Student Handbook
October 01, 2008
WACONDA USD #272
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Waconda USD #272 is to provide responsible, competent graduates who are well-adjusted, productive citizens, respecting themselves and others. They will be lifelong learners in a rapidly changing society. Waconda Schools will provide a progressive and caring staff that uses a well-balanced curriculum in a safe and positive environment. Graduates from Waconda USD #272 will be well educated and socially productive citizens.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Kelly Berkley............................................................................. Downs
Glennys Doane.......................................................................... Downs
Russell Groenendyk.................................................................... Downs
Rodney Hake.............................................................................. Tipton
Donald Miller.............................................................................. Downs
Toni Schlaefli...................................................................... Cawker City
Gary Streit.................................................................................. Tipton
DISTRICT PERSONNEL
Jeff Travis............................................................ Superintendent
Betty Brown.......................................... Clerk, Board of Education
Debra Taylor................................................................ Treasurer
ATTENDANCE CENTER INFORMATION
Robert Green.............................. Lakeside Jr. High/Middle School Principal
James Giesbrecht....................................... Lakeside High School Principal
Robert Green................. Lakeside Elementary School at Glen Elder Principal
James Giesbrecht................ Lakeside Elementary School at Downs Principal
To contact Administration:
USD #272 Central Office at Cawker City.................................785-781-4328
Lakeside Jr. High School (Lori Cordel, Secretary).....................785-781-4911
Lakeside Middle School(Kathy Slipke, Secretary)..................... 785-781-4922
Lakeside High School(Connie Hardy, Secretary)...................... 785-454-3332
Lakeside Grade School@ Downs (Tonya Bisnette, Secretary)... 785-454-3344
Lakeside Grade School@ Glen Elder (Stacy DeBey, Secretary).. 785-545-3522
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE
TRUANCY
The building principal shall report students who are inexcusably absent from school to the appropriate authority. Truancy is defined as any three consecutive unexcused absences, any five unexcused absences in a semester or seven unexcused absences in a school year, whichever comes first. School year means the period from July 1 to June 30. Students who are absent, without excuse, for a significant part of any school day shall be considered truant. Prior to reporting to either S.R.S. (if the student is under 13) or the county or district attorney (if the student is 13 or more years of age but less than 18 years of age), a letter shall be sent to the student’s parent (s) or guardian notifying them that the student's failure to attend school without a valid excuse shall result in the student being reported truant.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Truancy can generally be defined as missing any class or school day without the prior knowledge of the student’s parents. Truancy for a school day or significant part of the day, (significant part of a day is defined as a part of one or more periods), leaving school when school is in session without permission, absences from a regularly assigned class without permission will result in the following:
1. Parents will be notified and the student will be subject to disciplinary action which may include suspension.
2. Time missed will be doubled. The student must then make up all time recorded as unexcused.
3. A student will not be given credit for daily work or quizzes missed because of the unexcused absence. Students suspended because of an unexcused absence will not be given credit for daily work or quizzes missed because of the suspension. However, arrangements will usually be made and credit given for major project deadlines or tests missed because of a suspension for unexcused absence (e.g., term paper, nine weeks test, semester exam).
EXCUSED ABSENCES
The school board, administration, and teachers of Waconda USD #272 feel that school attendance is very important. It is our desire that parents use good judgment when excusing their children from school. Excused absences would include family matters, illness, professional, appointments and approved activities.
Teachers will provide assistance and available make-up work to students with excused absences. Excused absences become excessive after nine (9) classes are missed per semester. Three days are allotted for a school sponsored senior trip. Other days may be scheduled for school sponsored activities. Unsponsored class events will be treated as unexcused absences regardless of parental notification or consent.
Tests given during an absence that is not school related may be made up before or after school at the discretion of the teacher and principal.
ABSENCE LETTERS
A student is required to be in class a minimum of 90 percent of the time or to have no more than nine absences in any class during a semester. Exceptions may be made by building administrators only for school missed as a result of school activities, hospitalization, by order of a physician, or a confirmed communicable disease. Upon reaching the following limits during a semester, parents will be notified as follows:
• upon the 5th and 6th absences--advisory letters will be sent.
• upon the 7th absence--a notification letter will be sent.
• upon the 8th absence--a warning letter will be sent requesting the parent to contact the school.
• upon the 9th absence--a warning letter will be sent requesting a parental conference.
• upon the 10th absence--a final warning letter will be sent notifying the parent of the consequences.
CONSEQUENCES
When a student reaches a 10th absence, he or she will then make up the time missed for that absence and any subsequent absences. The time will be made up before or after school, or on Saturdays (depending on the amount of time that needs to be made up). The time and day for this make up time will be at the principal’s discretion.
TARDIES
1. Students tardy to school shall report to the principal’s office for an admit slip.
2. Tardies of this category shall be treated as absences, i.e., the parent or guardian is expected to notify the principal’s office by phone or in person the day of the tardy.
3. If the principal’s office is not notified the day of the tardy, the reason for tardiness is deemed unacceptable by the principal. The tardiness will be recorded as unexcused.
4. Three unexcused tardies shall constitute one unexcused absence. This will be recorded as unexcused.
Tardy to Class (other than tardy to school)
Each teacher shall record student tardiness to class and shall determine the unacceptability of the reason for being tardy.
SCHOOL DAY
The school will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. during school days. The first class will begin at 8:15 a.m. Students may not leave school or the school grounds between or during classes without permission from the principal’s office.
Any student or group of students that need to be in the building before 8:00 a.m.or after 4:00 p.m must be supervised by a responsible adult, preferably a member of the faculty.
LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAY
For the welfare and protection of your child, your cooperation in the following procedure will be sincerely appreciated. If a child must leave for doctor or dental appointments, or some other legitimate reason, please notify the school office and the classroom teacher in advance either verbally or with a written excuse. Through this process, the teacher, secretary and parent all know of the child’s absence.
Any time a child is absent other than under the above circumstances, the parent needs to notify the school either verbally or with a written excuse as soon as possible after the absence to verify the student’s absence from school. By doing this the school can rest assured the parents know the child was absent from school.
We ask your cooperation in seeing that your child attends every day he/she is physically able. If you must take the child on a trip, getting assignments ahead will sometimes help. A child who has missed school because of going somewhere not directly related to family health or bereavement, may be expected to use the trip as a basis for supplementary work.
If your child becomes ill at school and cannot remain in class, the school personnel will notify you to come for your child. Please keep addresses and telephone numbers up-to-date.
PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW WHEN CHECKING OUT OF SCHOOL
OR REPORTING BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER AN ABSENCE
1. Any student that is absent for any part of a school day must report to the office before returning to regular class.
2. Any student leaving school before regular dismissal time must check out through the office.
3. Students becoming ill while attending school may not leave the building to go home without first obtaining permission from a parent, guardian, or adult through the principal’s office.
PROCEDURE FOR STUDENTS RETURNING TO SCHOOL FOLLOWING AN ILLNES
When your child has been ill, the following procedure will be followed in our district: KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FOR 24 HOURS AFTER A FEVER BREAKS AND/OR 24 HOURS AFTER THE LAST EPISODE OF VOMITING. The body can use the extra rest, and this will give enough time to make sure the symptoms do not reoccur.
PARENTS REQUESTED TO CALL
Parents are asked to call the office as soon as possible any time a student misses school for any occasion other than a scheduled school activity. Students are to bring a written excuse with them when they return to school and to pick up an admit slip before returning to classes.
When a student is absent from school, an attempt shall be made to contact the parent or guardian to determine the reason for the absence. The principal has been designated to determine the acceptability and validity of excuses presented by the parent(s) or the student.
EMERGENCYSCHOOLCLOSING
Inclement weather and utility failures are causes for emergency closing of schools.
A. Closing of school while in session:
1. If schools are closed while children are at school, the superintendent will notify the principals and head bus drivers and inform them of the decision to close the school.
2. The announcement will be given to KVSV (FM-105.5, AM-1190 Beloit), KSAL (1150 Salina), KQMA (FM-92.5 Phillipsburg), and KDNS (FM 94.1-Glen Elder). The announcements will be made as soon as the decision is made to dismiss.
3. Principals will establish procedures for informing parents in individual buildings.
B. Closing prior to the start of a session:
The superintendent shall determine when school is to be canceled and shall notify the following:
• Principals
• Head bus drivers - who shall contact other drivers
• Stations KVSV (AM-1190, FM-105.5-Beloit), KSAL (1150-Salina), KQMA (FM-92.5, Phillipsburg), and KDNS (FM 94.1-Glen Elder).
The decision to cancel school prior to the opening of the session will be made as early as possible.
SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION
Bus transportation is for your convenience. Please read carefully the information listed below. A student is considered to be a passenger any time he/she is on the bus on a school-related activity.
1. The driver is in complete charge of the bus and passengers.
2. Pupils must be on time. The bus will not wait for those who are not ready.
3. Pupils do not stand in the roadway while waiting for the bus.
4. Pupils do not distract the driver with unnecessary conversation or misbehavior. Your life is in the driver’s hands.
5. Trash is not to be thrown on the floor or left in the seats.
6. Pupils are not to extend arms, heads, or any body parts out the bus windows. The driver is to stop the bus until the situation is corrected.
7. The bus must be stopped before getting on or off. Students crossing the road must do so in FRONT of the bus.
8. Any damage to bus interior is to be reported at once to the driver.
9. Any misbehavior by students or bus damage is to be reported by the driver to the Principal as soon as reasonably possible.
10. Only students and authorized personnel may ride the buses. Routes will not be altered to accommodate sporadic riders.
The principal can suspend a pupil’s bus-riding privilege for destructive or disruptive behavior. The parents are then responsible for transporting that pupil to school.
Students who ride a route or shuttle bus will not be allowed to have food or drink (including gum, candy, and snacks) on the bus. The following actions will be taken if this rule is not followed.
FIRST OFFENSE: A written incident report will be given to the child and parent of a problem on the bus.
SECOND OFFENSE: Transportation to and from school for that child will have to be provided by the parents for a period of two (2) weeks.
THIRD OFFENSE: The child will not be allowed to ride the bus for the remainder of the year.
ACTIVITY BUSES
All students riding the school bus to an activity are expected to return on the same bus. The principal, or activity sponsor in the absence of the principal, may make other arrangements in emergency situations.
Students will be released to their parents if the parent personally requests that the sponsor release the student. Any other variance from this procedure must be approved in advance by the principal after a request has been submitted in writing. Requests in writing to release a student to other parents or relatives will ordinarily be honored. Requests to release a student to other students, boyfriends or girlfriends will ordinarily be denied. Violation of this rule will result in non-participation in outside activities for the remainder of the school year.
FIREDRILLS
K.S.A.31-133 (5) The state fire marshal requires public and private schools to conduct at least one fire drill each month at some time during school hours.
1. The alarm will be sounded continuously for a period as long as it takes the students to clear the building.
2. Teachers are to post directions for the fire exits in a conspicuous place in their classrooms.
3. Teachers are to organize their students so order is maintained throughout the drill. Students should stay in line with no pushing or running.
4. Teachers should follow their groups out of the classroom to make sure their room is vacated, and windows closed.
5. Students should go at least 50 feet from the building.
6. After leaving the building, each class must keep together so the teacher can check roll. This check is required by law, and any students unaccounted for must be reported to the principal immediately. Teachers should carry their grade books for this purpose.
7. Students will return to their classroom in an orderly manner after an all-clear signal has been given.
TORNADO DRILLS
K.S.A. 1975 Supp.(7) The state fire marshal requires public and private schools to establish tornado procedures and to conduct at least periodic tornado drills at some time during the school hours.
1. The alarm will be sounded from the office by one continuous ring of the bell.
2. During tornado drills, everyone should stay in the building, not vacate it. During the drill, windows and doors should be left open, not closed as in a fire drill. Children and classes should sit down facing the wall with their knees drawn up to their faces so that they can hide their faces on their knees.
The biggest danger from a tornado is flying glass and debris. It is important that air pressure outside the building equalize the air pressure within the building. Open at least one window in each classroom and leave the classroom door open.
COMPUTER POLICY
Computer systems are for educational and professional use only. All information created by students shall be considered district property and shall be subject to unannounced monitoring by district administrators. The district retains the right to discipline any student, up to and including expulsion.
PRIVACY RIGHTS
Students shall have no expectation of privacy when using district e-mail or computer systems. E-mail messages shall be used only for approved educational purposes. Students must use appropriate language in all messages. Students are expected to use the system following guidelines approved by teachers or the administration. Any e-mail or computer application or information in district computers or computer systems is subject to monitoring by the staff and/or administration. The school retains the right to duplicate any information created by students in a computer system or on any individual computer. Students who violate these rules, or any other classroom rules relating to computer use are subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension from school.
INTERNET ANDWEBPAGEAGREEMENT
Internet Acceptable Use Agreement
We are pleased to announce that an Internet connection is available to all students and staff at Waconda USD #272 who qualify. Our goal in providing this service is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication.
Please read this document carefully. When signed by you and, if appropriate, your parent /guardian, it becomes a legally binding contract. We must have your signature where indicated, and that of your parent/guardian, before we can provide you with Internet access.
Listed below are the provisions of this contract. If any user violates these provisions, access to the information service may be denied, and he or she may be subject to disciplinary action.
TERMS ANDCONDITIONS OF THIS CONTRACT
1. Personal Responsibility
As a representative of Waconda USD #272, I will accept personal responsibility for reporting any misuse of the Internet to any Waconda USD #272 faculty member. Misuse can come in many forms, but it is commonly viewed as any messages sent or received that indicate or suggest pornography and obscenity, unethical or illegal solicitation or activities, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, and other issues described below.
2. Acceptable Use
The use of the Internet must be in support of education and research and within the educational goals and objectives of Waconda USD #272. I am personally responsible for this provision at all times when using the electronic information service.
a. Use of other organizations’ networks or computing resources must comply with rules appropriate to that network.
b. Transmission of any material in violation of any United States law is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret.
c. Commercial activities by for-profit institutions are generally not acceptable.
d. Use of product advertisement or political lobbing is prohibited.
3. Privileges
The use of the information system is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. Each person who receives access to the Internet will participate in a discussion with a Waconda USD #272 faculty member as to proper behavior and use of the Internet. The faculty members and administrators will decide what is appropriate use and the decision of this group will be final. The administration, staff or faculty of Waconda USD #272 may request that access be revoked or suspended at any time.
4. Internet Etiquette
You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of Internet etiquette. These rules include, but are not limited to the following:
a. BE POLITE. Never send, or encourage others to send, abusive messages.
b. USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE. Remember that you are a representative of Waconda USD #272 and are on a non-private system. You may be alone with your computer, but what you say and do can be viewed globally! Never use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language. Illegal activities of any kind are strictly forbidden.
c. PRIVACY. Do not reveal your home address or personal phone numbers of students.
d. ELECTRONIC MAIL. Electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. Everyone on the system has access to mail. Messages relating to, or in support of illegal activities must be reported to the authorities. Waconda USD #272 administrative staff may view any e-mail message that is suspected to be, or reported to be illegal. Waconda USD #272 will provide to local, state, and government law officials any requested information.
e. Downloading of inappropriate files to the local area network and playing of online games is prohibited.
5. School Web Page
Each school in the Waconda USD # 272 district has its own web page. By signing this agreement I hear by give my permission for the school to put the name, photograph, and work of the student or staff member on the schools web page and Internet.
6. Services
Waconda USD #272 makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the Internet service it is providing. Waconda USD #272 will not be responsible for any damages you suffer while in the system. These damages include loss of data as a result of delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries or service interruptions caused by the system or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the information system is at your own risk. Waconda USD #272 specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy of information obtained through the Internet.
7. Vandalism
Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user or any other agencies that are connected to the system. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses. Any vandalism will result in the loss of Internet service, disciplinary action and legal referral.
K-8 DISCIPLINE POLICY
In order to ensure a safe and constructive learning environment in our schools we have developed these standards. Our goal is to promote responsible, confident, and well-rounded students and to have a school we can be proud. Our standards are:
• Respect for school rules.
• Appropriate conduct in halls, lunchroom, rest rooms, locker rooms, classrooms, playground, and on school buses.
• Completing assignments on time.
• Students will dress in accordance with the Dress Code.
• Students will speak respectfully and appropriately to all person in the school. Obscene or profane language will not be tolerated.
• Students will display honesty and integrity in the school and classroom. Cheating, lying and stealing will bear a penalty.
• Students will remain on campus throughout the entire school day.
The Only exceptions to this will be:
• The student has a permit in the office to eat at her/his home.
• The parent has notified the office that the student must leave for an appointment.
• The student is ill and the parent has been contacted by the office.
• Students who must leave (or return) during the school day will check in or out at the office.
• Students who must leave the classroom during class will carry a pass from that teacher.
• Students will follow all rules established by the classroom teacher.
• Food, pop and gum are not allowed in school.
• Students will behave as young men and women who know how to act in an educational setting. Horseplay, teasing, and harassment will not be allowed.
LEVELS OF CONSEQUENCE
Office referrals will be dealt with in accordance to the severity of the offence and at the discretion of the principal. Students will progress through levels of consequence.
Level 1:
• In School Suspension
• After School Detention (1 hour)
Level 2: Out of School Suspension
Level 3: Expulsion
The progression through these levels will begin the first day of the school year
and will run the duration of the school year. Legal infractions will result in suspension
or expulsion as directed by district policy and state or federal mandate.
HIGH SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICY
In order to ensure a safe and constructive learning environment in our schools we have developed these standards. Our goal is to promote responsible, confident, and well-rounded students and to have a school we can be proud. Our standards are:
1. Appropriate dress in a school and classroom setting.
2. Language free of profanity and disrespect.
3. Honesty in the school and classroom setting.
4. Respect for school rules.
5. Appropriate conduct in halls, lunchroom, rest rooms, locker rooms, classrooms, playground, and on school buses.
6. Completing assignments on time.
Behaviors of concern include:
1. Dress - T-Shirt advertising alcohol or tobacco, having suggestive pictures or words (Co-Ed Naked), skimpy clothing or other distasteful attire disruptive to a learning environment.
2. Language that hurts other students, is disrespectful to teachers, or is profane.
3. Honesty-Lying, cheating or stealing.
4. School Rules - (A.)No running in hallways, stairs, etc. (B.) No horseplay in bathrooms. (C.) No gum, candy, pop, sunflower seeds, etc. at school. (D.) Poor behavior on buses.
5. Conduct - No horseplay or teasing other students.
6. Assignments - School work done and turned in when expected.
ACTS OF BEHAVIOR CONSIDERED UNACCEPTABLE
Acts of behavior which interfere with the maintenance of good learning environment or which are antagonistic to the welfare of other pupils will not be considered acceptable. In addition to violations referred to in K.S.A. 72-8901, the specific act of behavior applicable to students or pupils in respect to school activities or on school property, which are deemed to be grounds for suspension or expulsion are:
1. Breaking of school rules repeatedly
2. Extortion
3. Failure to comply with reasonable request (willful disobedience)
4. Fighting
5. Intimidation
6. Obscenity
7. Open defiance
8. Possession, consumption, sale or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages
9. Possession, use, consumption or sale of narcotics or drugs
10. Profanity
11. Smoking
12. Stealing
13. Tardies, excessive (after 5 tardies per semester)
14. Temper tantrums
15. Threats (by word or deed)
16. Excessive unauthorized absences
17. Unruly conduct that disrupts school
18. Vandalism
WEAPONS
A student shall not knowingly possess, handle or transmit any object that can reasonably be considered a weapon at school, on school property or at a school-sponsored event. This shall include any weapon, any item being used as a weapon or destructive device, or any facsimile of a weapon.
DEFINITION OF WEAPONS AND DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES
As used in this policy, the term “weapon” and/or destructive device shall include, but shall not be limited to:
• Any item being used as a weapon or destructive device;
• Any facsimile of a weapon;
• Any weapon which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive;
• The frame or receiver of any weapon described in the preceding example;
• Any firearm muffler or firearm silencer;
• Any explosive, incendiary or poison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than ¼ ounce, mine or similar device;
• Any weapon which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and which has any barrel with a bore of more than ½ inch in diameter; any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into an destructive device described in the two immediately preceding examples, and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled;
• Any bludgeon, sand club, metal knuckles or throwing star;
• Any type of knife.
• Any electronic device designed to discharge immobilizing levels of electricity, commonly known as a stun gun.
PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION
Possession of a firearm or other weapon shall result in expulsion from school for a period of one calendar year, except the superintendent may recommend this expulsion requirement be modified on a case-by-case basis. Possession of a facsimile of a weapon may result in suspension or expulsion.
Expulsion hearings for possession of a weapon shall be conducted by the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee.
Students violating this policy shall be reported as having a felony or misdemeanor and also referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency(ies) and if a juvenile to SRS or the Commissioner of Juvenile Justice.
REPORTING CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A STUDENT
It is a crime for any person to posses a firearm at school or on school property. A student who possesses a firearm shall be reported to law enforcement for criminal prosecution.
SUSPENSION ANDEXPULSION
Administrators are authorized by the Board of Education to suspend students for violations of rules contained within this handbook or in board policy. A suspension may be for a short term not exceeding ten school days, or for an extended term not exceeding 186 school days. If a