Attendance * Audio/Video Equipment * Electronic Communication Devices * Lockers * Hazing * Motor Vehicles/Parking * Study Hall * Responsibility Release Program * Drug Free Schools * Student Dress Code * Classroom Code of Conduct * Office Detentions * Saturday School * Suspensions

Attendance 

Regular attendance is an important factor in school success. The activities and learning that occur during a class period are not easily made up since the experiences cannot be duplicated. Therefore, it is important that absences be kept to a minimum. State law dictates that a student must attend school until the end of the semester in which s/he reaches 18 years of age.

Seniors must be in attendance 90% of the time Semesters I & II to participate in commencement. The 90% is defined as missing nine full days or 36 periods, no more, of which can be five of any one hour, including study halls. The following absences shall not count towards the 36 periods: School activities, family emergencies communicated to the attendance officer, medically excused illnesses or conditions, pre-approved and documented post-secondary school visits, pre-approved family trips that cannot be scheduled at any other time and funerals. (Board Policy 345.7)

Guidelines for School Attendance - A student should remain at home if any of the following apply: 

• there have been episodes of vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24-hours and the student is not yet tolerating a regular diet
• the student’s temperature is abnormal (approximately 100º or higher) and the student feels ill
• the student is aching and fatigued enough to be unable to participate in class and school activities
• the student has an uncontrollable cough or runny nose that s/he cannot care for in a sanitary way
• the student has been diagnosed with strep throat or other treatable contagious disease and has not yet had 24-hours of treatment
• the student has untreated contagious disease (impetigo, scabies, draining pink eye, etc.)
• the student has a recent injury that causes enough discomfort to significantly distract him/her from being able to focus on school activities in class

A practical question to ask is: Does the student feel well enough to participate and learn in school or would it benefit the student to rest at home today?

We encourage parents to send students to school each day if injury or illness does not significantly compromise the student’s health and there is not threat of communicable disease to others.

A phone call to school to explain an absence is required on the day your child remains at home. NOTE: The school needs to have up-to-date phone numbers available to call should a student become ill or be injured at school.

A student may be excused in writing for any reason by his/her parent or guardian before an absence for no more than a total of ten (10) days in the school year. A student so excused must complete all course work missed according to the school guidelines for the absence to be excused.

The administration reserves the right to determine if students will be excused to attend school activities as spectators. This includes activities at other schools in the Waunakee Community School District.

The Board of Education has determined Legal Excuses for Student Absences (See Board of Education Policy #430, Rule 3). The reasons that students may be excused from school are listed below. An absence that does not meet one of these criteria will be unexcused unless a written excuse is provided in advance of an absence.

Approved Legal Excuses for Student Absence - The superintendent or designated building attendance officer is empowered to approve a legal excuse to any student for the following reasons:

1. Evidence that the student is not in proper physical or mental condition to attend school or an educational program. The District may require the parent or guardian to obtain a written statement from a physician or licensed practitioner as proof of the physical or mental condition of the student. Such excuse shall be made in writing, shall state the period of time for which it is valid and shall not exceed 30 days.
2. An illness in the immediate family that requires the absence of the student because of family responsibilities. 
3. Medical, dental, chiropractic, optometric or other valid professional appointments. Parents/guardians are requested to make appointments during non-school hours.
4. A death in the immediate family or funerals for close relatives.
5. Religious holidays.
6. Family trips that can be taken only during the normal school term. The intent of this excuse is to provide the opportunity for students’ to accompany their parents/guardians on a vacation that cannot be scheduled when school is not in session. A parent/guardian shall be required to notify the building principal or designee, prior to leaving on vacation of the pending absence for the purpose of reviewing the student’s attendance record and overall performance record. Student vacations or trips without parent/guardian accompaniment are not excused absences.
7. A court appearance or other legal procedure which requires the attendance of the student.
8. A quarantine as imposed by a public health officer.
9. Attendance at special events of educational value as approved by the principal, or designee.
10. Approved school activities during class time.
11. Special circumstances that show good cause which the principal or designee approves in advance.

Attendance Office:

The attendance office is located in the main office. The office is open from 7:45am-3:00pm.
The telephone number for the attendance office is 849-2110. Parent/guardian may call before/after school hours on our answering machine to excuse their child. Calls are retrieved between 6:30am and 3:00pm.

Notifying School if Absent/Homework Requests:

If you are absent from school, you are requested to have your parent/guardian phone the school as soon as possible to notify the attendance office of the absence. This will avoid our having to contact your parent/guardian at home or work to determine the nature of your absence. Homework requests must be made before 9:00 a.m. the day of your illness. Homework will be available for pick-up in the homework box outside of the main office after 3:45pm.

Illness During the School Day:

The student is to go to the office and the school personnel will contact a parent in health cases such as: 1) A student reports to the office ill and asks that a parent/guardian be contacted; 2) Office personnel, school nurse, teacher or an administrator has deemed a child to be too ill to remain in school; and 3) A child involved in an accident/injury situation that requires immediate medical attention.

1. Procedures to Follow After an Absence:
2. Go to the attendance office if your parent/guardian did not call attendance office.
3. Present a written statement with the date and/or hours absent. The high school administrator will determine whether the absence should be excused or unexcused. Oversleeping, missing the bus, or car problems are examples of situations in which administration discretion will be exercised. A pass to class will be given to unexcused and tardy students. 
4. Present this pass to each teacher every class hour that you missed. 
5. Students must take on the responsibility of obtaining the work they missed by talking with the instructor as soon as possible. You must turn in this work within an equivalent number of days that you were absent unless an extension is granted by your instructor.

Unexcused Absences:

If a student is marked absent for any hour and that absence is unexcused, the student will have 24-hours to clear up the absence with their parent/guardian or the teacher. If not cleared, detentions will be assigned and must be served before or after school on Wednesday and/or Thursday. Failure to serve detentions may result in a Saturday school assignment or an out-of-school suspension.

Daily in-class work or homework due the period of an unexcused absence will not be granted credit.

Truancy:

A truant is defined as a student who is absent from school without an acceptable excuse. A habitual truant is a student absent from school without an acceptable excuse for part or all of five or more days on which school is being held during a school semester.

Partial Day Absence:

If a student needs to leave school, for any reason, a parent/guardian should call the attendance office or have the student present a written request prior to the student’s leaving to excuse him/her. The student will receive a “pass- to-leave” the building slip. If this procedure is not followed, the absence will be unexcused. Students’ absence for any part of a day must sign the sign-in/out form on the attendance desk when they leave and when they return. Failure to sign-out before leaving school, for any reason, will result in a detention being issued.

Absence Due to Field Trip/Co-curricular Activities:

On those occasions when instructional time is missed due to participation on a field trip or co-curricular activity, students are responsible for contacting their teachers in advance of the field trip/co-curricular activity to determine what they will miss, to make arrangements for retaking tests/quizzes/labs etc., and to make up assignments missed within the timeline of one class period per excused absence.

Passes:

Passes are needed anytime a student is out of a regularly scheduled class and is in some other part of the building or out of the building. Students are to obtain passes from teachers at times when it does not interfere with class work. Passes must be kept by the student and left with the teacher upon return to regularly assigned class or study hall. Purple hallway/bathroom passes are available in each room. However, they are not to be used the first 30 minutes of a block class.

Tardiness:

Students must have a teacher pass if they are tardy. If a student does not have a pass, s/he is unexcused tardy. Late arrivals must sign in at the attendance office upon arrival and obtain a permit to class. When a student arrives late, it is the teacher’s responsibility to give consequences. Students arriving at school after the first hour class has begun must sign in and obtain a permit to class from the attendance office.

Visitor Passes:

Visitors to school must obtain a pass before they can be in the halls or classrooms of our school. If you would like to bring a guest to school, please see an administrator at least 24-hours before the day they are to attend. Also, it is common courtesy to ask each of your teachers if you may have another person come with you to class. Visitor passes will not be granted the last two weeks of each semester.

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Audio/Video Equipment

It is recommended that personal media devices not be brought into the school because we cannot guarantee their security. Personal music devices may only be used in a classroom with express teacher permission.

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Electronic Communication Devices
(Board of Education Policy 443.6)

Failure to follow these expectations will result in the following consequences:

1. First offense - electronic communication device (ECD) is taken to office for the remainder of the school day.
2. Second offense - ECD is kept in the office until the student's parent or guardian picks up the device.  The student receives a 30 minute detention.
3. Third offense - The ECD is kept in the office until the last class day of the school year.

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Lockers

A student locker is provided to you for your convenience by the school.  Lockers are school property and may be opened and inspected by school authorities at any time, to insure a safe school environment. Random searches of lockers will be conducted periodically. Student coats, backpacks, and other possessions may be searched. Dogs may be utilized to search student lockers.

Each student is assigned a locker upon enrolling at WHS. This locker is yours for all four years and may be changed only by permission of the office.  You are responsible for the cleanliness and the repair of your assigned locker. Custodians will help you with mechanical and maintenance problems. Lockers must be secured with a school approved lock at all times.  Locks are available for purchase in the main office.  Only school locks are permitted on lockers; other locks will be removed.  Any items left in your locker at the end of the year will be discarded.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR LOCKER. The school cannot assume responsibility for money or valuables, lost or stolen, when left in lockers. The office will temporarily hold your valuables, if you must bring them or money to school. Jackets and outwear must be left in lockers and are not to be worn in classrooms.

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Initiation/Hazing

Behavior/activities that draw undue attention, embarrass, or intimidate students are not tolerated. This includes any kind of initiation of students based on their status (e.g., freshmen students being mistreated by upperclassmen and older athletic team members mistreating new members). Incidents should be reported immediately to a teacher, coach, guidance counselor, or administrator. Further information regarding harassment and hazing is included in the Appendix of this handbook.

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Motor Vehicles/Parking

The following policies have been established in order to provide a safe environment for everyone (i.e., drivers, passengers, and pedestrians):

• Students driving vehicles to school may park in one of the designated school parking lots with a parking permit. Students may not park in the designated staff areas. 
• Student parking permits must be purchased from the high school office for $50 and are not transferable between students.
• Vehicles parked in designated school lots without a school parking permit will be subject to ticket and/or towing.
• Students may only park in designated student stalls. Student vehicles parked in other areas will be ticketed or towed.
• Students may not park in “Visitor Parking” stalls, even for short periods of time.
• Vehicles are not to be moved out of the parking lot during the regular school day, including lunch, unless the student has the school’s permission to leave. Such permission is to be granted ONLY upon receipt of a written or telephoned request from the parent/guardian of the student. The permit is for the DRIVER of the vehicle ONLY. 
• Students may not be in or on a moving or parked vehicle that is on or off school grounds during the school day without permission.
• Repeated violations of the motor vehicle / parking policy will result in revocation of a student’s permit without a refund and ineligibility to purchase a permit in future years.
• For safety purposes, the riding of skateboards and roller blades on school property is prohibited.

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Study Hall

A study hall should be a place that is conducive to studying. Therefore, rules have been established to provide such an atmosphere. Your study hall teacher will explain these rules on the first day of class.

Closed study hall is held in a classroom or small resource rooms. No food or soda may be taken into lecture rooms, classrooms, or the auditorium during study halls. Commons study hall is held in the commons and provides greater freedom and more responsibility. Because the commons area is used for lunch during third hour, a closed study hall will be held for all students in the lecture hall.

Resources for additional student support and individual student help are available most hours of the day (please refer to the high school schedule). 

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Responsibility Release Program

The purpose of the Responsibility Release Program is to provide:

1. A program that is a junior/senior privilege.
2. An increased level of responsibility for juniors/seniors in their use of unscheduled time. The program is intended to help juniors/seniors develop a higher level of self-discipline through making their own decisions.
3. An opportunity for learning through part-time employment.
4. An atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation.

Privilege:

A junior or senior student with a study hall who qualifies for the Responsibility Release Program is given the
freedom to be self-directing in the use of their study hall time and go directly to their planned destination (inside or outside the school) without having to report to study hall for attendance.

Responsibility:

Participating students are expected to show RESPONSIBILITY by:

1. Setting an example for other students, particularly with regard to behavior in the school and community.
2. Observing all school regulations, especially those concerning hall passing times and the Responsibility Release Program.
3. Using good judgment in their conduct in and around school and community.
4. Participating in meetings about the RESPONSIBILITY Release Program and its evaluation.

Posters:

Announcements of out-of-school activities may only be posted in the LMTC. Announcements of in-school activities may only be posted on the vinyl boards located in hallways.

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Drug Free Schools

Students are expected to help maintain a tobacco, alcohol and other drug-free environment.
We comply with the following laws:

1. Wisconsin law prohibits the use and possession of tobacco products on school property.
2. State law prohibits possession or consumption of alcohol by persons less than 21 years of age.
3. Wisconsin law prohibits the possession or use of controlled substances, or look alikes, and drug paraphernalia by all age groups. Students who violate these laws may be suspended and or expelled. Students in co-curricular activities will have further penalties. (Ask your coach for the co-curricular code).

Any student may receive help with alcohol, tobacco or other drug use problems from trained school personnel who must keep the information confidential. Students wanting information should contact a teacher, counselor or administrator for referral to CORE. CORE personnel offer one-on-one counseling or group counseling on issues related to use.

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Student Dress Code

School Attire:

Students are expected to dress in neat clothing that shows respect for the school environment. CLOTHING WHICH STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION DEEM INAPPROPRIATE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED:

1. Clothing with obscene or objectionable writing and/or pictures is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, promoting or advertising tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, or sexual activity.
2. Attire that attracts undue attention is unacceptable. This includes, but is not limited to: a) baring midriffs or having underclothing visible, tops/shirts must reach the top of pants; b) halter tops/shirts must have shoulder straps with a width of two inches; and c) make-up that is distracting or excessive.
3. Shoes or sandals must be worn at all times. 
4. Hats and other headgear/bandanas are prohibited and are to be removed before entering the building.

* The right to establish a dress code may not be restricted even by a dress code arrived at by a majority vote of students.

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Classroom Code of Conduct

The Waunakee Community School District is committed to maintaining an educational atmosphere of excellence. Teachers are expected to create a positive classroom environment that is conducive to learning and self-discipline. Students are expected to behave in a manner that is based on respect and consideration for the rights of others. Students are to allow teachers to instruct effectively and students to participate in learning activities. Students are further expected to know and abide by the rules of behavior established by the classroom teacher, school administration, and Board of Education.

Parents/guardians should be aware of their children’s activities, performance and behavior in school, and are asked to cooperate and consult with the school to prevent or address any concerns.

Student behavior that is dangerous, disruptive and unruly or that interferes with the teacher’s ability to teach effectively will not be tolerated. Any student who engages in such behavior may be subject to removal from class and placement as outlined below. In addition, the student may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with established Board of Education Policies, school rules, municipal ordinances and state/federal laws and regulations. Removal from class under this code does not prohibit the district from pursuing or implementing other disciplinary measures, including but not limited to detentions, suspension or expulsion, for the conduct for which the student was removed.

For the purpose of this code, a “class” is any class offered as part of the normal schedule of instruction or any extension of such class (i.e., field trip). This excludes co-curricular activities and other school activities that are not typically defined as classes.

A “teacher” is any certified instructor, intern, student teacher, counselor, nurse, administrator, or designee in the employ of the District. A “teacher of a class” means the regularly assigned teacher of the class, or a teacher assigned to teach, monitor, assist in or oversee the class.

1. Student Removal From Class: A student may be removed from class for, but not limited to, the following reasons: dangerous, disruptive, damaging, or unruly behavior, behavior that violates expectations set forth in Board of Education Policies and Student Handbooks, behavior that interferes with the ability of the teacher to teach effectively or interferes with the ability of others to learn, and behavior which is inconsistent with class decorum.
   When a student is removed from class, s/he will be sent or escorted to the building administrator or designee. The teacher removing the student will notify the building administrator or designee and inform her/him of the reason(s) for the student’s removal. A written explanation of the reason(s) shall be given to the administrator or designee within 24-hours of the student’s removal from class.
2. Placement Procedures: This Code of Conduct distinguishes between two, essentially separate kinds of removal from class: short term or temporary removal, and long-term removal. The building administrator or designee shall decide whether a student who has been removed from a class for violating the Classroom Code of Conduct is to be placed in either a long-term or short-term placement. When making placement decisions, the building administrator or designee shall consider the following factors: the interests of the other students in the class and the teacher, the reason(s) the student was removed from class, the type of placement options available to students in the district, the estimated length and time of placement, the student’s individual needs, whether the student has been removed from a class previously and the relationship of the placement to any disciplinary action. The administrator or designee may consult with other appropriate school personnel, as s/he deems necessary when making or evaluating placement decisions. A student’s parents/guardians may also be consulted regarding student placement decisions when determined by the administrator or designee to be in the best interest of the student involved or when required by law. All placement decisions shall be made consistent with established Board of Education Policies and in accordance with state/federal laws and regulations.
   a) Short-Term Placement Procedures - In the majority of cases, a student shall remain in the short-term removal area for at least the duration of the class or activity from which s/he was removed. The building administrator or designee shall inform the student of the reason(s) for removal from class, and shall allow the student an opportunity to present her/his version of the situation. The building administrator or designee shall then, after weighing the interest of the removed student, the other students in the class, and the teacher, determine if re-admission to the class is the best or only alternative. In the event it is not deemed appropriate to return the student in short-term removal, or, where necessary, appropriate and practical, shall take steps to have the student sent home; b) Long-Term Placement Procedures - A student warrants long-term removal from class when her/his actions have been severe and serious and/or there have been repeated violations of the Classroom Code of Conduct. Students who are removed long-term from a class will be placed in an alternative educational setting.
   
   This setting may include, but is not limited to, the following:
   1. Another instructional setting.
   2. Another class or another appropriate place in the school.
   3. An alternative education program approved by the Board of Education.
   
   - State law defines an alternative education program as an instructional program approved by the school board that utilizes successful alternative or adaptive school structures and teaching techniques and that is incorporated into existing, traditional classrooms or regularly scheduled curricular programs, or offered in place of regularly scheduled curricula programs.
   
   - In any long-term placement provided, the student must continue to receive an educational program and services comparable to, though not necessarily identical with, those of the class from which s/he was removed. Such program needs not be in the precise academic subject of the student’s former class.
   
   - Long-term removal is an administrative decision not subject to a formal right of appeal. However, the parents/guardians of the student, and/or the student, shall have the right to meet with the building administrator or designee. When possible, such a meeting shall take place within three (3) school days of the request. At the meeting, the building administrator or designee shall inform the parents/guardians and/or student as fully as possible regarding the basis for the removal, the alternatives considered and the basis for the decision. Nothing in this Code shall prevent the building administrator or designee from implementing a removal to another class, placement or setting, prior to any meeting, over the objection of the parents/guardians or student.
    
3. Parent/Guardian Notification Procedures:
   a) The teacher who initiated the removal of a student from class will attempt to notify parents/guardians within 24-hours of the incident that caused the student to be removed from his/her class. The classroom teacher shall keep written logs or records regarding all attempts to contact the parents/guardians of the removed student and provide these to the building administrator or designee within 24-hours of the student’s removal from class;
   b) The building administrator or designee shall notify the parents/guardians of the student in writing via the building Disciplinary Referral Form, when a teacher has removed a student from class. This notification shall include the reason(s) for the student’s removal from class and the placement decision involving the student. This notice shall be given as soon as possible after the student’s removal from class and after a placement determination has been made;
   c) If the removal from class and change in educational placement involves a student with a disability, parent/guardian notification shall be made consistent with the District CWD (Children with Disabilities) Handbook, and state/federal laws and regulations;
   d) If the student removed from a class is also subject to disciplinary action (e.g., detention, suspension, expulsion) for the particular classroom conduct, the student’s parents/guardians shall also be notified of the disciplinary action in accordance with policy and legal requirements.

The District shall not discriminate in enforcing the Classroom Code of Conduct on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, color, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability or handicap. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established procedures.

Behavior Expectations:

In order for a school to function effectively, everyone must work together. Any disruption to learning is looked upon as behavior that must be changed so that we can get back to our major purpose. Students are expected to use self-discipline by limiting their actions for the good of others. Your behavior should not interfere with the rights and civil liberties of others.

The school administration, along with teachers, is responsible for maintaining the school environment by taking immediate action when a disturbance occurs. We believe that good discipline results from consistent application of the rules to each person. Disobedience and misconduct will be handled through detentions, suspensions, expulsions or other consequences that clearly indicate to students that their behavior is inappropriate and unacceptable.

Detentions can be given by the teacher for classroom disturbances or they can be given by the principal or assistant principal. Detentions can be served with a teacher or with the assistant principal depending on the circumstances and their decision about what will happen. If a student does not serve the time when they promise, then the minutes will double.

Teacher Detentions:

1. Your teacher will inform you of the number of minutes you have been assigned and tell you when you can make up the time and where;
2. Detentions usually are served the day they are given in order to be meaningful to both parties. However, detentions are required to be served by at least the day after they are received; and 
3. Failure to report for detention without permission to be excused will result in a doubling of the time for the following two days.

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Office Detentions

1. A copy of each office referral is sent to the student’s parent/guardian and one is retained in the student’s permanent file; and 
2. A conference with the parent/guardian may be requested if the infraction is serious or there have been a number of other incidents which caused a detention to be given.

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Saturday School

Students may be assigned to serve Saturday School from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Failure to serve will result in a two-day suspension.

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Suspensions

The principal or assistant principal has the authority to suspend a student if her/his behavior seriously endangers the health, safety, property, operation or welfare of the school or a member of the school community. If you are suspended out-of-school, you are not permitted on school grounds and you may not attend any school functions during the suspension. Students who are in co-curricular activities and receive suspensions or detentions should refer to the co-curricular code to determine additional consequences.

The following offenses are subject to suspension/expulsion:
 

1. Willfully defacing or damaging school or personal property.
2. Possession, selling, distribution or use of illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, legal drugs used for illegal purposes, alcohol, tobacco or look alike products or any other substance that causes intoxication or results in mind or mood alterations on school grounds.
3. Fighting.
4. Carrying or using weapons.
5. Use of profanity, vulgarity or obscene gestures.
6. Commission of a serious act of defiance against a teacher or administrator.
7. Refusal or neglect to obey the rules.
8. Unauthorized or unsafe use of a vehicle.
9. Presenting a false note to the attendance office.
10. Threats against property or a person.
11. Stealing.
12. Interference with a school person carrying out his/her duties.
13. Cheating on a test.
14. Harassment.

Police will be notified whenever physical force is used or weapons are on campus. Students will be subject to the regulations set-up by any co-curricular activity in which they are enrolled. Students who violate local, state or federal law shall also be subject to civil and/or criminal prosecution.

Due Process in a Suspension:

• Before a student is suspended s/he must be advised of the reasons for the suspension, given oral and/or written notice of the charges and evidence, and given an opportunity to give his/her side of the story.
• It must be determined that the student is guilty of non-compliance with a school rule and that the suspension is reasonably justified.
• Prompt notice of the suspension and reasons for it will be given to the parent. The police may be requested to come to the building in order to cite a student if the administrator determines that the behavior is serious enough to warrant further consequences than the school can legally administer. If a student is suspended out-of-school, then at no time will the student be permitted to be in school, on school property, or at a school activity unless approved by the principal or assistant principal. Parents may be required to attend a meeting with their child and assistant principal (or principal) before the suspended student will be allowed to re-enter school.
• The student will be given an opportunity to take any quarterly, semester, or grading period exams or make-up any major project, speech, etc., which is missed due to the suspension.
• The student and parent/guardian will be given an opportunity to have a conference with the district administrator or someone he appoints (but not someone from the student’s school) within five school days of the suspension. The purpose of the conference will be for the school official to determine if the suspension was fair, just and appropriate. If it is found that the suspension was unfair, unjust or inappropriate or that the student suffered undue consequences as a result of the suspension, reference to the suspension may be removed from the student’s record. This finding must be made within 15 days after the conference.

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