2007-2008

Parent/ Student Handbook

2390 48th Street South, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

RIVER CITIES HIGH SCHOOL

The Wisconsin Rapids Public School District recognizes that there are students whose educational needs are not being met in a traditional school setting.  It is our human, legal, and ethical responsibility to meet the unique needs of all individuals and provide opportunities for success.

It is the mission of River Cities High School to provide an environment that promotes the social, emotional, academic, and vocational growth and development of students most at-risk.  Instead of lowering expectations, we are attempting to raise the hope and redefine success among our students.

The school will provide students with non-traditional approaches to meet their high school graduation requirements.

RIVER CITIES HIGH SCHOOL STAFF

ATTENDANCE AND EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS

Attending classes on a regular basis is the single most important activity that students can do to pass courses.  River Cities High School adheres to all state statues and school board policies regarding truancy.  River Cities High School is designed for active participation in classes.  Whether it’s cooperative groups, discussions, student-led activities, guest speakers or decisions about what curriculum will be covered, participating actively in class every day is extremely important.  RCHS will follow WI Act 285 statutes for truancy.

ALL DAY ABSENCE:  Parents/ Guardians must call the River Cities High School
Office (422-6360) between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.  If the absence is anticipated to be longer than one day, it should be so stated. If these hours are not convenient for you please leave a message on voice mail.

DURING THE SCHOOL DAY:  If a student becomes ill while at school, he/she should report to the Lead Teacher.  Parents/ Guardians will be called to determine what action to take.  Any student who leaves campus without prior approval will receive an unexcused absence for each session missed.  Missing any part of the school day results in a full day of absence being recorded

ABSENCES:  Students absent eight (8) days, excused or unexcused, in one semester will be dismissed from River Cities High School.  Attendance will be documented and parents/guardians informed when their child is in jeopardy of being dismissed from River Cities High School.

APPOINTMENTS:  Students are required to attend school for three hours each day.  This allows time for appointments to be made other than during school time.  Appointments, during the school day, will count toward absence days.

TARDIES: Tardiness may accumulate towards absence days, loss of breaks, or making up lost time.  If parents/ guardians anticipate the tardiness, they should call the River Cities High School office to indicate the late arrival and the estimated time their child will be arriving at school.  Arriving late thirty (30) minutes or more results in a full day of absence.  The student may, however, elect to remain in school to complete work.

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS

• Make school attendance a priority.  Consistent and prompt attendance at every session is critical for successful academic performance.
• Be prepared for and participate in class.  Report to class on time with the necessary materials needed for class.  Complete all work in a neat and legible manner.  Achieve maximum performance in class through effort, attitude, and daily attendance.  Sleeping in not permitted.  Items, which inhibit maximum academic effort, will not be allowed.  Pager, beepers, portable/cellular telephones, and other similar communication devices are prohibited.  Students are expected to do their own schoolwork.
• Respect other people and their property.  At all times, the student should act with courtesy toward teachers, staff members, and students.  Both their actions and words should reflect such courtesy.  The student is responsible for keeping all school property (books, classroom materials and the school) in good condition.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

ADDRESS CHANGES:  Students are to notify the school office immediately to report any changes in address or telephone number.  Because many school related materials are sent to homes and contacts are made with families during the course of the year, it is extremely important that change of address be reported.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION:  Emergency information must be on file in the River Cities High School office.  It is important that names of doctor’s, names of persons to be reached in case of emergency and any change in medical status be kept current.

INTERNET USE:  Access to the Internet is provided for those students and staff who have signed a Wisconsin Rapids Public School System Acceptable Use Agreement available in the River Cities High School’s office.  Internet access is reserved for classroom or curricular activities.

PARKING:  Students who drive to school are expected to park their cars, bikes and motorcycles properly.  Student parking is restricted to the specified parking lot.  Loitering in the parking lot will not be tolerated and will lead to disciplinary action.  Safe and proper driving procedures are expected when driving a vehicle to school.  The parking lot is a closed area to be used only when arriving and departing.

POSTER/ MATERIAL PUBLICATIONS:  Anyone wishing to post or distribute materials must obtain permission from the Lead Teacher.

TELEPHONE:  A telephone is located in the library for student use.  Students must ask a staff member for permission prior to use.  School phones are intended to be used for local calls for emergencies and school business only.

TEXTBOOKS/ CLASS MATERIALS:  The school will furnish most all textbooks and reference materials but students are asked to bring a small number of supplies at the beginning of the school year.  At the end of a unit or a school year, fines may be assessed for any damage that is in excess of normal wear. 

DISTRICT BOOK AND MATERIALS FEE: All secondary students in the Wisconsin Rapids Public School District pay a student book and materials fee of $45.00.  The fees collected are used for consumable items used by students such as workbooks, paper, notebooks, binders, etc.

STUDENT VISITORS:  River Cities High School students are not permitted to bring out-of town students or other guests as visitors.

Students are not allowed to visit other schools within the district during the school day unless the Lead Teacher and the principal of the receiving school have granted prior permission.  Unauthorized visits to other schools may result in an assessment against the 8-day absence limit.

CONDUCT AND DISIPLINE

General Overview

We at River Cities High School are dedicated to providing an environment conducive to learning. Students are expected to monitor their own behaviors, comply with staff expectations, and complete work requirements.  Behaviors, which interfere with a student’s progress, the progress of others, or behavior, which is not compliant, may lead to negative consequences.  These consequences will typically result in a ½ day absence that will be added to the eight (8) day absence limit. After school time may be assessed to discuss behavior not complying with RCHS expectations.  

School rules apply to students:

•  On the way to and from school and during school hours.
•  On the school premises.
•  Away from school in connection with school-related activities.
•  In other community settings in which student behavior may impact the successful implementation of school programs and/or affect the safely and welfare of students.

NON OFFENSIVE DRESS:  Students are reminded that non-offensive apparel is expected at River Cities High School.  Clothing that display obscene or vulgar language/ images, or promotes the use of alcohol, illegal substances, and/ or is disruptive to an educational learning environment will not be permitted.  Students will be permitted to wear hats at River Cities High School but if this becomes a disturbance to the learning process,  hats will have to be removed.

DISTRICT WEAPONS POLICY:  Any student bringing a weapon to school will be suspended and referred for expulsion, according to Wisconsin State Statutes Section 948.606 and 948.61.

FOOD AND DRINK:  Food and drink will be allowed at the discretion of the teachers and not allowed in the computer area.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR SCHOOL PROPERTY/ VANDALISM:  We expect that all students will use the building and its equipment as it was intended, and discourage abuse and misuse of school property by themselves and others.  Abuse of school property will be prosecuted according to the law.  The student will be held responsible for the dollar amount of damages incurred.  Parents/ Guardians will be notified.

THEFT:  Theft is not tolerated at River Cities High School.  Students who steal will face prosecution.  It is expected that students respect the property of other students, faculty, staff and the school district.  Restitution will be required.

USE OF DRUGS/ ALCOHOL:  Drinking or possessing alcoholic beverages/ drugs and/ or paraphernalia or being under the influence will not be permitted in the school building or on the school grounds or at any school-sponsored activity.  Possession or use of drugs or alcohol will result in a police referral and may lead to the termination of placement at River Cities High School.

USE OF TOBACCO:  The use of tobacco in any form will not be permitted in the school building, the school grounds or at any school-sponsored activity.

READMISSION:  Students who have been dismissed from River Cities High School may apply for readmission according to the terms determined at the time of their dismissal.

PROGRAM OVERVIEWS AND CURRICULUM

Credit Program:  Students enrolled in the credit program are working towards completing the credit requirements of a River Cities High School Diploma.  Students must attain 20 credits, including:

4 English credits
3 Social Studies credits
2 Math credits
2 Science credits
1.5 Physical Education credits
 .5 Health credits

Minimum standards require students to be enrolled in Health (1.0), Physical Education (.5), Work Experience (1.0) as well as four core academics (4.0).  Students enrolled for a full year will typically accrue 6.5 credits, toward graduation requirements.

Core academics are completed individually or in small groups.  Students are given two weeks of assignments to complete, progress is monitored regularly, and all work must be completed by the two week period.  Students not completing their work will be deducted a day of attendance.  Credits are assessed value based on ½ credit increments with each ½ credit corresponding to 90 units of academic rigor.

Testing Program:  Students enrolled in the testing program will complete the five Graduation Equivalent Diploma (GED) tests.  Students must meet the national standards on tests to complete the program; additionally River Cities High School must establish three additional requirements; attendance, work experience, and a health class.  Students are expected to earn a passing grade in Health class.  The same attendance policy applies to both programs, as well as the same work experience expectations.

Work Experience:  All students must meet the requirements of work experience to achieve their High School Diploma, and to remain at River Cities High School.  Students must complete 60 hours of work experience each nine-week grading period or volunteer at an approved volunteer site to complete this requirement. 

Important Building Blocks for Healthy

Development of Young People

Support- Family support which provides high levels of love and support.  Good communication with parents and other adult relationships.  Good, caring school environment.  Parental involvement in schooling.

Empowerment- Helping others through community service.  Feeling safe at home, in the community, and at school.  The youth feel the community, the school, and their home values them.

Boundaries and Expectations- School, community, and family have clear rules and consequences.  Parent monitors the young person’s whereabouts.  Parents and other adult role models positive and responsible behavior.  Young person’s friends model responsible behaviors.

High Expectations- Parent(s) and teachers encourage the young person to do well!!!

Constructive Use of Time- Create activities in the community or at home that encourage interest in music, art, or theatre.  Encourage participation in sports, clubs or organizations, or churches.  Increase the young person’s time at home – to encourage success.

Chart reproduced from the Search Institute-Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth.