Student Handbook

The School District of South Milwaukee prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination against students and other persons in all aspects of the District’s programs and operations. Accordingly, consistent with section 118.13 of the state statutes, no person shall unlawfully be discriminated against in any curricular, extracurricular, pupil service, recreational, or other program or activity because of the person's sex, sexual orientation, race, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, any physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other legally-protected status or classification.
The District likewise requires and enforces nondiscrimination in a manner consistent with the rights and obligations established under all applicable federal civil rights laws, including the current provisions of Titles IV and VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, color, religion, sex, or national origin), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (disability), the Americans with Disabilities Act (including Title II of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in state and local government services), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (age), and the civil rights provisions associated with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act  and the District’s participation in federal meal programs”.
The District’s commitment to nondiscrimination and to responding appropriately to any report, allegation, or confirmed incident of unlawful discrimination against any student is further addressed in the School Board’s policies, including but not limited to Board Policy 300 and Board Policy 411. These Board policies can be accessed online at https://www.sdsm.k12.wi.us/. As further required by the Board’s policies and applicable law:

• The District provides legally-required accommodations and appropriate educational services or programs for students who have a qualifying disability, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. The District also provides for the reasonable accommodation of a student's sincerely held religious beliefs with regard to examinations and other academic requirements.
• As mandated by the current provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and under the regulations set forth in Part 106 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the District does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits all forms of unlawful sex discrimination in any education program or activity that the District operates. Title IX’s requirement not to discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity includes, but is not limited to, discrimination affecting students. A more comprehensive notice covering the application of Title IX to the District is available on the District’s website at https://www.sdsm.k12.wi.us/. The District’s Title IX notice identifies each of the District’s designated Title IX Coordinators and includes additional information on how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment under Title IX, and the manner in which the District will respond to such reports or complaints. Inquiries regarding how Title IX and the federal Title IX regulations apply to the District may be referred to a District Title IX Coordinator (as designated below), to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education, or to both.
• The District shall provide children of homeless individuals and unaccompanied homeless youth, as identified under federal law, with equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including the provision of comparable services, as the District provides to other children and youth who reside in or otherwise attend school in the District. The Director of Pupil Services, who can be contacted at 414-766-5041, is the District’s designated liaison for homeless children and youth.  
• All District career and technical education opportunities are offered to students on a nondiscriminatory basis. Additional information regarding such program offerings and the applicable admission/participation criteria can be obtained on the District’s website or by contacting any school’s guidance office.

Nondiscrimination Coordinator(s) – The following employee serves as the District’s primary nondiscrimination coordinator for student matters.

Jennifer Sielaff                            
Director of Personnel, Administrative & Legal Services        
901 15th Ave.                           
South Milwaukee, WI 53172                    
jsielaff@sdsm.k12.wi.us                             
(414) 766-5011                            

Carrie Stollenwerk
Director of Pupil Services
901 15th Ave.                           
South Milwaukee, WI 53172 
cstollenwerk@sdsm.k12.wi.us
(414) 766-5051

The student nondiscrimination coordinators identified above also serve as District-designated Title IX Coordinators and as District-designated ADA/Section 504 Coordinators.
 
How to Report or Make a Complaint of Student Discrimination – Any person (including a person who is not claiming to have been personally harmed/victimized by the alleged conduct or by a challenged policy) may report information about or, if eligible, a person may submit a complaint alleging any type of student discrimination that is prohibited pursuant to state or federal law (including any allegation of prohibited retaliation) to the District’s student nondiscrimination coordinator, as identified with their contact information, above.  
Formal complaints alleging Title IX sexual harassment must be submitted in writing as further detailed in Board Policy 300 and will be processed using the District’s designated Title IX grievance process for such complaints. Unless applicable laws require the use of other processes (e.g., for certain special education matters), any other reports or complaints of prohibited student discrimination (including prohibited retaliation) will normally be processed under the complaint procedures that the District has established under Board Policy 411. For a complete copy of such complaint procedures, refer to Board Policy 411 on the District’s website at sdsm.k12.wi.us.  
Questions concerning this notice, the District’s nondiscrimination policies, the application of student nondiscrimination laws to the District, or the District’s complaint procedures may be directed to either of the nondiscrimination coordinators identified in this notice.
By following all required procedures and timelines of the applicable non-District entity, complaints of unlawful student discrimination may also be filed externally with an appropriate state or federal court or state or federal agency. Such courts and agencies independently determine the extent to which any given complaint falls within their scope of authority.

“Character education is teaching how to know, believe, and do your best for self and others.”  Students at the middle school will be expected to conduct themselves using good character as described below.

Respect – Treating self and others with dignity and acceptance.

• Know-Know that I need to be considerate of myself and others.
• Believe-Understand and appreciate the diverse beliefs and values of others.
• Do-Treat self and others with dignity and acceptance.

Responsibility – Being accountable for choices, words, and actions.

• Know-Know you are accountable for the choices you have made.
• Believe-Believe you have the ability to make the right choices and do the right thing.
• Do-Do what you need to do without being prompted or asked. If you do not know what to do, then ask.

Honesty – Being trustworthy, sincere, and truthful while acting with integrity.

• Know-Telling the truth, knowing when to tell an adult, knowing why to be honest.
• Believe-You are honest because you believe it’s important to tell the truth.
• Do-Telling the truth even when it’s hard, acting with integrity.

Perseverance – Pursuing a positive goal and not giving up in spite of challenges.

• Know-I know I have goals to achieve and I may have to use various strategies to accomplish those goals. 
• Believe-When there are obstacles, I won’t give up and will maintain a positive attitude.
• Do-I will believe in myself and my abilities. I will use problem-solving strategies in my academic and personal life. I will challenge myself to take a task to completion.

Kindness – Being friendly and considerate while displaying empathy and understanding.

• Know-Knowing I need to acknowledge, identify, and accept my feelings as well as the feelings of others.
• Believe-I believe that everyone deserves empathy and understanding.
• Do-I will be aware of and sensitive to, the feelings of myself and others in order to be considerate and friendly to others at all times.

Written by the Rocket Men (March 10, 2009)

We are S.M. students,
We’re from S.M. Middle School,
We are the mighty Rockets,
We plan to defeat you!
Hoorah, we play harder,
Hoorah, we play smarter,
Hoorah, we’re the Rockets,
We plan to defeat you!
Red and white, colors bright are our colors,
You’re going down just like the others,
We’ve got spirit, you can hear it; we’re the Rockets,
We plan to defeat you!
Hoorah, we play harder,
Hoorah, we play smarter,
Hoorah, we’re the Rockets,
We plan to defeat – WHO?!
We plan to defeat – WHO?!
We plan to defeat YOU!

Most disciplinary offenses fall into the categories in this chart. “Detentions’” include lunch and/or after school detentions. Appropriate action in all cases is at the discretion of the administrators, and in accordance with state and federal laws.

Abbreviation Key:    
AC/W = Admin Conversation/Warning
BC = Behavior Contract
CON = Confiscation
DET = Detention
ISS = In School Suspension
OSS = Out of School Suspension
PC = Parent/Guardian Contact
PM = Parent/Guardian Meeting

Multiple instances of infractions in the same tier, or repeated infractions, will escalate consequences to next tier (example: multiple Tier 1 infractions would escalate consequence to Tier 2, etc.)

Exclusion means that a student is assigned to a temporary alternate location due to a conduct referral from a staff member.

The building principal or his/her designee may suspend a student for not more than five school days, or, if notice of expulsion hearing has been sent, not more than a total of 15 consecutive school days in accordance with state law.

A student may be suspended for:

1. Noncompliance with school or School Board rules or teacher rules made with the School Board’s consent; or,

2. Knowingly conveying any threat or false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to destroy any school property by means of explosives; or,

3. Conduct by the student while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority that endangers the property, health or safety of others which includes making a threat to the health or safety of a person or making a threat to damage property; or

4. Conduct while not at school or while not under the supervision of a school authority that endangers the property, health or safety of others at school or under the supervision of a school authority or endangers the property, health or safety of any district employee or School Board member which includes making a threat to the health or safety of a person or making a threat to damage property.

Repeated violations may lead to expulsion. In addition, students shall be suspended when required by law. Suspensions may be in-house or out-of-school as determined by the administration.

A suspended student shall not be denied the opportunity to take any quarterly, semester or grading period examinations or to complete coursework missed during the suspension period (School Board Policy 447.2; Wisconsin Statutes Section 120.13).

The school board may expel a student from school whenever it finds that the interest of the school demands the student’s expulsion and finds the student:

1. Is guilty of repeated refusal or neglect to obey the rules; or

2. Knowingly conveyed or caused to be conveyed any threat or false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to destroy school property by means of explosives; or

3. Engaged in conduct while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority which endangered the property, health or safety of others; or

4. While not at school or while not under the supervision of a school authority, engaged in conduct which endangered the property, health or safety of others at school or under the supervision of a school authority or engaged on conduct which endangered the property, health or safety of any employee or school board member of the district; or

5. Is at least age 16 years and repeatedly engaged in conduct while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority that disrupted the ability of school authorities to maintain order or an educational atmosphere at school or at an activity supervised by a school authority, and such conduct does not constitute other grounds for expulsion under Section 120.13(l)(c)l of the Wisconsin Statutes; and/or

6. While at school or while under the supervision of a school authority, possessed a firearm [as defined by 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3)].(School Board Policy 447.3; Wisconsin Statutes Section 120.13)

All accidents and injuries must be reported immediately to the teacher, coach, advisor, or other adult in charge. You must also report it to the Middle School Office to fill out an Accident Report as soon as it happens.  An insurance company may deny a claim if the report is not filed promptly.

• Students must not be dropped off or picked up in the loading zones before school (7:00-7:30am) or after school (2:50-3:20pm). 
• Parents and students are not permitted to drive, or drop off and pick-up, behind the 6-12 campus by Rawson Woods at any time. This is not a thoroughfare.
• Students arriving in the morning after classes begin at 7:30am should report to class and will be marked tardy. Students arriving after 8:00am must report directly to the Attendance Office. 
• The building is open to students from 7:15am-3:10pm, except on days when the schedule includes an early dismissal or if students are involved in a school-sponsored activity and/or under the supervision of a staff member. Students may not wait in the building for an after school or evening activity to start unless they are supervised. Students not involved in activities after the end of the school day should be out of the building by 3:15pm and may not loiter.
• Middle School students who meet high school students after school should do so on 15th Avenue or in the high school student parking lot. Middle School students are not allowed to use Door 34 unless they have prior approval from Middle School administration. High school students are not allowed to loiter on middle school grounds before, during and after school.
• Use the main entry off the circle drive on 15th Avenue for entry and exit.
• The staff parking lot is for staff use only. Students are not permitted in the staff parking lot at any time.
• Use the sidewalks and crosswalks. Do not walk on the grass.
• No students allowed behind the building during the school day without staff supervision. 
• Middle School policies and procedures will be appropriately applied to all students on the premises, including high school students who may be in the building for class or other functions.
• Students may not use the alley south of the Middle School that runs toward Rawson Elementary School and may not go on Rawson property until after 4:00PM on school days. Only students that are on the pre-approved list at Rawson and the Middle School for picking up a sibling will be allowed onto Rawson property before 4:00PM. Students needing to go to Rawson School should walk down 15th Avenue and enter from the Rawson Avenue main entrance. Students waiting on Rawson’s playground must be respectful of parents, other students, and the Rawson staff. 
• Poor conduct at any elementary school or the high school may lead to consequences at the middle school (see Discipline Chart).
• The green space on the corner of 15th and Rawson, Rawson Woods & Park is school district property and regular school rules apply.

Students are required to attend assemblies. Students who have regularly scheduled work study may be excused.  

• Students must enter the assembly quietly and report to their assigned areas immediately.
• Students are not allowed to listen to music through any of their electronic devices.
• Respect the speaker and subject.
• Applaud to show appreciation.
• Refrain from making distracting noises.
• Students who exhibit inappropriate behavior may be removed and/or denied assembly privileges. 

Regular attendance is a responsibility shared by parents/guardians, students, and school.  Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes unless prior clearance has been received from a parent/guardian and the school administration for one of the following reasons.

1. Personal illness, medical, and dental appointments
2. Funerals
3. Required legal appearances
4. Designated religious holidays
5. Family emergencies
6. Driver’s examinations
7. Approved school district-sponsored activities
8. Prior approved absences that have been deemed educationally beneficial for the student by the school principal or designee.  (The student must obtain a prearranged absence form from the Attendance Office and have it completed and returned to the Attendance Office at least three days prior to their absence.)
9. The school board may excuse a student who is temporarily not in proper physical or mental condition to attend school.  An excuse under this condition shall be in writing and shall state the duration of time, not to exceed 30 days.  Students with excused absences are entitled to make up work and are responsible for doing so.

Absences not excused within 72 hours from the date of absence will remain unexcused unless approved by an administrator.
Daily Attendance Procedures
1.    When a student is absent from school, a parent/guardian must call the attendance office no later than 9:00am that same day or complete an absence request through the Infinite Campus parent portal.
2.    When the school does not receive a telephone call or completed online absence form absence request through the Infinite Campus parent portal by 9:00am the day of the absence, a parent/guardian home or place of employment will be called that day.
3.    If contact between school and parent/guardian has not been made, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. Email can substitute. The administration will determine on a daily basis which students are excused absent and which are truant. If a student has a medical appointment, a doctor’s note should be submitted to the Attendance Office.
5. For any student who is absent from all or part of a day, and for whom the school has not received notification, the family will receive an automated phone call informing the household of the absence.
Absence Type – Excused Tardy - Any tardy where a student has a legitimate pass, arriving in a reasonable amount of time. Students who take more than a reasonable amount of time will be referred to an administrator through a disciplinary referral. (A student who is tardy for more than 50% of a class will be marked excused absent for that class.)
Actions Taken:    

• Excused
• Excessive Excused Tardies - Parent contact

Absence Type – Unexcused Tardy - Any tardy where a student does not have a legitimate pass for being late to class. (A student who is tardy for more than 50% of a class will be marked unexcused absent for that class.)
Actions Taken:

• Warning
• Detention(s)
• Parent contact
• Counseling intervention
• Truancy referral
• Second citation
• SMMS Attendance/Tardy Procedure

Absence Type – Unexcused Absence (full day) – Any full day absence where a student does not have a legitimate excuse.
Actions Taken: 

• Letter
• Parent conference
• Counseling intervention
• Referral to police for citation
• Home visit
• Truancy referral
• Second citation
• Detentions

Absence Type – Unexcused Absence (single period) –Any single period absence where a student does not have a legitimate excuse.

• Letter
• Parent conference
• Counseling intervention
• Referral to police for citation
• Truancy referral
• Second citation
• Detentions

Absence Type – Excessive Excused Absences – More than ten (10) excused absences. 

• Attendance Letters
• Truancy procedure with possible citation

Attendance Letters
Five Day Attendance Concern Letter – this letter will be sent to a parent/guardian for a student who has missed five (5) days, excused and unexcused during each semester, and to express concern and the desire to help.
Ten Day Attendance Meeting Letter - This letter is sent to a parent/guardian for a student who has missed 70 unexcused class periods in a semester. The purpose of this letter is to schedule a meeting with the parent and student with school officials to create a plan to improve the student’s attendance. The letter will also address any legal ramifications for failure to schedule or attend a scheduled meeting, or if attendance does not improve. The purpose of this meeting is to do the following.

• Identify and barriers preventing the student from coming to school, and set up an action plan to eliminate any barriers
• Set up an attendance contract for Open Enrollment students
• Set up a date to assess the student’s progress
• Home visits will be utilized if students and their families fail to appear for a required meeting.

The above interventions were put in place to prevent further action, to include: Habitual Truancy Citation, Open Enrollment Exit.
Medical Excuse Letter – this letter will be sent to parents/guardians who have excused their student for more than ten (10) days without a medical excuse. The purpose of this letter is to inform parents/guardians that they will need to provide a medical excuse for any additional absences in order for them to be considered excused.
Tardy - Late to School
Students are required to be in their assigned class at 7:30am. Students with a reasonable excuse for being late to school must report to the office with an excuse from a parent/legal guardian. Being late to school, lunch, or any assigned class is a disruption. . When students are not in their assigned place at the required time, they will be considered to be tardy. Repeated tardiness will result in compulsory lunch detentions and/or after school. Students who arrive between 7:30am and 7:45am will be marked as tardy to first hour. Students who arrive after 8:00am without a reasonable excuse from a parent/legal guardian will be marked as truant.
Truancy
Truancy means an unexcused absence for part or all of a school day during which the administration has not been notified of the legal cause of the absence by a parent/guardian of the absent pupil. A grade of zero may be given at the teacher’s discretion for all work missed during the time of the truancy. Truancy will result in school consequences, the loss of privileges and possible citation by the police liaison officer. Ordinarily, any student who is absent for all or part of a day, and for whom the school has not received notification, their family will receive an automated phone call informing the household of the absence.  Truancy also means intermittent attendance carried on for the purpose of defeating the intent of s.118.15.
Students who are habitual truants will not be able to participate in special activities including, but not limited to: school dances.
1.    “Habitual Truant” 118.16(1)(a) means a pupil who is absent from school without an acceptable excuse under sub.(4) and s.118.15 for part or all of five or more days on which school is held during a school semester.
2.    Habitual Truancy Follow-Up Procedure:  When a student is identified as a habitual truant, the school shall notify the parents/guardian by registered or certified mail. The notice shall include:
a.    a statement of the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility under s.118.15(1)(a) to cause a child to attend school regularly.
b.    a request that the parents/guardians meet with appropriate school personnel to discuss the child’s truancy*.
*At the meeting the parent/guardian or child may request program or curriculum modifications for the child and that the child may be eligible for enrollment in a program for children-at-risk.
c.    a statement of the penalties under s.118.15(5), that may be imposed on the parent/guardian if they fail to cause their child to attend school regularly.
3.    Make-up Policy for Unexcused Absences:
a.    A student must fulfill all course requirements to pass the course.
b.    The school may not deny a student credit in a course or subject based solely on the student’s unexcused absences.  Students will be awarded credit for make-up work completed during a detention period [s.118.16(4)].
Absence & After School Activities
Students are not permitted to participate in after school or evening activities on the day of an absence unless the administration and/or teacher have approved the participation after consultation with a parent/legal guardian concerning the circumstances.
Dismissal Pass
If a student must leave the school building before the regular time, a Dismissal Pass must be obtained from the Attendance Office.  Under no circumstances should a student leave the building without permission.  Students who leave the building without an authorized pass will be considered truant and subject to disciplinary action.
School Board Policy
REQUIRED BY WIS.STAT.SEC. 118.16(4)(D)
The District shall abide by and implement student compulsory attendance laws. State law requires each child between the ages of six and eighteen residing in the District to be in school attendance (religious holidays excepted) unless they:

• Is excused temporarily for physical or mental reasons;
• Has graduated;
• Has been authorized to attend an alternative educational program;
• Has been excused by his/her parent/guardian prior to an absence in accordance with state law; or
• Has been excused by the building principal by his/her designee.

Any violator of the compulsory school attendance law shall be subject to penalties outlined in state law.

Bicycles must be placed in bike racks provided by the school district and locked. High school students may not use the middle school bike racks. Bicycles must be walked on school property. The school is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen bicycles left on school property.

Backpacks, book bags, and purses are allowed, however, if they become a distraction to the learning environment students may lose their privilege to carry them.  Oversized purses will not be allowed.

The Centers for Disease Control defines bullying as “any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, who are not siblings or current dating partners, that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm” (Gladden et al., 2014, p. 7).
It is common to mistake a conflict between peers or classmates for bullying. The following are common differences between the two, but not all aspects will always be present.

Report a concern related to bullying by printing and submitting this form to your principal or fill out the form online.

It is understood that the rules contained in this handbook are not all inclusive.  The administration and teachers may take such action as is necessary and not forbidden by law to insure the discipline and operation of the school.  Action may be taken with respect to any offense which interferes with the orderly conduct of the school or which affects the safety and welfare of students either individually or collectively regardless of the existence or non-existence of a rule covering the offense.  Acts that are crimes outside of school are also considered crimes in school, and they will be treated similarly. 

All students shall follow all new, revised or temporary district guidelines and rules related to the pandemic or other health emergency. The expectations for students within the orders, rules, and/or guidelines are considered additions to the Student Handbook. By acknowledging receipt of the Student Handbook and your understanding of the expectations contained herein for students, you are also acknowledging future pandemic-related orders, rules, and/or guidelines.  

This handbook represents portions of school policies that are essential to the efficient operation of the school district.

The contents of a student’s cell phone will not be searched unless there exists a potential significant threat to the safety of a particular student, group of students, or school as a whole. Contents of cell phones may also be searched with student or parental permission.
The District may view, access, or use information obtained from a student or prospective students that can be obtained from a social media account without access information or that is available in the public domain.
The District may not:

1. Request or require a student or prospective student, as a condition of admission or enrollment, to disclose access information for the personal Internet account of the student or prospective student or to otherwise grant access to or allow observation of that account.
2. Expel, suspend, discipline, or otherwise penalize any student for refusing to disclose access information for, grant access to, or allow observation of the student’s personal Internet account, opposing a prohibitive practice with respect to personal Internet accounts, filing a complaint or attempting to enforce a right protected by the statute (Wisconsin Statute Sec. 995.55), or testifying or assisting in any action or proceeding to enforce such right.
3. Refuse to admit a prospective student because the prospective student refused to disclose access information for, grant access to, or allow observation of the prospective student’s personal Internet account.

The District may request or require a student to disclose access information to the District in order for the District to gain access to or operate an electronic communications device supplied or paid for in whole or part by the District, or in order for the District to gain access to an account or services provided by the District, obtained by virtue of the student’s admission to the District, or used for educational purposes.

Inform a main office assistant or your school counselor if you have a change of address, telephone number, e-mail, and/or family emergency contacts.  It is very important to contact the school any time there are changes in your emergency contact informatioon.

Students are expected to follow each teacher’s classroom expectations.  See the Discipline Chart for guidelines that will be followed for failure to abide by classroom expectations.

The decision to close school due to weather or other emergency situations is made by the Superintendent of the School District of South Milwaukee. Official announcements for any school closing will be communicated through the phone calling system, posted on the District website, sent through ParentSquare, and may be heard over local Radio and TV Stations, including but not limited to:

A student who submits work that is not his or her own, or a student who allows another student to copy his or her work, will be subject to disciplinary and academic consequences. A student may be required to resubmit work for partial credit, or may be held in violation of the academic policy and receive no credit in a class. Incidents of copying and plagiarism will be examined on a case-by-case basis, and appropriate consequences will be assessed.

School District employees and officials may not use corporal punishment in any of its forms.  School officials and employees are not prohibited, however, from using reasonable and necessary force:

1. To quell a disturbance or prevent an act that threatens physical injury to any person;
2. To obtain possession of a weapon or other dangerous object within a student’s control;
3. For the purpose of self-defense or the defense of others or for the protection of property in accordance with state statutes;
4. To remove a disruptive student from school premises, a motor vehicle or school-sponsored activity;
5. To prevent a student from inflicting harm on him/herself; or
6. To protect the safety of others.

Further, school officials and employees are not prohibited from using incidental, minor or reasonable physical contact designated to maintain order and control.  The building principal shall be notified immediately after any application of force.  Parents/Guardians of the student(s) involved shall be contacted by school officials and informed as to why their child was restrained.

The counseling programs provide diverse and comprehensive services through individual and group procedures and are designed to help students with their academic and/or personal issues.  Students and parents may make appointments to meet with the student’s assigned school counselor at any time.  
School Counselors attempt to respect the confidentiality of their contacts with students.  Students and parents/guardians should be aware that there are situations in which this confidentiality must be broken.  These situations would be, but are not limited to, reports of abuse, suicide attempts or threats, and other life or property threatening situations.
Student threats to school safety
All school counselors and school social workers in South Milwaukee are trained in behavioral threat assessment and management. This provides a research-based approach, endorsed by the Department of Justice for monitoring student safety behaviors. Student services staff works with building and district administration to ensure investigation, intervention and safety procedures. 
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management
Behavioral threat assessment is a proactive approach to identify, assess, and provide appropriate interventions and resources for students who display behavior that elicits concern for the safety of themselves or others. It is not a criminal investigation, a checklist, or a disciplinary process. Rather, threat assessments offer schools a method to understand the whole picture surrounding a wide range of potentially violent situations and craft a plan to intervene appropriately. A threat assessment and reporting program can be a key component of creating a safe school environment as well as supporting student health. It works in tandem with other strategies, like bullying prevention and mental health support, to build a comprehensive approach to violence prevention and school safety. 

Cumulative records contain a complete record of each student’s educational progress. These records are maintained throughout each student’s tenure in the South Milwaukee public schools.  Upon graduation, part of the record is microfilmed for reference.  Students and a parent/guardian may request to see their cumulative records at any time with their School Counselor.

Student records shall be maintained to assist the school in providing the student appropriate educational experiences.  Student records shall include all records relating to an individual student, regardless of format, other than notes or records maintained for personal use by teachers or other certified personnel which are not available to others and records necessary for and available only to persons involved in psychological treatment of a student.  Student records shall be maintained in accordance with state and federal laws and established guidelines.

Parents and students have the right to: (a) inspect, review and obtain copies of student records; (b) request the amendment of the student's school records if they believe the records are inaccurate or misleading; (c) consent to the disclosure of the student's school records, except to the extent state and federal law authorizes disclosure without consent; (d) deny the release of information which has been designated as directory data; and (e) file a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education.

Dances are held from 3:00-4:45pm. 

1. If you leave the building during the dance, you may not return without permission from the chaperones in charge.
2. You are not allowed in other parts of the building during or after the dance.
3. School dances are for South Milwaukee Middle School students only. A current school ID is required for admission.
4. Students who do not follow the school rules (including dress code) will be sent home.
5. Dance movements or practices that suggest or simulate sexual activity are prohibited.
6. All regular school rules apply.

Detention is held during your lunch period, before school, or after school.  There will be a designated area for the student to serve lunch detentions. Students who fail to serve a detention may be subject to additional detentions, a parent conference, exclusion from classes, or suspension.

Accommodations will be made as necessary for those students with temporary or permanent physical disabilities. See your school Counselor for more information.

The school district is not responsible for student safety and welfare on school property before 7:15am or after 3:20pm, unless the student is part of a school sponsored activity. The school district is not responsible for any item that is lost, damaged, or stolen. This includes all personal belongings and any item given to the student by the school for use or away from school.

Purpose
Responsibility for the personal appearance of students enrolled in the District normally shall rest with the students themselves and their parents/guardians. Student dress or grooming should not affect the health or safety of students or substantially disrupt or materially interfere with the learning process or contribute to a hostile or intimidating environment within the classroom or school. Students shall not be unnecessarily disciplined for their choice of attire, jewelry or personal items. Students, parents and school personnel are expected to cooperate in efforts to ensure an emotional and physical safe learning environment free of disruption. 

Definitions
Substantial Disruption or Material Interference. A substantial disruption or material interference of the educational process may be found to exist when the District reasonably forecasts that a student’s conduct or attire may substantially disrupt the school setting or materially interferes with the rights of others. 

Implementation

• General Requirements. 
• Each student has the right to determine personal dress. 
• Clothing must be suitable for scheduled classroom activities including physical education, science labs, technical education, and other activities where unique hazards exist. Safety or special purpose equipment shall be worn when required. 
• Students must wear clothing including a shirt with pants, skirt, shorts or the equivalent, or a dress and footwear as required by state law. All clothing must have fabric that covers the front, back and sides. 
• Clothing fabric must cover all private body parts and/or undergarments and must not be transparent (see-through) (waistband and bra straps excluded). 
• Clothing may not cover a student’s face to the extent that the student is not identifiable (except clothing worn for religious or medical purposes or a mask worn for health reasons). 
• Footwear such as shoes, sandals or boots shall be worn in the school buildings. Footwear must be both safe and non-destructive to school property. 
• Reasonable variations from these requirements may be permitted by a building principal to accommodate student participation in approved activities such as for physical education classes (e.g., swimming) or other student activities (e.g., student theatrical productions). 

Prohibited Apparel and Items. 
Students shall not be permitted to wear the following: 

• Any clothing, jewelry or personal items identifying an antisocial association or organization. 
• Any clothing, jewelry, or personal items that display symbols, lettering or insignia that are associated with a hate group, violence, white supremacy, or that promotes hatred, intimidation or harassment. 
• Any clothing, jewelry or personal items that use or depict hate speech or targeting groups based on sex; age; race; religion; color; national origin; ancestry; creed; pregnancy; marital status; parental status; homelessness; sexual orientation; gender identity; gender expression; gender non-conformity; physical, mental, emotional or learning disability/handicap; or any other legally-protected status or classification. 
• Any clothing, jewelry or personal items that contain pictures and/or writing referring to alcohol, tobacco products, nicotine, sexual references, nudity, profanity, obscenity, unlawful use of weapons, and/or controlled or illegal drugs. 
• Any clothing, jewelry or personal times that threaten the health or safety of any other student or staff member. 

Headwear. 

• Headwear, including hats, hoods and bandanas may be permitted in school buildings. 
• Students may not wear hoods if the student is required or chooses to wear a mask for health reasons. 
• Headwear must allow the face to be visible and not interfere with the line of sight to any student or staff (except clothing/headwear worn for religious or medical purposes.) 
• Students may wear headwear for religious or medical reasons. 

Regulation of Student Dress. Student dress shall only be regulated when, in the judgment of school administrators, there is a reasonable expectation that: 

• A health or safety hazard concern exists as a result from the student's dress or appearance including possible membership in an antisocial association or organization as defined in Board policy; 
• Damage to school property may result from the student's dress; or 
• A substantial disruption or material interference of the educational environment or process will result from the student’s dress or appearance. 

Enforcement, Notice and Sanctions
This policy shall apply to the instructional day and all District and/or school sponsored events and activities. 
Building principals shall be required to ensure that all staff members are aware of and understand the requirements of this policy. 
Staff will use reasonable efforts not to discuss with a student a dress code violation in the presence of other students. 
Any student whose attire does not meet the requirements of this policy may be asked to remedy the matter by covering, changing or removing the non complying clothing, jewelry or personal item where appropriate. 
Students shall not be disciplined or removed from class as a consequence for wearing clothing, jewelry or a personal item in violation of this policy unless the item causes a substantial disruption or material interference to the educational environment or process, poses a hazard to the health or safety of others or contributes to the harassment, intimidation or bullying of another student or staff member. However, a student may be instructed to leave the classroom briefly to change clothes. Consequences may be imposed if a student is insubordinate after a discussion. 
Where the clothing or other items of personal attire that are found to be dangerous, illegal or in violation of this policy and cannot be remedied through a student changing his or her attire, a student may be directed to remove the item to be placed in a secure location for the remainder of the school day to be taken home at the end of the day. 
In the event such item(s) may cause a safety or security concern, the item(s) may be taken away from the student. 
Any item taken from a student should be promptly delivered to the main office. A parent conference may be required before an item is returned. 
The District assumes no responsibility for the loss or theft of, or for any damage to, any personal attire, jewelry or items that a student chooses to bring to school or to a school activity regardless of when the loss, theft, or damage occurs or where the personal attire, jewelry or item is located/possessed at the time the loss, theft, or damage occurs. 
The District is permitted, but not obligated, to investigate or otherwise resolve the loss or theft of, or any damage to, any personal attire, jewelry or items. 
This Dress Code shall be published in the District’s student expectations handbook. Violations of the Dress Code are subject to District disciplinary procedures.

The Middle School Eighth Grade Recognition Program is intended to recognize those 8th grade students who have been active participants in their own education, demonstrated positive school citizenship, and have earned grade promotion. 

This program should not be confused with a graduation ceremony.  Students are to dress appropriately for their age and the school setting. This is an academic setting therefore those in attire that is too revealing will be asked to have a parent bring them something more appropriate to wear. The school dress-code applies to this event (please refer to the Dress Code section of this handbook).  Students who do not meet the dress-code requirements will not be allowed to participate.

Cell phones, personal music players, and other electronic devices are allowed in the building. Students will need to store their cell phones/personal devices in their backpack or book bags when traveling throughout the building or when in the office. When entering a classroom, students are required to follow the school’s expectation of putting their cell phone in the designated classroom cell phone caddy. Students may only use their cell phone/personal device at lunch. Students must follow the TECHNOLOGY: STUDENT APPROPRIATE USE POLICY included later in this handbook. SMMS Cell Phone Policy can be found here. Students using electronic devices to send text messages, make calls, use the Internet, or other non-class related activities will have the item confiscated and a parent will need to pick it up in the main office.  Cameras, including the camera mode of cell phones, are prohibited to be  used during the school day unless there is an educational need and the student has teacher or administrator permission. In addition, cell phones with camera capabilities are strictly forbidden in the physical education/athletics locker rooms and bathrooms. Electronic devices may be allowed at school-sponsored activities, including field trips at the discretion of administration. The use of game/video players and cell phones is strictly forbidden for use during the school day. Tablets and electronic readers are allowed in class if the student has cleared it with the teacher first. Reading devices need to be turned off and stored in their backpack or book bag  when not in use. 

When the school administration deems it necessary to evacuate a building, an announcement will be made over the Public Address system. The following procedures must be followed during a building evacuation.
When evacuating the building, teachers should have a list of those students assigned to them at the time of the evacuation.

1. Evacuation does not automatically mean that school is being dismissed for the day.
2. All school rules are still in effect, including the use of cell phones.
3. Two sites have been designated for evacuation of the 15th Avenue Campus: 
4. The designated evacuation site for the Middle School is Rawson Elementary School (1410 Rawson Ave, South Milwaukee).
5. Once students arrive at their site, no student under the age of 18 will be released from the site without permission from a parent/guardian. An administrator or their designee must speak to the parent/ guardian directly before approval will be given to be released. Students will remain at the site until a parent, guardian, or designated individual comes to pick them up. The School District requires all parents to update emergency contact information at the beginning of each school year.

Evacuation is required any time the building fire alarm sounds. Teachers are responsible for acquainting each of their classes with the detailed directions for their room as posted. This should be done within the first week of school. Exit doors are listed on the sign in each room. Fire drills are held once each month during the school year.

• Walk briskly; never run.
• Stop all talking.
• Leave books and other materials in the classroom.
• Exit according to the directions posted in each classroom.
• The first students out should hold open all doors at the exit.
• The last one to leave the room must turn off the lights and close the door.
• Everyone must leave the building.
• Walk away from the building until you reach the designated outside area.
• Do not return to the building until you hear the “All Clear” from an administrator.
• High school classrooms that exit into the staff parking lot should move to 15th Avenue and/or the NW corner of the lot.
• When evacuating the building, teachers should have a list of those students assigned to them at the time of the evacuation.
• Evacuation of disabled students must be provided by the staff member supervising that student at the time of the evacuation. Assist the student to an area designated as “Area of Safe Refuge”.
• An activated fire alarm will require the evacuation of the entire 15th Avenue Campus, however, if the source of the alarm can be confirmed to be localized to one campus a full evacuation may not be necessary. An administrator will notify students and staff via the Public Address system for the campus that needs to be evacuated. Students and staff of the affected campus will remain aware of the situation until the “All Clear” signal is given.

An announcement will be made over the Public Address system to initiate one of the 5 student actions of the Standard Response Protocol (SRP).  In each action there are specific student and staff steps to take. The high school will train and drill on the SRP's throughout the school year.  Please become familiar with the general concepts of the SRP.

A Tornado Drill is usually performed once each school year. In the event a tornado warning is issued, administrators will take responsibility for initiating the emergency plan of action via the Public Address system. Once the announcement is made, the following procedures should be followed.

1. All students are to stay indoors, or move indoors if outdoors.  Wind-driven objects are a great danger to anyone outside.
2. The safest places in our school are those rooms away from outside windows.  Students will move directly to the designated areas, which are posted in each room.
3. Students are to sit or kneel on the floor, with heads held down, close together, faced away from any glass, outside wall, or door.
4. Students should remain calm and quiet.
5. The plan of action will remain in effect until an administrator announces the “All Clear” over the P.A. system.
6. Evacuation of disabled students must be provided by the staff member supervising that student at the time of the evacuation. Assist the student to the designated area for that classroom.
7. After Dismissal: If a tornado warning is issued, and a student is on the 6-12 campus, the student is required to go to a designated safe area and WILL NOT be released until the tornado warning has expired.  A student may be released from a safe area prior to an “all-clear” only through parent/guardian authorization or self-authorization if the student has completed an age of majority form.

Tornado Watch: means conditions are such that a tornado might develop.

Tornado Warning: means that a tornado has been sighted.

The family educational rights and privacy act of 1974, as amended, requires that you be advised of your rights concerning your education records and of certain categories of public information which the school has designated “directory information”. Students have the right to inspect and review all records that meet the definition of “Education Records”. A request for this review and more detailed information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act should be made to a school Counselor. (School Board Policy #347)

School fees established by the District are required for all students and are due and payable at registration. Students will be held liable for lost, stolen or damaged school property, including class books and materials. Record of student financial obligations will follow students to graduation. 

All field trips must be approved by the school’s administration. Students participating in a field trip must submit a completed permission form signed by a parent/guardian, and each of their classroom teachers, and pay all appropriate fees prior to the field trip. The South Milwaukee School Board must approve all overnight out-of-state/country field trips at least six (6) months in advance of the trip, or as soon as possible. 
Students may be denied the privilege of participating in any field trip if they have a previous school record of violations that indicates they may be detrimental to the school if they were a part of the trip. This may include record of past substance abuse, poor attendance, excessive discipline records, or inappropriate conduct in classrooms. Appeals should be made to an administrator.
All school rules and regulations apply while on a field trip.  Students are responsible for taking care of any make-up homework/class work when classes are missed during a field trip.  We do not recommend that students participate in more than one field trip per week.
Upon return from a field trip before the end of the school day, students must either return to class or stay with a parent chaperone as directed by the field trip advisor.

Food and beverages should be consumed in a responsible manner. Teachers have the discretion to allow or not allow food and/or beverages in their classroom. Beverages outside of the lunchroom (MPR) must be in a sealable and spill-proof container when being transported through the halls. Be aware that this is a privilege that can be revoked in the event that students do not treat the school environment with respect such as not disposing of garbage in a responsible manner. 
During the scheduled lunch times, students must eat lunch in the MPR.  Eating lunch outside the MPR, such as in classrooms, pods or the library is prohibited, unless they have prior approval from administration.
Special food deliveries (GrubHub, Uber Eats, McDonalds, etc.) will not be allowed during the school day unless there are special circumstances. Food delivered to the main office, or unauthorized door, will be sent back with the person delivering the food, and will not be accepted or delivered to the student.
When students arrive late to school with food/beverages purchased on the way to school, it shows that they could have arrived earlier if they had not stopped to purchase those items. They will be required to turn the product over to office staff upon entering the building and will be sent to class.

During the school day, students must have an electronic pass  to be in the hallway. Any student without an appropriate pass will automatically be sent back to class. 

Nurse
School nursing services support students by managing health related barriers to learning. Direct services are provided to students through the combined efforts of the District Nurse, South Milwaukee Health Department, school office assistants, designated teachers, and health room/instructional paraprofessionals.

The District Nurse provides direct health services to students and works to promote a healthy school environment, student health, and learning. This person also trains our staff to care for students when the nurse is not in the building, how to use emergency rescue medications such as EpiPens, albuterol, and diastat. 

When registering your child for school, completing the "health concerns" section is the first step for assuring appropriate care will be provided for your child while attending school.  If your child's health professional has ordered a special healthcare procedure to be performed during the school day, Authorization Forms for Healthcare Procedures (general, catheterization, and g-tube feedings) are available from a District Nurse.  Knowing something about your child is just the first step, however; we will want to work with you to develop a plan so your child can be safe and successful in school.

Medications
No school employee may dispense any medications, prescription or non-prescription, without written consent from a parent or legal guardian.  Prescription medications may not be dispensed without additional written approval and instructions from the physician who prescribed the medication. Students found to be in possession of prescription medications may be subject to disciplinary action.

When students must take medication (including inhalers and EpiPens) during school hours for a chronic or temporary health problem, it is necessary to have the required written authorizations on file in the Health Office prior to the medication being dispensed.  This written permission must state the amount of medication and the time it is to be administered.  It is further understood that this must be done for each individual student with a health problem and each individual illness of a student.

All prescribed medications are kept in a locked area except as otherwise directed by the physician.  All medication is to be taken under school supervision.  School personnel cannot provide any medicine to students without written authorization from a parent/guardian.  All medications not picked up on the last day of the school year will be destroyed.

Students are responsible for remembering to take their medication according to the schedule set up by the school nurse. Reminders will not be sent.

*Note:  Students with inhalers used for asthma, or EpiPens are allowed to carry them while at school, under the following conditions:

• The pupil must use the inhaler or EpiPen for the symptoms for which they were prescribed.
• The pupil must provide the school with written approval of their physician and, if the pupil is a minor, the written approval of the parent or guardian.
• The student must show competency in use of an inhaler or Epipen.

Pupils may, at their option, provide the inhaler/EpiPen to a staff member when engaged in physical activity; in the alternative, the pupil may possess the inhaler on their person during such activities.  If the student retains the inhaler upon their person, it is the responsibility of the student to advise the staff member that the student has retained possession of the inhaler when engaged in such physical activities. (s118.291)

Students who are unable to attend school because of health reasons for a minimum period of 30 days are eligible to receive homebound instruction. Parental and doctor’s request forms for Homebound Instruction must be completed and returned to a counselor before instruction can be provided.

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth (twenty-one years of age and younger) as:

• Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, and includes children and youth who are:
  • sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason (sometimes referred to as double-up); 
  • living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
  • living in emergency or transitional shelters; or 
  • abandoned in hospitals
• Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
• Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
• Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.

Please contact the Pupil Services Director, homeless liaison for the School District of South Milwaukee, at 414-766-5041, for additional information about homeless issues.

It is expected that most students in the Middle School will have some homework each night. The amount of homework required varies with the courses selected. Daily homework is essential if a student expects to meet the standards established for certain courses. The type of work a student does at home can be broken into three categories:

Preparation Homework
Preparation homework helps to prepare students for an upcoming lesson or unit. Teachers requiring preparation exercises may present them as a challenge to the students rather than have students read a chapter in their text and answer the questions at the end. This will minimize having students read the questions first and just search for answers, instead of reading the chapter in its entirety for comprehension.

Practice Homework
Practice homework is defined as work assigned to students to provide further opportunity to master the knowledge and skills taught in class. Through practice activities, students build confidence and develop greater understanding of the concepts covered in class. Meaningful practice activities engage students in applying learning in a personal way rather than promote random problems or the memorization of content. Teachers and students may collaborate to determine practice needs.

Work Done at Home (Not Homework)/Long Term Assignments
Long Term assignments call for students to go beyond the information obtained in the classroom. Examples of creative extensions of classroom assignments and authentic assessments of student are those that:

• require students to produce self-initiated projects;
• encourage individualized experiences, emphasizing production rather than reproduction;
• offer students the opportunity to think critically and engage in problem-solving activities;
• encourage students to delve further into the information presented in class and construct their personal model of understanding; and
• provide students with the freedom to show what they have learned through analysis, research, synthesis, and evaluation exercises.

These long-term assignments will not be calculated as part of the homework percentage of a student’s final grade as previously mentioned. It is the students’ responsibility to hand on long-term assignments on the due date set by the teacher. Long-term assignments that are not done accurately, but are completed on time and, in the opinion of the teacher, reflect genuine effort, will receive no less than 56% of the credit earned. How long and at what credit a completed long-term assignment will be accepted is at the discretion of the department/grade level team. This late work will receive no less than 50% of the credit earned if the work had been turned in on time. Work that is not attempted may receive a zero. Special circumstances such as legitimate absence, limiting conditions, etc., will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Students will receive a Class Expectations handout from each of the teachers on the first day of classes to clearly outline the homework guidelines for the class.

Parents are encouraged to request homework when students will be out. Parents should call the Attendance Office (414-766-5820) to request homework no later than 8:00am on the day a parent wishes to pick up work.  Homework will be ready for pick-up that day in the main office after 2:45pm.

Students receive a picture identification card at the beginning of the school year.  I.D. cards are needed to check out library materials,, to attend school activities, and for use with lunch/breakfast accounts.  Students are required to carry their I.D. cards with them while at school and present them for identification when requested by a staff member. Replacement of a lost, stolen, or damaged I.D. is $1.00.  

Except in an emergency, students must obtain a pass from their teacher before going to the Nurse’s Office. The office will contact parents as needed. Students should not contact parents on their own regarding illness during the school day. An agent of the school will only release a student after speaking to a parent/guardian and receiving permission to release the student. 

No student may use or possess a laser pointer while on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity or event.
(School Board Policy 443.8)

The library is a shared space for all stakeholders.

• Teachers are encouraged to reserve the library spaces for their classes when not in use. 
• During the school day, students may use their building library without a teachers ONLY if they have a pass from a classroom teacher or administrator.
• Before and after school, students may use the library if a librarian or library assistant is in the library.
• All library furniture should be returned to its original place after rearranging for class, team, or group use.

Library Materials

• Items are checked out for a pre-determined amount of time.
• Library materials may be renewed as necessary, as determined by teachers and the librarian.
• Notices for overdue materials will be emailed regularly.  Printed notices may be distributed on an as-needed basis.
• All users are encouraged to return overdue items.  The library assistant and librarian will discuss lost materials with students and their parents to determine the next steps that will be taken.
• Users who have excessive numbers of items checked out and/or lost may lose their library privileges.

Libraries and Chromebooks

• Students who are experiencing issues with their Chromebooks should first talk to their teacher.  If the teacher cannot resolve the Chromebook issues, then the students will take the device to their school library.  The library assistant will determine the next steps to resolve the Chromebook issue and ensure the student has a working device.
• The library assistant may decide to replace the Chromebook.  This may take place within 24 hours.
• The students are issued Chromebooks that are owned by the district; it is the student's responsibility to take care of the device.
• Costs for Chromebook repair or replacement will be determined when the device is repaired.  These costs are placed on students' Infinite Campus accounts.
   

Street lockers will be assigned to students upon request.  All locks and lockers remain the property of the school.

• Students assume all responsibility for the contents of their locker whether they are yours or not.  The School District of South Milwaukee is not liable for any losses that they may incur; therefore, never leave a locker unlocked, tell others your combination, or share your locker with another student.
• All school lockers (including hall, physical education, industrial technology, etc.) are the property of the school district. The District will at all times have exclusive control of lockers provided for the convenience of the students. School authorities as determined necessary or appropriate might conduct periodic general inspections of lockers at any time, without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant. The building principal, or designee, may search personal belongings of the student found within the locker if there is reasonable suspicion that the search will turn up evidence that a particular law, school policy or school rule has been or is being violated. (School Board Policy 446.1)

Physical Education Lockers: A physical education locker is assigned to each student during the time period the student is enrolled in physical education.  All locks and lockers remain the property of the school.

• Students assume all responsibility for the contents of their locker whether they are yours or not.  The School District of South Milwaukee and the Physical Education Department are not liable for any losses that they may incur; therefore, never leave a locker unlocked, tell others your combination, or share your locker with another student.
• Students are expected to clean out their locker when they are no longer scheduled in a physical education class. Failure to clean out the locker such as leaving items behind, including personal belongings and/or garbage will result in the student being assessed a $5.00 clean-out fee.
• Students will have a one week period to collect personal belongings. If items are not recovered they will be placed in Lost & Found and donated to charity.

Students are not allowed to go to other school district property at any time during the school day without permission from the office. No person shall loiter in or about any school or public place at or near which children or students attend or normally congregate. As used in this section, "loiter" means to delay, to linger or to idle in or about any said school or public place without a lawful purpose for being present. This section applies to students during the school day loitering in areas of school property without permission.

A lost and found is located in the main school office. Students should also check with their teachers for lost textbooks or materials. Unclaimed property is donated to charity throughout the school year.

When students have been absent from class, they should discuss and agree on a reasonable make-up date with their teacher.  Length of absence, reason for absence, and course load should all be considered when setting the date. The teacher has a responsibility to give students any needed help and direction, but it is the student’s responsibility to see that all work is completed and turned in on time.  See a Counselor or Associate Principal if there are special circumstances.

Students are required to request homework directly through their teacher through email or Google classroom to keep up with their work during an absence.

Pre-Arranged Absences
If a student knows they will be absent from school for two or more days for a non-school activity, the student must complete a pre-arranged absence form.  These forms are available from attendance and should be completed and returned to the student’s Associate Principal at least three (3) days prior to the absence. 

Make-up Policy for Suspended Students
By state law (120.13b), students suspended shall not be denied the opportunity to take any quarterly, semester, or grading period examination missed during the suspension period.  

Make-up Policy for Unexcused Absences
A truant student will receive a zero or an incomplete for all routine class work missed.  The opportunity to make up major exams or projects will depend on the record of the student and the nature and frequency of the offense.  No public school may deny a pupil credit in a course or subject solely because of the pupil’s unexcused absence from school 118.16(4)(b).

Cafeteria Expectations
1.    Students must be in the Middle School lunch room throughout their lunch period, until dismissed to class.
2.    Food and beverages are not allowed anywhere other than the Commons.
3.    Place all litter in the trash containers and return all dishes to the dish return window.
4.    Practice good manners.
5.    Do not wear jackets/coats, backpacks, or large purses in the food lines.
6.    Do not go to street lockers during the lunch period.
Self-Serve Cafeteria Line
Students are asked to consider their choices carefully.  Please ask servers if you have any questions about any offered dishes.  If you touch it, it is yours.  There will be consequences for “ditching” and theft of food.

*Options available for working off fines at $8.00/hour and Community Service.

Nutrition Services Program
The School District of South Milwaukee utilizes a computerized debit system for its food service program.  Each student receives an identification card at the beginning of the school year.  Students scan their ID card, or type in their pin number in the breakfast/lunch line to pay for the meal, whether the student is paying in cash or on account. Theft of a student ID card or pin number should be reported to an administrator immediately. 

Payment Options
1.    It is recommended that parents pre-pay into a student’s meal account.  This is easily done online at www.myschoolbucks.com, which is linked on the school district website www.sdsm.k12.wi.us. Parents may also send a check with a student to school, or by mailing a check to School District of South Milwaukee, Attention Food Service, 901 15th Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI, 53172.  One check may cover all students in the family, if preferred, regardless of which South Milwaukee school they attend.  Simply include student names, ID numbers, and indicate the amount to be deposited in each account on check or deposit slip. 
2.    Students may make payment into their account in the breakfast or lunch line, after scanning their ID card.

Special Notes
Cashiers will notify students when their meal account falls below $8.00, and will continue to remind them until payment is made.  Charging meals will not be allowed.

Students approved for free or reduced priced meals will also use their ID card to purchase meals.  The computer program is set to recognize a student’s meal status. There is no identification of their meal status to others.

Applications for free and reduced priced meals are available at student registration or in the Middle School office during the school year. Families may apply for meal benefits at any time during the school year when financial or household circumstances change. 

Parents have the ability to view their student’s account balance and print a copy of their eating history, which shows all dates and times that the student has purchased a breakfast or lunch within the past thirty days, online at www.myschoolbucks.com. There is no fee for this service. Reports may also be requested from the Nutrition Services Department for further history by calling 414-766-5023.

Year-end balances will be carried over into the next school year, unless the child is graduating.  If your child graduates or withdraws from the South Milwaukee public schools, you may request a refund of the balance, or transfer the funds to the account of a younger sibling.  

Meal Prices
All prices are subject to change.

More information about Meal Deal, a la carte, and nutrition can be found on the school district website at www.sdsm.k12.wi.us.

Bad Checks Policy
The School District of South Milwaukee does not absorb the Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) service fee charged by the bank for checks written to the district/school that bounce. Individuals who bounce a check will be contacted to make their food services payment in cash, and will be charged for the NSF service fees.  Make sure that you have sufficient funds in your checking account before writing a check to the district/school to avoid having to pay this additional amount. MySchoolBucks will block future online use for non-sufficient payments, as well.

Unpaid Meal Charges Procedure
The goal of the Nutrition Services department is to provide healthy meals to students during the school day.  In order to serve healthy, high-quality meals to all students, we must make sure we are financially solvent.  You play a key role in this effort, and are responsible for purchases made by your child on their Nutrition Services account.
The purpose of this procedure is to establish consistent meal account procedures throughout the School District. Unpaid charges place a financial strain on the Nutrition Services department.
This procedure will:

• Ensure that all students have a healthy meal and that no student goes hungry.
• Support positive and clear communication among staff, administrators, teachers, students and parent/guardian.
• Encourage that the parent/guardian will assume the responsibility for the nutritional needs of their student whether it be providing a cold meal or funds for hot meals.
• Promote self-responsibility of the student.
• Establish a consistent practice regarding charges and collection of charges.

General Understandings

• If the student brings enough money for a meal for that day, then the student will be able to receive a regular meal.
•  All students with negative accounts will be prohibited from purchasing a la carte items.
• Parents/Guardians can add money to a Student’s Account by:
• Sending a payment with the student
• Paying via the My School Bucks online portal.
• Parents will make a good faith effort to keep their students account in good standing and if the account is not in good standing the parents will send a cold lunch with their student or make a deposit to the account.
• Student nutrition needs will be satisfied while in attendance at school.

Procedure for Collection:
Step 1: Once the student’s account gets to 85.00 or less, the cashier will notify the family that they are getting close to $0 and should consider making a deposit into their student's account. 
Step 2: When the account falls below $0, the cashier will notify the parent/guardian that their student’s account is below $0 and that a payment is needed to make the account in good standing.  In addition, the cashier will inform them that if the account falls below negative $10 a cold lunch should be sent with the student.
Step 3: When the account gets to (-$10.00) the School Nutrition Director or designee shall call the parents/guardians informing them of the account situation and inform them that the parent should deposit funds into the account and/or send a cold lunch with the student.  Also, a letter will be sent home for the parents/guardians to fill out a Free and Reduced Meal Application.
Step 4: When the account reaches (-$20.00) the Principal or designee shall contact the student’s parents/guardians that the account is negative.
Step 5: If the account is not paid off after 3 school days of the Principal or designee contact, a letter will be sent stating that if the account is not in good standing in 2 days, the Principal will contact the parents/guardian and arrange a meeting to discuss the negative account balance.
Step 6: If the parents/guardians, after Step 5, still do not get the account back to good standing or the parents/guardians are not providing a cold lunch, then the department of Health and Human Service or other appropriate agency will be contacted to address the student’s need.  

Students who are removed from class because of disruptive behavior may meet with administration and/or counseling.  Disciplinary action may be made and parents may be informed via phone, mail or e-mail.  Reinstatement in the class may be preceded by a conference with an administrator, a counselor, a parent and/or a teacher.  If repeated referrals occur other steps may include but are not limited to detention, in or out of school suspension, and/or placement on a probationary behavioral contract.

Conferences will be scheduled by appointment. Parents will have the option to attend in-person or virtually.  Parents may make appointments to meet with a teacher at times other than regularly scheduled conference days by contacting the teacher or their child’s school counselor. Teachers cannot be released from their teaching assignments for unscheduled conferences. Check the calendar for details on dates and times for conferences throughout the school year.

Student use of office telephones will only be allowed under emergency conditions, and not for long periods of time.  Parents wishing to reach their child during school hours should contact the main office.

Single day requests to be excused from physical education should be made by  a parent/guardian to the student’s physical education teacher.  The teacher will send the student to the school nurse if the condition warrants.

The request for a physician’s medical excuse must be initiated by the parent/student.  Copies of the excuse will be filed with the school nurse, the Physical Education teacher, and the Middle School Office.  If the medical excuse is for a period of time less than one month, the Physical Education teacher will keep the student in class and engage the student in activities as appropriate.

Students are required to change clothes in all grades for Physical Education classes at the Middle School. Every student will be issued their own lock and locker.

Required Uniform for PE (store in locker):

• Top: Red T-Shirt of your choice (or available for purchase $8.00)

• Bottoms: Shorts, Yoga Pants, or Joggers

• Footwear: Athletic Tennis Shoes & Socks - NO CROCS, NO BOOTS, NO SANDALS/FLIP FLOPS

• Optional: Deodorant

If a student does not meet the required PE Uniform, they will not be allowed to participate. The student will complete an alternative assignment given by their teacher and not earn participation points toward their daily grade. Administration will be notified if a student continues to violate the policy.

Clothes should be stored in the locker for the week to make it easier-with A/B day classes they only have PE for 2 or 3 days. At the end of each week, we will encourage students to take home their uniform on the weekend to wash and bring back the next week.

The South Milwaukee Police Department will assign an officer as a liaison to work with students and staff.  The liaison officer will be available to meet with students regarding legal concerns during regular school hours.  The officer is considered an agent of the school for purposes of all searches.

The South Milwaukee Police Department will assign an officer as a liaison to work with students and staff.  The liaison officer will be available to meet with students regarding legal concerns during regular school hours.  The officer is considered an agent of the school for purposes of all searches.

Privileges to participate in many groups and activities may be revoked for the following reasons:

1. Attendance – truancy, excessive tardiness
2. Discipline – exclusions, suspensions, disruptive behavior
3. Academics – more than one F

Privileges may be revoked from: field trips, dances, open gym, assemblies, concerts, Student Council, office workers, recognition programs, computer access, school clubs, sports, co-curricular activities, and other special events including Middle School dances.

Student placement into a specific grade shall have as criteria:

• Student academic performance based on District Curriculum Standards;

• Teacher recommendations;

• State, local, and classroom testing and assessment; and

• Other criteria, as appropriate.

Promotion
In general, it is expected that a student shall make a year’s academic progress for each year that they is in school. Progress shall be determined by their ability to meet the proficiency expectations of the District Curriculum Standards.

Retention
It is recognized that retention alone is an insufficient intervention. In those cases where retention is recommended, it shall be combined with interventions specific to the individual student’s needs. The recommendations can include, but are not limited to: change in teaching/instructional practices, summer school, tutoring, special material, extended day opportunities, and increase in school time focused on specific area.

At grades six, seven, and eight retention shall be based on a review of a student’s academic performance which shall consider:
1) assessment of daily academic performance based on District Curriculum Standards;
2) teacher recommendation based on academic performance;
3) standardized and criterion referenced testing such as the state-designated standardized assessments, and local standardized assessments; and,
4) other criteria specific to the individual child.

Any student who is not demonstrating proficiency based on standards, assessment and testing shall have a set of recommendations developed to bring the student up to grade level proficiency as determined by the district and/or state.  The following may provide support for the student in assessing continual growth: Daily performance and assessment demonstrating academic proficiency based on District Curriculum Standards; or The goals of the IEP (Individualized Educational Plan), 504, or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) plans are met; or The school-based team recommends the promotion based on academic performance assessments specific to the individual student.

The District shall provide for the reasonable accommodation of a student’s sincerely held religious beliefs with regard to examinations and other academic requirements, upon written request, and with approval of the building principal.  Accommodations may include, but not necessarily be limited to, exclusion from participation in an activity, alternative assignments, release time from school to participate in religious activities and opportunities to make up work missed due to religious observances.  Any accommodations granted under this policy shall be provided to students without prejudicial effect.

If any student believes this policy was not followed correctly the student should first attempt to resolve the situation through the building Principal or Associate Principal. Formal written complaints may be directed to Jennifer Sielaff, Director of Personnel, Administrative & Legal Services, 901 - 15th Avenue, South Milwaukee.  The phone number is 414-766-5011. (Please see School Board Policy 411 and Rule 411 on the district website for specific steps and timelines).

A grade report will be emailed to students following the close of each grading period.  Parents have live access to the grade book of each of their child’s teachers through Infinite Campus. Parents should plan to periodically monitor the academic progress of their child through Infinite Campus prior to the end of each grading period and contact the teacher with any questions. Academic achievement will be reported using letter grades. The letter grades are defined as follows.

(100-92%) A = assessments indicate an advanced level of proficiency in understanding concepts and skills. The essential standards for this course are fully and consistently met and frequently extended. 

(91-83%) B = assessments indicate a proficient level of understanding concepts and skills trending toward advanced. Most of the essential standards for this course are fully and consistently met and occasionally extended.  

(82-74%) C = assessments indicate a proficient understanding of concepts and skills. Most of the essential standards for this course are met.       

(73-65%) D = assessments indicate a minimal understanding of concepts and skills. Few of the essential standards for this course are fully or consistently met.

(less than 65%) F = assessments indicate failure to show evidence of meeting the essential standards for this course.   

I = insufficient evidence available to assess the essential standards for this course.

Students’ Role and Responsibilities

• Attend school regularly.

• Complete schoolwork in a thoughtful, timely manner that is reflective of your best effort.

• Prepare for assignments and assessments in order to develop knowledge, skills, understandings, and work habits. 

• Take ownership for the honesty and integrity of all assignments/assessments. 

• Respond to feedback in order to further develop knowledge, skills, understandings, and work habits. 

• Seek to maintain a balance in all of the learning activities in life. 

• Take initiative to check personal progress and communicate concerns and questions with teachers. 

• Advocate for variety and flexibility in assignments and assessments. 

• Ask questions, seek additional support, and try new learning strategies as necessary. 

• Review and monitor progress over time. 

• Contribute to a productive learning environment.

• Take responsibility for one’s learning.

Parent/Guardians’ Role and Responsibilities

• Ensure good attendance.

• Understand and reinforce expectations for quality student work.

• Throughout the learning process, place more emphasis on learning by students that focuses on the development of skills, (analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating), content knowledge, understandings, and work habits. 

• Monitor student progress, through Infinite Campus, in meeting course learning objectives in a manner that empowers students to develop personal responsibility and autonomy. 

• Promote using feedback as an important part of the learning process.

• Support and model a balance in all of the learning activities in life.

• Provide current contact information (work, home phone numbers, email) and contact teachers with concerns regarding progress. 

• Advocate for variety and flexibility in assignments and assessments.

• Encourage students to ask questions, seek additional support, and try new learning strategies as necessary.

• Review and monitor progress over time. 

• Attend parent-teacher conferences. 

• Encourage and model appropriate behaviors.

A grade report will be emailed to students following the close of each grading period.  Parents have live access to the grade book of each of their child’s teachers through Infinite Campus. Parents should plan to periodically monitor the academic progress of their child through Infinite Campus prior to the end of each grading period and contact the teacher with any questions. Academic achievement will be reported using letter grades. The letter grades are defined as follows.

(100-92%) A = assessments indicate an advanced level of proficiency in understanding concepts and skills. The essential standards for this course are fully and consistently met and frequently extended. 
(91-83%) B = assessments indicate a proficient level of understanding concepts and skills trending toward advanced. Most of the essential standards for this course are fully and consistently met and occasionally extended.  
(82-74%) C = assessments indicate a proficient understanding of concepts and skills. Most of the essential standards for this course are met.       
(73-65%) D = assessments indicate a minimal understanding of concepts and skills. Few of the essential standards for this course are fully or consistently met.
(less than 65%) F = assessments indicate failure to show evidence of meeting the essential standards for this course.   
I = insufficient evidence available to assess the essential standards for this course.

Students’ Role and Responsibilities

• Attend school regularly.
• Complete schoolwork in a thoughtful, timely manner that is reflective of your best effort.
• Prepare for assignments and assessments in order to develop knowledge, skills, understandings, and work habits. 
• Take ownership for the honesty and integrity of all assignments/assessments. 
• Respond to feedback in order to further develop knowledge, skills, understandings, and work habits. 
• Seek to maintain a balance in all of the learning activities in life. 
• Take initiative to check personal progress and communicate concerns and questions with teachers. 
• Advocate for variety and flexibility in assignments and assessments. 
• Ask questions, seek additional support, and try new learning strategies as necessary. 
• Review and monitor progress over time. 
• Contribute to a productive learning environment.
• Take responsibility for one’s learning.

Parent/Guardians’ Role and Responsibilities

• Ensure good attendance.
• Understand and reinforce expectations for quality student work.
• Throughout the learning process, place more emphasis on learning by students that focuses on the development of skills, (analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating), content knowledge, understandings, and work habits. 
• Monitor student progress, through Infinite Campus, in meeting course learning objectives in a manner that empowers students to develop personal responsibility and autonomy. 
• Promote using feedback as an important part of the learning process.
• Support and model a balance in all of the learning activities in life.
• Provide current contact information (work, home phone numbers, email) and contact teachers with concerns regarding progress. 
• Advocate for variety and flexibility in assignments and assessments.
• Encourage students to ask questions, seek additional support, and try new learning strategies as necessary.
• Review and monitor progress over time. 
• Attend parent-teacher conferences. 
• Encourage and model appropriate behaviors.

Students must be a resident of the City of South Milwaukee or approved through a state enrollment program (such as open enrollment or tuition waiver) to attend school in the School District of South Milwaukee. If the district believes that the student is not living in the City of South Milwaukee and is not a participant in a state program for enrollment, the district may investigate the status of the student and may revoke enrollment privileges as necessary.  Parents/guardians of a student that resides in the district with someone other than the parents/guardians will be required to complete a Determination of Residency Status form. Students may not reside in the district with someone other than the parents/guardians for the sole purpose of attending school in the district. Parents/guardians of a student who moves out of the district during the school year must complete a tuition waiver form to remain a student in the district (School Board Policy 420).

Resource Time is 2:50-3:10pm (before athletic/activity practices can begin).  Students that have not met the class expectations for academics or behavior may be asked to stay during the 2:50-3:10pm Resource Time to receive assistance.  Based on teacher availability, students may arrange in advance to work with teachers before 7:30am. 

A student and their personal possessions may be searched by the building principal or their designee if there is reasonable suspicion that the search will turn up evidence that a particular law, school policy or school rule has been or is being violated. The extent of the search will be governed by the seriousness of the alleged infraction, the student’s age and gender, the student’s disciplinary history and any other relevant circumstances or information (School Board Policy 446; Wisconsin Statutes Section 118.32).

Skateboards and scooters present an element of danger to drivers and skateboard/scooter riders. They are not to be used on school grounds (including school parking lots). Students who ride them to school must walk once they reach school property and then leave them in the main office during the school day.  Students who violate this regulation are subject to disciplinary action.

Students may not throw snowballs or ice while on school property.

This is a notification by the School Board to the parent/guardian of each pupil enrolled in South Milwaukee Middle School that they might request, in writing,  the School Board to excuse the pupil from taking the statewide assessments administered under the pupil assessment law. Upon request, the School Board shall excuse the pupil from taking examinations administered under this section.

District students shall act in such a fashion that their behavior will reflect favorably on the individual student and on the school, show consideration for fellow students, and create a harmonious school atmosphere. To accomplish this, each student must recognize individual responsibilities and obligations and discharge them in accordance with school regulations. Students are expected to abide by the conduct rules as outlined in the student handbook, in the rules and regulations established by the building principal for each school and by the Classroom Code of Conduct approved by the School Board of Education (School Board Policy 443, 443.1).

Students should be polite, helpful, and considerate to substitute teachers. Proper behavior, respect, and compliance with directives of substitutes is required and expected. This rule applies to all staff members.

Foundational classes in reading, language arts, and mathematics are offered in summer school. An enrichment program is offered in music, fitness, and other areas. 

Surveillance cameras may be located in school buildings and on school grounds. The primary purpose for using surveillance cameras in the District is to provide a safe and secure environment for all students, staff and visitors. Cameras will only be placed in public areas such as entrances, hallways, cafeterias, libraries, athletic areas and parking lots. Cameras will not be located in private areas such as restrooms and locker rooms. The cameras may record sounds and images and such sounds and images may be stored electronically, in printed or recorded form. The stored images are the property of the District. The District reserves the discretion to refuse to provide copies to students, parents, staff, community members or other individuals or groups. In cases where surveillance recordings involve student disciplinary action, the recording may become part of that student’s record and shall be dealt with consistent to the District’s student records policy and procedures. Disciplinary action may be taken based on video documentation. Cameras will be monitored throughout the school day; however, the District does not guarantee that the cameras will be monitored at all times. (School Board Policy 734)

Technology resources provided by the School District of South Milwaukee are for educational purposes only. Acceptable uses are those which support the District mission and vision.  

• Access to the technology system is a privilege not a right; and each student will be held responsible for their actions on the technology system. Inappropriate use of electronic information resources can be a violation of local, state, and federal laws and can lead to prosecution under those laws.
• Students failing to abide by the Appropriate Use Policy may lose network/computer privileges along with consequences that may arise from violations of normal school rules, up to and including possible expulsion.  
• All aspects of the technology system are the District’s property.  The District can review all electronic documents, messages, or information for any reason at any time.  
• The District technology system shall be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner.  
• The District will provide students access to technology resources, including the Internet, unless the parent/guardian notifies the appropriate building principal in writing that the District should prevent access to technology resources for their student(s).
• Students are responsible to follow the entire Student Appropriate Use for School Computer Systems School Board Policy 362.2, located on the District and high school websites.

All High School students will receive a Chromebook, charger, and carrying case for use at school and at home as part of the district 1:1 Chromebook initiative.  Chromebooks and chargers will be collected by the technology department at the end a student’s senior year, or prior to a student’s withdrawal..  Students that fail to abide by the policies outlined in the SDSM 1:1 Chromebook Guide may lose Chromebook privileges and may incur school consequences that may arise from violations of normal school rules, up to and including expulsion.  

Use and guidelines of the District Technology System

• All use of District technology resources, including access to the Internet, must be in support of the educational objective of the District.  All Board policies must be followed when using any technology resource.
• Use of District technology to access and/or distribute any material that violates U.S., state, or School Board policy is prohibited.
• Use of technology to access/use copyrighted materials, pornography, materials harmful to minors, obscene materials and/or similar materials is prohibited.
• Students may not use the District’s technology system in an offensive, harassing, illegal, or defamatory manner.  Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, cyber bullying, and other antisocial behaviors are unacceptable in Internet and other network communications.  The District prohibits the use of the system to send or receive offensive or improper messages such as derogatory messages about other students or staff members.  In addition, the District prohibits the use of the technology system in any way that could be construed as harassment or disparagement of others.
• Use of proxy sites to bypass District web filters is prohibited.
• All information accessible through the Internet should be assumed to be private property and subject to copyright protection.  Internet sources should be credited appropriately, as with the use of any copyrighted material. 
• Students have a responsibility to respect the privacy and property of other users. Students should not intentionally seek information about, obtain copies of, or modify, files, data or passwords of other users.  A student will not allow another student to access computers or network resources using their login credentials.
• For their own safety, students should not reveal any personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers, or photographs.
• Employing the Internet for commercial purposes is prohibited.  Students may not use the system to solicit for commercial activities, religious, or political causes, outside organizations or other non-school related matters without prior authorization from the building principal.  
• Students should not expect that files stored on district servers will always be private. School and network administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and to ensure that the network is being used responsibly. 
• Technology resources must be handled with care.  Physical damage or network interruptions such as the introduction of viruses or deleting of files are prohibited.
• No eating or drinking near computers.
• Students are directed to keep passwords for their own private use and should log-off network when leaving the desktop station.
• Students may not access social networking sites (such as Instagram, Facebook, etc.), personal websites, personal blogs, online gambling sites or personal email accounts on District computers except for educational purposes specifically approved by the classroom teacher. 
• Students may not engage in cyber-bullying activities.
• Students may not load, save, download, or otherwise install software on technology without approval from the District technology department.
• Students who create web pages, blogs, profiles or other online postings that result in the student’s online posting being accessed and viewed in the school environment may be disciplined if there is a disruption at the school as a result of the online posting.
• Students may not use the District’s technology system to develop programs or to institute practices that harass other users or gain unauthorized access to any entity on the system. Students may not damage the components of an entity on the system.

It is the intent of the South Milwaukee Board of Education that all students in the school district be provided access to a current and balanced collection of instructional materials.  These materials should depict in an accurate and unbiased way the diversity and pluralistic nature of American society, and support the locally established philosophy and objectives of education.

• Chromebooks, textbooks and some school materials are furnished to students.
• School equipment is for school-related projects only. Students are not permitted to do personal work, correspondence, etc., on school equipment.
• Students will be held responsible to pay for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Students are expected to behave appropriately while riding a school bus or in a District vehicle. Ridership guidelines listed below are not all inclusive. The school district reserves the right to modify the rules and consequences at any time, and may use video cameras to assist with disciplinary issues. All school rules apply while on a bus, or in a District vehicle, for school district activities or events. Students may be denied bus transportation or the ability to ride in a District vehicle if they fail to follow these important guidelines:
1.    Ride only on assigned vehicles.
2.    Do not push another person when getting on or off a bus or in our out of a District vehicle..
4.    Show respect for the drivers.  They are responsible for the orderly conduct of all passengers and will report behavior problems.
5.    Show respect for fellow students and share seats.
6.    Drivers may require students to sit in assigned seats.  Remain seated until the vehicle stops.  Do not change seats unless instructed to by the driver.
7.    Keep arms, legs, head and other objects inside the vehicle and out of the aisles. Each student must keep hands and arms to themselves.
8.    Wait for the driver’s signal to cross in the front of a vehicle.  If the student needs to cross the street in a different area, they should wait on the sidewalk until the vehicle leaves the area, and cross at the nearest crosswalk.
9.Quiet and normal conversation with fellow riders is acceptable.  Yelling, screaming, or profane language will not be tolerated.

Students are prohibited from receiving visitors during the school day.  Parents and other adult visitors with legitimate school business at South Milwaukee Middle School must enter and sign-in at the middle school office.  A Visitor Pass must be obtained and remain visible at all times while in the building, and be returned to the office upon sign-out when leaving the building. Visitors entering the building must provide a driver’s license or valid State ID. Unauthorized persons will be referred to school officials for appropriate action.  Students may not bring others to visit during school hours unless authorized by an administrator prior to the day of the visit. Visitors must present a valid picture ID upon check-in at the main office before being allowed to enter the building.

To withdraw from school, parents and students must complete the sign-out process, which includes:

1. Obtain a withdrawal form from your school counselor or the main office.
2. Have parent/guardian sign the form.
3. All books and materials should be returned to teachers for clearance.
4. Meet all financial obligations.
5. Return the completed withdrawal form to your school counselor or the main office.

Smoking - State law prohibits smoking on premises owned or rented by the School District of South Milwaukee.  The law applies to pupils and adults.  This is also a violation of City Ordinance 24.03(B) and 24.24.  State Law 48.983(2)(c) and City Ordinance 24.24 state that a minor may not possess any cigarette, vaping, or tobacco product.

Vaping - This is a violation of City Ordinance 24.24 "Vapor products" shall mean noncombustible products, that may or may not contain nicotine, that employ a mechanical heating element, battery, electronic circuit, or other mechanism, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to produce a vapor in a solution or other form, including but not limited to an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device. "Vapor products" shall include any vapor cartridge, solution, or other container, that may or may not contain nicotine, that is intended to be used with an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device (i.e.Geek Bar Juul). The possession or purchase of vapor products by anyone under the age of 21 is prohibited. Students caught in possession of, using or selling any products listed above will face consequences per the SDSM 6-12 Drug Prevention Plan

Ignition Devices - City Ordinance 27.15 prohibits the sale and/or possession of any ignition devices to/by a minor.  Ignition devices are defined as matches, lighters, or any other materials when used for the purpose of ignition.

Co-curricular activities are a vital part of the educational system and students are encouraged to take advantage of them, in addition to their academics at South Milwaukee Middle School. When students commit themselves to an activity, they owe it their best effort, not only to benefit the club, but themselves. Any student that falls behind in their schoolwork should seek extra help from the teacher(s) prior to participating in any co-curricular activity. Students should consider all other obligations before committing themselves to an activity. 
The co-curricular program is an integral part of the educational system. While creating an opportunity for students to grow and mature, participation in co-curricular activities is considered a privilege. Therefore, standards may apply to co-curricular participants which may not apply to the general student population. 
Activities will be scheduled during the day or after school at times convenient to the group and its advisor. Only officially recognized school groups may use the school building or its facilities, unless use is approved through the Athletic Office with a facility request form. A non-student adult must supervise students in the building after hours, and will be responsible for any damage that may occur that is caused by the supervisor or group of students.

Co-curricular activities are intended to help students learn to work in a productive relationship with a variety of people. Activities place students in unique situations to learn lessons in self-discipline, teamwork, respect, dealing with failure, dealing with success, and prepare students for their future in a dynamic society. 

Students participating in co-curricular activities shall be subject to this code 12 months a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, on or off-campus from the first day the student becomes involved in co-curricular activities at South Milwaukee Middle School until they have graduated and completed all school-sponsored activities.  

Category 1 Activities - are those activities in which the school has a schedule of interscholastic contests or school-sponsored performances or competition. If a student has been suspended from an activity/athletic team, the student is required to attend all practices, games and activities upon completion of any suspension from school.

Athletic Activities: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Track, Girls Volleyball, Wrestling
Fine Arts Activities: Music Performances, School Sponsored Trips

Category 2 Activities - are activities in which there are no contests, performances, or competition. A student may be suspended from any participation for two weeks.

School Dances
National Junior Honor Society
Talent Show
W.E.B.
Student Newspaper
Yearbook
Peer Mediation
Volunteens

A student must meet school and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requirements defining a full-time student. Students are ineligible if they received more than one failing grade and/or an incomplete in the most recent grade reporting period (quarter). Special consideration may be made for students with exceptional educational needs enrolled in a school-approved program that meets the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) requirements for academic eligibility as indicated by their IEP. 

• A student who fails to meet the minimum requirements listed above becomes ineligible on the final day of the quarter in question. The student is then ineligible for all appearances and competitions until regaining eligibility.
  • The student will be suspended for a minimum 15 school days and school nights. This suspension can be longer if the student fails to regain eligibility. 
  • For the fall sports season there is an adjusted WIAA standard at the start of the school year. This standard is the lesser of the following two options: 1) 21 consecutive days after the earliest date allowed for competition in a sport, or 2) one-third of the maximum number of allowed meets/games in a sport (rounded up if a third results in a fraction) per WIAA rules.
  • Students are allowed to regain academic eligibility by successfully completing summer school courses or by taking correspondence courses that are pre-approved by the counseling department to meet graduation requirements as accepted by South Milwaukee High School. 
• Incompletes shall be treated as failing grades until written proof that these incompletes have been made up and a passing grade achieved for the grading period just completed is received by the Activities, Athletics & Recreation Coordinator. 
• A student who is ineligible may continue to meet and practice during the period of ineligibility with consent of coach/advisor and the Coordinator. 
• The date for determining academic eligibility will be the date the grade report is provided to the Coordinator. 

• An unexcused absence the day of a contest, performance, or activity makes the unexcused student ineligible to participate that day.
• A student can miss half of a day, with an excused absence, and retain eligibility for the remainder of that day. A half day excused absence must be granted through the Attendance Office in order to participate in a contest, performance, or activity.
• For contests, performances, or activities that take place on Saturday, a student must attend at least half of the previous school day, with the portion of the school day missed being an excused absence.
• Suspensions or unexcused absences for any part of a school day make a student ineligible to participate in ANY co-curricular activities that day. A suspension or unexcused absence may also result in a suspension from the next day’s co-curricular activities.
• Suspensions and unexcused absences will be tracked by the Coordinator. A pattern of suspensions or unexcused absences may result in extensive disciplinary measures being taken against the student.
• Should extenuating circumstances arise, such as for a funeral or a family illness, students may request prior approval for such an absence from the Coordinator.

• It is expected that students will conduct themselves professionally and responsibly at all times. As representatives of South Milwaukee, co-curricular activity participants are expected to follow school standards and good citizenship. It is the responsibility of each co-curricular participant to know what activities (for example the use of controlled substances or alcohol by others) are taking place at social gatherings that they attend. Lack of knowledge of such activities may not prevent said participant from being in violation of the Activities Code.
• In-season athletes are expected to maintain an acceptable level of good grooming and hygiene. Due to safety and health concerns in some sports, athletes may be required to satisfy this issue prior to participating in practice or scheduled competition.

Students and parents will be required to sign a WIAA Concussion Information sheet before starting any athletic program. The WIAA has a concussion policy providing participants and parents with general information about concussions and how to address them. This policy can be found on the WIAA website.

• In the occurrence that a student has conflicting co-curricular activities, the student has the duty to inform their coach or advisor of the conflict prior to the date of the conflict. Once the conflict is brought to the attention of the coach or advisor, an attempt will be made at a resolution.
• When a student has a conflict because two or more events or performances are scheduled at the same time, the following policy will apply: 
  • A performance (i.e. game, meet, contest, play, etc.) has priority over any practice or rehearsal, and the student is excused from the other activity without penalty. 
  • Participation or performance in a theatre, conference, district, or state tournament series event takes priority. If a student should choose not to participate in the theatre, conference, district or state tournament series, they will not be permitted to participate in any activity during the same date(s). 
  • The first activity (based on starting date) the student joins or commits to will take precedent in the event of practice or performance conflict. The first activity will be considered the student’s “primary” activity. Students who wish to be involved in additional activities MUST make prior arrangements with their primary advisor/coach to attend a practice or any portion of a practice for another activity in place of their regular practice. 
  • If a performance in one activity conflicts with a performance in another activity, the student will perform in the activity taking priority under provisions 1, 2, or 3. If this causes a problem, and the coaches/advisors cannot agree, the Coordinator will act as arbitrator.

Any activity that violates Wisconsin State law will be deemed a violation of this code. 

The possession, use or display of tobacco, alcohol, PES, tobacco, or vaping products is a violation of the co-curricular activity policy for the South Milwaukee School District. A co-curricular participant doing any of these activities will be found in violation of this code and subject to the penalties of the following section.  The use of e-cigarettes or hookah pens is also a violation of this code.

Duties and expectations apply to the conduct of all parties involved in the co-curricular activities program. This includes coaches and supervisors (collectively “coaches”), parents of participating students, and the students themselves. Outlining what is expected of parents, coaches, and students allows each party to understand what is to be expected when they interact with one another.

Coaches:

• Should voice the expectations that they have established for all of their team members, as well as the team’s rules to both parents and students. This includes:
  • Location and times of all practices.
  • Team requirements, fees, special equipment, game dress, and off-season opportunities.
  • Lettering requirements.
  • Sport-specific rules.
• Shall act as a role model for good sportsmanship, use of appropriate language, promoting a healthy and safe environment, and safe teaching techniques.
• Can expect parents and students to inform them of any schedule conflicts that may occur well before the conflict occurs.
• Can expect parents and students to support all team members as well as the coaching staff. 
• Shall not physically or mentally endanger any co-curricular participants.

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) code of conduct for coaches can be found here: WIAA Coach Sportsmanship Code of Conduct.

Parents:

• Should expect that the coach puts the team first.
• Should inform the coach of any scheduling conflicts that arise with their child and the co-curricular activity.
• Support their children in a respectful manner at contests or games. This includes appropriate language and sportsmanship.
• Inquire about the physical or mental health of their child with the coach if they fear that it is at risk.
• Should not confront the coach about the makeup of a team, the strategy for a contest, or the playing time or opportunity to compete that their child receives. These are coaching decision made with the best interests of the team at heart and should be respected as such. 
• Should show support for the Athletic Code of Conduct, the rules of the WIAA, and any additional rules the coach may have.
• Shall look to schedule meetings with the coach as opposed to expecting to meet with them prior to or following each contest.

The WIAA’s Parental Guide to Sportsmanship can be found here: WIAA Parental Guide to Sportsmanship

Students:

• Owe a responsibility to themselves
  • Are expected to be participating in co-curricular activities to broaden the strength of their academic achievement and character.
  • Are expected to be good sports and to be a respectable member of the community.
• Owe a responsibility to their academic studies
  • Academic studies coupled with participation in co-curricular activities are used to prepare students for their adult life. 
• Owe a responsibility to South Milwaukee Middle School
  • Students participating in co-curricular activities make themselves highly visible to other students and faculty. It is important that students act responsibly in front of other students and faculty.
  • Be a respectful role model for their teammates and fellow classmates of South Milwaukee Middle School.
• Owe a responsibility to the community
  • The community assists in funding co-curricular activities through taxes and donations. It is important that members of the community are treated with respect by co-curricular participants. 
  • Co-curricular participants must act reasonably when the spotlight is on them. It is often the case that their actions reflect not only others’ perception of themselves and the school, but the community as a whole. 
  • It is the school’s desire that co-curricular participants are respectful at all times.
• Owe a specific responsibility to younger students
  • Students participating in co-curricular activities will have younger students that look up to them as role models.
  • Students participating in co-curricular activities should behave responsibly and foster a respectful environment that encourages younger students to carry on such a legacy at South Milwaukee High School.
• Owe a responsibility to their coaches
  • Inform the coach of any scheduling conflicts and properly address them (see the conflicting activities section above).
  • Treat coaches with respect and follow their own independent rules and policies. 

Fans:

• Must be respectful of the other teams they compete against.
• Must show good sportsmanship.
• Need to realize that your actions reflect South Milwaukee High School and this should be considered prior to taking those actions.
• Should be a role model for other fans and fans of other schools or teams.
• Should show school spirit and pride. 
• Should enjoy themselves.

• Fighting both during and outside of activities or events will not be tolerated. Any fighting will be deemed a violation of this code.
• The School District of South Milwaukee will not permit any student to engage in any form of hazing as explained in School Board Policy 411.3. Hazing consists of any activity that is intimidating, threatening, or demeaning and is perpetrated for any reason such as the victim’s age, grade level, team affiliation, or school affiliation. 
• The definition of bullying, as explained in School Board Policy 411.3, will be applied to the Activities Code. Bullying including cyber bullying will not be tolerated in any forum associated with a co-curricular activity.
• Students gathering to encourage fighting, hazing, or bullying, by means of cheering, taunting video streaming, video recording, and/or posting about the incident on social media will be subject to discipline.

Co-curricular activity participants that are required to check out equipment for their activity are liable for the equipment if it is lost, stolen, or damaged. The replacement cost will be equivalent to a new piece of equipment no matter the condition of the previous equipment. Unpaid equipment fees will be added as obligations in Infinite Campus. 

All fundraisers must adhere to school board policy and school rules. If fundraising for an activity that needs board approval, the approval for the activity must be obtained before any fundraising efforts begin. All requests must be turned in to the Activities, Athletics and Recreation Coordinator for approval prior to commencing. Each activity advisor will inform his/her group of these rules. All revenue from sales and any discrepancies must be reported to the advisor. Restrictions may be placed on possible fundraisers based upon the District Wellness Policy. All fundraiser proceeds must be applied directly to the organization doing the fundraiser, and only for the purpose of the fundraiser.

• If the student is involved in more than one activity, the student will serve the penalty concurrently.
• If the student is between activities, the penalty will carry over to the next activity that they participate in.
• If the student does not complete their penalty, they will not be able to begin another activity until the penalty is completed in the new activity.
• Self- Referral
  • A student may submit a written self-referral within two days of their violating behavior or during the school day on Monday, if the violation took place on the weekend. These self-referrals must detail the violation, time, date, and place of the violating behavior and may reduce the duration or extent of the punishment. If the violating behavior took place on school grounds, it is unlikely that the student will be able to utilize their self-referral privilege. Self-referrals must be turned into to the Coordinator. A copy of the self-referral must be turned into the coach or advisor as well.
• Violations other than Self-Referrals
  • A violation must be reported to the Coordinator within the school year of the alleged violation. Reports during the summer months must be reported within the first five school days. The report must include the alleged violation, time, date, and place of the violating behavior. A copy of the report must be turned into the coach or advisor as well.
• Honesty Clause and Initial Questioning 
  • If a South Milwaukee Administrator or the Coordinator has a reasonable suspicion that a co-curricular participant violated the code of conduct, they may question that student. It is the student’s duty to respond truthfully during the questioning period. Truthful answers may result in lighter penalties and dishonesty or attempts to mislead the investigation may result in harsher penalties against the co-curricular activity participant. 
  • The co-curricular activity participant must be forthcoming with information and cooperative during the investigation.
• Informing the Co-Curricular Participant of the Penalty
  • Once the Coordinator has determined that a violation has occurred, they will inform both the student and the student’s parents of the violation and the penalty resulting from the violation. The student must also be notified of their right to appeal the decision. 

PENALTY GRID*

*This list does not include all possible penalties and is not absolute; it is to be used as a guide for the assignment of penalties in violation of the co-curricular activity code. The Coordinator in consultation with high school administration will look into the severity of each violation, whether it was a self-referral and how honest the student is when ultimately determining the punishment.

Due to the rapidly changing nature of social media, student use of social media will be subject to review by the athletic department and penalties for violations of social media policy including but not limited to inappropriate posting of photos, harassment, and inappropriate language will be subject to penalties on a case by case basis.

Appeals

• Once it has been determined that a violation has occurred, the parents will be contacted and informed of the penalty and the appeal process. Students have five days to appeal the decision.
• A log entry will kept to track the progress of the violation.
• If an appeal is requested, the Coordinator, who will act as a facilitator for the meeting, will convene an Appeal Board. Once the Appeal Board has been determined, the parents and the student will be informed and a time, date, and location for the appeal will be set. Parents are encouraged to attend the appeal meeting.
• The Appeal Board will consist of five members and the Appeal Board will:
• Select a chairperson to conduct the meeting.
• Hear the alleged violation and penalties assessed, as presented by the coach/advisor or the Coordinator.
• Provide opportunity for the student to state their side of the story.
• Weigh all evidence and make a final decision by an oral vote.
• Either uphold the decision, overrule the decision, uphold the decision and opt for a different penalty (falling within the approved school guidelines), or make another appropriate recommendation.
• Inform the student of the final decision.
• Inform administration of the final decision.
• If either party is dissatisfied with the decision, they must request in writing a review of the appeal by the Superintendent of the School District of South Milwaukee who will determine if a review of the appeal decision is necessary. This request must be made within three (3) days of the Appeal Board decision.

Students and parents will be required to sign the WIAA Physical Examination form as proof of having a physical, clearing the student to participate in sports, before starting any athletic program. Physical forms must also be signed by a licensed physician or physician assistant every two years. The WIAA also requires an Alternate Physical Examination form be completed by the parent and student in years opposite to the physical examination requirement before starting any athletic program.

Any conduct that violates a provision of this code that is displayed on social media is a direct violation of this code. Co-curricular participants should be responsible with their social media content as it is available to the public. 
The posting of any photos on social media of a student-athlete in a South Milwaukee uniform that is deemed inappropriate is a violation of this code.

Students who voluntarily join an athletic team or activity at South Milwaukee High School are expected to abide by the following membership rules.

• Rules – In addition to all school rules, students must abide by their specific team or activity rules as provided by their coach or advisor.
• Coach’s Authority – With cause, team coaches and activity advisors have the authority to unilaterally suspend a student from a team or activity. These suspensions take effect immediately. Coaches are required to notify the Coordinator when such suspensions are put into effect. Any suspensions lasting more than three (3) days are subject to the Due Process procedures in the Activities.
• Athletic Team Loyalty – A student beginning in one sport cannot transfer to another sport, during the same season, until the original sport’s season is completed, except with the mutual consent of the head coaches of the two sports involved. 

Students are required to travel both to and from all team competitions and events with their team-provided transportation. If a parent, due to an emergency or unavoidable family circumstance needs other arrangements to be made, a Transportation Release form must be filled out by the parent and turned in to the coach prior to the event.