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  • General Information

     Fort Payne Middle School

     Parent/Student Handbook


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    2024-2025 

     

    Mr. Shane Byrd, Principal 

    Mrs. Jordan Giles, Assistant Principal 

    Ms. Shannon Patterson, Guidance Counselor 

    Mrs. Audra Minton, Guidance Counselor 

    Mrs. Carla Beal, Secretary 

    Mrs. Lori Abbott, Secretary-Bookkeeper

    Fort Payne Middle School Mission Statement: 

    The mission of Fort Payne Middle School is to prepare all students to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens ready to meet the challenges of the future.

  • Schedule Information

    SCHEDULE INFORMATION

    BELL SCHEDULE

    The bells signify the beginning and end of a period.  Students are expected to be in class at the beginning of the period.  The door to each teacher’s room will be closed when the bell rings to begin class. Students who are not in class at this time will need a tardy pass from the office to gain admittance. 

    6th Grade Schedule

    7:10                 Students may be dropped off at school. 

    7:40                 Bell to dismiss students from gym to report to class

          1st Period         7:52 – 8:52

          2ndPeriod         8:52 – 9:56 

          3rd Period         9:56 – 11:00

         Homeroom        11:00 – 11:40

          4th Period         11:40 – 1:08    

          5th Period         1:08 – 2:12

          6th Period         2:12 – 3:00

    3:00                 Bus Riders dismissed

    3:05                 Car Riders dismissed

    7th and 8th Grade Schedule

    7:10                 Students may be dropped off at school. 

    7:40                 Bell to dismiss students from gym to report to first period

          1st Period         7:45 – 8:42

          2nd Period        8:42 – 9:38

          3rd Period         9:38 – 10:44

          4th Period         10:44 – 11:40  

          5th Period         11:40 – 1:08 (25 minutes for lunch)             

          6th Period         1:08 – 2:04

          7th (ETA)          2:04 – 3:00

    3:00                 Bus Riders dismissed

    3:05                 Car Riders dismissed

     EMERGENCY DELAY SCHEDULE

    • One-hour delay – Drop off students starting at 8:10. The tardy bell rings at 8:45.
    • Two-hour delay – Drop off students starting at 9:10. The tardy bell rings at 9:45.
    • Three-hour delay – Drop off students starting at 10:00.  The tardy bell rings at 10:45. 

    EARLY DISMISSAL PLAN

    Each student will have an early dismissal plan to follow in the event that school is dismissed early due to inclement weather. This plan will be kept on file by his or her homeroom teacher. Each student and parent should be knowledgeable of this plan and follow it if the need arises.  

  • Traffic Flow

    TRAFFIC FLOW DIRECTIONS FOR MORNING DROP OFF 

    Please pay close attention to the directions assigned to you for your child according to their grade.  

    8th Grade – Proceed north or south on Martin Avenue until you reach the southern gate.  Turn into the loop and drop off your child.  Continue around the loop and exit back onto Martin Avenue traveling south or north.   

    7th Grade – Proceed toward the school on either Stadium Drive or North Martin Avenue. Turn right from Martin Avenue into the 7th grade loop in front of the school. Drop off your child, continue around the loop, and then turn onto Martin Avenue.  

    6th Grade – Proceed toward the school on Stadium Drive from either direction. Enter the 6th grade loop on Stadium Drive and drop off your child.  Exit back onto Stadium Drive in either direction. 

     

    TRAFFIC FLOW DIRECTIONS FOR AFTERNOON PICK UP 

    Please pay close attention to the directions assigned to you for your child according to their grade. Also, note that a portion of Martin Avenue will be closed from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, during the school year. This will hopefully help with the traffic flow. Directions are as follows: 

    8th Grade – Proceed north on Martin Avenue until you reach the southern gate.  Turn left into the loop and pick up your child.  Continue around the loop and exit back onto Martin Avenue traveling south.   

    7th Grade – Proceed toward the school on either Stadium Drive or North Martin Avenue. Turn right from Martin Avenue into the 7th grade loop in front of the school. Pick up your child, continue around the loop, and then turn left onto Martin Avenue going north. Continue on Martin Avenue North or turn left on to Stadium Drive. 

    6th Grade – Proceed toward the school on Stadium Drive from either direction. Enter the 6th grade loop on Stadium Drive and pick up your child.  Exit back onto Stadium Drive in either direction. 

  • Attendance

    ATTENDANCE

    The parent or guardian is responsible for providing an explanation to the school concerning the absence of a student within 3 days upon returning. The State Department of Education recognizes absences for the following reasons as being excused: 

    • Pupil too ill to attend school 

    • Death in the immediate family 

    • Inclement weather which would be dangerous to the life or health of the child if he/she attended school 

    • Legal quarantine 

    • Emergency condition as determined by principal 

    • Prior permission of principal and consent of parent or legal guardian 

    Upon returning to school after an excused absence, students will have up to 5 school days to complete work missed during that absence. Only 10 parent excuse notes (PE) are allowed to be used in a school year. After 10 parent excuse notes have been used, all other parent excuse notes submitted will be marked as unexcused absences (see information in the truancy section). 

    TRUANCY 

    Any absences not falling into one of the reasons listed above shall be recorded as an unexcused absence and will result in the student being considered a Truant. The Alabama Compulsory Attendance Laws require that each child (K-12) who enrolls in a public school, whether or not the child is required by law to enroll, is subject to the school attendance and truancy laws of the state. (Act 94-782 & Amended Section 16-28-3). See the FPCS Code of Conduct for details about Truancy. 

    CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM  

    Should be avoided. It is defined by the U.S. Department of Education as missed days from school no matter the reason. Chronic absenteeism at FPMS has been reached once the student has missed 10% of the school year or 18 days, excused or unexcused, and should be avoided. 

  • Check Out and Tardiness Procedures

    CHECK OUT PROCEDURES 

    Students will not be permitted to leave school before the dismissal of school without permission of the principal or assistant principal. Students who are checking out should do so before 2:30 p.m. to avoid end of day traffic and to allow the office ample time to notify the attending teacher and to have the student sent to the office. Parents or guardians must come into the office to sign the student out. Students who check out to go to the doctor or dentist should present a note from their office upon their return the next day. If they checked out due to illness and did not go to the doctor, they should bring a note from their parent or guardian. Attendance is maintained on a class-by-class basis, and it is very important that excuses or notes are provided for checkouts in order to excuse the class absences.  

    The principal or assistant principal shall determine whether the absence from that part of the school day shall be excused or unexcused.  It is important to remember that make-up work will only be permitted for excused checkouts, and the student will still be considered absent from the classes missed.  Each time a student receives three unexcused checkouts from school in one nine weeks, he/she will receive one unexcused absence.  Students scheduled for participation in school activities or events (athletics, band, cheerleading, club trips, or any other school event) MUST BE PRESENT AT LEAST HALF OF THE DAY IN ORDER TO STILL PARTICIPATE.

     

    TARDINESS 

    Students who are tardy will miss valuable instructional time.  A tardy will be excused when a student presents a doctor’s excuse, legal excuse, or has permission from the principal.  Each time a student receives three unexcused tardies for school in one nine weeks, he/she will receive one unexcused absence.  Tardy students must sign in at the office prior to going to class.   

     

    PEP RALLY POLICY 

    Any student who has a sibling participating in Fort Payne High School Football, Band, or Cheerleading will be granted one principal permission checkout for the season to attend a pep rally during school hours. A request signed by the parent must be submitted to the middle school office one day prior to the pep rally he or she chooses to attend. 

     

    EMERGENCY CHECK OUT 

    We realize that it is sometimes necessary for students to check out of school because of illness. SICK STUDENTS WILL BE SENT TO THE SCHOOL NURSE. STUDENTS ARE NOT TO STAY IN THE RESTROOM WHEN ILL (This will be considered skipping).  The nurse will contact the parent or guardian if the child needs to be picked up. It will be the responsibility of the student to make up missed assignments when he/she returns to school. 

  • Withdrawal/Transfer from School

    WITHDRAWAL/TRANSFER FROM SCHOOL 

    A student who is withdrawing from school or who is transferring to another school must notify the Guidance office before the departure date.  The student will pick up a transfer form from the Guidance Office so teachers can record current grades, attendance, and textbook information.  The student should also do the following before leaving: remove all personal items from the locker, return all school property, return textbooks to teachers, return library books, and pay any debt(s) owed to the school.

  • Grading Procedures

    GRADING PROCEDURES

    There are four grading sessions per school year, two each term.  A mid-session grade is given to each student in the middle of each grading period. 

    Grades for each grading period shall be based on five or more evaluations, one of which will be a grading period test. All grades will be recorded numerically and will correspond to the following scale:

    90 - 100. . .A                 60 - 69. . .. D

    80 - 89 . . .B                  Below 60 . . .F

    70 - 79 . . .C                  I – Incomplete

  • Promotion and Retention Standards

    PROMOTION AND RETENTION STANDARDS 

    Student must pass three out of four core academic classes with a final year-end average (F1 category in PowerSchool gradebook) of at least 60% to be promoted to the next grade level.

  • Guidance Office

    GUIDANCE OFFICE

    The guidance office is open to all students.  The counselors emphasize decision-making skills and early exploration of career and educational goals.  The counselors also place strong emphasis on helping students develop self-awareness, self-esteem, and good interpersonal relationships.  

  • 9 Weeks Exemption

    9 WEEKS TEST EXEMPTION

    Students who have been enrolled at FPMS an entire 9 weeks may choose to exempt the 9 weeks test in a class if all the following requirements have been met for that specific class: 

    1. Has completed the scheduled MAP testing for the 9 Weeks. 

    • 1st 9 weeks = Beginning of the Year Test
    • 2nd 9 weeks = Mid-Year Test
    • 3rd 9 weeks = Does not apply
    • 4th 9 weeks = End of Year Test

    2. Does not have any unexcused absences for that class.

    3. Has met one of the following in the class:

    • The current 9 weeks average = A and has 3 or less excused absences.
    • The current 9 weeks average = B and has 2 or less excused absences.
    • The current 9 weeks average = C and has 1 or less excused absence.

    4. Has had no more than one day assigned to ISS, OSS, or alternative placement during the nine weeks. 

    Students that are exempt do have the option to take the 9 weeks test, but if this option is chosen, the test grade will stand and be calculated in with the average. 

  • Cheating/Academic Integrity

    CHEATING/ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

    Students are to be honest in doing their work. A student who cheats will not receive credit for the work in question. If any other student has cooperated in the cheating, that student is also considered to have cheated and will not receive credit. Cheating students will also be subject to the consequences of a Class II offense as listed in the FPCS Code of Conduct. Cheating is defined to include, but is not limited to:  

    (a) copying someone else's work in or out of class and identifying and submitting it as your own   

    (b) failing to quote and/or list appropriate citations for material derived from published and identifying and submitting it as your own   

    (c) the use of unauthorized notes, other materials, or assistance during the accomplishment of graded work in or out of class   

    (d) any other situation in which the student attempts to or accepts credit for work not his or her own 

    (e) taking a test for another student or sharing answers on computer-derived tests (ex. i-Ready, computer-based classroom tests, etc.). 

    (f) submitting AI-generated work as your own. 

  • Physical Education Requirements

    PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

      1. Dressing out (7th & 8th grades only): Students will bring a change of clothes to dress out for their physical education class. The dress code applies to dress out clothes. Tennis shoes are required. Clothes will need to be weather appropriate - shorts and t-shirt in the hot months, and sweatpants and sweatshirt during the colder months. Only roll-on or stick deodorants are allowed and should only be applied in the locker room. Perfume, cologne, or body sprays may not be used due to allergens that could affect other class members. 

      1. Students are allowed three parent notes to excuse them from dressing out or participating in the physical activity per semester. After the third note, the student is required to have a doctor’s note. No exceptions will be made. If there is not a doctor’s note, the student will be referred to the office.  

      1. Students will start each week with a grade of 100. Students will incur a 10-point deduction for each day they do not dress out. Only a doctor’s note or parent note will excuse a student from participating. Students not participating in physical activity may be asked to complete a written assignment for daily credit. 

      1. A student who chooses to not dress out for more than three times during a grading period will be referred to the office.  

      1. Students will be required to participate in the Presidential Physical Fitness Test in the fall and spring. Only a doctor’s note will excuse a student from participating in this test.  

  • Awards

    AWARDS

    National Junior Honor Society  

    The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a service organization which recognizes students who excel, not only in scholarship, but also in character, leadership and service. Selection of candidates will be made after the 3rd nine week grading period of their 7th grade year. The following are requirements to be eligible: 

    • Cumulative 90% average in core subjects (English, history, math, and science) for the first, second, and third nine weeks. 

    • No serious disciplinary infractions.  Offenses will be reviewed by the selection committee.  

    • Actively participates in one school extracurricular activity (sport or club) 

    • Six hours of community service 

    Character is extremely important in the selection process! Your character and leadership potential will be evaluated by your teachers as part of the selection process. 

    Students enrolled in an advanced class (Advanced Math and/or Advanced English) will have an additional 10 points added to that subject’s average per nine weeks. 

    ** Community service includes but is not limited to the following: 

    • Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts 

    • Church Service (Sunday school teacher/helpe87625r, choir, bible school teacher/helper) 

    • Participation in a charitable event 

    • Babysitting or a paid service does not count 

    How to Apply: 

    A notice will be sent to all eligible 7th grade students after the third nine weeks grading period. Students must write an essay and complete a student activity sheet and service hour verification sheet.  

    New NJHS members will receive a written notice of acceptance or non-acceptance by mail.  

     

    Top 10 Student Award 

    Awarded to 7th and 8th grade students who meet the following requirements: 

    • The students with the top ten cumulative core subject (English, history, math, and science) averages at the end of the 3rd nine weeks grading period will be selected. 

    • A student must be enrolled at FPMS by September 1 through the end of the 3rd nine weeks grading period to receive top ten honors.  

    • Students enrolled in an advanced class (7th grade Advanced Math and/or Advanced English, 8th grade Algebra and/or Advanced English) will have an additional 10 points added to that subject’s average per nine weeks.  

     

    7th and 8th Grade Awards 

    Award of Excellence – is awarded to the student with the top average in a teacher’s class.   

    Achievement Award – is awarded to the student with the second highest average in a teacher’s class. 

    Recognition Award – is awarded to the student with the third highest average in a teacher’s class or a student who has shown great improvement or exceptional effort.   

    All A’s – is awarded to students who have earned all A’s in all subjects (including PE, Band, and Electives) for the first three nine weeks of the school year.  Students enrolled in an advanced class (Advanced Math and/or Advanced English) will not have an additional 10 points added to that subject’s average per nine weeks. 

    Spelling Bee and iTech Team - We also recognize Spelling Bee and iTech Team members. 

    8th Grade Quentin Benn Award - The Quentin Benn Award is named in honor of Mr. Benn, a past principal at FPMS.  Mr. Benn had a genuine concern for all people.  This award is chosen by the 7th & 8th grade faculty & awarded to an 8th grader who displays outstanding leadership, citizenship, and has had zero discipline referrals to the office.   

    8th Grade Jim Ellis PE Award - The Physical education award is named for Coach Jim Ellis.  It is given to one boy & one girl in 8th grade physical education class who have exhibited outstanding attitude in physical education for the year. 

    7th Grade Wall of Fame - This honor is bestowed upon 7th grade students who maintain an A average for every class including electives, physical education, band, etc., each nine weeks of their seventh-grade year entirely completed at Fort Payne Middle School.  Each student who meets the criteria will place his/her handprint on the Wall of Fame at some time during the following school year.  Students enrolled in an advanced class such as advanced math or advanced English will not have an additional 10 points added to that subject’s average per nine weeks. 

    7th Grade Citizenship Award - Seventh grade teachers vote on this award. The award is not based on academic excellence exclusively, but also includes honesty, truthfulness, compassion and integrity.   

     

    6th Grade Awards  

    • Award of Excellence – is awarded to the student with the top average in a teacher’s class.  

    • Achievement Award – is awarded to the student with the second highest average in a teacher’s class. 

    • Recognition Award – is awarded to the student with the third highest average in a teacher’s class or a student who has shown great improvement or exceptional effort.  

    • All A’s – is awarded to students who have earned all A’s in all subjects  

    • Top Ten 10 Award - Awarded to 6th grade students who meet the following requirements: 

      • Must be enrolled at FPMS by September 1st through the end of the 3rd nine weeks grading period for eligibility to receive top ten honors. 

      • Must have the top ten cumulative core subject (English, history, math, and science) average at the end of the 3rd nine weeks grading period.  

    • Perfect Attendance Award  - This award is given to 6TH, 7TH, and 8th students who have attended Fort Payne Middle School for the entire school year without checking in or checking out. The record of attendance will be pulled on the day before awards. 

  • Schoolwide Expectations of Behavior

    SCHOOLWIDE EXPECTATIONS OF BEHAVIOR

    As part of contributing to a positive school climate and the conditions needed for effective learning, FPMS have adopted these schoolwide expectations of behavior. They are what we call, “The Wildcat Way.”  

     

     

    CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR-CLASSROOM COURTESIES 

    Students are to practice good behavior in the classroom, keep noise down, not sit on top of furniture or heating/cooling units, and refrain from defacing or abusing classroom furniture. Continual violations of classroom courtesies will result in strong disciplinary action (ISS, A-School, and suspension).   

     

    FPMS CLASSROOM RULES 

    1. Follow the schoolwide expectations. 

    1. Follow your teacher’s classroom expectations. 

    1. Respect others – teachers, students & property  

    1. No gum  

    1. Food and Drink is permitted in classrooms only during designated snack time. 

    1. Water is permitted in classrooms only if it is in a clear bottle with a lid.  

    1. Be prepared for class.  

    CONSEQUENCES FOR CLASSROOM INFRACTIONS  

    1. 1st offense – Warning 

    1. 2nd offense – Contact parent 

    1. 3rd offense – Office referral 

    IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION (ISS) 

    Students with an office referral may be assigned ISS.  In-School suspension is when a student is temporarily removed from the regular classroom for a specified amount of time, but remains under the direct supervision of school personnel.    

    • ISS expectations: 

    • Students placed in ISS will be expected to complete all assigned work.  (Additional ISS time may be assigned if a student is tardy, absent or does not complete all work.) 

    • Students placed in ISS will be excluded from all extra-curricular activities until the suspension period is over. 

    • Students in ISS are expected to follow the FPMS classroom rules. 

     

    HALL AND SIDEWALK BEHAVIOR 

    Behavior in the halls and on the sidewalks should always be in good taste.  Students are not to block passage in the halls or on the sidewalks.  Students are not to be in the halls during class periods unless they have a proper pass.  Students are not to run in the halls or on the sidewalks.   

     

    RESTROOMS 

    Students may use restrooms between classes if they can do so without being late to class.  Otherwise, they should be used at break and before and after school.  During class, students may go to the restroom only if they have the proper emergency pass.  STUDENTS ARE NOT TO STAY IN THE RESTROOM WHEN SICK. THEY ARE TO REPORT TO THEIR TEACHER FOR PERMISSION TO SEE THE SCHOOL NURSE. 

     

    SCHOOL- RELATED TRIPS 

    The principal must clear all school-related trips at least one week in advance.  Students are subject to all school rules and regulations and the code of conduct while on school related trips and will not be allowed to check out until the proper time approved by the principal.  Permission forms must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to the teacher prior to the trip. 

     

    SELLING ITEMS ON CAMPUS/BUSES 

    Students are not permitted to sell unapproved items on campus or school buses.  Any items are subject to confiscation and the student subject to disciplinary action. 

     

    TELEPHONE 

    Students are to use the phone ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES.  Students are not to go to the office to use the phone during class or lunch without their teachers’ permission. They must bring a note from their teacher in order to use the phone and then are to obtain permission from office personnel before using the phone.  Those students who violate this privilege will be subject to disciplinary action. Emergencies do NOT include making calls home to arrange to go to friends’ homes or to ask parents to bring notebooks, homework, tennis shoes, etc., that students forgot to bring to school. 

     

    DELIVERIES 

    We will not accept deliveries for students in the office.  This includes flowers, candy, balloons, etc. 

    VISITORS 

    Parents and guardians are always welcome at Fort Payne Middle School.  However, we ask that all parents or guardians check in through the office before visiting any part of the campus. There must be a good reason for parents or guardians to remain on campus for any length of time.   

    All visitors are required to check-in through the school office.  A visitor’s pass will be issued to identify you as a visitor.  Teachers are asked to visually check for this pass when they see a visitor on campus.   

    Students from other schools will not be allowed on campus when their school is in session.  Students should not bring visitors to school nor have visitors in the parking lots or around the campus. NO CLASSROOM VISITORS WITH STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED.   

    Unauthorized visitors will be asked to leave; if they do not leave, the police department will be contacted. 

  • Digital Devices

    DIGITAL DEVICES

    Students enrolled at FPMS are issued a Chromebook to be used for educational purposes. Follow all rules related to the care and use of these devices. 

    DIGITAL DEVICE REMINDERS 

    1. The Chromebook you were issued is the property of Fort Payne City Schools. 

    1. Fort Payne City Schools’ Chromebooks are loaned to students for educational purposes only. 

    1. Follow the policies of Fort Payne City Schools, especially the Student Code of Conduct and Fort Payne City Schools Digital Device Acceptable Use Agreement, and abiding by all local, state, and federal laws at all times while using the digital device. 

    1. Obey general school rules concerning behavior and communication that apply to digital device/computer use. 

    1. Report inappropriate, abusive language, questionable subject matter or strange account activity to your teacher or a school official immediately. 

    1. Bring the Chromebook to school fully charged every day. 

    1. Clean the Chromebook weekly with a soft, microfiber cloth only. 

    1. Keep the Chromebook secure at all times and never leave it unattended.   

    1. Keep the Chromebook in its protective case at all times and closed when moving. 

    1. Take care of the Chromebook and report any problems or damage to your teacher immediately. 

    1. Do not place stickers on, mark on, write on, or otherwise alter the device or cover 

    1. Do not remove or change the ID card or asset tag on the case and Chromebook. 

    1. Do not use a FPCS Chromebook that has not been issued to you. 

    1. Do not allow anyone else to use the Chromebook, charger or cords you were issued. 

    1. Do not eat or drink while using the Chromebook or have food or drinks in close proximity to it. 

    1. Do not leave the Chromebook near table or desk edges. 

    1. Do not put items (e.g. papers, pencils, earbuds) inside the Chromebook case or on the keyboard. 

    1. Do not share your username, password or log into a Chromebook with someone else’s credentials. 

    1. Do not use a proxy server, VPN or other applications/websites to bypass the school’s filter.

    2. You will find the complete list of device responsibilities found in the Fort Payne City School Code of    

          Conduct. 

  • Lockers

    LOCKERS

    Each 7th and 8th grade student must rent an individual locker.  Lockers are available to students for a charge of $5.00 per year.   

    All books and personal articles should be placed in the lockers when not in use. Students will follow the schedule provided by the principal for when to visit your locker.   

    School officials may inspect or search desks and/or lockers when there is reasonable cause to believe that articles kept there may endanger other individuals in the school or such articles are in violation of the law or regulations of the Board of Education or school.   

    Mechanical problems with any locker are to be reported to the assistant principal immediately. Do not share your locker combination with anyone else.  Students who "jam" their locks are subject to disciplinary action.   

  • Other Procedures

    OTHER PROCEDURES 

     

    AFTERNOON TRANSPORTATION 

    Each student should know their afternoon transportation arrangements (bus or car) before they leave home each day.  If a student’s afternoon transportation arrangements need to be changed, notify the office by 1:30 p.m. (please keep this to a minimum).  Students are not allowed to ride the bus to Wills Valley Recreation Center or from one school to another school. 

     

    ELECTIONS 

    The student council will conduct student elections for class officers and student council. Each club will hold club elections. 

     

    ASSEMBLIES 

    The following rules apply for assemblies at FPMS: 

    1. Students are to be respectful in assembly programs, failure to do so will result in disciplinary action. 

    1. Students are required to attend all assembly programs for which there is no charge. 

    GYMNASIUM 

    Students are not to use the gym unless a teacher is present to supervise the activity. All students are encouraged to keep all areas of the gym neat and clean. All teams that practice in the gymnasium immediately following school are to wait for their coach in the front lobby of the school until their coach arrives and escorts them to the gymnasium.   

     

    STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE 

    If a student or parent has a concern or problem, they are encouraged to discuss it with the teacher.  If the problem is not resolved, they may request an appointment with the principal. 

     

    INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA CENTER - LIBRARY 

    Fort Payne Middle School has an excellent collection of books, book sets, DVDs and, videos.  Please follow these rules when using the library: 

    • Any library material must be signed out in order to be taken from the library. 

    • Books may be checked out for two weeks and may be renewed if needed. 

    • A fine of 5 cents per school day per book will be charged for overdue books. 

    • Students must pay for lost or damaged books and materials for which they are responsible. 

    • Students are expected to follow the classroom courtesies while in the library. 

    CAFETERIA 

    The cafeteria staff works hard to provide you with good lunches.  The cafeteria is full self-serve.  The following rules make lunch more enjoyable for everyone. 

    1. All students are required to report to the cafeteria during their assigned lunch period and to remain in the cafeteria until the end of the lunch period. 

    1. Do not cut line. 

    1. Do not take more than one serving of each item (extra servings=extra charges). 

    1. Sit with your assigned class - one person per seat. 

    1. Do not eat or drink from another student’s tray. 

    1. Return trays to designated area. 

    1. Do not take any food or drinks outside the cafeteria. 

    1. Do not throw food. 

    1. Keep the cafeteria as clean as possible. 

    1. Students may not use a microwave oven at school to warm food items. 

    The price of lunch is determined by the Board of Education.  Students may purchase extra items anytime during lunch at the posted prices.  Our cafeteria supports the concept of Offer vs. Serve.  A "Type A" lunch includes a bread item, milk, a meat, and two different vegetables and/or fruits.  Students are to choose a minimum of three items from the offering.  Fort Payne City Schools participates in the National Child Nutrition Program.  Students interested in applying for free or reduced lunches will receive an application the first day of school. 

  • Communication

    COMMUNICATION

    Collaboration, cooperation, and open communication between home and school are important to the academic success of our students. We communicate through a variety of mediums to keep you informed. 

    • School Website (https://www.fpcsk12.com/FPMS)  – Visit the website to stay informed about current events, teacher emails, and important links. 

    • Parent PowerSchool App – Create a parent account through the PowerSchool parent portal and download the app to have real-time updates on grades, attendance, and class schedules. Visit the website or contact the school office for assistance on how to do this. 

    • Email/Phone calls – You can call or email teachers and administrators to set up meetings or ask questions. 

    • Parent/Teacher Conferences - The use of parent/teacher conferences and communication is encouraged. Parent/teacher conferences should be coordinated by calling or emailing the appropriate teacher. If requested, a member of the administrative staff will sit in on a conference. 

    • Communication Apps (Remind, Duo Lingo, etc.) – Check with your child’s teachers to see if they are using any of these communication tools to receive messages to your phone. 

    • Mass Notification System – This is an automated calling system used by the school to send important information in the event of an emergency situation, school closing, or special event. To receive these, make sure we have your updated contact information in our system. 

    • Open House and Parent Involvement Nights - See the website for these dates. 

  • Acknowledgment Forms

    ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORMS 

     

    You can view any of the acknowledgment forms signed during the online enrollment process by going to the FPCS Code of Conduct found on the school website.  

  • School-Parent Compact

    School-Parent Compact