Washington Student Agenda

WELCOME TO STUDENTS

The faculty and administrators welcome you to the 2001-2002 school year at Washington Middle School. Our goal is to provide a positive transition from elementary school into a safe, caring, positive environment where you feel a sense of belonging with teachers who care. Goal setting and active participation in all areas of your education at Washington Middle School will enhance your success. We ask you to respect yourselves, others, teachers, and your school. If mistakes are made, it is our goal to help you change your behavior in such a way that you will experience success.

GUIDANCE

Guidance services are available for every student in the school. These services include assistance with academic concerns, study helps, help with home, school and/or social concerns, or any questions the student may feel he/she would like to discuss with the counselor. Students wishing to visit with a counselor should contact a teacher or the guidance office.

PEER MEDIATORS

These students are trained volunteers who assist their classmates in resolving conflicts between students. Peer mediators go through an extensive program that teaches them the specific skills needed to mediate student disputes that arise as a normal part of life in a middle school. Students experiencing difficulties with a peer are encouraged to ask for a mediation session, which is then scheduled through the counseling office.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

In addition to regularly scheduled conferences, parents may make an appointment with a teacher or counselor by calling 829-6720.

PROGRESS REPORTS

Student progress reports, other than report cards, may be sent between marking periods to parents of students who need some type of special attention. Monthly progress reports can be requested. If a parent has a question on these reports, please contact the Guidance Office.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards will be mailed home four times during the school year. Final grades will be sent approximately one week after the end of the term.

VISITORS

Parents are welcome visitors. All visitors must wear a name tag obtained in the main office. Because we need to keep disruptions at a minimum, all other visitations are to be discouraged. All student visitors must clear their visits with the principal or assistant principal. Those arrangements must be made at least one week prior to the visit.

LOST AND FOUND

All lost and found items should be taken to the main office. Items will be kept there until the end of the year before discarding. Students are cautioned not to leave money or other valuables in lockers.

LOCKERS

Each student is assigned a locker for storage of books and belongings. Students are to remain in the lockers assigned to them and are not to share lockers with others. Do Not Share Your Combination With Anyone! It is the student's responsibility to see that his/her locker is kept clean, both inside and out.

Since lockers are the property of the school district, inspection of the interior of them may be conducted by school authorities any time there is reasonable suspicion.

TELEPHONE

Washington Middle School students may use the phone when important and with permission from their teacher. There is a phone for student use before and after school in the Main Office. Phones in the team areas may be used with teacher permission except for illness. These calls must be made from the Attendance Office.

BEFORE-AFTER SCHOOL

Once a student arrives at Washington Middle School he/she must remain at school. This means no trips to the Triangle Store. All students are expected to leave school after their last class of the day, unless they are participating in a supervised activity or have received permission from a teacher to work in a classroom.

CAFETERIA

Students may deposit money in their lunch account by putting a check or cash in a box in the cafeteria. The envelope must have the student's name and pin number on it for proper identification and credit. The cafeteria staff and your fellow students will appreciate your cooperation in:

• Depositing all lunch litter in wastebaskets
• Returning all trays and utensils to the dishwashing area
• Leaving your table and area around your table clean for others
• Acting appropriately and respecting those around you

  ***NO FOOD OR BEVERAGE MAY LEAVE THE CAFETERIA WITHOUT PERMISSION***

Students with exemplary behavior will be rewarded with snack line privileges for their designated lunch times.

Failure to follow rules will result in consequences based upon the Washington Middle School discipline policy.

DRESS

The appearance of any young person is primarily the responsibility of that individual and his/her parents. We expect students to maintain the type of appearance that is not distracting to teachers or other students and that is not detrimental to the educational process. Back packs/coats are not allowed in class without teacher consent. Clothing that is sexually explicit, advertises drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or any other illegal substance, is not appropriate for school. Shirts or blouses that expose the midriff area are not allowed. When a student's appearance is felt to be detrimental or distracting, he/she will be asked to change what is distracting or he/she will not be allowed to attend class. Chains, jewelry, or any other pieces of clothing that could be a danger to others are not allowed. PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU BUY.

Hair coloring is not encouraged. A parental note must be brought to the office to okay hair coloring. Hats and other head coverings are not to be worn in the building. If a student wears a hat to school, it is to be taken off before entering the building and stored in the student's locker until the end of the school day.

TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Students will be suspended in school for possession and/or usage of a tobacco product before, during, or after school. This includes the school zone, which is a one block radius around Washington Middle School. In addition, students who possess and/or use a tobacco product will be issued a citation by a police officer, which requires a court appearance by the offender and a parent/guardian.

DISTRACTING ITEMS

Students should not bring items to school that could distract from the educational process or are targets for theft. This includes hackey sacks, headsets, radios, CDs, skateboards, roller blades, pagers, cell phones, laser pointers, Pokemon cards and other collectable items, etc. Beverages are not to be consumed in the school hallways, and opened containers will be confiscated. Chewing gum at Washington Middle School is not allowed.

DISTRICT 181 ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG POLICY

Standards of Conduct

The Brainerd Area Schools clearly prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs by students on school premises or as part of any sanctioned school district activities.

Sanctions

Students will have imposed upon them for violations of this section sanctions up to and including expulsion from school. In addition, students who violate these standards of conduct will be referred for prosecution consistent with local, state and federal laws.

School district personnel will keep parents informed concerning problems which may arise in this regard and will cooperate with law enforcement officials in connection with alleged violations of local, state and federal statutes.

HEALTH SERVICES/LEAVING THE BUILDING

The health room is located in the attendance office. Students must get a pass from their teacher when they need to report to the health room during a class. The health room has cots that are available for short periods of time. If students are not able to return to class, their parents will be notified and they will be taken home. Never leave school without reporting to the Attendance Office first.

HOMEWORK/MAKE-UP WORK

Students are expected to do a certain amount of homework. When you are absent from school, you will be expected to complete any tests or assignments that were due while you were absent. You will have a time equal to the time you were absent to make up your work. The "STUDY BUDDY" program has been set up to help students obtain missed assignments, but it is the student's responsibility to complete and turn them in.

ISD #181 GUIDELINES FOR USE OF THE INTERNET

ISD #181 respects the privacy of users' e-mail. However, be aware that routine maintenance and monitoring may lead to the discovery of misuse or abuse. Also, network folders may be treated like school lockers; the school or district retains the right to review and edit any files and communications if there is reasonable suspicion that a user has violated district guidelines or the law.

Consequences

Students who do not comply with the District #181 Guidelines may lose network privileges. Other disciplinary action may be necessary depending on the severity of the infraction. Technology abuse will be dealt with the same as vandalism.

HAZING/HARRASSING/INITIATION POLICY

All hazing/harrassing/initiation for clubs, groups, teams, classes, or individuals at Washington Middle School are prohibited. Any individual participating in this type of activity will be dealt with under the procedure and process for harassment. Consequences could be as severe as suspension or expulsion from Washington Middle School.

SCHOOL CLOSING

School closing due to inclement weather will be announced on local radio stations. Snow Hotline # - 829-2900, then press code #6000.

FIELD TRIP ATTENDANCE

If the team classroom teacher feels a student would put himself/herself or others at risk he/she will not be included on the field trip. In addition, the teacher needs to feel the student is trustworthy enough to manage the free time a trip allows. Individual teams may feel other circumstances may warrant non-attendance, as well. Parents will be notified if any of these concerns apply to their child.

ATTENDANCE

1. Illness
2. Family emergency or death in the family. Babysitting is not considered an excused absence.
3. Doctor or dental appointments. We urge you to make these appointments after school or during homeroom time.
4. Family trips or vacations (prior approval is required from the Attendance Office)
5. School sponsored activities

Our goal at Washington Middle School is to have no unnecessary absences. To help you as parents/guardians prevent continued absences, our goal is to send a (5) five-day and a (10) ten-day excused/unexcused letter home to inform you of your child's attendance. This will help in avoidiing possible legal action called educational neglect when absences reach (15) fifteen days or more. Our goal with truancy is to make a call home after (3) three days missed. After (5) days missed because of truancy, a letter will be sent home. This should help avoid the (7) seven-day mark where Minnesota statue requires us to send this information to the county attorney's office for prosecution. Research shows that there is a direct correlation between good attendance and success in school. We, at Washington Middle School, will do all we can to help you in this endeavor.

Truancy/unexcused absences: Educational Neglect/excused absences combined:

3-day: phone call home 5-day: letter sent home

5-day: letter of concern home 10-day: letter of concern home

7-day: notification to county 15-day: letter, contact home, possible legal action

attorney's office

PROCEDURES WHEN ABSENT

1. A parent or guardian should call the attendance office (828-6727) on the day of the absence.
2. If it is not possible to call, a written excuse from a parent or guardian giving the name, date of absence, and reason for the absence should be brought to the attendance office on the morning that the student returns to school. ALL ABSENCES THAT ARE NOT EXCUSED WITH A PHONE CALL OR NOTE UPON ARRIVAL BACK TO SCHOOL WILL BE CONSIDERED UNEXCUSED.
3. When a student returns to school after an absence, he/she must obtain an admission slip from the attendance office. This slip is then to be taken to each teacher so that the missed work can be obtained, and the student can make arrangements to complete it.

OUT-OF-SCHOOL PASSES

Out-of-school passes are necessary whenever a student leaves the building during the school day. Students will be considered truant if they leave without permission. A note or phone call from home stating the reason and the time the student will be out is necessary. Students cannot leave school with anyone other than a parent or legal guardian. Students who have left the building with an out-of-school pass are to check into the attendance office when they return.

WEAPONS AND ASSAULT DISCIPLINE POLICY

Weapons

• An initial suspension for five (5) - ten (10) days.
• Confiscation of the weapon.
• Contacting the police department.
• A recommendation to the superintendent that the student be expelled.

"Possession" refers to having a weapon on one's person or in an area subject to one's control on school property or at a school activity.

"Weapon" means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, any device or instrument designed as a weapon or through its use capable of threatening or producing great bodily harm or death, or any device or instrument that is used to threaten or cause bodily harm or death. Some examples of weapons are: guns (including pellet guns, look-alike guns and non-functioning guns that could be used to threaten others), knives, clubs, metal knuckles (used in a threatening manner), numchucks, throwing stars, explosives, stunguns, or ammunition. A student who finds a weapon on the way to school or in the school building and takes the weapon immediately to the principal's office shall not be considered in possession of the weapon.

ASSAULT

• A threat of bodily harm or death to another person, without material physical contact, will result in a parent/guardian conference and an initial suspension of five (5) - ten (10) days for students in grades 6-12.
• A student who threatens bodily harm or death to another without material physical contact while in possession of a weapon shall be dealt with under the preceding section of this policy with "weapons".
• Students in grades 6-12 who engage in fighting with another person will be suspended from the classroom or from the building for five (5) - ten (10) days. Students in grades K-5 will be suspended from the classroom or from the building for a period not to exceed three (3) days. Fighting shall be characterized by a violent aggressive behavior by two or more individuals with the intent of inflicting physical harm upon one another and differentiated from "poking, pushing, shoving, or scuffling."
• Direct attack with a weapon: Students in grades K-5 will receive one (1) to five (5) days suspension. Students in grades 6-12 will be initially suspended for five (5) - ten (10) days and will be recommended to the superintendent for expulsion.

Incidents of assault, battery, or fighting will be reported to police liaison officer for documentation and follow-up.

DISTRICT 181 POLICY AGAINST RELIGIOUS, RACIAL AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE

• Everyone in District 181 has a right to feel respected and safe. Consequently, we want you to know about our policy to prevent religious, racial or sexual harassment and violence of any kind.
• A harasser may be a student or an adult. Harassment may include the following when related to religion, race, sex or gender:
  • name calling, jokes or rumors;
  • pulling on clothing:
  • graffiti;
  • notes or cartoons;
  • unwelcome touching of a person or clothing;
  • offensive or graphic poster or books covers; or
  • any words or actions that make you feel uncomfortable or embarrass you, hurt your feelings or make you feel bad.
• If any words or actions make you feel uncomfortable or fearful, you need to tell a teacher, counselor, the principal or the Human Rights Office, Gary Phillips.
• You may also make a written report. It should be given to a teacher, counselor, the principal or the Human Rights Officer.
• Your right to privacy will be respected as much as possible.
• We take seriously all reports of religious, racial, or sexual harassment or violence and will take all appropriate actions based on your report.
• The school district will also take action if anyone tries to intimidate you or take action to harm you because you have reported.
• This is a summary of the school district policy against religious, racial and sexual harassment and violence. Complete policies are available in the principal's office upon request.

RELIGIOUS, RACIAL AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE ARE AGAINST THE LAW.

DISCRIMINATION IS AGAINST THE LAW.

Contact:

• Gary Phillips - Human Rights Officer
• Donna Bjorklund - Principal - Phone: 828-6725
• Randy Hansen - Assistant Principal - Phone: 828-6728

ADMINISTERING MEDICATION IN SCHOOL

Brainerd School District #181's medication policy provides that "the administration of medication to pupils shall be done only in exceptional circumstances where the child's health may be jeopardized without it". Because of the overwhelming number of medications that staff are being asked to administer at school, we are asking for your assistance in this matter.

In most instances, medications prescribed three to four times a day can be administered at home by adjusting the time of dosage. However, if your physician feels that your student's medication needs to be administered at school, the following is required: