Pitsch Elementary Student Handbook
2007-2008

September, 2007

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2007-2008 school year at Pitsch Elementary School!  As we approach a new year of education, our staff of dedicated and caring professionals looks forward to providing your child with an exciting and rewarding learning experience.

The development of any positive relationship is dependent upon good communication.  It is in the best interest of each child attending our school to have the trust and confidence that good communication helps to build for a strong home and school relationship.  As a parent, you should feel comfortable in discussing any school concern with your child's teacher.  Clear and direct communication between those individuals who work closest with your child will provide the greatest opportunity for solutions to your concerns.  Working together as a team will be a vital key in the learning process for your child.

This handbook has been developed to assist you throughout the school year.  I encourage you to review the information carefully and discuss the material with your student.  As a convenient reference, it will provide you with an informative guide to our school programs, guidelines, and policies.  If you should have any questions after reviewing this information, please feel free to contact our school office. 

Sincerely,

Shannon Matott
Principal

Able Learner
Absence/Attendance
Building Entrances
Cancellation of School
Candy, Gum, and Classroom Treats
Change of Address
Cold Weather Recess/Playground Procedures
Communication/Monday Folder
Discipline
Dress Code
Early Release Day Change
Early Sign Out/Late Arrival
Five Basic Rules
Hot Lunch/Milk Program
Immunizations
Insurance
Lunchroom Conduct
Medication Administration Procedures
Money
Morning Milk Program
Nondiscrimination Statement
Nurse
Parking Lot
Parent's Right to Restrict/Release Public Information
Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences
Party Announcements
Playground Reminders
Progress Reports
Safety Patrol
Safety Rules for Building & Playground
School Records
Sick Children
Special Services
Student Registration Fee
Student Surveys
Telephone
Testing
Time Schedule
Transfer of Records & Boundary Exceptions
Videos/Film
Volunteer Opportunities

Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools
Mission Statement

Working together with home and community,
we are dedicated to providing the best
education for every student, enabling each
to be a thoughtful, responsible contributor
to a changing world.

Ann Mary Pitsch School
Mission Statement

People working together to meet
the needs of today's children
for tomorrow's world.

Ann Mary Pitsch School
Philosophy

We believe that education is a lifelong process. 

We believe that each child is unique and special and that learning occurs best in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

Our primary goal is to…
      guide our students into becoming productive adults,
      help them develop decision-making skills,
      allow them the freedom to pursue their own interests without infringing on the rights of others, and
      to be accountable for their actions.

In an effort to reach that goal, we know we must… 
     work cooperatively with parents and other staff persons and
     periodically review the curriculum to insure that the learning  experiences are developmental, logical, and appropriate.
 
We will communicate to our students through our actions as well as words that they are valuable, can learn, and are primarily responsible for their own learning.

Pitsch Elementary School

Able Learner

Students who exhibit specific strengths, sustained interests, or unique talents in areas such as intellect, creativity, leadership, the performing or visual arts, or a specific academic area may be referred for able learner programming.  Parents may contact their child's teacher or Shannon Matott, Able Learner coordinator, with any questions.

Absence/Attendance

Parents are legally responsible for their children's school attendance according to the state law of Wisconsin. We request that parents call school at 422-6171 if their child will be absent. Please listen carefully to the instructions if leaving information on the answering service.  Parents will be contacted by the office concerning any absent student that is not accounted for.

If a parent fails to contact the school to report an absence and the school is unable to reach the parent by phone, the student's absence will be listed as unexcused.
Please note: unexcused absences and tardies count toward a child being legally considered truant. 

The following legal statute defines "habitual truant" as a student who is absent from school without an acceptable excuse for part or all of five (5) or more days out of ten (10) consecutive days on which school is held during a semester.

Parents will be notified when a truancy situation occurs.  When needed, a parent meeting will be held to discuss how to improve school attendance and/or legal ramifications of continued unexcused absences.

Building Entrances

The main entrance to the building is through the east doors off the parking lot area. Please use these doors when entering or leaving the building.  All other doors will be locked during the school day.  In an effort to maintain building security, all parents and visitors are required to check in and out of the office during the hours of 8:45 - 3:15.  A visitor or volunteer name tag will be given to each individual after signing into the building.

Students will be required to wait outside until the bell rings at 8:30 a.m. to start the school day.  Students in kindergarten, first, and second grades must wait by the east entry doors.  Students in grades three, four, five, and six must wait by the south entry doors.  During inclement weather, a sign will be posted on the east side and south side doors allowing students to enter the building early. Parents are reminded that there is no before school supervision for students on the playground area.  We ask that students arrive no earlier than 8:20 a.m.

If you are dropping something off at school for your child, please report to the office upon entering the building.  The classroom teacher will be informed of the item(s) that you have left in the office for your child.  Balloons, treats, gifts, etc. that are brought to school for students must be left in the office and will be distributed at the end of the school day before students are dismissed.

Cancellation Of School

Before School
If bad weather during the night makes it impossible for buses to run in the morning, radio announcements will be made on WFHR (1320 AM), WGLX (103.3 FM), WSPT (97.9 FM), WSPO (1010 AM), WAXX (104 FM), WAYY (1150 AM), WYTE (96 FM), WDLB (1450 AM), WLJY (106 FM), WIZD (99.9 FM), WRIG (1390 AM), WYCO (108 FM), WXCO (1230 AM), WIFC (95.5 FM), WSAU (550 AM), and WDEZ (102 FM) as early as possible, but no later than 6:30 a.m.

During The School Day
If the weather necessitates an early dismissal for students, lunch will be served before they leave.  An announcement of early dismissal will be made on the above radio stations by 11:00 a.m. so parents can be advised to expect their student(s) home early.  Elementary school students will be dismissed at 12:00 noon.

We encourage you to listen to the radio if you think the weather conditions are deteriorating and there is a possibility that school may be cancelled or dismissed early.  Please do not call the school.  It is important that we keep the phone lines open.

Candy, Gum, and Classroom Treats

The consumption or use of candy or gum is strictly forbidden during the school day unless the following conditions exist:
• It is brought or given as a part of the school lunch and to be eaten in the lunchroom only.
• As a special treat approved by the classroom teacher and to be eaten in the classroom only.
• As a part of a classroom party and to be eaten in the classroom only.
• As a special treat brought to school by a parent, approved by the classroom teacher, and eaten in the classroom only.

Change of Address

It is important that parents notify the school office of any change in home address, phone number, mother and/or father work place and phone number, and other contact individuals.  This is extremely important in the event that your child becomes ill or an emergency situation should arise.

Cold Weather Recess/Playground Procedures

When the temperature or wind chill factor is below 0° F, students will not play outside for more than 10 minutes at a time.  If the wind chill factor/temperature is below -10° F, children will not go outside at all.

Students should dress warmly for outside play.  Winter wear should include...

• snow pants (K-3), boots, winter jacket, gloves/mittens, and hat.  Snow pants will be required for all students who choose not to stay on the hard surface area of the playground.
• boots for all students who play off the hard surface area of the playground.  Due to our carpet, a change of shoes will be required for students as their shoes/boots cannot be worn both indoors and outdoors during the wet weather season.

Students who do not have a pair of boots will need to...

• stay on the hard surface area of the playground if it has been plowed.
• stand against the wall if the hard surface area on the playground has not been plowed.
• change their shoes before entering the classroom.  If a second pair of shoes is not available for classroom wear, the student will call home and ask that a pair of boots or shoes be brought to school.

Communication

School newsletters are sent home on a regular basis. Besides including information about school policies, special events, and school lunch menus, the newsletters will include messages by children and about children. We encourage parents to read these newsletters with their child, thereby reinforcing the impression that learning is very important—one of the most important "jobs" a child has to do.

Monday Folder

Children's papers, school bulletins, and community announcements will be sent home each Monday.  By sending home this sort of information on a regular, predictable basis, we believe we can best assist parents to remain fully informed.  Parents are asked to remove these papers and return the folder to school on Tuesday with their child.

Discipline

Pitsch Elementary School believes that in order for our school to be successful in providing a quality educational experience to its students, certain rules and policies must be followed.  These rules and policies have been created to insure a safe and positive environment for young learners.  When a violation occurs, students may be subject to the loss of school privileges, suspension (in school and out of school) or in the most serious case, expulsion.  In instances where expulsion is considered, Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools' board policy and legal requirements will be followed.

Dress Code

We ask that students wear clothing that is practical, appropriate for the weather conditions, reflects good taste, and is neat and clean.  Students are not to wear clothing that may cause a disruption to the educational process or the orderly operation of the school.  This includes clothing that...

•  has comments, pictures, slogans, or designs that are obscene, profane, or vulgar. 
•  harasses or threatens an individual or group of individuals because of sex, color, race, religion, handicap, national origin, or sexual orientation.
•  advertises or promotes alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or illegal drugs.
•  is overly revealing.*
•  is associated with gangs.

*Mesh or any other clothing which is of a dimension as to expose the body will not be allowed.  (i.e. shirts which do not come to the beltline, short shorts/skirts)

Release Days

The 2007-2008 school year calendar includes several changes that will benefit students, parents, and teachers.  For the students, increased instruction will be offered through the change of the one-half day early release every month to one full release day every other month.  For parents, day-care situations can be more easily accommodated for a full day instead of the half-day arrangement.  For teachers, having a full day totally devoted to professional development opportunities will help all of us as educators to provide better instruction to our students.  Instructional time for children will be enhanced, even though the number of school days will be reduced.  Approval for this change has been received by the Department of Public Instruction.  Similar approval has been given to Antigo, Rhinelander, and Wausau school districts.  Release days have been scheduled on Fridays to enable families to plan three-day weekend activities as opposed to breaking up the week with a mid-week release day format.  The release days for the 2007-2008 school year include: October 5th, November 9th, Jan 25th, February 18h, April 4th, and May 2nd.

Early Sign Out/Late Arrival 

To accurately account for all students throughout the school day, we require that parents sign the "Early Sign Out/Late Arrival" sheet in the school office whenever children must leave school early or are late arriving to school.

Five Basic Rules

Students will....act in a safe and orderly manner.
Students will....show respect for property, personal feelings, and opinions of others.
Students will....be on time and where they should be in the school.
Students will....listen and follow directions from adults.
Students will....not fight, swear, tease, "put others down", or make obscene gestures.

Hot Lunch Program

The Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools Food Service Program is part of the National School Lunch Program.  The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free meals to school children.

School meals must meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend that no more than 30 percent of an individual’s calories come from fat, and less than 10 percent from saturated fat.  Regulations also establish a standard for school lunches to provide one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium and calories.       

Lunch ticket prices are as follows: 

Regular Hot Lunch $1.50 / day
$7.50 / week

Reduced Hot Lunch $.40 / day
$2.00 / week

Adult Hot Lunch $2.50 / day

Milk $.25

Juice $.25

A school lunch includes a half-pint of milk, but an extra half-pint of milk can be purchased for $0.25.  At the elementary schools, a 4 ounce serving of 100% fruit juice may also be purchased with lunch at an additional cost of $0.25.  Students eligible for free meals are required to pay for additional milk or juice that is purchased with a meal.

Breakfast Program
 
Pitsch School will be serving breakfast for the 2007-2008 school year.  Breakfast will be available from 8:05 to 8:30 each morning in the gym/cafeteria. Students who arrive after 8:25 will be able to pick up their breakfast and take it to their classroom.  They can either eat it at that time or eat it later in the morning as a snack.

The regular cost for this school breakfast will be $1.00 each day, with the reduced cost of $.30.  If your child is eligible for free or reduced lunch, he/she would also be eligible for free or reduced prices on breakfast.  The cost of each day’s breakfast will be subtracted from individual student lunch accounts.  Payments for breakfast fees may be paid at any time and will be added to each student’s lunch account.

Student Use System

The Wisconsin Rapids Public School District utilizes a computerized meal accounting system. Each student is issued a five digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) that they enter onto a keypad at the breakfast or lunch line.  The PIN is the same number as the student ID number assigned to them by the school district.  This number will be used at any school your child attends in the Wisconsin Rapids Public School district and will remain the same throughout their school career in our district.  Students may only enter their own PIN; “borrowing” or entering another student’s PIN is not allowed.

This system works like a checking account where money is deposited into each student’s account.  When the student makes a meal purchase, the cost of the purchase is deducted from the computer account.  Parents/guardians are expected to keep the student’s account in a positive balance. 

The system automatically recognizes any student eligible for a free or reduced meal and records the transaction appropriately.  Students receiving free meals do not need to deposit money if the account will only be used for hot lunches.

Deposits to a student account are to be sent to the child’s school.  Each time a payment is sent in, the amount is recorded in the student’s account.  If a parent/guardian has more than one student attending a school, one check may be written for all students in the family.  We ask that all payments be sent in an envelope.  Checks are the preferred method of payment.  When making a payment to an account, please indicate the student’s first and last name, ID number, grade, and payment amount of the front of the envelope.  If a deposit is being sent for more than one student, please indicate each student’s first and last names, ID numbers, grades and payment amount on the front of the envelope.  The ID number may be written on the check, instead of on the envelope, if you prefer. The money will be deposited equally between each student listed unless indicated otherwise on the front of the envelope.  Having the correct information on the envelope will assure that the payment gets recorded properly.

If you have students who attend several schools, deposits must be made to each school. 

Parents or younger siblings who eat meals with a student at school may have their meal subtracted from the student’s account.  The system keeps a record of all student transactions,

which a parent/guardian may review upon request.  Requests for this information may be made through the school office.

If a student's balance falls below a pre-determined negative balance amount, a regular school meal will not be served and a peanut butter sandwich and milk will be provided. 

At the elementary schools, a note will be sent home in your child’s folder when the account balance is low or if the student has a negative balance. 

Free or Reduced Meals
School district meals are available free or at a reduced price to eligible students.  To qualify for free or reduced price meals for your children, you must complete an application and return it to the school.  All applications must be filled out completely.  A letter and application regarding the Free and Reduced Lunch Program will be sent home with your child on the first day of school.  Only one application is to be returned for each family.  Please remember to include all members of the family who are attending school on one form.  Do not send separate applications to each school.  Return completed applications to the school office as soon as possible.

Any family who is applying for free or reduced price meals and was not approved the previous year must send money with their child/children for lunches or provide a sack lunch until they are notified that their application has been approved.

Refunds
Any funds remaining in a student meal account at the end of a school year will be carried over to the following year.  Account balances for students transferring or changing to a different school in the Wisconsin Rapids School District will transfer to that school also.

Funds left in a student account will be refunded only if the student is moving out of the school district.  Requests for such refunds can be made through the school office.

Miscellaneous hot lunch

Immunizations

The hepatitis B series is now required for students in kindergarten, first, second, third, and seventh grades.  The hepatitis B series takes six months to complete, so start early.  The
school district offers a hepatitis B clinic for all sixth graders.  Required immunizations for Kindergarten entrance are:

4 - DPT
4 - Polio
2 - MMR
3 - Hepatitis B (Hep B)
1 - Varicella (chicken pox)

Insurance

The School District of Wisconsin Rapids does not provide any type of health or accident insurance for injuries incurred by your child at school.  As a service to parents, WRPS makes available accident insurance through First Agency, Inc. of Kalamazoo, MI.  Information regarding this coverage was sent home the first day of school or you may call the school office at 422-6171 for a copy or to receive additional information.

Lunchroom Conduct

With the exception of classroom treats, all food will be eaten in the lunchroom.  Students are expected to use proper manners and follow the direction of the lunchroom aides.  Failure to follow lunchroom procedures and rules may result in removal from the lunchroom and/or a parent conference.  Since proper nutrition goes hand in hand with good classroom performance, school staff encourages children to eat their lunches.

Medication Administration Procedures

When possible, parents are encouraged to administer medication at home.  The following procedures are used by the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools when administering medication at school.

According to Wisconsin Statute #118.29 and Wisconsin Rapids Public School Policy for Administering Medication in School, the following procedures must be followed before any medication can be administered to your child.

For Prescription Medication
The "Physician/Dentist Orders for Administering Prescription Medication in School" form must be completed by the prescribing physician and parent and returned to school before any medication will be administered.  This form can be obtained through the school office.

1. Medication to be administered at school must be in the most recently dated pharmacy labeled bottle with the following information on the bottle:
Child's full name

•  Name of drug and current dosage
•  Time and quantity to be given
•  Physician's name
•  Name and telephone number of the pharmacy

2. Each medication must have its own properly labeled bottle, i.e. Ritalin 5 mg and Ritalin 10 mg must be in separately labeled bottles.  Pills and bottle dosage must match.

3. Medication should be supplied in ready-to-administer dosage form. (i.e. pill cut in half if needed.)

4. Extra prescription labeled bottles can be obtained from your pharmacist upon request.

5. Medication arriving in improperly labeled containers or containers such as envelopes, baggies, or wrapped in aluminum foil will not be administered by school personnel.  Refer to #2.

6. Changes in dosage, medication, and/or time of administration require a new Physician Order Form to be completed.

For Non-Prescription Medication
Over the counter medications will be administered only with proper written parental consent.  Medication must be provided in original labeled container.

Inhalers
Effective September 1, 1999, all asthmatic students, while in school, at a school-sponsored activity, or under the supervision of a school authority, may possess and use a metered dose inhaler or dry powder inhaler if all of the following are true:

•  The student uses the inhaler before exercise to prevent the onset of asthmatic symptoms or uses the inhaler to alleviate asthmatic symptoms.
•  The student has the written approval of the student's physician and, if the student is a minor, the written approval of the student's parent or guardian.
•  The student has provided the school principal with a copy of the approval or approvals.

Money

When money must be sent to school for any reason, please place it in a sealed envelope with the student's name, grade, the amount enclosed, student ID number, and its purpose written on the outside.

Morning Milk Program 

The morning milk program is offered on a semester basis. In order to have your student participate in this program, please return $22.50 and the form that is sent home each semester with your child.  Be sure to specify what type of milk you would like your child to receive.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools does not discriminate against students on the basis of sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability or handicap in its education programs or activities.  Federal law prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or handicap.

The District encourages informal resolution of complaints under this policy.  If any person believes that the Wisconsin Rapids School District or any part of the school organization has failed to follow the law and rules of s. 118.13, Wis. Statues, or in some way discriminates against pupils on the basis listed above, he/she may bring or send a complaint to the administration office at the following address:  Thomas A. Lenk Educational Services Center, 510 Peach Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494.  If you require additional information on these two subjects, please contact Timothy Bruns, Pitsch Elementary Principal, at 422-6171.

Grievance Procedure
Any alleged violations of this policy are to be processed in the following manner:

1. The aggrieved employee or student should discuss the alleged violation with his/her building principal.

2. If the grievance is not resolved in step one within ten working days, the employee or students should place the grievance in writing and present it to the Superintendent of Schools.

3. If the grievance is not settled within ten working days, the grievance will be submitted in writing to the Board of Education Personnel Committee.  The Committee will meet to rule on the grievance within twenty working days.

4. In the event the grievance is not resolved in step three, the case may be presented to the state or federal agency having appropriate jurisdiction.

Inquiries concerning the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools Nondiscrimination Policy, Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, or alleged discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, sex, or handicap, should be referred to:  Director of Human Resources, Thomas A. Lenk Educational Service Center, 510 Peach Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI  54494, or telephone 422-6008.

Nurse

Our school nurse, Kris Dauenhauer, is assigned to our building one half-day per week.  She can be reached at West Junior High School in the mornings at 422-6200 or Friday afternoons at Pitsch School at 422-6171.

Parking Lot

If you wish to drop off your children without walking them to the door, please drop them off on the sidewalk in front of Pitsch School.  If you “unload” your children” on the sidewalk directly in front of the school on Pear Street, your children can then safely walk up the sidewalk to the side entry door near the office.

Please do not pull up to the sidewalk inside the parking lot or in front of the office doors to drop off your children.  This is not a drop off area.  This is a vehicle traffic area and is causing congestion and traffic flow problems at a time when traffic is high.  We have parents and students walking up to the side door while parents are driving close by and it is a dangerous area.

There is a crosswalk painted on the blacktop where parents and children are to walk to enter the school.  Please do not park here.  You must park in a designated parking stall if you wish to walk your child into school or drop them off in the parking lot area.  We also have two parking spaces designated handicapped parking.  Please do not park here unless you have an official handicapped parking permit. 

Remember that the two rows in the parking lot closest to the street are reserved for parent and visitor parking.  Your cooperation will help to insure the safety of our students, parents, and staff.

Parents Right To Restrict/Release Public Information

Wisconsin law permits parents, legal guardians, adult students (18 years or older), or guardians ad litem of students attending public schools in Wisconsin, to request that public schools not release certain directory information about their child.  Directory information
which cannot be disclosed to the public if parents (legal guardians, etc.) object, includes:

• student name
• address
• telephone listing
• grade

Directory data may be disclosed to any person if the school has (a) notified the parent, legal guardian, or guardian ad litem of the categories of information which it has designated as directory data, (b) informed such persons that they have 14 days to inform the school that all
or any part of the directory data may not be released without their prior consent, and (c) allowed 14 days for the parent, legal guardian, or guardian ad litem of any student to inform the school that all or any part of the directory data may not be released.  Requests to withhold directory data should be directed to the superintendent.  Notification of a parent's right to restrict or release public information is considered complete upon receipt of the Pitsch Parent Handbook.

Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences

Conferences for all parents are held in the fall of each year. These conferences provide an opportunity to discuss and identify a student's academic progress.   However, parents are not restricted to this period alone; they may ask for a conference whenever they perceive a need.  Parents should contact their student's teacher to make conference arrangements.

Party Announcements

The elementary years can be a challenging social and emotional time for young children.  Children at this age need and desire to be accepted as part of a group.  Thus, it is very important for children to be included in activities with their peers whenever possible.  One valuable way that parents can support us in this situation is to follow our policy and procedure for distributing party invitations at school.

Our long standing policy on distributing invitations at school is:

If invitations are given to just one gender (boy or girl), each boy or girl in the class should receive one.

If invitations are given to both genders (boys and girls), each child in the class should receive one.

It is not our school’s intent to determine who is invited to a party, but instead to see that if the school is used as a distribution site, the personal feelings of all young children in a group are considered.  I appreciate your consideration and understanding in following our policy in this matter.

Playground Reminders

• Since we do not provide supervision before school, we ask that children arrive at school no earlier than 8:20 a.m.  
• Noon aides and teachers will provide supervision for the playground areas during recess periods.  Students will be required to follow the playground rules and directions given by adult supervisors.
• directions by adult supervisors.
• Foul language is not allowed.
• Once children arrive at school, their bikes should be placed in the bike racks. Bicycles are not to be ridden on playground areas.
• Students will not be allowed to roller blade on playground areas between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• See "Cold Weather Recess/Playground Procedures" section for further information.

Progress Reports

Students will receive a progress report, which details each student's progress according to his/her own stage of development. Since learning proceeds in stages from a beginning to an independent level, progress reports will reflect this fact.  Students will be assessed using a "beginning", "developing", and "independent" scale to indicate a student's progress.  Teacher comments will provide additional information.  Progress reports will be sent to parents at the completion of each quarter.  A parent-teacher conference will be held in the fall.  A student portfolio night will be held in the spring.

Safety Patrol

In conjunction with the City of Wisconsin Rapids, Pitsch School participates in the School Safety Patrol Program. Students in the intermediate grades are invited to join the organization in the fall of the year.

Safety Rules for Building and Playground

Students are to use the playground east of the school. In the interest of the health and safety of all children the following rules must be observed:
All ball games such as football, soccer, softball, or any other games where balls are kicked are to be played in the fields on the east or south side of school.

• Two handed tag or flag football only - no tackle.
• Slow pitch softball - no hardball.
• No horseplay of any kind on the equipment.
• Play will not be allowed in the following areas:
• -on the driveway or parking lot near cars
• -near the bicycle racks
• Snow, sticks, stones, pinecones, or missiles of any kind are not to be thrown at any time.
• Bicycles ridden to school are to be placed in the bicycle racks upon arrival and are not to be ridden during the school day.
• Students will enter the building in an orderly manner when the bell rings.  If it is necessary to come into the building before the bell rings, permission from the playground supervisor is required.  (Students must ask the playground aide or teacher for permission to enter the building during recess periods.)
• All sports equipment must be returned at the end of each play period to the room where it was checked out.  People checking the equipment out are responsible for checking the equipment back in.
• Report all accidents immediately to the playground supervisor and your classroom teacher.  If someone is hurt, the playground supervisor will direct another student to help that person into the building if necessary.
• No fighting of any kind, real or pretend, is allowed.
• Students are not allowed to roller blade on playground areas between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

School Records

Parents have the right to inspect any information contained within their child's cumulative school folder. Upon receipt of a written or verbal request, the records will be opened to parents.

Sick Children

Children occasionally become ill while at school.  Since the school is not equipped to care for sick children over an extended period of time during the school day, we require that a current emergency number be on file at school. In cases where both parents work, a phone number at work or that of a neighbor or relative is necessary. All address and phone changes should be reported to the office in a timely manner.

Special Services

Pitsch School has a variety of special services available to students. Depending upon the circumstances, it is possible to call upon the assistance of a school psychologist, a speech and language clinician, a guidance counselor, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a reading specialist, and school nurse.

Student Registration Fee

The Board of Education has approved a book and matierials fee to take effect at the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year.  The established fee is $20.00 per elementary student and $45.00 per secondary student.  This fee will include the student agenda planners.  No student will be denied access to programs, activities, or services for failure to submit this fee.  Any questions should be directed to the Pitsch School office at 422-6171.

Student Surveys

The School Board respects the privacy rights of parents and their children.  No student shall be required to participate in any survey associated with a school program or the District’s curriculum, or which is administered by a third party in the schools, if the survey includes one or more of the following items:

• political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent;
• mental and psychological problems of the student or the student’s family;
• sex behavior or attitudes;
• illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;
• critical appraisals of other individuals with whom students have close family relationships;
• legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers;
• religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student’s parent; or
• income other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such a program.

The building principal shall notify parents/guardians at the beginning of each year of the specific or approximate dates during the school year when such survey activities are scheduled involving their children.  Parents/guardians shall be given the opportunity to request that their child not participate in a survey containing the above information.  If a survey containing any of the above information is funded in whole or in part by a program administered by the U.S. Department of Education, written consent shall be obtained from the student or, in the case of a minor student, the student’s parent/guardian before the student participates in the survey.

Parents/guardians may, upon request, inspect a survey containing any of the above information and any survey created by a third party before the survey is administered or distributed to a student.  They may also request to inspect any instructional materials used in connection with the survey or any instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum for the student.  Requests to inspect a survey or instructional materials should be made to the building principal or his/her designee.  Survey inspection requests should be made prior to the date in which the survey is scheduled to be administered to students.  The principal or designee shall respond to such requests without delay.

This policy shall be published annually in student handbooks. The policy must also be distributed to parents/guardians and employees in the District.

LEGAL REF.: No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
  Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment

CROSS REF.: 333-Parent Rights in the Curriculum
  347-Student Records
  347-Rule(1)-Guidelines for the Control and Maintenance of Student Records
  347-Rule(2)-Student Record Files
  348-Research and Surveys in the Schools
  349-Parent Rights and District Programs/Activities
  491-Photographing of Students
  850-Public Solicitations in the Schools
APPROVED: November 11, 2002

Telephone

The school telephone is a business phone.  Only in cases of necessity will children be permitted to use the phone.  Parents are encouraged to assist their children in the morning when deciding after school plans.

Testing

The Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam, WKCE-CRT is administered to all third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders in October and November. District Writing Assessments are also administered each year. The results from these tests are used to determine student needs. This information, along with input from teachers and parents, assists the school in developing an educational plan which best meets the individual needs of students within the classroom setting.

Time Schedule

 

We ask for your cooperation in not allowing your child to be on the playground before 8:20 a.m. as there is not playground supervision before classes begin.  Any student absent from the classroom when the bell rings at 8:40 a.m. will be marked tardy.

Transfer Of Records & Boundary Exceptions

Parents who are moving out of the school neighborhood or district should call the Pitsch School office and sign a "Transfer of Records" form to transfer their student's records to the new school they will be attending.

Boundary exception request forms can be picked up in the school office.  Completed application requests can be sent to: Director of Human Resources, Thomas A. Lenk Educational Services Center, 510 Peach Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494.

Videos/Films

All video/films used in the classroom that are not specifically developed for an educational purpose, must be previewed by a staff member and "G" rated. Any video/film rated less than  "G" must have class majority (2/3) of parent permission and the authorization of the building principal.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer training sessions are held each year for people interested in helping at school. All those interested in helping should contact the school office early in the year.