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The Vision of the Graduate for the Wolcott Public Schools provides for the long-range, strategic planning and implementation of programs for all Wolcott students. Here at the high school, we have used that model to create our own Vision of the Graduate. Using our Vision as a guide, the Administration and Staff seek to provide our students with knowledge and skills that will enable them to become responsible citizens.

To do so, we are pledged to taking an active role in the intellectual and social growth of each student. The success of our endeavors can only be realized with the cooperation of the students and the

support of the parents. Through our joint efforts, students will graduate from Wolcott High School prepared to succeed in the 21st Century.

The Wolcott High School Student Handbook is a detailed reference of organizational guidelines and activities. To experience a successful and rewarding high school career, it is essential that students follow these guidelines and also make a personal commitment of time and effort in both academics and school activities. The Wolcott High School Administration and Staff are totally committed to supporting the education of every single student.

With hopes for a successful 2025-2026

school year!

Walter Drewry

Principal

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PROFILE OF THE GRADUATE

PREFACE

The material covered within this student handbook is intended as a method of communicating to students and parents regarding general district information, rules and procedures and is not intended to either enlarge or diminish any Board policy, administrative regulation or negotiated agreement. Material contained herein may therefore be superseded by such Board policy, administrative regulation or negotiated agreement. Any information contained in this handbook is subject to unilateral revision or elimination from time-to-time without notice.

This booklet is written for our students and their parents. It contains required and useful information. Because it cannot be as personal a communication as we would like, we address students not directly as “you” but rather as “the student,” “students,” or “children.” Likewise, the term “the student’s parent” may refer to the parent, legal guardian, or other person who has agreed to assume responsibility for the student. Both students and parents need to be familiar with the District’s Student Code of Conduct which is intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere conducive for learning.

The Student Handbook is designed to be in harmony with Board policy. Please be aware that the handbook is updated yearly, while policy adoption and revision may occur throughout the year. Changes in policy that affect portions of this Handbook will be made available to students and parents through newsletters, web pages, and other communications.

The Board of Education, the Superintendent of Schools and the Administration of Wolcott High School reserve the right to add to, delete or modify at their discretion, the provision of any policy or procedure at any time, with proper notice, when to do so is deemed necessary and in the best interest of the student and the school.

The Profile of the Graduate articulates the Board of Education and school district’s aspirations for each of our students in grades PK-12. By outlining the specific attributes, dispositions and skills, the Profile of the Graduate identifies desired outcomes for students who graduate from Wolcott Public Schools. It is important to note that the Profile encompasses a student’s journey through our school system.

THE WOLCOTT PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADUATE

CRITICAL THINKERS

Read, view, understand, communicate, and connect complex topics across multiple content areas and real-world experiences.
Hypothesize, select strategies, execute formulas, and check work to solve problems.
Understand how current events and historical concepts impact the past, present and future.
Demonstrate a desire to seek new knowledge and experiences.

COMMITTED TO GROWTH

Set personal goals and develop and implement strategies to achieve them.
Are willing and capable of improving upon past performance.
Persevere in the face of adversity and demonstrate flexibility to adapt to various challenges.
Demonstrate creativity in problem solving to find solutions to challenges.

CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS

Demonstrate empathy, acceptance, and a willingness to defend the rights of others,
Engage in respectful disagreements or debates. Use current technologies in ethical and effective ways.
Collaborate effectively with others
Demonstrate a commitment to community service bt seeking out ways to make a positive impact by helping others.
Demonstrate skills and competencies that reflect employability, independence, and responsible living.

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WOLCOTT CODE OF CONDUCT

2. Throwing objects that can cause bodily injury or damage property. 3. Leaving school grounds or school-sponsored events without permission. 4. Directing profanity, vulgar language, or obscene gestures toward other students or staff.

5. Disobeying directives from school personnel or school policies, rules, and regulations.

6. Being disrespectful or directing profanity, vulgar language, or obscene gestures toward teachers or other school employees.

7. Playing with matches, fire, or committing arson.

8. Committing robbery or theft.

9. Damaging or vandalizing property owned by the school, other students, or school employees.

10. Disobeying school rules on school buses.

11. Fighting, committing physical abuse, or threatening physical abuse.

12. Committing extortion, coercion, or blackmail; that is, forcing an individual to act through the use of force or threat of force.

13. Name-calling, making ethnic or racial slurs or derogatory statements that may substantially disrupt the school program or incite violence.

14. Engaging in inappropriate physical or sexual contact disruptive to the school environment or disturbing to other students.

15. Assaulting a teacher, staff member or other individual.

16. Selling, giving, delivering, possessing, using, or being under the influence of drugs such as: marijuana; a controlled substance or drug; or an alcoholic beverage.

17. Possessing a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, firearm, martial arts weapon, or weapon facsimile.

18. Prescription drugs which are given to person other than who the drug is prescribed.

19. Smoking or using tobacco products.

20. Hazing, bullying

21. Behaving in any way that disrupts the school environment or educational process.

Students are responsible for conducting themselves properly in a responsible manner. The district has authority over students during the regular school day and while going to and from school on district transportation. This jurisdiction includes any school-related activity, regardless of time or location, and any off-campus school-related misconduct, regardless of time or location.

Student responsibilities for achieving a positive learning environment in school or school related activities include:

1. Attending all classes, regularly and on time.

2. Being prepared for each class with appropriate materials and assignments. 3. Being dressed appropriately. *

4. Showing respect toward others.

5. Behaving in a responsible manner.

6. Paying required fees and fines.

7. Abiding by the code of conduct.

8. Obeying all school rules, including safety rules, and rules pertaining to Internet safety.

9. Seeking change in school policies and regulations in an orderly and responsible manner, through appropriate channels.

10. Cooperating with staff investigations of disciplinary cases and volunteering information relating to a serious offense.

Students who violate these rules will be subject to disciplinary action and shall be referred when appropriate to legal authorities for violation of the law.

Students at school or school-related activities are prohibited from:

1. Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing, wrongfully giving or receiving help during an academic examination and wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores

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WOLCOTT CODE OF CONDUCT (CONT.)

22. Using electronic devices during the school day in school buildings, without prior approval of the teacher.

23. Violating the district’s Internet Safety policy and/or Online Social Networking Policy.

24. Threatening in any manner, including orally, in writing, or via electronic communication, a member of the school including any teacher, a member of the school administration or another employee, or a fellow student.

Students are subject to disciplinary action, including suspension and expulsion, for misconduct which is seriously disruptive of the educational process and is a violation of publicized Board of Education policy, even if such conduct occurs off-school property and during non-school time. In determining whether conduct is “seriously disruptive of the education process” for purposes of suspension and expulsion, the administration in cases of suspension, and the Board of Education or impartial hearing board, in matters of expulsion may consider, but consideration is not limited to

(1) whether the incident occurred within close proximity of a school,

(2) whether other students were involved, or whether there was gang involvement, (3) whether the conduct involved violence, threats of violence, or the unlawful use of a weapon and whether any injuries occurred, and

(4) whether the conduct involved the use of alcohol.

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DIRECTORY – WOLCOTT HIGH SCHOOL 2025-2026

HEALTH OFFICE

Mrs. Lori Guinipero, School Nurse – 203-879-8171

Mrs. Becky Riviezzo, Secretary

Health Office Fax – 203-879-8013

ATHLETICS

Mr. Alex Sconziano, Athletic Director- 203-879-8173

Mrs. Regina Lynch, Bookkeeper and Athletics Secretary- 203-879-8173

WOLCOTT HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

Mr. Walter Drewry: Principal

Mrs. Michelle Thies: Assistant Principal (last names A-La)

Mr. Bryan MacKay: Assistant Principal (last names Le-Z)

Wolcott High School Telephone: 203-879-8164

Wolcott High School Fax: 203-879-8167

SCHOOL COUNSELING STAFF

Mrs. Taryn Villano-Corso

Seniors (2026) A-D, Juniors (2027) A-D, Sophomores (2028) A-D,

Freshmen (2029) A-D 2028

Mrs. Alyssa Giedra

Seniors (2026) E-L, Juniors (2027) E-L, Sophomores (2028) E-L, Freshman (2029) E-L

Mrs. Kelley Brochu

Seniors (2026) M-R, Juniors (2027) M-S, Sophomores(2028) M-R

Freshman (2029) M-R

Mr. Mark Wursthorn

Seniors (2026) S-Z, Juniors (2027) T-Z, Sophomores (2028) S-Z, Freshman (2029) S-Z

School Counseling Department – 203-879-8157

School Counseling Fax – 203-879-8444

Mr. Mark Wursthorn, Director of School Counseling

Mrs. Kristin Sweeney-Bizier, School Psychologist

Mrs. Jill Fontanella, Social Worker

Mrs. Annmarie Barrett, Speech and Language Pathologist

Mrs. Nancy Cyr, Career Center

Jennifer Lynch, Secretary

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WOLCOTT PUBLIC SCHOOLS CALENDAR

Please check the Wolcott Public School’s Website for the most up tp date Calendars for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years

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WHS SCHEDULES

***This schedule rotates every other day. If, for example, Blocks 1 through 4 meet on Monday, then Blocks 5 through 8 will meet on Tuesday.***

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WHS SCHEDULES (Continued)

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WHS INFORMATION AND POLICIES

CHEATING/ PLAGIARISM

All forms of cheating are unacceptable. The misrepresenting by students of homework, class work, tests, reports, or other assignments as if they were entirely their own work shall be considered forms of cheating and/or plagiarism. In addition, submitting the same or portions of the same assignment, in different classes, without prior approval by the teacher, will be considered a misrepresentation of student work and therefore cheating. Allowing others to use one’s work is considered cheating as well. Consequences of cheating and/or plagiarism shall be academic in nature unless repeated incidents require disciplinary action.

First Offense – Student will receive a zero for the assignment. The teacher will contact the student’s parent and with the student fill out an official referral explaining the incident and then submit the form to administration. The administration will then meet with the student. The report which will be kept in the student’s file. The administration will contact the student’s parent and advise the parent of the consequences for further offenses.

Second Offense – The student will receive a zero for the assignment as

well as one day of in-school suspension regardless of whether or not the

first offense occurred in the same class. The teacher will contact the

student's parent and submit a referral to the administration. The administration will then meet with the student. The report which will 19

be kept in the student’s file. The administration will contact the student’s parent and advise the parent of the consequences for further offenses.

Third Offense - The teacher will submit the referral form that explains the offense to an administrator. The student will receive a zero for the assignment and discipline will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. The administrator will schedule a meeting with the student and his/her parents to explain the disciplinary action.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Academic dishonesty shall in general mean conduct which has as its intent or effect the false representation of a student’s academic performance, including but not limited to:

a) Cheating on an examination,

b) Collaborating with others in work to be presented, contrary to the stated rules of the course,

c) Plagiarizing, including the submission of other’s ideas or papers (whether purchased, borrowed or otherwise obtained) as one’s own,

d) Stealing or having unauthorized access to examination or course

materials,

e) Falsifying records, laboratory or other data,

f) Submitting, if contrary to the rules of a course, work previously presented in another course,

g) Knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above, including assistance in an arrangement whereby any work, classroom performance, examination or other activity is submitted or performed by a person other than the student under whose name the work is submitted or performed.

Students should not give or receive aid during examinations, quizzes, tests or lab assignments. Students should not use answers to examinations, quizzes and tests written on cheat sheets, clothing or body parts, or obtained from others who have taken the same test prior to them. Students should not use in any written work, without proper acknowledgement, the wording of any sentence or part of a sentence of another author without acknowledgement of the original author. Students should not use calculating devices during tests where calculators are not permitted.

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WHS INFORMATION AND POLICIES (Continued)

ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER

In compliance with state and federal statutes, Wolcott High School provides a wide range of programs and services designed to meet the specific educational needs of students whose disabilities have an impact on their education. Students receive core instruction from content specific teachers in the classroom. Special Education teachers provide specialized support through the Academic Support Center. The purpose of the service is to work on student goals and objectives by providing strategies for learning while delivering instruction to ensure optimal student learning and growth.

Other available Special Education Support Services include: transition guidance in the career center, school-based counseling, physical and occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and adaptive physical education.

ACCESS TO SPECIAL EDUCATION

Students attending Wolcott Public Schools receive the ongoing attention of professional personnel to help support their successful learning. Students whose academic progress, behavior, or attendance is considered unsatisfactory or at a marginal level of acceptance may be referred to the Planning and Placement Team. Parents or school personnel may request assistance from the school’s Early Intervention Team in addressing these issues. The team works collaboratively with the classroom teachers and parents to develop and document strategies to assist the student within the regular education program. If the student’s problems or difficulties persist, a referral to the PPT is made.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Cheating/plagiarism may result in loss of membership in student organizations as well as consideration as class valedictorian or salutatorian.

Plagiarism according to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, 2000, is “1. A piece of writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as being your own. 2. The act of plagiarizing; taking someone’s words or ideas as if they were your own.” If you copy another’s work in a paper, for instance, you must put the copied material in quotation marks and footnote or endnotes.

If you restate the language or thoughts of another in your own words, you are paraphrasing. Omit the quotation marks, but footnote or endnote the original source. Not to attribute the idea to the original person is to plagiarize. In general, it is better to acknowledge too many sources than too few.

Plagiarism, as defined above, is considered a serious academic offense. According to Connecticut statute, plagiarism is a criminal act and classified as a Class “B” misdemeanor. The teacher, in conference with an administrator, will exercise his/her professional judgment when determining an appropriate penalty for a project that has been plagiarized. The nature of the penalty should be relative to the magnitude of the offense. Examples of penalties that will be invoked are: a zero for the project, an “F” for the course, and/or referral to the proper authorities. The teacher and administrator will determine if the student may be permitted to complete the paper properly, or write an entire new paper properly. These and other penalties will not be imposed when the classroom teacher determines that the sources in a paper have been miss-cited. The teacher with the administration will determine the extent of grade reduction and possible suspension or referral to authorities.

(Obtained from the Tunxis Community College Handbook.)

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WHS INFORMATION AND POLICIES (Continued)

Any student at or above the age of majority who leaves the home of his parents or guardian and takes up independent residence in this school district must submit a certificate of residence to the Principal within five (5) calendar days. The certificate of residence must be attested to by the owner, renter or lessor of the property.

A student having reached the age of majority may request of the Principal an adult status form. This form must be signed by the student and also signed by his/her parents as an acknowledgment of this request.

For students identified to receive Special Education services, a notification of the transfer of rights at age 18 under IDEA Part B will be made at least one year before the student reaches age 18.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES

It is recognized that Advanced Placement (AP) courses distinguish themselves from other courses at Wolcott High School by being collegiate in nature. The student considering an AP course needs to have established a reputation as one who is self-motivated and mature enough to deal with a course that is generally less structured than that in a conventional setting. The student needs to have taken at least one appropriate Honors level course or a pertinent College and Career Readiness course, receiving a grade of no less than "B." All designated prerequisites must also have been met. Due to the testing timeline set forth by the College Board, it may be necessary in certain AP courses for students to complete assigned summer coursework and/or participate in after-school or evening review sessions during the academic year. Teacher’s recommendations for enrollment in all courses are given strong consideration

ADMISSION/PLACEMENT

A student seeking enrollment in Wolcott High School for the first time or following attendance in another Connecticut public school district, out-of-state attendance, private school attendance or admission through a bona fide foreign exchange program should contact our School Counseling Department. A student who is transferring from non-public schools or schools outside the district will be placed at his/her current grade level pending evaluation and observation of the student after such assessment and consultation with the parents, the principal will determine the grade placement of the child. The parent or person having control of a child seventeen years of age may consent to such child’s withdrawal from school. A student who has attained the age of seventeen and who has voluntary terminated enrollment in the district’s schools and subsequently seeks admission may be denied readmission for up to ninety school days from the date of such termination unless such student seeks readmission to the District not later than ten school days after such termination in which school accommodation will be provided not later than three school days after such student seeks readmission. A student, nineteen years of age or older may be placed in an alternative school program or other suitable educational program if he/she cannot acquire a sufficient number of credits for graduation by age twenty-one. Students who are classified as homeless under federal law and do not have a fixed residence will be admitted pursuant to federal law.

ADULT STATUS

Under Federal and State laws, young people may be granted adult status at the age of 18. Under policy enacted by the Wolcott Board of Education, all students who have reached the age of majority (age of majority - 18) shall be considered students in the same manner as those under 18, in that (a) the entire curriculum shall be available to them without special restrictions, (b) they shall be governed by all regulations formulated for students, and (c) they shall have equal opportunity to participate in extracurricular and other student activities.

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WHS INFORMATION AND POLICIES (Continued)

Connecticut state law requires parents to make sure that their children between the ages of 5 to 18 attend school regularly. Daily attendance is a key factor in student success, thus any absence from school is an educational loss to the student. These rules are designed to minimize student absenteeism while providing students the opportunity to make up school work missed due to a legitimate absence. A student must remain in school until age 18, unless he/she graduates or gets written consent from a parent/guardian on a district provided form to leave school at age 17.

A student is considered to be “in attendance” if present at his/her assigned school, or an activity sponsored by the school, such as a field trip, for at least half of the regular school day.

An absence occurs when a student fails to be physically present in school or class during the time required by the Board of Education or school regulations. Therefore, excused absences, unexcused absences and/or disciplinary absences all count toward a student’s total absences.

A ‘chronically absent student’ is a student whose total number of absences at any time during a school year is equal to or greater than 10% of the total number of days that such student has been enrolled in the current school year. In other words, if a student is here less than 90% of the time, he or she is considered chronically absent.

Excused Absences

A student’s absence from school shall be considered excused if written documentation of the reason for the absence has been submitted within ten school days of the student’s return to school and meets the following criteria:

A. Absences one through nine are considered excused when the student’s parent/guardian approves such absences and submits appropriate documentation; and B. For the tenth absence and all absences thereafter, a student’s absences from school are considered excused for the following reasons:

1) student illness (Note: all student illness absences must be verified by an appropriately licensed medical professional

to be deemed excused, regardless of the length of absence);

2) student’s observance of a religious holiday;

3) death in the student’s family or other emergency beyond the control of the student’s family;

ADVERTISING

The public schools maintain careful controls on the way in which students are exposed to materials and announcements, other than those directly related to school sponsored programs and activities. Caution is exercised to prevent exploitation of the system and its students. District-prescribed standards shall be met.

ANONYMOUS EMAIL REPORTING/TIP LINE

Students and/or their parents/guardians in the school community can anonymously report a concern via the Wolcott High School webpage. Simply go to the following website, http://www.wolcottps.org/ and then navigate to the Wolcott High School homepage. Once on the Wolcott High School page, the anonymous reporting link is in the middle of the page. Simply click on it and describe the concern in as much detail as possible.

ASBESTOS

Legislation requires all school buildings to be reevaluated to determine if asbestos is present and if it poses a significant health hazard to the building’s occupants. The District has on file plans showing the location of asbestos in each building and measures undertaken to comply with regulations to maintain a safe school environment. Request to review these plans may be made in the school office.

ASSEMBLIES

There are times when classes, grades, teams or the entire school may gather for assembly programs. These programs are arranged to bring information or entertainment to the student community. Every effort will be made to hold assemblies during the Discovery/Flex period. A student’s conduct in assemblies must meet the same standards as in the classroom.

ATTENDANCE POLICIES

The intent of the Attendance Policy is to emphasize the importance of regular participation in classroom activity to enhance the successful learning of pupils.

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WHS INFORMATION AND POLICIES (Continued)

The total of excused and unexcused absences is to be used in applying the Board of Education Attendance Policy.

Students will automatically lose credit when class absence is:

- Ten days in a full year course

- Five days for a half year course

(Class attendance limits will be prorated for courses meeting less than half the year.) Exceptions to this policy include only certain out of school activities approved by the school administration and Board of Education and prolonged absences resulting in homebound instruction. (Students should refer to the discipline section under “Cutting Class” and “Leaving School Property Without Permission”.)

Absences and Participation in Athletics, Extracurricular Activities, and School Sponsored Events

If a student is absent from school or dismissed early from school, they cannot participate in athletics, extracurricular activities, or school sponsored events that take place that same day. A student must also arrive at school by 11:00 a.m. to participate in said activities.

Afternoon Dismissal from School

Dismissal from school is at 1:55 p.m. At the close of school, all students will proceed directly to their assigned buses without delay. Students should not loiter in the parking lot. Rather, they should prepare to leave immediately on the bus or in their cars. Students who are not in an organized after school activity are required to exit the building.

Arrival at School

Students may enter the building at 7:05 a.m. All students must report to their designated area and remain there until 7:20 a.m. (Freshman and Sophomores will report to the Commons and Juniors and Seniors will report to the Resource Center). A bell will ring at 7:25 a.m. to remind students to proceed to class. Students desiring help, teacher conferences, etc., before 7:20 a.m., must obtain permission to do so.

Early Dismissal from School

Early dismissal is for emergency purposes only, or as deemed necessary by an administrator. Routine doctors’ and dentists’ visits or non-school examinations such as drivers’ tests should not be scheduled during the school day. If a student must be dismissed for an appointment with a doctor or dentist, unless there are extenuating circumstances, he/she is expected to turn in the assignments for that day prior to leaving school. Such appointments should be made for vacation periods or outside school hours.

4) mandated court appearances (additional documentation required)

5) the lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends (no parental documentation is required for this reason); or

6) extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by district administrators and in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Education guidance.

Unexcused Absences

A student’s absence from school shall be considered unexcused unless they meet one of the following criteria:

A. the absence meets the definition for an excused absence (including documentation requirements);

B. the absence meets the definition of a disciplinary absence.

Disciplinary Absences

Absences that are the result of school or district disciplinary action are excluded from these definitions.

According to these definitions, the number of unexcused absences determines if the student is truant or at risk of becoming truant. According to Connecticut General Statutes section 10-198a, a “truant” means a child who has four unexcused absences in a month or 10 unexcused absences in a school year.

Attendance in school will be considered when grading a student. Students who miss school work because of absence must make up all missed work to the satisfaction of the classroom teacher and/or a school administrator. The allowable days to complete make-up work would be equal to the number of days absent (i.e. 1 day absent = 1 day to make up work; 2 days absent = 2 days to make up work.) The responsibility for makeup work lies with the student, not the teacher.

If an extended absence due to illness is anticipated, the parent should call the school to arrange for make-up work or home instruction.

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WHS INFORMATION AND POLICIES (Continued)

Early dismissal for high school students may be permitted for grade twelve students and/or those enrolled in specialized programs on those days which require leaving school prior to the close of the regular school day, for students confronted with extraordinary circumstances, or as allowed by the Superintendent in addressing requirements or guidelines from federal, state, or local health officials. Appeals may be made to the Superintendent who is authorized to waive this restriction for exceptional cases with just cause.

When deemed necessary to address public health orders and guidance, the Superintendent may extend this policy to include late arrival and students in grade eleven.

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

10-184 Duties of Parents, 10-199 through 10-202d Attendance, Truancy in General , 46b-149 Family with Service Needs I Campbell vs. New Milford, 193 Conn 93 (1984)

Early Dismissal, Late Arrival

1. Generally, any student of the high school who desires the privilege of early dismissal from school must present to the Principal or Assistant Principal a written authorized request for same signed by his/her parent/guardian, explaining thereon the need for such early dismissal. Each such request shall be granted or denied by the administrator, who has full authority to do so, on the basis of the reasons stated.

2. Any high school student enrolled in any of the school sponsored and supervised work-study programs requiring early dismissal shall be so dismissed in accordance with the Board approved policy established for such programs.

3. Changes in schedules to allow early release or late arrival will not be granted.

4. Students shall not loiter in the school or on school grounds after early dismissal or before late arrival. Students awaiting school bus transportation must report to and remain in study hall.

5. Students abusing the privilege of early dismissal or causing trouble in town shall be deprived of the privilege. The length of privilege denial is to be determined by the Principal or his/her designee.

Dismissal may be made only by an administrator or by the school nurse. In the case of illness, the school nurse, after consultation with a parent, shall determine whether a student may be dismissed. A student ill enough to be dismissed should not drive home unless parents have previously signed a waiver. A student who leaves without permission will be subject to administrative consequences. Documentation of early dismissal may be requested upon students’ return to school.

Students who have attained Senior status are permitted to leave school early if they have a last period study hall and the following conditions are met:

1. Seniors who wish to leave school on days they have a last period

study hall must obtain signed parental permission.

2. The student must report to the security desk and sign out.

Failure to do so will result in a detention and the loss of this

privilege for 4 weeks. The next violation will result in a detention

and permanent loss of this privilege.

3. All seniors must maintain a 70 average and be passing

all classes.

4. All seniors must have completed 30 logged and verified hours of community service.

5. If a senior is on the detention list, he/she will not be allowed to leave

early on that day.

6. If a senior is tardy to school, he/she will not be allowed to leave early on that day.

7. Students cannot exceed the policy of 5 absences in a half

year course or 10 absences in a full year course.

BOE Policy Regarding Released Time

All students are expected to attend school for the full school day. No student shall be allowed to leave the school grounds at any time without (1) written permission from the parents or guardians, and (2) the Principal's or his/her designee’s authorization. Nor shall any child enrolled in grades pre-kindergarten through eight be dismissed except in care of a parent, guardian or known authorized person.

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WHS INFORMATION AND POLICIES (Continued)

Tardiness to School

Any student who arrives tardy to school must fill out a tardy slip before proceeding to any class. A student who is habitually tardy will be subject to disciplinary action. The only exceptions to this policy would be for medical or legal reasons signed by the doctor or court. Students will receive disciplinary action for every tardy that follows the sixth (6th) tardy, regardless if a parent calls in or if a parent note is sent to school.

Students will receive a warning for their first six (6) tardies
Students will receive an after school detention on their seventh (7th) tardy
Students will receive disciplinary action for every tardy that follows the 7th tardy, regardless if a parent calls in or if a parent note is sent to school.

If a student arrived to school between 7:30 and 7:45 am, they will be issued a same day lunch detention
If a student arrives after 7:45 am, they will be issued a same day after school detention.

Waiver of Attendance Policy – Appeal Process

A student who has accumulated more absences from a class than allowed by the policy and has been denied credit for the course, but feels that the situation warrants special consideration, may appeal to the administration. Under no circumstances will the administration accept documentation to retroactively justify earlier absences. Parents are required to submit a letter explaining excessive absences in requesting restoration of credit. This request for an appeal must be submitted in writing by the parent/guardian and must be done within five (5) school days of written notice of loss of credit. The Attendance Review Board (A.R.B.), comprised of an administrator, a teacher and a representative from counseling services will hear the appeal. The parent/guardian and student must attend the hearing to resolve the issue. The decision of the hearing may be appealed to the principal.

A student who has accumulated three or more unexcused absences in a class shall forfeit the right to appeal for an extension of allowable absences for that class. A complete copy of this policy and regulation is available in the Main Office.

6. Any student may be required to remain in school on any given day for make-up work, for discipline reasons and for special school programs that occur at the end of the school day.

Policy originally adopted: February 25, 1991

Policy readopted: February 11, 2002

Policy revised: July 20, 2020

Parent Notification of Excessive Absences

Parents are notified on each report card of the number of absences for each class. You can also view attendance information any time during the school year by accessing the PowerSchool parent portal and clicking on the ‘Quick Look-up’ tab. The school will notify parents and students of the potential for loss of credit when 50% and 75% of allowable absences have been accumulated.

Tardiness to Class

Students are considered tardy to class if they arrive after the bell and before the midpoint of the class. Students arriving after the midpoint of any class are considered absent from that class. Beginning on the fourth tardy to class without a pass, a detention will be issued for that tardy and for each subsequent tardy for the remainder of the year. Also, every three (3) tardies equals a class absence.

The school will notify parents/guardians:

a) when 50%, 75% and over the limit of absences have been reached.

b) when a student has cut class.

c) when a student has been truant.

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Visit www.wolcottps.org for the latest Board of Education meeting schedule. Parents, students and other community members are encouraged to attend.

Meetings of the Board follow a planned and posted agenda. At a certain time in the agenda, the Board chairperson will recognize individuals who want to make a statement, not more than 2 minutes in length, or to express a viewpoint. In addition, if they give advance notice to the Superintendent, individuals with relevant issues for discussion may have such issues placed on a future Board agenda for a more thorough discussion of the topic.

The Board’s main purpose is policy setting designed to improve student learning. Board members are interested in the public’s opinion on district issues, which can assist them in formulating policy which reflects community values and expectations.

BOOKS

The increasingly high cost of replacing text and library books necessitates a very strong concern about student responsibility for the care of books. A cover of some sort must be used. Lost books are kept in the Main Office and then returned to the respective department chairperson. (See Financial Obligations, page 44)

BULLYING

Bullying of a student by another student is prohibited. Such behavior is defined as any overt acts by a student or groups of students directed against another student with the intent to ridicule, harass, humiliate or intimidate the other student while on school grounds, at a school sponsored activity, or on a school bus which acts are committed more than once against any student during the school year. Bullying which occurs outside of the school setting may be addressed by school officials if it has a direct and negative impact on a student’s academic performance of safety in school. Such behavior may result in disciplinary action..

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT/PARENT CONFERENCE NIGHT

Back to School Night provides an opportunity for parents/guardians to meet their child’s teachers who will present an overview of their course and provide copies of their classroom expectations and grading policy, as well as answer any general questions.

Back to School Night date for the 2025-2026 school year is scheduled as follows:

Thursday, September 18, 2025, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Parent Teacher Conference Night- Parents will make appointments with teachers to discuss their child’s progress in his or her classes. Appointments will be set up electronically through the Wolcott High School website and directions for requesting a conference will be emailed out prior to that night.

Parent Teacher Conference Night date for the 2024-2025 school year is scheduled as follows:

Thursday, November 6, 2025, 3:30 -5:30pm

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Board members are unpaid elected public officials with the responsibility for governance of the school district. The members of the Wolcott Board of Education for the 2023-2025 term are:

Chairman, Cynthia Mancini; Vice-Chairman, Kelly Mazza; Secretary, Roberta Leonard, Members: Eugene Gasparri, Anthony Gugliotti, Melissa Hughes, Nikoleta Kollchaku, Matthew Napp, Brock Weber

In order to perform its duties in an open and public manner and in accordance with state law, the Wolcott Board of Education holds regular business meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Tyrrell Middle School Large Group Room unless otherwise indicated.

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Bullying outside of the school setting may also be addressed if it has a direct and negative impact on a student’s academic performance or safety in school. Students and/or parents may file verbal or written complaints concerning suspected bullying behavior, and students shall be permitted to anonymously report acts of bullying to teachers and school administrators. Any report of suspected bullying behavior will be promptly reviewed. If acts of bullying are verified, prompt disciplinary action may be taken against the perpetrator, consistent with his/her rights of due process. Board policy and regulation #5131.911 set forth this prohibition and the related procedures in detail, and are available to students and their parents/guardians upon request.” indicated.

CYBERBULLYING

The District’s computer network and the Internet, whether accessed on campus or off campus, during or after school hours, may not be used for the purpose of harassment. All forms of harassment over the Internet, commonly known as cyber bullying, are unacceptable, a violation of District policy and of the District’s acceptable computer use policy and procedures.

Cyber bullying includes, but is not limited to, such misuses of technology as harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful e-mail messages, instant messages, text message, digital pictures or images, social media postings, and website postings- including blogs and vlogs. It is also recognized that the author (poster or sender) of the inappropriate material may be disguised or logged on as someone else.

Students and community members who believe they have been the victims of such misuses of technology as described, should not erase the offending material from the system. A copy of the material should be printed and brought to the attention of the Principal or Director of Technology. All reports of cyber bullying will be investigated by the administration.

In situations in which the cyber bullying originated from a non-school computer, but brought to the attention of school officials, any disciplinary action shall be based upon whether the conduct is determined to be severely disruptive of the educational process so that it markedly interrupts or severely impedes the day-to-day operation of school.

Examples of bullying include, but are not limited to:

1. Physical violence and attacks.

2. Verbal taunts name-calling and put-downs including ethically-based or gender-based put-downs.

3. Threats and intimidation.

4. Extortion or stealing of money and/or possessions.

5. Exclusion from peer groups within schools

Students and/or their parent may file an electronic report of conduct they consider bullying. Students may also make an informal complaint of conduct that they consider to be bullying by verbal report to a teacher, school counselor, or administrator, who will promptly forward the complaint to the administration for review and action.

Students and parents are permitted to make anonymous reports of bullying. Parent written reports and student anonymous reports will be investigated by the school administration but no disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

Districts pupil services personnel and administrators are responsible for taking a bullying report and investigating the complaint. Parents of students involved in a verified act of bullying will be invited to attend at least one meeting at school.

“Bullying behavior by any student in Wolcott Schools is strictly prohibited, and such conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion from school. “Bullying” means any overt acts by a student or a group of students directed against another student with the intent to ridicule, harass, humiliate or intimidate the other student while on school grounds, at a school-sponsored activity, or on a school bus, which acts are committed more than once against any student during the school year.

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3. Boisterous behavior will not be permitted.

4. Food throwing or throwing of any objects in the cafeteria will

not be tolerated. Serious offenses will result in suspension.

5. Food may not be taken from the Commons and eaten

elsewhere without permission.

6. Students waiting to be served in the lunch line are expected to act

with decorum and respect to the kitchen staff, the duty teacher, and

their fellow students.

7. The combing of hair is forbidden anywhere in the Commons

dining room and serving line.

8. Students are not to hold up the lunch line for any reason.

9. Students are to remain in the Commons until the teacher on

duty dismisses the lunch. A student who wishes to work with a

teacher during the lunch period should obtain a pass from that

teacher.

10. To ensure the smooth functioning of the cafeteria, the duty

teacher at his/her discretion and based on the circumstances, may warn a student, issue a detention or request the student to leave the Commons area and report to an Administrator.

Students who constantly violate cafeteria rules may be denied the privilege of using the Commons to eat their lunch.

FOOD SERVICE CHARGING POLICY 3542.43 (a)

The goal of the food service program is to provide students with nutritious foods that will enhance learning. The school nutrition program is an essential part of the education system and by providing good-tasting, nutritious meals in pleasant surroundings; we are helping to teach students the value of good nutrition.

Although not required by law, because of the District’s participation in the Child Nutrition Programs, the Board approves the establishment of a system to allow a student to charge a meal.

The Board realizes that funds from the nonprofit school food service account, according to federal regulations, cannot be used to cover the cost of charged meals that have not been paid.

Also, such conduct must violate publicized school policy. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, threats, or making a threat off school grounds, to kill or hurt a teacher or student. Disciplinary action may include loss of computer privileges, detention, suspension or expulsion. A communicated threat or a hate crime will be reported to the police.

CAFETERIA

All eating is to be done in the cafeteria unless authorized by an administrator. Food is not permitted elsewhere in the building. Rules of cleanliness are to be observed at all times. Misconduct in the cafeteria may be cause for receiving an assigned seat or forfeiting the right to eat in that location or such other disciplinary action deemed appropriate for the misconduct.

The District participates in the National School Lunch Program and offers to students nutritionally balanced lunches daily. Free and reduced-price lunches are available based on financial need. Information on this program can be obtained in the school cafeteria.

Food and beverages offered for sale to students, whether in the cafeteria, school store, or vending machines will meet federal and state standards and guidelines. All sodas and sports drinks will not be available for sale.

In conformity with applicable law, necessary accommodations will be provided, where required, for students with food allergies, including emergency procedures to treat allergic reactions which may occur.

In order to achieve and maintain the lunch period as an enjoyable experience, the following rules must apply:

1. All students must be on time for lunch.

2. Students are expected to keep the Commons area clean and neat. Trays are to be brought to one of two windows in the Commons corridor. Trash should be placed in receptacles provided and trays should be

placed in piles.

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CARD PLAYING

Card playing involving betting or wagering, whether for money or other valuables, as well as any other forms of gambling is not to occur anywhere in the school building.

CHILD ABUSE

Connecticut law requires certain citizens to report suspected child abuse and neglect. These mandated reporters are people in professions or occupations that have contact with children or whose primary focus is children. Mandated reporters are required to report or cause a report to be made when, in the ordinary course of their employment or profession, they have reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child under the age of 18 has been abused, neglected or is placed in imminent risk or serious harm. Mandated reporters are required to make a referral to the DCF Hotline as soon as practical but no later than 12 hours after the mandated reporter becomes aware of or suspects abuse/neglect or imminent risk of serious harm to a child or children.

COMPUTER RESOURCES- (see also Technology in the School page 86)

District resources have been invested in computer technology to broaden

instruction and to prepare students for an increasingly computerized society. Use

of these resources is restricted to students working under a teacher’s supervision

and for approved purposes only. Students and parents will be asked to sign a user

agreement regarding appropriate use of these resources. Violations of this

agreement may result in withdrawal of privileges and other disciplinary action.

Students and parents should be aware that e-mail communications, using district computers, are not private and may be monitored by staff. Students may not access social media sites using District equipment, while on District property, or at a District sponsored activity unless the posting is approved by a teacher. The District will not be liable for information posted by students on social media websites, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, etc., when the student is not engaged in District activities and not using District equipment.

The District reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review and store at any time and without prior notice any and all usage of the computer network and Internet access and any and all information transmitted or received in connection with such usage. All such information files shall be and remain the property of the School District and no user shall have any expectation or privacy regarding such material.

The Board is responsible for covering any negative balances at the end of the school year. A bill from the Food Services Department will be submitted to the BOE no later than 10 days after the last day of the school year.

Charging is not encouraged by the District but on those occasions that a student does not have money, they will be offered a full meal and their account will be charged.

Any parent/guardian who anticipates a problem with paying for meals is encouraged to contact the Food Services Director and/or the applicable school Principal for assistance. The Board encourages all families who may have a child eligible for free or reduced-price lunch to apply.

Families may apply (or reapply) for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.

District-Wide

The district uses LINQ Connect, an automated prepayment system, which allows parents/guardians to view their child’s meal account balance and purchases, receive low-balance notifications, as well as, make deposits, to their child’s school meal account. The best way for parents to know what the child’s account balance is at any time is to set up a free account at linqconnect.com or by downloading the LINQ Connect app. Any student whose account has insufficient funds and does not bring a meal from home may charge meals. A negative balance status can be avoided by making a payment by credit card on the LINQ Connect app or website or by sending in cash or check (made out to Wolcott Food Services) to the cafeteria. Negative balance letters will be sent home weekly to any student owing money. No a la carte items or snacks can be purchased when a child has a negative balance.

Parents are responsible for providing meals or money for their student(s) to purchase a meal. Charging of meals should be used for emergencies only. Repayment is expected. If the parent or guardian continues to fail to provide the student with money for meals, district administration will assist in efforts to collect back payment.

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Helping to create stronger bonds between students that cut across cliques that typically form in schools.
Providing an ideal setting to teach and practice important life skills and encourage a student voice on school-wide issues.
Providing student with time during the day to receive interventions and enrichment

DRESS CODE

Students are responsible for dressing in attire that does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere, or disrupts the educational environment. Students are encouraged to dress to represent themselves and Wolcott High School positively per the

following guidelines.

Non-Allowable Dress and Grooming

A. Clothing must not depict, advertise, or advocate the use of alcohol,

tobacco, marijuana, or other controlled substances.

B. Clothing must not depict pornography, nudity, or sexual acts.

C. Clothing must not use or depict hate speech targeting groups based on

race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious

affiliation, or any other protected group.

D. Clothing must not include gang identifiers which could threaten the

health or safety of any other student or staff.

E. Clothing must not include the use of obscene or offensive language or

images.

F. Hoods, hats, and sunglasses are not permitted due to interference with

security and identification of students.

Federal law requires the district to place filtering devices on school computers to block entry to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, harmful or inappropriate for students as defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act and as determined by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Students should be aware that, because these technologies are provided solely for educational purposes, some behaviors that are acceptable on home computers are not appropriate for school technologies. Teachers will review the AUP with students during class instruction. Copies are available in the Resource Center.

DANGEROUS WEAPONS AND INSTRUMENTS

No guns, knives or any other objects, including martial arts weapons and facsimiles of weapons, capable of threatening or causing injury or death may be brought onto school grounds. Any object used to cause injury will be considered a weapon. Violators will be subject to arrest and prosecution, as well as, appropriate disciplinary action. Any student found to possess a weapon on school grounds or during a school-activity may be expelled from school. Please refer to page 107 for the full Weapons Policy.

DISCOVERY

This period will be used to monitor students’ success as it pertains to the WHS Vision of the Graduate and to support each student both in and out of the classroom. This period will also be used to schedule students for their flex periods during the week for academic intervention and/or enrichment activities.

Activities will periodically take place in Discovery to promote student academic, social and civic expectations for learning, including

Allowing students to develop a relationship with at least one adult who knows them and their needs well
Monitoring the graduation requirement of 40 hours of community service. (*10 hours per year)

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Physical Education Classes

Wolcott Public School students shall be required to wear appropriate gym clothing and sneakers when participating in physical education classes.

With the exception of K-5 students, gym clothing will not be the same clothing being worn by students in regular classes. This provision shall not apply in schools where showers and locker facilities are unavailable. In such schools on the days of gym class assignments, students are urged to come to school wearing appropriate clothes for active participation.

Information Dissemination

A. It is the responsibility of district and school support staffs to adequately communicate to parents or guardian’s information common to all school sites, including general guidelines for enforcement of the dress code policy and requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE).

B. Each school shall communicate to parents or guardian’s information specific to the individual school sites, including:

1. Types and colors of dress code;

2. Optional articles of attire, if any;

3. Expectations for PPE

4. Compliance measures to be employed.

C. The means by which this information is communicated shall include one or more of the following: school newsletters, email, parent forums, telephonic notification or through use of a telephone hotline, PTA meetings and newsletters, parent advisory meetings, television, radio, and/or newspaper announcements, posters displayed at school and in the community.

Allowable Dress & Grooming

A. Students must wear clothing, including both a shirt with pants or a skirt or the equivalent and shoes with a back.

B. Clothing must not expose undergarments while standing or sitting.

C. Clothing must have fabric in the front, back, and on the sides

D. Fabric covering all private parts must not be see-through.

E. Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities including physical education, science labs, wood shop, and other activities where unique hazards exist.

F. Specialized courses may require specific attire, such as safety gear.

G. Per the CROWN Act, cultural or religious wear is permitted.

Penalties for Violating the Dress Code:

Students whose attire and grooming do not meet the specified standards will be directed to the administration, who will then advise them on necessary attire adjustments. If a student is unable or unwilling to make the necessary changes, their parents will be notified. If the issue persists despite intervention, disciplinary action may be taken in accordance with the Connecticut General Statute, Board of Education policies, and protocols outlined in the student handbook.

Students who are referred to an Administrator due to Dress Code violations may return to class once they have changed their attire. However, repeated offenses will be viewed as insubordination and may result in further disciplinary measures as detailed in the student handbook.

Reviewed and Revision

The Dress Code will undergo review and possible revision every four years (following the 2027-2028 school year).

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membership or gang activity.

3. When a student wears the uniform of a nationally recognized youth organization such as the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts on regular meeting days.

4. When complying with the dress code expectations violates a student's sincerely held religious belief.

5. When a student's parent(s) or guardian(s) has secured an exemption from the dress code policy. Exemptions to PPE requirements will be made only with written verification from a licensed medical provider that compliance would be harmful or dangerous to the student.

D. If the parent(s) or guardian(s) desires to exempt his/her child from the dress code policy, the, parent(s) or guardian(s) must observe the following procedure:

1. Complete a Request for Exemption from the Student Dress Code Requirement Form. The parent(s) or guardian(s) may obtain a form at the student's school site or Central Office.

2. Complete the application in full and submit to the student's school office. 3. Meeting with the designated administrator to discuss the dress code policy and the nature of the parent(s) or guardian(s)'s objections to the policy. The purposes of this meeting include (a) ensuring that the parent(s) or guardian(s) understand the reasons for and goals of the dress code policy; (b) verifying the accuracy of the information on the application and (c) preventing fraud or misrepresentation. 4. Receive authorized exemption, in writing, from the school Principal.

Regulation originally approved: May 26, 1998

Regulation amended and reapproved: February 11, 2002

Regulation revised: July 20, 2020

Financial Considerations

A. No student shall be denied attendance at school, penalized, or otherwise subject to compliance measures for failing comply with dress code expectations by reason of legitimate financial hardship.

B. With the commencement of the 2020-2021 school year, each school shall develop a procedure and criteria to identify families which may be applicable to the above.

Compliance Measures

A. Since the intent of the policy is not to inhibit or prohibit any student who is not in compliance with dress code expectations or the wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) from receiving the education to which he/she is entitled, no student shall be suspended from school, expelled from school or receive a lowered academic grade as a result of not complying with the policy. In the case of personal protective equipment for students and when allowed by state statute, executive order, or by state-sanctioned guidance, a student refusing to comply with PPE expectations may be offered an at-home learning opportunity in place of in-person instruction. In-person instruction will only be offered after other disciplinary and non-disciplinary efforts at compliance have failed.

B. Each school shall develop incentives and positive reinforcement measures to encourage full compliance with the dress code policy. Each school should strive to achieve full compliance through use of incentives and positive reinforcement measures. In addition, schools shall communicate with parents or guardians so that expectations, rationale and benefits are fully understood by the student and his/her family.

C. No student shall be considered noncompliant with the policy in the following instances:

1. When noncompliance derives from financial hardship.

2. When a student wears a button, armband or other accouterment to exercise the right to freedom of expression, unless the button, armband or other accouterment signifies or is related to gangs, gang

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⮚ If there are symptoms that strongly suggest impairment:

(If the symptoms are considered to be so severe as to present an emergency situation, Emergency Services will be called.)

1. A parent will be asked to come to the school.

2. The School Resource Officer/Wolcott Police will be notified.

3. A referral will be made to the School Counseling staff for counseling services.

4. A mandatory meeting with the parent, student, counselor and administrator will be scheduled.

5. Handbook procedure will be followed as indicated on page 86.

● parent notification and conference

● 10 day home suspension

● referral to police

● counseling services

● possible expulsion

Student Caught in Possession of Drugs or Under the Influence of Drugs and/or Alcohol:

1. A School Administrator will be notified.

2. The School Resource Officer/Wolcott Police will be notified.

3. The school nurse will complete an assessment.

4. Handbook procedure will be followed on page 86.

● parent notification and conference

● 10 day home suspension

● referral to police

● counseling services

● possible expulsion

5. Social Service information will be given to student and parent.

Psychotropic Drug Use

School personnel are prohibited from recommending the use of psychotropic drugs for any student enrolled within the school system. School nurses, nurse practitioners, district medical advisor, school psychologists, school social workers and school counselors, may recommend that a student be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner. Further, the District is prohibited from requiring a child to get a prescription before he/she may attend school, be evaluated to determine eligibility for special education or receive special education.

DRUGS, TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, WEAPONS

It is the policy of the schools to take positive action through education, counseling, parental involvement, medical referral, and police referral in the handling of incidents in the schools involving the possession, sale and/or use of behavior affecting substances. These substances shall include, but are not limited to marijuana, LSD, glue, alcohol, inhalants, barbiturates, steroids and/or performance enhancing drugs. (cf. 5131.6 – Drugs, Tobacco, Alcohol, Inhalant Abuse)

Personal privacy rights of students shall be protected as provided by law.

School properties may be inspected by school authorities in the interest of maintenance, health and safety. Conducting an inspection for the location of drugs, narcotics, liquor, weapons, poisons and missing properties is a matter relating to health and safety and may be regarded as a reasonable action by school personnel.

(cf. 5145.12 – Search and Seizure)

Drug Abuse Guidelines

If a student is suspected of being under the influence of drugs while on school property, the following actions will be taken immediately:

1. An administrator will be contacted and conduct an interview with the student. 2. The student will be sent to the nurse for a health assessment.

3. The parents will be contacted and advised of any symptoms observed.

⮚ If there are no symptoms of impairment:

The student will be sent back to class.

⮚ If there are symptoms that suggest possible impairment:

1. A parent will be asked to come to the school.

2. The School Resource Officer (S.R.O.) /Wolcott Police will be notified.

3. The student will be sent home for the day on a “nurse dismissal”

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2^ndoffense: Consequences.

A. Product will be confiscated and Parents/Guardians notified.

B. Student to serve 3 consecutive days of in-house suspension.

C. Students will complete 5 community service hours.

D. The administration reserves the rights to have the product checked for the presence of illegal narcotics by the Wolcott Police.

3^rdoffense: Consequences.

A. Product will be confiscated and Parents/Guardians notified.

B. Student to serve 3 consecutive days of in-house suspension.

C. Students will complete 10 community service hours.

D. The administration reserves the rights to:

i. Have the product checked for the presence of illegal narcotics by the Wolcott Police.

ii. Refer the offending student to the Wolcott police.

DISCIPLINE

A student who violates the district’s code of conduct shall be subject to disciplinary action. The district’s disciplinary actions may include using one or more discipline management techniques, such as detention, removal from class, removal to an alternative education program, in school suspension, out of school suspension, and expulsion. Disciplinary measures will be appropriate for the offense. In addition, when a student violates the law that student may be referred to legal authorities for prosecution. Students are subject to discipline, up to an including suspension and expulsion for misconduct, which is seriously disruptive of the educational process and violates publicized board of education policy even if such conduct occurs off-school property and during non-school time.

Remember the three R’s: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for your actions.

The public school shall ensure the physical and mental health, safety and welfare of all students in attendance, and the maintenance of an atmosphere conducive to learning. Student behavior that is inconsistent with these purposes, the public interest and individual rights of school personnel and students will be dealt with through administrative and/or legal channels. (Wlct Bd of Ed Policy 5144)

http://z2policy.cabe.org/cabe/browse/wolcott/wolcott/z20000304

Use of Tobacco Products

Possession and or use of tobacco products by students is prohibited in the school building, on school grounds, in school buses and while attending any school sponsored activities. Penalties for the infraction of this regulation are bound by Wolcott Board of Education Policy, school regulations, state law and local ordinance. State statute requires the following penalties for possession of tobacco in a public place. $50.00 fine for 1^stoffense (Statute 53-334(c)**), or a $100.00 fine for any subsequent offenses (Statute 53-334(c)***).

Use of electronic Cigarette/ Vape Inhalant/Nicotine Pouches

Possession and or use of Electronic Cigarette/Vape Inhalant/Nicotine pouch products by students is prohibited in the school building, on school grounds, in school buses and while attending any school sponsored activities.

1^stoffense - Students found to be vaping or using nicotine pouches on school grounds will be placed in one of two possible paths. Parents will be consulted on the decision.

Path 1 – In-school Suspension

A. Product will be confiscated and Parents/Guardians notified.

B. Student to serve 3 consecutive days of in-house suspension.

C. The administration reserves the right to have the product checked for the presence of illegal narcotics by the Wolcott Police.

Path 2 – Counseling

A. Product will be confiscated and Parents/Guardians notified.

B. Students will be assigned 5 sessions during their lunch wave to meet with a counselor to review the health effects and/or hazards inherent with using the product.

C. The administration reserves the right to have the product checked for the presence of illegal narcotics by the Wolcott Police.

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4. In-School Suspension (ISS)

Students assigned to In-School Suspension must arrive at 7:30 a.m. to the In-School Suspension room. In-School Suspension concludes at 1:55 unless the ISS rules are violated. A student that violates the ISS rules will be required to stay until 3:00 p.m. This discipline is meant to address infractions that are more serious in nature requiring consequences more severe than extended detention. It is an intermediary consequence prior to the issuing of home suspension.

5. Out-of-School Suspension (OSS)

This is reserved for serious offenses or for that student who will not cooperate with In-School Suspension Policy. The Administration may suspend a student for infraction of school rules. Suspension is defined as an exclusion from school privileges for not more than (10) consecutive days, provided such exclusion shall not extend beyond the end of the school year in which suspension was imposed. Students will be given class assignments on request, (General Statute Section #10-233c).

Expulsion

Upon referral by the Principal and upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education may expel a student whose conduct endangers persons or property or is seriously disruptive to the educational process or is in violation of publicized policy of the Board. (General Statute Section #10-233d).

Students are subject to discipline, up to and including suspension and expulsion for misconduct, which is seriously disruptive to the educational process and violates publicized board of education policy even if such conduct occurs off-school property and during non-school time. On the dates of the suspension, the student is NOT allowed to participate in any after school activities including athletics, dances, etc.

Notification: The response to infractions depends on both the frequency of the infraction and the severity of the action. It is impossible to list all the possible infractions. The discipline recommended for each office referral is suggested as a guideline to administrators. Teachers are expected to handle minor classroom situations prior to an office referral. Final decisions will be made by the administration.

Discipline Consequences

CONSEQUENCES WILL BE ASSIGNED ACCORDING TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENSE, THESE ARE:

1. Written Assignment

Some teachers prefer to assign a written assignment in lieu of detention for minor classroom violations. Students are expected to comply with this request.

2. Social Activity Restriction

Students with excessive discipline referrals may be denied participation in any school-sponsored activity.

3. Detentions

Lunch Detention - Students assigned a lunch detention will report directly to the In-School Suspension room for the duration of their lunch period. If a student eats a cafeteria made lunch, it will be ordered for him/her and delivered to them in the ISS room.

Teacher Detention – A teacher may hold a detention for the student after school to identify and discuss unacceptable behavior and develop strategies to improve classroom behavior. The teacher must give the student at least twenty-four (24) hours’ notice. A student who fails to serve the detention with the teacher will then be issued a school detention.

School Detention – Detention is held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Students are given 24 hours’ notice. If the administrators postpone detention due to inclement weather, students will be expected to serve the next day detention is held. Any student who skips a detention will have their phone confiscated for the entire school day each day until the detention is complete. Depending on the severity of the action that warranted a detention, the administrator may add additional detention days.

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EAGLE OF THE MONTH

During the regular school year, students and staff are nominated for “Eagle of The Month”. Nominees have illustrated evidence of the Core Values - (Engagement, Acceptance, Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Perseverance). Faculty selects one nominee from each grade level as well as a staff member to be awarded “Eagle Of The Month”. These students will be recognized at the Eagle Banquet is held annually in May.

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION

In the event school is closed due to inclement weather or another emergency, announcements will be made through our School Messenger system in addition to local television stations and their websites.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Each student is encouraged to develop and achieve individual educational goals. The district will provide every student with equal educational opportunities regardless of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, economic status, marital status, or disability. No student will be excluded on such basis from participating in or having access to any course offerings, student athletics, counseling services, employment assistance, extracurricular activities or other school resources. Programs and activities shall be accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities as prescribed by law.

DISTRICT COMPLIANCE OFFICERS

Title VI (Race, Color, National Origin) Mr. Matthew Calabrese 203-879-8160 Title IX (Sex Equity) Mr. Matthew Calabrese 203-879-8160

Age Discrimination Mr. Matthew Calabrese 203-879-8160

Section 504 (handicap) Mr. Walter Drewry 203-879-8164

Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Mr. Kevin Hollis 203-879-8178

The grievance form is available in your school office. It is Form 0521. This grievance form must be filled out within 40 calendar days of the alleged complaint and returned to the appropriate grievance coordinator.

EXEMPTION FROM INSTRUCTION

A student will be exempted from instruction on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Bilingual Education, or Family Life and Sex Education upon receipt of a written request for such exemption from his/her parent or guardian.

General Rules for all Suspensions

Attendance at or participation in any extra-curricular event of the school while under suspension, whether in or out-of-school, is strictly prohibited. These include (but are not limited to) athletic games and practices, driver education, school dances and play rehearsals. Disregarding of this policy will result in further disciplinary action.

Any student placed on out-of-school suspension who is found on school grounds is subject to arrest for loitering on school property. Students receiving out-of-school suspension are prohibited from appearing on school grounds during the suspension, unless authorization to do so is granted by the Principal or Superintendent. (Wlct Bd of Ed 5114 (a)) http://z2policy.cabe.org/cabe/browse/wolcott/wolcott/z20000210

Suspensions for Skipping Detention

Any student who skips a detention will be assigned an additional day. At that time, the student will be notified that he/she will be receive 1 day of In-School Suspension for insubordination if the detentions are not served in the required time. Each subsequent violation of the Detention Policy will be met with an additional day of ISS. For example, if it is the student’s second ISS for skipping detentions, 2 days of ISS will be assigned.

1. Second (2) suspension - student may be referred to the Student Assistance Team (SAT) or Planning and Placement Team (PPT).

2. Third (3) suspension - parent conference with the assistant principal will be required upon return to school.

3. Fourth (4) suspension - parent conference with the principal will be required. 4. Fifth (5) suspension - parent conference with the superintendent will be required upon return to school.

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The following will not be tolerated and will subject the violator to disciplinary action:

● the distribution, purchase or sale of any tobacco product and inhalants;

● the possession, distribution, purchase or sale of any illegal substance;

● the consumption/use of any tobacco product or the consumption/use or

possession of any illegal substance, or the exhibiting of evidence or any indication having consumed/used any tobacco product, inhalants, or illegal substance (whether consumed on or off the school premises);

● Attending parties or gatherings where illegal substances or tobacco products and inhalants may be present is strongly discouraged. The district’s concern for the health and overall welfare of its students is at issue along with the potential for problems that may face the district’s students in such situations. The district encourages its students to make responsible choices.

Consequences for infractions of substance abuse rules by members of clubs and organizations are determined by the following guidelines:

1st Offense: A minimum suspension from athletic activity for 25-50% of the scheduled season (depending on the severity of the incident).

2nd Offense: Removal from all athletic activities for one full year (365 calendar days).

For all on campus activities, the handbook disciplinary procedure will be followed. For off campus inappropriate student behavior, disciplinary consequences will be at the discretion of the administration based on Wolcott Board of Education Policy 5114 suspension for conduct off school grounds. (5114.2 student athletics) http://z2policy.cabe.org/cabe/browse/wolcott/wolcott/z20000213

Out of School Misconduct

Students are subject to discipline, up to and including suspension and expulsion for misconduct, which is seriously disruptive of the educational process and is a violation of a publicized Board policy, even if such misconduct occurs off-school property and during non-school time.

(Policy 5114(1))http://z2policy.cabe.org/cabe/browse/wolcott/wolcott/z20000210

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The Wolcott High School Activity program comprises a wide variety of seasonal athletic teams and clubs. The clubs give students opportunities to develop talents, to gain recognition for accomplishments, to develop leadership and self-governing skills, to experience the organization and planning of club events, or just to have fun. All students are encouraged to join a club and participate in the athletic program.

If a student stays after school, it must be for a supervised activity. If they are waiting for the supervised activity to begin, or they are waiting for the late bus to arrive, they must be in one of two authorized areas

The Resource Center- this is a quieter work space. Students must sign in and follow all rules and regulations regarding use of the RC. No food is allowed. Once they leave the RC, they must go to their supervised activity or the gym lobby and will not be readmitted. The RC closes at 3:30.
The Gym Lobby- this area is supervised by security personnel. Students may eat food in this area.

Code of Conduct

Wolcott High School administrators believe that students who are selected for the privilege of participation on teams, squads, performing groups, clubs and other school organizations should conduct themselves as responsible representatives of the school. In order to assure this conduct, coaches and/or advisors enforce a Code of Conduct. Furthermore, members of teams and organizations who fail to abide by the Code of Conduct are subject to immediate disciplinary action. Members of teams and organizations must always serve as exemplars of high moral character and must demonstrate appropriate academic commitment which is expected from all students. As recognized representatives of their school, participants are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior during the season (activity) or out of season, in uniform or out of uniform, on campus or off campus.

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Gymnastics (By special arrangement and requires Board of Education approval.)

Weightlifting

Unified Sports Basketball

Spring

Boys Baseball – Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshman

Boys Tennis

Boys and Girls Track and Field

Girls Softball – Varsity, Junior Varsity

Girls Tennis

Golf

Weightlifting

Boys and Girls Lacrosse

Unified Sports Kickball/Flag Football/ Cornhole

Eligibility for Interscholastic Athletics

1. All other conditions having been met, the eligibility of any student to participate in interscholastic athletics shall be dependent upon the student’s academic standing.

2. All athletes must maintain at least a “C” average. A student whose average is not a “C” will be permitted to participate on a probationary status for one marking period. At the end of the probationary period, in order for the student to become eligible again, he/she must have attained an average of a “C” or better. All teachers are available after school if a student needs academic support in a subject. Students can also receive support during their study hall at the Instructional Center.

3. Any student-athlete (grades 9-12) that receives below a 65% in more than one class (for a marking period and/or end of year grade), regardless of overall GPA, will be ineligible to compete in Athletics.

4. To be eligible for fall sports a pupil must have received credit toward graduation at the close of the school year preceding the sport’s season in at least four (4) units of work or its equivalent for which he/she has not previously received credit.

Athletics

The Wolcott High School Athletic program provides any student a chance to compete on a team. Athletes travel to other schools in the Naugatuck Valley League which gives students a chance to observe other sports programs, athletes and facilities. Complete student athlete handbook is available online at www.wolcottps.org

Teams by season are:

Fall

Boys Cross Country Run

Boys Football – Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshman

Boys Soccer – Varsity, Junior Varsity

Cheerleading – Varsity

Dance Team - Varsity

Girls Cross Country Run

Girls Soccer – Varsity, Junior Varsity

Girls Volleyball – Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshman

Weightlifting

Girls Swimming (By special arrangement and requires Board of Education approval.)

Gymnastics (By special arrangement and requires Board of Education approval.

Unified Soccer

Winter

Boys Basketball – Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshman

Boys Indoor Track

Cheerleading – Varsity

Girls Basketball – Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshman

Dance Team – Varsity

Girls Indoor Track

Boys Swimming (By special arrangement and requires Board of Education approval.)

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Sportsmanship/Participant Code of Conduct

1. To always play hard, but according to the rules realizing championship won

unfairly would be tarnished forever.

2. To abide by officials’ decisions knowing it’s easy to be a good sport when

winning, but the truest test of an athlete’s character is to overcome adversity by

trying even harder.

3. To respect my opponent as a worthy adversary; to realize that he/she is simply

another teenager who happens to live in another town.

4. To bring pride to myself, teammates, family, school, and community.

5. To display the principles of good sportsmanship: Courtesy, humility,

self-esteem, because true champions earn more than just a trophy.

Consequences

Athletes should conduct themselves according to CIAC, NVL and Wolcott High School Athletic Program policies. Failure to comply with this code of conduct may be grounds for removal from the event.

Spectator Code of Conduct

1. To cheer for my team, not against my opponent.

2. To be ever mindful that high school athletics are played basically for the

enjoyment of the players.

3. To respect the decisions of game officials, realizing that their job is extremely

difficult.

4. To withhold caustic criticism of players and coaches that would later be

embarrassing to both yourself and the person criticized.

5. To be the kind of fan who leaves the opposing crowd with a feeling of envy:

envious of enthusiasm and class.

6. To appreciate the efforts of the boys and girls that have worked many hours before

the actual contest to understand that their involvement in the activity is their most

important accomplishment.

(Nebraska S.A.A. Bulletin)

5. Scholastic failures cannot be made up for eligibility purposes in any manner until the next report card, except the credits earned during the summer by any regularly approved Board of Education procedure. The credits will be accepted for the purpose of determining the eligibility of pupils desiring to participate in the athletic program of the school in September. Scholastic incompletes must be made up within ten (10) school days following the end of the marking period as defined above. Incomplete grades are not considered passing grades.

6. It should be understood that the above regulations are minimal and do not prohibit a school from establishing more rigid eligibility standards.

7. “Marking period grades” (not semester grades) are to be used in determining scholastic eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics during any given marking period.

8. Complete Eligibility Rules of the Connecticut Interscholastic Conference will be given to each athlete as an amendment of this handbook.

9. WHS athletes must be in attendance for at least ½ of the school day (2 full periods- a minimum of 3 hours and 15 minutes) to be eligible to participate in an athletic contest on that day. Any partial absence on the day of an athletic contest must be an excused absence.

10. Student’s ineligible to try out for a sport that makes cuts (i.e.: Basketball, Baseball, Softball, etc.) will not be allowed to tryout mid-season when the next marking period grades are solidified.

Note: All members of athletic teams are to travel by the transportation furnished by the school. (Exception may be granted by the coach only in an emergency upon the direct request of the parents. A written request from a parent/guardian must be given to the coach 24 hours before the event.)

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Debate Club

Debate Club seeks to offer students a place to research, hone, and share their ideas and perspectives with their peers on real-world issues in a respectful, civil, and structured environment.

DECA (A National Association of Marketing Students)

DECA is a student organization centered around the cluster occupations of marketing and management. The organization is based on the principles of Vocational Understanding, Civic Consciousness, Social Intelligence and Leadership Development. Students will be actively involved in leadership conferences, community projects and preparation for competitions. Chapter officers will be elected and DECA members participate in various field trips and conferences. Wolcott High School state competition winners will be eligible to compete at the national competition. Approximately 12,000 DECA students from around the United States and Canada compete at this national event. All business students are eligible and encouraged to become DECA members.

EXCEL Club

EXCEL Club is a group of students dedicated to improving the school and making a positive difference in our community through volunteerism. Members of EXCEL Club learn and grow as they serve the community and develop valuable leadership and communication skills. Sponsored by the Wolcott Exchange Club, the EXCEL club meets twice each month.

CLUBS AND PERFORMING GROUPS

Art Club

The purpose of Art Club is for any student to cultivate creativity and visual communication, regardless of skill level. Students will utilize creative problem-solving through art media and content to express their ideas, thoughts and emotions. Students are encouraged to experiment with different media, techniques and processes to develop their own skills and artistic voice through art making.

Board Game Club

The mission of the Wolcott High School Board Games Club is to use board

games to encourage and promote positive socialization and interaction between WHS students as they stimulate their thinking in a fun environment.

Book Club

The mission of the Wolcott High School Book Club is to encourage and promote reading for fun. Students and staff are encouraged to join.

Community Service Club

The Community Service Club is opened to all students who seek opportunities to participate in community service activities in school and in the surrounding community. Some of the activities include a Senior Citizen Prom, serving at a local soup kitchen, and baking cookies for the Wolcott Food Pantry.

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Math Team

The purpose of the Math Team is to offer students of mathematics the opportunity to compete with other schools in the Capitol Area Mathematics League (CAML). There are six competitions during the year held at various high schools, and practices to prepare for these meets. All students are welcome to join!

Model United Nations

The goal of the program is to teach students about international issues and allow them to develop their own skills of communication, collaboration, creative thinking, critical thinking, commitment to growth, and citizenship.

Model United Nations is an extra-curricular activity in which students typically role play delegates of the United Nations and simulate UN committees. This activity takes place at MUN conferences, which happens at the University of Hartford. At the end of most conferences, outstanding delegates in each committee are recognized and given an award. High schools from all around the state participate in the Model United Nations, which involves substantial researching, public speaking, debating, and writing skills. During the conferences that the students attend, they will meet and work with students from local schools.

Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) FCCLA is a student organization centered around family and consumer science, food service, and technology. This vocational organization is open to all students interested in developing leadership skills and participating in state and national competitions.

French National Honor Society

The Marguerite Yourcenaire Chapter of the French National Honor Society is open to students who have maintained an average of “90” or better for three semesters of French and an average of “80” or better overall.

Jazz Band

The Jazz Band meets after school each week. The Jazz Band studies the fundamentals of Jazz through a hands-on rehearsal approach and students perform a variety of jazz styles in preparation for public performances.

Marching Band

Participation in the Marching Band is open to all students currently enrolled in Concert Band. Activities include home football games, Band Day, town parades, and field trips. The Marching Band rehearses during Concert Band class and after school.

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RTC (Respect, Trust, Commitment) RTC is a youth leadership group that focuses on prevention. Youth members are committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and positive mental health through peer-to-peer education, activism, leadership, and community involvement.

Science National Honor Society

The purpose of this organization shall be to encourage participation in and recognition of scientific and intellectual thought. To be eligible for this organization, students must be enrolled in a science class during all 4 years at WHS. Students must complete a minimum of one honors level science class prior to Junior year. During their junior year, students must take an honors or AP/UCONN level science class and during their senior year, they must take an AP/UCONN level science class.

Show Choir

Show Choir is a specialized, after-school ensemble that combines singing with choreography to create a visual and auditory experience for the audience. We prioritize student leadership and accountability in addition to musical and visual excellence. All of our choreography is student-created and taught. We meet twice a week after school.

Showtime

Each year the Wolcott High School Music Department presents an ensemble of student talent.The show consists of a variety of acts including: singing, dancing, and comedy. All students are encouraged to perform and attend.

National Honor Society

Membership in this nationally recognized organization is limited to selected members who have demonstrated scholarship, service, good character and leadership. The Society’s goals include many community-related projects.

National Thespian Honor Society

Students are chosen and inducted based on a qualifying basis by the Drama Advisor. If inducted, members are required to complete a number of tasks decided by the Drama Advisor throughout their senior year in order to earn their graduation honor cords.

National Technical Honor Society

The National Technical Honor Society is a nationally recognized organization that is limited to students who perform well academically in a Career and Technical Education courses and continue their education in the CTE courses throughout their high school career. These areas include, but are not limited to: Automotive, Business, Child Development, Construction, Culinary, Marketing, Medical, Personal Finance, Photography, and Video Production.

Pastel Painting Club

The purpose of this club is to help students learn the techniques involved in creating a pastel painting. Painting can reduce stress and anxiety and this club will allow students to express themselves uniquely and creatively through art. Students will experiment with creating surfaces for painting with pastels, they will use a reference photo to paint a landscape, the will learn to create distance, perspective and atmosphere in landscape painting and how and why to use underpainting.

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Spanish Honor Society

Sponsored by the American Association of the Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, our “Don Quixote Chapter” was established in January of 1987. Membership is limited to those students in Spanish III, IV, or V who have maintained an average of “90” or better in their last three semesters of Spanish.

Student Government

The WHS Student Government mission statement is to provide a fair and equal voice for all students in order to promote a strong, unified school culture while building relationships with the greater Wolcott community. In order to accomplish this, students are given the opportunity to propose policy changes to school and district administration and plan school-wide events that contribute to a more inclusive school culture. The student government is structured to organize student voices around these goals and educate them as to the workings of democratic government. In this way, student government functions as an extracurricular student-led organization while making clear connections to the academic classroom. Membership is open to all students who are interested in actively supporting the mission statement of our organization.

SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a national professional organization for students enrolled in career and technical education. The purpose of SkillsUSA is to create a common bond among all students enrolled in trade, technical, and health occupations. It helps develop leadership in educational and social activities, respect for work, and enthusiasm for learning. Students are actively involved in leadership conferences, community service projects, and state competition. State competition winners are eligible to compete nationally. Chapter officers will be elected.

Social Studies Honor Society

Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies. The purpose of Rho Kappa is to recognize outstanding social studies students and encourage an interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies. Eligible students will be invited to apply at the beginning of the third quarter of their junior year. Members will work together to create a social studies-based service project in their senior year.

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Team MAX Robotics

The Robotics Team builds a new robot each year that competes in the International FRC challenge. The program inspires students to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

Yearbook Committee

The organization produces the senior class yearbook each year. If interested, students can apply at the end of their junior year to be enrolled in the yearbook discovery for their senior year. Applications will be reviewed and fifteen students will be selected for the committee. The production process requires a lot of dedication and time on the part of senior students.

Student Theater

Participation in the Student Theater program is open to all students who have an interest in singing, dance, and drama. The program offers a “Night of One-Act Plays” in the fall which is for students with strong acting abilities, and each play is directed by students. The musical play is usually done in the spring and involves acting, singing, and dancing. Recent spring musicals have been Little Shop of Horrors, Grease, Seussical the Musical, The Wiz, Once Upon a Mattress, and Fame. The WHS Student Theater recently became a 49 Charter Troupe in the International Thespian Society where students earn points through their experiences in the program toward their graduation honors. In addition, students who are talented musicians have an opportunity to perform in the play’s Pit Orchestra.

Senior Class Committee

Members of the Senior Class are invited to join this group which meets to plan Senior events including the Halloween Contest, Senior Class Trip, Senior Prom, and Graduation Breakfast. The Senior Class Committee meets once a month after school between September and January and then weekly starting after midterm exams.

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Examination Makeup Procedure

A student who has missed an exam should attempt to make it up during any exam testing period when he/she does not have an exam scheduled. Unless other arrangements have been made with the teacher, examination make-ups will be administered in the Library Media Center. Students with examinations not completed at the end of the regular exam schedule will report to the Library Media Center at 7:30 a.m. on the first day following the end of the regular exam period, unless other arrangements have been previously made with the subject teacher.

Exemptions

A student in an Advanced Placement (AP) course, who takes the national AP exam, will be exempt from taking a June final exam. The Teacher of the AP course will assess the course work of the exempted student and this assessment will serve as the final exam grade on the report card. In AP Studio Art, all students must complete the required portfolio. If a student chooses not to take the national AP exam, the student must take a June final exam in the course.

Students registered in a University of Connecticut Co-Op course will be administered the final Co-Op assessment test during exam week. Teachers will grade this assessment, which will be the final exam grade on the student’s report card.

Senior students in full year classes who maintain a 90% or above cumulative average (4 marking periods and mid-term exam) have the option to be exempt from the final exam of that class.

MP #1 X2

MP #2 X2

MP #3 X2

MP #4 X2

Mid-Term X2

TOTAL % = ________ Final Grade

EARLY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE (ECE)

The University of Connecticut Early College Experience (ECE) courses are college level courses at Wolcott High School. When students complete the course, as long as they earn a “C” average, they will obtain University of Connecticut credit for the ECE course. There is a cost for this program. Students who receive Free/Reduced lunch are eligible for a fee waiver.

It is a course requirement for students to enroll in the University of Connecticut’s ECE program. If a student does not enroll and pay (or have the fee waived if they are on our Free and Reduced Lunch program) for the program, they will be removed from the course. Please be aware that students must maintain the minimum 6.5 (seniors/juniors) or 7 (freshmen/sophomores) credits per the BOE full-time student policy.

If a student withdraws from a Wolcott High School course after the UConn registration period is over, they must withdraw from the UConn ECE program and they are responsible for any fees incurred. They will not be able to receive a refund. For further information about the UConn ECE program, please see this website: ece.uconn.edu

EXAM INFORMATION

Absence from Examinations

Any student absent from an exam must have a parent call the school within 24 hours to verify the absence. The Assistant Principal will notify the teacher if the student is eligible for a make-up exam. Any student who fails to notify the office of an absence will receive a zero for the exam.

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FACILITIES

Certain areas of the school will be accessible to students before and after school for specific purposes. Students are expected to remain in the area in which their activity is scheduled to take place.

After dismissed and unless involved in a teacher/staff supervised activity, students are expected to leave the campus immediately.

FACILITIES RENTAL POLICIES

The Board of Education recognizes that the school, building and grounds, is a community center and a valuable public resource. The Board is committed to making these facilities available to the community as much as possible under proper and appropriate conditions when such use does not conflict with school activities and functions.

Any use of the school building and grounds by recognized community groups or organizations must be approved by the Superintendent of Schools.

Please see the full Board of Education Policy Regarding Community Use of the school facilities (Wlct Board of Education Policy 3515)

http://z2policy.cabe.org/cabe/browse/wolcott/wolcott/z20000114

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips may be scheduled for educational, cultural, or extracurricular purposes. Any student whose behavior is considered detrimental to the well-being of other students may be barred from participation by the principal. While on a trip, all students are considered to be “in” school. This means that conduct and dress standards will be appropriate for the field trip activity. Attending field trips will be at staff’s discretion based on student attendance.

Final Examinations

Final examinations are regarded as very important course requirements. Therefore, students are expected to be present for their examinations at the scheduled times. Students and parents are asked not to request changes except for the most compelling reasons. Makeup exams will be given only to students who are ill or in case of absolute emergency. The Attendance Office must be notified within 24 hours in order to be considered for exam make-up. To receive credit for a course, a student MUST take the final examination.

Incomplete Grades

Ordinarily, students receiving an “I” in a subject must make up missed work within two weeks. However, under extraordinary circumstances, missed work must be completed within a reasonable time frame as determined by the teacher.

Tardiness to Examinations

No student will be allowed into an exam once it has begun unless given a pass by an Administrator. A student who arrives late must report to the Attendance Office. If the Administrator has determined that there is a bona fide reason for tardiness, the student will be allowed to take the exam without penalty. However, if a student is late for a second exam, the Administrator will direct the teacher to reduce the student’s exam grade by ten (10) points. A subsequent tardy to exams will result in the student being denied the opportunity to take the exam, and a zero (0) exam grade will be recorded.

EXTRA HELP

It is the pupil’s responsibility to take the initiative in getting extra help when needed. Teachers are available for extra help after school daily until 2:25 p.m. Pupils who are having subject matter difficulty or who have work to make up after an absence are urged to take advantage of this opportunity. Extra help may also be accessed through peer tutoring services.

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FUND RAISING

Student clubs or classes, outside organizations, and/or parent groups occasionally may be permitted to conduct fundraising drives for approved school purposes. A fund raiser application must be submitted to the Principal a minimum of 14 calendar days prior to the scheduled start of the fundraiser. The Principal will then sign off on the fundraiser and send the form to the Superintendent’s Office for final approval. Fundraisers cannot be started until approval is received. Any food items sold as part of any fund-raising activity must meet the nutritional standards published by the Connecticut Department of Education. Beverage or foods not allowed for sale during regular school hours may be sold provided (1) the sale is in connection with an event occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend, (2) the sale is at the location of such event, and (3) the food or beverage are not sold from a vending machine or school store.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS POLICY

In order to graduate from the Wolcott Public School, a student must have earned a minimum of 25 credits and must have met the credit distribution requirement.

WHS students are expected to master each of the six core learning competencies from the WHS Profile of the Graduate prior to graduation. The faculty and staff at the high school will provide opportunities through course curricula, programs and extracurricular activities for students to demonstrate mastery of these competencies.

As a graduation requirement, all Wolcott High School students are required to volunteer 10 community service hours per school year, beginning with their freshman year.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO WHS

“In accordance with Connecticut Statutes Public Act 81-257, textbooks, school equipment and school building are the property of the Board of Education, Town of Wolcott”.

Textbooks are loaned to students for their use. Maintaining textbooks in good condition is the student’s responsibility and no excuses will be accepted for damages, loss or theft of a textbook. In the event a textbook is lost, stolen or destroyed, it shall be the

student’s/parent’s responsibility to pay the replacement cost of the textbook. In addition, damage to school property or equipment shall also be paid by the “student and/or parent in accordance with the Connecticut State Statutes.”

All financial obligations of students to the school, i.e., book costs or fines, must be paid by the last day of the school year. A student will not receive a schedule for the following September unless all obligations to Wolcott High School are met. In the case of a graduating senior, the diploma will be withheld.

FIRE DRILLS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

To comply with the law, drills are held monthly during the school year. For their protection and safety, students are required to follow the directions posted in each classroom. At the first alarm, students will file out the designated exit quickly and quietly. Students will move to designated areas away from the building to allow free access for firefighting or other emergency vehicles. Students are to remain with their class for safety and security reasons. Teachers will leave the building with their students and return with them when the drill is over. Teachers are to take grade books and note attendance during the drill.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES

No food or beverages may be consumed in hallways or classrooms (i.e. soda, coffee, candy, etc.) with the exception of water in a clear bottle unless otherwise approved by an administrator.

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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS IN

GRADES 11-12

In addition to all other prerequisites, seniors must pass three of their five major credits to receive a diploma.

All students will be required to hold the following minimum course load:

● 9^thand 10^thgrade students = 7 credits

● 11^thand 12^thgrade students = 6.5 credits

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS

All students must earn a total of 25 Credits:

● 9.0 Humanities including Civics and the Arts

● 9.0 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

● 1.0 World Language

● 1.0 Health and Safety

● 1.0 PE and Wellness

● 1.0 Junior Seminar

● 1.0 CTE/Art/Music

● 2.0 Elective Credits

Beginning with the Class of 2027, 0.5 Personal Finance

Please note: With the exception of Algebra I and World Language, high school courses that are completed during middle school do not count towards the specific requirements outlined above but do count toward the total 25 credits.

District Performance Standards beginning with Class of 2023

Prior to the completion of their senior year and within the context of the course in which they are enrolled, students must demonstrate proficiency in the 3 core competencies listed in the WHS Vision of the Graduate.

Exemptions

1. Transfers: If a student transfers into the Wolcott Public Schools after completing at least three years in a high school in another state, he/she may be exempt from Wolcott’s performance standards requirement for graduation.

2. Special Needs: Students identified for special services may be exempt

from district performance standards for graduation as described in this

policy if so indicated in their Individual Education Program.

Below are the following exceptions:

1. Students transferring into WHS, on the first day of a school year, will

be EXEMPT from community service for the previous year(s) only.

(i.e, a student transferring in his/her junior year will be exempt from

community service for their freshman and sophomore years only).

2. Students transferring into WHS, during the first or second marking

periods, will be REQUIRED to complete 10 hours community service

for that particular school year and each year thereafter (i.e. a student

transfers in his/her junior year on November 1 will be EXEMPT for

sophomore and freshman year only)

3. Students transferring into WHS, during the third or fourth marking

periods, will be EXEMPT for that particular school year and any

previous years (i.e. a student transfers in his/her junior year on March

1 will be EXEMPT from community service for their junior,

sophomore and freshman year)

4. Students that are registered at WHS, but attend Bristol Technical

Education Center (BTEC), will be required to complete 10 hours of

community service for each year they attend BTEC. At the end of

each school year, the student will be responsible for submitting the

completed, signed community service log to the school counseling

department for processing.

5. Hours in excess of 10 hours, per school year, will not carryover to the

next school year (i.e. 30 hours completed in Junior year will not count

for Junior and Senior year.)

6. Wolcott High School will accept community service from a previous

high school(s); however, proof of completed/signed community

service hours will be required.

Academic Information

A Carnegie Unit (C.U.) is a standard for measuring time spent on academic subjects. One C.U. will be granted to students who pass a full year course. Classes meeting less frequently are granted units accordingly.

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For the purposes of naming valedictorian and salutatorian, all courses that have been taken up through the end of quarter 2 of senior year will be included in the calculation. Final class rank will be computed at the end of the school year.

Rank in Class Example

Course Levels Weighting Factor

AP/UConn ECE 1.20

Pre-ECE 1.15

Honors 1.10

College and Career Readiness 1.00

*American Studies English portion will be weighed at an AP/ECE level

*American Studies Social Studies portion will be weighed at Honors level

Example of Weighted Grade Determination

Academic GPA is (sum of Grade X Credit) divided by Sum of Credits Weighted GPA is (sum of Grade X Weight X Credit) divided by Sum of Credits

Awarding of High School Diplomas

Only students who complete all graduation requirements shall receive a diploma following the June Commencement. Individuals who have not satisfied graduation requirements may be granted a diploma by the school Principal upon satisfactory completion of those requirements provided:

1. Said student has completed a summer course or summer courses comparable (as judged by the Principal) to the subject(s) which he/she failed, provided teacher permission has been obtained. (see Recovery of Credit, page 66) 2. That no more than two units are needed to satisfy the graduation requirements.

Class Rank

Class ranks are compiled on the basis of final grades that the student earned in his/her courses at the end of the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years. A mid-year rank is computed for seniors for college and scholarship applications. Class rank is computed for the purpose of answering questions asked on college application forms, scholarship questionnaires, and employment requests among other reasons.

Wolcott High School uses a differentiated, weighted system, one of several methods approved by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, to determine a student’s standing in class. The rank is determined by taking each student’s final grade and multiplying by a weighted factor determined by the academic level of the course and by the course’s Carnegie unit value. These weighted grades are then tallied and divided by the total number of weighted course credits attempted. The resulting grade point average is then placed in rank order.

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Tentative Marking Period Dates

Report Cards will be posted electronically, approximately 2 weeks after the close of the marking period.

1^stMarking Period closes October 31, 2025

2^ndMarking Period closes January 21, 2026

3^rdMarking Period closes March 30, 2026

4^thMarking Period closes June 11, 2026

Transcripts

All student transcripts will reflect both the weighted and the un-weighted academic average (see page 115 for more information regarding transcripts).

External Credit Policy

Class rank is a listing of students by class year in order of their academic standing, based on the grades received in all courses. If a student transfers to WHS from a regionally accredited high school, those grades earned will be factored into WHS class rank after two semesters. To qualify as Valedictorian or Salutatorian a senior must have been in attendance at WHS for at least four of the seven semesters starting in grade 9 and ending in January of the senior year.

NOTE: Academic Support Center, Instructional Center, and Pass/ Fail courses are not computed in class rank. The numerical average of all marking terms and exams will be used in computing cumulative grade point average (GPA) and class rank.

Enrichment course(s) policy:

Enrichment Credit Students may, with prior approval from the Director of School Counseling, seek external credit in an area of personal interest from an approved program. Interested students will obtain the required paperwork prior to enrolling. A passing grade is recorded as “P” (Pass) and is not calculated in the weighted GPA.

Course Requirements for Seniors

Seniors must be enrolled, first and foremost, in courses to meet the core Carnegie Unit requirements for graduation as described in the Board of Education Graduation Policy. In addition to these requirements, seniors are encouraged to accumulate additional credits in major subject areas as well as in elective areas.

Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 7.0 credits for 9th and 10th grade, while 11th and 12th grade students require a minimum of 6.5 credits, unless approved by administration. Regardless of the number of credits amassed toward graduation, seniors must pass at least 3.0 credits to be eligible for a diploma.

Honor Roll

An Honor Roll is published at the end of each marking period. It is calculated as an un-weighted numerical average using credit value per marking period. Rankings are as follows:

High Honors: To achieve highest honors a student must attain an

unweighted grade point average of 92 or higher.

First Honors: In order to achieve first honors one must attain an

unweighted grade point average of an 87 to a 92.

Second Honors: To achieve second honors, one must receive an

unweighted grade point average of an 82 to an 87.

For all three honor rolls no student may have any unweighted grade less than a 70 in every class in order to be on that honor roll.

Interim Reports

Interim Reports will no longer be mailed home but will be made available electronically. You can access your child’s grades any time during the school year by accessing the PowerSchool parent portal. The parent portal is password protected. If you have an issue with accessing your child’s information, please contact the School Counseling department.

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HEALTH SERVICES

The school health office is designed to provide care to students who become ill or are injured while in school.

A cumulative health file is maintained for each student. This file includes notations of past illnesses, results of physical examinations, and other pertinent health information. Scoliosis and hearing tests are administered to students in grade eight. The results are provided to the parents.

Parents are notified of any deviation from the normal pattern of health and suggestions are given for follow-up. It is likewise important that parents notify the (school nurse) in case of a student’s illness. If a student is to be excused or limited for an extended period from participation in school activities, he/she is required to bring a statement signed by a physician. The school nurse is available to parents and students for conferences regarding health issues.

Accidents and Illness

For the protection of students, all accidents on school property must be referred at once to the office. Special report forms are available there.

Any student who becomes ill during school hours should report, at once, to the nurse’s office, where appropriate attention will be received. Should the nurse’s office be locked, a student requiring immediate attention should report to the main office.

Administration of Medication

In accordance with General Statute Section 10-212a, Administration of Medicines by School Personnel, regulations permit all medications to be administered by a school nurse, or in the absence of such nurse, the principal or any teacher of a school in accordance with a physician’s orders and parent or guardian authorization.

In 2014 Connecticut Public Act 14-176 was amended to include “a school nurse or in the absence of a school nurse, a qualified school employee shall maintain epinephrine in cartridge injectors for the purpose of emergency first aid to students who experience allergic reactions and do not have a prior written authorization of a parent or guardian or a prior written order of a qualified medical professional. The parent or guardian of a student may submit in writing to the school nurse that epinephrine shall not be administered to such student under this subdivision.”

GREEN CLEANING PROGRAM

A green cleaning program is in place to clean and maintain the school. The program provides for the procurement and proper use of environmentally preferable cleaning products in the school. The cleaning products used meet standards approved by the

Department of Administrative Services and minimize potential harmful effects on human health and the environment.

“No parent, guardian, teacher, or staff member may bring into the school

facility any consumer product which is intended to clean, deodorize, sanitize or disinfect” (a required statement by law).

GYMNASIUM FLOOR

In order to preserve and protect the gymnasium floor, it is imperative that no one walk on the playing surfaces in street shoes.

HARASSMENT STATEMENT

Every child has the right to feel safe, valued and comfortable in school. No one else’s behavior should ever make children feel afraid or embarrassed because of their color, their religion, the country in which they or their parents were born, their sex, or any disability they may have. The Board of Education has zero tolerance for harassment of any kind.

Parents are urged to reinforce with their child(ren) that if he/she is harassed or sees harassment happening to someone else that he/she should report the behavior to a teacher or the principal.

To maintain a productive and positive learning environment, the Board of Education will make every attempt to halt any harassment of which they become aware by calling attention to this policy or by direct disciplinary action, if necessary.

HAZING ACTIVITIES

Students are prohibited from participating in any hazing activities. Hazing is any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purposes of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any student organization.

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Emergency Medical Treatment

Parents are asked each year to complete an emergency information form for use by the school in the event of a medical emergency.

Health Records

School nurses maintain health records using the Connecticut “Health Assessment and Record Form.” These records are accessible to certified staff working with the child and to school health aides if permission is granted by the nurse or building administrator. Parents may request to inspect the health records of their child. Copies may be provided if requested. Original copies of the record are sent where a student transfers to another school in the state. If moving out-of-state, a copy will be forwarded. Health records are maintained for at least six years after the student graduates. The District will comply with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) to maintain the privacy of protected health information.

A diabetic student may test his/her own blood glucose level per the written order of a physician or advanced practice nurse stating the need and the capacity of the student to conduct self-testing. Such self-testing shall be done in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Commissioner of Education.

Immunizations

All students must be immunized against certain diseases and must present a certificate from a physical or local health agency. If the student should not be immunized due to medical or religious reasons, a statement from a physician or the parent as appropriate must be provided. The required immunizations are: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Pertussis, Measles, Mumps, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chicken Pox), Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, Rubella and Hemophilus Influenza Type B

In addition to the required immunizations for initial entry into school for kindergarten, regular and special education preschool programs, additional immunizations are required for entry into seventh grade and for entry into eighth grade. The school must enroll any homeless student even if the student is unable to produce the required medical and immunization records.

Any medication to be administered to students, be it prescribed medication from your doctor/dentist or aspirin substitute such as Tylenol, must now have a written statement from the student’s doctor and signed by both the doctor and parent/guardian.

Special medication forms for authorization are available in the Nurse’s Office as well as online and will be sent home with the student. These forms, when returned to school, will be filed in the student’s health record.

The parent or other responsible adult shall deliver all medication to the school nurse. No student is to transport any medication to school.

Communicable/Infectious Diseases

Students with any medical condition which within the school setting may expose others to disease or contagious and infectious conditions may be excluded from school and referred for medical diagnosis and treatment. Before a child may return to school after an absence due to such condition, parents and students may be required to submit medical evidence

that their child has recovered sufficiently to prevent exposing others.

Defibrillators

Each school will have (1) one automatic external defibrillator (AED) and (2) school personnel trained in AED operation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The AED and trained personnel will be available during the school’s normal operational hours, at school-sponsored athletic events and practices on school grounds and at school-sponsored events not taking place during normal school operational hours. The school also has an emergency action response plan addressing the use of trained school personnel to respond to individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening emergencies.

Disabilities

School district will not discriminate on the basis of disability as required under ADA, IDEA and Section 504 and C.G.S. 10-76a and any similar law or provision.

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b. the diagnosis or reason the student needs to use crutches, etc.

c. a statement of how long the student will need to use crutches, etc.

d. the anticipated length of time the student is to be excused from PE, recess, or sports activities.

2. Students must have been taught proper use of equipment before returning to school.

3. The school nurse will review the student usage within the school building and will observe the student to determine that they know how to safely navigate the hallways. Safety will be stressed including stairs, hallways, school entrances, floors, seasonal issues, etc.

4. Accommodations such as early classroom dismissal, assistance with books, assistance in the hallways between classes, and classroom seating assignments will be assessed to determine needs on an individual basis.

5. Additional accommodations (medication, ice, and elevation orders) may be implemented based on physician orders and

parental permission.

6. All students must have written confirmation from a medical

provider to resume normal activities.

7. Copies of the medical provider’s note will be sent to the student’s PE teacher and principal; the attendance office; and the athletic trainer /director, if applicable.

Medical Exclusions from school

In hopes of clarifying any questions you may have regarding school policy on the exclusion of children from school for specific conditions, we have prepared the following list. If you have any questions, please call your school nurse. She will be glad to help you.

● Bronchitis, Croup: Child may return to school after two (2) days of adequate treatment.

● Chicken Pox: Excluded for seven (7) days and rash has scabbed over.

Physical Examinations

All students must present evidence of a physical examination upon enrollment to the district. (C.G.S. 10-204a). Any student involved in athletic activities and competitive sports must have a completed physical which is good for thirteen months. No student will be allowed to even tryout without an updated physical.

Student Sunscreen Use

The Board of Education (Board) believes in promoting sun safety to ensure that children are protected from skin damage caused by harmful ultra-violet rays in sunlight. The Board believes that by encouraging sun safe behavior and teaching children about the risks of sunlight, they can be protected from skin damage and lessen the risk of skin cancer.

The purpose of this policy is to allow any student who is six years of age or older, to possess and self-apply an over-the-counter sunscreen product while in school prior to engaging in any outdoor activity, provided a written authorization is signed by the student’s parent/guardian and is submitted to the school nurse. The written permission from an authorized health care provider is not necessary. Further information and forms related to this policy can be obtained from the school nurse.

Use of Crutches, Walkers, Scooters, or Wheelchairs in School

Students who require the use of medical equipment (i.e. crutches, walkers) are to report to the school nurse following injury and/or upon returning to school after a surgical procedure.

1. Specific orders are needed from the medical provider (MD, DO, PA, or APRN) regarding the use of crutches/walkers/ assistive equipment in school. The orders should include:

a. a request from the medical provider that the student be allowed to use crutches, walker, scooter, or wheelchair at school;

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2. The child is unable to attend school due to a verified medical reason,

3. the child’s diagnosis with supporting documentation,

4. the child will be absent from school for at least ten consecutive school days or the child’s condition is such that the child may be required to be absent from school for short, repeated periods of

time during the school year and,

5. the expected date the child will be able to return to school.

(Statute 10-76d-15)

For further information on homebound instruction call the student’s school counselor at 203-879-8157.

HOMELESS STUDENTS

Homeless students, as defined by federal and state legislation, will have all programs, services, and transportation that other students enjoy and may continue to attend the school of origin. The local liaison for homeless children is Mr. Daniel Caetano, Tyrrell Middle School Principal.

HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS

Homework is an integral part of the educational process and is a vital tool in assessing the degree to which students apply knowledge acquired in the classroom. The completion of all assignments according to the teacher’s expectations shall be a factor in determining a student’s grade. Parents should encourage students to plan ahead and effectively manage their homework time. Parental supervision of homework is important to establish an effective school/student/home partnership. It is the responsibility of the student to complete all homework on time.

Students who are absent from school are responsible for making up assignments according to teacher/department requirements. According to Board policy, total homework minutes for grades 9-12 should not exceed 150 minutes. Therefore, individual teachers should strive to create homework assignments averaging 30 minutes per subject area.

HOMEWORK

The responsibility of the school district to educate the student is carried out by the teachers through effective classroom instruction and the careful delegation of independent study. It is important for the student to be taught the concepts related to the subject area and how to study in school before he/she is given work to do at home.

● Conjunctivitis (pink eye): May return to school after one (1) day of adequate treatment or when cleared.

● COVID 19: Child may resume as per CT State Dept. of Health or Chresprocott Health District.

● Fever: Child may return to school after temperature is below 100 degrees for one (1) day.

● Fifth Disease: Child may attend school.

● Impetigo: May return after one (1) day of antibiotic treatment.

● Lice: Child excluded until condition treated and child is completely cleared of lice and nits.

● Pneumonia: Child may return to school after three (3) days of adequate treatment. ● Strep Infection: Child may return to school after one (1) day of adequate treatment.

● Vomiting and/or Diarrhea: May return after one (1) day without symptoms. ● Shingles: May return with a note from physician - must be covered.

● Scabies: Child may return to school after adequate treatment and note from physician.

● Coxsackie: May return after one (1) day fever free.

HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION

Provision of instruction for verified medical reason.

A board of education shall provide instruction to a child in a public school under the jurisdiction of such board when such child is unable to attend school due to a verified medical reason which may include mental health issues.

The child’s treating physician shall provide a statement in writing directly to the board of education on a form provided by such board, stating:

1. The child’s treating physician has consulted with school health

supervisory personnel and has determined that attendance at

school with reasonable accommodations is not feasible.

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The educational value of homework assignments depends, to a large extent, on the independent study skills that the youngster has acquired. Beyond the control of the school, but still very important, are the conditions provided in the home whereby the student is encouraged to work independently and to do the best possible job with the assignment at hand. A quiet, secluded spot and an encouraging attitude on the part of the parent/guardian will be major factors in the effectiveness with which a student undertakes the task of homework assignments.

Homework Guidelines - Since "homework" is one source of misunderstanding which sometimes arises among parents/guardians, teachers, and other school personnel, it is suggested that these guidelines be followed:

1. Teachers should make certain that each child fully understands the assignment and that the assignment not be vague. It is preferable to begin homework assignments in class, when possible.

2. Teachers should not use homework as a disciplinary measure. 3. All homework assignments and other student work will be checked and/or corrected and returned to students.

4. Homework should be carefully planned assignments, designed with the intention to motivate students.

5. Homework should help the child to form efficient study habits. 6. Children should understand the process and be able to complete the assignment. 7. Assignments should be within the student's capabilities. There should be only a small amount of drill-type homework for the entire class.

The Wolcott Public Schools recognizes that students have varying levels of ability. The range listed below is the amount of homework time an average on-task student should have to complete the assignment:

Grades K, 1, 2: 10 to 30 minutes per day

Grades 3, 4, 5: 30 to 50 minutes per day

Grades 6, 7, 8: 50 to 80 minutes per day

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12: 100 to 140 minutes per day

There is, therefore, a steady increase in the amount of homework expected of students from the elementary grades through high school. Worthwhile homework benefits students. Homework should be an extension of the class lesson, be clearly understood by students, be well-planned and meaningful, and be evaluated, corrected, and counted for class credit.

Basically, there are three types of homework:

1. Practice of Skills - Practice provides students with the opportunity to reinforce and master specific skills presented in class and to review content.

2. Preparation for Future Classes - Prepares students for the next class

meeting, and may include, but not limited to, reading, studying for

upcoming assessments, and drafting of assignments, library research, or

other information-gathering activities.

3. Extension of Classwork - Extension focuses on individual application, project-based learning, research, and study; takes students beyond work covered in class.

Guidelines for time required for homework at each level (elementary, middle, high school) will take into consideration the needs of the students. Homework is intended to develop in students the self-discipline necessary for future success. Teachers shall assign homework according to administrative regulation.

Homework/Make Up Work

Homework is an important part of a student's school experience from elementary school through high school. The program of homework is geared closely to the developing maturity of children throughout the grades and their increasing ability to profit from independent study. It is, therefore, important for the student to be taught the concepts related to the subject area and how to study in school before he is given work to do at home. There is a steady increase in the amount of homework expected of students from the elementary grades through high school.

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c. To understand the purpose and requirements of the assignment. d. To understand the directions.

e. To understand the means of evaluation.

f. To understand that content, structure and appearance of

all written homework assignments are important elements

in the grading process.

g. To understand the suggested time allotment.

h. To budget time realistically.

i. To assume responsibility for obtaining the proper resources and materials.

j. To demonstrate integrity and not to give or receive so much help that the value of the homework will be destroyed.

k. To meet the deadlines and understand the penalties.

3. Guidelines for parents/guardians

a. To understand the policy of the Board of Education

concerning homework.

b. To encourage regular attendance and punctuality in school and class.

c. To be sure that students and/or parents/guardians themselves pick up assignments missed when a student is absent for an extended period of time.

d. To provide the student with a time and place to carry

out his/her assignment.

e. To contact the teacher or counselor in the event of questions or

concerns.

f. To be supportive of the homework policy and guidelines as they are an integral part of the student's learning process.

g. To encourage integrity and never give so much help that the value of the

h. To understand that content, structure and appearance of all written homework assignments are important elements in the grading process.

4. Guidelines for administrators

a. To publish the homework policy.

b. To encourage the individual teachers and/or academic departments to establish realistic homework guides for their classes and/or subject area.

c. To develop and encourage academic honesty.

d. To encourage parents/guardians to take an interest in their

children’s homework through parents’ meetings and

newsletters.

e. To ensure that teachers follow the homework policy & guidelines

These above times do not include the 20 minutes of reading each day for students in the Elementary Schools in grades Kindergarten through 5th. The 20 minutes of reading each day is expected above the homework time.

Frequency: At the elementary level (Grades K-5), homework will be given 2-5 times a week; at the middle and high school level (Grades 6-12), each teacher of academic subjects will give homework 3-5 times a week.

1. Guidelines for teachers

a. To explain the purpose of any given assignment.

b. To give clear directions on the method and means of accomplishing the assignment and to vary the types of homework assignments.

c. To ensure availability of all necessary resources to carry

out the assignment.

d. To acknowledge receipt of homework and to evaluate it.

e. To explain the method of evaluation of the homework assignment

and its potential impact on grade; e.g., quiz, tests, exams, oral

recitations, written exercise, lab performance.

f. To explain that written homework will be evaluated on the basis of content, structure and appearance.

g. To suggest a reasonable time allotment on a daily assignment.

h. To give assignments as far in advance as practical.

i. To ensure that deadlines and penalties are understood and followed.

j. To encourage integrity and academic honesty in all homework assignments.

k. To communicate with parents/guardians of students who consistently fail to complete homework assignments.

2. Guidelines for students

a. To attend school and class regularly and punctually.

b. To consult with the teacher about work to be completed after an absence.

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Making Up Wellness (Physical Education) Classes

A student earns points toward his/her grade by attendance at and participation in Physical Education (P.E.) classes. An absence from a P.E. class may be “made up”, that is, the student may participate in another similar class (not his/her regularly scheduled class) or the student may engage in some other appropriate activity at the discretion of the teacher, so that the points or grade value lost by the absence is restored.

For medical disabilities of a marking period or longer, a student may have his/her P.E. requirement waived without penalty upon presentation of an appropriate physician’s note. A student may be “excused” from P.E. for a short term (day, week, month) if the student provides a note from a physician. No points will be earned or deducted for the missed classes, and the student’s grade will not be affected.

A student may be excused from P.E. class for one day if the student:

a) provides a note from the school nurse or,

b) provides a note from a parent or guardian verified by the school nurse.

This class must be made up or points will be deducted.

A student must be appropriately dressed to participate in Physical Education. Students must wear sneakers (please, no black soles) and shorts or sweats for P.E. classes. Not doing so constitutes a “no change” for the day. For each “no change” five (5) points will be deducted from the marking period grade. Classes may be made up so that points lost will be restored. For three (3) “no changes” and every time thereafter, a detention will also be issued.

INSURANCE

School insurance is made available to families through a specific program. Brochures are distributed to all students at the beginning of each academic year. While the program is not mandatory, it is suggested that parents take advantage of the opportunity to provide adequate protection for their children while at school. Any such arrangement is contractual between the parent and insurance carrier and the Wolcott Public Schools assumes no liability from disputes arising from such contract.

Homework during a student's school experiences include many types of learning activities. Two types are essential to an adequate program:

1.Short Term assignments are to be completed by the next class period. They are intended to reinforce academic learning which have been presented in class. They frequently involve specified reading or drill and practice exercises. Specified reading includes preparation of reports. Topics of mastery and practice exercises provide practical application of this material.

2.Long Term assignments are spread over a number of days or weeks. This type is outlined and explained in school to be completed outside of class hours. Long term assignments include such school activities as, but not limited to: social studies research, science projects, creative writing and extended reading.

MAKING UP WORK

Making Up Work After Absence

The allowable days to complete make up work would be equal to the number of days absent (i.e. 1 day absent = 1 day to make up work; 2 days absent = 2 days to make up work.). It is the responsibility of the student to seek out the teacher upon the day he or she returns to school (either physically or through email) and make arrangements to complete all missed assignments. (i.e. If a student misses an A Day and returns on a B Day, that student must seek out their A Day teacher to gather all make-up assignments.) A failure to do so shall result in a grade of zero for missed work.

Students should realize that the responsibility and initiative in making up missed work must rest primarily with the student. Students must also realize that school work and makeup work must take precedence over outside jobs. While the importance of after school jobs is recognized, preparation for a lifetime must take priority over what is usually only temporary employment.

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The WHS Library Media Center is a space for quiet study, collaboration, and exploration, where students can develop communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and independent learning skills through academic and creative projects.

Students should respect the academic environment of the Media Center and show consideration for other students, library staff, and library materials. The following LMC procedures and policies should be adhered to:

Any student entering the library during school hours must have a signed, dated pass from their subject teacher. Upon entering, students must sign in at the circulation desk and end their e-hall pass.
Students should work, read, or collaborate quietly.
A maximum of 4-6 students are allowed per table.
Furniture should not be moved without permission.
Food from the school cafeteria is not permitted in the library.
Students are expected to remain seated until the bell rings.

Computer and Internet Use: All students are welcome to use the computers, provided they have a signed Acceptable Use Policy on file, and the computer is used for academic purposes only. Library computers are monitored, and inappropriate use will not be tolerated. Misuse may result in the suspension of user privileges and possible further consequences.

The WHS Library Media Center provides an environment conducive to learning. It supports classroom instruction and enhances the curriculum across all subjects.

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) STUDENTS

Parents of Limited English Proficient (LEP) Students participating in a language instructional program will be notified within 30 days of their child’s placement in the program. The notification will include an explanation of why, a description of the program, and the parent’s rights to remove their child from the LEP program. In addition, the notification will explain how the program will help the child to develop academically, learn English and achieve the standards necessary for promotion.

Students not meeting the English mastery standard or demonstrating limited progress will be provided with additional language support services which may include, but are not limited to, English as a Second Language program, sheltered English programs, English Immersion programs, summer school, after-school assistance, homework assistance and tutoring. Students after 30 months in a bilingual program will not be offered additional bilingual education.

LASER POINTERS

Students are not permitted to possess or use laser pointers while on school property, while using District transportation, or while attending school-sponsored or school-related activities, whether on or off school property unless under a staff member’s supervision and in the contest of instruction. Laser pointers will be confiscated and students will be disciplined.

LATE BUSES

A late bus will be provided for students who remain after school for extra-curricular activities, receive extra academic help, or to serve detentions. The late bus will depart the high school at approximately 4:00 p.m. The bus will pick students up in front of the gym lobby. All students are required to have a pass signed by an advisor, teacher, coach or monitor to ride the late bus. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. All bus conduct rules listed on page 132-133 apply.

LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER (RESOURCE CENTER)

The WHS Library Media Center (LMC) is available to all students from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is staffed by a library media specialist and library paraprofessional who are available to assist both students and staff. The library is fully automated, with a collection of over 10,000 volumes, 20 periodical titles, and 4 daily newspapers. The LMC also includes 1 computer lab, a virtual learning lab (Edgenuity) and Chromebooks for classroom use. Additionally, students have access to several online databases, helping them develop critical research and digital literacy skills. The library media specialist is available to teach library instruction lessons on research and database usage.

The LMC also features a makerspace, which provides students with access to a variety of creative tools and equipment, including virtual reality, a laser engraver, a 3D printer, a lamination machine, a bookbinding machine, a Cricut, diamond painting supplies, a sewing and embroidery machine, a poster maker, board games, puzzles, and Legos. This space encourages hands-on exploration and innovation, supporting both individual and collaborative projects. It promotes creativity, teamwork, and the development of design thinking skills, preparing students for the future workforce and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets

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NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

The Bronson Alcott Chapter of the National Honor Society was established at Wolcott High School in November, 1960. Its name honors Amos Bronson, a famous Wolcott native who was a noted author, educator, and philosopher of the nineteenth century. He was also the father of Louisa May Alcott.

Selection Criteria and Procedure

1. To be eligible for membership the candidate must be a member of the junior or senior class. Candidates must have been in attendance at Wolcott High School the equivalent of one semester.

2. Candidates will be informed of their academic eligibility at a meeting. The principal and advisor(s) will explain the selection process at this meeting, candidate forms will be given out, and the deadline for submission will be announced.

3. Academic eligibility is defined as a cumulative, weighted scholastic G.P.A. of 93%. Candidates shall later be evaluated on the basis of service, leadership and character.

4. Candidate forms shall be returned to the National Honor Society box in the School Counseling Department exactly two weeks to the date after the eligibility meeting. Candidate forms must be submitted by the end of the school day. Late forms will not be accepted. It is the candidate’s responsibility to correctly and fully complete the Candidate form.

5. Surveys will be sent to all WHS teachers. The survey will ask each teacher to rate each candidate on a scale of 1-4 for each area of Service, Leadership, and Character. Teachers will be provided with a definition of Service, Leadership, and Character to aid in their evaluation of students. The definitions come from the national headquarters of the National Honor Society.

6. The advisor(s) will tabulate the results of the teacher survey for each candidate. The results, along with the candidate form, academic, attendance, and disciplinary records will be placed in a candidate portfolio. All names will be removed from these records to ensure confidentiality and impartiality.

LOST AND FOUND

Any articles which are found in the school or on school grounds should be brought to the commons to the Lost and Found tables. Unclaimed articles will be disposed of during winter break and at the end of the school year. Loss or suspected theft of personal or school property should be reported to the main office.

MIGRANT STUDENTS

The district has a program to address the needs of migrant students. A full range of services will be provided to migrant students, including applicable Title I programs, special education, gifted education, vocational education, language programs, counseling programs and elective classes. Parents/guardians of migrant students will be involved in and regularly consulted about the development, implementation, operation and evaluation of the migrant program.

MOVING TO ANOTHER COMMUNITY

Any student who takes up independent residence outside of this school district must withdraw from this school since the law provides that only legal residents of the Town of Wolcott may attend school in this school district. Under normal Board of Education policy, a student who moves outside of the school district during the school year and who wishes to complete the current school year at Wolcott High School may make application to do so through the Principal to the Board of Education. Each such request will be judged individually upon the merits of the case.

NAMING/RENAMING OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS

It is the responsibility of the Board of Education to name school buildings, components of buildings and school grounds. The decision will be based upon its assessment of the special significance of a name or, in the case of an individual, exceptional service to the children of Wolcott. Such recognition requires substantial support and comprehensive review. Please see the complete policy at (Wlct Board Of Education Policy 7551) http://z2policy.cabe.org/cabe/browse/wolcott/wolcott/z20000431

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PARENT CONFERENCES

Parents are encouraged to become partners in their child’s educational successes. A parent or student may arrange a conference with an individual member of the school staff or a group conference with school staff members. Conferences are held during school hours but every effort will be made to accommodate parent schedules.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT/COMMUNICATIONS

Education succeeds best when there is a strong partnership between home and school based on communications and interactions. Parents/guardians are urged to encourage their children to put a high priority on education and to make the most of their educational opportunities available. Parents/guardians should become familiar with all of the child’s school activities and with the District’s academic programs, including special programs. Attendance at parent-teacher conferences, participation in campus parent organizations, attendance at board of education meetings and being a school volunteer are strongly encouraged.

PESTICIDE APPLICATION

Only certified pesticide applicators shall be used in schools for any non-emergency pesticide use in school buildings or on school grounds. Pesticide applications are limited to non-school hours and when activities are not taking place. Areas to receive pesticide application will be posted and a written record of all pesticide applications will be maintained for five years. Parents/guardians and staff who want to receive advance notice of all pesticide use will be listed on a registry and such notice will be provided as required by law. Parents/guardians who want to be notified prior to pesticide applications inside their child(ren)’s school assignment area may contact Ms. Jessica Abbott at (203) 879-8150.

POSTERS

Any posters to be displayed in the school must first be approved by an Administrator. The approved posters may only be placed on bulletin boards or existing poster holders.

7. The Faculty Council will meet and review each candidate portfolio. The selection of each member to the chapter shall be by a majority vote of the faculty council. The portfolios of candidates rejected as a result on a 3 “no” 2 “yes” vote split will be put to the side and revisited. A second, binding vote will take place after the re-visitation.

8. Candidates who were accepted will be notified in writing and will attend a brief meeting. At this meeting they will receive a copy of these bylaws and have 48 hours to read and sign the bylaws. Signing the bylaws indicates that they have read and understand the rules and regulations of membership and accept membership into the Bronson Alcott Chapter of the National Honor Society.

9. Candidates who were rejected will be notified in writing. Specific areas of weakness that prevented their selection will be noted. Rejected candidates will have the opportunity to write an appeals letter following the specified format. The appeals letter will be due 48 hours after notification. The Faculty Committee will reconvene to hear and appeals and make a final decision.

10. Such selection process is in full compliance with those as recommended by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the governing body of student activities in the United States.

ONLINE COURSE CREDIT

Students will be awarded credit toward graduation for the successful completion of online courses provided the online course(s) fulfill the statutory requirements.

PARENT ACTION COUNCIL (PAC)

PAC is a vital link between the school, community and the parents it serves. Thus, parents are urged to join and take an active part in the PAC.

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In addition, anyone who witnesses such an act and fails to report it to the proper authorities will be considered as having contributed to that action. Such charges for damaged property will be exactly those which the school must incur to repair the damage.

Each student is assigned a (desk), (hall locker) and/or other equipment. These items are the property of the school, loaned to students for their convenience during the school year, should be kept in good order and not abused.

Searches of desks or lockers may be conducted at any time there is reasonable cause to believe that they contain articles or materials prohibited by district policy. Parents will be notified if any prohibited items are found in the student’s desk or locker.

Students should not attempt to repair school equipment but should notify the (main office) immediately if it isn’t function properly. Any damage done will be the responsibility of the person to whom it was loaned for the current year. Students (may/may not) bring in locks from home and attach to assigned lockers. Students are warned not to bring large sums of money or valuables to school, liability for these items remains with the student.

Each student is assigned a locker equipped with a combination lock for storage of books, outside clothing, backpacks, book bags and gym bags. The locker is to be kept locked at all times. The practice of keeping personal valuables such as watches, money, etc., in lockers is ill-advised. No responsibility will be accepted by the school for any student valuables lost or stolen from lockers. If a locker is not functioning properly, it should be reported immediately to the office and arrangements will be made for the student until the locker can be repaired.

The school locker assigned to a student is the property of Wolcott High School. The school reserves the right to inspect the locker at any time if reason exists to suspect that materials injurious to the best interests of the school are being kept therein (Section 10-221, Gen. Statues). The student to whom a locker is assigned must complete a locker agreement form and is responsible for the contents of that locker at all times.

PREPARATION FOR CLASS

Students are to come to class prepared with pens, pencils, notebooks, assignment books and appropriate textbooks. Students should carry all notes and papers in general notebooks and not stuffed into textbooks. Textbooks damaged will be paid for according to replacement prices. Students are to remove all litter from desks and floor at the end of each period.

PROMOTION, RETENTION AND PLACEMENT

Student promotion is dependent on each student’s mastery and acquisition of basic learning objectives. Normally, students will progress annually from grade to grade. 71

Students who master objectives at an exceptional rate may be considered for acceleration to another grade or class. Students who fail to master basic learning objectives at a normal rate will be considered for retention. Retention and acceleration decisions are the responsibility of the teaching staff and principal, after prior notification and discussion with parents. The final decision rests with the school principal.

Students must demonstrate attainment of the basic skills needed for graduation based on the district’s assessment program. A failure to attain these skills may necessitate involvement in additional courses, special help programs, summer school, retesting, etc.

PROPERTY, LOCKERS AND EQUIPMENT

It is the policy of the Board to hold students responsible for any loss of or damage to the property of the school under the jurisdiction of the Board when the loss or damage occurs through fault of the student.

Any student damaging or defacing school property will be financially liable for restoring the property regardless of the condition of the property at the time of the destructive act, in addition to any other discipline up to and including arrest or civil prosecution as deemed appropriate.

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Affidavits for Purposes of Residency Forms must be completed when parents enroll a child. Such documents are sworn to be true and accurate statements. Administrators are required to investigate, or have investigated by professional services, complaints about violations of the residency policy. Persons who knowingly violate the residency policy may be subject to prosecution under law for theft of services. The Board of Education would seek to recover tuition due at the current rate per year, per student, in addition to the criminal charges. Any change in the residency status of a child at any time during the school year must be reported to school officials (5118).

Proof of Residency- for proof of residency to enroll in Wolcott Schools, the Wolcott resident MUST provide one piece of documentation from each of the following categories:

1. Photo Identification

● Permanent Driver’s License (No sticker on the back)

● Valid State ID Card with Photo

2. Housing Records

● Copy of the Mortgage

● Copy of the Official Lease (Updated Annually)

● Copy of the Deed

● Copy of Closing Papers for Wolcott Residence (if the home was recently purchased)

3. Other

● Current Utility Bill, one of the following is acceptable: Oil, Natural Gas, Propane, Electric, Cable, Water or Landline Phone

● Property Tax Bill (if not, Car Tax Bill)

● Cancelled Rent Check

Please note: If someone is leasing or renting a place and the utilities are included, this must be stated on the lease. In this case, we would require a copy of the landlord’s license along with the lease.

RECOVERY OF CREDIT

Summer School Credit Recovery Eligibility

I. Academic Failure:

To be eligible to attend Summer School, a student who has failed a course must meet all of the following criteria:

In Physical Education classes, students are strongly advised to deposit any valuables with their physical education instructor immediately upon entering the locker room. These will be put under lock and key. All valuables will be returned to the owner at the end of the class period. This policy will also hold true for all Varsity and Junior Varsity Interscholastic athletic teams. Locks issued to students by the physical education department are to be returned to the teachers or the cost will be incurred by the student as per other financial obligations.

PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION

The hallways of the school are not the place for public displays of affection. Such behavior may be construed by others as a form of sexual harassment.

READING LAB

The Reading Lab has been developed for students in Grades 9-12 who have experienced reading difficulties in previous grades. Placement is based upon Standardized tests and teacher recommendation, with input from the School Counseling staff. Students who have exhibited wide discrepancy between ability and reading achievement are candidates for this program. Credit is given on a Pass/Fail basis.

RESIDENCY

All Wolcott resident students are entitled to free school privileges. Children living in Wolcott with persons other than parents or a legal guardian are entitled to free school privileges only if three conditions are met:

1. Such residence must be permanent.

2. Such residence is without pay – the person with whom the child lives cannot receive monetary or other forms of remuneration/compensation for accommodating a child.

3. Such residence cannot be for the exclusive purpose of schooling – there should be a sufficiently compelling reason for the children to reside with the Wolcott persons apart from school attendance.

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4. Be tutored no more than three (3) times per week in sessions not longer than two (2) hours each.

5. Have the tutor provide a description of each lesson, i.e. topics and pages covered, homework assigned, comments on quality of independent work completed for each session. A log sheet will be given to the tutor for this purpose.

6. Take and pass the teacher’s final exam which will be given at the school.

7. This request must be approved by the administrator. The student will then receive a grade of “65” and credit in the course.

II. Summer School Credit Recovery Program

The Summer School Credit Recovery Program is a blended learning model that combines online courses coupled with a traditional classroom teacher. Courses are customized to the learning content in which the student needs to recover credit. Data in the program allows the classroom teacher to pinpoint where students are struggling and provides them with targeted instruction. Each course ends when the student has fulfilled all obligations.

At the end of the regular school year, parents and/or guardians will be notified via mail if their student has failed an academic course. If these students are eligible for summer school and need the credit(s), a Summer School Credit Recovery Program is available. The school handbook policy outlines the eligibility requirement for summer school (Please see: Summer School – Academic Failure).

Payment:

The current fee for Summer School Credit Recovery Program is $200.00. This fee is subject to change in the future. Please make checks payable to Wolcott Public Schools as part of enrollment process into this program.

Students will not be enrolled in the program until payment is received.

Further information for enrolled students:

● Students are allowed a maximum of up to two absences during a course.

● Students must attend each session until the course is complete to earn credit.

● Students can take up to two courses during summer school.

● A final exam or project may be required for course completion.

● Students have the option of taking the morning and/or the afternoon summer school session.

o Session A runs from 8:00 am until 10:00 am

o Session B runs from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm

1. A passing grade in at least two marking periods for a full year course and one marking period for a one semester course.

2. A final average of at least a 50.

3. Completed the course (including final exam).

4. Permission of instructor.

The student must obtain a grade of at least a “B” during the summer session or a departmental exam will be administered during the first week of the fall term. He/she must receive a passing grade on this exam. Upon successful completion of the summer school program, the student will be given credit in the course and a grade of 65 will be recorded.

II. Attendance Policy Failure:

To be eligible to attend Summer School, a student who lost credit during the regular school year due to the attendance policy must have:

1. Completed the course (including the final exam).

2. Permission of the instructor to be eligible to attend summer school.

3. Upon the successful completion of summer school (passing grade and required attendance) both grade and credit will be restored.

4. This request must be approved by the administrator.

Summer School Credit Recovery Options

I. Summer Tutoring – Academic Failure Only

To be eligible for summer tutoring a student must:

1. Satisfy the preconditions set forth for Summer School – Academic Failure.

2. Have the tutor present to an Administrator evidence of certification in the subject area. At this time every attempt will be made to put the classroom teacher in touch with the tutor to communicate the topic areas in which the student needs remediation.

3. Receive a minimum fifteen (15) contact hours of tutoring (exclusive of the final exam).

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PSAT/NMSQT

Wolcott High School tentatively schedules the PSAT/NMSQT for all Juniors in October. Sophomores will take the PSAT 10 in the Spring and Freshmen will take the PSAT 8/9 in the Spring. Detailed schedules will be provided prior to testing.

SCHOLARSHIPS, FINANCIAL AID AND AWARDS

Students should start early to establish records worthy of scholarship consideration. In general, requirements for scholarship consideration are some combination of the following: serious attention to studies, good character, financial need and involvement in the activities of the school.

Many scholarships and awards are available to qualified students. Students should consult a School Counselor for information about what scholarships are available and how, when and where to apply.

SCHOOL CEREMONIES AND OBSERVANCES

The school district recognizes the value of certain ceremonies and observances in promoting patriotism and good citizenship among the students. Therefore, activities in schools commemorating national holidays such as Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and President’s Day are encouraged. Wolcott Schools remind students, faculty and administration of the variety of religious beliefs, and all are urged to be conscious of and respect the sensitivities of others.

Activities related to a religious holiday or theme will be planned to ensure that the activity is not devotional, and that students of all faiths can join without feeling that they are betraying their own beliefs. Therefore,

1. school and class plays shall not be overly religious, and church-like scenery will be avoided;

2. religious music shall not entirely dominate the selection of music; and

3. program notes and illustrations shall not be religious or sectarian.

Students shall be given the option to be excused from participating in those parts of a program or curriculum involving a religious theme which conflicts with their own religious beliefs. If a parent or student has any questions regarding the use of religious music, artwork and/or symbols in a particular course/activity, the Building Principal should be contacted.

SAFETY/ACCIDENT PREVENTION

Student safety on campus and at school related events is a high priority of the District. Although the District has implemented safety procedures, the cooperation of students is essential to ensure school safety. A student should:

• Avoid conduct that is likely to put the student or other students at risk.

• Follow the school’s code of discipline

• Remain alert to and promptly report safety hazards, such as

intruders on campus.

• Know emergency evacuation routes and signals.

• Follow immediately the instructions of staff who are overseeing the

welfare of students.

SAT SCHOOL DAY TESTING

Each year Wolcott High School’s eleventh grade students will participate in the digital Connecticut SAT School Day administration. SAT scores are used by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) for school and district accountability purposes.

The CSDE adheres to all federal and state data privacy laws and does not release student data to third parties, including colleges or universities.

Parents and students have control over the release of the score to colleges and universities from the Connecticut SAT School Day. If students and parents want SAT scores from the Connecticut SAT School Day exam to be sent to colleges or universities, they must explicitly request a “score send” from College Board through their online College Board account. In order to send scores, students must already have or create a College Board account at collegeboard.org/mysat and then select each college or university they want to receive scores. For more information about assessments, you may visit the Connecticut State Department of Education SAT web page at www.ct.gov/sde/sat .

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SECURITY

Students:

● Students cannot enter the building until 7:00 am and must vacate the building by 2:00 unless participating in a school function.

● Visitors during school hours must come in through the main lobby and check in.

● All main lobby doors will be locked after school. The only entrance will be through the gym lobby. If we have an evening activity in the auditorium the main lobby doors will reopen 1 hour before the activity starts.

● Parents picking up students from after school activities will be asked

not to park in the Fire Lanes and wait for students. Please use the

student parking lot. This will be strictly enforced.

STUDENT RECORDS

A student’s school records are confidential and are protected by federal and state law from unauthorized inspection or use. A cumulative record is maintained for each student from the time the student enters the district until the student withdraws or graduates. This record moves with the student from school to school.

By law, both parents, whether married, separated, or divorced, have access to the records of a student who is under 18 or a dependent for tax purposes. A parent whose rights have been legally terminated will be denied access to the records if the school is given a copy of the court order terminating these rights.

The principal is custodian of all records for currently enrolled students at the assigned school. The (Superintendent) is the custodian of all records for students who have withdrawn or graduated. Records may be reviewed during regular school hours upon completion of the written request form. The record’s custodian or designee will respond to reasonable requests for explanation and interpretation of the records.

Parents of a minor or of a student who is a dependent for tax purposes, the student (if 18 or older), and school officials with legitimate educational interests are the only persons who have general access to a student’s records. “School officials with legitimate educational interests” include any employee, agents, or facilities with which the district contracts for the placement of students with disabilities, as well as their attorneys and consultants, who are:

An opportunity will be provided, at the beginning of each school day, for students to observe an appropriate period of silent meditation and to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Participation in these activities is voluntary. Non-participants are expected to maintain order and decorum appropriate to the school environment.

SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS

Wolcott High school students are also afforded the choice of attending regional vocational technical schools, regional vocational agricultural schools, and area charter or magnet schools.

SCHOOL COUNSELING

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Wolcott High School Counseling Department is to ensure that all students have access to a Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling Program that supports academic, career, and social and emotional growth of all students towards becoming contributing members of the 21st century global community. School Counselors are student advocates who work as team members with students, school staff, parents and the community to provide preventative and responsive services for every student in a caring, supportive, and respectful environment.

Scholarship Applications

Scholarships are posted on Naviance. Applications for scholarships submitted to the School Counseling department must meet the School Counseling department deadline posted on Naviance. No applications will be accepted past the deadline.

Students themselves may mail scholarship applications which do not meet School Counseling department deadlines. However, if a transcript is necessary, only an unofficial one will be provided to the student.

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Copies of student records are available at a cost of $.50 per page, payable in advance. Parents may be denied copies of a student’s records (1) after the student reaches age 18 and is no longer a dependent for tax purposes; (2) when the student is attending an institution of post-secondary education; (3) if the parent fails to follow proper procedures and pay the copying charge; or (4) when the district is given a copy of a court order terminating the parental rights. If the student qualifies for free or reduced-price meals and the parents are unable to view the records during regular school hours, upon written request of the parent, one copy of the record will be provided at no charge.

Certain information about district students is considered directory information and will be released to anyone who follows procedures for requesting it, unless the parent objects to the release of any or all directory information about the child. This objection must be made in writing to the principal within ten school days after the issuance of this handbook. Directory information includes a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, grade levels, photograph, e-mail address, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, awards received in school, and most recent previous school attended.

Military recruiters or institutions of higher learning shall have access to secondary school students’ names, addresses and telephone listings, unless a parent/guardian or secondary student aged 18 or over requests in writing that such information not be released.

The District will release to the Parent Action Council (PAC) the names, addresses, telephone number and grade levels of students (unless the District is informed in writing within ten school days of the time this handbook was issued that designation of such directory information has been refused as to a particular student) provided such information is to be used by the PAC for its own school activities or school business.

The District, when a student moves to a new school system or charter school, will send the student’s records to the new district or charter school within ten business days of receiving written notice of the move from the new district. Unless the parents/guardians of the student authorize the record transfer in writing, the sending District is required to send a notice when the records are sent to the new district.

1. Working with the student;

2. Considering disciplinary or academic actions, the student’s case, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for a student with disabilities under IDEA or an individually designed program for a student with disabilities under Section 504;

3. Compiling statistical data; or

4. Investigating or evaluating programs.

Certain other officials from various governmental agencies may have limited access to the records. Parental consent is required to release the records to anyone else. When the student reaches 18 years of age, only the student has the right to consent to release of records.

The parent’s or student's right of access to, and copies of, student records does not extend to all records. Materials that are not considered educational records, such as teachers’ personal notes on a student that are shared only with a substitute teacher and records pertaining to former students after they are no longer students in the district, do not have to be made available to the parents or student.

A student over 18 and parents of minor students may inspect the student’s records and request a correction if the records are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights. If the district refuses the request to amend the records, the requestor has the right to a hearing. If the records are not amended as a result of the hearing, the requestor has 30 school days to exercise the right to place a statement commenting on the information in the student’s record. Although improperly recorded grades may be challenged, parents and the student are not allowed to contest a student’s grade in a course through this process. Parents or the student have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe the district is not in compliance with the law regarding student records. The district’s policy regarding student records is available from the principal’s or superintendent’s office.

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Enrichment course(s) policy

Enrichment Credit Students may, with prior approval from the director of School Counseling, seek external credit in an area of personal interest from an approved program. Interested students will obtain the required paperwork prior to enrolling. A passing grade is recorded as “P” (Pass) and are not calculated in the weighted GPA.

SEARCH & SEIZURE POLICY

Search of Property

Desks and school lockers are property of the schools. The right to inspect desks and lockers assigned to students may be exercised by school officials to safeguard students, their property and school property with reasonable care for the Fourth Amendment rights of students.

The exercise of the right to inspect also requires protection of each student’s personal privacy and protection from coercion. An authorized school administrator may search a student’s locker or desk under the following conditions:

1. There is reason to believe that the student’s desk or locker contains evidence that the law or the rules of the school have been violated.

2. Upon approval of the Superintendent, narcotic sniffing dogs may be used to assist in the search of desks, lockers, motor vehicles, parking areas and other locations on school property.

Student Search

A student may be searched if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will provide evidence that the student has violated either the law or the rules of the school. The scope of the search must be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the infraction.

If a reasonable search has been conducted and items or materials which are illegal or in violation of school rules are discovered, the items or materials may be seized.

Searches may include but are not limited to a student’s locker, desk, work bench, tool box, purse, book bag, pockets, outerwear, backpack, other clothing or portable items.

Parents and eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the Requirements of FERPA. Complaints may be addressed to: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 5400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-4605.

Transcript Requests

1. A transcript is a record of your academic courses and grades earned. 2. An ‘official transcript’ bears the school seal and is mailed by the school. An official transcript cannot be given to a current student, alumni, or parent for the purpose of scholarships, beauty pageants, DMV permits/licenses; however, an unofficial transcript can be requested.

3. An ‘unofficial transcript’ is stamped “Unofficial” and does not bear the school seal.

4. Students may obtain an unofficial transcript provided reasonable notification (2 days) has been provided to the School Counseling Office.

External Credit Policy

NOTE: Academic Support Center, Junior Seminar, and Pass/ Fail courses are not computed in class rank. The numerical average of all marking terms and exams will be used in computing cumulative grade point average (GPA) and class rank.

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Sexual harassment is any form of conduct on the basis of sex that: (a) conditions the provision of any school/program aid, benefit, or service on the individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct; or (b) is unwelcome and is determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a student equal access to the school’s education program or activity; or (c) is a “sexual assault,” “dating violence,” “domestic violence,” or “stalking,” as those terms are defined in federal law.

Sexual discrimination occurs when a person, because of his or her sex, is denied participation in or the benefits of the district’s educational program.

The school district will take all appropriate steps to address any sexual harassment, or allegations of sexual harassment, of which any employee has notice.

A complete copy of the Board of Education Policy (Wlct Board of Education 5145.5) and procedures are available in the Wolcott High School Main Office, and at this link – http://z2policy.cabe.org/cabe/Z2Browser2.html?showset=wolcott

Sexual Harassment Reporting Any person, such as students, parents and guardians, may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, regardless of whether the person is the alleged victim of the reported conduct, in person, by mail, by telephone, or by email, to the district’s Title IX Coordinator, or any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the report. The report may be made at any time, including during non-business hours.

The Title IX Coordinator for the Wolcott Public Schools is Matthew Calabrese, Principal of Alcott School, mcalabrese@wolcottps.org; 1490 Woodtick Road, Wolcott CT, 06716; (203) 879-8160

SENIOR COURTYARD

The Senior Courtyard is intended to be a place where seniors may relax and socialize during their lunch period. The Senior Courtyard will be open weather permitting. For the orderly operation of the area, and so that nearby classrooms are not disturbed, the following rules are to be observed:

Vulgar language and loud distractions are not permitted.
No game playing.

Keep courtyard clean.

Smoking is prohibited anywhere on the school grounds.

All Students who abuse these rules shall be subject to the following consequences:

1^stoffense - 1 week removal

2^ndoffense - 1 month removal

3^rdoffense - removal for the rest of the year

Use of the Senior Courtyard is a senior privilege. Flagrant disregard of regulations may result in the courtyard being closed. Underclassmen may not enter or use the Senior Courtyard for any purpose during normal school hours. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT/INTIMIDATION

The Wolcott Public School System is committed to a positive and productive working and learning environment free of discrimination. The Board of Education prohibits sexual discrimination and sexual harassment of its employees or students. Any form of sexual discrimination and/or harassment is forbidden whether by students, supervisory or non-supervisory personnel, individuals under contract, or volunteers in the schools, against any member of the school community.

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STUDENT PARKING RULES AND REGULATIONS

Students are subject to the rules, regulations and administrative guidelines in the parking regulations and must comply with all state laws and licensure requirements.

Parking permits are mandatory. Only students in 11^thand 12^thgrade by credit who possess a valid driver’s license will be authorized to obtain parking permits from the Main Office.
Strict adherence to all parking regulations is the responsibility of each automobile operator.
Parking is permitted only in the assigned student parking lot.
Traffic patterns, speed limits and safe courteous driving principles will be strictly enforced.
Use of an automobile on school grounds is a privilege and will be revoked for disregard of regulations.
The parking permit must be displayed at all times.
Any student involved in an automobile accident on school grounds must notify the administration immediately.
Parking permits are not transferable. Use of the pass by anyone other than the student issued the pass will result in loss of pass for 20 days.
Use of an automobile on school grounds is a privilege and in exchange for a permit the student agrees that their vehicle is susceptible to being searched by school Administration and/or School Resource Officer if reasonable suspicion exists that contraband and/or weapons may be in the vehicle.
Parking passes will only be permitted if a Junior has 20 hours community service and a Senior has 30 hours of community service.

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

Proper dress for school functions should be school attire. Students and their guests attending dances may not leave the building and return once they have arrived. Any student contemplating leaving is cautioned that he/she may not return once he/she has done so. Exceptions may be made only in special circumstances. The school will assume no responsibility for loss of articles of clothing, handbags, or other personal effects left in a lavatory or anywhere on the school property. A student determined to be under the influence of/or in possession of drugs or alcohol at any school social event will be subject to recommendation for expulsion.

Dances and Social Events

School dances may be scheduled periodically during the school year. Only legally enrolled students of this school may attend dances unless other arrangements have been made and approved by the administration. Students are expected to dress appropriately for all dances.

Standards of dress, admission costs, and other pertinent instructions for a particular dance will be announced prior to the dance. If a dance or social event occurs on a school night, students must have attended school that day to attend the event that night. Students must arrive by 11:00 a.m. to be considered present for the school day. Students who were dismissed early from school that day will not be able to attend the dance or social event.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media refers to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share, and/or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. This includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, YouTube, etc. School electronic device policies and cyberbullying policies apply when social media is utilized in school, refers to the school, or has a direct impact on the school and learning environment.

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7. Causing property damage to school grounds through the use of a vehicle shall result in appropriate measures being taken by the administration including possible suspension, loss of parking privileges, and restitution for damaged property.

8. Failing to report involvement in a motor vehicle accident on school grounds as soon as possible.

9. Students who accrue 10 or more office referrals during the course of the year will be subject to loss of their parking pass for the remainder of the school year.

STUDY HALLS (ACADEMIC CLASSROOM STUDY HALLS)

Students entering a study hall, with the exception of the Library Media Center, must be in their assigned seats by the four-minute bell.
Attendance will be taken beginning immediately after the four-minute bell has rung.
Students who have passes to the Library Media Center or other areas of the school may, upon showing such pass to the Study Hall Proctor, sign out immediately after attendance has been taken. Students going to the Library Media Center will remain there for the remainder of the period. They will not report back to study.
Students in the study halls will observe the silence which is consistent with a good group study situation. In all possible cases consistent with good judgment, a proctor or duty teacher may move the students who wish to work together to an area where they can work effectively without disturbing others.
Permission is required before leaving a seat for any purpose and blanket permission for the above may be revoked at any time if abuse of the privilege occurs.
Students should come to study prepared to work.
Study hall will be dismissed by the teacher/proctor after the bell has rung signifying the end of the period. The bell itself is only for guidance of the teacher on duty. It is not the signal for the students to depart.
Littering in any form will not be tolerated.

Revocation of Parking Permit will Occur Under the Following Circumstances:

Leaving School Grounds Without Permission

1^stOffense - Loss of privilege for 20 days

2^ndOffense - Loss of permit

Reckless Driving

1^stOffense - Loss of privilege for 20 days

2^ndOffense - Loss of permit

Repeated Tardiness to School

1^st– 6^thTardy - Consequences as per student handbook

7^thTardy - Loss of privilege for 10 days

8^thTardy - Loss of privilege for 20 days

9^thTardy - Loss of privilege for 30 days

10^thTardy - Loss of privilege

Smoking or Vaping On School Grounds

1^stOffense - Loss of privilege for 10 days

2^ndOffense - Loss of privilege for 20 days

3^rdOffense - Loss of privilege and out-of-school suspension

By-passing Attendance Office to Avoid Disciplinary Consequences for Tardiness

1^stOffense - Loss of privilege for 10 days

2^ndOffense - Loss of privilege for 20 days

Failure to display Parking Permit

1^stOffense - Written Warning

Subsequent Offense - Application of vehicle restraint boot and $10 removal fee

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7. Students will learn about recognizing and responding to warning signs of suicide in friends, using coping skills, support systems, and seeking help for themselves and friends. This curricular content will occur in all health classes throughout the school year, not just in response to a suicide, and the encouragement of help-seeking behavior will be promoted at all levels of the school leadership and stakeholders.

Each school has suicide prevention specialists for students in crisis and to refer students to appropriate resources.
When a student is identified as being at-risk, a risk assessment will be completed by a trained school staff member who will work with the student and help connect the student to appropriate local resources.
Students and parents can access local and national resources for additional support, such as:
In Connecticut, dial: 211, www.preventsuicidect.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Suicidepreventionlifeline.org

The Trevor Lifeline (especially for LGBTQ youth): 1-866-488-7386

thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now Trevor Lifeline Text/Chat Services, available 24/7 Text

“TREVOR” to 678-678

Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741-741 (crisistextline.org)

All school personnel and students will be expected to help create a school culture of respect and support in which students feel comfortable seeking help for themselves or friends. Students are encouraged to tell any staff member if they or a friend are feeling suicidal, or are in need of help. While confidentiality and privacy are important, students should know that when there is risk of suicide, safety comes first.

For a more detailed review of this policy please see the district’s complete suicide prevention policy at (Wlct Board of Education Policy 5141.5) http://z2policy.cabe.org/cabe/browse/wolcott/wolcott/z20000296

SUICIDE PREVENTION

It is the policy of the Wolcott Public Schools to respond actively and responsibly to any situation where a student verbally or behaviorally indicates intent to attempt suicide or to inflict self-injury or harm.

The Board recognizes the need for youth suicide prevention procedures and will establish programs to identify risk factors for youth suicide, procedures for intervention, training for teachers, other school personnel and students, and identify appropriate referral services.

The Board acknowledges that suicide is a complex issue and that while school staff members may collect information to determine the seriousness of a threat, they cannot make clinical assessments of risk or provide in depth counseling. They must refer students identified as possible suicide risks to an appropriate agency for assessment and counseling.

Any school employee who has knowledge of a suicide threat or intent will report this information to the school principal/designee immediately, who will mobilize the school crisis intervention team. The student’s parent/guardian will be notified and an appropriate referral made. If the situation is deemed to be high risk, the student will not be left alone at any time during the evaluation process.

The Wolcott Board of Education recognizes that suicide is one of the three leading causes of death among young people and is a concern to this school system and the community it serves. The school board has adopted a suicide prevention policy which will help to protect all students through the following steps:

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Political affiliations
Potentially embarrassing psychological problems
Sex behavior or attitudes
Anti-social and demeaning behavior
Critical appraisals of family members
Legally privileged relationships
Income
Religion

Assume consent given unless indicated differently.

TEACHER AND PARAPROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Parents have the right to request information about the professional qualifications of their child’s teacher(s). The response will indicate whether the teacher is certified for the subject matter and grade taught; the teacher’s undergraduate major and any graduate degrees or certifications a teacher may have. Parents will also be advised, if requested as to whether the child is provided service by paraprofessionals and their qualifications.

TECHNOLOGY IN THE SCHOOL

As new technologies continue to change the world in which we live, the also provide many new and positive educational benefits for classroom instruction. To prepare students as 21^stcentury thinkers and learners, students in the Wolcott Public School District are allowed to bring their own technology to campus.

Definition of Device

A “device” as part of this protocol is a piece of privately owned and/or portable electronic handheld technology that includes emerging mobile communication systems and smart technologies, laptops and netbooks, and any technology that can be used for wireless internet access, word processing, image capture/recording, sound recording and information transmitting, receiving, and storing.

SUPER SENIOR

A “Super Senior” is a senior who has completed four years at Wolcott High School with a perfect discipline record. Students choosing counseling for vaping on school grounds will be considered to have a referral on their disciplinary record. Students will need to have recorded a minimum of 30 hours of community service with Wolcott High School to be eligible for Super Senior consideration. Transfer students may receive Super Senior status only if all previous years at the other high school can be verified as void of any discipline infractions. Under no circumstances will past documented disciplinary referrals, detentions, suspensions, etc. be retroactively forgiven in order to legitimize a student’s Super Senior status. Super Seniors will be recognized at the Eagle Banquet held annually in May.

SURVEYS OF STUDENTS

Administrators, teachers and other staff members and the Board of Education may use surveys for many purposes. Such purposes may include, but are not limited to, the need for student services, the determination of prevailing views pertaining to proposed policies and/or practices, or the determination of student knowledge and/or attitudes related to a specific subject or units. These are examples of surveys and not intended to be an all-inclusive listing. Administrative approval is required for surveys. Responses will not be used in any identifying manner.

Parents shall have the right to inspect all instructional material that will be used for a survey, analysis, or evaluation as part of a federal program.

No student may, without parental consent, take part in a survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information covering:

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Standards of Responsible Use

All students in District schools must adhere to the following standards of responsible use:

Students must not create/publish/submit or display any materials/media that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal and should report any instances encountered.
Students shall adhere to all laws and statutes related to issues of copyright and plagiarism.
Violation of any of these standards may result in suspension of computer use, Internet privileges and/or other disciplinary actions
Cell phones are only allowed in the cafeteria, hallways, or with teacher permission

One-to-One Student Computing Devices (Chromebooks)

Wolcott Public Schools One to One (1:1) initiative spans grades 3 - 12. Parents can “opt in” to have their child use a school-issued Chromebook. Chromebooks will be issued at or near the start of the school year and the student shall be responsible for the Chromebook throughout the school year. Students are responsible for the care and condition of their assigned Chromebook in accordance with Board of Education policy #3250, “Materials/Service Fees, Charges”.

In lieu of accepting responsibility for a district-owned Chromebook, parents can also choose to have their child use their own personal Chromebook. The Chromebook must meet these requirements: Processor - Intel Celeron N4020 or better, 4GB RAM minimum, 32GB hard drive (i.e. Dell 3100 Chromebook). This initiative supports district student engagement goals as students will have the tools to research and collaborate with each other and with their teachers within each class and at home.

Security and Damages

Responsibility to keep the device secure rests with the individual owner. The Wolcott Public School District is not liable for any device stolen or damaged on campus.

Bring Your Own Device/Technology Student and Parent Agreement

The use of technology to provide educational material is not a necessity but a privilege. When abused, privies will be taken away. When respected, they will benefit the learning environment as a whole.

Teacher’s Role

Teachers are facilitators of instruction in the classroom.
Teachers may communicate information regarding educational applications and suggest appropriate tools that can be downloaded to personal devices at home.
Teachers are to closely supervise students to ensure appropriate use of technology in the classrooms.
The use of these student personal devices, as with any personally owned device, is strictly up to the teacher.

Operating Principles for Use of Personal Devices on School Campus

Devices cannot be used during assessments, unless otherwise directed by a teacher.
Students must immediately comply with teachers’ requests to shut down devices or close the screen. Devices must be in silent mode and put away when asked by teachers.
Students are not permitted to transmit or post photographic images/videos of any person on campus on public and/or social networking sites.
Personal devices may not be used to send inappropriate e-messages, images, texts or other electronic media on any social media platform.

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The pricing below is derived from our parts provider. Since we are now fixing the devices “in-house”, we are able to pass along additional savings to parents and guardians:

Like textbooks, team uniforms and other school property issued to your child, there is a responsibility to take appropriate care of these valuable resources. A school issued Chromebook is no different, but it does represent a cost to the district and consequent liability to students and parents. We have a warranty in place to cover the school-issued device for manufacturing defects, but we know loss and accidents may also happen, even when students take good care of the device. In these instances, district policies, state regulations and practices require that the cost to cover the repair or replacement cost of district property be covered by the student/parent.

Because the full replacement of a Chromebook could pose a substantial cost to a family, the district will provide families the opportunity to purchase an optional protection plan for students receiving a district-owned device.

OPTIONAL Chromebook Insurance Program:

Parents may choose whether to purchase insurance to cover potential damages to District owned Chromebooks. We have partnered with an insurance provider, which will allow Parents to self-enroll their child's Chromebook for optional coverage. To enroll your child's Chromebook for optional coverage, please visit:

https://www.worthavegroup.com/portal/wolcottpsct/ and complete the necessary information.

Please consider the following potential costs when deciding whether to purchase the insurance policy:

(Updated 3/9/2023)

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Keyboard	LCD Screen	Charger	Battery	Device Replacement
$50.00	$40.00	$34.99	$63.00	$260.00

*To locate the serial number of your Child’s Chromebook, please look on the bottom of their Chromebook, and you should see the serial number provided. Please note on some Chromebooks, this is referred to as the Service Tag.

Please note: By default, the Chromebook policy might be set to auto-renew each year. If you do not wish to have the policy automatically renew each year, please request it be disabled by contacting Worth Ave Group support.

Chromebooks NOT Enrolled in the Insurance Program:

Non-insured students will be issued a loaner device until all balances are paid. Outstanding balances must be paid within 10 days. Loaner devices must be returned each day at the end of school.
If a student withdraws from Wolcott Public Schools and then re-enrolls later in the same school year, the coverage purchased at the initial registration will be reinstated.

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Often the problem can be resolved in such a way that the student can meet with success and then remain in school. Should all efforts fail, and the student decides to withdraw, they must follow a checkout procedure as follows: Parents of any student who is 17 years, must report in person to the School Counseling Office and sign the Wolcott High School Student Withdrawal Form. This form must also be signed by the student’s teachers and administration. Students who are 18 years of age or older may legally withdraw on their own, without parental consent.

Transfer to a Different District

Any student who seeks to transfer to a different school system must so inform the Assistant Principal. He/she will then be sent to a School Counselor, who will issue a Withdrawal Form to the student. The student is then required to present this form to each of his/her teachers, the librarian and the attendance secretary, surrendering to each all school-owned materials and discharging any obligations owed to the school. When this has been done, the student completes their checkout procedure by bringing the form to either the Assistant Principal or the Principal for final signature.

No records or transcript will be sent to the departing student’s new school unless and until this checkout procedure has been completed and all financial obligations to Wolcott High School have been met.

TRANSPORTATION

School transportation privileges are extended to students conditioned upon their satisfactory behavior on the bus. Unsatisfactory student behavior on the bus may result in suspension of transportation services or such other disciplinary action that is appropriate for misconduct.

Bus Conduct Rules:

The school bus is an extension of the school. All rules that apply to student behavior in the school building will also apply to student behavior on the school bus. The school bus driver’s enforcement of those rules carries with it the same authority as that possessed by a teacher in his/her classroom.

Damaged or Missing Chromebooks: Students failing to return or pay for missing or damaged school issued Chromebook, without exception, will not be permitted to take final exams, receive report cards transcripts or diplomas, or be subject to other disciplinary measures.

*If the optional Chromebook insurance protection plan from Wolcott Public Schools is not used, the student is responsible to pay for the actual cost of any repairs or replacement of the device.

TITLE I COMPARABILITY OF SERVICES

All district schools, regardless of whether they receive Federal Title I funds, provide services that, taken as a whole, are substantially comparable. Staff, curriculum materials and instructional supplies are provided in a manner to ensure equivalency among district schools.

TITLE I PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Parents of a child in a Title I funded program will receive a copy of the district’s parental involvement policy, including provisions of an annual meeting and involvement of parents in the planning, review and implementation of Title I programs.

TRANSFERS/WITHDRAWALS

Dropout

The Administration and Faculty of Wolcott High School have always worked hard to make the school experience such that each student can find success and earn a diploma.

Regretfully, this effort is not always successful. If problems arise either in school or outside, which lead a student to consider leaving school, the student is most strongly urged to contact anyone in the school with whom they feel they can talk to, be it classroom teacher, secretary, school counselor, or administrator.

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Good manners should direct students to be courteous to their bus driver, and, when applicable, adult chaperones riding said bus with them.
Bus drivers may assign students particular seats, if or when the need arises.
Students wishing to ride a different bus must submit a written request to the main office no less than 24 hours prior to the requested bus change. If requesting to take a bus to another student’s house, each student must submit a signed permission note from their parents. The note should include the following information: each student’s full name, the bus number, parent contact information, and reason for the bus switch. Administrators must authorize and sign off on all bus requests. Students will then be required to pick up a bus pass in the main office on the date of the requested change at dismissal time. Failure to include all of the above information will result in the bus switch being denied.

Violations of bus rules shall be reported in writing by the bus driver to his/her local bus manager. Said report will be forwarded to the proper school authorities who will institute proper disciplinary action. Consequences may include warnings, detention, school suspension, arrest, or in the case of minors, referral to Juvenile Court. In all cases parents will be notified in writing, by telephone or both. Students and their parents should be aware that bus riding is a privilege. Constant and willful breaches of discipline may cause this privilege to be revoked on a temporary or even permanent basis.

TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMPLAINTS/PROCEDURES

All complaints concerning school transportation safety are to be made to the

Transportation Coordinator/District Business Manager. A written record of all complaints will be maintained and an investigation of the allegations will take place.

TRUANCY

A student age five to eighteen** inclusive with 4 (four) unexcused absences in one month or 10 (ten) unexcused absences in a school year will be considered a truant. Disciplinary action may include In School Suspension. Tests and academic work missed in class that day will be recorded as a zero grade.

Parents have the responsibility to assist school officials in remedying and preventing truancy.

Students must ride assigned buses.
Pupils who must cross the street for the purpose of entering or leaving that bus must cross in front of the stopped bus.
Students must take a seat. The bus will be loaded from back to front unless otherwise indicated by the driver. Students must remain seated while the bus is in motion.
Students may move from one seat to another only with the permission from the driver. Such movement may not take place unless the bus is fully stopped.
Students should not attempt to enter or leave a bus unless it is fully stopped.
Vulgar or profane language is not acceptable and will not be permitted on the bus.
Students will refrain from engaging in unnecessary conversation with the driver while the bus is in motion.
Smoking/Vaping and the lighting of matches or lighters is strictly forbidden.
Students will refrain from throwing articles while in or about the bus.
Bus windows may be opened only with the driver’s permission. Students will not extend any part of the body out of the bus windows.
Students will refrain from willfully damaging a bus or its equipment. In addition to punishment, the student, or his parents, will be held financially responsible for such damage, (i.e., Connecticut State Statute).
Students will do their share in keeping the bus clean and orderly.
Students will avoid crowding upon entering or leaving the bus.
A student shall occupy his/her portion of the seat only..
A student will leave the bus at his/her stop only unless permission to exit at another stop is granted by school authorities.
Students shall enter or leave the bus at the front door only except in cases of emergency. Emergency exits are used only at the discretion of the driver or in the event of a real emergency and the driver is injured and cannot issue that direction.
Students must be on time all of the time. Bus drivers work on a schedule which allows very little flexibility. Students should take care not to stand on the traveled portion of the highway while waiting for the school bus. Your safety is everyone’s concern – but the primary responsibility is yours.

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VISITORS/UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

No one except members of the school community may legally be in a school building or on school grounds during school hours except by permission of an Administrator. Such unauthorized presence is termed trespassing, and is subject to the penalties of the law. Violators will be prosecuted in accordance with Sec. 53a-185 of the Penal Code of the Connecticut General Statutes. Any person having business in the school must, immediately upon entering, make his/her presence known at the Security Desk, sign in, and request a Visitor’s Pass. police arrest.

Depending on the nature of the request, the pass may or may not be granted. Persons violating the above will be sent a registered letter stating that presence on grounds is subject to police arrest.

Student Visitors

Student visitors to Wolcott High are generally discouraged. Any prospective student requesting a tour of the school must make an appointment with our School Counseling Department by calling 203-879-8157. The Administration reserves the right to deny any request deemed inappropriate. (Wlct Bd of Ed Policy 1251)

WEB SITES

School web pages must contain material that reflects on educational purposes. School web pages are not to be used for personal, commercial or political purposes; and are considered a publication of the Board of Education. The Principal or his/her designee will approve all material posted on the school’s web page. Student maintaining personal web pages may be subject to disciplinary action for the content of such sites under certain conditions.

WITHDRAWAL FROM A COURSE

Individual student class schedules are the result of careful planning and construction based on student course requests and the individual’s needs, goals, and availability. Students will receive schedules the first week of June for the following school year. Any schedule change requests can be accommodated up until the last day of school. After the 10th day of school, a student who withdraws from a course will receive either WF (failing grade at the time of withdrawal) or WP (passing grade at the time of withdrawal). These will appear on the transcript. Counselors/Administration may consider an exception to this policy for compelling academic reasons. Wolcott High School follows the UConn ECE requirements and guidelines for withdrawals.

The Superintendent of Schools will file a written complaint with Superior Court Juvenile Matters if the parent fails to cooperate with the school in trying to solve the student’s truancy problem.

VACATIONS

School policy strongly encourages the scheduling of family vacations and trips during times which coincide with school vacations. Student absences for reasons of a family vacation or trip that takes place when school is in session are considered “unexcused absences.”

VIDEOTAPING/PHOTOGRAPHING

Occasionally, students may be videotaped or photographed for educational purposes or extra-curricular activities. If you do not wish your child to appear, please notify the Principal in writing.

Video Surveillance

While on school grounds students are subject to video surveillance at all times. The use of video surveillance equipment on school grounds shall be supervised and controlled by the building administration and superintendent. Video surveillance shall only be used to promote the order, safety and security of students, staff and property.

Video Recording/Photography

Video recordings and photographs by students may never be made without teacher’s permission. Unauthorized video recordings and photographing of other students will result in disciplinary consequences. Any unauthorized recordings or pictures taken of staff will result in in-school suspension and possible referral to the Superintendent for expulsion.

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WOLCOTT PUBLIC SCHOOLS POLICY STATEMENT

DANGEROUS WEAPONS & INSTRUMENTS

According to the Wolcott Board of Education Policy 5131.7, “Students shall not possess firearms, facsimiles of firearms, weapons or dangerous instruments of any kind on school grounds or buildings, not on school buses, nor any school-related or school-sponsored activity away from school facilities. Firearms, weapons, and dangerous instruments shall include those defined by law. Students who violate this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action as well as possible court action.”

A weapon or dangerous instrument is defined as follows: Anything that has the potential to cause bodily harm, a health hazard, or cause physical damage. Therefore, items include but are not limited to ANY TYPE OF GUN, KNIFE, CLUB, METAL KNUCKLES, RAZORS, ETC.

Therefore, any elementary, middle or high school student that has been determined to be in possession of any of the previously mentioned items at the bus stop, on the school bus, on school property, in a school building, or at a school-sponsored activity will be assigned the following MANDATORY CONSEQUENCES:

10 Days Out-of-School Suspension

Referral to the Wolcott Police Department
Notification to the Superintendent of Schools
Expulsion by the Wolcott Board of Education

I understand and consent to the responsibilities in the Wolcott Public School District’s policy specifically related to DANGEROUS WEAPONS & INSTRUMENTS. I also understand and agree that my child shall be held accountable for his behaviors and accept the clearly established consequences.

WORKING PAPERS

Working papers may be obtained in the School Counseling Office of Wolcott High School from 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The materials necessary for issuing of these papers are: Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate or Driver’s License, plus the State of Connecticut “Promise of Employment Form” signed by the employer. If the employer does not have this form, it may be obtained from the School Counseling Office. Working papers cannot be obtained by any other person other than the student who requests them.

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If I see anything on the computer that seems out-of-the-ordinary or makes me feel uncomfortable, I will inform my teacher immediately.
I will not subscribe to any mailing list, will not enter any chat rooms or IM.
I will not violate copyright when downloading material from the internet to my

folder.

I will not download internet files to my folder that exceed 5 megabytes (total).
I will not copy, download, or share any music/media over the internet.
I will not print out documents that exceed 20 pages per session.
I understand that failure to abide by these terms and conditions will result in disciplinary action that may include the loss of the privilege I have to use the district’s technologies and networks.
I understand that the Board will charge me for any lost or damaged equipment and will withhold my grades, transcripts, and report cards until such charges are paid, pursuant to the provisions of the Connecticut General Statues §10-221I.
I will not connect to the school’s wireless network with any unapproved network devices.

Student User Agreement

By signing this agreement, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to abide by the Wolcott Board of Education’s acceptance use policy and the following terms and conditions:

I will not write down or supply my network password to anyone.
I will not leave my computer without logging off.
I will not work on a computer on which another person is logged in.
I will not log onto a computer in an unsupervised area or any staff computer.
I will not attempt to install, download, or upload software from/to the computer and/or network.
I will make no attempt to disrupt the functioning of any computer and/or the network.
I understand that I have only limited privacy on the network.
I will never give my name, address, phone number, or personal information to anyone on the internet.
I will not access internet sites that are pornographic, sexually explicit, and/or promoting illegal activities or any site that is not educational or not related to my academic studies i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, KIK, YouTube.com, games, IM (instant message), etc.
I will not use the internet to make purchases or to conduct personal business.
I will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language; not engage in personal and/or discriminatory attacks, and not harass others on the network and the internet.

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