Grove Student Handbook

Attendance

School attendance is critical to the educational success of your child. Your child is expected to be in school every day unless he/she is ill or has other justifiable reasons for the absence. Therefore, we ask your understanding of and cooperation with attendance procedures. WRPS may terminate a pupil’s open enrollment or boundary exception in the succeeding semester or school year if the student is habitually truant during either semester in the current school year.

State statute requires each school to report the frequency of and reasons for student absences. The truancy statute is not a district policy; it is state law. Under Wisconsin Statute 118.16(1)(a) and (c), a student is considered truant if school is in session and he/she is not in attendance without an acceptable excuse.

A child is considered a habitual truant when absent or tardy without an acceptable excuse for part or all of 5 or more days on which school is held during a semester.

“Part of a day” is defined by WRPS elementary buildings as:

• Arrival after 10:00 AM is considered Absent AM, and is counted as a half-day absence.
• Arrival after 2:00 PM, for afternoon sessions, is considered Absent PM, and is counted as a half-day absence.
• Leaves before 10:00 AM is considered Absent AM, and is counted as a half-day absence.
• Leaves before 2:00 PM is considered Absent PM, and is counted as a half-day absence.

If a parent does not contact the school office personally, leave a voice message on the attendance line, create a note in Family Access via Skyward, or send a note to the school reporting a student absence, the student absence is considered unexcused.

Excessive absences will be referred to the proper authorities for violation of the compulsory school attendance law. Truant and habitually truant (more than 5 days absent unexcused per term students will be processed under municipal code 866. Referral to Social Services, mandatory court appearances and citations are all consequences of truancy.

When your child is going to be absent from school we ask that the parent/guardian notify the school office before 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. This may be done by calling the school office, attendance line, or on Skyward Family Access. Our school discourages parents from having their child leave school early. A child will not leave school without permission from the parent and school office. When it is absolutely necessary to leave early, for safety reasons, students leaving school during the day must be ‘signed out’ in the office by an adult.

Note: Whenever possible, appointments for doctors and dentists should be outside the regular school day. Parents are strongly encouraged to make appointments that are necessary after 3:45 p.m. Any child returning to school during the day must be signed in at the office by an adult.

Grove Mission/Vision

Mission: The Grove School Family will work interdependently to ensure all students achieve at high levels, preparing them to be active citizens who are able to communicate effectively, think creatively, and work cooperatively as responsible contributors to society.

Vision: The Grove School Family will provide a positive, intellectually stimulating environment of achievement built on shared responsibility and relationships.

Values (Collective Commitments)

We will…

• use best practice to reach all students.
• continue our work to build a culturally responsive environment
• promote opportunities for joyful learning
• model and encourage a growth mindset in our Grove School Community and provide a positive learning environment where students feel safe making and learning from mistakes.
• collaborate as a Professional Learning Community to support the growth of one another as we improve instruction and assessment for all students.
• build strong relationships with families.
• create and maintain a physically and psychologically safe learning environment that is based on a foundation of building and strengthening relationships.

WRPS 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.

Governing Values

We Believe...each student is the first consideration of the educational process.

We Believe...all students can learn.

We Believe..in a safe, caring, and respectful learning environment.

We Believe…all students should become effective citizens of the community, state, nation, and the world.

We believe...meaningful home, school, and community involvement is vital to continuous improvement.

Parent Engagement Group

We are excited to welcome you to Grove School! As a parent/grandparent/guardian of a Grove student, you are automatically a member of the GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY (GNC) group! Newly formed in the spring of 2019, our purpose is “To enrich our children’s lives through family involvement, learning activities, and supporting a happy, healthy, safe ‘family’ environment for our Grove Community.” Parent co-leaders of the group are listed in our monthly newsletters.

Some of the things the group does to support our school are: Fall School Dance, Fundraisers, family events, popcorn Fridays, Bi-annual book fair, book give-aways, teacher appreciation, volunteering in the school and classrooms,

Be watching for events and meetings sponsored by the GNC and for opportunities to be more involved in the work of the school!

Arrival and Dismissal

School Hours

All classes at Grove school will begin at 8:25 am and dismiss at 3:25 pm. Free breakfast is served daily starting at 8:05 am until 8:20 am. Children should not arrive prior to 8:05 am. There is no supervision for students prior to that time. Students are not allowed to play on the equipment before or after school, without parent/guardian supervision.

Entry to Building

In order to secure entrances for the safety of students and staff, both the front and rear entrances will be locked in the mornings until approximately 8:05 when we will have staff on duty to help during arrival. Unless supervised by a parent or guardian, students may not enter the building until 8:05 am. In cases of inclement weather, students will be allowed to wait in the entryway near the office. If you have an appointment with a staff member and need to arrive earlier, the staff member can arrange to have the door opened earlier for you. During the school day the doors will be locked. Entry in the building during the school day will be through the use of the “buzzer” outside the main entrance. All visitors must report to the office upon entering the building.

Dismissal

Students are released from class at 3:25. At the end of the day we strongly encourage parents to allow their student(s) to walk out to the pick up lane rather than have parents enter the building. Due to high traffic volumes at the end of the day this helps to keep everyone safe during pick up time. At the end of the day, the doors will be unlocked approximately 3:25 for parents who need to enter the building. Parents must wait near the office for their child(ren). If you need to speak with a teacher, stop in the office to set up an appointment.

Private Vehicles & Student Pick-up

Since most of our students are “walkers”, it is essential that we have procedures in place that will allow nearly 300 students to arrive and leave everyday in a safe and orderly way. If students need to be transported to school by car, please make note of the options outlined below.

Park on the road, children follow the sidewalk to safely meet you in your car.

• On Grove Ave: The north side has a sidewalk for kids to follow right to the car. The south side of the road-students will have to cross at the corner crosswalk to meet you at the car, or you will have to walk over to get them.
• On Clyde Ave: The South Side has a sidewalk for kids to follow right to the car
• On Lincoln St: The west side has a sidewalk for kids to follow right to the car

Due to significant parking challenges, we encourage parents to utilize the pick-up / drop off zones when transporting students, so there is no need to park. There are two entries (off Grove Ave and off Lincoln Street). Both have a dedicated lane for pick up/drop off. There will be NO PARKING in either driveway from 7:45 - 8:45 every morning and 2:45 - 3:45 every afternoon on school days. Staff will be outside to help your children get in and out of the vehicles in the “SAFE ZONE” as indicated by the yellow paint on the curb and the orange cones. We ask that you drive as far forward into the safe zone as you are able, to drop your children off. They should exit/enter the car at the curb side only. After school, students will wait near the safe zone until their ride arrives and staff will help them enter the car safely. Grades 3-5 should use the Lincoln Street pick up. K-2 and older siblings should plan to use the Grove Ave pick up.

Buses

All buses arrive at school about 8:25 a.m. and will unload at the Lincoln Street entrance of the building. At dismissal time, students will board the buses and leave about 3:25 p.m. Private vehicles are not allowed to be in this driveway before or after school. This is a bus only area. This is not a parent entry.

Bike/Scooter riders and Rollerbladers

All students riding bicycles to school are asked to walk directly to the bike racks, park their bikes, lock them (preferably), and then wait on the playground. Bicycles must be walked on the sidewalks when on school property between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. There is no riding of bicycles on school property between these hours. Students on scooters or rollerblades are expected to follow the same rules as bicycles. Students having scooters may be brought into the building and kept in their cubby. Roller blades may only be worn when students are off school property.

Birthdays

Birthdays are important days in your child’s life. In order to maintain an appropriate learning atmosphere, we ask that birthday celebrations such as balloons or flowers not be presented during the school day. If these items are delivered to school, they will be kept in the office until the end of the school day. Birthday invitations are not passed out by teachers and should not be given in school, unless the entire class is invited to the celebration. No addresses can be given out to parents for any purposes.

Book & Material Fee

Book and material fees are assessed yearly on a per student basis. The elementary fee is $20.00 per student.

Breakfast/Lunch

All students attending Grove will be provided free breakfast and free lunch! Completing the Free/Reduced Meal Application is important for determining funding for other school programs so please fill out the application even if you don't think you will qualify. If families have children who attend other schools within the district, you will still need to complete a Free/Reduced Meal Application for those children.

Breakfast: All students receive a free breakfast. Breakfast is served from 8:05 to 8:20 daily. Child visitor - $1.25 Adult breakfast - $1.85

Lunch: All students receive free lunch. Child visitor - $2.45 Adult lunch - $3.25

Ala Carte Juice or Milk: 35 cents

Communication

Phone Calls: If you need to contact staff members during the school day the office secretary will take messages. Call the office if you need to get a message to a staff member

Emails: If you need to contact a staff member, you can access emails through the wrps.org website → schools → Grove. http://www.wrps.org/schools/grove/index.cfm

Newsletter: A monthly newsletter will be sent home from the office. The newsletter can also be found on the Grove School webpage. Teachers will also send regular updates and class information.

Skylert: This is another tool that will be used to communicate important messages throughout the school year. Skylert is the district’s automated notification system that provides emergency alerts, attendance notifications, and other informational alerts via phone call, email, and/ or text messages. It is very important for your information to be current in Skyward Family Access to receive these alerts. Please communicate with office staff if your contact information changes throughout the school year.

Skyward: Online Verification, which you can get by accessing your Family Access account, is not an option, it is a requirement. If you haven’t completed the process by the time you and your student visit for orientation or open house, you can take care of this requirement when you arrive at your student(s) school for welcome back/orientation activities. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance in keeping us up to date on these critical pieces of information about your student.

Discipline

Our discipline is based on the value below (as stated in our Mission/Vision): We will create and maintain a physically and psychologically safe learning environment that is based on a foundation of building and strengthening relationships. This includes a focus on the following:

• Build strong relationships by teaching and modeling empathy, kindness, and helpfulness
• Provide social-emotional learning opportunities through the use of Conscious Discipline and other resources that guide students in learning self-discipline through awareness of emotions, development of empathy, and the ability to problem solve effectively.
• Teach emotional regulation and composure
• Model and practice conflict resolution skills using language of assertiveness and empathy

Grove School Guidelines

BE SAFE
BE KIND
BE HELPFUL
BE A LEARNER

Consistent and common sense supervision of students is expected of all staff members. Teachers create classroom guidelines consistent with expectations for safety & positive connections. Appropriate behaviors are modeled and practiced with students. Parents, please review the safety rules listed below with your children, and periodically check to see if your child is meeting both building and classroom expectations.

LUNCHROOM BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES:

Realizing that lunchtime is a social time for students, we ask that students eat as they talk in a level 1 or 2 " voice" to their classmates. All students will sit at tables designated for their classrooms. Students are expected to:

• Wait in line quietly and with respect for others
• Be polite and address all adults with respect
• Clean up after themselves and carefully put plates, silverware, and garbage where they belong.
• Eat items from their own lunch without sharing food between students

GROVE SCHOOL/RECESS SAFETY GUIDELINES:

Playground

Be safe, be kind, be helpful

The designated playground area is the black topped area west of the building, the open area containing the play equipment, and the baseball fields. All of the woods west of the baseball area are out-of-bounds. The tires next to the swing set mark the end of the playground area.

Personal equipment brought to school is done so at your own risk and must follow these guidelines.

• Group games need to be collaborative and inclusive. All kids get to participate.
• Equipment must be labeled with the student name.
• Football, soccer, softball, and kickball are to be played in the field.

Winter

The building of snowmen, forts or other forms of snow sculpture is encouraged. Snow belongs to everyone. Be kind and respect the work of others. There is no throwing of snow in any form. There is no kicking of ice chunks on school property.

Everyone must wear boots and snow pants. Boots and snow pants are to be provided by parents. Students who do not have these will still be required to go outside but must stay on the cleared areas of the blacktop. The office has a limited number of hats and mittens to loan students. Students may not borrow these on a daily basis, they are only available in case of an emergency. (There will be Keep Kids Warm Program in the fall where you will be able to get winter gear, please watch for the dates)

Orange cones mark unsafe play areas. When the temperature or wind chill factor is between 0 F and -10 F, students will not play outside for more than 10 minutes at a time. If the temperature or wind chill factor is -11 F or below, students will not go outside at all. Students should report any problems or accidents to the playground supervisor and appropriate action will be taken.

Pets

Any pet visits must be approved by the Principal.

Safety and Security

To ensure the safety of all students, WPRS and Grove School have developed processes and procedures in the case of events such as fire, severe weather, intruders, or accidents. In cooperation with our School Safety Officer, we practice and prepare for the event of a school emergency that would require a lockdown or evacuation. We practice these drills to ensure the safety of all students, staff, and visitors in our school buildings. We also lock all exterior doors in the building during the school day. All visitors sign in and volunteers are required to complete a background check with our human resource department. Grove Elementary School is under video surveillance.

Student Support Services

Grove School offers counseling, special education and family support services through our Student Services team. The members include:

• Rachel Sheets ~ school social worker
• Shawn Pfeil ~ school counselor
• Chris Klopotek ~ school psychologist

Movie/Videos

A staff member must preview all videos/films used in the classroom that are not specifically developed for an educational purpose, and must be "G" rated. Any video/film not rated "G" must have parental permission and the authorization of the building principal.

Volunteers

Parents are encouraged to volunteer in their child(ren)s classroom. Any parent/guardian who wishes to volunteer must submit an online background check that can be found on the district web-site. Please see the school secretary for more information about completing this process. All applications must be submitted by November 30th. Once the background check is completed it is good for 3 years.

District Student Policies

Bullying

A complete copy of the District 411.5 Bullying Policy will be made available in the back to school packet that is sent home with each student at the beginning of the school year. The School District of Wisconsin Rapids strives to provide a safe, secure and respectful learning environment for all students in school buildings, on school grounds, and school buses and at school ­sponsored activities.

The District consistently and vigorously addresses bullying so that there is no disruption to the learning environment and learning process. Bullying is deliberate or intentional behavior using words or actions, intended to cause fear, intimidation or harm. Bullying is repeated behavior and involves an imbalance of power.

Bullying behavior can be:

• PHYSICAL bullying includes pushing, kicking, poking, punching, taking and damaging someone’s belongings, throwing things at someone, or book checking.
• VERBAL bullying includes spreading rumors, insulting someone, lying to get someone in trouble, writing nasty notes, or taunting someone.
• SOCIAL bullying includes ignoring someone, excluding someone on purpose, encouraging others not to like someone.
• CYBER bullying includes using technology to threaten, gossip, or impersonate another person.

What can I do if I feel I am being bullied?

• Avoid the bully
• Tell the bully to stop
• Tell a teacher/staff member. It’s important to tell someone right away. Every student should feel safe and accepted in school.

The STOPit app is available for anyone to report bullying to a school administrator. STOPit is a simple, fast and fully anonymous tool used to report inappropriate behaviors, bullying, and potential threats to our WRPS schools. Enter this link, https://appweb.stopitsolutions.com/ to navigate to the STOPit App Webpage.

Bullying behavior is prohibited in all schools, buildings, property and educational environments, including any property or vehicle owned, leased or used by the District. This includes public transportation regularly used by students to go to and from school. Educational environments include every activity under school supervision. All school staff members and school officials who observe or become aware of acts of bullying are required to report these acts to the building principal. Reports of bullying may be made verbally or in writing and may be made confidentially. Learn more about Board Policy 411.5 concerning bullying on the District webpage under “School Board Policies.”

Clothing

School appropriate attire is an expectation. Personal appearance should not attract undesirable attention, cause disruption, present a health problem, or present unsafe situations for children in the school building. A teacher/administrator may ask students to change clothing or may contact parents for more suitable attire if these guidelines are not followed. The following clothing must be avoided:

• Clothing that is distracting from the learning process or which contains comments, pictures, slogans or designs that are obscene, profane, lewd or vulgar.
• Clothing which harasses or threatens an individual or group of individuals because of sex, race, color, religion, handicap, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other characteristic protected under State or Federal civil rights laws.
• Clothing which advertises or promotes alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or illegal drugs.
• Clothing which is revealing.

Electronic Devices

Our district elementary schools encourage that all personal electronic devices, including but not limited to cell phones, smart watches and gaming systems, be left at home. Any cell phones at school must be turned off and kept in the student locker/backpack throughout the ENTIRE day. Specific technology tools, such as tablets, Chromebooks and iPads, may be provided for students by the District for learning activities. Our schools will not be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal equipment while in a student's possession. If the items are discovered during the school day, they may be taken away and parents may be contacted.

Internet Policy

WRPS expects responsible and appropriate use of network services and technology. A parent must sign the Responsible Use Policy (RUP) and agree to the terms to permit a child to use the Internet, e-mail and other District network services. Students agree to be respectful, responsible and safe with technology as well as adhere to and learn about digital citizenship. (Board Policy 365.1)

Medication Policy

Parents are encouraged to administer medication at home. When that is not possible, medication will be administered at district elementary schools when the following requirements are met:

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. A new form must be signed annually.
• Medication to be administered at school must be in a current, pharmacy-labeled bottle with the information on the bottle identifying the student, name of drug, dosage and physician's name. Prescription-labeled bottles can be obtained from your pharmacist upon request.
• Changes in dosage, medication, time of administration or discontinuing administration require a new Physician/Dentist Order Form to be completed.

Non-Prescription Medication

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications will be administered upon parental consent via the annual online enrollment verification process.
• All medication must be provided by the parent in an unopened, original, labeled container that indicates the ingredients and dosing information.
• Elementary students are required to keep over-the-counter medication in the health office for administration by school personnel.

Learn more about Board Policy 453.4 concerning medication administration procedures on the District webpage under “School Board Policies.”

Nursing Services

Each elementary school provides scheduled nursing services on a weekly basis. A school nurse is always available for consultation even if the nurse is not at the school site. The school nurse organizes appropriate screening programs such as vision and hearing screenings. In addition, the nurse may perform physical assessments and identify students with health problems that impact educational performance. If you do not want your child to participate in these activities, you must notify the school principal in writing.

Release of Information

Student Directory Data is defined as: student name, address, photographs, degrees and awards received, major field of study, participation in activities/sports, weight/height on athletic team, and name of school student most recently attended. The ability to release directory data helps WRPS to include a student in certain publications like the annual yearbook or news stories. Parents must indicate through the online enrollment verification process if they wish to restrict the release of student data.. It is important for you to understand the options and select your preferences as the district will fulfill its legal obligation to release directory data when requested.

School Closing – Cancellation

If bad weather makes it impossible for buses to run, a Skylert Family Access message will be sent to all families via their provided contact information in Skyward as early as possible, with decisions made as close to 6:30 a.m. as possible. Also, notice of cancellation will be posted via local media outlets and on the WRPS main webpage at www.wrps.org. If bad weather develops during the morning while school is in session, contact regarding the early dismissal will be made by 10 a.m. to advise families that their children will be sent home early.

Early Dismissal

If bad weather develops during the morning while school is in session, the following procedure will be used:

• Lunches will be served before the students are dismissed. (There is no lunch for 4K students.)
• Buses will run according to the following schedule:

Early Dismissal Schedule

• Middle School: 12:00pm
• Assumption High School: 12:10pm
• Lincoln High School: 12:20pm
• River Cities High School (a.m. session): 11:00am (as usual)
  • Afternoon RCHS session will be canceled
• Elementary Schools (public & Parochial) 1:00pm
  • Afternoon early education unit sessions will be canceled
• Morning 4-Year Old Kindergarten Session: 10:45am
  • Afternoon 4K session will be canceled

Skyward Family Access

Is a useful tool for parents to keep up-to-date about different aspects of their student’s educational progress. This is available through any internet browser by going to the school website: www.wrps.org Each student is issued their own login and password. Also, each guardian listed in the district database has a login and password assigned to them. This is the same login/password used for ON-LINE ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION at the beginning of each school year.

Once logged in, the following information will be available:

Calendar ● Bus Schedules ● Student Information ● Message Center ● Attendance

Changes to telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and/or emergency contact information should be changed via the on-line enrollment verification in Skyward Family Access. If you do not have computer access, you can call the school office. This information will then be updated in Skyward.

Student Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment

The School District of Wisconsin Rapids is committed to equal educational opportunity for all District students. The District will not deny any person admission to, participation in, or the benefits of any curricular, extra-curricular, pupil services, recreational or other program or activity because of a person’s gender, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other characteristic protected under State or Federal civil rights laws.

The District strives to provide a safe, secure and respectful learning environment for all students in school buildings, on school grounds, and school buses and at school-sponsored activities. The District prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment. The District encourages all students, as well as third parties, to promptly report incidents of discrimination or harassment to a teacher, administrator, supervisor, or other District employee or official so that the District may address the conduct before it becomes severe, pervasive, or persistent. To review Board Policy 411.5 concerning Student Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment, go to www.wrps.org and click on School Board Policy 411.5.

Suicide Prevention Resources

If you are concerned about yourself or a friend, don't be afraid to ACT.

• A: Acknowledge that you are seeing signs of depression or suicide in someone.
• C are: Let them know you care and that you can help.
• T: Tell a trusted adult.

Resource Hotlines

• Wood County Mental Health Helpline: 715-421-2345
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255 to access free, 24/7, confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources.
• HOPELINE: Text “HOPELINE” to 741741 or go to www.centerforsuicideawareness.org for 24/7 free trained crisis counselors.
• The Trevor Lifeline: A national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ+ youth. (1-866-488-7386)

Telephone

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

Transportation

At the beginning of the school year, students will receive a copy of the District Bus Policy and Rules. Parents and students need to read these rules and review them periodically at home. Improper and unsafe behavior on the bus can result in a removal from bus ridership. Specific route information can be found in Skyward Family Access.

Video Surveillance

A video surveillance system is used for the purpose of maintaining a safe and orderly educational environment, for identifying disciplinary issues, for minimizing theft, vandalism, bullying and harassment, and for enforcing school policies and rules. Video recordings may become a part of a student's educational record. (Board Policy 731.2)

Visitors

All visitors must report to the office and sign in upon arrival at school. The District uses the Raptor Visitor Management System to build on the District’s program of campus safety for students and faculty. The Raptor system will enhance our ability to track visitors, contractors, and volunteers in our schools. Upon entering our building ALL visitors will be asked to report directly to the school office and present a valid state-issued ID which will be scanned into the Raptor system and a sticker for the visitor will be printed. A sticker will be REQUIRED for all visitors who will be moving beyond the school office. The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority.

Web Site

The Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools provide an extensive Website for public use. Additional information regarding specific elementary schools may be found at www.wrps.org.