Handbook

Wilbur Middle School Handbook

Cell Phone Policy

WILBUR MIDDLE SCHOOL

CELL PHONE/ELECTRONICS POLICY

Dear Wilbur Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

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, blue tooth 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:

Offense:	Outcome:
1^st time electronic device taken	Returned at the end of the day to student
2^nd time electronic device taken	Parent/Guardian in Synergy must sign in office
3^rd time electronic device taken	Parent/Guardian in synergy must sign in office, student and parent warned of ISS on next occurrence.
4^th time (and continuing) electronic device taken	Parent/Guardian in synergy must sign in office. ISS will be issued or in lieu of ISS, must sign a contract committing student to bringing electronic device to office for check in for the remainder of the semester (Electronics will be locked up for the day in the office). If the student does not adhere to signed contract, ISS will be assigned, and this opportunity will not be given again.
Please Note that at any time if a fight/disturbance/filming of any sort during the school day on school property and posted on social media will result in immediate ISS and this will count as an offense above. Students and parents again will be given the opportunity to sign a contract committing to student bringing electronic device to office for check in for the remainder of the semester (Electronics will be locked up for the day in the office). If student does not adhere to signed contract, ISS will be assigned, and this opportunity will not be given again. If staff sees phones in pockets, pencil pouches, or anywhere outside their locker consequences will be assigned **If students refuse to hand over their phone, to a staff member, immediate ISS will take place for a full school day.
**Please Note that each semester students will start fresh.
** Any exceptions will have to come from administration

Crime Stoppers

Drop Off and Pickup

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.

Dress Code

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.

ID Policy

Student ID Requirement Policy

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safety and security of all students, staff, and visitors on campus. Wearing a student ID card at all times allows for easy identification and fosters a secure learning environment.

Policy:

1. Requirement to Wear ID:

o All students must wear their school-issued ID cards visibly around their necks at all times while on school property, including during school hours, extracurricular activities, and school-sponsored events.

o Students must ensure their ID cards are in good condition and easily readable. Defaced Identification will not be allowed.

2. Issuance of ID Cards:

o ID cards will be issued to all students at the beginning of the school year or upon enrollment.

o Replacement ID cards can be obtained from the main office at a nominal fee if the original is lost or damaged. A fee of $3.00 for the ID and $2.00 for the lanyard.

3. Enforcement:

o Teachers and staff will check for compliance with the ID policy as students enter their classrooms every period.

o Students not wearing their ID cards will be directed to the main office to obtain a temporary ID or replacement.

4. Consequences for Non-Compliance:

o First Offense- Second offense: Verbal warning and issuance of a temporary ID (paper). The student's name will be recorded.

o Third Offense: After School detention and replacement fee added to students account for their replacement.

o Fourth Offense and Beyond: Progressive disciplinary actions, including but not limited to after-school detention, in-school suspension, or loss of privileges to participate in extracurricular activities.

o Students at anytime without their plastic student identification will not be allowed to attend any or participate in extracurricular activities.

Review and Amendment: This policy will be reviewed annually and amended as necessary to ensure it meets the needs of the school community and maintains a secure environment.

Effective Date: This expectation will be implemented beginning the first week of school.

Lockers

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:

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

Lost and Found

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.

Tardy Policy

Dear Wilbur Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

School attendance, including being on time is one of the most impactful ways to ensure academic success for students. 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. 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. Outlined below are the key points of our tardy policy and the consequences for tardiness:

1.Reporting Time: All students are expected to report to school and their respective classrooms at the designated start time. This includes arriving on school grounds, ready to participate in the day's activities, and being prepared for learning.

2.Tardy Definition: A student is considered tardy if they arrive after the specified start time of the school day or any scheduled class period. Tardies are excusable under the following circumstances with documentation needed: serious illness, doctor/dentist.

3.The following are the consequences for tardiness:

a. 1-4 tardies - Upon the first through 4th instances of tardiness, the student will be given a verbal warning by the teachers or school staff. This serves as a reminder of the importance of punctuality.

b. 5th tardy/10th tardy: After school detention: When students receive their 5th or 10th tardy, they will be required to serve an after-school detention to make up the instructional time that has been missed with the accumulations of these tardies. The 5th tardy will result in a student serving an after-school detention from 3:20- 4:10. The 10th tardy will result in a student serving and after school detention from 3:20- 5:10. Students will be expected to be picked up at the appropriate time. Parents will be given at least 24-hour notice of the detention. Students will also be notified in advance with a detention slip and an email. Students that fail to report will have additional consequences assigned.

C. Subsequent Tardies: Progressive Disciplinary Measures - If tardiness continues beyond the 10th instance, further disciplinary actions may be taken, and a conference will be set up with the student and parents.

4.Support and Resources: If a student is consistently struggling with punctuality, we are committed to working with the student and their family to identify and address any underlying issues. Our school counselors and support staff are available to provide guidance, resources, and support.

Our Tardy system will be Effective Wednesday, September 3rd. The days prior 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. Please note that students will have a fresh start at the beginning of each nine-week grading period.

This letter serves as a reminder of our tardy policy and the potential consequences for repeated tardiness. It is our hope that this serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of punctuality in our academic community.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy or if you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the school office or the appropriate school personnel. We are here to support you and ensure a positive learning experience for all students.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely, Wilbur Administration

School Meals

We provide breakfast for all students free of charge.

Lunch fees can depend on family income. Complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application annually to qualify for free lunch and adjustments to school fees.

The district uses an app called School Cafe to allow families to see menus.

The district uses LINQ Connect to pay for meals.

For special dietary restrictions, please contact the school nurse.