Frequently Asked Questions

Add/Change/Drop Classes

Students are placed in Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Physical Education, and Health classes based on grade level. Our 8th grade students are placed in either grade level math or Algebra based on the recommendation of the math team and their decision at the end of their seventh grade year.

Our Dual Immersion students take the same classes, except their Social Studies classes will be in Spanish, and in addition they will take Spanish Language Arts.

Below is information about how schedule changes work at LPMS:

• During the first week of each trimester, students can contact request a schedule change by contacting the registrar (they can do this by stopping by the office or sending an email).  Once this deadline has past, only administrators and case managers are able to approve changes. Students can start that process by reaching out to their counselor.
• If students are requesting a more significant class change involving their core classes, they should first connect with their counselor, who will then connect with the registrar regarding their decision on class changes (they may also connect with an administrator depending on the type of change).
• The following classes have additional procedures that must be followed before they are modified:
  • Dual Immersion – Family Must meet with our Dual Immersion Coordinator and an Admin before dropping (Or entering) the program.
  • Reading Support Classes – Family must meet with the teacher AND an administrator before dropping the class.
  • Leadership – Student must meet with the leadership teacher and possibly an administrator before dropping the class. This is a class that requires an application process and there is a waitlist.
  • Algebra 1 – Needs administrator approval, as stated above, this should be figured out at end of the previous school year.
  • Advanced Classes or non-grade level classes – These need pre-approval from the teacher to add.
  • Special Education Classes – The family must meet with their case manager and an administrator before any changes are made to these classes.
    If your student wishes to join any of these classes, you and/or your student can start that process by sending an email to the appropriate staff member. Our staff members contact information can be found on our directory page.
• It should be noted that when a schedule is changed, in almost all cases, the requested change will require multiple class switches due to the complexity of the master schedule.
• Because of the complexity mentioned above, once a schedule is changed once, it is very unlikely it will be changed again unless there is a significant issue with the student’s core classes, and there is no guarantee that the schedule can be returned to its original state.
• When requesting a schedule change, it is expected that students and families are aware of the likelihood of a complete schedule change and are prepared for their student to have more than the one class changed to accommodate the request. If this is not something you are interested in, please specify that when talking to the registrar.
• Actual scheduling errors will be prioritized over class period changes or elective switches.

In addition, we offer a wide variety of electives, for details about elective classes, please visit our Electives page.

If there is an issue with a student’s class schedule or questions arise, please contact the school office, or the appropriate staff member as listed above.

Behavior

Our school community and behavior support systems are based on the belief that students need to grow toward independence and need to be supported to that end. We believe that primary in the process are respect,​ ​responsibility​ ​and​ ​safety. The purpose of our behavior system is to:

• Provide a safe learning environment, where students grow towards independence
• Create a place where individual differences are valued and respected
• Help students learn responsibility, self-discipline and positive citizenship
• Facilitate an atmosphere of respect where students can be successful in school academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Visit our School Safety page for more information.

Bell Schedules

Unless there is a weather delay, school starts at 9:05 am. On Monday through Thursday, school ends at 3:30 pm, and on most Fridays school ends at 2:30 pm, with a two-hour early release occurring once per quarter on Fridays. A print-friendly detailed schedule is available HERE.

Building Hours

The office is open 8 am to 4 pm on school days and the outside doors lock at 4 pm. Students on campus before 8:45 am or after 3:45 pm (Monday – Thursday) and 2:45 pm (Fridays) must be part of a supervised activity. The Commons (cafeteria) at 8:45 am on school days so students may enter through the Commons doors and eat breakfast, study, or visit quietly until the halls open with the morning passing bell.

Cell Phones

Unless authorized in advance by the building principal or designee, Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) are not permitted to be visible and must be silenced during the school day, by middle school students (Policy JFCEB-AR). A PED is a device that is capable of electronically communicating, sending, receiving, storing, recording, reproducing, and/or displaying information and data (Policy JFCEB). (Examples: cell phone, smartwatch, airpods)

Parents who have an urgent need to contact students during the school day should call the school office at 541-757-5961.

Closed Campus

The Linus Pauling campus is closed from the time students arrive in the morning until dismissal in the afternoon. Students are to remain on school grounds during that time unless they have permission to leave from the office and parent/guardian. Leaving campus before the end of the school day without checking out is considered truancy.

Computers and Electronic Devices

In order to have access to computers at Linus Pauling Middle School, all students and parents/guardians must sign a one-time Technology Acceptable Use Agreement Form. The form is included the registration process at the beginning of the year. Students have access to computer labs during lunch periods. Free printing is available for all school assignments. For more information about computers and personal electronics, please visit our Technology page.

Dress Code

Linus Pauling Middle School recognizes the right to free expression and the value of diversity, including diversity in dress and general appearance. The purpose of dress and grooming guidelines is to teach and uphold community standards, and create an inclusive environment to promote learning and support a professional approach to academics. More details about our dress code is included on the Student Conduct page.

Emergency and Safety Procedures

Linus Pauling and the Corvallis School District utilize a Standard Response Protocol. This is an action-based protocol with four outcomes: Lockout, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Details on these protocols can be found at http://iloveuguys.org/srp.html

In the event that mechanical breakdowns or hazardous weather conditions necessitate closing schools the district’s mass notification automated calling system is used. This method of contacting families relies on up-to-date emergency phone numbers for each student. Announcements will also be made via Flash Alert, broadcast on local radio or TV stations, and updated on the district’s website

Excusing a Tardy

Students are expected to be on time to each class. Excusable absences and tardies are determined by state guidelines. Acceptable excuses may include illness, medical appointments, family emergencies and trips, and school field trips. Please call the main office to excuse your child. For more information about absences and attendance, please visit our Attendance page.

Lunch Schedule/School Meals

Students follow a lunch hour rotation as follows:

• The rotation locations are determined by grade level and are in 15 minute increments.
• Students must stay in their rotation location (lunch or outside) until the bell rings.

Getting to School

Regular school-to-home bus transportation is available to students who live outside of a 1-1/2 mile radius from the school. School bus riders must register online. Bus transportation information can be found on the Bus Routes page on the district website.

Students are asked to park their bikes in the bike cage (near the back courtyard) if they are here for the full day, and save the front bike rack for students leaving early or for visitors. Bikes should not be locked to any gates, fences, or other bikes. Students are strongly encouraged to use a u-style, rigid bike lock. For safety reasons, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters and bikes are not to be ridden on school grounds except as part of a school organized activity.

Lost and Found

Students may check the lost and found, located in the Commons or ask their PE teacher regarding anything that might have been left in the PE area or on one of the fields. Unclaimed items will be disposed of at the end of each quarter.

School Counselors

Our school counselor orients new students to Linus Pauling and provides students and families with added support in dealing with personal conflicts and problems that are interfering with student learning.  If you have a concern about your student, please contact a school counselor or the main office.

Student Body Card

Student Body cards are available by mid-September. Students are strongly encouraged to carry their card at all times while at school. The barcode on the card is used to identify students in the lunch lines who are charging against their accounts.  It also is used to gain entry to the dances sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club. If a card is lost or stolen, a replacement card may be ordered in the office.

Student-Parent Handbook

• Corvallis School District Student-Parent Handbook
• Manual de estudiantes y padres

Textbooks and School Supplies

Student Body cards are required to check out textbooks and materials. Payment is required for all lost or damaged textbooks. Damages include writing with pencils, pens or highlighters, torn pages, broken bindings or liquid damage. Textbooks must be protected with a thick paper cover.

Students are provided with the following supplies the first week of school:

Pencil pouch, binder and binder dividers, 3 spiral notebooks, college-ruled notebook paper, graphing spiral, ink pens, pencils, erasers, ruler, colored pencils, scientific calculator (Pre-Algebra, Foundations, Algebra and Geometry only), compass (Geometry only), and any other supplies necessary.

All supplies are recommended but optional. If you are unable to provide any of the above materials, they will be provided to your student at the cost of the school. If you wish to donate any of the above supplies please contact the office at 541-757-5961.