Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Free/Reduced Applications:

We need one application per household each year. We accept applications anytime during the year. Please allow ten school days for a response. We notify families in writing about the status of a request. Qualifying students receive one breakfast meal and one lunch meal daily. Applications will be available during “Bookstore Days” and at the “Meet the Teacher Night” event. They are also available on the district’s Food & Nutrition Services website.

Management of Lunch Accounts:

We notify students at least three (3) meals before they run out of money. Each time a student purchases a meal, the computer will alert them if they will need money.

EzSchoolpay.com:

This is an online payment option. You need to call (480) 987-5312 for your student’s ID number to begin. Checking your child’s account balance and making payments on-line are great benefits. 

Returned Checks:

The school is required to charge a fee of $25.00 for each returned check. Please keep your student’s account in good standing so that the account is not negatively affected.

Yes, they are. Attendance will be limited to students currently attending J.O. Combs Middle School. Prior approval from the middle school teachers and the principal is required for any exceptions. All school rules will be in effect during each dance. In addition, students must remain inside the multi-purpose room at all times during the dance. Students who choose to leave prior to the conclusion of the dance must have their parents pick them up in the multi-purpose room. Discipline problems at a dance may result in the loss of school dance privileges. Parents are responsible for transportation to and from each dance. We also ask parents to serve as chaperones, so if you are willing, please contact your child's teacher. Additional details and expectations for each event will be shared with students and parents by the homeroom teacher.

It is the student's responsibility to:

1. Be on time for the bus both morning and afternoon.
2. Stand a safe distance from the road.
3. Get in an orderly line when the school bus is approaching.
4. Always use the steps and handrail when boarding and leaving the bus.
5. Sit quietly in assigned seats.
6. Talk in normal tones; using appropriate language and actions.
7. Keep hands, arms, head, and objects inside the bus.
8. Keep the aisle clear of obstructions.
9. Open or close windows only with permission from the driver.
10. Remain seated while the bus is in motion and until it comes to a complete stop.
11. Food, drinks, and gum are not allowed on the bus.
12. Take pride in the school bus by helping to keep the bus clean. Also, do not damage the bus or any personal property.
13. Provide written permission from parents when plans are different.
14. Report potential problems to an adult.

The responsibility for student dress and grooming is that of the student and their parents. The following guidelines are recommended:

1. Students shall not wear clothing or hairstyles that can be hazardous to them in school activities. Grooming and dress that are likely to create a disruption or disturbance of classroom order are discouraged. Students are encouraged not to wear make-up. Ball caps are not permitted. Only "natural" hair colors will be permitted.
2. There shall be adequate coverage of the body. Short shorts, bathing suits, halter tops, midriff tops, tube tops, spaghetti-straps, undershirts, mesh or sheer garments, etc., are not considered adequate coverage. Pictures and/or words on any garment and jewelry must be in good taste with nothing that is obscene, vulgar or promotes anything that is illegal or considered gang related. Also, jewelry shall not be worn if it presents a safety hazard.
3. Clothes will fit...'sagging' clothes are not acceptable.
4. Students may be sent home if dress or grooming is inappropriate or disruptive.
5. Fridays are designated as "School Pride Day."

Adults are free to visit our campus; however, as a courtesy, you are expected to notify the principal and the teacher before visiting. In addition, policy requires that all visitors check in and out of the office and wear a visitor's badge that is clearly visible at all times.

• For the safety of our children, office personnel must be aware of the identity and the location of anyone on school grounds when classes are in session.
• Children from other schools will not be allowed to visit with our students during school hours.
• Volunteers are welcomed and encouraged.
• High school students on school vacation may volunteer in our classrooms. Students must have prior written parent and teacher permission. Students must remain with an adult at all times. Students must sign in and out at the office and wear a visitor's badge.

No, we have a closed campus at J.O. Combs Middle School. This helps assure your child's safety. CMS opens at 8:25 am. Once your student arrives on campus, they may not leave until school is dismissed, or a parent or guardian signs them out. A student leaving campus without permission will be considered truant, and disciplinary action will be taken. In accordance with Arizona State Law, only a person listed on the registration papers may take a student from campus during school hours. All adult visitors must be authorized through the main office. Student visitors are not allowed on campus.

Student safety and security is one of our primary responsibilities! The following steps will be followed when a student leaves prior to the end of the day: 

1. A child will not be released from his/her classroom until the parent or guardian signs the student out in the office.
2. The adult must be known to the office staff or present proper identification.
3. Office staff will request that the student be sent to the office to be released.
4. In the event that your child is in the cafeteria or on the playground, a campus pass signed by the office staff will be sent with you.

The following items are not allowed at school: knives, weapons of any kind, cigarettes, tobacco products, drugs, gum, water guns, toys, baseballs, roller blades, skateboards, portable radios, tape players, CD and MP3 players, cell phones and pagers, CD's, and pornography. These items and anything else that may cause problems will be taken from the students. Students are not permitted to bring pets to school. Special permission may be granted only with written approval from the parent and the teachers. (Animals are not permitted on the school bus).

We are pleased to announce that on May 13, 2015, the governing board approved to implement a competitive sports program at J.O. Combs Middle School beginning the 2015-2016 school year. Middle school athletes will compete in the Canyon Athletic Association and will have the opportunity to participate in the following sports: 

• Baseball
• Softball
• Boys Soccer
• Girls Volleyball
• Flag Football
• Girls Basketball
• Boys Basketball
• Girls Soccer
• Cheerleading
• Wrestling 
• Cross Country

The governing board set sports fees at $75.00 per sport with a $225.00 maximum per year. We are excited to respond to the needs of our community, develop healthy attitudes for physical fitness, and support an already successful athletics program at Combs High School. For more information, please contact J.O. Combs Middle School at (480) 882-3510.

Only in the case of an emergency, and with a pass from a teacher, may a student receive permission to use an office phone. Due to our busy days, only emergency incoming telephone messages will be taken for a student. Messages will be given at a time when classes are not in session. Students may call from the classroom if they have full day.

Any student, who arrives at school tardy, must go to the office for a pass. Excessive tardiness (more than three (3) per quarter) will be unexcused and result in the student serving after-school detention. Any student entering the classroom after the final bell has rung, who does not have a written excuse from a faculty member, will be considered tardy, so please encourage your child to be prompt to class.

Regular attendance and being on time is critical to the learning process and also helps students develop good attitudes toward school. Parents and guardians are strongly urged to make every possible attempt to schedule doctor, dentist, and other appointments for students at times outside the school day. When your child must be absent, a parent or guardian must call in or send a note excusing his/her son /daughter for the absence. Calls to the middle school should be made before 9:30 am. If we have not received a note or call from the parents, the student will receive an unexcused absence. The school's phone number is (480) 882-3510 (available 24 hours a day). Also, remember that students must be in attendance at least one-half of the school day to be eligible to participate in any extra-curricular activities held that day.