J.

Douglas Adams
Middle School
Home of the Yellow Jackets
401 American Avenue
Brentwood, CA 94513
Phone: (925) 513-6450 Fax: (925) 516-3470
Website: https://www.brentwood.k12.ca.us/Adams/
Mike Wood, Principal

Property of: ______________________________________________________________________

Phone #: _________________________________________________________________________
In case of emergency, please notify: ______________________________________________
Advisory Teacher: ______________________________________________________________

Brentwood Union School District

2015-16 STUDENT CALENDAR

AUGUST

JULY
M

6
13

TH

TH

3
H

5
*

10

10

12
*

13

19

20

14

SEPTEMBER

15

16

17

17

11
18

TH

21

22

23

24

24

25

26

14
21

28

29
*

30

31

NOVEMBER

27

28

31

DECEMBER

TH

7
H

14

15

10

16

17

TH

16

24

11
H

12

18

19

NWD

NWD

25
H

13

20

14

15

16

27
H

MARCH
W

TH

10

23

24

25

28

29

30

Fall
Break

Fall
Break

18

11

12

21

22

23

24H

25H

Winter
Break

Winter
Break

Winter
Break

Winter
Break

28

29

30

31

Winter
Break

Winter
Break

Winter
Break

Winter
Break

19

25

26

TH

10

11

*
14

15

16

17

18

Spring
Break

Spring
Break

Spring
Break

Spring
Break

21

22

23

24

25

Spring
Break

Spring
Break

Spring
Break

Spring
Break

Spring
Break

28
H

29

30
*

31

11

H
NT
PD

^
NWD

13

18

19

20

26

27

9
Fall
Break

12

13

14

15

16

22

23

29

30
^

19

20

21

*
27

28

FEBRUARY

TH

TH

1H

11

12
H

18

19

24

25

26

TH

2
*=

*
8

13
20
27

10

*
14

15

21

22

15
H

16

22

23

28

29

17

29

JUNE

TH

4
*

11

12

13

10

19

20

13

14

15

16

17

26

27

20

21

22

23

24

27

28

29

30

10

14

15

16

17

18

*
21

22

23

24

25

*
28

29

30
H

31
*

IMPORTANT DATES:
First / Last Student Day of School
1st Work Day for Instructional Aides
Holiday
New Teacher Work Day
Professional Development Day
Teacher Work Day
Food Service Work Day

*
25

8
Fall
Break

KEY:

12

7
Fall
Break

Spring
Break

*
7

Fall
Break

MAY
W

Fall
Break

Fall
Break

26

*
18
H

1
5

*
17

TH

22

Fall
Break

11

Winter
Break

18

APRIL
T

Fall
Break

Winter
Break

*
26
H

11

21

30

17

*
23

10

JANUARY

*
27

*
20

OCTOBER
F

07/04
07/28
09/07
09/28-10/9
11/11
11/23-11/27
12/21-01/01

Independence Day
First Day of Classes
Labor Day
Fall Break
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Holiday
Winter Break

01/01
01/18
02/12
02/15
03/14-03/25
03/28
05/30
06/02

New Years Day

Martin Luther King Birthday
Lincolns Birthday
Presidents Day
Spring Break
District Holiday
Memorial Holiday
Last Day of School

District-wide Adjusted Day

No Classes/Non-School Day
Non Work Day 258 Day Employees

First Semester
xx days
Second Semester xx days
180 days

Board Adopted: March 11, 2015

AMS PROGRAM
Adams Middle Schools program is designed to be student centered and to meet the unique intellectual,
social, emotional, and physical needs of sixth, seventh and eighth graders. Every child has an adult
advocate for three years through our advisory program as well as being a member of a team that works
together to ensure student success. Our program provides for a smooth transition from the selfcontained elementary school setting to the departmentalized high school. All students experience a full
block schedule in the sixth grade with one teacher teaching language arts and social studies and the other
teacher teaching math and science. In seventh and eighth grade, students will transition to an integrated
team with each subject being taught by an individual teacher. In addition to core curriculum, daily
schedules include Physical Education, Health, and Electives. Our curriculum is aligned to the California
Standards and Benchmarks.
Academic Success
The primary goal at Adams Middle School is to provide a challenging learning experience for you as you
work toward academic success. Commitment to this goal requires a team effort between you, your
parents, and staff members. Communication is vitally important to academic success. Teachers
communicate through their web page, email, and voicemail. Teachers will send progress reports and report
cards to keep you updated on your progress. Homework is an important part of your school experience and
it is critical that you turn in your homework on time. Absences and family emergencies will be given an
extension based on the number of days missed. Attendance is a vital element towards your success at
school. Make sure you are on time and prepared for class every day.
Grading Scale
Adams School determines grades based on an 80/20 split. Eighty percent of a grade is based on tests,
quizzes, projects and class work. Homework and student participation is twenty percent of the grade.
The school wide grading scale is as follows:
100% - 93%

86% - 83%

76% - 73%

66% - 63%

92% - 90%
89% - 87%

AB+

82% - 80%
79% - 77%

BC+

72% - 70%
69% - 67%

CD+

62% - 60%
59% - 0%

DF

Academic Honesty
AMS is committed to providing well balanced rigorous programs that support the learning needs of all
students. Teachers create environments that are respectful where academic integrity is valued, and
cheating is discouraged. Students are responsible for doing their own work on assignments and tests.
Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable behaviors and hinder the educational process.
Examples of this policy include but are not limited to:

Copying or taking work from another student and presenting it as ones own including essays, study
guides, homework, class work, and reports.

Submitting an essay or report written in whole or part by someone else and submitting it as ones
own.

Preparing an essay, report, or assignment for submission by another student.

Unauthorized collaboration on an assignment.

Using cheat sheets, looking at another students test, or any other assistance unauthorized by
the teacher.

Unauthorized assisting or providing another student the opportunity to copy or share answers
during a test, quiz, class work or homework.

Using direct quotations, large sections or paraphrased material without citations or

acknowledgement of sources including online websites and resources.

Forging the signature of a parent or guardian on an assignment or legal document.

In PE, taking unauthorized short cuts on the fun and fitness activity.

Consequences for Academic Dishonesty will include appropriate disciplinary action consistent with
Board Policy and California Education Code. Consequences include, but may not be limited to:
1.

1st Offensea.

Teacher/Student conference

b. Parent/Guardian notified by teacher

c.

Classroom consequences which may include but are not limited to: zero credit for
assignment, re-do assignment for partial or zero credit, detention

d. Written documentation
2. 2nd Offensea.

See a-d above

b. Referral to Office
3. 3

rd

Offensea.

All of the above

b. Suspension assigned
c.

Referral to the school counselor

4. Repeated Offenses in the same class may result in an F in the class.

Attendance/Absences
School attendance is mandatory and directly connected to success in school. We expect students to
attend school every day on time. This must be a priority! Each time you are absent you must bring a note
from your parent or guardian stating why you were not at school, or your parent or guardian may call the
attendance recorder at 513-6451. If you become ill at school or leave campus for any reason, you must
first check out of school through the office. Upon returning to school, you must sign in before going to
class. Only an adult listed on the emergency form may sign you out of school. If you are frequently absent,
you may be requested to bring a physicians note or be referred to the School Attendance Review Board.

Homework may be requested during an absence that lasts more than one day by contacting the school by
11:00 am. Work will be left in the office for you to pick up after 3:15pm.
Tardies
At AMS students are required to move from class to class daily. It is expected that all students arrive to
every class on time. Tardies create a disruption to the classroom and to our focus on academic success.
Excessive tardies may result in after school detention from 2:45-3:45. Students and their parents are
responsible for their own transportation home.
Promotion Policy
State legislation on Social Promotion and Retention requires that students meet grade level academic
standards in order to be promoted to the next grade. The Brentwood Union School District has adopted
Board Policy on Social Promotion. Staff members from throughout the district have worked to establish
grade level criteria for promotion between grades. The intent of the Promotion Policy is to help identify
students who are struggling to meet grade level academic standards. Every effort is made to help all
students meet those standards through classroom instruction, developmental classes in reading and math,
and after-school classes.
SUPPLY LIST
To help in the success of an Adams Middle School student, we recommend the following supplies be
brought to school daily:
3 ring binder
dividers
binder paper
index cards
pencils
pens (blue/black)

highlighters
glue stick
markers
erasers
ruler
colored pencils or crayons

backpack
calculator
supply box/pouch
athletic shoes
PE uniforms

Note: Some teachers may request additional items specific to their subject.
Student Recognition
School wide recognition of student achievement, citizenship, and accomplishments is important in
establishing a positive learning environment. Recognition promotes pride in learning and gives students a
sense of accomplishment and pride in themselves and their school. AMS provides many opportunities for
students to be recognized for individual strengths and talents.
Honor Roll & Honor Society
Students will be recognized for outstanding academic achievement in an evening celebration after the
first semester. Students eligible for Honor Roll must have a grade point average of 3.30 - 3.69. Students
eligible for Honor Society must have a grade point average of 3.70 or above. Final summative exams will
be factored into GPA. Grade point average can be found by giving points to your letter grades and dividing
by the number of classes you have, A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0
Black and Gold Awards 8th grade only
Students showing outstanding achievement are recognized at the annual Black and Gold Awards Night.
Awards are presented from each department as well as for overall outstanding achievement.

Socials All students are provided the opportunity to attend socials throughout the school year. Socials
are only open to AMS students! Students must meet the following criteria in order to attend:

Purchase tickets during pre-sales only. NO tickets will be sold at the door. Refunds will not be
issued for unused tickets.

A student must not be on the non-activities list

All school rules apply at all socials

Dress Code
Adams Middle School promotes a purposeful environment for learning. Students should come to school
dressed appropriately. The AMS administration reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of
student attire. Students wearing inappropriate clothing will be required to change. The following page
identifies appropriate an inappropriate school attire.
*Pictures are samples and do not represent all dress code violations.

*Appropriate

Dress Code
No sagging pants
No Exposed Underwear
No clothing with
reference to sex, alcohol,
drugs, guns, or vulgar
language/pictures
No short shorts, skirts,
or dresses
Shorts pockets should
not be exposed
Holes in clothing should
not be revealing
No clothing that exposes
the mid section
No tube tops, crop tops,
or revealing clothing

*Inappropriate

No spaghetti straps or
halter tops that reveal
undergarments

No pajamas, slippers, or
blankets
No belts or chains that
hang down and no bandanas
of any color
Consequences for dress code violations
st

1 offense: Verbal warning and required to change clothes

2nd offense: Written warning, parent contact, required to change clothes
3rd offense: Required to change clothes, parent contact, and detention
4th offense: Required to change clothes, parent contact, in-house suspension
5th offense: Required to change clothes, parent contact, 2 days of in-house suspension
6th offense: May result in out of school suspension
Behavior
Negative behaviors will be dealt with using the following the Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.)
guidelines:

School Administrators are responsible for adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.) as set
forth in the Agreement between Brentwood Union School District, Brentwood Police Department, Liberty
Union High School District, and Oakley Police Department.

Conduct and document investigations Communicate and collaborate with Law Enforcement

Secure and maintain evidence

Communicate with appropriate parties

If a teacher, substitute, custodian, campus supervisor, secretary, coach, instructional aide, school bus
driver, or any other school staff, school volunteer, or student believes he/she has knowledge of any of
the following activities, on campus, at school-sponsored activities, to and from school, or on a bus, he/she
must contact a School Administrator:

Weapons, dangerous objects, dangerous explosives, or incendiary devices.

Alcohol and drugs
Fighting- student upon student
Incidents of severe (or potential) violence or fight
Threats by word or deed
Act of bullying including by means of an electronic act
Sexual crimes or violence
Assault and battery- adult upon adult
Gang related activity
Racial, ethnic, or sexual harassment
Obscene acts or gestures
Theft, vandalism, or destruction of school or personal property

Search and Seizure

School officials may search any student with reasonable cause or suspicion as stated in the BUSD Board
Policy 5145.12(a).
Grounds for suspension or expulsion (Education Code 48900)
A student may be suspended if they:
(a)(1)
(2)
(b)

Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person or

Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, except in self defense.
Possess, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object.
Unless, in case of possession of any such object, the student had obtained written permission to
possess the item from a certified school employee, which is concurred in by the principal or
principals designee.

(c)

Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of any
controlled substance, listed in Chapter 2 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or
an intoxicant of any kind.

(d)

Unlawfully offered, arranged or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, listed in Chapter 2 of
the health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and then either
sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and
represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage or
intoxicant.

(e)

Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion.

(f)

Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property.

(g)

Stole or attempted to steal school property or private property.

(h)

Possessed or used tobacco, or any products containing tobacco or nicotine products.

(i)

Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.

(j)

Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Section
11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

(k)

Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors,
teachers, administrators, school officials, or other school personnel engaged in the performance
of their duties.

(l)

Knowing received stolen school property or private property.

(m)

Possessed an imitation firearm.

(n)

Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault.

(o)

Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or witness in a school

disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil from being a witness or
retaliating against that pupil for being a witness, or both.

(p)

Arranged, negotiated, or sold SOMA

(q)

Engaged in or attempted to engage in hazing

(r)

Engaged in an act of bullying, including by means of an electronic act, directed specifically toward
a pupil or school personnel.

(t)

Aid or abet the infliction or attempted infliction of physical injury

Grounds for Expulsion of a Student (Educational Code 48915)

A.

Education Code Section 48900

Subdivisions (a) through (o)

B.

Education Code Section 48900.2

Sexual Harassment

C.

Education Code Section 48900.3

Hate Violence

D.

Education Code Section 48900.4

Harassment, threats, or intimidation

Recommendation for Expulsion

(a)

Except as provided in subdivisions (c) and (e), the principal or superintendent of schools shall
recommend the expulsion of a pupil for any of the acts committed at school or at a school activity,
unless the principal or superintendent finds that expulsion is inappropriate due to the particular
circumstance.
(1) Causing serious physical injury to another person, except in self-defense.
(2) Possession of any knife, explosive, or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the
student.
(3) Unlawful possession of any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section
11053) of the Health and Safety Code except for a first offense for the possession of not
more than one avoirdupois ounce of marijuana or any other concentrated cannabis.
(4) Robbery or extortion.
(5) Assault or battery upon any school employee.

(c)

The principal or superintendent of schools shall immediately suspend, and shall recommend
expulsion of a student that he or she determines has committed any of the following acts at
school or at a school activity off school grounds:
(1) Possessing, selling or otherwise furnishing a firearm. This subdivision does not apply to an act
of possessing a firearm if the student has obtained prior written permission to possess the
firearm from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the principal of the
designee of the principal.
(2) Brandishing a knife at another person.
(3) Unlawfully selling a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 of the Health and Safety Code.
(4) Committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault.

ARTICLES PROHIBITED AT SCHOOL

Problems arise when students bring items that could be dangerous or in some way interfere with school
procedure. The following items are not allowed on campus:
ipads/tablets ipods

gaming systems

water guns

slingshots

Frisbees

computer games

balloons

any toys

If a student brings any of these items to school, they will be taken away, parents may be called, and
he/she may be subject to further disciplinary action. Unless expressly permitted, personal items are not
to be brought to school. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken personal items.
Because safety is of utmost importance at Adams Middle School, a student will be suspended and may be
recommended for expulsion if any of the following items are brought to school:
tobacco

firearms(look-a-likes)

alcoholic beverages

other dangerous objects

knives

controlled substances

explosive objects

look alike weapons

Any offense, in which a law is broken, including bringing any of the previously listed items to school, may
be reported to the Brentwood Police Department.
Cell Phones
In order to mitigate student distractions throughout the day, student cell phones may not be used during
school hours (including passing periods and lunch). They are to remain OFF and in the students
backpack at all times. If cell phones are used during school hours, they will be taken away, parents may
be called, and students may be subject to further disciplinary action. For emergencies, the office phone
is always available. AMS will not be liable for the loss or theft of these items.
Emergency Information
Please be sure to update emergency information when home or work phone numbers change. This also
includes cell phones and emergency contacts.
Bike, Scooters, and Skateboards
Students may not use bikes, skateboards, or scooters while on campus. They must be locked up or secured
by a teacher during the school day. They will be kept in the office if a student is found using them during
the school day. If you ride your bike to school you must use the bike path on the East side of American
Avenue. The bike racks are located near the gym. Please supply your own lock. You will be required to
carry your helmet and other accessories with you. The school provides supervision but cannot guarantee
and will not be held responsible for damage or theft. Students must wear a helmet when riding their
bikes, scooters, or skateboards to and from school.
Lost School Property
All school property checked out to a student becomes the responsibility of the student under all
circumstances and must be returned or paid before the end of the year. Yearbooks and/or diplomas will
not be distributed until the account is clear.
Medications
Students must leave all medications in the student office including non-prescription medicine. Medications
required to be carried with the student at all times must include a physicians note. All medications must
have parental and physician authorization in writing. Forms for this are available in the student office.
Visitors on Campus
Students are not permitted to bring visitors on campus. Adult visitors including parents must sign-in
at the main office and wear a Visitors Badge during their visit at school.

Physical Education
Lockers and Locker Rooms
Each student will be issued a lock and a locker for the school year.

Students are not to give their

combination to anyone nor switch or share lockers. All clothing and personal items must be locked up
at all times. The school will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. Only school issued locks will be
used in the locker rooms.
Students will be issued a small locker to store their clothes in when they are not in their PE period.
During their PE period they may use a big locker to store their backpack and school clothes in. The big
locker will be locked up while the small locker is empty and unlocked. They will return their PE clothes
back to their small locker and lock it at the end of their PE period.
Locker Door Number: _____________
Lock Combination: ______-______-______
4 Digit Lock Code: ___ ___ ___ ___

(This number is how you will look for your lock in the lost &

found.)

Directions for opening a combination lock

Turn right three times. Stop at first number.
Turn left one full turn passing the first number to stop at the second number.
Turn right and stop at the third number.
Pull hard
Adams Physical Education Clothes:
T-Shirt: Adams PE logo or plain white/grey crewneck t-shirt with sleeves.
Please label with first and last name across the front.
Shorts: Adams PE logo or plain black athletic shorts.
Please label with first and last name.
Socks: Any color
Shoes: Athletic shoe that must be tied tightly over the shoe tongue.
No altercations are allowed to PE clothes (tearing off sleeves, etc.).
Optional, but recommended:
Sweatpants: Solid, plain, black or gray, not what is worn to school (no logos except Adams)
Sweatshirt or jacket is fine. Students must wear PE shirt underneath sweatshirts or jackets.

*Si necesita una copia de esta gua en espaol, por favor pngase en contacto con un
administrador.

2015-2016 School Year

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN TO YOUR ADVISORY TEACHER
J. Douglas Adams Middle School
401 American Avenue, Brentwood, CA 94513
(925) 513-6450

After you have read and discussed the Adams Middle School Handbook with your
parent(s), please sign below and return this page to your advisory teacher.
________Our family has read and discussed the Adams Middle School Handbook.
________We understand all books and materials must be returned in good condition or
we will be responsible for their replacement.

__________________________
Student Name (print)

________________________________
Student Signature
Date

__________________________
Parent Name (print)

________________________________
Parent Signature
Date