Student Conduct

Tardy to Classes after Period 1: Students must have a digital pass if they are tardy to class. If a student does not have a pass, the student is considered tardy unexcused. When a student arrives late and is tardy unexcused, it is the teacher’s responsibility to work with the student and follow the action steps found below. Students who are more than 15 minutes late to class are charged with an unexcused absence. Students are expected to be in class on time every day. We have instituted a monthly incentive system for those students who do not have unexcused period tardies. Students who make a habit of arriving tardy to multiple classes in the same day will be subject to consequences. 

Dress Code

Dress and Appearance: Whitewater High School expects that all students will dress in a way that is appropriate for the school day or for any school sponsored event. Student dress choices should respect the District’s intent to sustain a community that is inclusive.. The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s), although the school district is responsible for seeing that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student or the overall educational goals of the building.

• Basic principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times.  Undergarments should not be exposed.  Tops, skirts, and shorts should be an appropriate length and pants should be worn at or above the hip level.

• Students must wear:

• A Shirt (with fabric in the front, back, and on the sides under the arms), AND

• Pants/jeans or the equivalent (for example, a skirt, sweatpants, leggings, a dress or shorts), AND

• Footwear

• Students Cannot Wear:

• Violent language or images that disrupt the educational environment.

• Jewelry that is potentially harmful (dog collars, spiked bands, chains, etc)

• Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol, gangs (or any illegal item or activity)

• Hate speech, profanity, pornography

• Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups

• Any item that obscures the face or ears. (Hoods are not to be worn in the classroom).

Students failing to comply with the above dress code will be asked to discuss attire with a building administrator. If inappropriate attire continues to be worn to school, school administration may contact parents/guardians to bring a change of clothing or take the student home to change. If a parent cannot be reached you may be given alternate clothes to change into before being allowed to return to class. Repeated refusal to comply with this policy will result in disciplinary consequences including, but not limited to, detention and suspension from school.

Safety

Weapons: No person shall possess, use or store a weapon on school property, on school buses or at any school-sponsored function or event. This prohibition does not apply to law enforcement officers, military personnel who are armed in the line of duty, or other professional personnel who use these types of items in their line of work. A weapon is any object that by its design and/or use can cause bodily injury or property damage. This includes but is not limited to firearms, BB and pellet firing guns, knives, razors, karate sticks, nunchaku, metal knuckles, chains and similar items. A weapon is also defined as any facsimile firearm such as a toy, starter pistol or any other object that can be perceived as an actual weapon. Any student or staff member that wishes to bring in a weapon to be used in a classroom project, demonstration or dramatic presentation must have the prior approval of the building principal.

All students who violate this policy shall be referred to law enforcement officials and shall be subject to school disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion, in accordance with state and federal laws. Possession of a firearm on school premises, loaded or unloaded, will result in immediate suspension and recommendation for expulsion. The student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) shall also be notified. Weapons will be confiscated by the District.

No student shall have in his possession, sell or otherwise distribute, and no student shall fire or explode any firearm, firecracker, bomb, or other explosive or incendiary device. This also applies to any object that might endanger the welfare of him or others. A student in violation of the above will be immediately suspended from school. Appropriate civil authorities will be involved.

Drugs & Alcohol

Student Alcohol and Drug Use: The District recognizes that student involvement with alcohol and other drugs  hampers their educational success. Students are prohibited from engaging in the manufacture, distribution (including sale), possession or use of an illegal  substance, controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, cigarettes, vaping  devices/paraphernalia and other mood or mind-altering substances (e.g.,  inhalants) or alcohol on District property or at any District-approved activity or function off school property. Prescription medication being taken by students for whom the medication has been prescribed is exempt from this provision.  Parents/guardians and students will be informed of the established standards  of conduct and possible sanctions related to drug and alcohol use. A student may be required to submit to a breath test to determine the  presence of alcohol if a designated school official or law enforcement officer has reasonable suspicion that the student is under the influence of alcohol in  violation of this policy and implementing rule. Such tests shall be administered  by a law enforcement officer and shall meet state law requirements. A student  may be disciplined for refusing to submit to such a test.  

Students Involved in Using, Distributing, Selling and/or Possession of Alcohol and/or Controlled Substances or Possessing Drug Paraphernalia or Under the Influence of Controlled Substances and/or Alcohol:

If a student, while on the school premises, on school sponsored transportation or while involved in any school sponsored activity, is suspected or found to be using, distributing, selling, possessing and/or possessing with the intention of selling alcohol and/or drugs or other controlled substances, the procedures to be followed are in accordance with Board Policy 443.4.

1. Upon being notified of a possible violation, the administration will immediately investigate to determine actual violations of District policy or this rule.

2. If the student has not reached the age of majority, the student's parent(s)/guardian will be notified as soon as possible.

3. The student's parent(s)/guardian will be notified of all disciplinary measures taken as a result of violations of District policy or this rule if the student has not reached the age of majority.

4. A pre-expulsion conference may be held with the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s).

Tobacco/E-Cigarette Use and Smoking: Tobacco/e-cigarette use is prohibited at all times on school grounds. Any student use or possession of tobacco or nicotine products of any kind, including electronic cigarettes, vaping pens, or similar devices; or lighters, pipes, or other related parapher­nalia, on school property or at any District-approved function on off school property is prohibited, and will be subject to disciplinary measures in accordance with Board Policy 443.3.  Tobacco products and e-cigarettes in a student’s possession will be confiscated. All local ordinances will be followed, including a referral to law enforcement.

The District recognizes its responsibility to educate students regarding the  immediate, intermediate and long-term effects of alcohol and other drug use.  Alcohol and other drug education will be incorporated in the school curriculum, where appropriate, with input from health teachers, guidance  counselors, social workers, the Human Growth and Development Advisory Committee, outside professionals, and other knowledgeable persons. The  District also endorses student assistance programming for such individuals, when needed and resources are available.

Searches: WHS recognizes that a safe, drug-free environment for students and staff provides the best learning environment. Whenever school authorities suspect a person may be in possession of something that may be a danger to themselves or others, a search of the person or the person’s property will be conducted.  This includes lockers and vehicles on school property.  Please note: Searches under this policy may include the use of handheld metal detecting devices commonly known as “wands.”At times, the school administration may also initiate searches by law enforcement dogs trained to detect the presence of illegal substances.  These searches may occur at any time and without prior notice.

Bullying/Harassment

The District will not tolerate any form of bullying and/or harassment and will  take necessary steps and appropriate action to eliminate it, up to and including discipline of offenders. Bullying is defined as repeated harassment or the opportunity for repeated harassment with an imbalance of power used to harm,

intimidate or coerce others.  If students or staff believe that another  person is bullying/harassing them, they should report it to an administrator  who will investigate the complaint. The administrator will use the guidelines of school board policy (112 and 112-Rule) to address the situation.

“Student harassment” means behavior toward students based, in whole or in part, on sex, race, religion, national origin, color, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability or handicap which substantially interferes with a student’s school performance or creates an intimidating,hostile or offensive school environment.