WHEREAS, the West Warwick School Committee recognizes its responsibility to honor those students who perform both academically and athletically well beyond that which is normally expected and/or required; and
WHEREAS, the Committee believes that the School System should provide a reasonable share of the funds needed to provide awards and incentives as part of the total educational program;
The School Committee, therefore, adopts the following policy to financially support this required and necessary aspect of the educational process:
1. Funds shall be budgeted on an annual basis for academic incentives and athletic awards with parity.
2. Such funds that are budgeted for this purpose shall be reduced as a result of budget cuts only to the same percent as the corresponding reductions made in the instructional and athletic section of the budget.
3. A ten (10) member Academic Incentive Committee shall recommend to the School Committee on an annual basis the incentive criteria as well as the type of academic incentives to be given. This special committee (Academic Awards Committee) shall consist of two (2) secondary administrators (one High School and one Middle School);one (1) elementary administrator; one (1) secondary teacher; one (1) elementary teacher appointed by the Superintendent; four (4) representatives named by the Challenge organization, and one (1) School Committee Member. The School Committee shall review the recommendations and give final approval of all incentive criteria and types of incentives prior to the utilization of appropriated funds.
4. An eight (8) member Athletic Awards Committee shall recommend to the School Committee on an annual basis the awards' criteria as well as the type of athletic awards to be given. This special committee (Athletic Awards Committee) shall consist of two (2) secondary administrators (one Middle School and one High School); the Athletic Director; two (2) athletic coaches appointed by the Superintendent, and three members appointed be the Wizards organization. The School Committee shall review the recommendations
Policy Adopted:
June 11, 1984
Academic Awards Policy
It is the philosophy and intent of the West Warwick School Department to promote and recognize academic excellence for all levels of student achievement. As a result, guidelines have been established to recognize individual and/or team academic achievements.
The following policy is conditioned upon availability of necessary funds for implementation. In the event that funds are not available or if funds are limited, then the School Committee may vote not to implement this policy for any given academic year or it may vote not to implement any portion of this policy for a given academic year.
Individuals and/or teams of individuals at the Elementary, Middle or High School levels shall be awarded "Academic Achievement Jackets" for academic achievements on the state or national levels provided that:
1. The academic competition receives approval and sanction by the school administration and Superintendent of Schools prior to the individual and/or team entering the competition.
2. The competition is sponsored by a recognized state or national non-profit organization and is not part of a fundraising nor promotional campaign.
3. The competition receives the sanction, where appropriate, from the state and/or national affiliate of the RI Association of School Committees and the Rhode Island Association of School Administrators, the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers, and/or other recognized state or national professional educational association.
4. The competition is open to all schools and/or individual students within the state and the number of school and/or individual entries into the competition is substantial or significant enough from different schools/districts to merit being declared a "State" or "National" champion or winner.
5. Retroactive application for the provisions of these guidelines shall not be considered.
Academic Achievement Jackets
These jackets shall be awarded on the following basis:
1. Notwithstanding the fact that a student may participate in more than one academic contest, each such student shall be limited to one jacket per Middle School eligibility and one jacket per High School eligibility. In no event shall a student receive a jacket for each contest that he or she may participate in.
2. An emblem designating the academic achievement shall be awarded individuals who have previously received a jacket.
3. Middle School teams and/or individual state champions shall receive a nylon fleeced lined jacket or a wool jacket without vinyl shoulder inserts and pocket trim.
4. High teams and/or individual state champions shall receive either the traditional heavy wool high school athletic jacket or the high school corduroy jacket.
5. The type of jacket, wool vs. corduroy, shall be chosen by the championship teams or the individual state champion.
Policy adopted:
August: 6,1991
Honor Rolls
A student shall become eligible for the Honor Roll (First Honors or Second Honors) in the different grades of the secondary schools through a process that is based on objective criteria and not on the personal recommendation or selection of any other person(s). Students who earn this honor shall have done so because of their own efforts.
All students must meet the following requirements for the Honor Roll:
1. First Honors - achieve a 90% or above for an average in all subjects receiving a
numerical grade.
2. Second Honors - achieve an 85-89% for an average in all subjects receiving a
numerical grade.
3. Must not have any failures in any subject area.
4. Must receive no unsatisfactory grade in any subject area or conduct.
References:
RI Gen. Laws § 16-2-16 Rules and regulations - Curriculum
Policy adopted:
4/23/81
Honor Societies - Rhode Island and National
The West Warwick School Committee endorses and accepts the constitution of the Rhode Island Honor Society as the basis for entrance into the Rhode Island Honor Society for high scholarship, strong spirit of service, helpful leadership and worthy character.
In particular, to be eligible for membership, students at West Warwick High School must:
1. Not have failed any course or conduct,
2. Maintained an 85 or above average in all subjects for two and one-half years,
3. Submit for review and acceptance, to a faculty review committee, how they had met the criteria of service, leadership and worthy character.
To meet the minimum standards for the National Honor Society, Ultima Chapter, a student must meet the criteria listed above while maintaining a 90 or above average in all subjects for two and one-half years.
The final decision for membership shall rest with the Principal of West Warwick High School who shall certify the list of eligible candidates.
Policy adopted:
4/23/81