|
WHITNALL MIDDLE SCHOOL
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2007-08
5025 S. 116th Street
Greenfield, WI 53228
414-525-8660
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to WhitnallMiddle School!
WMS is a sixth through eighth grade middle school that serves nearly 600 students from the communities of Greenfield, Hales Corners, and Franklin.
WMS operates a traditional middle school schedule with seven class periods and a variety of co-curricular offerings. All students are valued and welcomed at WMS, and are provided the opportunity and guidance to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. The WhitnallMiddle School staff is committed to students in "the middle." Please contact us if you have any questions or need further information.
Sincerely,
Whitnall Middle School Staff
Administrative Team
Lynn Stadler, Principal
Telephone 414-5525-8652 Email: lstadler@whitnall.com
Brian Borden, Dean of Students
Telephone: 414-525-8663 Email: bborden@whitnall.com
Guidance Team
James Gableman Grades 6 (A-M) & Grade 7
Telephone: 414-525-8654 Email: jgableman@whitnall.com
Christine Bruss Grade 6 (N-Z) & Grade 8
Telephone: 414-525-8655 Email: cbruss@whitnall.com
District Mission:
The Mission of the WhitnallSchool District is to prepare our students to be lifelong learners by providing quality education through a cooperative relationship of school, home, and community, enabling them to meet future challenges and to be contributing members of society.
WMS Mission:
The mission of WhitnallMiddle School is to ensure every student receives equitable learning opportunities to meet high academic standards in a safe environment.
Non-discrimination Policy
(School Board Policy 411)
It is the policy of the Whitnall School District that no person may be denied admission to any public school in the District or be denied participation in, be denied benefits of, or be discriminated against in any curricular, extra-curricular, pupil service, or other program or activity because of the person's sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability or handicap contrary to s. 118.13, WI Stats. This policy also prohibits discrimination as defined by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (gender), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race and national origin), Title II of the American Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (handicapping condition). Student discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established.
Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to:
Dr. Karen Petric
Superintendent of Schools
WhitnallSchool District
5000 South 116th Street
Greenfield, WI53228
414-525-8411
ATTENDANCE
(School Board Policy 431)
Regular attendance is required by law and is essential for academic success. A parent may excuse their child from school due to illness, family emergency, medical or legal appointments, or observance of religious holidays.
A parent or guardian of the student should contact the school on the day of their child's absence between the hours of 7:00 am and 9:00 AM (525-8660 or 525-8662). A written excuse should be sent to school upon the student's return. Absences of more than three days, or upon request of the administration, may require a doctor's excuse.
If a student is absent due to illness or injury, he/she will not be allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities that day. If a student is unable to participate in physical education for more than three days, a doctor's excused is needed.
If a student is truant from school, parents will be contacted and disciplinary action may be taken. Excessive truancy may result in a referral to legal authorities in accordance with state law.
Students tardy to school in the morning are to check in at the main office.
MAKE UP WORK
(School Board Policy 431)
Students who are absent due to illness will be allowed one day in addition to the number of days missed to complete their assignments or take their tests missed. If, however, a student receives a long-range assignment and is absent when it is due, a teacher can require that it be due on the student's return to school.
Tests and assignments missed because of unexcused absences or truancies may be made up at the request of the student, but no credit will be granted for such tests or assignments. The District shall not, however, deny credit in a course solely because of a student's unexcused absences.
Truant students are not permitted to take part or attend extra-curricular activities or after school activities.
Truancy
(School Board Policy 431)
Students are considered truant if they are absent for part or all of one or more school days during which the school has not been notified of the legal cause of such absence by the parent/guardian of the absent student. Truancy includes intermittent attendance carried on for the purpose of defeating the intent of the compulsory attendance law.
Habitual Truancy
A student is considered a habitual truant if he/she has been absent from school without an acceptable excuse for part or all of five or more days out of 10 consecutive days on which school is held during a school semester. Absence from school during a period of suspension or expulsion is not an absence without acceptable excuse under the "habitual truancy" definition and is not an absence without legal cause under the "truancy" definition.
Habitual truants shall be dealt with in accordance with the District's Truancy Procedures. The school shall notify the parent/guardian and the Greenfield Police Department of the student who is truant five or more consecutive days.
Tardiness
Being on time for all classes assists the student in receiving the maximum benefits from our instructional program and developing a positive habit of punctuality.
The individual teacher handles tardiness to classes. You are expected to be prompt and in your seat at the beginning of class. Teachers take whatever action is necessary to enforce punctuality in his/her classes. Should classroom tardiness become excessive the student will be referred to the administration.
STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
(Board Policy 443)
The primary goal of the WhitnallMiddle School is to establish a safe and successful learning environment for students and staff. The goal is for self-discipline.
A student's conduct is a personal matter that he/she should keep within reasonable bounds that apply equally to all members of the community. Students should have freedom and encouragement to express their individuality in school in any way so long as their conduct does not intrude upon and endanger the freedom of others, especially upon the freedom of their peers to receive instruction. The School Board's intent is to establish a rational position between freedom for each individual and the necessity for sufficient order to permit the operation of the instructional program.
All students should recognize the consequences of their conduct. This refers to their actions toward each other, and to their language, dress and manners.
Students, both individually and in groups, shall comply with school regulations and shall recognize the authority of teachers. Disobedience or open defiance of the teacher's authority shall constitute sufficient cause for disciplinary action and may result in suspension or expulsion from school.
This policy extends to all school related events.
STUDENT PROBATION/SUSPENSION/EXPULSION
(School Board Policy, 443.10)
There are three forms of school disciplinary action covered by these procedures: probation, suspension and expulsion.
Probation: Probation is a conditional attendance during a trial period. Responsibility for placing a student on probation shall reside with the administration. A student may be placed on probation for a trial period by the building administration, with condition of release. The principal's decision concerning probationary status shall be final.
Suspension:
In or out of school suspension is a temporary termination of class or school attendance in accordance with School Board policies and state law. Suspension is justified under the following circumstances and may be authorized by the principal or designee.
•· Violation of Board policy or school rules;
•· Knowingly conveying any threat or false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to destroy any school property by means of explosives;
•· Conduct by the student while at school or under the supervision of a school authority which endangers the property, health or safety of others;
•· Conduct while not at school or not under the supervision of school authority which endangers the property, health or safety of others at school or under the supervision of a school authority; or
•· Conduct while not at school or not under the supervision of a school authority which endangers the property, health or safety, of any District employee or school board member.
A student shall be suspended from school for possessing a firearm while at school or under the supervision of a school authority in accordance with state law requirements.
Expulsion: Expulsion is a termination of the right of a student to attend school for a duration determined by the Board. Expulsion shall be exercised only through action of the Board. The Board may expel a student from school for any of the following types of conduct if it is satisfied that the interest of the school demands it:
•· Repeated refusal or neglect to obey school or Board rules
•· Knowingly conveying any threat or false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to destroy any school property by means of explosives;
•· Conduct by the student while at school or under the supervision of a school authority which endangers the property, health or safety of others;
•· Conduct while not at school or not under the supervision of school authority which endangers the property, health or safety of others at school or under the supervision of a school authority; or
•· Conduct while not at school or not under the supervision of a school authority which endangers the property, health or safety, of any District employee or school board member.
The Board shall expel a student from school for one year for possessing a firearm while at school or under the supervision of a school authority in accordance with legal requirements. Exceptions may be made by the board on a case-by-case basis.
STUDENT DRESS CODE
(Board Policy 443.1)
Responsibility for the personal appearance of students enrolled in the School DistrictWhitnallSchool District shall normally rest with the students themselves and their parents/guardians. Student dress or grooming should not, affect the health or safety of individuals on school property, or disrupt the learning process within the classroom or school.
No students shall wear clothing that contains pictures and/or writing referring to sexual references, profanity, illegal drugs, or the promotion of alcoholic beverages and/or tobacco products while at school.
No student shall be permitted to wear any headgear (cap, hats, etc.) other than for religious or medical reasons while in school. If there is a disagreement between students and/or parents and the staff regarding the appropriateness of clothing the principal will use his/her discretion to make the decision.
Student Conduct on School Buses
(Board Policy 443.2)
Riding the school bus is an extension of the classroom; therefore the School Board shall require students to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior.
In cases when a student fails to conduct him/herself properly, such misconduct is to be brought to the attention of the building principal by the bus driver. Guidelines for proper notification and due process are to be established by the administration. Where continuing or extremely serious problems exist, the bus riding privileges may be suspended. In such cases, the parent/guardian of the student becomes responsible for seeing that the student gets to and from school safely and is in regular attendance.
Use/Possession of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Controlled Substances by Students
(Board Policy 443.3)
The smoking, possession, or display of tobacco products by students while on school property at school sponsored activities regardless of location, or on school buses, whether during school or while under the supervision of a school authority, is expressly forbidden. The sale or possession with intent to sell, deliver, manufacture, use, display or possession of alcohol or other controlled substances while on school property, at school sponsored activities regardless of location or on school buses whether during school or while under the supervision of a school authority is also strictly forbidden. Any action which upon investigation, is deemed to be conspiratory in nature (i.e. aiding another student to violate this policy or to avoid detection) is also a violation of this policy. All suspected violations of this policy shall be investigated and appropriate disciplinary action taken; this shall include a referral to police for criminal matters.
First Offense:
The student shall be suspended for one to five days and may be suspended from all extracurricular activities per District policy, procedures and per State law. The parent(s)/guardian of the student shall be notified of the suspension, of the extracurricular activity participation penalty as applicable and of the consequences of a subsequent violation of the Board's student alcohol and controlled substances abuse policy.
Second Offense:
The student shall be suspended for five to ten days and shall be suspended from all extracurricular activities per District policy, procedures and per State law. The student's parent(s)/guardian shall be notified of the suspension, of the extracurricular activity participation penalty as applicable and of the consequences of a subsequent violation of the Board's student alcohol and controlled substances abuse policy.
Third Offense:
The student shall be suspended for 10 - 15 days, shall be suspended from all extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year and may be subject to expulsion per District policy, procedures and per State law. The student and his/her parent(s)/guardian shall be notified of the suspension and of the extracurricular activity participation penalty as applicable, and shall be served with a legal notice of expulsion in accordance with state law and District procedures.
ACTION by student: (Sale, Delivery, Manufacture or Possession With Intent to Sell - All Grade Levels)
The student shall be suspended for up to 15 days, shall be suspended from all extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year and may be subject to expulsion per District policy, procedures and per State Law. The student and his/her parent(s)/guardian shall be notified of the suspension and of the extracurricular activity participation penalty as applicable, and shall be served with a legal notice of expulsion in accordance with State Law and District procedures. Law enforcement authorities shall be notified immediately as appropriate.
WEAPONS
(Board Policy 443.6)
The WhitnallSchool District shall strive to provide a safe and healthy environment for all persons on its premises or4 attending any of its activities or functions. To aid in reaching that goal, the District shall enforce a policy that no person shall unlawfully posses nor use a dangerous weapon on school premises, on school buses, or at any school related event. For purposes of School Board Policy, a "dangerous weapon" is defined as a firearm(whether loaded or unloaded), BB or pellet gun, explosive devices, nunchaku or other martial arts instruments, metal knuckles, razor, knife, chain, club, container of tear gas or a similar substance used to cause bodily discomfort, or a look-alike/facsimile weapon or such as a toy or other object which could be reasonable mistaken for an actual dangerous weapon and which is intended to and/or capable of intimidating, alarming, threatening someone or for use to inflict bodily harm.
Any person violating this policy shall be referred to law enforcement officials for possible prosecution for violation of state or federal laws, local, city or village ordinances relating to possession or use of firearms or other dangerous weapons. In addition to prosecution, students who violate this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension and expulsion in accordance with established state laws and District procedures.
LOCKERS
(Board Policy 446.1)
The school provides a locker for the convenience of the student to be used solely and exclusively for the storage of outer garments, footwear and school related materials. The student assigned to the locker is expected to follow all school rules and related policies and assume full responsibility for whatever is in his/her locker.
School lockers are the property of the WhitnallSchool District. Periodic general inspections of lockers may be conducted by school authorities, at any time, without student consent and without a search warrant. Police officers, firemen or other professionals may be utilized in conducting locker searches as requested by school authorities.
STUDENT USE OF TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION OR PAGING DEVICES
(School Board Policy 443.5)
Student use of electronic paging or two-way communication devices (cell phones, etc.) on school premises is prohibited, except as specifically authorized by the building principal or designee or in crisis situations. Violations of this policy may result in confiscation of the device until a parent conference is scheduled.
Students will not be permitted to use CD/MP3 players, hand held games, or other similar devices during the school day unless permitted by their teacher. Students are discouraged from bringing these items to school. The school is not responsible for these items if they are lost or stolen.
Harassment
(Board Policy 411.1)
The WhitnallSchool District believes in maintaining a learning environment where all students are treated with respect and dignity. Each student has the right to learn in an environment free from any type of harassment toward and/or between students.
The District will not tolerate any type of harassment in any form and will promptly investigate and administer appropriate action to eliminate it, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion as outlined in state statute and School Board policy. Harassment may take a variety of forms including sexual harassment, harassment against a protected class, bullying, e-mail harassment/cyber-bullying, hazing, and/or gang activity as defined below. The District has an obligation to investigate all claims of harassment to assure a safe environment for all students and to assure compliance with state and federal law and School Board policy.
Harassment includes but is not limited to verbal abuse, taunting, ridicule, epithets, vulgar or derogatory language, name-calling, spreading rumors, making threats, display of cartoons or materials, mimicry, lewd or offensive gestures, telling of jokes offensive or objectionable to the recipient student that a hostile environment has been created. Gender, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability may constitute the basis of the harassment if it causes the recipient discomfort, humiliation, interferes with his/her school performance, or creates and intimidating, hostile or offensive school environment. Harassment may involve a number of factors, some related to protected class status, some not.
Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, any deliberate, repeated or unwanted verbal or physical sexual contact, sexually explicit derogatory statement, or sexually discriminating remark which is offensive or objectionable to the recipient or which causes the recipient discomfort, humiliation and/or interferes with school performance. Sexual harassment includes any form of any unwanted or unwelcome sexual attention ranging from leering, pinching, patting, physical assault, advances or propositions, verbal comments, display of graphic or written sexual material, and subtle or express pressure for sexual activity.
Bullying includes, but is not limited to, willful repeated actions intended to harm the recipient. Such actions may be physical, verbal or emotional acts targeted at vulnerable students for the purpose of ridicule, isolation or exclusion. The repeated behavioral pattern may be any gesture, or written, verbal or physical act where the perpetrator demonstrates an intent to harm by engaging in repeated conduct that physically harms the recipient or damages his/her property, places the recipient in reasonable fear of physical harm or damage to his/her property, or insults or demeans in such a way as to disrupt his/her school performance. Examples of verbal/emotional bullying include but are not limited to intimidation, name-calling, threatening or teasing behaviors, and/or the intentional exclusion of someone. Examples of physical bullying include but are not limited to punching, slapping, pulling on or tearing clothes, shoving, spitting, making faces, making unsolicited/inappropriate gestures, taking things from someone repeatedly and then giving them back, extortion, and stealing.
E-mail Harassment or cyber-bullying includes, but is not limited to, any electronic or computerized communication sent with the intent to intimidate, frighten, threaten, abuse or harass a student adversely impacting the learning climate or sense of security for the student. This may include, but is not limited to, sending mean, vulgar or threatening messages or images, posting sensitive, private or inaccurate information about another person, and/or pretending to be someone else to harass or to make someone look bad.
Hazing includes, but is not limited to, any act that serves to persecute or harass with threats or with a meaningless, difficult or humiliating activity; or, any action taken or situation created intentionally to produce excessive fatigue, embarrassment, public ridicule or possible mental or physical harm in the context of initiating, admitting or affiliating the recipient into a school-sponsored and/or non-sponsored group. Prohibited acts and/or forced activity may include brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating or branding, forced confinement, or forced consumption of food, liquor, drug, or other substance. In addition, hazing includes any type of activity where the condition of initiation or admission in to the group or any affiliation with the group is ‘forced' causing the potential for endangering the physical health or safety of a student regardless of the student's willingness to participate in such activities.
Gang activity includes, but is not limited to, anti-social behavior that threatens the school environment and educational process by an identifiable group or club which exists without the sponsorship or authorization of the school. Gang activity related to harassment is behavior which engages in the attempt to commit or the solicitation to commit one or more specified crimes or acts at the direction of or at the association with the gang. Examples of gang activity may include, but is not limited to recruitment, initiations, hazing, intimidation, retaliation and/or other related activity which cause danger, physical or mental harm, personal degradation or disgrace to a student or students (See policy #443.7, Gangs and Gang-Related Activities).
In addition to the anxiety caused by the humiliation or demands made to the recipient, harassment may include the implicit message from the alleged offender that noncompliance with the offender's demands will lead to reprisals and retaliation. Reprisals/retaliation may include, but are not limited to, the possibilities of escalated harassment/bullying/hazing, sarcasm, intimidation, or unwarranted comments or rumors to or through peers. Reprisals and retaliation are strictly prohibited. Any retaliation for a student reporting an incident, a witness' cooperation in an investigation will be disciplined up to and including expulsion.
It is not necessary for the student to express objection or a complaint about conduct in order for it to be unwelcome. The particulars of each circumstance must be considered. This includes specific conduct, its severity, the frequency with which it occurred and other conduct or similar conduct affecting the student's school environment.
Any student who believes that he/she has been subjected to or witnessed any type of harassment or any parent(s)/guardian who believes their child has been subjected to or witnessed harassment should report the incident(s) to the building principal and/or other designated personnel. If a student or parent/guardian is not comfortable with contacting the principal or designated individual(s), the concern may be presented to a guidance counselor, District social worker, a teacher or other employee with the understanding that all incidents will be eventually reported to the appropriate persons for prompt review and action in accordance with established procedures. Procedures may be obtained online, from the District Office, or any of the School Offices.
All contacts and reports regarding harassment shall be taken seriously, treated fairly and shall be promptly and thoroughly investigated. To the fullest extent possible, the District will keep all complaints and the terms of their resolution confidential. Information will not be released by the District unless required by law or if necessary for the purpose of taking corrective action. The District forbids retaliation against anyone who has reported any incidents of harassment or participated in the complaint investigation process.
Damage or Destruction of School or School Property
(Board Policy 443.4)
Students will not damage or attempt to damage, steal or attempt to steal school or personal property. Restitution may be required at the discretion of the building administrator. Consequences may include a referral to the Superintendent.
Referrals to Community Resource Officer and Greenfield Police Department
WhitnallSchool District in cooperation with the Greenfield Police Department employs a Community Resource Officer. Referrals to the resource officer or police department may include:
· Disorderly Conduct/Fighting
· Harassment
· Smoking/Possession of Ignition Devices
· Truancy
· Assault/Battery
· Possession of drugs/alcohol
· Theft
· Profane or obscene language
COMPUTER NETWORK AND INTERNET USE: PROCEDURES
(Board Policy 363.2R)
Students and district employees may keep an internet account as long as they use the Internet in a responsible manner consistent with Board Policy and procedures. An Internet address received through the District is a privilege rather than a right.
Responsible users MAY:
•· Use the Internet to research assigned classroom procedures
•· Use the Internet to send electronic mail (E-mail) to other users if approved to do so.
•· Use the Internet to utilize approved district web-based systems.
Responsible users MAY NOT:
•· Violate state and federal laws dealing with student and employee rights to privacy
•· Use profanity, obscenity or other language that may be offensive to another user.
•· Re-post (forward) personal communication without the author's consent.
•· Copy commercial software or other material in violation of state and federal laws (e.g., the federal copyright laws)
•· Send copyrighted materials without permission.
•· Change or access computer files that do not belong to the user.
•· Use the internet for financial gain, for commercial activity or for any illegal activity.
•· Violate the rules of common sense and etiquette.
•· Share their passwords with another user. (Users should change their passwords frequently)
•· Install software or tamper with equipment
•· Upload or download music, games or software. These files may constitute violation of copyright, reduce4 the efficiency of the network, and introduce viruses, spy ware and other malicious code into the network.
•· Use any means to bypass network security and/or Internet filtering
•· Use any means to bypass retention and archival procedures or alter/delete archived records.
| 