Teacher Handbook Section

for

RIVERVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

300 Riverside Circle

of

Plymouth Joint School District

Plymouth, Wisconsin 53073

C-1

Riverview Middle School

School and Student Management Procedures General Instructions

Teacher Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Preface C 6

Plymouth School Board Policy C 7

The Successful Middle School C 8

The Focus of Middle School Efforts C 9

Principles of Pupil Management C 9

Supervision and Discipline C 10

The Role of the Middle School Principal C 12

School and Student Management Procedures C 13 Absence and Tardiness Attendance Records and Procedures Lunch Count

AttendanceSchool Attendance OfficerTypes of Absences

Excused Absence Unexcused Absence Effect on Extra-Curricular Participation of absences Absence Due to ISS or OSS

Announcements C 16

Audio Visual Aids and Equipment C 16 Instructional Materials Audio Visual Equipment

Auditorium Seating C 16

C-2

Bus Dispatch Duty C 17

Computer Grading C 17

Copy Machine C 17

Curriculum C 17

Custodial Services C 17

Dance Nights C 17

Dress C 18

Duties C 18 After School Event Duty Bus Dispatch Duty Hallway Duty Lunchroom Duty Morning Duty

Eligibility Requirements for Extracurricular C 19 Activities Emergency Drill Procedures C 19 Fire Drills Fire Exit Routes Drills During Passing Periods

Code Blue Procedures Severe Weather Drills Severe Weather Drills Procedures

Evacuation Guidelines for Students/Staff with Physical ChallengesEvacuation Plan for Students/Staff with Physical Challenges Student Schedule

Facilities and Equipment C 27 Employee Use of School Facility Equipment and Supplies Personal Use of the Building After Hours Use For School Related Activities Care of Equipment and Rooms

Field Trips C 28

Homework C 28

Injury to Students C 28

C-3

Instructional Media Center (Library) C 28

Internet Rules C 29

Keys C 29

Lockers C 29

Marking and Grading C 29 Incomplete Grades Grade Books Report Cards Nine Week Grading Periods Mid Quarter Report Policy

Offices C 31

Opening Day Procedures C 31 Things to do the Opening Pre-Service Day Things to do the Opening Day for Students Opening Day Procedures for Morning Homeroom

Preparation Periods C 32

Requisitions and Supplies C 32

Seating Charts C 33

Staff Meetings C 33 Faculty Meeting Parent Advisory Council Meetings M Team Meetings

Student Passes C 35 Hall Passes Passes to Leave Campus

Student Cumulative Folders C 35

Student Teachers C 35 Teacher Training Inst. Responsibilities

Building Principal Responsibilities Supervising Teacher Responsibilities Student Teacher Responsibilities

Teacher Absence C 37 Substitutes

C-4

Teacher Mail C 39

Telephones C 39 Long Distance Telephone Calls

APPENDIX C 40

C-5

PREFACE

The purpose of this handbook is to provide our faculty and staff with the necessary information and procedures for the smooth operation of the school. Therefore, it is essential that all staff members be familiar with its content.

This handbook is not meant to be all-inclusive. Additions and deletions may become necessary as needs and situations arise in the future.

Furthermore, the administration will formulate such procedures and regulations as deemed imperative to the effective and efficient functioning of the school.

Teachers belong to a profession. Thus, the administration expects teachers to adhere to all of the ethics of the profession. All school and school-related matters should be handled in a professional manner. All school problems should be brought to the attention of the administration as soon as possible and not voiced to the students and community. All due respect should be paid to students, parents, district patrons, fellow colleagues, and administrators.

School exists for the education of children. As educators, our task is to assist students to explore and develop their potential and intellectual, personal, and social growth. They are to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to become productive and contributing citizens of society.

If we are to achieve the purpose of schooling for students, we need to work together as a team. Please do not hesitate to contact and consult with the administration. The purpose of the administration is to assure the attainment of school goals and objectives. It is here to help you help students.

C-6

PLYMOUTH SCHOOL BOARD POLICY

The following language from the Plymouth School Board Policy reaffirms the responsibility that each of us has to be familiar with district policy and regulations:

4.081 It shall be the responsibility of each person employed by the school district to be familiar with all rules, regulations, and policies issued by the Board of Education and its designees.

4.091 The Board of Education recognizes teachers as professionals and expects them to conduct themselves in a professional manner.

4.092 Each employee is expected to abide by and uphold the laws of the State of Wisconsin and the rules and regulations of the local school district.

C-7

SECTION ITHE SUCCESSFUL MIDDLE SCHOOL

A. A successful middle-level school recognizes and understands that stage of development known as transesence and has the following attributes:

1. Clear academic goals

2. Consensus among staff members as to the underlying structure of norms, expectations, and beliefs as they apply to "school as a human enterprise”.

3. High and positive expectations for students

4. A safe, orderly and relaxed environment (the result of clearly stated rules and expectations that are generally understood and accepted by students and faculty members)

5. Recognition and incentives for students

6. Regular and frequent monitoring and reporting of student progress

7. Opportunities for meaningful student responsibility and participation

8. Teacher efficacy

9. Recognition and incentives for teachers

10. Concentration on academic learning time

11. Appropriate curricular, instructional and pupil management responses to developmental level of students

12. Positive school climate

13. Administrative leadership

14. Well-articulated curriculum

15. Supervision for instructional improvement

16. Community support and involvement

17. Opportunities for positive student interaction with peers and adults.

18. Opportunities for exploration of diverse interests

C-8

B. The Focus of Middle School Efforts

A major task of the education program shall be to assist each student in becoming self sufficient in utilization of decision-making processes and techniques, eventually becoming responsible for determining his/her own learning purposes and the means for achieving them. Staff members shall seek to be wise advisors of children and youth and skillful facilitators of learning. To this end the Board and staff shall work together to establish an environment conducive of the best learning achievement for each student through meeting the following goals regarding students:

1. To enhance the self-image of each student through helping him/her feel respected and worthy, and through a learning environment which provides positive encouragement through frequent success.

2. To individualize the learning program in order to provide appropriately for each student according to his/her specific background, capabilities, learning styles, interests and aspirations.

3. To protect and observe the legal rights of students.

4. To provide an environment of reality in which students can learn personal and civic responsibility for their actions through meaningful experiences as school citizens.

5. To deal with students in matters of discipline in a just and constructive manner.

6. To provide in every way feasible for the safety, health, and welfare of students.

7. To promote faithful attendance and good work.

C. Principles of Pupil Management

It is the right of each student to get the best education the community can afford. Students must be free to learn and teachers free to teach. Distractions must be kept to an absolute minimum. Therefore, students are required to comply with the rules and regulations of the school. They are to obey and cooperate with the staff and complete assigned work to the best of their ability. The teacher's assistance and insistence in the student's compliance are essential.

Students shall be expected to regard staff members as individuals employed to provide direct or indirect contributions to learning. Students shall be required to respect the rights of staff members and other students. Interference with those rights shall not be condoned. No student shall have the right to interfere with the efforts of instructional staff to coordinate or assist in learning, to disseminate information for purposes of learning, or to otherwise implement a learning program. Nor shall a student have the right to interfere with the motivation to learn or the learning activities and efforts of other students.

C-9

The principles that govern pupil management practices in Riverview Middle School and which should characterize all social interaction in the school are:

1. Each individual has dignity and worth.

2. A free society requires respect for person, property, and principles.

3. Each individual is responsible for his or her actions.

4. Each individual has a responsibility to the group as well as to the total society.

D. SUPERVISION AND DISCIPLINE

Students are to be supervised at all times, from the time they arrive until the time they leave, lunch included. As we are liable for assigned areas and student conduct in those areas it is wise for all teachers to be in their classrooms at the stipulated time. A teacher or coach handling an activity should always be the last one out of the building and the first one in.

1. Disclosure of Classroom Rules, Procedures and Instructional Intentions

It is your responsibility to inform students at the beginning of the school year of the rules and procedures that will be operative in your classroom. Rules should also be posted in the classroom in a conspicuous location. You should also inform your classes of the goals you and the school hold for them as learners - what the general subject of their study will be; what skills they will have developed by the end of the course; what knowledge they will have acquired.

2. Disciplinary Procedures and Referrals

Teachers are to handle routine discipline cases. Parent contact and conferences shall be used as effective tools to deal with routine discipline problems.

It is important to remember how not to discipline. With older children the teacher should not try to physically restrain the student except to prevent injury. Teachers should also refrain from "baiting" students by calling them "lazy, irresponsible, dumb" or any other derogatory term. Students are not to be belittled or "put down".

Do not use "lines", sentences, reports, or additional homework as punishment techniques.

Do not punish an entire class for the misbehavior of a few students. Single out the problem students and deal with them.

If it becomes necessary to send a student out of class for a "cooling off" period or for gross misbehavior, they shall be sent to the office with a signed referral detailing

C-10

the infraction. Students sent out of class must not be allowed to sit in the halls or wander around school.

A clear set of classroom rules must be posted in each room.

All teachers are "on duty" at all times when it comes to enforcing discipline. Do not hesitate to correct students in the lunchroom, hall, playground, or classroom, even if they are not "yours" at the moment.

A student who is sent to the office for disciplinary reasons must be accompanied by a written (completed) Disciplinary Referral form.

Referral Directions

1. Fill in the top portion of the referral with: the student’s name, grade, date of incident, time of incident and location of incident.

2. Check which infraction or infractions that the student was responsible for.

3. Check any previous actions that were taken with the student prior to writing the referral. If there are issues with a student a contact should be made from the teacher prior to referring a student to the office.

4. Fill in the incident narrative and BE SPECIFIC. If the student swore, don’t write inappropriate language, actually write what they said and don’t substitute dashes for letters. Also, DO NOT include any other students’ names on the referral except for the student that the referral is being written for. However, I do want to know the other students involved; so just write their name(s) on the back of the referral.

5. When I have processed the referral, the referring person will get a copy of the referral and a copy will be mailed home to the parents. (See copy of appendix in referral)

C-11

SECTION III

THE ROLE OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

People often speculate as to what the principal's job is in a school. To take some of the guesswork out of that process the Plymouth School Board has provided the following job description.

A. Qualifications

1. Master's Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision.

2. Certification by Department of Public Instruction

B. Accountability

Reports directly to the Superintendent of Schools

C. Appointment

Appointed by the Superintendent with approval of Board of Education.

D. Term of Employment

225-day contract.

E. Goals

1. Maintain an environment within which learning can occur.

2. Maintain a curriculum consistent with needs for the transition of students going from elementary grades to the high school.

3. Promote high academic standards for students of the middle school.

4. Provide systematic planning for special projects.

5. Provide the opportunities for staff to improve in instructional skills.

6. Secure a well-qualified and competent educational staff.

F. Performance Responsibilities

1. Provide leadership and vision for all middle school programs. Give a sense of direction and motivation to all staff members.

C-12

2. Arrange staffing of all curricular programs.

3. Coordinate scheduling of all students and teaching staff.

4. Supervise certified staff.

5. Review credentials, interview candidates for employment.

6. Provide for staff improvement through building in-service, and individual conferencing and counseling.

7. Prepare and administer the building level budget.

8. Maintain meaningful home-school and community communications.

9. Provide effective means and methods for positive student discipline and attendance.

SECTION IV

SCHOOL AND STUDENT MANAGEMENT PROCEDURESGENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

A. Absence and Tardiness

1. Attendance Records and Procedures

All teachers are expected to keep accurate attendance records every period of the day. Attendance for office recording is to be taken at the beginning of the first class and the beginning of the hour if a student is missing. Enter the names in the computer and send it to the office before you start your teaching for the day as this information is most important to the operation of the school. A list of absentees will be e-mailed during the first period. Teachers should check this list to see if students other than those listed on the absence list are missing from class. If students are missing and unaccounted for (i.e.: sports event or field trip) the name of that child should be sent to the office. Teachers must report as absent those students who are not in attendance and whose names do not appear on the list as absentees.

2. Lunch Count

Along with the morning attendance, it is also necessary to include a count of the students who will be eating lunch and an indication of the teachers who will be eating lunch.

C-13

3. Attendance

Absences will be divided into two categories in accordance to Wisconsin State Law.

4. School Attendance Officer

The building principal or designee shall serve as the school attendance officer for each school in the district. The school attendance officer will deal with all matters relating to school attendance and truancy.

The school attendance officer of each school shall determine daily, which students enrolled in the school are absent from school and whether the absences are excused.

The school attendance officer will notify the parent/guardian of a student’s truancy and direct the parent/guardian to return the student to school no later than the next day on which school is in session or to provide an excuse for the student absence.

The school attendance officer or designee will furnish student attendance information to designated agencies for the purposes authorized by state law and the board’s student record policy/procedure.

Annually, on or before August 1, the building principal will determine how many students enrolled in their school were absent in the previous year and whether the absences were excused. This information will be submitted to the district administrator, who shall notify the State Superintendent of the determination.

5. Types of Absences

A. Absences Authorized Solely by the Parent/Guardian

A student is excused from school attendance if his/her parent/guardian submits a written excuse to the school prior to the student’s absence from school. A student may be excused under this provision for not more than 10 days in a school year.A student so excused is required to complete the course work missed during the absence.

B. School Excused Absences

Except as noted above, the school, not the parent/guardian excuses student absences from school. The following reasons are classified as excused absences:1. Religious Holidays/observations2. Personal illness3. Accidents or illnesses in the student’s family for which the student is required at

home.4. Suspension from school5. Other times, where in the judgment of the school attendance officer or designee, it is

in the best interest of the student to be absent from school. Such absences will be judged on the merits of each individual case.

C-14

6. Excused Absence

Students excused from school by their parent/guardians or the school shall be given the opportunity to make up all class work, which include major examinations (quarter, semester, or grading period). No penalty shall be assessed the student for missing an excused absence.

7. Unexcused Absence

These are absences that are not excused by the parents/guardians or the school. State law defines a habitual truant as a student that is unexcused absent from school for all of part of five(5) school days in a semester. A student cannot be denied credit based solely on unexcused absences. A student with an unexcused absence will receive consequences in accordance with school board policies. The student is allowed to make up all missing work during the time of the unexcused absence. Students will be allowed to make up major examinations missed (quarter, semester, or grading period) if course credit is at risk. Examination make-up date(s) shall be determined at the discretion of the administrator/teacher. However, students in this position should be ready to make up the exam on the day of return. Credit will be officially granted only after the student has fulfilled the consequences administered by the attendance officer for the unexcused absence.

8. Absence as it affects Extra-Curricular Participation

A. Students must be present for all afternoon classes in order to participate in any extra curricular event/program after school or in the evening.

B. Students must be present for at least 3 periods prior to any school day extra-curricular activity.

C. Students who have an unexcused absence during any period of the day may not participate in any extra-curricular activity during that day or evening.

9. Absence Due to ISS or OSS (Removal because of behavior)

All work including tests must be made up and will receive full credit.

C-15

SECTION VTEACHER INFORMATION

A. ANNOUNCEMENTS

General announcements will be made over the public address system following the first bell in the morning. Afternoon announcements will be read by office personnel. Announcements must be written and be in the office before 7:30 am if they are to be read in the A.M. Afternoon announcements should be turned in to the secretaries prior to 12:30. The teacher's name, with dates and time announcement is to be read, should be included.

B. AUDIO VISUAL AIDS AND EQUIPMENT

1. Instructional Materials

Various audio/visual materials are available for producing instructional aids. These are available in the library. Some may be kept in the classroom during the year if they are not applicable to other areas. All instructional aids will be cataloged and accounted for. Teachers are to check these items out as they would a book. Filmstrips and a limited number of audiotapes and movies are presently available through the Library-Media Coordinator. A list of these will be distributed to all teachers. Any work for lamination should be sent to the Student Council advisor. Transparencies can be made in the school office on the copy machine by the secretaries.

2. Audio Visual Equipment

The AV equipment is stored throughout the building. Mrs. Porrie Sturm, our librarian, will assist you in locating equipment. All equipment will be cataloged and its use monitored through the library. TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED TO SIGN OUT EQUIPMENT AS WE WOULD A LIBRARY BOOK. Should equipment transfer from one teacher to another, the librarian shall be notified. Teachers who sign out equipment are liable for that equipment. Teachers who lose equipment may be expected to reimburse the district for that equipment should it be determined that the teacher’s incompetence was the cause of the loss. Sign up sheets for the future use of equipment will be posted by Mrs. Sturm. Questions or help regarding AV equipment should be forwarded to the Library-Media Building Coordinator.

C. AUDITORIUM SEATING

Each teacher will be assigned an area of the auditorium to be seated with his/her homeroom students during assemblies. Teachers may take all students to the auditorium to allow the students to become familiar with seating and fire exits.

C-16

Attendance shall be taken at assemblies. A list of students absent from the assigned rows will be submitted to the office. Each teacher is expected to sit in one of the rows assigned. Teachers should review rules for behavior related to auditorium use each time assemblies are scheduled. Rooms should be locked when we vacate them to attend assemblies.

D. BUS DISPATCH DUTY (See Duty)

E. COMPUTER GRADING

1. Recording Grades

Grades will be completed at the end of each quarter using the Computer Program. Teachers will enter a grade and up to two comments for each student. The grades must be completed by the due date given by the office. Do not use grades of A + or F -, as they are not allowable in the computer software. Incompletes may not be given for the fourth quarter.

2. Honor Roll

Teachers will receive a copy of the Honor Roll upon request.

F. COPY MACHINE

The staff may make the copies on the Risograph machine and/or copy machine in the main office and the copy room. Please contact the office when maintenance is required on the machines.

G. CURRICULUM

Any teacher wishing to deviate from the regular curriculum must have approval from the administration. If you have doubts about introducing controversial materials or subjects, they should be cleared through administrative channels.

H. CUSTODIAL SERVICES

If you have need of custodial services, report your need to the office using a "Repair & Work Request" form. The head custodian will be informed of your request and will have it attended to at the earliest possible moment.

I. DANCE NIGHTS

Dance Nights are held during the school year. These are activities for grades 6-8 and are supervised by teachers, administrators, and parents. They are held between the

C-17

hours of 5:00 and 10:00 P.M. They are also generally scheduled for the evening of the student's last school day of the week in question. With few exceptions, only Riverview Middle School students are allowed to attend, and only with written approval of principal/assistant principal. The Student Council organizes the Dance Nights.

J. DRESS

Teachers should be appropriately dressed for the task at hand. As professionals, teachers are expected to observe standards of dress and appearance comparable to that which is generally found acceptable within the business and professional communities of Plymouth. Clothing acceptable in the physical education setting is ordinarily not acceptable in the classroom.

K. DUTIES

1. After School Event Duty

A number of events are scheduled after school hours. These events often involve students in music and sports and teachers who are involved in working with the students. These events require adult supervision. A schedule for supervision for the year has been developed. Teachers will be paid an additional stipend for this service to the school.

2. Bus Dispatch Duty

Teachers assigned to bus duty are expected to be outside at the circle immediately following the school day to supervise students leaving school. Teachers are expected to enforce the rules for student behavior and report violations to the office. Teachers should also assist those students who may be having trouble locating or catching the bus.

The teacher is to determine if all students are on the busses, and dispatch the busses accordingly. Assignments are in the Appendix to this handbook.

3. Hallway Duty

Make it your policy as frequently as possible to precede your classes to the classroom door as the periods end and remain there during the passing interval, observing student conduct in the vicinity of and in your classroom and greeting students as they arrive.

4. Lunchroom Duty

Teacher assistance in the supervision of lunch and the recess playground is essential at Riverview Middle School. Please be alert to the lunchroom supervision roster.

C-18

5. Morning Duty

The school is open to students at 7:15 A.M. each school day. All teachers are

responsible for supervision both in halls and rooms during the time before classes begin. Occasional checks will be made to ensure that each teacher is fulfilling this responsibility.

L. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXTRACURRICULAR/CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

1. All athletes must have a physical examination by a licensed physician on file in the office. Exams must be no more than one-year-old. No student shall participate unless said exam has been turned in to the office, and the coach has been issued a card indicating the student is eligible.

2. Band and/or chorus students are expected to participate in choral or band concerts as part of the graded classroom curriculum.

M. EMERGENCY DRILL PROCEDURES

1. Fire Drills

Signal: One continuous blast of the fire alarm is the signal for everyone to evacuate the building using the assigned stairwells and exits.

Classroom Fire Exit Routes

Rooms 101, 102, 104 East gym exit, then to South sidewalk

Room 112 Ramp exit west, clear of building

Rooms 113, 114, 115, 116 North exit, to driveway117, 118, 119

Rooms 138, 139 Music area exit to circle sidewalk

Rooms 201, 202, 204 Southwest stairwell to southwest exit clear of building.

Rooms 203, 208, 209, 213, 214, Main exit, to circle sidewalk230, 231 (Guidance),235

C-19

Rooms 217, 219, Library North stairwell to north exit to driveway

Rooms 301, 302, 303, 304, South stairwell to west exit308, 310

Rooms 309, 333, 335 East stairwell to south exit then to circlesidewalk.

Rooms 311, 312, 313, 314, North stairwell to north exit then to315, 316, 317, 318, 319 driveway.

GYM Main exit to circle sidewalk

CAFETERIA Rotunda exit to circle sidewalk

AUDITORIUM--If the fire alarm sounds when students are in the auditorium, those students in rows A-K are to leave through the exits at the front of the auditorium and rows L-U through the rear exit. Students in the balcony leave through the front entrance.

RECESS—If the fire alarm sounds when students are out for recess, students should meet at the following numbers on the black topped playground.

1: Rooms 335, 312, 208, 204, 112, 1162: 333, 314, 309, 2173: 303, 316, Band Room, 2034: 301, 317, Choir Room, 1185: 302, 315, 202, 2136: 304, 313, 114, 201

2. Drills During Passing Periods:

In the event that the fire alarm sounds in the interval between classes or before school in the morning or at noon, students will proceed to the nearest exit. If a given exit should be blocked, students will proceed to the nearest open exit.

Fire drills will be held once a month.

Students are to walk quietly and orderly along the sides of the corridor when leaving the building, stay clear of the building when outside and leave a clear path for the passage of fire equipment if necessary. Students are to proceed in double file downstairs.

All windows and doors are to be closed. Lights must be turned off.

Teachers in each area determine a location at least 50 yards from the building, for each class to meet for roll call.

C-20

Students are to be kept with the group from the room they were in, and roll call taken. The accuracy of the roll call is extremely important so that in case of a fire we know which areas to search.

In the case of a fire drill, the absence report will be presented to the principal when re-entering the building.

Any student who is unaccounted for during a drill will be handed over to the fire marshall and/or police for punishment.

In the case of a fire, the absence report will be collected by the guidance counselor directly from each teacher.

All personnel in school and all students must leave the building. No special announcement will be made when there is a real fire. This includes students in the health room and health room personnel and includes lunchroom personnel. The only exception to this is the principal, assistant principal and custodial personnel who are assigned to search the building to ensure that no one remains and to shut off gas and electrical systems.

Staff members not present in their assigned areas will receive notice that disciplinary action will be taken.

Students will be called by intercom to return to the building. A false alarm is grounds for immediate suspension and police referral.

3. Code Blue

The Code Blue protocol has been developed to address life threatening illness or injury experienced by a student, staff member or visitor in any Plymouth public school. Life threatening illness or injury may be respiratory arrest, cardiopulmonary arrest, drowning, severe bleeding, skin or eye contact with corrosives, or neck or back injury for example.

In an event of such an occurrence, the person at the scene should use the nearest phone or intercom to contact the office and state the following:

CODE BLUE (Give exact location)Repeat the messageCODE BLUE (Give exact location)

If the person at the scene knows that a call to 911 is inevitable, he/she will say “call 9-1-1” when notifying the office. The secretary will page Code Blue, with exact location, throughout the entire school and repeat the message once.

All students will remain in their classrooms until the Code Blue is over. This allows for passing of emergency personnel as needed. An announcement will be made to keep students in their classrooms. When a Code Blue is called over the

C-21

public address system, all students are to vacate the halls. If the emergency occurs just prior to the end of the day, students will not be dismissed until the emergency is over. The office personnel will notify the bus company to hold busses, to keep the exit clear. An announcement will be made when the emergency has ended.

4. Severe Weather Drills

The building is divided into three sections for the purpose of severe weather drills. The gymnasium is section “A”, the central area is section “B” and the cafeteria/music area is section “C”.

In the event of severe weather, those occupying section “A” will proceed to the locker rooms.

Those in section “B” 1st floor will proceed to the hallway behind room 109.Those in section “B” 2nd floor, except rooms 201, 202 and 203 will use the south stairwell and proceed to the first floor hallway by the office.

Rooms 201, 202 and 203 will use the south stairwell and proceed to the visitor locker room.

Those in section “B” 3rd that are sixth grade teachers (except family and consumer education) floor will use the north stairwell and proceed to the first floor hallway. Rooms 333, 335 and consumer education classes exit their classrooms and proceed to east stairwell (section “C”). Move to the first floor and gather in the hallway adjacent to the southern side of the vocal music room.

Those in the cafeteria (section “C”) should move to the hallway on the first floor using the north stairwell. Proceed down the stairs and gather in the hallway to the west of the vocal and instrumental music rooms.

Rooms 301, 302, 303 and 304 will exit their classrooms and proceed to east stairwell. Move to the first floor and gather in the shelter area.

All students need to duck and cover when they get to their location.

5. Severe Weather Drills Procedures:

a. Movement to the shelter areas must be orderly, unhurried but fast, with ABSOLUTE QUIET at all times so directions from teachers can be heard.

b. When pupils reach the shelter areas, they are to practice duck and cover procedures, until further orders are given.

C-22

c. Teachers are to accompany the students to the shelter area and remain there with them until the all clear is sounded.

d. If an alert is announced when students are outside the building, they are to lie prone on the ground with heads covered by hands and clothing.

e. In the event that an alert is announced during the interval between classes, students on the upper floor are to move by the most direct route possible to the main corridor.

f. Students are to proceed downstairs in double file.

6. Evacuation Guidelines For Students/Staff with Physical Challenges

The school office will develop and maintain an updated list (at a minimum quarterly) of students/staff with physical challenges resulting in inability to use stair steps for an evacuation. The physical and occupational therapy staff will assist with those students on their caseload. A decision must be made on which physically challenged staff or student can be safely carried out by school staff and which fire/emergency personnel should rescue.

A schedule for each student/staff with physical challenges will be kept on file in the office. The schedule will indicate which floor each individual will be on at all times during the school day. A copy will be sent to the fire department and, in the case of special education students, a copy will be kept with the case manager. Students and their parents and staff with temporary impairments, which preclude ambulatory or two person lift evacuation, will be informed of this procedure as well as office and homeroom staff. For those students with an IEP, procedures will be discussed at their iep meeting.

A primary and secondary staging area will be identified on all floors without ground level egress (or having only one ground level exit which could be blocked by fire) at all schools. Factors to consider when identifying these areas include:

Fire rated enclosure Location easily accessible to rescuers Ease of communication between staging area(s) and school office Proximity to stairs or windows Designated areas will have emergency transport blanket

During an evacuation, individuals with physical challenges will go to the primary staging area or, if UNREACHABLE, DUE TO LOCATION OF THE FIRE, to the secondary area. Two staff members will supervise each floor, in addition to aides that may work with a student. Designation of these staff members will be assigned and reviewed at least yearly by the building administration. ONLY if the primary staging area cannot be used, will individuals go to the secondary staging area. A staff member should obtain and bring with them, to the staging, area an evacuation blanket. They are used if the fire department cannot arrive in time to evacuate the student.

During an evacuation, one staff member will stay with the individuals with physical challenges and the other staff member will go to the office to report the location and the

C-23

number of individuals waiting in the staging area. After reporting to the office, the staff member will immediately return to the staging area and wait with the students and other staff members. If students have radio contact with the office, this would be the primary way of notifying the office. In this case, the office MUST respond to the radio contact to assure the communication was received. The case manager will develop this plan and attach it to the list of children.

During scheduled drills: In order to assure that assigned staff and affected students understand this procedure, it is important that it is practiced at every scheduled evacuation drill.

• Office staff should be aware of the need to communicate with individuals with physical challenges on upper floors. Someone from the office staff must be in charge to take office walkie-talkie with them if radio contact is being used to communicate and office is evacuated.

• Individuals with physical challenges should not be evacuated during practice drills, but should move to staging areas in preparation for evacuation, unless the plan is for staff to do the actual evacuation as below.

• A plan must be made for those who will be evacuated by school personnel (i.e. having needed number of people aware of student’s location throughout the day and available to do the evacuation transfer, prepare for cases of substitute staff, changes in schedules, etc).

In an actual evacuation, the firefighters, police officers, and/or EMT personnel will carry out designated individuals with physical challenges. If the above-mentioned have not arrived and there appears to be eminent danger, staff will need to assume evacuation responsibilities using the evacuation blankets. A plan should be made for notifying staff waiting with the physically challenged individuals, of the danger (i.e. with the walkie-talkies or someone coming up the safe stairwell) and for people to assist, as the evacuation blankets should ideally be used with 4 people.

Be aware that elevators cannot be used in fire evacuations or for other evacuations where there is the potential for fire or power outage.

If students are on a physical therapist’s caseload, please consult the therapist when developing evacuation plans.

7. STAGING AREAS RIVERVIEW

PRIMARY: North Stairwell (New addition, leading to back parking lot) (for both 1st and 2nd floors).SECONDARY: To be determined

Evacuation Blankets are located in or next to the fire extinguisher cabinets at each staging area.

If the individual is in the South hallway (by the Phy Ed room) on the 1st or 2nd floor and cannot get to either staging area, the individual must be evacuated, as there is no fire safe

C-24

area for a staging area. An evacuation blanket is located in the fire extinguisher cabinet on the 1st and 2nd floors near the stairs. All staff should familiarize themselves with these locations.

EVACUATION PLAN FORSTUDENT/STAFF WITH PHYSICAL CHALENGES

SCHOOL SITE PLAN FOR SCHOOLS WITH MORE THAN ONE FLOOR

School: ________________________________ Date: _________________________

Building Contact Person: _________________________________________________

Primary Staging Locations: Floor 1: __________________________________________________________

Floor 2: __________________________________________________________

Secondary Staging Area Locations:

Floor1: ___________________________________________________________

Floor 2: __________________________________________________________

Assigned Staging Area Personnel:

Floor 1: __________________________________________________________

Floor 2: __________________________________________________________

Names of Students/Staff with Physical Challenges (attach student/ staff schedules): _________________________________ __________________________________

_________________________________ ___________________________________

_________________________________ ___________________________________

_________________________________ ___________________________________

C-25

Copy to school office, fire department, case manager or homeroom teacher and student or their aide.

TIME ROOM AIDE WITH STUDENT IF APPLICABLE

STUDENT SCHEDULESTUDENT: ___________________________ SCHOOL YEAR: ___________ QUARTER:________

C-26

N. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

1. Employee Use of School Facility Equipment and Supplies

School facilities, equipment and supplies are purchased as necessary accouterment to accomplish educational aims for students. The investment in these items by the community is intended for the purpose of direct or indirect benefit to students and the general operation of district schools.

Therefore, no equipment, supplies, or facilities of the school district shall be used by employees for financial gain except through Board approved recognized programs. Tables, chairs and similar equipment may be used by employees and community upon the approval of the supervisor/principal. Any equipment removed from the premises should be returned within two days.School-owned supplies shall not be consumed for personal reasons.

2. Personal Use of the Building

Discretionary use of school facilities is a benefit extended to school employees. All employee use for personal reasons, not considered to be a part of the job, must have advance approval through the Community Education Office.

Using tobacco or alcohol on school grounds is prohibited by Wisconsin State law.

3. After Hours Use For School Related Activities

A custodian should be on duty whenever the building is in use. When you have nighttime activities, however, it is your responsibility to see that the building is properly closed and lights turned out upon your departure.

a. Teacher-in-charge must be present at all student activities.

b. Teacher-in-charge is responsible for discipline, lights, doors, equipment, etc.

c. Students are not to be given keys at any time.

d. Teacher-in-charge must remain on duty until all students have been picked up by their parents or left for home as prescribed by their parents.

4. Care of Equipment and Rooms

The teacher is directly responsible for the inventory and care of the equipment and room that is assigned to him/her. You also share in the responsibility for the care of all school property, whether it is assigned to you or not. If you see some disregard for property, do not hesitate to intervene.

C-27

School equipment may be assigned, but it is for the use of the entire educational program. If you desire to use equipment that is assigned to another teacher, feel free to ask for it and make arrangements for the care and return of the equipment.

O. FIELD TRIPS

All field trips must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. Failure to observe the time limit will result in the request being disapproved. The sponsor/coach of any organization/team must turn into the office a roster of students actually making the trip if any class time is missed.

P. HOMEWORK

Homework should be limited as well as meaningful. Class time will be given to complete any work needed to master concepts. Homework should be viewed as practice. Grading should not be an emphasis of homework but rather formative and summative assessments.

Q. INJURY TO STUDENTS

If you are a witness to a student injury, follow the procedure outlined below:

1. Assist the student in any way possible.

2. If the injury appears serious, do not move the student unless absolutely necessary.

3. Contact the office yourself or have someone do so for you at the earliest possiblemoment.

4. Allow the office to contact the parents, if it is necessary to do so. Also, if a doctor and/or an ambulance is needed, allow the office to make the call.

5. Complete an accident report (available in the office) and submit to principal'ssecretary.

R. INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA CENTER

The instructional media center is a valuable resource to the classroom teacher and we encourage its use. The media center is intended for study, reference work and of course to obtain good books.

All teachers may and are encouraged to make arrangements with the librarian to take their classes to the media center. When a class is taken to the media center, the teacher must remain with his/her class. The media center is not to be used for unguided or unstructured "library days."

C-28

A student must have a pass to go to the media center individually. Students who misuse these passes will lose the privilege. The librarian will make arrangements during the first six weeks of school to acquaint all the students with the media center and the general rules that govern it.

S. INTERNET RULES

All students/staff shall be subject to the District’s computer/internet policy. Violations of this policy will result in sanctions as described in the policy.

T. KEYS

Teachers will be issued keys on the first day of the new school year. These keys will be checked back in on the teachers' last working day in the spring. Keys may be checked out over the summer by teachers who express a legitimate need of them. No teacher should have a key that gains him/her access to the office/library. Do not ask a custodian to admit you to the office.

Do not loan keys to students or other unauthorized persons. If students need to gain admittance to locked areas, unlock the door yourself and see to it that the door is locked afterwards.

U. LOCKERS

Each student will be assigned a locker. Students should be discouraged from telling others the combination to their lockers. During the first week of school teachers should be available to assist students in opening lockers.

Since lockers are school property, they are subject to search by the principal or designee, AT ANY TIME.

Obscene pictures drawings and words are not allowed and teachers should remove such trappings when sighted and submit them to the office.

V. MARKING & GRADING

Pupil promotion or failure, honor rolls, and reports to the home are based on teacher's marks. This necessitates that every effort be made to bring about greater reliability of marks given to students.

In determining any mark only those factors should be taken into account, which give evidence of the degree to which the pupil attained the course objectives and/or state

C-29

standards and benchmarks. A poor grade must never be used as punishment for poor behavior.

Students must at all times be given the right to a prompt and understandable assessment of their achievement whether it be a daily assignment, unit test, or trimester grade.

All teachers' grading policies will be in writing and will be submitted to the office. These policies will be sent home to parents at the beginning of each school year.

1. Incomplete Grades

In the case of the student who has not completed his/her work by the end of the marking period and who in the instructor's judgment should be given an INCOMPLETE on his report card, that student will make up his work by the date specified by his teacher not to exceed two weeks.

The student's teacher is responsible for informing the office of the grade the student is to receive in the place of the INCOMPLETE prior to the end of the marking period during which the student is completing his work. No incompletes are to be issued for the fourth quarter of the school year.

2. Grade Books (Optional)

a. List the names of your students in your grade book in alphabetical order for each of your classes.

b. For each grading period in your class record book insert the dates for the period covered.

c. Identify quarter grade columns.

d. Refer to this handbook for the system used by Riverview School for grading policies.

3. Report Cards using WebGrader

Report cards are issued quarterly. However, grade should be entered on a regular basis to facilitate communication with parents/guardians on a regular basis. Instructions for the use of WebGrader will be issued to each teacher.

a. The dates and deadlines for grades and overrides will be announced each quarter.

b. Report cards are mailed to students' homes as soon as possible following the end of each nine-week period.

5. Mid Trimester Report Policy

C-30

The Riverview Middle School faculty has determined that it is to be the goal ofeach teacher to send home mid-term comments for each of his or her students. The administration endorses this goal wholeheartedly.

If a student is failing or is in danger of failing the trimester at mid-term, his or her teacher must inform the student's parents via a phone call. Teachers of such students are required by the administration to make a personal contact with the parents.

Teachers are also encouraged to send positive notes home at mid-trimester.

Teachers need not wait until mid-trimester, of course, to send home messages of concern regarding failure or to pass along good news to parents.

W. OFFICES

Please respect the office personnel, as you would expect respect in your classroom. The secretaries are responsible for the contents of the office and safe. If you need something, please ask.

X. OPENING DAY PROCEDURES

1. Things to do the Opening Pre-Service Day

The following list of things to do has been compiled in order to provide someassistance.

a. Check out room and teaching supplies and keys at the office.

b. Leave your address and telephone number with the office staff. Fill out an Emergency Procedure Card.

c. Post a fire drill directive in your room.

d. Post a map of the floor with the fire exits and alternate exits mapped out. Post a “duck and cover” area.

e. Make sure that classroom rules are posted where they are visible to students.

f. Devise and post an attractive sign with your name on it on your door.

g. Post daily program schedule.

h. Empty your mailbox.

C-31

i. Review your teaching schedule and class lists with the office if you have questions.

j. Review the student handbook.

k. Review the teacher handbook.

l. Familiarize yourself with equipment and supplies that are available.

m. Check to see if summer purchases have arrived and been accounted for.

n. If new, introduce yourself to the custodian responsible for your room.

2. Things to do the Opening Day for Students

Students have received their schedules during the registration process in August. They should know their homeroom assignment.

New students who have not registered will go to the office, where they will be met by principal or assistant principal and provided with a schedule.

Teachers should be in the hallways to guide students to appropriate rooms as students enter the building in the morning. Teachers should continue to maintain a presence in the hall between classes throughout the year.

Cheerful interaction with the children, greeting them, welcoming them back to school will set a pleasant tone for the year.

Recognizing and rewarding appropriate behavior when it is displayed will help to create a teaching environment comfortable for all of us.

Disciplining those few students who are not displaying appropriate behavior will also get out the message that we have standards and expectations that must be met.

Y. PREPARATION PERIODS

Preparation time is intended for the furtherance of pupil instruction.  When you need to leave the building for personal reasons, please notify the office, as we must be able to tell students and parents when you will return.

Z. REQUISITIONS AND SUPPLIES

All requests to purchase supplies or equipment must be submitted on a requisition or the forms provided.

C-32

All supplies and equipment must be obtained from the vendor by written purchase order. All purchases must be approved by the principal. Requests should be in line with teacher's budget requests. When this is not possible, teachers should be able to provide explanation and definition.

Requisition forms are available in the mailroom. The complete company name, address, and zip code must be on your requisition as well as the cost. Correct catalog and account numbers and descriptions will help in expediting and processing your requisitions.

Once completed, the requisitions are returned to the office. If the requisitions are approved by the principal, purchase orders will be drawn up as soon as possible and submitted to the business office.

Teachers and students (students involved with clubs or organizations with accounts in the activity fund) are not authorized to purchase anything in the name of the school without a purchase order. A requisition must be completed and a written purchase order must be obtained prior to the purchase of any item.

Teachers do not phone in orders without first receiving approval of the principal.

Teachers cannot expect reimbursement for items they have purchased unless they have first discussed the purchase with the principal and received approval in advance of the purchase.

Plan according to this information and submit your bills or requisitions as necessary.

AA. SEATING CHARTS

Each teacher shall keep an up-to-date seating chart for each class in the grade or plan book. Seating charts must be readily available to substitute teachers.

BB. STAFF MEETINGS

An organization that "communicates" and engages in "mutual support" ischaracterized by qualities associated with:

1. Collaboration2. Coordination3. Cooperation4. Consultation5. Cognition6. Coherence7. Coalition8. Collegiality

The communications and decision-making mechanisms described in this section

C-33

enable these qualities - in the case of the individual and of the group - to flourish and thus to benefit the organization and its mission: the effective education of middle-level students.

1. Staff Meetings

General staff meetings will be held as scheduled, and in accordance withPEA/Board Agreement, during the pre-service workshop.

Regularly scheduled monthly staff meetings will be held at Riverview on the second Wednesday of the month. All staff members are expected to attend staff meetings. Teachers who are unable to attend due to other contractual obligations with the district are expected to directly notify the principal and are responsible for the content of all staff meetings.

The purpose of these meetings is the provision of an opportunity for all staff and administrators to interact and communicate informally on matters of interest regarding the school and the school district and provides all staff with professional development opportunities.

Staff members are to submit items in writing for the agenda in advance. When possible, agendas will be printed for each meeting by noon on the day of the meeting.

The school administration may call staff meetings for in-service or emergency needs (i.e.: tragic death) during the year at which attendance by all staff members will also be required when it is necessary for all staff to interact and communicate with each other and the administration.

2. Riverview Association of Parents and Teachers (RAPT) Meetings

The principal will work with RAPT and a group of volunteer teachers. If used effectively, such boards can improve school/community relationships. The Riverview staff should be represented by a staff member(s) in these meetings. Meetings will be no more than two hours in length, with most lasting one hour.

3. IEP Team Meetings

IEP Team or Building Consultation Team meetings will be held as students are referred, evaluated, involved in program changes or exited from the program. The involvement of teachers who work with the referred students is vital. Teachers who cannot attend are asked to submit thoughts, observations, etc. in writing to the guidance office one day in advance of the IEP team meeting, if given permission to be absent by the principal.

4. Student Intervention Team (SIT) Meetings

C-34

SIT meetings will take place during team collaboration time once a week. These meetings are mandatory for all team members to discuss the interventions in place for individual students and the progress that is being made due to the interventions.

CC. STUDENT PASSES

1. Hall Passes

All students are expected to have their Planner pass column completed or a Student Pass form completely filled out with name, date, time, destination and return time, and teacher’s signature at all times while in the hallway during class time.

No student is allowed in the corridor for any reason without a pass during regularly scheduled classes.

Teachers are expected to limit the flow of traffic in the halls during class time. Students should be encouraged to use washrooms during passing periods.

Each teacher shall keep a list of class leavers in their room. Any student leaving class for any reason shall sign the checkout sheet with name, date, time of departure, and destination. They must be in possession of a pass while in the halls. Upon returning to the class they must enter the time of return.

2. Passes to Leave Campus

Permits to leave the building for doctor or dental appointments, etc., will be issued only by the office. If students are to leave school with such permits it is expected that they will so notify their teacher at the beginning of the period and that they will leave quietly at the appropriate time.

DD. STUDENT CUMULATIVE FOLDERS

If you wish to review cumulative folders kept in the office, make arrangements with a secretary to review them. Folders must be signed out. This is to be done through the office secretarial staff.

EE. STUDENT TEACHERS

1. Teacher Training Institution Responsibilities

a. Prepare student teachers in educational background, philosophy, methodology, and techniques.

b. Select qualified student teachers.

C-35

c. Provide for the compensation of supervising classroom teachers.

d. Schedule student teacher assignments through the building principals concerned.

e. Schedule student teacher observations and notify the principals concerned, if he or she so desires, in advance of time and date of observation.

2. Building Principal Responsibilities

a. Maintain liaison with teacher-training institutions.

b. Keep informed of over-all policies of the teacher-training program.

c. Prepare and send to teacher-training institutions the official lists of approved supervising teachers for the quarter (when asked for by the teacher-training institution concerned and agreed upon by the building principal concerned).

d. Provide conference time for supervising teachers.

e. Orientate supervising teachers to policies of the student teaching program.

f. Orientate student teachers to Riverview Middle School, to supervising teachers, and to classes (not later than the end of the first week student teachers are in the schools).

g. Request withdrawals for just cause of student teachers through the teacher-training institution supervisor and/or department head, informing the Superintendent of the proposed action.

h. Attempt, except in emergency cases, to place student teachers with supervising teachers with at least two years' experience including at least one year's experience in the district. Student teachers will not be placed with teachers who do not choose to take one.

i. Make every effort to help student teachers feel they are a part of the staff during their assignment.

j. Make optional evaluations on student teaching.

3. Supervising Teacher Responsibilities

a. Acquaint student teachers with pertinent school philosophy, policies, and regulations.

b. Determine that units and lessons proposed by student teachers are in harmony with curricula established for particular classes.

c. Provide conference time for student teachers.

C-36

d. Maintain primary responsibility for the progress of classes.

e. Consult with teacher-training institution supervisor on grades for student teaching.

f. Decide jointly with the student teacher when he/she will actually start teaching classes. This will generally be no later than first few days where students have had the two paraprofessional quarters previously.

g. Maintain a professional relationship between supervising teacher and student teacher.

4. Student Teacher Responsibilities

a. Observe all school policies and regulations of the school, including dress codes.

b. Use techniques and methodology and present subject matter acceptable to supervising teachers and building principals.

c. Prepare and keep up to date lesson plans that meet requirements of both the school system and university supervisor.

c. Maintain a professional relationship between student teacher and supervising teachers.

FF. TEACHER ABSENCE

The problem of getting competent substitutes is difficult and highly competitive. Please help by doing the following:

Notify the office as early as possible when it is necessary for a substitute to be secured.

If it is possible to notify the office the night before, please do so. Otherwise call the sub-caller at 892-5006 between 6:00 and 6:15 A.M. that morning. THE SOONER, THE BETTER. Substitutes are very difficult to obtain after 6:30 A.M.

On the day that you are absent, if you are certain you will not be in the following day, please call in or have somebody call in for you by 2:00 P.M. and inform us. This will enable us to try to get the same substitute teacher for your room the next day if you cannot return.

In the event you are absent from work, you are required to have the following information for your substitute:

a. Lesson plan for each class. Lesson plan should include:(1) lesson objective(s).

C-37

(2) materials to be used (overheads, dittoes, texts, manipulatives, games, etc.)(3) guided practice (in-class seatwork)(4) homework for the following day

b. A copy of your discipline plan and any notes regarding student behavior that you feel your substitute should be alert to.

c. Include schedule for your classes, teaching assignments and duty assignments for the day(s) absent.

d. Location of: passes, absentee lists, stamper and pad, seating charts for all classes including study halls, advisory periods, auditorium and homeroom.

e. Include sheet for substitute's comments on day's progress.

A copy of the above information should be kept on file in the office as well as in your room. A "sub folder" in the office makes it possible for the administration to cover a class in emergency situations. Be sure to turn in anevaluation of substitute teachers to the office.

1. Substitutes

Teachers must have their plan books, grade books, and seating charts in their desks so that they may be found easily by substitutes. Complete and specific plans for the lessons to be accomplished each day of your absence must be available to the substitute. Instructions for discipline should be available. Rules and consequences should be outlined for the substitute. If you need a substitute, please inform the principal as soon as possible.

2. Suggestions to Prepare for a Substitute Teacher

a. If possible, inform your students that there will be a substitute teacher.

b. If possible, inform students what they will be doing and what you expect of them when the substitute is here.

c. Appoint a responsible student to assist the substitute.

d. Have prepared an up-to-date seating chart.

e. Leave detailed lesson plans.

f. Place detailed instruction sheet in a substitute folder that explains your discipline procedures and other procedures in your classes.

g. In your lesson plans or instructions, leave information for the substitute concerning potential problem students.

C-38

h. Include in instructions the procedures for students leaving a class.

i. Leave instructions concerning what to do at the end of a period: e.g., clean up, put equipment away, and stack chairs at the end of the day.

j. Provide necessary materials and equipment to teach lesson.

k. If you want the substitute to correct any papers, leave instructions to do so.

l. Read the reports that substitutes leave concerning the progress made by the class.

m. Follow up on any student who caused problems for the substitute.

GG. TEACHER MAIL (E-MAIL)

Each teacher in the Riverview Middle School will have a mailbox in the office. Please check the box twice each day. Announcements may also be placed in the box. Also each teacher will have an e-mail account for school business. Please check your e-mail daily as many important announcements are sent electronically.

Teachers wishing to mail letters may deposit them in the office provided POSTAGE IS INCLUDED. If the mail is school business, postage will be provided.

HH. TELEPHONES

All of the telephones were installed by the school and are intended for school business.

Long Distance Telephone Calls

Long distance calls should be made for school business only.

C-39

A P P E N D I X

C-40