Our Philosophy and Goals page 1 Our Program page 1

Accepting Students

All applications for Fifth through Eighth Grade must be delivered to the office. Applications are processed only after all the following have been submitted to the applicants file:

- Completed and signed registration form

- Copies of all report cards, progress reports, and standardized tests

- Parent and student interview

- Medical information with immunization records
If supplementary information is needed you will be notified by our office. Enrollment is limited and once classes are filled, applicants who qualify will be placed on a waiting list. All new students to our school will be placed on academic and conduct probation for at least one term. Continued enrollment is also contingent upon prompt payment of your account.

Re-enrollment procedures

For those families who desire to re-enroll their student for the subsequent school year, a re-enrollment fee is due by December 31st. In order to re-enroll, the family’s account must be in good standing. A student’s progress must be determined to be progressing at an acceptable rate. Families are strongly encouraged to indicate their intent to re-enroll by the end of January. Enrollment opens to the public on February 1st.

Dismissal of Students

West Valley Middle School desires to meet the needs of each of our students enrolled. Our school, however, must place limitations on time, energy, and attention any one student requires when this attention hinders the progress of the other students in the classroom or school. Therefore, to preserve the quality of education and environment desired by all the families in the school, probation, suspension, or expulsion may be used. West Valley Middle School also reserves the right to deny re-enrollment.

OUR DANCE PROGRAM…DANCE ACTION

Our dance program began in 1976 with six students. Today, we have almost 1000 students enrolled in classes that include the classical forms of dance as well as the latest street steps. One of the key goals of our program is to nurture young students’ love of music and movement and at the same time enhance their self-esteem.

We have selected the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts as the location for our annual dance production. It gives us the opportunity to introduce the young dancers to live theater.
Dance Curriculum: Semi structured, creative and progressive. 12 to 16 dancers per class. We emphasize learning at the dancer’s own pace and a positive atmosphere! Graded classes for level of abilities. Dance Progress Reports annually. Summer dance camp   8 weeks   July through August. Please contact the office for currently offered classes. Some of the classes that are offered can be: Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, Acrobatics & Gymnastics, Karate, Tumbling, Jazz and Cheer.
General Procedures and Guidelines - A to Z:

ABSENCES

Regular and punctual attendance is essential for success in school. Both the school and parents have a responsibility for enforcing the state mandated education code for students at our school. According to State code #46010, the following are acceptable for excused absences.

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  Illness of the student
  

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  Death (funeral) of an immediate family member
  
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  Quarantine by the Health Department
  
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  Doctor or dentist appointment
  

Even though we encourage perfect attendance, we also realize the disadvantage of a child who is ill attending school. If your student is ill, please consider the effect your student could have on the other students or the teacher in class. Illness is an excused absence. Should your student become ill during the day, the office will notify you immediately.
When a student is absent:

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  Please call the office before 10:00 a.m. on the day your student is absent.
  
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  California State Law requires a written excuse for all absences. The written excuse must be given to our school upon returning to school. A parent signature, date of absence, and reason for absence should be documented on the note.
  
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  The absence will be considered unexcused if the student does not submit a written note following an absence.
  
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  Excessive absences may result in non-promotion, a reduction in grade based on the fact that the student was not present at school during the course of a lesson. Discontinuation of enrollment is also an option.
  
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  Any student who is absent from school without a valid excuse may be reported as truant and thus reported to the County Attendance Officer. Our school may also further inform the Department of Public and Social Services if a ground for “neglect” by the parent is a concern.
  

For an excused absence, students will be permitted to make up all work without penalty, provided it is completed within the stated time limit. This stated time limit is defined as twice the total number of days of excused absences for daily work missed. It is the responsibility of the student or parent to contact the teacher for the worked missed.

Unexcused Absences: Unexcused absences will be considered an act of Truancy. Truancy is willfully missing a portion of a class, full class period, partial or full school day, without valid reason and parent knowledge. Such absences will carry the penalty of incomplete work without a chance of make up. This may be reflected on a student’s final grade. A student who has been truant three or more times per school year will be deemed a habitual truant. Students may be subject to referral to the Santa Clara County Office of Education Attendance Board.
Academic Honors and Recognition

At West Valley Middle School, our goal is to recognize and honor all students for their individual efforts. The following honors are bestowed on our students each year.

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  Wildcat Cash: Students will be recognized daily for their citizenship, character and peer relationships. Students can collect Wildcat Cash to spend at our Wildcat Store.
  

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  Life Skill Awards: Students chosen by their teacher for effort and citizenship will be honored at our quarterly awards ceremony. They will receive a special certificate, and will be treated to lunch with the Principal.
  
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  Straight A+ Awards: Students with a higher than 4.0 GPA each semester will qualify for recognition in this category. These students will receive special recognition at our quarterly awards ceremony, their names will be announced during our morning announcement and their names will be posted on our campus.
  
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  Principal’s Recognition: Students must earn a 3.5-3.99 each quarter semester. They will receive recognition during our quarterly awards ceremony, their names will be announced during our morning announcement and their names will be posted on our campus.
  
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  Honor Roll: Students must earn a 3.0-3.49 in any one semester will be recognized during our morning announcements, our quarterly awards ceremony, and their names will be posted on our campus.