School Closings: In case of severe weather or other emergencies, please check the school website (www.wwusd.org) and radio and television stations. Families will also be informed through an automated email message. Please do not call the school or bus company.
Fire Drills: Fire drills are held at unexpected times during the year to prepare students to move out of the building quickly. Students are expected to stay with their classroom teachers and leave the building through the exit as indicated in each classroom. Students not in a classroom at the time of the signal are to leave through the nearest exit and report to the closest staff member. Please be quiet and move in an orderly manner to a safe distance from the building.
Severe Weather: The school plan of action in case of severe weather will be put into effect by means of the loudspeaker system. All students are to stay indoors, or move into the building if outside. The safest places in the building are those away from outside windows and large open spaces. Students will move directly to the designated areas, which are posted in each room. Students are to remain calm, sit or kneel on the floor faced away from any glass, outside wall or door. Students should be at least 10 feet from the intersection of major hallways. The “All Clear” signal will be announced over the PA.
Visitors: Between the hours of 7:45 AM and 3:15 PM. all exterior doors are to be locked. Students may not open an exterior door to allow a student or visitor entry into the building. Visitors to the school should have a scheduled appointment. All students and visitors who arrive after 7:45 AM must report to the main office at the front entrance where they will be directed to sign-in. Visitors will be checked in through the Raptor security system and receive a visitor badge. The visitor badge must remain visible throughout the entire school visit and visitors must check-out in the office when leaving the building. The overall goal is to better control access to all Whitewater High School services while providing enhanced protection for our students and staff. Individuals who are unable or refuse to provide proper identification may be denied access to the school following consultation with administration.
Please be aware that the Whitewater administration has made provisions for the following safety and security precautions that may require additional interactions with school visitors.
The staff is expected to question people whom they do not recognize and/or not wearing a visitor badge
The staff is expected to question people who are loitering in the building after school hours.
Students and all staff are expected to immediately report to a teacher or administrator any suspicious behavior or situation that makes them uncomfortable.
Student Vehicles: Only those students who have obtained parking permits are allowed to park on school property. Permit numbers correspond to numbered spots in the student lots and only the person who has received the permit should park there. Cars that are parked illegally, improperly, or in the staff or lot, or visitor parking may be ticketed by the City of Whitewater Police Department and may be subject to tow at student expense. Parking on school grounds is a privilege and not a right and thus a student’s election of this privilege is tantamount to consent for school officials to search their parked cars.
Parking permits are available for $50 (not refundable) and must be displayed on the rear-view mirror of the car. Students with outstanding school fees will not be permitted to park on campus and will not be issued a parking permit until fees have been resolved or a payment plan has been established.
Cars are to be locked and are not to be accessed during the school day without permission from the office. The school district is not responsible for damage to automobiles which occurs on district property. Students are expected to drive responsibly at all times, obeying all traffic laws, and being especially careful because of the number of students in the area. Violations of laws pertaining to operating an automobile or driving in a reckless manner will result in loss of school driving privileges.
Fundraisers: Soliciting contributions or collecting funds for any purpose on the school premises or at a school supervised activity without the prior permission of a building administrator is forbidden.
Lost and Found: Students are encouraged not to bring items of value to school. The school cannot be responsible for their safe-keeping and will not be liable for loss or damage to personal valuables. Students who find items should turn them into the office. Students who have lost items should check with the office. If items are believed to be stolen a report should be filed with the principal and school resource officer.
Lockers: Students will be issued an individual hall locker for storing books, materials, coats and related items. The District retains ownership and possessory control of all student lockers. Students are expected to assume full responsibility for the security of their assigned lockers. Lockers must be maintained in good condition. Damage to the locker will be charged to the student. Sharing lockers is not permitted. Students are held accountable for everything in their lockers. A student locker may be searched as necessary and appropriate without student notice, without consent and without a search warrant. Locker searches may be conducted by the building principal, assistant principal, athletic director, school employee designated by administration, police-school liaison officer, or other law enforcement or agency official at the request of or in connection with school authorities. The school suggests that no valuable items be brought to school. If students bring any such items to school, they do so at their own risk. The school is not responsible for any loss due to theft, damage, or other circumstances. Items left in lockers, gym lockers, or other locations at any time are the students’ responsibility. Students are encouraged to lock their lockers at all times.
Rock Valley Conference: Whitewater High School is a member of the Rock Valley Conference. Additional information can be found at www.rockvalleyconference.org
Dances: All school rules apply at high school dances no matter the location of the event. Middle School students may not attend High School dances. Students wishing to bring a non-WHS guest must fill out and submit the guest form.
Food and Beverage: May be consumed in the classroom but must be approved with teacher consent.
Student Employment: In Wisconsin, a work permit is required before anyone under the age of 16 is allowed to work in any job with the exception of agriculture or domestic service work. The minimum age for employment is 14, except for agriculture and domestic service. Parents and guardians may obtain a work permit by following the instructions found at the Department of WorkForce Development website.