FAQs

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Wildcat's commitment to character focuses on maintaining an atmosphere which is conducive to learning. The following values are developed in all students and supported by all school personnel: Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Compassion, and Citizenship. Classroom, cafeteria, and playground rules reflect these values. When a student chooses to misbehave, appropriate consequences will be provided. Our goal is to be continually teaching good behavior and responsibility for one's actions. For more detailed information regarding behavior expectations, see Douglas County School District Codes of Conduct and Discipline.

BIRTHDAYS/CLASS PARTIES

Birthday parties for individual children are not permitted during the school day. To maximize instructional time, the teacher may designate a time for the child to share a treat with the class at the end of the day. Invitations to private birthday parties are NOT to be distributed at school, unless all members of the student's class are being invited. By law and District policy, we are unable to provide parents with names, addresses, or phone numbers of our students. Parents may, however, use the published student directory. There are three parties scheduled during the year: Halloween, Winter holiday, and Valentine's Day. These celebrations last about an hour and are planned by the Room Parent(s) in collaboration with the teacher. Wildcat Mountain encourages simple, child-centered parties that focus on the uniqueness of the day. Party treats should be balanced and nutritious with limited "sweets."

FIDGETS

Students who have fidgets documented as one of their accommodations in a legal plan may bring 1 fidget that serves as a learning tool to school. Fidgets must be small enough to fit in one hand, not visible nor auditory to anyone in the room, and not shared with peers.

CLASSROOM/SCHOOL VISITS

At Wildcat Mountain, we believe strongly in "Parents as Partners" in the education of each child. You are welcome to visit our classrooms at any time during the school year. We would request that you allow the teacher the courtesy of advance notice. All visitors must sign in at the office and wear identification badges at all times.

FRIDAY FOLDERS

Fridays are school/home communication day. You can expect your child to bring home a folder containing school work, and classroom news. Parents are encouraged to use this folder to communicate their comments or concerns to the teacher. The folder should be returned to school each Monday. Electronic communications are sent on Monday which includes school news and flyers for upcoming school events or community activities. 

ABSENCES/ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is essential to student learning. Parents are to leave a message on the 24-hour attendance line, 303-387-6927, to report the absence of their child. Parents should leave the following information: Parent's name, child's name, teacher, date(s) of absence and reason for absence. Parents are encouraged to schedule vacation and appointments during school breaks.

AFTER SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS After school arrangements must be finalized before school starts each morning and communicated to the teacher by note, e-mail, or voicemail by a parent.

ILLNESS DURING SCHOOL

Students who are not feeling well during the school day are sent to the health room (in the office). After resting for 10-15 minutes, and checking their temperature, the student will either return to class or call a parent to be picked up. The office staff administers routine first aid and daily medication only. WME shares a nurse with several other schools. Whenever a child is running a fever of 100 degrees or more, parents/guardians are contacted and expected to pick up the child as soon as possible. Please update your child's emergency information when there is a change in phone number, emergency contact person, etc. If a child is injured at school and medical attention is needed, a school district accident report will be filed and a copy will be provided to the parents.

LATE ARRIVAL

If your child arrives at school after the starting time, s/he must check in with the school office before going to class. The student will be given a late pass to take to the teacher and the attendance record will be corrected. To excuse a late arrival in advance, please call the attendance line, 303.387.6927.

LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY

Anyone picking up a child before the end of the school day must check the child out from the school office. The child will then be called to the office upon the parent's arrival. If anyone other than the parent or guardian is to pick up a child from school, prior arrangements must be made through the school office. Otherwise, only those individuals listed as an emergency contact are allowed to sign out a child from school. Anyone checking a child out of school early is expected to come into the school and show identification to the office staff.

LOST AND FOUND

The lost and found area is located near the WME cafeteria. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity at the end of each semester. Parents are encouraged to label all of their children's belongings.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Personal objects of value are to be brought to school only during special occasions when a teacher has given permission. Playground equipment is provided by the school. Toys and items such as skateboards, scooters, rollerblades and radios are not permitted at school. We cannot be responsible for any loss or damage to students' personal property. 

TELEPHONE USE

Students are asked to use the office telephone only in cases of emergency. Arrangements for visits to friends after school are not considered emergencies. Student cell phones are not allowed in the classroom. If a student brings a cell phone to school, they are expected to leave the phone in their backpack during the school day.

HOMEWORK BELIEFS Before the beginning of the year, our staff reflected on research, our beliefs, and our vision to evaluate our current homework practices. Here is what we came up with:

We Believe:

• Children should have opportunities to pursue their passions outside of school

• Kids deserve to be kids and benefit from down time

• In a home and school life balance

• Our students think and work hard all day and need time to process what they've learned

• Every child is a different type of learner with different needs.

As a result of these beliefs, here's what homework could look like:

• Reading based on personal choice and interest to develop a love for reading

• Personalized and/or differentiated

• Purposeful and meaningful

• Authentic and relevant

• Passion or choice driven

• Stress free - fostering positive family involvement

Each grade level has determined the ways their homework approach will reflect these beliefs. I would like to clarify that Wildcat Mountain does NOT have a "No Homework" policy. Rather, our goal is to engage students in meaningful and personalized work, develop a love of reading through a consistent nightly routine, provide choice, and the freedom to pursue their own interests as well.