River Cities High School Student Handbook

WRPS PUPIL NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

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.  Please review Board Policy 411 for additional information.  Incidents of discrimination or harassment should be reported to a teacher, administrator, supervisor or other District employee to be addressed or forwarded on to District Compliance Officer Brian Oswall.

RELEASE OF STUDENT 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, honor roll and scholarship programs, and on athletic program rosters.  At the high school level, WRPS does receive requests for student data from organizations such as colleges/universities, technical colleges, and armed forces recruiters for educational or career opportunity purposes.  Parents or adult pupils must complete a "Release of Student Directory Data" form if they wish to restrict the release of student data. You can obtain this form from the school office.  If no form gets completed, the District will fulfill its legal obligation to release directory data when requested.

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

Revised March 2015

  River Cities High School adheres to all state statutes and school board policies regarding truancy. Please review Ordinance No. 68 (Town of Grand Rapids, Wood County, WI).

http://townofgrandrapids.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/68-Governing-Truancy.pdf

https://www.co.wood.wi.us/Departments/Clerk/Ordinances/224-Habitual%20Truancy.pdf

http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/118/15

A referral to law enforcement (Grand Rapids) and/or a referral to human services (Wood County) will be determined by the school administrator after 5 absences or tardies.  

ALL DAY ABSENCE:   Parents/Guardians must call the River Cities High School office (715) 424-6798, or the attendance line (715) 424-6765. If the absence is anticipated to be longer than one day, it should be so stated.

DURING THE SCHOOL DAY:  If a student becomes ill while at school, he/she should report to the lead teacher(s). Parents/Guardians will be notified to determine whether or not the student will remain at school. 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 six (6) days, excused or unexcused, in one trimester may 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, activities, 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 estimated time student will be at school. Students arriving late thirty (30) minutes or more may result 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 is not permitted.  Items which inhibit maximum academic effort, will not be allowed.  Pager, beeper, portable/cellular telephone, 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

ONLINE VERIFICATION INFORMATION:  Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools uses Online Verification to have the most up-to-date information possible on our enrolled students – especially address and telephone number changes, health conditions and concerns, as well as emergency contact information. Online Verification, which you can get to by accessing your Family Access account, is not an option, it is a requirement. Please contact the office secretary for more information.

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EMERGENCY INFORMATION:  Emergency information must be on file in the River Cities High School office.  It is important that names of doctors, 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:  Telephones are located in the classrooms and the office for student use with permission from a staff member during non-academic class time or an emergency.

TEXTBOOKS/ CLASS MATERIALS:  The school will furnish most 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. Fees and fines will follow a student from school to school and must be taken care of before graduation.

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 6-day absence limit.

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 six (6) day absence limit. After school time may be assessed to discuss behavior not complying with RCHS expectations.  

School rules apply to students:

1. On the way to and from school and during school hours.

2. On the school premises.

3. Away from school in connection with school-related activities.

4. 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:  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.  The Wood county Sheriff’s Department Canine Unit will conduct periodic searches of River Cities High School property during the school year.

Students may be suspended and/or expelled for grounds authorized under section 120.13 of the Wisconsin Statues which includes conduct either in or out of school which endangers the property, health or safety of themselves or others at school or under the supervision of a school authority. Possession, solicitation, use and/or transmission of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, inhalant, toxic substance or any chemical or controlled substance (including look alike substances) prohibited under state or federal law, intoxicating beverages, any paraphernalia associated with such controlled substances or the unauthorized possession, use and/or transmission of prescription drugs is against school rules, WRPS Policy 443 and the law. Disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension (and possible referral for an expulsion hearing) and police referral shall follow for any student found in violation of these provisions. Students involved in dealing, distributing, selling or supplying illicit substances shall be referred to the Board of Education for an expulsion hearing.

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.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS BEGINNING 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR

CREDIT PROGRAM: In order to be eligible for a high school diploma from the Wisconsin Rapids Public School District, students must meet the following graduation requirements:

Students must earn 21.5 credits to graduate from River Cities High School in grades 9-12. Students who have completed goals on the IEP or Section 504 Plan, completed individual English as a Second Language goals, completed goals on a Differentiated Plan through the Gifted and Talented program, or completed the requirements of the High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) at River Cities High School, may also be awarded a diploma.

 In order to graduate from Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, a student must earn the following credits in grades 9-12: (beginning with the class of 2017 current juniors)

English  -  4.0 credits

Mathematics   -  3.0  credits

Science   -   3.0 credits

Social Studies   -  3.0 credits

Physical Education  -  1.5 credits

Health  -  .5 credits

IT Fundamentals I  -  .5 credits (beginning with the class of 2018 current sophomores)

Financial Literacy  -   .5 credits

Electives - 6.0 credits (5.5 beginning with the class of 2018 current sophomores)

*Per school board policies graduation requirements are subject to change

Testing Program:  Students enrolled in the General Education Development Option #2 testing program (GEDO #2) will complete the required Graduation Equivalent Diploma (GED) tests or a competency based program to earn a high school diploma. 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, health and civics.  Students are expected to earn a passing grade in all classes.  The same attendance policy applies to both programs, as well as the same work experience expectations.

*Per school board policies graduation requirements are subject to change.

Re-Entry Program:   Students who are not yet able to work in the regular classroom due to personal issues work in a small group to address those issues, prepare for the regular classroom, and complete credits or tests. The Re-entry Program has separate rules of attendance and work experience that is discussed in an interview when placement is being recommended by a counselor. 

Work Experience:  All students must meet the requirements of 60 work experience hours per trimester/term to achieve their High School Diploma, and to remain at River Cities High School.  Students must volunteer at an approved volunteer site to complete this requirement or have legitimate employment in the work force.  RCHS has limited on-site work experience options available. 

GRADUATION:   The high school principal shall be responsible for ensuring that students meet the requirements necessary for high school graduation. Decisions related to requirements, graduation, or participation in the graduation ceremony is the responsibility of the high school principal. Accommodations may be made for students with exceptional educational interests, needs or requirements in accordance with established guidelines.

Participation in the graduation ceremony is a privilege. Students must comply with the established building procedures to participate. Students and their parents/guardians shall be kept informed of the students’ graduation status at regularly scheduled intervals.

Any appeal of the decision made not to award a diploma would be made to the Superintendent of Schools.

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.

ENDOWMENT- 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.

BOUDNARIES 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.