For Students

Each day at FMMS we nurture and educate our students to value life-long learning and positively impact the world. 

We believe:

• School must be a nurturing place to learn. All people must feel respected and safe academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.
• All students are capable of learning and experiencing success.
• Each student is a valued individual whose uniqueness should be celebrated.
• Collaboration is essential for effective teaching and learning to take place.
• A challenging curriculum leads to critical thinking and high expectations for student growth both academically and behaviorally.
• The school, home, and community all have the responsibility of providing a supportive learning environment. All must work in partnership and support each other.

Jacket Creed

Jackets act with kindness and tenacity.

We value safety and communication.

We engage in a caring community and

We demonstrate support and respect for all.

Principal: Trina McFadden
Assistant Principal: Leah Cox-6th Grade
Assistant Principal: Jared Adamson-7th Grade
Assistant Principal: Taylor Messer-8th Grade
 

SCHOOL HOURS

School hours are from 8:10 AM to 3:10 PM. Students can enter the building at 7:40 AM, report to the gym, and sit in the designated area by grade level. Students needing to eat breakfast must go DIRECTLY to the cafeteria. The homeroom bell rings at 8:10 AM. All students should be seated in homeroom by the 8:10 AM bell. All car riders must enter the building by 8:08 AM or they will be tardy. Students are marked tardy if not in their seats at 8:10 AM. Students wishing to visit our media center in the morning before homeroom or a teacher’s classroom must have a pass. 

TARDY TO SCHOOL

Please arrive on time so students can begin the day promptly and enjoy uninterrupted class time. Students arriving by car after 8:10 AM must be accompanied by a parent into the office. 

EARLY DISMISSAL 

Early dismissal procedure: When your child requires early dismissal, please come into the front office and sign your child out.  Someone will then call your student from class to meet you. Students will not be dismissed after 2:40 PM. They must wait for the 3:10 PM dismissal bell.

END OF DAY DISMISSAL 

All students are to exit the building immediately after they are dismissed. Car riders will exit through the front doors and bus riders will exit through the bus lot doors. All students should be picked up by 3:40 p.m. The front office will close at 3:40 PM.

SCHOOL TELEPHONE

Telephones in the office are for emergency use only. Students should make arrangements for rides before they come to school. All school events are announced well in advance in order to make necessary arrangements.

ABSENCES-FMSD Attendance FAQs

Students should give absence notes to the front office. The following absences will be excused:  

• Personal illness (excused by doctor or parent note)  
• Serious illness or death in the student’s immediate family
• Religious holidays requested in advance  
• Parent notes may cover five days during the school year. Accrued student absences (excused or unexcused) may not exceed ten (10) days during the school year. Absences above ten days may result in a loss of credit for the year. 
• Any student who misses 50 percent or more of the instructional day for any reason for 10 percent (or more) of the enrollment period is considered chronically absent. All absences contribute to chronic absenteeism, including excused or unexcused absences and suspensions.

A student who has accumulated unexcused absences on three consecutive days or five unexcused absences during the academic year is considered Truant. Parents of truant students are expected to attend a conference with the school administration to develop a Student Attendance Intervention Plan (SAIP).

Please notify the school office PowerSchool Clerk, Grady Freeman, immediately of any change of address or telephone number. In an emergency, we need to promptly locate parents. A withdrawal form must be completed if your student is withdrawing from FMMS. This form is available in our front office. All books must be returned, and all fees must be paid before the transfer is complete.

Listen to T.V. or radio announcements for FORT MILL SCHOOL DISTRICT # 4. The school district will communicate with families via the website and through the use of our school messenger system. Please communicate with your child beforehand what he/she should do in case of early school closing. Additionally, please keep phone numbers and email addresses current.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Students riding the school bus must follow all district bus policies and rules which will be provided to them by the bus driver. Riding the school bus is a privilege and students may lose that privilege if their behavior is disruptive and contrary to the safety of other students. Students may not ride a different bus other than the one they are assigned except in rare cases, and then only with advance approval from the transportation department.

E-BIKES AND E-SCOOTERS

E-bikes and e-scooters will not  be permitted on campus. Students do not have permission to ride or operate motorized vehicles to school or on school grounds. While we know these modes of transportation have become increasingly popular, safety concerns related to speed, supervision, and campus traffic flow have led us to make this adjustment in partnership with district expectations and campus safety priorities.

Approved transportation methods to and from FMMS include:

• Bus rider
• Car rider
• Walker
• Traditional (“analog”/human-powered) bicycle or scooter rider

We appreciate your partnership in helping us keep our campus safe, organized, and focused on student well-being. Thank you for supporting these expectations and for working together to ensure safe arrival and dismissal practices for all Jackets.

LOCKERS/BOOKBAGS

Each student is assigned a locker and must rent a combination lock from the school for $5 (no personal locks are allowed).  All book bags/backpacks must be stored in lockers during the day; these items are not permitted in classrooms.  Any locker decorations should be removable and clean at the end of the year; no permanent locker decorations, such as stickers, are allowed.  School officials acting with “just cause” have the authority to search lockers or other areas of the school when there is reason to believe that items hazardous to the welfare of the student or the student body are present, or when such items are used to violate a law or cause disruption in the school.

Book bags, satchels, totes, and messenger bags are not allowed in classrooms. Students may carry a small purse or clutch,.  Locker dimensions are height: 28 inches, width: 11 inches, and depth: 10 inches. A 12” high locker shelf fits our lockers nicely.  Students should ensure that any items they bring to school will fit inside their assigned lockers.

Students will not share lockers—we have enough for each student to have their own. Locker combinations should be kept confidential and disclosed only to your homeroom teacher. The administration may be less effective at investigating losses when they occur if the student has disclosed their combination to other students. The school cannot be responsible for items lost or stolen.

Students should follow these locker guidelines:

1. Students can enter lockers at designated times during the school day. 
2. The homeroom teacher will maintain a record of all combinations of students.  
3. The student must keep a written record and memorize their combination. Students should not share their combinations with other students.
4. Students may use a school locker to store coats, books, and other educational materials. Items, including book bags, should not exceed locker dimensions.         
5. Non-school-issued locks may not be used and may be removed by the administration.
6. Broken or non-working locks should be reported to your homeroom teacher immediately.

TEXTBOOKS

Students must take care of their textbooks. The student must pay for a textbook if it is damaged, lost, or stolen. Additionally, the student will be charged the full price if the barcode on the back of the textbook is missing upon return. 

LOST AND FOUND

Students’ names should be on all personal articles, including lunch boxes, jackets, and gym clothes. Items found with a name will be returned to students. We maintain a lost-and-found in the cafeteria.

FMSD Nutrition Information

CAFETERIA

Our cafeteria staff serves breakfast and lunch every school day.  Menus, nutritional information, and allergen information are available on our website (fmsdstudentnutrition.com) and on screens in the cafeteria. There is also a free App available for your smartphone called LINQ Connect. A Registered Dietitian plans menus and includes input from parents, staff, and students.  The menus must comply with dietary guidelines that restrict calories, saturated fat, sugar, and sodium.  We provide students with a variety of healthy options and offer several fruits and vegetables daily. 

• A lunch meal includes foods from the five food groups: 2 oz of grains,  2 oz of protein, 1/2 cup of fruit, 1/2 cup of vegetables, and 1 cup of milk. Students may choose all five groups or at least three. One choice must be 1/2 cup of fruit or a vegetable. Students can select a cup of fruit or a vegetable with their meal. 
• A breakfast menu includes four items; students must select three. One choice must be fruit. 
• If a student does not take the required food components, then each item on the tray must be charged at a la carte pricing. Our cafeteria staff reminds students to take the required food groups. 
• The cafeteria also offers additional items for purchase, including milk, juice, water, and snacks. If you do not want your student to purchase these items, please complete the online form Opt Out for Snacks and Extras. 
• All foods served by the cafeteria meet State and Federal guidelines. 
• Our kitchens are tree-nut and peanut-safe.

PIN NUMBER

Each student is assigned a unique meal account identification number to use in the cafeteria to purchase breakfast, lunch, and a la carte items. This number is the last six digits of your student’s PowerSchool number. It should never be shared with other students. Please help your student memorize their PIN. 

MEAL PAYMENTS

Please take advantage of the options to prepay for your student's meals. Prepaid meal accounts help the lunch lines move faster and give students more time to eat, relax, and socialize. It also provides the peace of mind of not having to worry about daily finances or the risk of loss, theft, or diversion for purposes other than meals. Our cafeteria does not deny students meals; we allow students to charge up to $15 for meals. Automated calls, emails, and letters are sent weekly to students who owe the cafeteria money. Our cafeterias rely on meal payments to fund our program.

There are three easy ways to pay for meals and extras.

• Online via the district website’s Pay Fees lunch card feature, here. This is a free service for adding money to your student’s meal account. You can also view meal purchases and balances. You can set up email alerts for balances on Parent Portal.
• By a separate check made out to your school’s cafeteria. The check should not include other school fees. Please note the child's cafeteria account number on the check. If the check is written for more than one child, the account number for each child and the amount to be credited to each child should be noted. The check must include a phone number.
• Cash is also accepted as payment, but it is strongly discouraged as it can be lost.
• Transferring funds between siblings is also available by completing the form on the fmsdstudentnutrition.com page.

FREE AND REDUCED MEAL APPLICATION PROGRAM

Our district participates in the USDA Free and Reduced Meal Program. We encourage families to apply if they meet or fall below the income guidelines specified in the application. Applications are printed in English and Spanish; we can provide any language needed. If another language is required, please contact our office at 803.802.1968.

Students must complete their meal applications and be approved to qualify for free or reduced-priced meals. Applications are available at the school office, the cafeteria, and the district website; you can also apply online at https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new. Students must reapply each year.

FOOD ALLERGIES & SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS

Due to the prevalence of food allergies, homemade or home-baked foods may not be distributed to students in the classroom or other applicable classroom settings.  Acceptable foods for distribution are those prepared in a commercial or licensed kitchen and, most importantly, packaged with a label listing the contents and ingredients.  This policy is designed to ensure consistency and minimize allergy-related risks across all classrooms while maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for all students. (Board Policy J LCDD) Students with Special Dietary Needs must have documentation of their diet changes signed by a medical provider. Please contact the school nurse to complete the forms.

WELLNESS POLICY

Our district has a Wellness Policy (Board Policy ADF and EFE). Information on the policy and how you can participate in this committee can be found here: https://fmsdstudentnutrition.com/index.php?sid=1625235896875&page=wellnesspolicy.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES/CELEBRATIONS – ACCEPTABLE FOOD GUIDELINES

Due to the prevalence of food allergies, homemade or home-baked foods may not be distributed to students in the classroom or other applicable classroom settings. Acceptable foods for distribution are those prepared in a commercial or licensed kitchen and, most importantly, packaged with a label listing the contents and ingredients. This policy is designed to ensure consistency and minimize allergy-related risks across all classrooms while maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for all students. (Board Policy J LCDD) Our district also has a Wellness Policy (Board Policy ADF and EFE) on the district website.  THE SCHOOL DOES NOT ACCEPT DELIVERIES OF FLOWERS OR BALLOONS FOR STUDENTS.

Birthday Treats

To help protect the health and safety of all students, birthday treats and food items may not be brought to school for distribution to students. This includes homemade or store-bought treats.

We understand that birthdays are special occasions, and we appreciate families helping us maintain a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, including students with food allergies and other dietary needs. Thank you for celebrating your child while also helping us keep all students safe.

Angel Fund

School meals are just as essential to learning as textbooks and pencils. Our café teams are dedicated to ensuring every student has access to nutritious meals that fuel both body and mind. We recognize that some families may experience financial hardship. That’s why we work closely with them to connect to available meal assistance programs — so no student has to go without a meal during the school day. The Angel Fund was created to support families facing temporary financial struggles. While it does not cover or forgive existing unpaid meal debt, it provides short-term support to help ensure students continue receiving the meals they need to succeed.

Donations to the Angel Fund can be made by completing Angel Fund Donation

The FMSD follows the SC State Board of Education’s Cell Phone Policy.

1. During the school day, students are prohibited from accessing their personal electronic devices, earbuds/headphones, smart watch, Meta glasses, etc., unless authorized for classroom use. Students may not wear or access device accessories during the school day. Students must store their devices and device accessories in lockers during the school day, as directed by the school district. Districts may prohibit students from possessing devices and device accessories on school property. 
2. If explicitly required by a student’s IEP, Medical Plan, or 504 Plan, the student shall be allowed to access their personal electronic device for medically or educationally necessary purposes described and required for administration of the IEP, Medical Plan, or 504 Plan.
3. A student who is a member of a volunteer firefighting organization or emergency organization may be authorized to carry a device with written permission from the District Superintendent or his/her designee.
4. If a student violates the preceding rules during the school day, the student will be subject to progressive consequences in the student code of conduct and disciplinary enforcement procedures.

Regular communication between the home and school is an excellent way to support your student. The Parent Portal allows you to review grades and attendance at any time. If you are not registered for this, please ask our receptionist for registration instructions. Sometimes, parent conferences are needed to provide more information. Conferences must be scheduled; if you want to schedule one, please call the school, email the teacher, or send a note. Every teacher maintains a Google Classroom site where class assignments and homework may be viewed. Our school website is regularly updated with information. Please ensure that your email address and phone number are correct, so you receive emails and phone calls from our school. Each team updates a Peak at the Week where class assignments and homework may be viewed.  Also look for the weekly newsletter, The Buzz, and any Peachjar email messages for up to date information about school and district activities. 

SCHOOL VISITORS

All visitors in the building, including parents and volunteers, must sign in at the office and receive a visitor pass. Students may not have school-age visitors, including out-of-town relatives. The administration must approve any visitor who is not a parent, grandparent, or guardian.  THE SCHOOL DOES NOT ACCEPT DELIVERIES OF FLOWERS OR BALLOONS FOR STUDENTS.

DRESS CODE

Although each student and their parent/legal guardian are responsible for their dress and appearance, students are expected to demonstrate pride in themselves and their schools by dressing and presenting themselves in a manner that meets acceptable standards. The school administration and board discourage extreme styles of dress and grooming.

Students will dress in appropriate attire.  Students are expected to dress in accordance with the district dress code policy. Logos or clothing that promote alcohol, drugs, tobacco, racism, hate, gang affiliation, nudity, violence, or profanity are not allowed. No clothing or accessories are permitted to disrupt the educational process.  The administration reserves the right to determine what is appropriate for the school.

Per district policy, dress code violations will be addressed with dignity, discretion, and respect for all students by school staff throughout the district. The school board may establish administrative rules and procedures to enforce this policy.

Proper shoes must be worn at all times for safety reasons. Shoes with cleats may not be worn outside of sanctioned athletic events. Students may not wear headwear (hats, caps, hoods, etc.) or sunglasses in the building upon arrival and until dismissal.

Students may wear shorts, dresses, skirts, etc. whose length is no shorter than the mid-thigh. Tops must be long enough that they can be tucked into pants or shorts.

The following items are not appropriate for school: visible undergarments; pants or jeans with holes, tears, or tattered areas to the extent that skin or undergarments are visible above the mid-thigh; see-through garments that show skin or undergarments above the mid-thigh; and tops with straps that are less than three fingers wide. Students are not permitted to wear hats or other head coverings during the school day. Exceptions will be granted for school-approved hat days and for headwear worn in accordance with religious beliefs.

If there is a disagreement among students,  parents/legal guardians, and staff regarding the appropriateness of clothing, the administration will exercise discretion in making the decision. Disciplinary action for noncompliance with this policy is outlined below.

Violations will result in the following:

• If the violation can be resolved promptly, the student will remain in/return to class without further disciplinary action.
• If there are three (3) unresolved offenses/violations, all subsequent violations will require a parent conference and detention. 
• At all offense levels, if the article of clothing promotes extreme offenses, such as acts of violence, profanity, nudity, hate-filled language, or other conditions that could disrupt the learning environment, the student may be sent to ISS until suitable clothing is brought to the school.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

Fort Mill Middle School follows the FMSD discipline policy.  Full Policies and Procedures can be found here: boardpolicyonline.com/?b=fort_mill. The FMSD discipline matrix for all grade levels can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KxsFJndIZJjfzw1j3cZfByI3uRT7oK5UYZUu_q8AGd8/edit?usp=sharing

STUDENT BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS 

FMMS students are valued and contributing members of the school community. Students are expected to be well- behaved and take pride in their school. Rules are a matter of common sense and courtesy to others and are in place to make FMMS a safe and welcoming environment for all students and staff. Students' behavior will be tracked by an electronic software called Simpl Discipline. Students are encouraged to inform their teachers, counselors, or administrators of any situation which may cause harm to themselves or other students. 

SEARCHES

Per South Carolina law, any person entering the premises of any school in this State shall be deemed to have consented to a reasonable search of his person and effects. School administrators and officials may conduct reasonable searches on school property of lockers, desks, vehicles, and personal belongings such as purses, bookbags, wallets, and satchels with or without probable cause. Students found in bathroom stalls together will be searched.

STOP (Student Time Out Period)

Students that are disruptive during class can be sent to the STOP room for the remainder of the class period. STOP serves as a “cooling-off” period for a student. A student sent to STOP more than once in the same day or more than 3 times overall will be assigned a full day of ISS. A student sent to STOP will complete a restorative reflection and be required to meet with the reporting teacher before returning to that class the following day.

LUNCH DETENTION

Lunch detention is a consequence given by the administration in which a student will eat his/her lunch in the ISS room. Assignment to lunch detention is at the administration’s discretion.

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS/CONSEQUENCES FOR POOR CHOICES

Administration will use discretion when determining disciplinary action based on all information obtained in each situation.

CANDY, FOOD, DRINK, GUM

Food and drinks other than water are not permitted outside of the cafeteria unless directed by a staff member. Water must be kept in a bottle with a lid. Additionally, gum is not allowed at FMMS. 

Disclaimer - Students will be given more serious consequences for the following inappropriate uses:  inappropriate taking of pictures or videos, texting or messages, any use threatening to harm anyone or anything at FMMS, or any major violation of our district’s acceptable use policy.  Any acts which are not covered by these regulations and which are of such nature as to pose a threat to the physical or mental welfare of the students, teachers or other school personnel or which create a disruption in the orderly operation of the school program may result in suspension or expulsion as well as law enforcement involvement. Calling/Texting parents or others from the school without permission is a violation.

SCHOOL HEALTH ROOM
Every school's health room is managed by a registered nurse. Any student who is not feeling well should obtain a pass from the appropriate staff or faculty member to visit the health room. The health room is designed to assist students with chronic health conditions and serves as an emergency station for minor injuries and illnesses that occur at school. Injuries that occur outside the school environment should be treated at home or by a health care provider before returning to school. Our school nurses cannot diagnose illnesses. A nurse cannot administer any medications without a medication consent form completed by a health care provider and/or parent or guardian. This form, M105, may be found on the district website here. 

The health and well-being of all students is of utmost importance.  Procedurally, our nurses work to return students to the classroom as soon as advisable. However, sometimes a student may need to go home due to illness. We will request that you pick up your child if his/her medical condition is unstable, or if he/she is not capable of participating in the daily school activities. This decision is based upon an assessment conducted by the school nurse. In addition, the school must follow the Department of Public Health School Exclusion List for specific medical conditions to comply with SC State Health guidelines. 

GENERAL FIRST-AID AND MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
The school health room will supply the following items for first-aid purposes: Vaseline, Saline Eye Wash, Aloe Vera, 1% Hydrocortisone. If you do not wish for your child to be treated with these items, please provide your written response to your school’s nurse.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
If medical emergencies arise, the school nurse and school administrator will provide medical care deemed appropriate for the student (e.g., call 911 or transport the student to the hospital). In these cases, the schools will make every attempt to contact the parent/guardian. Please be sure to keep your student's emergency information up to date with the correct phone numbers. If a parent/guardian is out of town and has left their child in the care of another adult, written documentation should be on file with the school. This documentation authorizes the school to contact the alternate person in the event of illness or a medical emergency.

MEDICAL ORDERS, DOCUMENTATION, AND DEVICES

To ensure the safety, consistency, and legal compliance of student health services, the following requirements apply:

Independent Medical Orders Required

• Medical orders must be written, signed, and dated by a licensed healthcare provider (MD, DO, NP, or PA) who is not the student’s parent or guardian.
• This requirement applies even if the parent/guardian is a licensed healthcare provider. In such cases, medical orders must be completed by another independent licensed provider.

Medical Excuses and Documentation

• Medical excuses, notes, or documentation cannot be written or signed by a student’s parent or guardian, even if that parent/guardian is a licensed medical professional.
• All medical documentation must be issued by the student’s independent healthcare provider (MD, DO, NP, or PA).

1. Medical Devices on Campus

If a student requires a medical device during the school day, a formal medical note from a licensed healthcare provider is required before use on campus.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Boots, slings, or braces
• Crutches or walkers
• Wheelchair

1. Required Accommodations Documentation

When a medical device is prescribed, the healthcare provider must also include any necessary school-day accommodations. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Activity restrictions (e.g., PE, recess)
• Mobility assistance needs
• Elevator access, extra time between classes, or seating accommodations

ACCIDENT INSURANCE 

Accident insurance is available to cover the student while at school and while traveling to and from school. It is strongly suggested that you consider this coverage for your child while at school. Information will be sent home at the beginning of the school year. The school will not pay medical bills for injuries that occur at school.

We follow the FMSD Middle School and High School (Geometry & English 1) policies. 

REPORT CARDS

In Parent Portal, you and your student may view report cards, progress reports, and attendance records. Contact our office if you need help logging in.

Grading Scale:

A: 100-90

B: 89-80

C: 79-70

D: 69-60

F: 59-0

Retakes

• At least ONE retake, retest or test corrections will be offered on all major assessments that can result in 90% credit.

• Students must attend at least one remediation session in order to retake or retest.
• Teachers will set the re-take/retest deadline.

Late Work

• For late work, students will receive a 10% reduction on that assignment. 
• Students can turn in graded work up to the end of the unit (all work due the day of the unit test). 
• This does not change the district policy on student late work related to absences.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

8th graders earning a 95 average or above in all classes will be recognized as having achieved Academic Excellence. This award will be given at the conclusion of the school year.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY 

It is important for students and parents to understand the importance of academic honesty. It is expected that what a student turns in represents their individual academic skill and efforts, and not that of someone else. Each teacher establishes classroom policy and procedures for tests, quizzes, and academic work. Students are expected to follow those rules. 

HONOR CODE 

We consider academic dishonesty a serious violation of school rules. Each student is responsible for his or her own work. The following statements will be considered academic dishonesty: 

1. Receiving or providing information during a test or for a test given in an earlier period
2. Using materials for tests/quizzes without the teacher’s permission
3. Violating the teacher’s testing rules and procedures
4. Using or copying someone else’s writing or work (word-for-word – or almost so), calling it your own, and not giving credit to the author (plagiarism)
5. Using or copying another student’s work/assignment to turn in as your own work
6. Allowing other students to use your work on assignments with the exception of specific group, lab, or collaborative projects
7. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to complete assignments

**The above list identifies the most common forms of academic dishonesty for both face to face and virtual/online instruction, but other actions may be considered. 

FMSDAcceptable Use Policy

FMSD Guidelines on Generative AI

FMSD Position on Generative AI

Internet accessibility is provided to FMMS students to support the instructional program.  Written parental permission is required and will remain on file to authorize the student's access to the internet at school. Students are expected to exercise responsibility for the appropriate use of the internet. Failure to comply with this request will result in denial of Internet access and/or disciplinary action. Students, parents, and guardians should read this policy and familiarize themselves with the RUP outlined below.  The following rules and procedures apply to all students enrolled in district schools on and off campus. Access to the district internet is for educational purposes only. Students must:  

1. Respect their privacy and the privacy of others.  

• Use only assigned accounts; keep personal information, such as name, address, and phone number, offline; and keep passwords confidential.  
• Have permission to photograph/videotape others and to subsequently save and/or post these images/videos to the internet.  
• FMSD cannot assume responsibility for lost or stolen information sent or received via the district’s communication resources  
• Documents may not include the student's phone number, address, or  the full name of the student or others (first name only)  

2. Respect the integrity, availability, and security of all electronic resources. 

• Adhere to all network security protocols when protecting and sharing these resources with other users.  
• FMSD is not responsible for damages to personal digital technologies or electronic communication devices  
• Treat digital technologies carefully and report any damages, security risks, or violations to a teacher or administrator. 

3.Respect the copyrighted/intellectual property of others to assure academic integrity.

• Cite all sources appropriately, comply with copyright laws, and use electronic communication devices properly.  

4.Respect and practice the principles of community.  

• Communicate only in kind, responsible, respectful, and lawful ways. 
• Use electronic communication devices (including FMSD email) for schoolwork only. 
• Report threatening or offensive materials to a teacher or administrator 
• Adhere to prohibited email usage rules, including; 
  • Create or transmit any emails containing content reasonably perceived as threatening, obscene, sexual, racist, or discriminatory  
  • Setting up or operating a commercial business  
  • Email signatures should not include religious statements, political statements, or group affiliations.  

5.Students who witness, experience, or otherwise learn about a suspected violation should report the matter to a teacher or administrator. FMSD reserves the right to monitor and/or review all uses of the district network, Internet usage, and activity. 

FERPA INFORMATION

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable U.S. Department of Education program. For further information regarding your rights under FERPA, please refer to the “For Parents'' section of the school district’s website at www.fortmillschools.org. 

RISK ASSESSMENTS

The safety and security of all students are of the utmost importance to our faculty and staff.  Should a concern arise about a student being a danger to themself or others, Fort Mill School District protocols for conducting a risk assessment (suicide and/or threat) will be followed to the extent appropriate. These assessments may include interviews with students and staff, reviews of student records, and consultations with district mental health staff, local law enforcement, or other community agencies that support our schools and students. If, as part of its assessment and response, the school district determines there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals, it may disclose personally identifiable information from education records to any person whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.