Helpful Hints for Parents

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential for student success. By law, all students are required to attend school, and consistent attendance supports academic growth, engagement, and a sense of belonging.

Reporting an Absence

Call the school by 8:00 AM on each day your child will be absent.
For extended absences of one week or more, only one call is necessary.
If notification is not received by 8:30 AM, a parent will be contacted to verify the reason for the absence.

Attendance Phone Number: 630.375.3902

Excused vs. Unexcused Absences

Absences may be excused for illness, medical appointments, family emergencies, or other approved reasons.
Students are allowed nine excused absences per year without a doctor’s note; after that, a doctor’s note may be required.
Unexcused absences occur when proper notification or documentation is not provided, or when a student exceeds the allowed nine excused absences.
The administration will communicate with families regarding the number of absences to proactively support regular attendance.

Vacations & Planned Absences

Family vacations or trips during the school year are considered unexcused absences. To help minimize disruption to learning:

Parents should send a note to the office as early as possible with the dates of the planned absence.
Upon the student’s return, teachers will provide a list of missed assignments. Students are generally given one day for each day absent to make up work.
Long-range assignments assigned before the vacation are still due on the original due date unless the student is absent when the assignment is due. In that case, it must be submitted immediately upon return.

Families are encouraged to plan vacations during school breaks whenever possible, as absences may impact learning and attendance records.

Attendance Procedures

Teachers and staff monitor attendance daily to ensure students are present and engaged.
Families will be contacted if attendance concerns arise to discuss supports and interventions.
Chronic absenteeism may require additional documentation, meetings with school staff, or support plans to help students maintain regular attendance.

Consistent attendance ensures students don’t miss valuable learning, activities, and social experiences. Thank you for helping your child be present and on time every day!

Arrival, Dismissal & Building Access

Ensuring the safety and smooth operation of the school day is a priority. Please review the procedures below to help your student have a safe and successful day at Still Middle School.

Morning Arrival (7:15 – 8:15 AM)

Bus riders: Enter through Door #10.
Bike riders, walkers, and car drop-offs: Enter through Door #1.
Doors open at 7:45 AM (8:05 AM on Wednesdays). During inclement weather, doors may open earlier.
Car drop-off: Use the front entrance on Meadowridge Drive. Pull forward in the drop-off lane and have students exit curbside only. Parents must remain in their vehicle.
Parking lot: Reserved for staff or visitors entering on foot. Students should never cross without a parent.
Buses only: Only buses are allowed in the back parking lot drive during school hours.

During the School Day

Students may not leave the building without a staff member or being signed out by a parent/guardian.
Forgotten items should be left with main office staff; students will be called down when ready.
Do not open doors for visitors; all visitors must enter through Door #1.

Building Access & Visitor Protocol

To maintain a secure environment, all visitors must follow these procedures:

Enter through Door #1, near the flagpole, and ring the doorbell.
State your name, your student’s name, and purpose before being buzzed in.
Proceed directly to the main office; do not hold the door for others or walk through the building without permission.
Present a valid photo ID for check-in; visitors moving beyond the office must:
- Be checked in through the Raptor system
- Wear a visible visitor badge
- Be escorted by a staff member unless otherwise instructed
Visitors arriving during student passing periods or at dismissal may be asked to wait in the office until hallways are clear.

Student Early Dismissal / Late Arrival

For the safety and accountability of students, parents should follow these procedures:

Written Note Required: Include your student’s name, date, times of arrival or dismissal, and reason.
- Notes may be sent to Main Office Secretaries Lorena Gonzalez or Veronica Ramirez.
Main Office staff will coordinate passes for students to leave early from class at the designated dismissal time.
Parent/Guardian Sign-Out: Parents or guardians must sign the student out in the Main Office when picking up their child.
Students will only be released to individuals listed on the approved contact list. If someone not listed arrives, the primary guardian will be contacted.
Do not contact your child directly by cell phone for early dismissal; this disrupts learning and violates the cell phone policy.

Item Drop-Off Procedures

All dropped-off items must be verified by main office staff.
Ring the doorbell and follow instructions to place items on the designated shelf outside Door #1.
Label items with the student’s full name and grade if possible.
Students will be notified to pick up items at an appropriate time to avoid classroom disruption.

Afternoon Dismissal (3:00 – 3:15 PM)

Bus riders: Exit through Doors #6, #7, or #10. Buses depart at approximately 3:07 PM.
Bike riders, walkers, and car pickups: Exit through Door #1.
Students must go directly to their bus, parent pick-up, or assigned after-school activity. Loitering is not allowed.
Car pick-up: Enter at the southern parking lot entrance, pull to the curb next to the gym, and exit via a right turn onto Meadowridge Drive.
Every student must be off school grounds by 3:15 PM.

Before & After School Expectations

Students attending early morning events may enter with a coach or teacher.
After school, students must be supervised by a staff member to remain in the building.
Students attending clubs or activities should report directly to the assigned area. Failure to follow expectations may result in consequences or loss of privileges.

Reminders for All Visitors & Parents

Respect all safety protocols to help maintain a secure environment.
Keep your contact information updated in ParentVue.
Your patience and cooperation ensure the safety and smooth operation of the school day.

Cafeteria Procedures

Still Middle School offers a cafeteria-style food service every day, including a meal of the day, a la carte items, a snack line, and desserts.

Lunch Details:

The approximate cost of a meal is $3.55.
Parents can add money to their student’s account through Pushcoin or students may bring cash to the cafeteria before school to replenish their account.
Students may choose their lunch table each quarter, giving them the opportunity to sit with friends and peers.
Outside lunches or restaurant delivery items may not be brought to school to ensure safety, nutrition standards, and consistency for all students.

These procedures help maintain a smooth, safe, and positive lunch environment while supporting students’ independence and choice.

Phone & Electronic Device Procedures

Students may use the office phone only with permission from a staff member. Cell phones and other electronic devices may also be used in the Main Office only with prior adult permission.

General Guidelines:

Students who are not feeling well should go directly to the nurse instead of contacting home.
Messages from parents will be delivered during lunch periods. Afternoon messages will be delivered at the beginning of the next class period. We do our best not to interrupt instructional time.
Messages called in after 2:45 PM or “just reminder” messages may not reach students due to the proximity to the end of the day.
Most calls are for forgotten items; please encourage your child to leave detailed messages to avoid unnecessary concern.
Emergency calls will be made by school personnel as needed.

Electronic Device Expectations:

Students are not allowed to use any electronic device during the school day (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM) unless specifically permitted by staff.
Unauthorized use of a device is considered a Cell Phone Offense and will be handled according to the progressive discipline policy.
If a student is seen using a device without permission, it will be confiscated, and a consequence will be issued.
Students are encouraged to keep devices locked in their lockers or leave them at home. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen devices.
Student devices should be powered down throughout the entire school day.

By following these procedures, we can ensure student safety, minimize distractions, and maintain a focused learning environment.

School Communication

Effective communication between home and school helps support student success. Families are encouraged to use the following tools and procedures:

Still Bulldog News: Bulldog News is sent out every Thursday and can be found on the homepage of our school's website.
School Website: Visit the Still Middle School website for important information, resources, and updates.
Online Calendar: Check the online calendar on the school website for upcoming events and important dates.
PTSA Blog and Website: Access news and updates from the PTSA through the school’s website.
Contacting Teachers: Teachers can be reached by phone or email. Please allow 24 hours for a response during the school week.

By using these tools, families can stay informed and connected to support their child’s learning and school experience.

Homework is an important part of the learning process and helps students practice skills, reinforce classroom instruction, and develop responsibility. Completing homework regularly positively impacts student performance and overall success.

Homework Resources & Expectations:

Homework Assignment Calendars: Each team maintains a Homework Calendar on their individual Team Google Site for you to review the tasks/assignments for any given day.
Google Classroom: Check your student's Google Classroom pages for more information about the assignments.
Assignment Notebooks: Students should use their assignment notebooks daily to record homework and keep track of responsibilities.

Regularly completing homework supports academic growth, time management, and preparation for assessments. Parents are encouraged to review assignments with their students and provide support as needed.

Extracurricular Activities, Clubs, & Athletics

At Still Middle School, students are encouraged to explore a wide variety of competitive sports, music programs, and clubs to develop skills, build friendships, and engage in the school community.

Competitive Sports:

Girls Volleyball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Boys & Girls Soccer, Boys & Girls Basketball, Wrestling, and Track & Field
Eligibility: Only 7th and 8th graders may participate in competitive interscholastic sports.
Requirements: Students must have a current sports physical and a signed waiver prior to participation. Sports physical forms are available on the Athletics page of the Still website.
Fees: $100 per sport; the 3rd sport in a school year is free.
Cut Sports: Girls Volleyball, Boys & Girls Soccer, and Boys & Girls Basketball

Music Opportunities:

Alternative Assembly, Chamber Orchestra, Honors Choir, Jazz Band, Solo & Ensemble, Spring Musical, and Wind Ensemble

Clubs & Enrichment Activities:

Art Club, Dance Club, eSports, Foods Club, Homework Club, Math Team, Newspaper, Peer Buddies, Robotics Club, Science Olympiad, Service Club, Spelling Bee, Student Council, Tabletop Games Club, Teachers of Tomorrow, Yearbook Club, and so much more!

Insider Tips:

Discuss interests with your student over the summer and encourage them to listen to school announcements for club start dates.
Ensure sports physicals and waivers are completed before the season begins to avoid delays in participation.

Participation in extracurricular activities provides students with opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, creativity, and a sense of belonging within the school community.

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