Handbook

WILBUR MIDDLE SCHOOL

CELL PHONE/ELECTRONICS POLICY 

Technology plays a significant role in our daily lives, and cell phones have become an integral part of our society. To ensure a productive and focused learning environment for our students, we have made some changes to our policy.

Effective during the 2024-2025 school year and moving forward, we are implementing a new cell phone/electronics policy that limits the use of cell phones, bluetooth headphones, and smartwatches during school hours. This policy is also in accordance with Wichita Public Schools Board Policy (1464 Student Behavior Regulations 14a.2,4-6). Our goal is to minimize distractions and promote better engagement and concentration among our students. We strongly believe that this change will have a positive impact on their academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being.

Under the policy, students will be required to keep their cell phones, headphones, and smartwatches silenced and stored away in lockers. This includes class time, passing periods, and lunch. If electronic devices are seen out of lockers, they will be taken from students and consequences will be assigned as outlined below. If students need to make an urgent call or have a legitimate reason to use their device, they can approach the school office with permission and a pass from the teacher.

We understand that there may be concerns or questions about this policy, so we want to address them proactively. Here are a few points to consider:

1. Enhanced Learning Environment: By reducing distractions caused by cell phones, students will be able to fully immerse themselves in their studies, engage in class discussions, and maximize their learning potential.
2. Social Interaction: Encouraging face-to-face communication during passing and lunch periods will foster stronger bonds among students, promote teamwork, and develop essential interpersonal skills.
3. Digital Citizenship: We want to instill responsible digital citizenship in our students, teaching them to use technology in a balanced and appropriate manner. By limiting cell phone usage during school hours, we can guide them towards healthier habits and ensure they develop a well-rounded approach to technology.
4. Emergency Situations: We understand the importance of staying connected in emergency situations. Rest assured, we have emergency procedures in place, and our staff will be readily available to assist students in contacting parents or guardians if the need arises.

We kindly request your support in enforcing this new policy. We encourage you to discuss the changes with your child and emphasize the reasons behind it. Together, we can create an environment that fosters focused learning, social development, and responsible technology usage.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to contact us. We value your input and are open to discussing any feedback you may have.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. We believe that this updated policy will contribute positively to the overall educational experience of our students. With your support, we can provide them with the best opportunities for growth and success.

Please see attached an outline of offense/consequences assigned for each occurrence:

Wilbur Middle School is a safe, successful, and enjoyable place to learn and work. By taking the time to report crimes or inappropriate behaviors, you can help our school become even safer!

You can report your tips HERE or by texting ‘SPEAKUP’ plus your tip information to CRIMES (274637).

All tips are completely anonymous and cannot be tracked.

School Drop Off and Pick Up Information

Student safety is our top priority!

When dropping your students off in the circle drive off of Tyler Rd. during the morning, we will have two lanes running. The first lane being the inner right lane and the middle lane. These lanes need to be moving continuously. If you cannot quickly drop your student off, please pull all the way through to the parking lot and park. Please be mindful of students exiting cars.

After school pickup, we can only have one lane filled. The middle and outer lane must not have cars in them. This is for traffic to continue to the parking lot to park and pick up kids. If you are exiting on Tyler, you must only turn right. If these two rules are not being followed, we will have law enforcement out to ticket. You may also park in the back of the building off of 2nd St., not blocking the bus circle, or on 2nd St. or in the neighborhood streets. You may not park across the street at the dentist or at McDonalds or Braums. They are contacting law enforcement, as well.

Administrative discretion may be used in any and all instances.

Students’ clothing, accessories or items in their possession should not disrupt the school environment. We are asking our students to dress and groom themselves as individuals with a sense of responsibility and respect.

What’s Allowed
 School appropriate clothing & accessories
 Shirts/tops with appropriate coverage of the stomach/abdomen/cleavage/shoulders
 Shorts/skirts must be approximately fingertip length when arms hang naturally.
 Tight fitting bottoms must be modest and covered appropriately

What’s Not
 NO BACKPACKS of any kind, this includes string bags. Small hand sized purses are allowed.
 Clothing and/or accessories that disrupt the learning environment vulgar/obscene, see through, frightening, sexually suggestive, drug or alcohol related).
 Shirts that do not appropriately cover the shoulders, stomach, abdomen, or cleavage.
 Shorts/skirts that are excessively shorter than fingertip length and/or too revealing.
 Sagging pants (undergarments showing)
 Chains, hanging straps, dog collars, studded clothing/accessories, safety pins, exaggerated contact lenses, costume attire
 Pajamas and/or house slippers (soft soled shoes).
 Outerwear: Hats, coats, gloves, sunglasses, head coverings.
 If blankets are brought to school, they must be kept in lockers.

Students will be issued picture ID badges during enrollment. Students are expected to wear their ID at all times while at school or school activities. If student is not wearing their ID, they will be issued consequences deemed appropriate by administration. If an ID is found mutilated or defaced, then it will be confiscated. These will also function as lunch cards and library cards. If lost, mutilated, defaced, or destroyed, students must purchase a replacement card immediately. This will protect the student’s lunch and library accounts from being misused by anyone who finds the card.

Card replacement cost will be $3.

Students will only be allowed to go to their lockers before school, before/after lunch, and at the end of the day.

Student lockers are assigned during enrollment, your combination and locker number will appear on your class schedule. Do not share your locker combination with anyone! Students are reminded that lockers are the property of the Wichita Public School District. They are to be used to contain clothing and school related materials. Lockers are not to be shared with other students due to theft and possession rules. Lockers have a “low expectation of privacy” due to maintenance and safety concerns. Lockers may be searched by an administrator when they reasonable suspicion that items dangerous to the well-being of the individual and/or student body may be located there. Locker combinations are changed on a yearly basis for the protection of students. With an ID, students can obtain their locker information from the Main Office.

Locker Combination Instructions:

1. Turn Right two or more whole turns and stop at 1st number.
2. Then turn Left one whole turn, going past the 1st number and then stop at the 2nd number.
3. Now turn Right and stop at 3rd number.
4. LIFT LOCKER HANDLE STRAIGHT UP (don’t pull towards you until handle releases.)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR LOST AND FOUND

ITEMS NOT CLAIMED WITHIN A FEW WEEKS WILL BE DONATED TO THE WILBUR CLOTHING CLOSET OR GOODWILL.

LOST AND FOUND IS LOCATED AT THE FRONT OF THE 300 HALL.

YOU MAY EMAIL MRS. ELSEN-SNOW (SELSENSNOW@USD259.NET) TO HAVE ANY ITEMS HELD FOR YOU IN THE OFFICE OR DELIVERED TO YOUR CHILD DIRECTLY.

IF YOU HAVE LOST AN ITEM THAT IS NOT PICTURED, PLEASE CHECK BACK. ITEMS WILL BE UPDATED DAILY-ISH.

Showing up for school, and on time, has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely and on time every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.

With this in mind, the Wilbur Middle School tardy policy has been developed to emphasize the importance of each student being in the classroom for the entire period because instructional time is a precious resource. Consequently, we view chronic tardiness as a serious problem. Thank you for your support in ensuring students make maximum use of class time and learn to be punctual.

Beginning the day promptly is important and demonstrates commitment to success. We realize some late starts to the day are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But we also know that when students miss too much class time— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically. Tardiness to school will be unexcused even though the parent brings the student to school. Oversleeping, traffic problems, weather, fast food trips, etc. are all unexcused. Tardies are excusable by a school official under the following circumstances: Court appointment; Serious illness or death in immediate family; Student has a doctor/dentist/professional appointment (A professional note from doctor/dentist/professional will be required to verify); Family emergencies; Religious holidays. We do not want your child to fall behind in school and get discouraged. Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Problems with tardiness to school may require adjustments to the family's morning schedule.

Here are a few practical tips to help support timely arrival:

• Make sure your student keeps a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.

• Lay out clothes and supplies the night before.

• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.

• Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.

• Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.

Students will be issued a consequence for each unexcused tardy to class 1st through 9th hour. This INCLUDES being late to school. The first weeks of school are a grace period that allows time for families to develop a morning routine to arrive on time and for our students to learn their schedule and determine appropriate use of their passing period times. Throughout the year: Every 5th unexcused tardy to any class will result in a detention.