Stewart Middle School Handbook

Panthers Read: Reading is paramount at Stewart Middle School. Panthers value reading, and our academic focus is centered on nurturing students who love to read. To support this, each class will include a minimum of six minutes of reading every day. Panthers are also expected to read at home for thirty minutes daily.

Panthers Are Kind: Kindness is core value at Stewart. Our attitude focuses on the principle of treating others as you would like to be treated. Stewart Panthers embrace opportunities to support the well-being of others. These two values are fundamental to our academic and social-emotional practices and will continue the school year.

Stewart classes will optimize learning time. Students are expected to have materials out and be actively working until asked to put them away. At no point should students access personal electronic devices. Students will not line up at the door in anticipation of the final bell.

Take 5 and Think Time are Stewart protocols to provides an opportunity for both student and teacher reflection. Take 5 periods allow students to contemplate situations that are affecting their classroom performance and to articulate their thoughts about the incident. In Think Times, students proceed to a prearranged location, typically another teacher’s room, when directed to take. Importantly, Take 5 and Think Time are not punitive.

Students have materials out and are prepared for learning. This means backpacks are removed and moved off the desks and away from walking paths. If students do not have supplies, they may borrow from the teacher or a peer.

Bell Schedules

Stewart Staff Contact List

Students are expected to present a note from a parent or guardian following an absence or late arrival. They can also inquire about bus schedules and seek assistance with transportation needs.

Counselors provide personal guidance, grade information, study support, and help with resolving conflicts with others at school. Students should not leave classroom learning opportunities unless it is a genuine emergency. Students must obtain a pass from their teacher to visit the counselors.

tudents feeling unwell should obtain a hall pass from their teacher and visit the nurse. All medications must be administered by the nurse; students are not allowed to carry medications with them. This is a district policy. Students requiring crutches must have written authorization from a doctor and are required to check in with the nurse upon returning to school after an injury.

All students participating in after school activities- clubs or sports- will meet in the Commons for attendance. Once students leave campus at the end of the school day, they may not return. Students remaining after school must be in an adult supervised activity.

Students attending sporting events and dances after school must sign-up at lunch to attend and must be in good standing and behavior. Students not taking activity bus must be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of the event; failure to be picked up may result in loss of these privileges.

Participation in athletics at Stewart Middle School is governed by the rules and policies established by the Tacoma School District. 

Students wishing to participate in athletics must meet the following requirements:

• Meet TPS academic expectations of passing classes.
• A current physical exam.
• A valid ASB card and an updated emergency contact card.
• Completion of all necessary forms through the Final Forms portal (visit Stewart Athletics and click on the Final Forms portal).
• Attendance at school for at least half the day on the day of an event or practice.

Students who have not met these requirements will not be allowed to participate in athletics. For further information or inquiries, please contact Athletic Director Meyer. Additional details are also available at Tacoma Schools Athletics.

Stewart students should take pride in themselves and their school, which is reflected through polite and courteous behavior at assemblies. Our conduct during these events demonstrates the pride we have in our school and ourselves.

• Enter in an orderly manner, maintaining an appropriate noise level.
• Sit in your assigned section and remain seated throughout the assembly.
• Show respect for all participants. Be quiet and attentive to each speaker, and clap as appropriate.
• Booing, shouting, and whistling are inappropriate and discouraged.
• Demonstrate school spirit.
• Follow staff directions during dismissal.
• Do not bring food to assemblies.
• Do not bring backpacks unless instructed.

For security reasons, we discourage students from riding bicycles to school since bikes can be easily stolen. The school is not responsible for damage or theft. If you choose to ride your bike to school, please remember:

• Wear a helmet while riding.
• While on campus, walk your bike.
• Park your bike in one of the school racks, positioning it perpendicular to the rack.
• Bring a lock for your bike. Bikes may not reside in the building.

Eating in the cafeteria is a privilege. Students who do not follow staff directions will be required to eat elsewhere.

• Breakfast begins at 7:25am and must be eaten in the cafeteria.
• Follow directions the first time they are given.
• Clean up after yourself.
• Use a Level 1 voice. Talk to people at your table in a conversational tone.
• When staff is asking for your attention, stop, look, and listen for their instructions.

Cafeteria Meal Prices
Tacoma Public Schools will offer breakfast and lunch free of charge for 2026-2027 school year for all TPS students. However, Stewart still needs families to complete  the CNEEB and housing questionnaires to be eligible for supplemental funding.

Complete Forms

Supplies Provided:
Stewart provides free composition books to all students to standardize interactive notebooks. Families should not purchase notebooks or 3-ring binders.

Supplies Needed:
Families should buy only the following academic items: ballpoint pens, pencils, erasers.

Permanent Markers:
Permanent marking pens such as Sharpies and other brands are NOT allowed at school. Teachers will confiscate any permanent markers seen.

School Supplies and fees

Cell phones and Bluetooth devices are not permitted in classroom spaces. During class, devices must be put away. Each student is issued a district laptop for internet access. Students may borrow a loaner laptop from the main office if needed in class.

Parents, please refrain from texting your child during school hours if possible. It is prohibited for parents to call a student during class time. Instead, parents can contact the school at (253) 571-2200, and a message will be relayed to the student.

Cell phones may be used during lunchtime only. They must be used responsibly and never at the expense of another student or staff member. Responsible, ethical, and kind use of devices includes:

• Not taking/posting pictures, videos, or information of others (students/staff) without their permission. The use of AI generated images, videos or audio (including deep fakes) to impersonate, embarrass, or harm others is strictly prohibited. Creating or sharing deep fakes that target students, or staff will be treated as a serious violation of our policy and may result in disciplinary action and consequences under the Tacoma School District’s Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying and other applicable state and Federal Laws.
• Not allowing other students to possess your device.
• Understanding that the school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged cell phones. Parents assume responsibility for the security of cell phones brought onto campus.

Telephone Use by Students: Students may use classroom or office telephones for emergencies or other needs – for example, student needs to arrange a ride home, to attend games, sports practices, and other after-school activities. Personal cell phones must not be used, other than at lunch.

Headphones: Headphones are not allowed in classrooms or hallways and must be kept inside backpacks (not around necks or head.) Headphones, like cell phones, may be used at lunch.

Consequences for Misuse

• 1st Offense: Phones will be restricted on a case-by-case basis. The cell phone will be turned into an administrator upon entering the building. The student picks up the phone at the end of each day from the attendance office. After the specified period on the No Cell Phone List, the student can obtain a removal form in the attendance office to be considered for cell phone authorization.
• 2nd Offense: A parent must come to the school to pick up the phone and have a conference with an administrator. The phone will need to be turned in for the remainder of the semester.

Formal student-parent-teacher conferences are held in the fall and spring. Stewart uses an arena style conferencing format. Stewart only conferences one day, unlike other Tacoma Schools that might conference over two days. Contact your child’s teacher or the office for information about conferences.

Every Wednesday, students are encouraged to wear a college or TPS high school T-shirt or sweatshirt. Pants must follow the regular dress code.

If you need to bring something to your child, such as a lunch or athletic gear, please bring it to the main office. No balloons or bouquets; they’re not permitted in the school building. Food delivery services are NOT allowed.

Rational and Objective: Every member of the Stewart staff is a part of dress code enforcement and management. With a collective efficacy, we can work to ensure students stay in accordance with dress code expectations.

The purpose of Stewart Middle School uniform/school dress code is to unify our student body to provide a greater focus on creating a rigorous academic culture here at Stewart. This also contributes to a safe and orderly school environment. Students are expected to remain in dress code the entirety of the school day and may not modify their dress code. We reserve the right to update our dress code as needed.

Tops

• Stewart logo T-Shirt (short or long sleeve)
• Stewart sweatshirts - Black (optional)
• Stewart logo required – no other logos are acceptable
• No midriffs
• No pinning or other alterations to clothing

Wednesdays Only: Tacoma high school and any college gear.  The logo must be on the shirt. 

Outerwear

• Coats and other outerwear must be taken off when in the building.

Bottoms

• Jeans, shorts, sweats, skirts (longer than their fingertips), joggers
• No Pajamas
• No rips, tears, holes, sagging, see through

Footwear

• All shoes must be closed toe and have heel straps or backs
• No flip-flops, sports sandals, slippers, slides, Uggs or house shoes

Jewelry, Accessories, Hands & Outerwear

• Students can wear accessories that are safe, non-suggestive, and not disruptive to the learning environment
• Belts must be worn properly

Hats

• Absolutely no head gear is to be worn in the building. For example, hats, hoods, durags and bandanas.

PE Uniforms

• Students are no longer required to wear Stewart PE uniforms

Spirit Week & Free Dress Days

Multiple times throughout the school year Stewart will have free dress days and school spirit week. Students are required to dress appropriately and according to the guidelines set forth by ASB, staff and administration. Questions regarding this attire must be clarified beforehand.

Students/families may not alter their panther gear except for adding student last name to the back.

Homemade panther gear and anything not purchased through Stewart is not allowed.

We're here to help: Please let the office (Ms. Renee) or counselors know if you are having difficulty fulfilling the dress code expectations.

Stewart Middle School conducts regularly scheduled emergency drills. When drills require students to exit the building, they are assigned routes and gathering areas. In all cases, students must: 

• Remain with assigned staff at all times
• Follow directions of staff
• Behave in an orderly manner

Closures are announced via automated call, the school district website, and social media platforms. You may also access closure information on most local radio and TV stations such as KOMO (AM 1000) and KIRO (AM 710). Please make sure your contact information is up to date.

more information about school closures & delays

Students must have a parent-signed permission slip for all field trips. Students will follow all school rules and expectations to include wearing their Stewart school gear while on school-sponsored field trips unless otherwise specified by teachers or trip leaders in advance. Students are expected to be on their best behavior. Failure to comply with behavior expectations may result in consequences including discipline and the loss of future field trip/activity privileges. Students are required to ride to and from field trips via district-approved transportation. Volunteers must be cleared by the office at least 48 hours prior to the day of the field trip.

Families are responsible for district property, including computers and other items that are checked out to students. Families will incur a fine or replacement fee for equipment that is damaged, lost or stolen. Reference: Tacoma School District Regulation (3520R).

Food and beverages may be consumed in the cafeteria only, except for special occasions approved by administrators/teachers. Beverages that are brought at the start of the school day must be consumed prior to entering the building.

Chewing gum is prohibited on school grounds due to its damage to school property.

PG-rated versions of music, media, and movies are used at dances, assemblies, and in class presentations. Students may not use music, media, or movies without prior review and approval by an administrator or designee.

Students who are out of class must carry a hall pass from a teacher. This includes trips to the office, the nurse, and the restroom. Students are expected to take care of personal business and use the bathroom during passing times. Students will not be issued hall passes during the first and last 15 minutes of class.

Hallway Expectations

• Keep hands and body to yourself. Avoid inappropriate play, pushing, and loitering.
• Use an indoor voice.
• Be courteous to everyone.
• Don’t disrupt other classes.
• Walk, don’t run.
• Halls cleared by 2:20pm

Lockers

• Lockers are assigned for storage of sports garments and band instruments and materials.
• Parents may request a locker for their student, if needed.
• Students must not share lockers or give their locker combination to anyone. Stewart is not responsible for items lost or stolen at school. Please leave your valuables at home.

Entering or vandalizing another student’s locker is a serious offense and is subject to discipline.

Students are required to suit up for PE every day, unless excused by a doctor. Students should dress appropriately (reference page 11). Non-suit/non-compliance will affect a student’s grade.

Students must have both their Stewart issued ID and bus pass at all times. Replacement of either a lost card or bus pass is $5. Students can purchase replacement cards in the office.

Students are expected to use restrooms during passing periods and lunch. Stewart does not allow students outside of class the first and last 15 minutes of class. When approved, students must carry a hall pass. Students who abuse restroom or hallway privileges will be placed on the No Hall Pass list and required to wait for an adult escort.

If there is a family emergency, please call the office (571 2200) and not the student on their cell phone. Following this policy will allow staff to help parents manage the student’s response to the emergency. Students should not use their cell phones to make emergency calls between 7:20am and 2:10pm. If an emergency requires that a student contact a parent during the day, the school will make a phone available to the student.

Textbooks distributed to students must be returned. Please treat all books with care. Fines will be assessed for replacement of lost books, exceptional wear and tear, damage, broken spines, etc. Textbook fines must be paid before report cards are issued.

The district offers digital access to library materials, databases, and the Internet. The district uses Internet filtering for all its networked computers. However, it is not possible for the district to completely limit access to inappropriate content. Therefore, it is important that each student’s parent or guardian carefully considers and makes an informed decision whether to permit the student to have access to the district’s digital resources, including the Internet. Students will be allowed to access the Internet unless the student’s parent or guardian specifically notifies the school in writing that they do not want their student to use the Internet.

The district reserves the right to review and monitor activity on the network for responsible use consistent with the district’s Acceptable Use Policy for Digital Resources and Regulations. The district also reserves the right to remove a user’s privilege to access the network at any time the district determines that the user is engaged in unauthorized activity or is violating the policy. Disciplinary action will be consistent with the district’s standard policies and procedures.

Lost, damaged and stolen items are not the school’s responsibility. Students and parents assume the responsibility for the security of valuable personal items including cell phones when students bring them on campus.

All visitors must check in at the main office and receive a visitor pass. If a parent or guardian wants to visit their child’s class(es), arrangements must be made with each teacher and administration at least 24-hours prior to the visit.

Attendance Procedures
School attendance is one of the major factors that impacts student progress. There is a direct relationship between student attendance and academic success. Attending school every day and being on time are the first steps toward academic achievement. If attendance/tardiness falls below acceptable school standards, an intervention meeting with the parents and the student will be scheduled.

Excused Absences/Tardies
Parents or guardians must provide the school with a valid, written reason for an absence for it to be excused. The following constitute valid reasons according to district policies and state law: Textbooks

• Personal illness
• Mental health day
• Personal medical or dental appointments
• Appearances in court when required by law
• Disciplinary action – short- or long-term suspensions, in-school suspension, expulsion
• Religious observances
• Family emergency approved by the principal (i.e., funeral, death, hospitalization, etc.)
• School-approved activities (field trips and partnerships)
• Planned family activity that has been pre-approved by the principal.

In all cases, the principal determines whether an absence is excused or unexcused.

All other absences to school will be considered unexcused.

If tardiness becomes a recurring problem, parents or guardians will be notified. Continued unexcused tardiness during the school day will be subject to (including but not limited to) lunch detention, after-school detention, no hall pass list, or other non-exclusionary administrative action. Stewart will conduct regular hall sweeps that are intended to support the punctuality of student attendance.

Tardy Hall Passes
When a student is not in class when the bell rings, they are considered tardy. A student arriving more than 10-minutes late to school must check in at the attendance window for a tardy slip. A tardy less than 10 minutes will be recorded in the attendance system by the teacher. Students more than 10 minutes late should check in at the attendance office.

Extended Absence and Makeup Work
Parents or guardians must request approval from the principal or assistant principal in writing at least three days prior to the planned absence. The principal may consider the student’s academic record and the expected impact of the absence in approving or denying the request. Parents/guardians and students may be asked to sign an agreement to make up missed work or complete special assignments or the absence may become unexcused. Missed assignments may be obtained by checking Student Vue or emailing your student’s teachers.

Returning to School After an Absence
It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to notify the school of a student’s absence or tardy by calling 253-571 2208 the day of the absence or tardy. Upon return, the student must provide a signed, written note or an email from their parent/guardian. The note/email must include the student’s full name, the parent or guardian’s full name, the date of the absence or tardy, the reason for the absence or tardy, and the parent or guardian’s signature with daytime telephone number. Note/email must be presented to the attendance office prior to the student returning to class. Absences/tardies will remain unexcused until proper documentation has been received by the attendance office. Note/email must be received in a timely manner in order for the school and parent/guardian to be in compliance with the state’s Becca Law.

Early Dismissal
If a student must leave school during the day for any reason, a dismissal slip must be obtained from the attendance office. A written request for early dismissal, to include the time and the reason for the dismissal, is to be presented to the attendance office between 7:20am and 8am on the day of the requested dismissal. Parents should attempt to schedule pickup outside of the lunch hours (10:30-11:40) since students are hard to find during this period. Students will not be called out of class early to wait for pickup. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time for them to be called out of class. Students will not be accessible during lunch or assemblies; parents should be prepared to wait during these events.

Anyone picking up a student must be on the authorized pickup list and bring photo identification.

If a student becomes ill during the day, the nurse or office will issue an early dismissal slip after receiving authorization from the parent or guardian. Parents and guardians should be prepared to provide valid identification prior to the release of the student.

Truancy and Leaving School Grounds
The Tacoma School District maintains a closed campus policy. Once a student arrives at school, they may not leave the school grounds until the end of the scheduled school day without written permission from the office. Students who leave campus without written permission before the end of the scheduled day are considered truant and a possible safety concern. Students are truant when they are willfully, and without authorization, absent from class. A parent/guardian conference may be required before a truant student is allowed to re-enter their classes.

Search Policy
To maintain order and discipline in the school and to protect the safety and welfare of students and school personnel, school authorities may search a student and their effects and may seize any illegal or unauthorized materials discovered in the search. The principal, assistant principal, and/or an authorized representative with reasonable suspicion has the authority to investigate safety and conduct. As used in this policy, the term “unauthorized” means any item dangerous to the health or safety of students or school personnel, any item considered disruptive to the functions and mission of the school, or any item described as unauthorized in the school rules cited in this handbook.A student’s failure to permit searches and seizures as provided in this policy will be considered grounds for disciplinary action.

All searches by school employees shall be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and not excessively intrusive. In other words, a student’s person and personal effects are searched only when a school official has reasonable suspicion to believe that the student is in possession of illegal or unauthorized materials.

Possible consequences for inappropriate behavior:
The following section provides information on the consequences when students engage in actions that go against school expectations.

Classroom lunch detention:
This is assigned to students by teachers/staff to be served in the classroom, prior to the student going to lunch or as an alternative location for consuming their lunch. After completing the class detention, the student should obtain a pass from the teacher and return to the lunchroom area.

Office assigned lunch detention: Students assigned to lunch detention by administration or designee will be expected to report to assigned location at the beginning of lunch.

Hall Sweep lunch detention:
Students with excessive tardies or caught in hall sweeps will be assigned lunch detention. Students will report to an alternative location for consuming their lunch. Students must sit in assigned seats. No talking is allowed. Students may not leave until dismissed. Students who miss their lunch detention will be expected to serve it at another time or after school.

After-school detention:
Individual teachers may assign detention to students and hold detention in their classrooms. Certificated staff have the authority to detain a student after school for up to 30 minutes with due consideration for bus transportation. Longer detentions will be assigned with appropriate parent or guardian communication. After-school detention may also be assigned by the administrator or their designee. Students assigned to after-school detention will report to the Commons by 2:15pm. It is the student’s responsibility to inform all parties when a scheduling conflict occurs. Student and a parent or guardian will need to make arrangements for transportation home following detention. The after-school activity bus is available to return students to their neighborhood elementary school.

No Hall Pass:
Students with excessive tardies, caught in hall sweeps, caught skipping, or observed in the hallways for extended periods of time when using a pass will be put on the no hall pass list. These behaviors cause students to miss out on valuable learning in the classroom. Therefore, students will be escorted by an adult when moving around the building outside of passing period. Students on the no hall pass list will have a period of 2 weeks to work to get themselves off the list by arriving to class on time and not skipping.

Suspensions

Single-class suspension:
Student is removed from a particular class for a pre-determined amount of time. This may require either late arrival or early dismissal each day.

Short-term suspension:
Administered by the principal or assistant principal, or designee; student is removed from school up to 10 days.

Long-term suspension:
Administered by the principal or assistant principal, or designee; student is removed from school for 11 or more days, or until the beginning of the next semester.

Emergency Removal:
Imposed when a student is considered a danger to themselves or is considered a continuing disruption to the educational process. Student is removed from school and the principal/assistant principal arranges a parent conference, usually within three days. An emergency removal can last 10 days.

Expulsion:
Loss of the right to attend district schools and programs, and the right to be admitted to district property.

Students who are out on discipline are prohibited from being on campus or attending school events until the term of the discipline has ended.

Stewart assessments are designed for progress and not compliance. In a standards-based system, a student can demonstrate mastery of a set of standards and move immediately to a more challenging set of standards.

• Use 100 points as the total and convert students’ BAME score into a numerical value using the following table:
• BAME Common Language at Stewart 
  • B = Beginning = 1 
  • A = Approaching = 2
  • M = Meeting = 3
  • E = Exceeding = 4

80% of final grade comes from summative score and 20% from formative score. (Note this was updated on 9/7/2025 from previous incorrect printing of 90/10) Stewart’s grade computations are directed by TPS Policy 2420R.

Stewart students should strive to act with honesty and integrity to embody the PRIDE trait of “Integrity.” Students with integrity take responsibility for their actions and are willing to accept the consequences resulting from those actions. Students demonstrate academic honesty by consistently acknowledging the ideas and work of others.

The purpose of Stewart Middle School uniform/school dress code is to unify our student body to provide a greater focus on creating a rigorous academic culture here at Stewart. This also contributes to a safe and orderly school environment. Students are expected to remain in dress code the entirety of the school day and may not modify their dress code.

Note:

• Uniform tops must be worn correctly with arms through the sleeves and must not be covered by non Stewart apparel.
• Administration reserves the right to restrict any clothing items or accessories deemed disruptive.
• Inappropriate logos/images (promoting alcohol, tobacco, drugs, firearms, hate) are not permitted.

Stewart Arrival/Dismissal Traffic Plan