as determined by school administration.