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  Westby Area

Middle School

Student Handbook

2023-2024

Shaping the leaders of tomorrow.


Table of Contents

Table of Contents         2-4

Welcome                 5

1) Middle School Students        6

        1.1 Intellectual Development        7

        1.2 Physical Development        8

        1.3 Psychological Development        9

        1.4 Social Development        10

        1.5 Moral and Ethical Development        11

2) Philosophy        12

     2.1 District Educational Philosophy         13

     2.2 School Mission Statements         14

     2.3 Parental Involvement         15

3) School Calendar         16

4) Personnel and Schedules        17

     4.1 Westby Area Middle School Faculty & Support Staff        18

        4.2 School Schedules        19-21

5) Parent - School Communications         22

     5.1 Communicating with the School         23

     5.2 School Newsletter and Parent Notices         23

     5.3 Fund-raising         23

     5.4 School Achievement Reporting         24

                Report Cards         24

                Grading Scale        24

                Mid-quarter Reports         24

                Failing Grades         24

                Seventh & Eighth Grade Honor Roll        24

                National Junior Honor Society        24

                Grade Advancement        24

     5.5 Student Records Policy         25-28

6) Extra and Co-curricular Activities         29

     6.1 Organizations, Contests & Clubs         30-31

     6.2 Athletic Code        32

     6.3 Music         32

7) Procedures and Policies         33

     7.1 General         34

                Scheduling        34

Acceptable Use Policy        34

                Building, Playground and Bus Rules         35

                Bicycles         35

                Snowmobiles         35

                Arrival At School         35

                School Events If Absent         35

                Passes        35

                Illness at School        35

                Temporary Handicapping Conditions        35

                Dismissal         35

                Visitors         35

                Telephones         35

                School Property         36

                Use of School Facilities         36

                Emergency Closing Information         36

                Field Trip Regulations         37

                Fees         37

                Clothing         37

                Hats        37                Physical Education         37

                Lockers        38

                Homework         38

                Publications/Sales        38

                Pets        38

                Crossing Guards        38

                Beverages        38

                Backpacks        38

                Inappropriate Items at School         38-39

                Closed Campus        39

                Team Teaching        39

                Assignment Notebook        39

                Lazer Pointers        40

                Late Work Policy        40

     7.2 Student Code of Conduct                                                41        

        7.3 Bullying                                                                             41

          7.4 Attendance        41

                Absences         42                Excused Absences         42

                Unexcused Absences         43

                Illness at School         43

                Leaving Early From School         44

                Truancy (Habitual)                                                     45        

     7.5 Media Center and Computer Lab         47

                Media Center Rules         47                Computer, iPad/Chromebook Use         47

     7.6  Algebra Course Requirements        48

     7.7  Chromebooks                                                                     49

     7.8  Behavior Management        50

                Detention         50

                Suspension        50

                Discipline Policy of Consequences        51

                PBIS        52-53        

     7.9 Weapons         54

     7.10 Alcohol, Illicit Drugs, and Tobacco         55

     7.11 Medical         55

                     Physician Prescribed medication         55

                Requirement of Consent Forms         56

                 Nonprescription Medication         56

                Student Accident insurance         57

                Emergency Care Services          58

     7.12 School Bus Information         59

                School Bus Rules         60                School Bus Discipline Procedures         60

                Request For Alternate Bus Drop-Off Point         61

                Bus Driver and Chaperone Responsibilities for        61                        Co-Curricular Trips         

     7.13 Food Service         62

                School Nutrition Programs         63

                Special Dietary Needs         63                Computerized Program         63

                Account Charges         63

                Account Deposits        63

                Low Account Balance Notifications         63

                Free & Reduced Meals         63

                Wisconsin School Day Milk Program         63

                Offer vs. Serve Policy         63

                Lunchroom Rules         63-64

     7.14 Crisis Management and Preventions        64

                Emergency Drills        64

                Fire Drills         64

                Severe Weather Drills         65

                Lock Down Drills         65

                ALICE Evacuation Drill        66

8)  Official Notices         67

     8.1 Nondiscrimination         68

     8.2 Student Harassment         69

     8.3 Special Education Notice         69

     8.4 Protective Behaviors Notice         69

     8.5 Human Growth and Development Notice         70

     8.6 Student Assistance Program         71

     8.7 Public Notice for Americans with Disabilities Act         72

     8.8 Professional Qualifications        73

        8.9 Board Policies & Official Notifications        73

9) Appendix                 74

     9.1 Policy 443.1 Student Dress Code        75

     9.2 Policy 870 Regarding Public Complaints         77

     9.3 Parent Consent and Information Form         83

     9.4 Student/Parent Consent form for Internet Access        84


September 1, 2023

On behalf of our middle school team of educators, I would like to welcome you and your student/s to a new school year.  I look forward to developing a strong partnership with your family to ensure your child acquires the necessary skills, knowledge, and dispositions to successfully prepare them for college and/or career.  Working together, parents, families, teachers, and administrators, we can provide your student with the support he or she needs to excel in school.  

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”  The quote, often attributed to Aristotle, is as true now as it has ever been.  We emphasize the importance of kindness, caring, humility, respect, selflessness, forgiveness, and honesty with our students.  Once again, we will dedicate time for discussing and practicing these important leadership traits through a curriculum called CharacterStrong.  Each homeroom teacher will use the advisory period to start the day by using the curriculum to forge stronger relationships with students.  It is our strong belief that the habits of mind mentioned above create intelligent successful people who can lead others.

Yours in education,

Michael Weninger

Westby Area Middle School Principal


1) Middle School Students

        1.1 Intellectual Development

        1.2 Physical Development

        1.3 Psychological Development

        1.4 Social Development

        1.5 Moral and Ethical Development


Intellectual Development

Middle Grade Students:

  1. Display a wide range of individual intellectual development as their minds experience transition from the concrete-manipulatory stage to the capacity for abstract thought.

  1. Are intensely curious;

  1. Prefer active over passive learning experiences; favor interaction with peers during learning activities;

  1. Exhibit a strong willingness to learn things they consider to be useful; enjoy using skills to solve real life problems;

  1. Are ego-centric; argue to convince others; exhibit independent, critical thought;

  1. Consider academic goals as a secondary level of priority; personal-social concerns dominate thoughts and activities;

  1. Experience the phenomenon of meta-cognition – the ability to know what one knows and does not know;

  1. Are intellectually at-risk; face decisions that have the potential to affect major academic values with lifelong consequences.

Physical Development

Middle Grade Students:

  1. Experience accelerated physical development by increases in weight, height, heart size, lung capacity, and muscular strength;

  1. Mature at varying rates of speed. Girls tend to be taller for the first two years of early adolescence and are ordinarily more physically developed;

  1. Experience bone growth faster than muscle development; uneven muscle/bone development results in lack of coordination and awkwardness; bones may lack protection of covering muscles and supporting tendons;

  1. Reflect a wide range of individual differences, which begin to appear in pre-pubertal and pubertal stages of development. Boys tend to lag behind girls. There are marked individual differences in physical development for boys and girls. The age of greatest variability in physiological development and size occurs at about age thirteen;

  1. Experience biological development five years sooner than adolescents of the last century; the average age of menarche has dropped from seventeen to twelve years of age;

  1. Face responsibility for sexual behavior before full emotional and social maturity has occurred;

  1. Show changes in body contour including temporarily large noses, protruding ears, long arms; have posture problems;

  1. Are often disturbed by body changes:

        *girls are anxious about physical changes that accompany sexual maturation;

        *boys are anxious about receding chins, cowlicks, dimples, and changes in their voices;

  1. Experience fluctuations in basal metabolism which can cause extreme restlessness at times and equally extreme listlessness at other moments;

  1. Have ravenous appetites and peculiar tastes; may overtax digestive system with large quantities of improper foods;

  1. Lack physical health; poor levels of endurance, strength, and flexibility as a group are fatter and unhealthier;

  1. Are physically at-risk; major causes of death are homicide, suicide, accident, and leukemia.

Psychological Development

Middle Grade Students:

  1. Are often erratic and inconsistent in their behavior; anxiety and fear are contrasted with periods of bravado; feelings shift between superiority and inferiority;

  1. Have chemical and hormonal imbalances which often trigger emotions that are frightening, poorly understood, may regress to more childish behavior patterns at this point;

  1. Are easily offended and are sensitive to criticism of personal shortcomings;

  1. Tend to exaggerate simple occurrences and believe that personal problems, experiences, and feelings are unique to themselves;

  1. Are moody, restless, often feel self-conscious and alienated; lack self esteem; are introspective;

  1. Are searching for adult identity and acceptance even in the midst of intense peer group relationships;

  1. Are vulnerable to naive opinions, one sided arguments;

  1. Are searching to form a conscious sense of individual uniqueness – “Who am I?”

  1. Have emerging sense of humor based upon increased intellectual ability to see abstract relationships; appreciate the “double entendre”;

  1. Are basically optimistic, hopeful;

  1. Are psychologically at-risk; at no other point in human development is an individual likely to encounter so much diversity in relation to oneself and others.

Social Development

Middle Grade Students:

  1. Experience often traumatic conflicts due to conflicting loyalties to peer groups and family;

  1. Refer to peers as sources for standards and models of behaviors; media heroes and heroines are also singularly important in shaping both behavior and fashion;

  1. May be rebellious towards parents but still strongly dependent upon parental values; want to make own choices, but the authority of the family is a critical factor in ultimate decisions;

  1. Impacted by high level of mobility in society; may become anxious and disoriented when peer group ties are broken because of family relocation to other communities;

  1. Are often confused and frightened by new school settings which are large and impersonal;

  1. Act out unusual or drastic behavior at times; may be aggressive, daring, boisterous, argumentative;

  1. Are fiercely loyal to peer group values; sometimes cruel or insensitive to those outside the peer group;

  1. Want to know and feel that significant adults, including parents and teachers, love and accept them, need frequent affirmation;

  1. Sense negative impact of adolescent behaviors on parents and teachers; realize thin edge between tolerance and rejection; feelings of adult rejection drive the adolescent into the relatively secure social environment of the peer group;

  1. Strive to define sex role characteristics; search to establish positive social relationships with members of the same and opposite sex;

  1. Experience low risk-trust relationships with adults who show lack of sensitivity to adolescent characteristics and needs;

  1. Challenges authority figures; tests limits of acceptable behavior;

  1. Are socially at-risk; adult values are largely shaped conceptually during adolescence; negative interactions with peers, parents, and teachers may compromise ideals and commitments.

Moral and Ethical Development

Middle Grade Students:

  1. Are essentially idealistic; have strong sense of fairness in human relationships;

  1. Experience thoughts and feelings of awe and wonder related to their expanding intellectual and emotional awareness;

  1. Ask large, unanswerable questions about the meaning of life; do not expect absolute answers but are turned off by trivial adult responses;

  1. Are reflective, analytical, and introspective about their thoughts and feelings;

  1. Confront hard moral and ethical questions for which they are unprepared to cope;

  1. Are at-risk in the development of moral and ethical choices and behaviors; primary dependency upon the influences of home and church for moral and ethical developments seriously compromise adolescents for whom these resources are absent; adolescents want to explore the moral and ethical issues, which are confronted in the curriculum, in the medial, and in the daily interactions they experience in their families and peer groups.

Source:        Caught in the Middle: Educational Reform for Young Adolescents in California Schools. Developed by Superintendent Bill Honig’s Middle Grade Task Force. California State Department of Education, 1987, pp. 161-165.


2) Philosophy

        2.1 District Educational Philosophy

        2.2 Westby Area Middle School Mission Statement

        2.3 Parental Involvement

2.1 District Educational Philosophy

Board Policy 2110 - STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

The Board of Education believes that the purpose of education is to facilitate the development of the potential of each student. Every individual has both the right and responsibility to make choices and decisions for himself/herself and for society. Therefore, every member of such a society needs to demonstrate competence in the use of the thought processes required to make intelligent, ethical choices and decisions. If individuals are to be able to achieve their life goals in a democratic society, they need to be competent to choose among the many alternatives that are and continue to be available to them.

Our democratic society focuses on preparing our young people to meet certain expectations and to make themselves available to the opportunities that will help them attain personal goals within that society. The District’s program should be reflective of that reality and, therefore, needs to focus on both the areas of societal expectations and personal opportunity available.

With regard to societal expectations, people in this society are expected to:

 

A.

be self-sufficient – that is, to meet their own needs, to the extent they are able, in their own way and without inhibiting others’ opportunity to do the same;

 

B.

fulfill their responsibilities to contribute to the "common good" by actively participating in affairs affecting all members of society.

Today there is ample evidence that many students are not learning how to make effective, rational, responsible, or ethical choices or decisions in regard to how they treat their minds and bodies, how they plan their futures, how they cope with frustration, or how they solve personal, social, and economic problems.

It is the desire of the Board to provide an effective educational program that ensures the above learning for each student. The student’s educational development as well as the development as a citizen shall be the central concern of the Board’s policies and regulations and the administrative regulations.

The Board and staff believe that the thought and action process involved in taking intelligent, ethical action can be learned just as any other set of procedures can be learned, provided students are given consistent, appropriate support to:

 

A.

see the procedures modeled;

 

B.

learn what the procedures are;

 

C.

practice using the procedures and correct ineffective use of them;

 

D.

apply the procedures to a variety of relevant situations.

The District is committed to ensuring adequate provision for such supports and to the applications of these processes to achieving the other educational goals associated with the District’s mission.

The Board and staff believe that the thought and action process involved in taking intelligent, ethical action can be learned just as any other set of procedures can be learned, provided students are given consistent, appropriate support to:

 

A.

see the procedures modeled;

 

B.

learn what the procedures are;

 

C.

practice using the procedures and correct ineffective use of them;

 

D.

apply the procedures to a variety of relevant situations.

The District is committed to ensuring adequate provision for such supports and to the applications of these processes to achieving the other educational goals associated with the District's mission.

Legal Ref.:  Sections 118.01  Wisconsin Statutes, 118.13, 121.02(1)

Cross Ref.:  Board Policy 1110,Assessment of District Goals District Goals, Board Policy 2260 Nondiscrimination and Access to Equal Educational Opportunity


2.2 School Mission Statement

The mission of Westby Area Middle School - We are a community dedicated to high levels of learning and social-emotional growth for all in our ever-changing world.  

The vision statement for our staff to accomplish the mission is Believe - Achieve - Succeed with CLASS (Care - Learn - Achieve - Serve - Smile

We continue to provide, in partnership with parents and community, the necessary academic, co-curricular, and social opportunities for the diverse needs of our student population during these critical, transitional years.        

                                

Goals

  1. To provide a safe environment that meets the complex emotional needs of an early adolescent through a provision of opportunity for recognition and reward, achievement and success, fun and adventure.
  2. To provide an adult advocate for each Westby Area Middle School student and create in them a feeling of being wanted and a sense of belonging.
  3. To provide the necessary curricular opportunities to send forth students who have confidence in their ability to learn.
  4. To provide caring and ethical individuals through a school program that emphasizes respect and responsibility for self and others.
  5. To provide the tools for each individual to become a productive, positive citizen who leads a healthy life.

2.3 Parental Involvement

Westby Area Middle School welcomes parent involvement in our curricular and co-curricular programs. Parent volunteers for class projects and demonstrations, chaperoning after school activities, or accompanying groups on field trips are particularly appreciated by school administration and staff.

If you are interested in volunteering at school please contact the classroom teacher or the office. Individuals who volunteer on a regular basis must follow Board Policy 8120 - Volunteers.

        

        

        

4) Personnel & Schedules

4.1 Westby Area Middle School Faculty and Support Staff

4.2 School Schedules

4.1 Westby Area Middle School Faculty and Support Staff

        Principal:                                Mr. Mike Weninger

Building Leader:                        Mrs. Nancy King

        Grade 5                                        Mrs. Jenny Luebke

        Grade 5                                        Mr. John Hamilton

        Grade 5                                        Ms. Kylie Bluske

        

        Grade 6                                        Mr. Dan Dwyer

        Grade 6                                        Mr. Kevin Fiske

        Grade 6                                        Mrs. Morgan Stenslien

                

        Grade 7                                        Mr. Nathan McKittirck

        Grade 7                                        Ms. MaryBeth Marx        

        Grade 7                                        Mrs. Katie Griffin

        

        Grade 8                                        Mrs. Nancy King                        Grade 8                                        Ms. Erica Howe

        Grade 8                                        Mr. Kevin Sherry

        Grade 8                                        Mr. Mason Quellhorst

        

Special Fields:

        Special Education Teacher                Mrs. Courtney Raasch

        Special Education Teacher                Mrs. Gina Dahl

        Special Education Teacher                Mrs. Rebecka Martin

Interventionist                                Mrs. Juli Slaby

Interventionist                                Mr. Michael Henchen

Physical Education                        Mr. Rob Kirner

        Physical Education                        Ms. Ally Brennan

        Physical Education                        Mr. Ken Halvorson

        Vocal Music                                 Mrs. Tara Lyons

        Instrumental Music                        Mr. Josh Curtis

        Instrumental Music                        Mr. Kory Dahlen

        Art                                        Mr. Erich Boldt

        Agriculture                                 Ms. Betsi Bishop

        Business Education                        Mrs. Erica Hoven

        FACS                                        Mrs. Jennie Marx

        Health                                          Ms. Ally Brennan

        Library Media Specialist                        Mrs. Rachel Fresia

        School Counselor / Life Skills                Ms. Tessa Solberg

        School Psychologist                        Ms. Caitlin Reed

        Spanish                                TBD

        Speech Pathologist                        Mrs. Bianca Behnke

        School Nurse                                Mrs. Tiffany Jothen        

        Technology Education                        Mr. Alex Gluch        

        Support Staff:

        Secretary                                Mrs.Tracy Stellner        

Secretary                                Mrs. Kari Anderson

        Teacher Aide                                Ms. Kaila Ellefson

Teacher Aide                                Mrs. Rebecca Dunnum                        

        Custodian/Maintenance                        Mr. Joel Sutton & Mr. Scott Hoff 

4.2 School Schedules

Regular Schedule

First bell rings in the middle school at 7:55 AM and then attendance will be taken. Students must be in their classrooms ready for class to begin at 7:59AM. Students not in their designated classroom at 7:55 am will be considered tardy.

 

Students will not be dismissed to leave the building until 3:13 PM (Grade 5), 3:15 PM (Grades 6-8).

Grade 5        

                                

Monday thru Friday        

Homeroom/Breakfast         7:50 - 8:00

1        Check & Connect        8:00 – 8:25                

2                                8:26- 9:20        

        3                9:22 – 10:04

        4                10:06 –11:00        

Lunch/Recess        11:00 – 11:45                

        5                11:48 –12:30        

        6                12:33 – 1:27        

7                1:28 - 2:22                                            

8                2:23 - 3:38                        

        9                2:41 - 3:13

Grade 6        

                                

Monday Thru Friday

Homeroom/Breakfast        7:50 – 8:00        1              Check & Connect                  8:00 – 8:25

        2                                8:28- 9:10        

3                9:13 - 10:06                

        4                10:07 - 11:00                

lunch/recess                11:00 – 11:45        

        5                11:48 –12:24        

        6                12:25 – 1:18

7                1:19 - 1:34        

8                        1:37 - 2:319                                2:34 - 3:14


Grades 7 & 8                                                           Time                                  

Homeroom                7:50                 

        1        Check & Connect        8:00 - 8:20                

        Break                8:23 – 8:33

2                8:36 - 9:32        

        3                9:35 – 10:31        

        4                10:34 - 11:30

Lunch/Recess        11:33 - 12:05

5                12:10 - 1:06

        6                1:10- 1:52        

7                1:55 - 2:37

8                2:40 - 3:14

2 Hour Delay Schedule

 

 Grade 5                Grade 6        Grade 7 & 8

Homeroom 9:55 - 9:58                Homeroom 9:55 - 9:58          Homeroom  9:55 - 9:58

1         10:00 – 10:45                                  10:00 - 10:45                   1            10:00 - 10:46         

Lunch         10:45 – 11:30                                  10:45 - 11:30                   2             10:49 - 11:36 

Specials11:30 – 12:15                                   11:30 - 12:15   Lunch/Recess        11:39 - 12:09

2          12:15  - 1:00                                    12:15 - 1:00                     3             12:12 - 12:58

3           1:03- 1:45                                         1:00 - 1:45                       4             1:01 - 1:47

4            1:48 - 2:32                                   1:45 - 2:30                       5            1:50 - 2:20                

5           2:32- 3:14                                    2:30 - 3:14                       6            2:23 - 3:14                    

 

5)  Parent-School Communications

        5.1  Communicating with the School

        5.2  Parent Notices

        5.3  Fund-raising

        5.4  School Achievement Reporting

        5.5  Student Records Policy

5.1 Communicating with the School

Westby Area Middle School                Phone: 634-0200        Fax:  634-0218

We want to encourage good parent-school communications.  Mrs. Hanold, our school secretary, is in her office from 7:15 A.M. until 3:30 P.M. each school day. Because there are times when she needs to be out of the office, no one may answer the phone when you call.  If this should occur, please feel free to leave a message on her voicemail and she will return your call if needed as soon as possible.  

If students need to be contacted while at school, messages should be delivered through the school secretary.  To avoid loss of instructional time, please contact staff before 8:00 A.M. or after 3:15 P.M.  If calls need to be made during the school day, keep such calls to a minimum or request that the teacher return a call during his/her preparation period.

                           

Teachers frequently send notes home with students.  Please check with your child to make sure that these communications get to you in a timely manner.

Parents can also email teachers with questions, concerns and/or information they may have about their children. These URLs are listed on the District website under the middle school staff. Our website is  http://www.westby.k12.wi.us

Parents/guardians are encouraged to call the school as soon as a concern arises.  If concerns are not addressed to the desire of the parent/guardian, please follow the District public complaint policy # 9130 found in the appendix.  

5.2  Parent Notices

The school may periodically send notices home regarding things happening at Westby Area Middle School.  Please check with your child regularly to assure you receive all school communications.  We continue to gather email addresses from parents who would like information sent via email when possible.  Announcements will be emailed daily to those who provide an email address.  More items are posted on the school website each year.

5.3  Fund-raising

We try to limit the amount of fund-raising done by school children.  The middle school holds two fundraisers which cover most of our needs. They include a school-wide fundraiser and a music fundraiser. Board policy states that fundraisers should not be a burden to the community.  The policy and state law require written parental permission for any child under age 12 to participate in a fund-raiser.


5.4  School Achievement Reporting

Report Cards

Report cards are issued at the end of each nine weeks to provide parents with as much information as possible about student academic progress.  Report cards will no longer be sent home through the mail.  Parents can access their child’s report card and attendance records through Family Access.  Please visit the district home page to find the link to Skyward Family Access.  If you currently don’t have an account, please fill out the account request form found on the Skyward portal home page. Please review your son or daughter’s report card with him/her and set goals for academic improvement.  

WAMS will use a proficiency scale to report a student’s academic progress.  The following scale indicates the level of attainment toward Essential Learning Outcomes, a set of Wisconsin Academic Standards that reflect the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to prepare a student for future grade and content levels.

0 - Insufficient Evidence

1 - Beginning

2 - Approaching

3 - Proficient

The student did not complete assessments to determine a level of proficiency.

The student demonstrates a minimal understanding of concepts and skills.  Evidence suggests the student’s understanding of academic knowledge and skills is below grade-level expectations.  The student is unlikely to meet proficiency by the end of the academic year without extensive intervention.  

The student is progressing toward proficiency in the standard at this point in the school year.  Evidence suggests partial understanding and application of academic knowledge and skills consistent with grade-level expectations.  Learning evidence supports progress toward proficiency at grade-level.

The student independently demonstrates a thorough understanding of concepts and skills at this point in the school year.   Evidence of learning includes the ability to apply content knowledge and skills with accuracy and quality consistent with grade-level expectations.

Mid-quarter Reports

A mid-quarter report will be sent to parents of students performing at beginning levels (scores of 1 or reports of insufficient evidence) in either academic or behavior categories.  Parents should respond to these reports by contacting the teacher or the middle school office.

Insufficient Evidence

Students are expected to complete their work as assigned. Students may be required to stay for tutoring throughout the quarter, if the teacher feels the student is getting too far behind in completing work. If they do not report and the parent has not notified the school the reason for the absence the students may serve an in-school suspension or an extended day penalty the following day.  

Westby Area Schools has a retention policy, Policy 5410, for students in Grades K-8 who fail one or more of their core academic classes.    

Students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades who fail a core academic class for a semester will be required by Board Policy 5410-Promotion, Placement, and Retention to enter an intervention program established by the child’s teachers and principal. Eighth grade students who fail three or more core classes will be allowed to attend the Promotion Ceremony, but will receive an unsigned certificate.  

If this procedure is changed during the year, parents will be notified.

Seventh & Eighth Grade Honor Roll

It is our intention to recognize and acknowledge the academic accomplishments of WAMS students, as well as those who consistently display good citizenship/work habits.

Honor Society

Honor Society is open to students in grades seventh and eighth, but students must qualify to be inducted.

Eligibility requirements for WAMSHS include the following criteria:

It is possible for a student to become ineligible after the application process if they don’t maintain their behavior scores in Quarter 3 of their 7th grade year. Students must also maintain the same behavior and academic standard throughout their 8th grade year to maintain membership.

Promotion, Placement, and Retention

Each student at Westby Area Middle School is moved forward in a continuous pattern of achievement and growth that is in harmony with his/her own development.  The pattern coincides with the system of grade levels established by the Board of Education and the instructional objectives established for each.  

A student is promoted to the succeeding grade level when s/he has:

A.         completed the course requirements at the presently assigned grade level;

B.          in the opinion of the professional staff, achieved the instructional

                        objectives set for the present grade;

C.        demonstrated sufficient proficiency to permit him/her to move ahead in the educational program of the next grade

D.        demonstrated the degree of social, emotional, and physical maturation necessary for a successful learning experience in the next grade.

Factors for consideration when retaining a student include academic performance, Forward Exam scores, social development, and school attendance.  Promotion and retention decisions shall be made consistent with state law requirements.  The principal, pupil services director, school counselor, and classroom teacher/s are key members of the committee responsible for assessing student progress and making promotion and retention decisions.  Parent input is encouraged throughout the process and parents are to be informed no later than April 15 of the school year that retention is being considered.  Staff may take additional time to make a decision for students who enroll in the fourth quarter of the school year.

5.5  Student Records Policy

Legal Notice

Parents and students shall be notified annually of the following:  (a) their rights to inspect, review and obtain copies of student records; (b) the existence of the student records policy and procedures and where copies can be obtained; (c) the categories of student record information to deny the release of such information; and (d) their right to file a complaint with the Family Policy and Regulations Office of the U.S. Department of Education. This notice shall be published annually in district student and/or parent handbooks, or disseminated through other appropriate means. Provisions shall be made to effectively notify parents when the parent’s primary language is other than English.

When a student transfers into the district after the above notice has been given, the student and his/her parents(s) shall receive a copy of this notice.

Pupil Records

The Westby Area Schools maintain student records in the interest of the students to assist in providing appropriate educational experiences.  Two classes of records are maintained:  progress records and behavior records.

Progress records mean those pupil records which include the pupil’s grades, a statement of the courses the pupil has taken, the pupil’s attendance record, immunization records and records of the pupil’s school extracurricular activities.

Behavioral records mean those pupil records which include psychological tests, personality evaluations, records of conversations, any written statement relating specifically to an individual pupil’s behavior, tests relating to achievement or measurement of ability, the pupil’s physical health records other than his/her immunization records, police AOD records, and any other pupil records which are not progress records.

Students’ records are confidential.  Personally identifiable information from student records may not be released to any party without the written consent of parent or adult student, except as otherwise provided by State and Federal law.

The school district may disclose directory data to any person/organization upon request.  Directory data may include those pupil records which include the pupil’s name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, photographs, degrees and awards received and the name of the school previously attended by the student.

A parent, guardian or adult student may request that all or any part of this directory data not be released without prior consent of the parent, guardian, or adult student.  If you wish to exercise your option to keep any or all directory data confidential, please notify the office of the school District Administrator.

Address a written request confidential to:

                District Administration

                Westby Area School District

                206 West Avenue South

                Westby, WI  54667

A parent or adult student will be shown and provided copies of the student’s records upon request.  Student Records are kept at the following locations:

                Grades PreK-4:        Rebecca Molledahl                                                                Coon Valley Elementary School

                                        300 Lien St.

                                        Coon Valley, WI  54623

                Grades PreK-4:        Bruce Peterson

                                        Westby Elementary School

                                        122 Nelson Street

                                        Westby, WI  54667

                Grades 5-8:                Mike Weninger                                                                        Westby Area Middle School

                                        206 West Avenue South

                                        Westby, WI  54667

                Grades 9-12:                Robert Bothe

                                        Westby Area High School

                                        206 West Avenue South

                                        Westby, WI  54667

Requests to view, obtain copies, and/ or release records should be addressed to those named above.  Progress records are maintained permanently.  Behavior records are destroyed one year after graduation or last date of attendance, unless permission is granted for maintenance by the parent or adult student.  Personally identifiable information no longer needed will be destroyed upon request of the student.

Student records are transferred to another school or school district upon receipt of written notice from an adult student or a parent or guardian of a minor child that the student intends to enroll in another school or school district or upon written notice from the other school or school district that the student has enrolled.  Parental consent is not required for the transfer.

Parents or adult students may request that information contained in educational records which is inaccurate or misleading or violates the privacy or other rights of the student or parents be amended.  If the district refuses to amend the records, the parent or adult student is entitled to a hearing regarding the request to amend the education records.  A copy of the school district’s student records policy may be obtained by writing to the District Administrator.

Parents and adult students have the right to file complaints concerning alleged violations of their rights with regard to education records under S438 of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act with the U.S. Department of Education.

Written complaints should be addressed to:

        The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office (FERPA Office),

        Department of Education

        330 Independence Ave., S.W.

        Washington, D.C.  20201

Access to Public Records

The Westby Area School District Board of Education has designated the District Administrator as the legal custodian of the public records and property of the Westby Area School District.

The public may obtain information and access to records, make requests for records, or obtain copies of records in the custody of the Westby Area School District at the following place and times:

        Place:                                Westby Area School District Office

                                        206 West Ave. So.

                                        Westby, WI  54667

        Times:                                8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Monday - Friday

        

The Westby Area School District is authorized by law and may impose a fee on the requester which does not exceed the actual, necessary and direct cost of reproduction and transcription of the record, unless a fee is otherwise specifically established by law.  A list of such fees is available at the Westby Area School District Office.

Complaint Procedure Regarding Federally Funded Programs

Any organization or individual who believes that the Westby Area School District is in violation of a Federal statute or regulation that applies to a federally funded program may file a written, signed complaint with the State. The complaint must include a statement that the State or local district has violated a requirement of a Federal statute or regulation and the facts on which the statement is based.

A decision on the complaint will be made within 60 days after the State receives the complaint. If necessary, an independent on-site investigator will be conducted to resolve the complaint. Complaints meeting the requirements enumerated above may be addressed to:

                State Superintendent

                Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

                115 S Webster PO Box 7841

                Madison, WI  53707


6)  Extra and Co-curricular Activities

6.1 Organizations, Contests & Clubs

6.2 Athletic Code

6.3 Music


6.1  Organizations, Contests & Clubs

Activity                        Grades                Duration

Cross Country                6 – 8                Aug. – Oct. practices after school and participation in meets.

Volleyball                7 - 8 girls        Aug. – Oct. practices after school and participation in meets

Gymnastics                6 – 8 girls        Oct. – Dec. practices after school

Basketball                7 - 8 boys        Oct. – Dec. practices after school and participation in games

                        7 - 8 girls        Jan. – Mar. practices after school and participation in games

Wrestling                6 - 8                Nov. – Dec. practices after school and participation in meets

Softball                        7 - 8 girls        Apr. – May practices after school and participation in games

Baseball                7 - 8                Apr. – May practices after school and participation in games

Track                        6 - 8                Apr. – May practices after school and participation in meets

Battle of the Books        6                Sept. – Apr. practice during school

Geography Bee                5 - 8                Practices during school with participation in contests if you qualify

Spelling Bee                5 - 8                Practices during school with participation in contests if you qualify

Quiz Bowl                7                Practices during school and participation in contests if you qualify

Yearbook                5 - 8                All-year project with meetings as needed

Forensics                7 - 8                Dec. – Feb. practices and contest

Performing Arts         5                Dec. – Jan. meetings during school and advance if you        qualify

Fair                

                        

Student Council                5 - 8                Aug. – May meetings and activities

National Junior

  Honor Society                7 - 8                Sept – May meetings and service projects

Jazz Choir                7 - 8                Sept – May practices

Jazz Band                7 - 8                Sept – May practices

Math Knowledge        5                January competition        

Robotics                7-8                Oct. - May - Internal Competition in May

The Pride Initiative        5-8                Oct - May - Lunch meetings and activities

Garden Club                5-8                Sept. - May - After school - Times vary

6.2  Athletic Code

Academic Standards

It is the desire of the Westby Area School District to develop a program of athletics that will provide opportunities for all youth to develop the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play. To make this possible, regulations have been established which will protect the athletic program and the athlete.

Scholastic Standards

  1. The student must have a level of academic performance and completed assessments in all academic classes at both mid-term and at the end of each quarter.   Any student athlete that scores a 0 in academic performance or a 1 in a behavioral category of responsibility, respect, or effort, will enter a two week period of academic probation. During that time, students must attend after school homework sessions.  However, the athlete is able to attend a portion of practice and is also able to continue competing.  Please note, coaches will have rules regarding practice attendance.  Therefore, students who are missing practices to attend homework sessions may see an impact on playing time or contest participation.  
  2. A student athlete is required to complete a goal sheet with the core teacher when they enter academic probation.  The goal is monitored by the teacher and academic supervisor over a two week period.  After week 1 a student may return back to practice, if they have successfully fulfilled the parameters of the outlined goal.  The student athlete must continue to check-in with the academic supervisor after school during the second week of probation.  
  3. If the student athlete successfully fulfills the academic and/or behavior goal for a two week period, they are excused from academic probation and may return to practice without any stipulations.  Failure to continue meeting the goal at any point during the remainder of the season will result in a return to academic probation.
  4. Failure to complete the Academic Eligibility Goal Form during the first week of academic probation results in an automatic 1 game suspension. In addition, failure to attend the academic study hall or engaging in behavior that does not meet school behavior expectations during the study period will result in an automatic 1 game suspension; the suspension continues until the student routinely (at least 2 consecutive days) begins mandatory attendance in the academic study hall.  
  5. A student athlete that does not meet the academic or behavior goal established during the probationary period in the first week is ineligible to compete in the next contest.  If it is a home game the athlete may join the team in street clothes; the athlete won’t ride on the bus to an away game.  Any subsequent offenses during the probationary period will result in a 1 game suspension.  

Conduct Standards

A code of conduct exists with outline procedures for possessing a variety of illegal or controlled substances.  Please see the athletic handbook for a more detailed description of the consequences for use/possession of these substances.

  1. Students who receive an in-school or out-of-school suspension will also miss the next regularly scheduled athletic contest in which their team would participate.
  2. Students who receive a detention may be restricted from full participation in the next contest (coach’s discretion).

6.3  Music

General Music is open to all students. All fifth grade students will participate in general music. Sixth grade students may also participate in band or choir. Both music programs will hold concerts which students are expected to participate in. Any sixth grade student not in band or choir will be required to take general music.

Band is open to students in grades six – eight.  A summer program is offered for 6th graders.  Band members are expected to participate in concerts and festivals. Students can join or drop band only at semester time. Students who are failing a core class or a music class will not be allowed on any music field trips. Grades for other classes (art, PE, health, Spanish, tech ed, ag & career ed) may also be taken into consideration at the discretion of the music director. If money has been paid in advance it will not be refunded.

Choir is open to students in grades six – eight. Students are expected to participate in concerts and festivals. Students can join or drop choir only at semester time. Students who are failing a core class or a music class will not be allowed on any music field trips. Grades for other classes (PE, art, health, tech ed, 7th grade success, Spanish, ag, FACS & business education) may also be taken into consideration at the discretion of the music director. If money has been paid in advance it will not be refunded.


7)  Procedures and Policies

        7.1  General

        7.2  Code of Conduct/Academic Dishonesty

        7.3  Bullying

        7.4 Attendance

        7.5  Media Center and Computer Lab

        7.6  Algebra

        7.7  Chromebooks

7.8  Discipline

        7.9  Weapons

        7.10  Alcohol, Illicit Drugs, and Tobacco

        7.11  Medical

        7.12  School Bus Information

        7.13  Food Service

        7.14  Emergency Drills        


7.1  General

Our school must be a safe place where students can learn in an orderly environment.  We are proud of our students, and we have high expectations for their general conduct and for their participation in all of our programs.  Our school can be safe if we observe two simple rules.  First, we need to treat others the way we want to be treated, showing courtesy, respect and cooperation for students and staff members alike.  Second, we need to respect the rights of others to have a non-threatening, quiet place to learn.  All doors to the middle school facility will now be locked after 8:00 am.  Please use the front entrance of the middle school to access the building.  A secretary will verify identity and buzz you in to gain entrance. 

Scheduling:  A special effort will be made to avoid scheduling school activities on Wednesday evenings or Sundays.

Acceptable Use:  Internet use is a privilege not a right.  Each student has a responsibility to use this privilege within the guidelines of board policy (Board Policy 7540).  Users should not expect that files stored on school-based computers will be private.  Electronic messages and files stored on school-based computers may be treated like school lockers.  Administrators and faculty may review files and messages to maintain system integrity and ensure that users are acting responsibly.

Parents agree to uphold the acceptable use policy at home when digitally signing the form during registration.  Students sign a separate acceptable use policy form at school before they receive a Chromebook.If a student violates any of the terms or conditions of the agreement, Internet privileges can be suspended or terminated and disciplinary action taken.  Please refer to the middle school discipline policy for possible consequences of technology infractions.  

The following uses of school provided Internet are not permitted:

  1. Illegal installation or transmission of copyrighted materials.
  2. Any action that violates existing Board policy or public law.
  3. Sending, accessing, uploading, downloading, or distributing offensive, profane, threatening, pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit materials.
  4. Use of chat rooms, sites selling term papers, book reports and other forms of student work.
  5. Instant messaging services.
  6. Internet/computer games (non-school initiated).
  7. Use of external attachments without prior approval from the facilitator.
  8. Changing of device settings (exceptions include personal settings such as font size, brightness, etc).
  9. Downloading apps.
  10. Spamming-Sending mass or inappropriate emails.
  11. Gaining access to other student’s accounts, files, and/or data.
  12. Use of the school’s Internet for financial or commercial gain or for any illegal activity.
  13. Use of anonymous and/or false communications using messenger services (Ex. – MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, etc.)
  14. Students are not allowed to give out personal information, for any reason, over the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, setting up internet accounts including those necessary for chat rooms, Ebay, email, etc.
  15. Participation in credit card fraud, electronic forgery or other forms of illegal behavior.
  16. Vandalism (any malicious attempt to harm or destroy hardware, software or data,including, but not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses or computer programs that can infiltrate computer systems and/or damage software components) of school equipment will not be allowed.
  17. Transmission or accessing materials that are obscene, offensive, threatening or otherwise intended to harass or demean recipients.
  18. Bypassing the Westby Area School District web filter through a web proxy.
  19. Leave your device in an unsupervised area.

Families should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive to some people.  In addition, it is possible to purchase certain goods and services via the Internet which could result in unwanted financial obligations for which a student’s parent or guardian would be liable.

Should the District institute technical methods or systems to regulate students’ Internet access, those methods could not guarantee compliance with the District’s acceptable use policy.  That notwithstanding, the district believes that the benefits to students of access to the Internet exceed any disadvantages.

Building, Playground & Bus Rules

Students are expected to be respectful, be responsible, be productive and be safe in all school designed locations. The Middle School Behavior Matrix lists specific expectations for the classroom, the hallway, the playground, the cafeteria, using electronics, the bus, the bathroom/locker, the commons/office, for assemblies/field trips and for all settings. Please refer to the complete matrix provided on the District website.

 

Bicycles:  Students who ride bikes to school must park their bikes in the bike rack at entrance #5 to the building. If the rack is full make sure the bike is parked to the side and not in front of the doors.

 

Snowmobiles:  Board Policy 5515 - Student Use of Motor Vehicles prohibits the use of snowmobiles for school transportation.

 

Arrival at school:  All students arriving before 7:45 A.M. will need to wait in the designated area until 7:45 A.M.  Students who do not ride the bus should NOT arrive at school before 7:45 A.M.  The first bell rings at 7:55:00 A.M. and classes begin at 7:59 A.M.  Students arriving after 7:59 A.M. must get a tardy pass from the office and will be counted tardy.

 

School Events If Absent:  Students cannot attend after school events if they were absent for more than 1/2 of the school day.

 

Passes:  Students in Grades 5-8 are required to obtain a pass from their teacher to leave the classroom. This pass must be returned to the teacher when the student returns to the classroom. Notes from parents are needed for doctor, dental or other appointments during the day requiring a student to leave school early and should be brought to the office before school starts in the morning for a pass.  Absence for less than 8 periods will not be counted against perfect attendance.  Procedures to follow are listed in the attendance section (6.3)

 

Illness at School:  No student may leave school grounds without office notification and permission. If a child becomes ill during school hours, parents will be called by a staff member to make arrangements for dealing with the illness.

 

Temporary Handicapping Conditions:  Students who have temporary handicapping conditions such as a broken bone or sprain, or are recovering from surgery, should notify the principal to request special accommodations.

Dismissal:  Dismissal time for Westby Middle students is 3:15 P.M.  Students not participating in any supervised activity after regular school hours are asked to leave the building as soon as is reasonably possible after classes end for the day.  If students return for an evening activity, they must stay in the areas designated for that activity.  If there is no scheduled evening or weekend activity, students should not be in the building.  Those found there may be turned over to proper school and legal authorities. Students are dismissed to their bus or to the person(s) listed on the enrollment form as legal custodian or designee.  It is the responsibility of the parent to inform the school of any changes in custody or persons designated on the enrollment form.

Visitors:  All guests, visitors, and volunteers MUST report to the school office upon arriving and departing from the school.

Telephones:  The telephones at school are for business and emergency use only.  They remain extremely busy and cannot be used by students to contact parents except in the case of an emergency or special circumstance. Messages for students or staff may be delivered by calling the Westby Area Middle School at 634-0200. Calls to the office for staff will be directed to the staff member’s extension. Voice mail is available for instances where the teacher is not available to respond immediately. Students should not be using their cell phones to call parents unless they have permission to do so.

School Property:  Students are asked to help maintain our schools’ appearance by picking up papers, putting books and materials away, and helping with daily tasks.  Any student who loses or damages textbooks or other school equipment will be held responsible for the replacement cost.

Use of School Facilities:  The school shall be considered a community building and is available for use by the public as per the policies of the Board of Education.  A reservation calendar is kept in the office to  schedule building use.  Applications for building use and the accompanying Board Policy are available from the school secretary.

Emergency Closing Information:  On school days when weather conditions make it extremely hazardous or unsafe for students and staff to get to school, school will be delayed two hours or canceled.  An announcement concerning late starting times or closings for the Westby Area Schools will be announced as early as 6:00 A.M. on the following television and radio stations:

                        WVRQ                                Viroqua

                        WCOW                                Sparta

                        WKTY / WSPL                        La Crosse

                        WIZM / Z93                        La Crosse

                        WLXR   AM & FM                La Crosse

                        WBOG / WUSK                        La Crosse

                        TV Channel 19 Day Break        La Crosse

The school district also utilizes a mass notification system called Skylert to contact families when school has been canceled or delayed.  Please visit the Skyward Portal on the district website to set up Skylert notifications.  The school website and Facebook pages will also provide emergency closing information.

Please DO NOT call school officials, radio and television stations, the school bus garage, or school offices.  It is important to keep the telephone lines open when school is called off or delayed because a great number of phone calls must be made in a short time to get the information to bus drivers and radio/television stations.

The radio and television stations will announce school closings many times from 6:00 A.M. until 8:00 A.M. or later.  Because some other schools are closed doesn’t necessarily mean that Westby will be closed.

When bad weather occurs before school starts, the District’s Transportation Supervisor will usually make a trial run on as many of the District’s roads as possible, sometimes covering 50 miles or more.  After collecting information, the Transportation Supervisor will call the District Administrator, and a decision will be made by the District Administrator to do one of the following:

        1.  Hold school at the regular starting time.

        2.  Delay the start of the school day by two hours, which should provide ample time for the County and Township crews to plow, salt, and sand most of the roads.

        3.  Cancel school for the day and cancel ALL extra-curricular events home and away.

When bad weather occurs after students and staff have begun the school day, the District’s Transportation Supervisor will start to collect information about road conditions and may make a trial run before calling the District Administrator with his report.  The District Administrator and Transportation Supervisor will discuss the situation before a decision is made.  When the decision is made to close early, the radio and television stations will be called, and hot lunch will be served if at all possible.

Students need to know where to go if school is dismissed early or if school is called off for the day. Please make these arrangements in advance so your child knows what to expect.

        

Field Trip Regulations

        1.  Written parental permission is required for all field trips.  The signed Parent Consent and Information Form completed during online registration is meant to cover ALL field trips.

        2.  A method of student identification shall be used.  For example:  roll

        call sheet, group leaders, and/or badges.

        3.  Students should be informed of where to meet in case the group is

        separated.

        4.  All rules and regulations related to the place visited should be

             followed.

        5.  Students shall be supplied with special rules and regulations for

        extended trips.

        6.  No discourtesy, disobedience, or defiant behavior shall be tolerated.

        7.  Chaperones must have in their possession a copy of the directory

        information for each student in attendance.

        8.  Chaperones must have access to the portable first aid kit.

Fees:  No fees will be charged for the 2022-23 school year.  This includes Chromebook insurance.

School fees cover some of the needed supplies for the students at school and allow the students to attend all home athletic contests other than tournaments, at no charge.  Students in grades K-5 attending these events must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. When paying fees, please make checks payable to Westby Area School. Separate checks should be written for lunch and registration fees. Fees for students who move into the District during the school year will be prorated according to district policy.

Co-Curricular Passes: Co-curricular passes are available for High School athletic contests and concerts.  The cost is $75 for a single and $105 for a couple’s annual pass.  If you are an adult who attends many co-curricular events in a year, a co-curricular pass is a wise purchase.  Co-curricular passes are available in the high school office.  Note: Senior citizens age 62 or older receive a co-curricular pass free of charge.

Clothing:  Students should wear neat, clean, comfortable clothes that comply with the District Dress Code.  Clothing the staff feel will cause an unreasonable interference with, or disruption of normal classroom demeanor is not permitted.  Extra boots, clothes, and bags should be taken home at appropriate times.   If any clothing or other supplies are missing, students should promptly notify their teacher or appropriate office staff.  (Board Policy 5511 - Dress and Grooming

Headwear:  Students will not be allowed to wear hats or hoods in the school building. Hats and hoods should be removed upon entering the building and remain off until the student leaves the building. Staff will be instructed to remove the hat and place it in the classroom or office for a designated period of time. (Board Policy 5511 - Dress and Grooming

Physical Education:  A written explanation from parents will be expected whenever a child needs to be excused from physical education classes.  A doctor’s excuse will be required if the student will miss more than one day.  Similarly, if your child has a physical condition (asthma, for example) that may cause problems during physical education activities, please inform the physical education teacher during the first week of school.  Tennis shoes with good support and good grip are needed for physical education classes. Lockers will be issued for phy-ed classes. Lockers need to be neat and orderly, and to protect belongings, they should be locked at all times.  Remember that all lockers are the property of the school and may be inspected at any time by school personnel.  

Lockers:  Students will be assigned lockers at the start of the school year. Students must use the locker assigned to them and are responsible for remembering their locker combination. Lockers need to be neat and orderly, and they should be locked at all times to protect belongings. These lockers are the property of the school and may be inspected at any time by school personnel.

Perfumes, Aerosols, & Sprays: Due to the potential risks associated with allergies, respiratory issues, and fire hazards, the use of perfumes, aerosols, and sprays is strictly prohibited within the building, particularly in lockers and the locker room. In order to maintain optimal air quality, occasional locker searches will be conducted to identify and confiscate any prohibited items. Students are required to promptly remove these items from their lockers and take them home. Your cooperation in adhering to this policy is crucial for the safety and well-being of all occupants.

Homework is part of our instructional program.  Students’ ability to plan, organize, prepare, practice, and recall should be reinforced by having to be responsible for their homework.  Students in extracurricular activities are not excused from homework.  Parents and students are encouraged to plan together to provide daily time for homework.  Individual classroom teachers will notify students of their classroom homework policy.  Students can also be assigned a noon detention, after school homework session, or Saturday school, depending on the number of missing assignments.  After school and Saturday school placement will be determined by the parent and principal.  Parents will be responsible for transporting their child in each scenario.

Responsibility incentive parties may be offered by the classroom teachers to students who are being responsible in getting their homework done on time.  As part of the middle school PBIS behavior program, academic incentive parties are held quarterly to encourage students to complete homework on time.  Those students receiving a failing grade in a class or with missing or incomplete assignments will spend this time completing homework.

Publications/Sales:  No publication, handbill, poster, or announcement may be distributed, sold, posted or announced in our school buildings or on school grounds without the prior approval of the principal or his/her designee.

Students may not distribute invitations of any kind at school.  Students may not use the school as a contact point for the selling of any commercial items such as raffle tickets, notepads, cookies, candy, etc., unless the sale is of a school sponsored activity.

Electronic publication or broadcast via the internet is permitted only if it is part of a classroom assignment and is supervised by school personnel.  More specific information on student publications may be found in Board Policy 5722 - School Sponsored Publications and Productions

Pets:  It is very important that parents plan with teachers before a child brings a pet to school. When prior arrangements are made with the teacher, parents may bring pets for one class period and then take them home. Pets will not be allowed on the bus. Parents must be able to provide the school with up-to-date immunization records if requested. Care must be taken to protect all children who may be allergic to animals.

Crossing Guards:  The city of Westby provides crossing guards at the intersection of Main Street and Maple Street and at the intersection of Main Street and State Street. Students who must cross the highway are encouraged to cross at one of these locations.

Beverages:  Soda pop and/or other similar beverages may not be consumed in the middle school building areas between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:15 PM. These beverages are never allowed in the academic section of the building unless approved by the principal for a special event. Staff will be instructed to confiscate such items at those times and may issue detentions for their possession. Please do not allow your children to bring these items to school.

Backpacks:  Backpacks are not allowed in classrooms. Jackets/coats will not be worn in rooms other than in emergency situations.

Inappropriate Classroom Items :  Students who wear clothing or possess slogans, pictures, or emblems deemed inappropriate by office staff will be disciplined according to District policy. Any other details regarding dress can be found under Board Policy 5511 - Dress and Grooming or on page 71 of the handbook. Possession of fidget spinners, toys, electronic games,, personal music players, skateboards, roller blades, etc., in classrooms is discouraged unless otherwise indicated by an IEP.or 504 Plan.  The school is not responsible for the theft or damage caused to such items belonging to students. 

Cell Phones: Students are asked to store a cell phone off and out of sight during the academic day; out of sight may include in a locker per discretion of grade level staff members . Cell phones cannot be used in the school building at undesignated times during the school day unless permission is given by a staff member. If a cell phone is used during the day without permission, it will be taken from the student and placed in the office for a designated amount of time. Generally this step system will be used:  1st offense – end of the day, 2nd offense – end of the day, and 3rd offense - parent is required to pick up the phone, but the administration has the discretion to alter this if deemed necessary. The school is not responsible for the theft or damage caused to such items belonging to students.

Closed Campus:  Westby Area Middle School is a “closed campus,” meaning students are not allowed to leave the middle school area at noon. Parents are asked not to request permission for their children to go to area stores at noon.

Team Teaching:  One of the many teaching strategies used in the Westby Area School District is team teaching. As a result, some classes may be taught by both a classroom teacher and a special education teacher.

Assignment Notebooks: Only fifth grade students will be issued an Assignment Notebook and are expected to use it throughout the school year. There will be no cost to students for the first assignment notebook given. Replacement books will cost $3.00.  All other sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are encouraged to use Google Calendar or purchase a calendar of their own to record assignments and important due dates.

Laser Pointers:  Possession of Laser pointers in school is not allowed. Possession and use may result in a Class B forfeiture. (941.299)

Late Work Policy:  Students must accept the responsibility of completing and turning in work the day that it is due or face consequences for not doing so. Each teacher has set his/her own policy on how long late work will be accepted and the maximum grade that can be earned.

7.2  Student Code of Conduct/Academic Dishonesty

The Westby Area School District, pursuant to state law enacted in 1998, has developed a Code of Student Classroom Conduct (Policy #5500 and Rule 443).  This policy presents behavioral expectations for all District students in any class meeting or activity in which students participate under the control or direction of the District. It also sets forth guidelines for short and long term removal of a student from a class and directs each District School to designate a “short term removal area” each year.  This year that area will be the middle school conference room. A complete copy of this policy may be obtained in the District Office upon request.

Academic dishonesty is a serious inappropriate behavior that applies to students in a virtual setting or in the physical confines of the classroom that requires appropriate consequences.  The response is to separate the behavior of cheating from the evidence of student academic achievement.  Every attempt will be made to determine the student’s ability level on the skill or concepts being assessed.  The following steps are taken when a confirmed case of cheating or plagiarizing is determined:

  1. A student’s academic misconduct is confidentially communicated to all of his/her teachers.
  2. The student is required to do another assignment/quiz/paper submitting their own original work.
  3. The student must complete the exam/assignment on his or her own time.
  4. A student is placed on academic probation and any subsequent violations include the loss of athletic eligibility and co-curricular privileges (non academic field trips) for a period to be determined by the principal.
  5. The parent is contacted and informed of the behavior.  A parent meeting is scheduled for any subsequent offenses.

In addition to the above sanctions, the principal has the authority to impose a suspension if deemed appropriate.

 

7.3  Bullying

Bullying is defined in policy as behavior in actions or words intended to cause fear, intimidation, or harm.  Bullying is typically a repeated behavior that includes a power imbalance.  Bullying comes in many different forms not exclusive to the following examples: Psychological - spreading rumors and manipulating social relationships; Physical - hitting, kicking, pushing, and pulling; Verbal - taunting, insulting, incessant teasing; Cyber - the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or a group that is intended to harm others.

Examples of Cyberbullying:

  1. Posting slurs, rumors, or other disparaging remarks about a student using social media, a website, or blog.  
  2. Sending email or instant messages that are threatening or disparaging.
  3. Using a camera phone to take, send, or post embarrassing photographs of students
  4. Posting misleading or fake photographs of students

Consequences for bullying are delivered on a case by case basis and can include, but aren’t limited to, parent contact, in-school suspension, out of school suspension, and police intervention.  

7.4  Attendance

Please help your child and our school by reinforcing the expectation that they will be here on time, each and every day, all day.  Promptness is a responsibility and courtesy that students need to meet and observe.  Student tardiness, or frequent early afternoon departures, hinder the proper conduct of school instruction and impose a distraction for students.  Excessive tardiness may result in disciplinary action and a possible legal referral.  A complete copy of Westby School District Attendance Policies is available in the District Office upon request.

There are times when illness, emergency, or parental need may require a student to miss school.  The school hopes that these instances will only occur rarely and asks that absences be limited to those that parents and students consider absolutely necessary.

The state of Wisconsin directs every school district and county to develop a comprehensive attendance and truancy plan that conforms to state rules and regulations.  What follows is our school’s response to that directive.

State law limits the number of legal reasons for a child to be dismissed from school. Those reasons include the following:

  1. Personal illness or a family medical emergency.
  2. Medical, dental, chiropractic, optometric, or other valid professional appointments.
  3. Family trips that can be taken only during the school term.
  4. A court appearance or other legal procedure, which the child must attend.
  5. A health quarantine imposed by a public health officer.
  6. Emergency work at the home of the student, or other special circumstances that show good cause and are approved in advance by the administration.
  7. Suspensions served in or out of school.
  8. Death in the immediate family or other family emergencies.

A new exception to compulsory attendance has been added to state law. That exception states as follows: any student excused in writing by his/her parent or guardian before an absence is excused from school attendance. A student may be excused by the parent/guardian for not more than ten days in the school year under this new provision. Students so excused must complete the coursework missed during the absence. Additional absences requested by parent or guardian pursuant to existing law may also be excused by the school board.

Students who are not in attendance on a particular day, and have not been previously excused, will not be allowed to attend evening co-curricular events without special permission from the principal.

Absences:  When students are absent from school the procedures below must be followed:

        1. The parent must call the school secretary in the morning to explain the absence.  A message can be left on the secretary’s voice mail.  The call must be made by an adult.  If the school does not receive a call by 9 A.M., a call will be placed to the parent at home or at work.

        2. When returning to school, the student must provide a written excuse to the office from his /her parent or guardian indicating the date of the absence and explaining the reason for the absence. If no such note is sent the absence will be considered unexcused. An excused absence will mean work can be made up with full credit.

        3. When parents know in advance their child will be absent from school, a note should be sent to school in advance of the absence stating so.

        

        4. If students are to be excused from school for an extended time due to a family trip or vacation, parents must contact the school in advance to make arrangements for the completion of assignments.  A parent is allowed by state law to excuse their child up to 10 days per year with prior written notification of the absence occurring.

        5. Unexcused absences may be referred to the District Attorney as per District Policy.

After five days of absence, parents will be informed in writing by the school principal.  Another letter will be sent home when absences reach ten days, and the principal and/or teacher may request a conference.  The school will request a doctor’s excuse for numerous medical absences.

Unexcused Absence:  Unexcused absences are divided into two categories. First, a student who is absent with parental consent, but whose absence does not fit into one of the state’s legally excused categories, will be considered unexcused. While these students may not be considered truant, they may or may not be allowed to make up missed class work. The principal will decide, on the basis of a written statement submitted by the parent or guardian, whether credit for the makeup work will be granted.

The second type of unexcused absence is defined in state law as truancy.  Truancy is any absence of part or all of one or more days from school during which the school attendance officer or principal has not been notified of the legal cause of such absences by the parent or guardian of the absent pupil, and also as intermittent attendance carried on for the purpose of defeating the intent of the compulsory attendance law. Students who are truant will not be given credit for schoolwork missed during an unexcused absence. Truant students will also be assigned detentions and suspensions as fits the school’s discipline plan.

 

Students frequently truant from school will be labeled as Habitual Truants and turned over to the Vernon County District Attorney for prosecution. A “habitual truant” is defined as a student who is absent from school without an acceptable excuse for part or all of five or more days that school is held during a school semester.

Any person 18 years of age or older who, by an act of omission, knowingly encourages or contributes to the truancy of a child is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment for up to 30 days and a fine not to exceed $500.00

Students who leave the building at any time during the school day (including noon break) and miss one or more scheduled classes will be considered unexcused if they have not notified the office prior to their leaving. Discipline measures for truancy will be employed where applicable.

Tardiness:  Students must obtain a pass from the office to be admitted to class. All teachers will return tardy passes to the office to be kept on file along with absentee lists. Repeated tardiness is a cause of concern. Students with three unexcused tardiness in a quarter may be issued a detention by the appropriate teacher of the class missed. Consistent tardiness will result in parent notification and a request for a parent-student-principal conference.

Illness at School:  No student may leave school grounds without homeroom teacher notification and permission.  If a child becomes ill during school hours, parents will be called by a staff member to make arrangements for dealing with the illness.  Students who need to leave during the school day are released through the office.  

Notes from parents are needed for doctor, dental, or other appointments during the day.  Absence for less than 2 hours will not be counted against perfect attendance.

Leaving Early From School:  When a student needs to leave early from school, the procedure listed below must be followed.

        1.  Parents must send a note stating their child will be leaving early that

        day and why, and the note must be shown to the teacher and given to

        the secretary.

        2.  The parent must come to the office to notify the secretary he/she is

        there to pick up the child.  Students are only released from school

        through the office and only to the legal custodian or persons designated

        on the enrollment form.  If there is a need for someone else to pick up

        the child, the custodial parent must contact the school in advance and

        make other arrangements.

        3.  The secretary will contact the teacher and ask him/her to send the 

              child to the office.

Attendance & Health

Your child should attend school each day he/she is well.  Every absence, even part of a school day, interferes with your child’s academic progress.  Each subject is taught in sequence, which builds understanding and correct habits of study.  In order to be ready for new steps in learning, your child must have mastered the previous steps and be sufficiently ready to engage in new concepts and materials.

For the protection of your child’s health and his/her classmates, please do not send your child if they are complaining of or have the following symptoms:

Your child should not return to school until they are 24 hours fever free without fever reducing medication.  They also cannot return to school until it has been 24 hours without vomiting or diarrhea.  

If a child is injured or becomes significantly ill at school, the parents will be notified.  If the parents are not available, then the person designated to be called in an emergency will be contacted.  Be sure to keep the school notified of any changes in telephone numbers, addresses, place of work, and emergency contacts. 

For information and questions regarding whether to keep your child home with specific illnesses, please contact the school nurse, Tiffany Jothen, at 634-0203.

Guidelines For When Parents Can Expect a Call

Excessive Absences/Truancy

Any individual reaching 5-10 days of absence per semester are considered a part of our at-risk student population.  Additional measures will be taken by the principal and teaching staff to provide support and skills instruction to help the student improve his or her attendance.

After accumulating the equivalent of 10 days of absence in a semester:

  1. a student will be considered truant unless, on the day of an absence, they are seen by a doctor, see arrangements consistent with state law.
  2. a note from the doctor must be presented immediately upon return.
  3. a doctor’s note will only be accepted if the student/parent/guardian approves a release of information between the health care provider and the school.
  4. the student may not attend after-school activities for up to a 2-week period without approval from the Building Principal or designee.

For up to 10 days of absence.

  1. A conference between the student and the principal.
  2. After 5 days of absence a notice to be sent home of a concern about the number of absences.
  3. Assign student to during school work programs to complete work
  4. Require the student, upon arrival in the morning, to Check & Connect daily with a specified staff member
  5. Require a conference with the student, the student’s teachers, guidance counselor, and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)

Upon reaching 10 days of absence (as defined above)        

  1. Notice to be sent home requiring a doctor’s note for any further absence        
  2. Require a conference with the student, the student’s teachers, and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)
  3. Any doctor issuing student excuses in this circumstance must have access to student attendance data so the doctor may make an informed decision.  Thus, the parent must sign the release of the information document in order for the excuse to be considered an excused absence.
  4. Referral to pupil services
  5. Attendance contract completed
  6. Small group intervention assigned (see chart on next page)

Habitual Truancy & Excessive Absences Intervention Chart

Intervention

Action

1st Offense

2nd Offense

3rd Offense

Tier 2

Parental Contact

Yes

Yes

Yes

Tier 2

Attendance Contract

Yes

Yes

Yes

Tier 2

Student PLC meeting

Yes

Yes

Yes

Tier 2

Alternative to In-School Suspension

Yes

Yes

Yes

Tier 2

Parent Conference

No

Yes

Yes

Tier 2

Referral for truancy ticket

No

Yes

Yes

Tier 2

Small Group Intervention

No

Yes

Yes

Tier 2

Referral to pupil services

No

Yes

Yes

Tier 2

Parent seeks counseling services for child

No

No

Yes

Tier 2

School based service in lieu of ticket

No

Yes

Yes

This intervention chart is not all inclusive.  Other actions may be considered and enacted depending on the individual circumstances of each case.  Additions and modifications to this plan may be made by the principal throughout the year, with proper notification given to the Superintendent, parents, and students.

7.5  Media Center and Computer Lab

Media Center Rules

  1. Speak in whispers in the library.
  2. Feel free to browse the books. However, when not browsing books, students need to be sitting at a table.
  3. Stay on task. Read a magazine, a newspaper, or a book. Do something. Browsing books is encouraged; aimless wandering is not allowed.
  4. Students may not chew gum, eat or drink while in the LMC.
  5. Only four students per study hall may be in the library.
  6. Students may not use the computers to play most games. The librarian only allows chess, hangman, and keyboarding sites that the keyboarding teachers use. Students who need the computers for school work have priority computer use.
  7. Do not throw objects.
  8. Be kind to one another. Harassment and teasing is not tolerated.
  9. Respect is given to students and expected from students.
  10. Students are not allowed to come to the library during study hall if they are receiving an F in any class. Students will be restricted from the library during study hall UNTIL the librarian receives from the office an updated list of students with Fs. This occurs, generally, a few days after the grading period ends.
  11. When a student has an excessive number of overdue materials or when the student has a book that is extremely overdue, access to the library during study hall may be restricted. In addition, all materials need to be returned by the end of the year. If materials are not returned by the end of the year, a bill will be sent to the student’s parents for the cost of the book(s).
  12. Use the restroom and go to your locker before coming to the library. Students will not be allowed to access their locker or use the restroom once they are in the library.
  13. Students may use their own earbuds or headphones. The library does not provide earbuds or headphones.
  14. Consequences – When a student is asked to leave the library for an infraction of the rules, the librarian may restrict the student’s access during study hall for three weeks. If a student needs materials from the library during a suspension, the student may come to the library before or after school.

15.  The librarian reserves the right to change these rules at any time.

Computer Use

  1. Students must ask permission to use the teacher’s computer.  This is a privilege for students and they need to use the computers properly and ethically.  All others are available to use when needed.
  2. Any student that attempts to disable a computer in any way will not be able to use school computers the rest of the school year.
  3. Students who use the internet must agree to and sign and then follow the District Acceptable Use Policy.  Violation of the policy will result in a minimum 30-day suspension of internet use privileges.

iPad and Chromebook Use

        There is a separate handbook for the students issued with an iPad or Chromebook.

7.6  Algebra

Students meeting the criteria to take Algebra are scheduled for two math classes upon entering eighth grade.  They will attend a regular eighth grade math class and be placed in Algebra I.  Algebra I is a fast paced class that covers the same content as a high school Algebra course.  Students will receive high school credit for the course.

Upon successful completion of the regular seventh grade math curriculum students may be recommended for Algebra I. Students who meet at least three of the four prerequisite criteria listed below will be recommended for placement in Algebra I.  All remaining seventh grade students will be scheduled to take  Math 8.  The following criteria will be used to determine Algebra eligibility:

1.  Classroom Performance

        i.  Teacher recommendation regarding homework completion

         ii.  Teacher recommendation regarding behavior and work ethic

2.  Student scores at or above the proficiency level (234) on the FastBridge Math Testing in the spring of 2021.

 

3.  The student receives a score of 694 or above (upper quartile of advanced or proficient) on the state exam or equivalent math test.

4.  The student reaches a predetermined score on an algebra aptitude test or a similar form of measurement if needed.

If a student does not maintain a B average in Algebra by the end of the first quarter, a parent meeting will be scheduled to discuss the child’s progress.  The principal, teacher, and parent will work together to establish a framework to help the child succeed.  However, students continuing to struggle may need to be removed and placed into the eighth grade math curriculum to improve skill level.  

7.7 Chromebooks

It is the policy at Westby Area Middle School to follow a gradual release of responsibility model that relies on instruction and modeling by the teacher, followed by opportunities for students to practice using the device responsibly.  We have found keeping Chromebooks at school for students in fifth grade extremely helpful to families.    Fifth grade students receive digital citizenship skills throughout the year from the library media specialist to help prepare them to use the Chromebook respectfully and responsibly.  Instruction continues during the sixth grade year to prepare students for the independence of taking a device home on a daily basis.  We currently enforce the following policy for allowing students to take a device home:

                Grade 5 - Device stays at school

                Grade 6 - Semester 1: Device stays at school

                             Semester 2: Students can take the device

                                      home

                Grade 7 - Students can manage the device on their

                                       own

                Grade 8 - Students can manage the device on their

                           own

If a special accommodation or modification is needed, please contact the principal to set up a plan for your child.  

It is a classroom teacher’s discretion on whether a device can be stored in a different location during a class period.  There are instructional days when the Chromebook is needed for a lesson or learning activity.  Other days a teacher may ask the student to store the device in a designated location to avoid distractions.  

Violation of the AUP (Acceptable Use Policy - See 7.1 General) can result in temporary suspension of Chromebook use.  Grade level teachers and the principal have the ability to suspend Chromebook and online privileges for a period of time.  A request can be made to monitor your child’s online presence if it is found they habitually visit websites  that violate the AUP.  Families can also request a record of their child’s online use.  Please contact the building principal in writing or by phone if you wish to receive an emailed report of your child’s daily internet activity.  The IT department can  complete the protocol for generating a report within 48 hours of the request.

                       7.8  Behavior Management

Part I:  Overview

We have rules to maintain a safe and orderly school.  Students have a right to feel safe at school.  No one deserves to be verbally “put down” or physically assaulted.  Property also needs to be respected.  When students misbehave, we try to understand the motive for the misbehavior and develop a behavior plan to address the problem.  We strive to teach students to resolve their conflicts by reflecting on how their actions affect others.

While each teacher sets the discipline procedures for their classrooms, the faculty collectively has developed a step system to address students who are not following the NORSEMEN CLASS to be respectful, be responsible, be productive, and be safe. This step system can be found in the student handbook, on the District website or a copy may be obtained at the school office. This system provides an opportunity for the correct behavior to be re-taught as needed and may include but is not limited to a lunch detention, an after school detention, an in-school detention, an out-of-school detention, and a suspension or expulsion from school. The information on detentions and suspensions below provides additional guidelines on expectations.

Detentions

        1. Detentions will be supervised by staff members. Parents are responsible for transportation home if the detention is scheduled after school.

        

        2. Students are required to serve the detention on the day specified by the office. If they do not show up when assigned they may receive an additional detention.

        

        3. Students who receive two or more detentions in the quarter (9 weeks) of a class trip or school function (class picnic, dance, etc.) may not be allowed to attend.

Suspensions

        1. An in-school suspension is served in the principal’s office or in an area designated by the principal.  Students are required to work on assignments unless other written work or duties are specified.  Full credit is given for all work completed, and students are not denied the opportunity to take any tests.

        2. An out-of-school suspension results in a student not being allowed to attend school for one to five days.  Students have the opportunity to complete all assignments and take all tests.

        3. Students are not permitted to participate in or attend any school sponsored activities (dance, game, class picnic, promotion, etc.) on the day(s) they have served a suspension.

        4. Students who receive a suspension in the quarter (9 weeks) of a class trip or school function (class picnic, dance, etc.) will not be allowed to attend. Promotion is not included in this list.

WAMS DISCIPLINE POLICY

 

Level One – Minors

Defiance/Disrespect, Disruption, Dress Code Violation, Non-Respectful Language, Physical Contact/Physical Aggression, Prolonged Physical Contact, Property Misuse, Tardy, Technology Violation

 

Controlled by Referring Staff Members:

Consequences:

1st Offense:

2nd Offense:

3rd Offense:

 

Controlled by Principal:

Subsequent Offenses (Another ODR within the same behavior category within the same mid-qtr):

 Level Two – Majors

Abusive Language/Non-Respectful Language/Profanity, Bullying, Defiance/Disrespect, Disruption, Physical Aggression, Forgery/Theft, Prolonged Physical Contact of a Sexual Nature, Gang Affiliation Display, Property Damage/Vandalism, Truancy (skipping class), Lying/Cheating/Plagiarism, Tardy (Habitual – 6/qtr), Prohibited location/Out of Bounds Area, Technology Violation

 

Consequences (to include one or more of the following):

 

2 subsequent offenses within the same behavior category within the same mid-qtr:

 

3 or more in-school suspensions per mid-quarter, regardless of level two behavior, will  result in an extended school day.

 

Level Three – Majors

Fighting, Bullying/Repeated threats and intimidation, Arson, Bomb Threats/False Alarms, Forgery/Theft, Leaving school ground, Use/Possession of Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco, Use/Possession of Combustibles, Use/Possession of Weapons, Technology Violation

 

Consequences (to include one or more of the following):

 

All minors and ODRs (Office Discipline Referral) for level 1 & 2 behaviors are erased at mid-quarter and end of quarter.  Level three major ODRs are not erased until the end of the year.  When deemed appropriate, the principal may determine a lesser consequence if a student has established a pattern of good behavior after being issued multiple ODRs.  

Please note, this is not an all-inclusive list of behaviors.  Student infractions of the code not covered in the matrix are still subject to consequences that fit the level of determined offense.

Part 2: The Norse Way

The Norse Way is a school-wide system of support that includes proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors.  Introducing, modeling, and reinforcing positive social behavior is an important step of a student’s educational experience.   Data is collected throughout the school year to determine the greatest areas of behavioral need for individuals and groups of students.  This information then helps the PBIS team to make plans for improving the system and overall student behavior.    

Behavior Leadership Team

Ms. Solberg - School Counselor        

Mrs. King - 8th Grade Teacher        

Mrs. Slaby -Interventionist/Internal Coach

Mrs. Courtney Raasch - 5-6 Resource        

Mr. Henchen - Interventionist

Mr. Fiske - 6th  Grade Teacher           

Mr. McKittrick - 7th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Griffin - 7th Grade Teacher

Mr. Weninger - Principal                        

Acknowledgement System

The students and staff at Westby Area Middle School will use positive behavior approaches to promote a strong school climate.  Students receive CLASS cash cards as an acknowledgement for good behavior.  These cards can be used to acquire items in the school store at the end of the week or to enter into a monthly drawing for a group reward.  

Booster Sessions

Throughout the school year the Leadership Team will analyze behavior data.  The team will  select a behavior either needing improvement or emphasize a specific expectation not being met by some students.  Staff will plan lessons to educate students further about successfully meeting expectations in a specific component of the behavior management system.

School Celebrations

Each quarter the middle school Leadership Team in cooperation with Honor Society will plan an all-school celebration to acknowledge the good behavior of our student body.  Celebrations are a positive way to thank students for creating a safe, productive, respectful, and responsible place to learn.  All students are included in these celebrations with the exception of some reteaching of expectations, during a portion of the celebration, for students demonstrating chronic behavior issues.  

7.9 Weapons

Board Policy 5772 - WEAPONS

The Board of Education prohibits students from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon in any setting that is under the control and supervision of the District for the purpose of school activities approved and authorized by the District including, but not limited to, property leased, owned, or contracted for by the District, a school-sponsored event, or in a District vehicle, to the extent permitted by law without the permission of the District Administrator.

The term "weapon" means any object which, in the manner in which it is used, is intended to be used, or is represented, is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or property damage, as well as endangering the health and safety of persons.

Weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms (including, but not limited to, firearms as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3)), guns of any type whatsoever, including air and gas-powered guns (whether loaded or unloaded), knives, (subject to the exceptions below) razors, with unguarded blades, clubs, electric weapons, metallic knuckles, martial arts weapons, ammunition, and explosives.

The District Administrator will refer any student who violates this policy to the student’s parents or guardians and may also make a referral to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system. The student may also be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.

Policy exceptions include:

 

A.

weapons under the control of law enforcement personnel while on duty, or qualified former law enforcement officers, off duty law enforcement officers, or out-of-state law enforcement officers;

 

B.

items pre-approved by the District Administrator, as part of a class or individual presentation under adult supervision, including, but not limited to Hunters' Education courses, if used for the purpose and in the manner approved (working firearms, except those protected at all times by a cable or trigger lock, and live ammunition will never be approved);

 

C.

theatrical props used in appropriate settings; and

 

D.

a knife lawfully used for food consumption or preparation, or a knife used for a lawful purpose within the scope of the student’s class work.

Any student who has reason to believe that a person has or will violate this policy shall report to the District Administrator or the supervisor of the activity immediately. The report should include as much detail as possible concerning the person(s) involved, the weapon, the location of the person(s), and how this information was obtained.

No student is to confront the person possessing the weapon, but a staff member has the option of confronting the person if the staff member believes the risk of injury to self or others is minimal or if immediate action is necessary to prevent injury to any person.

This policy will be published annually in all District student and staff handbooks. Publication is not a precondition to enforcement of this policy.

Cross Ref.:  Policy #5610 - Suspension / Expulsion

120.13(1), Wis. Stats.

943.13, Wis. Stats.

948.605, Wis. Stats.

18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3)

18 U.S.C. 922

20 U.S.C. 7151

7.10  Alcohol, Illicit Drugs, and Tobacco

The Board of Education is concerned about the problems of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse and recognizes that the illegal or inappropriate use of alcohol, tobacco, narcotic drugs, depressants, inhalants, and other controlled substances constitutes a hazard to the positive development of students. The Board further recognizes that every student has the right to associate with students who are free from the effects of use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

Parents will be contacted immediately upon verification of the violation in all offenses.  When there is possession on the school premises and the situation warrants, the principal or his/her designee will communicate all information and offer full cooperation to the police.

For a complete copy of policy 5530 and rule 443.3 contact the District Office.

           

7.11  Medical

Board Policy 5530 - No student is allowed to provide or sell any type of medication to another student. Violations of this rule will be considered violations of Policy 5530 - Drug Prevention and of the Student Code of Conduct.

Physician Prescribed Medication

        

The State of Wisconsin Medical Examining Board has determined that where medications are administered, the physician prescribing the medication has the power to direct, supervise, decide, inspect and oversee the administration of said medication.  In order to ensure that the physicians retain the power to direct, supervise, decide, inspect and oversee the implementation of this service, no medication shall be given to a student by an employee or agent of the Board of Education unless the following are delivered to the individual(s)  responsible for administering the medication:

        

        **Written instructions from the prescribing physician for the

        administration of the prescribed medication which:

        1.  Identifies the specific conditions and circumstances under which

              contact should be made with the physician concerning the condition or    

              reactions of the pupil to the prescribed medication.  

        2.  Indicates a willingness on the part of the physician to accept direct

        communication(s) from the person(s) administering the medication.

        3.  Is signed by the prescribing physician.

        ** A written statement from the parent or guardian of the affected

        child:

        1.  Authorizing school personnel to give the medication in the prescribed

        dosage.  No employee or volunteer, except a healthcare professional      

             may be required to administer any medication to a student by any  

             means other than ingestion.

        2.  Authorizing school personnel to contact the physician directly.

Requirement of Consent Forms

        Consent Forms Required:  No medications will be administered by

        school personnel or its agents unless and until a School Medication/                

        Procedure Form is completed to the satisfaction of the school nurse and

        returned to the school principal.  If the medication is for inhaled asthma

        medication, the Authorization for Administration of Inhaled Asthma

        Medication  form must also be completed and returned.  Copies of all

        forms received will be forwarded to the school nurse.

        Medication Information Required:  Medication to be administered at

        school must have the following information printed in language

        understandable to the lay person on the container:

        1.  Child’s full name

        2.  Name of drug and dosage

        3.  Time and quantity to be given

        4.  Physician’s name

        Employees Designated to Give Medication:  Medications will be

        administered by individuals designated by the principal or the school

        nurse.  Except where an emergency is believed to exist, in no instance

        shall a medication be dispensed by other than a school employee or

             agent while the pupil is at school unless specifically approved in writing

             by the parent/guardian and physician.

        Responsibility:  It's the responsibility of the student, if appropriate, not

        school personnel, to get his/her medication at the designated time.

        Storage of Medication:  Only limited quantities of any medication

        are to be kept at school.  Said medications are to be kept in a safe place

        not accessible to students and checked out by a district employee or

        agent designated to administer the medication.

        Duration of Medication:  The length of time for which a medication

        is to be administered shall be specified in the written instructions from                 the prescribing physician.  Any change in dosage, time to be          

             administered or discontinuance of administration must be in writing and

             made at the request of the physician only.

        Updating of Prescriptions and Other Requirements:  All consent         

        forms and related materials must be renewed annually and/or at any        

             time a medication is changed.

        District Records Required:  Accurate and confidential written records

        shall be established and maintained for each pupil receiving medication.

        Completed consent forms are to be maintained in the office of the

             school nurse.

Any student that brings prescription medication to school without the proper documentation and/or without informing the middle school office is subject to the penalties and consequences of possessing a controlled substance. Use and/ or distribution of prescription medications without prior approval includes a penalty of suspension and possible expulsion.  

Nonprescription Medication:  Designated personnel will administer nonprescription (over-the-counter) medications only when provided by the child’s parent/guardian and with written instructions and consent.

Student Accident Insurance:  The Westby Area School District provides student accident insurance which provides accident coverage for all students in the District. The policy is supplemental coverage designated to pick up 80% of the balance left by the family insurance plan.  If there is no family coverage, the District’s student accident policy will cover medical expenses to the 80/20 coinsurance limits stated in the policy.  The coverage is for medical and dental expenses incurred within 52 weeks from the date of the original accident.  Treatment must begin within 60 days from the date of the accident by a legally licensed medical or dental practitioner (not a member of the insured’s immediate family).

Students are covered for accidents which occur during the regular school session, school sponsored and supervised activities, and interscholastic sports participation.  Students are covered while traveling directly to and from school.

If your child is involved in an accident, it should be reported to the school nurse who will complete a portion of the accident claim form.  The claim form will be mailed to the parent along with instructions on how to file the claim.  If you have specific questions about the accident insurance you can contact the school nurse at 634-0134 or the District accountant at 634-0122.

Emergency Care Services:  It is the primary concern of the Board of Education that proper attention be paid to the safety of students.  The board and administration shall try to prevent accidents by creating a safe school environment and standardized procedures for handling emergencies.

        The District shall provide for the following emergency care services:

        1.  Training for designated personnel to be responsible for emergency

              care.

                a.  One or more employees in each building shall be designated as emergency care persons.

  1. Emergency care individuals should hold a valid First Aid Certificate.                          
  2. The Standard First Aid or Multimedia First Aid Certificate is an accepted standard.

                c.  The Board of Education will provide an incentive for the training of         individuals responsible for emergency care by applying time spent in training towards in service credit (hour for hour) and workshop credit.

        2.  Emergency Care Services

                a.  Emergency nursing services shall be provided under the direction of a nurse(s) registered in Wisconsin.

                b.  Arrangements shall be made with a physician to serve as medical advisor for the emergency nursing service.

                c.  Procedures for dealing with accidental injury, illness, and medication at school sponsored activities shall be developed.

                d.  Emergency care service shall be available during the regular school day including curricular and co-curricular activities for students.

                e.  Equipment and supplies for the emergency care services shall be readily accessible.

                f.  The school nurse shall make an annual review of the nursing services.

        3.  Related Information

                a.  The medical advisor is a doctor from the Bland Clinic.  Duties include suggestions to improve the present policies and procedures.

                b.  The designated area for emergency care shall be available to students and staff during the school day.  Students and staff may report to the area in case of illness or injury.  The designated area for the following building will be:

                        Westby Area Middle School – Nursing Office

                c.  The above designated health area will be maintained under the supervision of the school nurse and/or the office secretary.

                d.  The following people are designated to provide emergency assistance:

                        School Nurse

                        Each Building Principal

                        Health Aide

                        Other qualified staff

                e.  An emergency health sheet shall be on file for each student and shall be updated annually.  Emergency sheets shall be accessible at all times and located in:

                        Coon Valley Elementary School Office

                        Westby Elementary School Health Office

                        Westby Area Middle School Office

                        Westby High School Health Office

        4.  Maintenance of Safe and Healthful Environment

                a.  Teachers shall be provided with a list of students known to the school that have health problems that could possibly require emergency care.  

                    Special care information should be obtained by the parent in cooperation

                    with their family doctor.

                b.  Each room in all school facilities frequented regularly by students and personnel shall have an emergency care chart and hazardous condition chart prominently displayed.  First aid kits will be provided in laboratories, shops, kitchen, gymnasium, and custodial areas.

                c.  A health aide shall maintain a record keeping system in regard to emergency nursing services, and shall be responsible for other duties relative to student illness and injury.

                d.  The school safety coordinator will inspect all buildings periodically for                     maintenance of safety and emergency care equipment.  All safety hazards will be reported immediately to the building principal and/or safety coordinator.  Immediate steps will be taken to correct the problem.

                e.  Health education will be done through individual health counseling and classroom discussion as guided by the kindergarten through twelfth grade school curriculum and under the direction of the health coordinator.

7.12  School Bus Information

School Bus Rules

                

In view of the fact that a school bus is an extension of the classroom, the District shall require students to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior, and:

        1.  Remain seated when the bus is in motion.

        2.  Keep head, hands, arms, feet and legs inside the bus.

        3.  Refrain from scuffling, using profanity, and littering.

        4.  Treat the bus, an item of public property, with care and respect.

        5.  Board the bus on time.

        6.  Follow recommended procedures when crossing the roadway.

        7.  Ride the bus to and from co-curricular events except for the following:

             * A student may return home from an event or contest with his/her parent(s) upon prior request made in writing by the parent)s) to the coach or advisor in charge.

             * Requests for other exceptions (i.e. students riding with a non-parent adult who is out of high school) must be made in writing by the parent(s) to the coach or advisor prior to departure to the event.

             *Any driver transporting a student must be an adult, out of high school.

             *The student driver cannot transport any other student(s) unless they are siblings.

        8.  Sit in a designated seat if the driver has made such an assignment.

        9.  Get off the bus at the designated stop unless the driver has a parent/guardian permission slip that has been approved by the student’s principal or teacher.

        10.  Conform to behavioral expectations set forth in the Board’s policies on student alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, care of school property by students and weapons on school premises.

In addition to school bus rider rules, students must conform to behavioral expectations set form in policies 5512 - Use of Tobacco by Students, 5530 - Drug Prevention, 5513 Care of District Property, and 5772 - Weapons.

Private school students will be entitled to the same due process that is given to public school students before bus riding privileges are revoked.

School Bus Discipline Procedures

All drivers shall maintain good discipline on their own bus.  However, if a student discipline problem is causing the possibility of harm or safety to others, the student may be suspended from riding for indefinite periods according to District policy.  

When the behavior of a student classified as having special educational needs requires disciplinary action, that student shall be treated the same as any student unless the handicap itself is a contributing factor to the behavior.

Students violating school board policies 5512 - Use of Tobacco by Students, 5530 - Drug Prevention, 5513 Care of District Property, and 5772 - Weapons by Students, will be immediately reported to the appropriate building principal and dealt with according to prescribed school discipline policies.  A bus misconduct report form will also be filed.

Students violating school bus rider rules will be referred to the appropriate building principal with a written bus misconduct report form.  Appropriate disciplinary action will be determined by the principal, transportation supervisor, and bus driver.  The disciplinary measures imposed will be related to the seriousness of the offense.

a.  First Offense:  A conference between the principal and student will occur. The transportation supervisor and bus driver may be asked to participate if needed.  A telephone call home may occur, but a copy of the misconduct report form will be mailed to the parent/guardian.

b.  Second Offense:  A conference with the principal, student, and transportation supervisor will occur. The bus driver and parent/guardian may be asked to participate.  If the parent/guardian is requested to attend and does not, the student will automatically lose his/her riding privileges for not more than five (5) days. If the parent is not requested to attend a telephone call home will occur and a copy of the misconduct report form will be mailed to the parent/guardian.

        c.  Third Offense:  If the preceding disciplinary measures have not  

             corrected the behavior, the student’s bus riding privileges may be

             suspended.  Notwithstanding (a) or (b) above, the principal or designee,    

             upon reviewing the severity of the offense, may remove the offending

             student from the bus for a period of time deemed necessary to correct

             the behavior.  Bus riding privileges may not, however, be suspended for

             more than five (5) consecutive days, unless a hearing has been

             scheduled.

        d.  Fourth Offense:  A fourth referral shall result in a formal hearing

             chaired by the District Administrator for the specific purpose of

             considering whether or not the evidence justifies an expulsion from

             transportation services.

Due process procedures are followed in all disciplinary matters.  Parents/guardians may appeal the principal/s decision to the District Administrator.

If the student misconduct on the bus is severe enough, the discipline procedure may immediately advance to a higher level.  Example – it’s the student’s first offense, but the offense is so severe as to cause the District to choose the fourth offense procedure.

A student with an Exceptional Educational Need (EEN) may be suspended from riding the school bus for no more than five (5) consecutive school days unless a hearing has been scheduled.  If the student is suspended or expelled for a definite period of time, the District must provide an alternative type of transportation service.

Any student who is suspended or expelled from the district’s transportation program will be given an opportunity to ride the buses following the term of suspension or expulsion and is again subject to the discipline procedure.

Request for Alternate Bus Drop-Off Point

When parents want their child to be dropped off at a stop other than their regular stop, a note must be brought to the office requesting a bus pass.  Students will not be able to ride district buses to alternate drop-off points unless they present the driver with a bus pass from the office.  Prior approval from the transportation director and building principal is needed for three or more students riding to a destination other than their regular stop.

Bus Driver & Chaperone Responsibilities for Co-curricular Trips

In its simplest form, the goal of our co-curricular busing is the safe and orderly transportation of district youth to and from activities or competitions.  To help meet that goal the following guidelines should prove helpful for drivers and chaperones.

        A.  Drivers shall:

                1.  Be responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle.

                2.  Maintain a good relationship with students, chaperones, and

                               parents.

        B.  Chaperones shall:

                1.  Establish and maintain order on the bus while it is in

                           operation.        

                2.  Hold students responsible for leaving the bus as clean as

                           they found it.

                3.  Sit in the middle to the back of the bus for maximum

                           disciplinary effect.

        C.  Bus Drivers and Chaperones shall:

                1.  Agree upon student rules to be followed on the bus.

                2.  Agree upon chaperone/driver disciplinary roles during the

                               trip.

                3.  Work through any special chaperone/driver concerns.

        D.  During the Activity Chaperones shall:

                1.  Make periodic checks on students in their charge.

                2.  Make sure students are aware of the location of the

                               chaperone in case of emergency.

  1. Check in with the event supervisor to ensure necessary inter school communication.

                4.  Submit to the building principal a list of students who rode school transportation to an event but did not return via the same method.

The key to effective supervision by district personnel is communication between driver and chaperone.  We expect affected personnel to take the time to discuss matters of mutual concern prior to leaving for an event.

7.13  Food Service

School Nutrition Programs

The Westby Area School District offers state and federally funded milk, breakfast and lunch programs.  These programs are approved and regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.  Menus are planned in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and student preference.  Menus are published monthly on the school website.  Menu substitutions may occur for breakfast and lunch.  Changes will be announced if known in advance.

Special Dietary Needs

For students with special dietary needs, parents need to provide a statement signed by a recognized medical authority that indicates the food to be withheld or modified and alternate foods that will meet the child’s special dietary needs will be offered.

Computerized Program

The District operates a computerized meal account program.  One family account is set up for each District family.  Students attending Coon Valley and Westby Schools can now all be included in the one family account.  Students are issued a photo ID badge with a barcode that  must be scanned into the computer for all purchases.

Account Charges

Students are required to use a badge to purchase a meal or snack.   The electronic chip in the badge ensures account withdrawals are accurate; thus, students can move efficiently through the lunch line while avoiding longer wait times.

If a student loses his or her badge, a new badge will be created, but it will remain in the lunchroom.  The individual student will need to find and use this duplicate badge the remainder of the year or have the badge replaced by filing a replacement card form in the middle school office.  A $1 processing fee will be charged to replace a lost badge.  

All charges for breakfast, lunch and the milk program will be deducted from your family account.  State and federal reimbursement is received for complete free, reduced and fully paid student meals only.  Students must select three of the meal components offered for each breakfast and lunch meal to be considered complete.  Second meals and individual items are available for purchases but no funding is received for these purchases.  Charges will be made for these purchases according to the prices posted by the computer.  Please communicate with your child and the school if you do not wish to allow separate and additional charges to your account.  A comment can be placed on the computer noting your wishes, however food service staff is not responsible for monitoring your child’s purchases.

Breakfast, Lunch and Milk Program pricing is established by the WASD Board annually and published prior to the start of each school year.

Account Deposits

The District policy is that all meals and purchases are to be paid for in advance.  It is not necessary to send separate payments to each school.  To insure timely credit to your account, payments on the family account should be made to the District Business Office during normal business hours or mailed to:

        Westby Area School District

        Attn:  Business Office

        206 West Avenue South

        Westby,  WI  54667

Parents are encouraged to send a check, rather than cash, with their child’s name noted on the check.  Note:  Account payments will also be accepted at each school.

Low Account Balance Notification

Every student may check their account balance each time they pass through the line.  A phone call reminder is made when your account balance is a negative $5 or below.  Notes are sent home periodically with students.  Emails are also sent out to families who have provided email addresses. The note/email will state the balance remaining or due on the family account. If a family account reaches a negative $25 or below students may not be allowed to charge additional purchases.

Free and Reduced Meals

Applications for free and reduced meals are distributed to all students at the beginning of the school year.  Families that qualified for free or reduced price meals for the past school year will receive the same benefits to start the school year.  A new application must be submitted by October 13 in order to continue to receive free or reduced price meals and milk for the current school year.  If a new application is not received by this date, you will be charged and responsible for the full price of meal and milk program purchases.  You may submit a new application at any time during the school year if your family’s financial status or number of dependents changes.  The Westby Area School District will qualify for additional funding for educational programs with each approved free and reduced application.  All information provided remains confidential.  Due to the computerized nature of the program, it is not necessary for students to be aware of their own free/reduced status if this is your concern.

Wisconsin School Day Milk Program

Students in grades PreK through grade 5 may receive milk during a morning or afternoon break.  Cost is $.35 per half-pint of milk.  Families that qualify for free and reduced meals will automatically receive free milk for their children.  Milk program charges are deducted from your family account using your child’s PIN.

Offer vs. Serve Policy

The Westby Area School District implements the Offer vs. Serve policy at all grade levels in the District.  This policy permits students to decline food they do not intend to eat.  Students are offered a full portion of the required meal components (meat/meat alternate, bread/grain, milk, fruit and vegetable).  Students may decline one or two of the five components offered for lunch and one of the four components offered for breakfast.  Choices are offered to encourage selection and consumption of all meal components.

Lunchroom Rules

Expectations in the lunchroom are listed on the Middle School Behavior Matrix. This matrix can be found on the District website or a copy may be obtained from the office.

Students who bring lunch from home will not be able to use items provided by the school lunch program. This includes silverware, napkins and all condiments. Those items are made available only to those who participate in the school lunch program.

Microwaves will no longer be available in the school cafeteria for safety reasons. Students who pack their lunch will need to pack items which do not need to be heated or put these items in a container which will keep the food warm until lunch.

Food Service Prices

Breakfast - Full-Paid                Lunch - Full Paid                Milk

4K-4            $1.65                4K-4          $2.80                4k-12        $0.35

5-12            $1.95                5-12         $3.15                Adult        $0.35

Adult            $2.70                Adult          $4.80                        

Breakfast - Reduced                Lunch - Reduced

PK-12            $0.35                PK-12 - $0.40

7.14  Crisis Management and Prevention

Over the past decade there has been increasing concern throughout the country for the safety of our children when they are at school. Schools have come to recognize that they must be prepared to respond to a crisis or an emergency in an organized and timely manner to assure maximum safety for all students and staff members of that school.

In response to those concerns, all schools in the Westby District have organized Building Response Teams and developed Crisis Management Plans to ensure the safety of all our students and to provide a secure environment in which teachers can teach and students can learn. As part of that plan, all District centers will continue to practice existing emergency drill procedures.

Emergency Drills

All directives for emergency drills are posted by each classroom door and shall be explained to the students by the classroom teacher at the beginning of the year.  Fire drills are conducted once a month and severe weather drills are conducted in conjunction with the statewide emergency management system.  The District also conducts a school lockdown drill and an evacuation drill.  There may be many situations that may require a need for students to stay in their rooms behind a locked door or to leave the school grounds.

Fire Drill

        

The continuous sounding of the fire alarm will call for the quick and orderly emptying of the building.  Students are to evacuate the building directly from the classroom they are in and not return to the homeroom first.  Abide by these rules:

        1.  Leave books and papers on your desk.

        2.  Stay in orderly lines.

        3.  Leave the building according to the directions that are posted in each room.

        4.  Walk quickly, but do not run.

        5.  Refrain from talking.

        6.  All occupants, with no exceptions, must leave the building when this alarm

        sounds.  When all is clear, and after the alarm has stopped, students should

        enter the building and return to the classrooms promptly.

Severe Weather Drill

If possible, an announcement will come over the public address system to notify students and staff of the severe weather alert.  If the address system is not in operation, another form will be used instead.  Students will report to their designated areas from the room they are in and remain there until requested to return to their classrooms.  Students do not return to the homeroom first.  Abide by these rules:  

        1.  Leave books and papers on your desk.

        2.  Stay in orderly lines.

        3.  Report to the designated area according to the directions that are posted in each room.

        4.  Walk quickly, but do not run.

        5.  Refrain from talking.

        6.  When students get to their designated area, they should sit on the floor with the head down.

        7.  When all is clear, an announcement will be made for students and staff

        stating so.   Students should return to the classroom promptly.

Active Shooter Response Drill

All district personnel have been trained to use ALICE as a response system in an active shooter event, or in a situation where an individual/s looking to inflict harm on others enters our facility.  A.L.I.C.E. stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, & Evacuate.  Staff and students are empowered to make critical decisions with timely information, including the choice to run from the building, in an attempt to improve chances of survival.

Active shooter drills will be conducted throughout the year to practice and prepare for various active shooter scenarios.  In all evacuation drills, students should abide by these rules:

  1. Listen to your teacher.  This type of drill is not predictable.
  2. Stay calm and quiet.  Information will be communicated via the intercom that will inform teachers about actions they may need to take.
  3. Report to the pre-arranged destination if necessary.
  4. Walk quickly during the evacuation, if necessary, and go directly to the destination.
  5. When arriving at the designated location, report to your teacher.
  6. Your teacher will give you further instructions to return to the building or designated evacuation site.

   

Lock Down Drill

An announcement will be made over the public address system notifying students and staff the need to lock down.  Hallways are cleared and students should quickly, but quietly go to the nearest classroom with a staff member.  Doors are closed and locked.  No one is to use the phones or answer the door.  Everyone must stay in their locked room until they hear an "all clear" signal from the office. An “emergency lockdown” procedure is also in place in all District schools.

Evacuation Drill

An announcement will be made over the public address system notifying students and staff of the need to evacuate.  Students and staff will meet at the designated location outside.  Roll call is taken at the evacuation site, and anyone missing is reported to the principal or designee.  Westby City Field is the rally point for drills and Our Saviors’ Lutheran Church is designated as the evacuation site.  


8)  Official Notices

        8.1  Nondiscrimination

        8.2  Student Harassment

        8.3  Special Education Notice

        8.4  Protective Behaviors Notice

        8.5  Human Growth and Development Notice

        8.6  Student Assistance Program

        8.7  Public Notice for Americans with Disabilities Act

        8.8  Professional Qualifications

        8.9  Board Policies & Official Notifications


8.1  Nondiscrimination

The following is an official notice from the District Administrator:

It is the policy of the Westby Area School District to comply with all federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination against anyone in a protected class in its curricular, extracurricular, pupil services or recreational or other programs and its employment practices. This includes not discriminating against, or denying the benefits of, a person on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, color, creed, political affiliation, citizenship, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability or handicap, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law.

The District encourages informal resolution of complaints, however a formal complaint procedure is available. If any person believes that the District has discriminated against any individual on the basis listed above, he/she may file a complaint. The procedure for filing a complaint is outlined in Board Rule 411 for students or Board Rule 511 for applicants or employees.

This notice is provided as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, color, national origin), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (disability), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions or complaints should be forwarded to the designated compliance coordinator: Charles Norton, District Administrator, Westby Area School District, 206 West Avenue South, Westby, WI 54667, (608) 634-0101.

8.2  Harassment &/or Bullying

The following is an official notice from the District Administrator:

The Westby School District Board of Education acknowledges all regulations, requirements, and responsibilities defined by the state and federal laws regarding harassment &/or bullying.  

Sexual Harassment:  All students must be allowed to study in an environment free from sexual harassment.  Sexual harassment refers to behavior which is not welcome, which is personally offensive, which may debilitate self-concept, or which may inhibit student learning.  Sexual harassment may include action such as sexually-oriented verbal or written “kidding” or abuse.

Examples of sexual harassment considered intolerable according to the law include sexually offensive speech or name-calling, indecent propositions, and inappropriate physical touching or tapping.

General Student Harassment/Bullying:  This is referring to students who are harassed or bullied with threats of physical violence or through cruel mental torment on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, disability, pregnancy, marital or parental status, or sexual orientation.  Bullying is defined in policy as behavior in actions or words intended to cause fear, intimidation, or harm.  Bullying is typically a repeated behavior that includes a power imbalance.  Bullying comes in many different forms not exclusive to the following examples: Psychological - spreading rumors and manipulating social relationships; Physical - hitting, kicking, pushing, and pulling; Verbal - taunting, insulting, incessant teasing; Cyber - the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or a group that is intended to harm others.

Examples of Cyberbullying:

  1. Posting slurs, rumors, or other disparaging remarks about a student using social media, a website, or blog.  
  2. Sending email or instant messages that are threatening or disparaging.
  3. Using a camera phone to take, send, or post embarrassing photographs of students
  4. Posting misleading or fake photographs of students

 

In fulfilling the Board’s obligation to maintain a positive and productive educational environment, the Westby Area School District will attempt to halt any harassment/bullying of which they become aware.  The administration and staff of the school will work actively to create a positive school environment free from all types of harassment/bullying.  Instances of harassment/bullying should be reported immediately to appropriate staff, and those incidents will be dealt with in a firm and timely manner.

A complete copy of policy 5517 with its procedure and reporting form is available in the School or District Office or under Board Policies on the school district website.  .

8.3  Special Education Notice

The following is an official notice from the Special Education Director:

Westby looks for the least restrictive environment when serving students identified with special needs. One of the many strategies used in the Westby Area School District is team teaching.  As a result, some classes may be taught by both a regular classroom teacher and a special education teacher. For more information on the program contact the Special Education Director.

8.4  Protective Behaviors Notice

The following is an official notice from the District Administrator:

During the school year, the District’s K-8 school counselors will be visiting your child’s classroom to teach a Protective Behaviors Unit.  The purpose of this program is personal safety from physical and sexual abuse.  Abuse occurs even in the best communities.  Topics discussed will include identifying uncomfortable feelings about touch, learning to say “no” to unwanted touch, learning about techniques and situations with which abusers attempt to trick children, and identifying both family and community support people.  These units are taught annually and built upon previous years’ safety concepts.

The problems of child abuse have been well publicized in recent years.  During the spring of 1986, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a law mandating school districts to teach a K-12 protective behaviors curriculum.  The District’s program has been established to respond to this mandate.

When the dates for protective behaviors instruction have been determined you will be notified.  The material in these classes may be previewed at school by appointment.  If you do not wish to have your child participate in this program, notify the building principal in writing no later than October 15.  You are encouraged to preview instructional materials with one of the counselors prior to the classroom visit.

8.5  Human Growth and Development Notice

The following is an official notice from the District Administrator:

Growing up and reaching puberty confronts children with new privileges and problems.  A unit of instruction dealing with pertinent human growth and development concepts will be presented to fifth and sixth grade students by the school counselor and the school nurse during the school year.  Topics to be addressed are personal health and hygiene and preparation for adolescence and physical change.  A one-day unit on AIDS will be taught in sixth grade by the school nurse.  This unit will discuss factual vs. fictional information regarding the disease.

When the dates for Human Growth and Development Instruction have been determined you will be notified.  You may request that your child be excluded from this learning activity.  Contact your building principal in writing by the last Friday in October so alternate arrangements can be made in advance.  If you wish to visit your child’s classroom during the human growth and development instruction, please contact the school office by the last Friday in October.  The materials to be used in the unit can be previewed.  Interested parties should contact the school counselor or school nurse for an appointment.


8.6  Student Assistance Program

The following is an official notice from the District Administrator:

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a program designed for students who are experiencing problems or who have questions/concerns related to everyday life issues.  It is a program that is supported by school personnel.  The program involves students, teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents.  The goal of the program is to help students get the most out of their educational experiences, and ultimately, their lives.  

As part of this program, support groups are provided for students in the district’s schools.  These groups are open to all students.  Groups dealing with the following topics will be organized:  communication skills, study skills, social skills/self esteem, family issues, chemical awareness, and concerned persons (alcohol and drug use by others).  These groups will be led by trained facilitators who are skilled in promoting the development of a safe atmosphere in which students may explore attitudes and feelings related to the area(s) of concern.  In order to create a safe atmosphere, confidentiality among group members is a strict rule.  Below is a brief description of groups.

These groups usually run for six to eight weeks and participation is voluntary.  Students are permitted to miss one class period per week in order to participate, but they are responsible for doing assigned work and completing all tests.  Teachers may choose to exclude a student from group participation due to academic problems, testing, etc.  As always, academics come first.

This notice is given in order that all parents are aware of the SAP group service that is provided for all students.  Please indicate whether or not your child has your permission to take part in SAP group activities on the Parent Consent and Information Form.  If your child is identified for participation in a group, someone will contact you.  You will receive information related to the nature of the group, and you will have a second opportunity to decide whether or not your child will participate.  If you have questions regarding the Student Assistance Program, please contact your building principal.

Group Descriptions

Communication Skills:  This group is designed to teach the tenets of communication including “I” messages, expressing feelings, assertiveness skills, conflict resolution skills and problem-solving skills.

Family Issues:  Activities will center on issues that may occur in families and coping skills to deal with these issues.  These issues could include:  divorce, blended families, A.O.D.A. issues, single-parent families, etc.  This group will hopefully provide students the opportunity to learn that all families experience issues and change, and that it may not always be uncomfortable.

Concerned Persons (A.O.D.A.):  This group includes those students affected by someone else’s use of alcohol and other drugs.  Discussions will include:  alcoholism as a disease, recognizing our feelings, expressing them in a safe place, learning coping strategies, learning that we are not alone, and not to blame for someone else’s use or abuse of alcohol or drugs.

Chemical Awareness/Insight (A.O.D.A.):  This group is designed to talk about the disease, alcoholism and chemical use and abuse issues.  Members are expected to abstain from ALL mood-altering chemicals in order to determine if a chemical problem exists.  Students are taught assertiveness skills as well as how to have fun without using drugs.

Social Skills:  This group is designed to enhance a student’s self-image and provide him/her with better coping skills.  Topics include becoming a better friend, responding to criticism, solving conflicts, asking favors, and general discussions on personal concerns at home and/or school.

Self-Esteem:  This group encompasses many of the same skills as the social skills group.  This group differs in that it is geared towards the young adolescent.  Issues discussed include:  divorce, family conflict, coping with depression, school stress, peer relationships, etc.  This group is also designed to enhance decision-making and problem-solving skills.

8.7  Public Notice for Americans with Disabilities Act

Our school district complies with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) of 1990, Public Law 101-336, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, and is denied the benefits of school district services, programs, or activities.

Our School District WILL NOT:

Refuse to allow a person with a disability to participate in a School District service, program, or activity simply because the person has a disability.

Provide services or benefits to individuals with disabilities through programs that are separate or different, unless the separate programs are necessary to ensure that the benefits and services are equally effective.

Subject individuals with disabilities to discrimination in employment under any service, program, or activity conducted by the School District.

Our School District WILL:

Take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with applicants, participants, and members of the public with disabilities are as effective as communication with others.

 Make reasonable accommodations in policies, practices, or procedures when necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless a fundamental alteration in a School District program would result.

Operate its programs so that, when viewed in their entirety, they are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

In accordance with Section 35.106 of the ADA’s Title II Regulations, all applicants, participants, beneficiaries, and other interested persons are advised that further information may be obtained from the School District and from the Office on the Americans with Disabilities Act, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20035-6118.  Persons may also call 202-514-0301 (voice) or 202-514-0381 (TDD)

Braille, audio cassette, and computer disk versions of this notice are available from the School District.

8.8  Professional Qualifications

As parents of a student at Westby Area Middle School you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers that instruct your child.  The No Child Left Behind federal law allows you to request specific information about your child’s classroom teachers and requires that your school respond to your request in a timely manner. You have the right to ask for the following information in regard to your child’s teachers:

        Whether the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades and subjects he/she teachers.

        Whether the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has decided that the teacher can teach in a classroom without being licensed or qualified under state regulations because of special circumstances.

        The teachers’ college major; whether the teacher has advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degrees.

        Whether any teacher’s assistants or similar paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.

If you would like to receive any of this information, please contact the District Office at 634-0101.

8.9 Board Policies & Official Notifications

Policies of the Board of Education can all be found on the District Website at www.westby-norse.org under the School Board tab.  Please contact the District Office at 606-634-0101 if you have any questions pertaining to any of the policies.  

Other Announcements:

Instructional Programs for Children with Limited English Proficiency:  If you have children with Limited English Proficiency, please contact Jason Windsor, District Pupil Services Director at 608-634-0551.

Education of Homeless Children & Youth: Homeless children and youth are entitled to equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children residing in the district.  Those who find themselves homeless, or if you are aware of a homeless child or youth, you should contact Jason Windsor, Pupil Services Director, at 608-634-0551.

Protective Behaviors Notice: During the school year, the District’s K-8 counselors will be visiting your child’s classroom to teach a Protective Behaviors Unit.  When the dates for protective behaviors instructions have been determined you will be notified.  The material in these classes may be previewed at school by appointment.  If you do not wish to have your child participate in this program, notify the building principal in writing no later than September 7th.  You are encouraged to preview instructional materials with one of the counselors prior to the classroom visit.

Lockers: All lockers are the property of Westby Area School District and may be entered and searched by administrative personnel at their discretion, at any time, for any reason.

9)  Appendix  (policies & forms)

        9.1  Policy 5511 - Dress and Grooming

        9.2  Policy 9130 - Public Requests, Suggestions, or Complaints

        9.3  Parent Consent and Information Form

        9.4  Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policy and Non-Consent 

               Form



9.1  Policy 5511 Dress and Grooming

5511 - DRESS AND GROOMING

The Board of Education recognizes that each student's mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference. The Board will not interfere with the right of students and their parents to make decisions regarding their appearance, except when their choices interfere with the educational program of the schools.

Accordingly, the District Administrator shall establish such grooming guidelines as are necessary to promote discipline, maintain order, secure the safety of students, and provide a healthy environment conducive to academic purposes. Such guidelines shall prohibit student dress or grooming practices which:

 

A.

present a hazard to the health or safety of the student himself/herself or to others in the school;

 

B.

interfere with school work, create disorder, or disrupt the educational program;

 

C.

cause excessive wear or damage to school property;

 

D.

prevent the student from achieving his/her own educational objectives because of blocked vision or restricted movement.

Such guidelines shall establish the dress requirements for members of the athletic teams, bands, and other school groups when representing the District at a public event.

The District Administrator shall develop administrative guidelines to implement this policy which:

 

A.

designate the principal as the arbiter of student dress and grooming in his/her building;

 

B.

provide an appeal procedure to review decisions of the building principal in situations involving expressive conduct which the student believes is legally protected;

 

C.

invite the participation of staff, parents, and students in the preparation of a dress code which may specify prescribed dress and grooming practices, but may not amplify the rationale for prohibition established by Board policy;

 

D.

instruct staff members to demonstrate, by example and precept, personal neatness, cleanliness, propriety, modesty, and good sense in attire and appearance;

 

E.

ensure that all administrative guidelines impose only minimum and necessary restrictions on the exercise of the student's taste and individuality.

120.13(1), Wis. Stats.

                                        

Cross Ref.:                Board Rule 443.1, Student Dress Code Enforcement Procedures

WESTBY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

Index No.: Board Rule 443.1                                                       Subject Ref.:  Students

                                                                                                                                                           

Student Dress Code Enforcement Procedures

 

Generally, students who violate the Board’s student dress code shall be dealt with as follows:

 

First Offense in a Semester – The student shall be required to remove, replace, turn inside out or cover the prohibited item(s).

 

Second Offense in a Semester – The student shall be required to remove, replace, turn inside out or cover the prohibited item(s) and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be notified.

 

Third and Subsequent Offenses in a Semester – The student shall be required to remove, replace or turn inside out or cover the prohibited item(s) and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be notified. Additional consequences may include in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension and/or expulsion.

 

Other appropriate disciplinary action may be taken given the nature of the violation.

 

 

Date Adopted:              July 8, 1996

 

Date Revised:              May 12, 2003

                                    July 9, 2007

                        May 14, 2012


9.2  Policy 9130 Public Requests, Suggestions, or Complaints

Any individual(s), having a legitimate interest in the staff, programs and operations of this District shall have the right to present a request, suggestion, or complaint to the District and the Board of Education. At the same time, the Board has a right to protect the staff from inappropriate harassment. It is the intent of this policy to provide guidelines for considering and addressing public requests, suggestions, or complaints in an efficient, reasonable, and equitable manner. Requests, suggestions, or complaints made by District staff members are covered by Policy 3122 and Policy 4122.

It is the desire of the Board to address any such matters through direct, informal discussions and other means. It is only when attempts at informal resolution fail that more formal procedures shall be used.

Generally, requests, suggestions, or complaints reaching the Board or Board members shall be referred to the District Administrator for consideration. Any individual presenting such a matter shall be provided with a copy of this policy.

Guidelines for Matters Regarding a Professional Staff Member

 

A.

First Level

 

Generally, if the matter concerns a professional staff member the individual(s) should discuss the matter with the staff member. The staff member shall take appropriate action within his/her authority and District administrative guidelines to deal with the matter.

 

Discussion with the staff member may not be appropriate in some situations including, for example, where the matter involves suspected child abuse, substance abuse, or any other serious allegation that may require investigation or inquiry by school officials prior to approaching the staff member.

 

As appropriate, the staff member shall report the matter and whatever action may have been taken to the immediate supervisor.

 

B.

Second Level

 

If the matter has not been satisfactorily addressed at the First Level or it would be inappropriate to discuss the matter with the staff member, the individual(s) may discuss the matter with the staff member's supervisor, if applicable. Discussions with the supervisor shall occur promptly following any discussion with the staff member.

 

C.

Third Level

 

If the matter has not been satisfactorily addressed at the Second level, and the matter does not involve the District Administrator, the individual(s) may submit a written request for a conference to the District Administrator. This request should include:

 

1.

the specific nature of the request, suggestion or complaint and a brief statement of the facts giving rise to it;

 

2.

the respect in which it is alleged that the individual(s) (or child of a complainant) has been affected adversely;

 

 

 

3.

the action which the individual(s) wishes taken and the reasons why it is felt that such action be taken.

 

The request must be submitted promptly after discussion with the staff member’s supervisor. The District Administrator shall respond in writing to the individual(s) and shall advise the Board of any resolution of the matter.

 

D.

Fourth Level

 

If the matter has not been satisfactorily addressed at the Third Level, or at the First Level in the case of a matter involving the District Administrator, the individual(s) may submit a written request to the Board to address the matter. Any such request must be submitted within seven (7) days of receiving the District Administrator’s written response.

 

The Board, after reviewing all material relating to the matter, shall provide the individual(s) with a written response.

 

The individual(s) shall be advised, in writing, of the Board's decision no more than thirty (30) business days following the next regular meeting. The Board's decision will be final on the matter, and it will not provide a hearing to other complainants on the same issue.

 

If the individual(s) contacts an individual Board member to discuss the matter, the Board member shall inform the individual that s/he has no authority to act in his/her individual capacity and may refer the individual(s) to this guideline or the District Administrator for further assistance.

Guidelines for Matters Regarding a Support Staff Member

In the case of a support staff member, the matter is to be directed, initially, to the person's supervisor, and then in subsequent higher levels as prescribed in "Guidelines for Matters Regarding a Professional Staff Member".

Guidelines for Matters Regarding District Services or Operations

If the matter relates to a District procedure or operation, it should be addressed, initially, to the District Administrator and then in subsequently higher levels as prescribed in "Guidelines for Matters Regarding a Professional Staff Member".

Guidelines for Matters Regarding Enrollment Disputes

If the matter relates to disputes concerning student residency determination, Homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act, or related issues, the matter should be addressed initially to the District’s Residency or Homelessness Coordinator, and then to the Third Level of the process for "Matters Regarding a Professional Staff Member".

Guidelines for Matters Regarding the Educational Program

If the matter relates to a District program, it should be addressed, initially, to the building principal and then in subsequent higher levels as prescribed in "Matters Regarding a Professional Staff Member".

Guidelines for Matters Regarding Instructional Materials

The District Administrator shall prepare administrative guidelines to ensure that students and parents are adequately informed each year regarding their right to inspect instructional materials used as part of the educational curriculum and the procedure for completing such an inspection. See Policy 2414, AG 9130A and Form 9130 F3.

If the request, suggestion, or complaint relates to instructional materials such as textbooks, library books, reference works, and other instructional aids used in the District, the following procedure shall be followed:

 

A.

The criticism is to be addressed to the District Administrator, in writing, and shall include:

 

1.

author;

 

2.

title;

 

3.

publisher;

 

4.

the complainant's familiarity with the material objected to;

 

5.

sections objected to by page and item;

 

6.

reasons for objection.

 

B.

Upon receipt of the information, the District Administrator may appoint a review committee consisting of individuals appointed by the District Administrator.

 

C.

If the request, suggestion, or complaint relates to the human growth and development curriculum or instructional materials, it shall be referred to the advisory committee responsible for developing the human growth and development curriculum and advising the Board on the design, review and implementation of the curriculum. (See Policy 2414).

 

D.

The District Administrator shall be an ex official member of the committee.

 

E.

The committee, in evaluating the questioned material, shall be guided by the following criteria:

 

1.

the appropriateness of the material for the age and maturity level of the students with whom it is being used

 

2.

the accuracy of the material

 

3.

the objectivity of the material

 

4.

the use being made of the material

 

F.

The material in question may be withdrawn from use pending the committee's recommendation to the District Administrator.

 

G.

The committee's recommendation shall be reported to the District Administrator in writing within seven (7) business days following the formation of the committee. The District Administrator will advise the individual(s), in writing, of the committee's recommendation and advise the Board of the action taken or recommended.

 

H.

The individual(s) may appeal the District Administrator’s recommendation within seven (7) business days to the Board. The appeal shall be submitted in writing to the District Administrator within thirty (30) business days of receiving the District Administrator’s recommendation. The written appeal and all written material relating to it shall be referred to the Board for consideration.

 

I.

The Board shall review the matter and advise the individual(s), in writing, of its decision as soon as practicable.

No challenged material may be removed from the curriculum or from a collection of resource materials except by action of the Board, and no challenged material may be removed solely because it presents ideas that may be unpopular or offensive to some. Any Board action to remove material will be accompanied by the Board's statement of its reasons for the removal.

118.01, 118.019, Wis. Stats.

20 U.S.C. 1232h

Cross Ref.:                Board Rule 870(1), Procedures for Handling Public Complaints About

                                Educational Materials

                        Board Rule 870(2), Procedures for Handling Public Complaints Other

                                 than Complaints About Educational Materials

                        Board Exhibit 870, Request for Re-Evaluation of Instructional

                                Materials

                        Board Policy 2510 Adoption of Textbooks

                        Board Rule 411, Discrimination Complaint Procedures


WESTBY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

Index No.: Board Rule 870 (2)                            Subject Ref.: School-Community Relations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Procedures for Handling Public Complaints Other Than Complaints

About Educational Materials

 

Whenever a complaint is made directly to the Board as a whole, to an individual Board member or to a staff member, the individual or group shall be advised to take the complaint to the appropriate staff member.

 

Complaints shall be referred to the appropriate person and handled as follows:

 

1.         If the matter concerns a staff member, the appropriate person to receive the complaint is the staff member. An appointment to discuss the complaint should be arranged in advance. If the complaint is not resolved through the discussion between the complainant and the staff member against whom the complaint is being made, or if the complainant believes he/she has cause not to meet with the staff member, then the complainant may appeal to or file a complaint with the staff member’s immediate supervisor.

 

If the building principal, Director of Special Education or Superintendent, as the employee’s immediate supervisor, receives a complaint he/she deems to be of a serious nature, the complaint should be made in writing and signed by the complainant. A copy of the complaint shall be given to the employee as soon as possible. If the complainant refuses to sign a written complaint, the administrator shall relay the unsigned complaint to the staff member. The staff member shall have the right to answer any complaints and the answer shall be reviewed by the appropriate administrator and attached to the file copy of the complaint.

 

2.         If the matter concerns a school, the appropriate person to receive the complaint is the

            building principal. An appointment to discuss the complaint should be arranged in advance.

 

3.         If the matter extends beyond a school to district-wide concerns, the appropriate person             to receive the complaint is the Superintendent or his/her designee. An appointment to  

            discuss the complaint should be arranged in advance.

 

If the complainant is not satisfied with the disposition of the complaint, the matter may be referred to the next appropriate level. The following sequence shall normally be followed:

 

1.         Staff member’s next immediate supervisor

2.         Building principal

3.         Superintendent or designee

4.         Board of Education

                       

The Superintendent shall assist any complainant in bringing an unresolved complaint to the attention of the Board. The complainant may write a letter directly to the Board President. (Any complaint regarding a school staff member deemed to be of a serious nature must be communicated in writing.) A written complaint should set forth the reasons why the complainant believes the disposition rendered by the appropriate staff member(s) to be unsatisfactory.

 

Upon receipt of a complaint, the Board President shall bring the matter to the Board for review and evaluation. Such review may include, but is not limited to, the securing of documentary evidence, personal interviews, a group meeting, a hearing or any combination thereof. However, the Board may also decline to consider the complaint further. Following review of the matter, the Board President shall advise the complainant in writing of the decision of the Board. The decision of the Board shall be final.

 

 

Date Adopted:             March 12, 1990         

 

Date Revised:               February 14, 2005

                                 May 12, 2008

 

           

 


9.3  Parent Consent and Information Form

Student’s Name:  ______________________________________________________

Homeroom Teacher:  ___________________________________________________         Grade:  _____

In case of an emergency school closing, my child should be sent:

        _____ Home

        _____ Other (please specify):  _____________________________________

My child:

        Field trips

        _____ does have permission to participate in field trips during the current school year.

        _____ does not have permission to participate in field trips during the current school year.

        Food Service – we will do our best to follow your recommendation, but it is still the child’s responsibility to follow the parent’s wishes

        _____ has permission to eat breakfast or snack at school

        _____ has permission to eat lunch at school

        _____ has permission to have morning milk or milk with sack lunch from home

        _____ has permission to take seconds at breakfast &/or lunch (account will be charged as

                appropriate)

        _____ does not have permission to take seconds at breakfast or lunch

        Pictures

        _____ is permitted to have his/her picture printed in local newspapers and newsletter.

        _____ is not permitted to have his/her picture printed in anything sent outside the school.

        _____ is permitted to have his/her picture posted on the school’s website.

We have reviewed this school handbook which has been officially adopted by the Westby Area School Board of Education and subscribe to all the rules included in the handbook.

SAMPLE COPY – DO NOT

RETURN TO SCHOOL

______________________________________________                _______________

Parent/Guardian’s Signature                                                        Date

______________________________________________

Student Signature

9.4  Student/Parent Consent form for Internet Access

Consent for Student Access to the Internet

Students of the Westby Area School District have access to a wide variety of information technologies, including the Internet. These technologies are used to enhance the teaching and learning environment, and bring opportunities for sharing ideas and communications. The Westby Area School District believes in providing a safe Internet experience for students through the use of filtering technology, supervision and by educating the students about appropriate use. However, the possibility does exist that a student may be exposed to information that is incorrect, inappropriate or obscene. The district believes the advantages of Internet access, in the form of educational resources and enhanced capabilities for communication, outweigh any disadvantages that may momentarily arise.

Students of the Westby Area School District shall not have filtered access to the Internet unless the following consent form is returned to the school office. Students shall also be expected to act in accordance with established rules. The district shall respect each family’s right to deny access to the Internet.

I have read the above information and wish my child to have access to the Internet as allowed by district equipment and curriculum for the duration of enrollment in the school listed below. I understand that if I do not sign this form, teacher-selected material from Internet resources may still be photocopied, displayed and distributed to my child.

Name of Student _______________________________________________________________

School ___________________________________________________ Grade Level _________

Name of Parent/Guardian ________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian ______________________________________________________

Date __________________________

SAMPLE COPY – DO NOT

RETURN TO SCHOOL

        

All fifth grade students & new students to the building  

MUST have this signed to use the internet at school.