Academic Integrity:
We expect that all students strive to learn the subjects they are being taught during their time at Gorzycki. The material you learn in middle school builds the foundation that will carry you into your future academic endeavors. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that our students do their own work, give credit to those whose work they have used in a paper or project, and have the integrity to learn material and study for tests and quizzes so that they are prepared. Students who are dishonest should expect consequences.

Plagiarism:
Is taking credit for another person’s work or ideas and passing them off as if they are your own. A common infraction is cutting and pasting text from a website into a document without giving credit to the author. Plagiarizing copyrighted material is illegal.

Cheating/Copying:
Getting answers from another student or giving answers to another student on homework, tests, quizzes, or any other assignments is unethical and is considered cheating. A common infraction is borrowing and copying the answers to homework assignments. Both students are considered to be cheating in this situation. Another example is using any type of electronic device to get answers from websites or using text messages to send answers to other students.

Consequences for Plagiarism/Cheating:
First Offense: Zero on the assignment (cannot be made up.) Parent conference with student and teacher.
Further Offenses: Referral to the office and further disciplinary consequences.

Progress Reports:
Progress reports are mailed to parents after the third week of the six weeks grading period. Teachers are only required to send progress reports for students who are not passing the first three weeks of each grading period. Contact the individual teacher should questions arise.

Report Cards:
Report cards are mailed to parents by the District at the end of each six weeks grading period, to the address provided at the time of registration.

Honor Roll:
Honor rolls will be determined by the numerical average of the student’s grades for the respective six weeks.

First Honor Roll: 3.875 and above
Second Honor Roll: 3.3333 – 3.8749
Third Honor Roll: 2.833 – 3.3332

Student Success Initiative:
The Student Success Initiative (SSI) was created by the Texas Legislature to ensure that all students receive the instruction and support they need to be academically successful in reading and mathematics. Under the SSI grade advancement requirements, students are required to pass the TAKS grade 8 reading and mathematics tests to be promoted to ninth grade. Eighth grade students have three opportunities to pass the reading and math tests. If a student does not pass one or both tests, the student will be given additional instruction after each testing opportunity. Parents will be notified if their child does not pass a TAKS test that is required for promotion. For more information see http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment and select the Student Success Initiative.

Promotion, Retention, and Placement:
A student shall be promoted from one grade to the next on the basis of academic achievement. A middle school student must have an overall average of 70 or above for all classes enrolled, as well as an average of 70 or above in at least three of the following subjects: Language arts (including reading, if required), mathematics, social studies, and science.

School Records:
A student’s records are confidential and are protected from unauthorized inspection or use. A cumulative record is maintained for each student from the time the student enters the District until the student withdraws or graduates. This record moves with the student from school to school. By law, both parents, whether married, separated, or divorced, have access to the records of a student who is under 18 or a dependent for tax purposes. A parent/guardian whose rights have been legally terminated will be denied access to the records if the school is given a copy of the court order terminating these rights.

Schedule Changes:
Request for a course selection change should be made through the grade level counselor. Due to staffing restrictions, it may not be possible to honor all schedule change requests. If an emergency exists, contact the appropriate grade level counselor. Schedule change requests can be made within the first ten days of school for one or both semesters. However, “change of mind” requests will not be made.

Textbooks:
Students are responsible for textbooks issued to them. Textbooks are to be kept covered, clean, and handled carefully. Please make sure your name, grade, and teacher’s name are written on the book label, in case the book is misplaced. A replacement fee will be charged for lost, stolen, or damaged books.

Library Services:
Students are encouraged to use the library. Students may use the library before or after school, and during lunch but they must get a pass from a teacher or the Librarian to use the library during these times. Books may be checked out for two weeks. A replacement fee will be charged for lost, stolen, or damaged books.