School Policy Guide

Please call 204-4020 to speak with someone or leave a message regarding a student absence. Absences can also be reported online at mmsd.org/attendance.

Preventing bullying is a top priority. We encourage students and families to report any instances of bullying/harassment immediately so that the process for addressing it can be followed in a timely manner. Students and families can access bullying report forms on the Sennett and MMSD websites, the front office, or in any classroom. We also continue to build anti-bullying capacity with our students in Homeroom by helping students build social-emotional skills in small learning communities.

The Behavior Education Plan, or BEP, provides a district-wide framework for discipline and consequences. At Sennett, we are committed to teaching and reinforcing appropriate and positive behaviors. Additionally we implement Restorative Justice, Take a Break & Take a Break and Come Back, and a universal Tardy and Cell Phone Policy to support student behavior and learning. Our Behavior Response Team and Student Support Team are additional adults who support teaching and responding to behaviors.

Our electronic device policy states that students must have their phones, games, etc. powered OFF during the school day, from 7:35 - 2:42. If students need to communicate with home, we ask that they go to the main office rather than text or call on their cell phone. If phones or other similar devices are out AND disrupt the learning environment, the phone and/or device will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day for the first offense. Additional offenses will require the parent/guardian to come into the main office and pick up the device.

Generally, students may dress in any style they desire as long as their chosen attire does not cause a disruption or distraction in the school environment, reveal intimate body parts, or pose a safety risk to the student or others. The following examples are intended to represent these limitations:

• Students may not wear multi-fingered rings, large metal chains or other jewelry that may be used as a weapon.
• Students must wear their pants at a level that does not expose undergarments. Boxers, thong underwear, and athletic shorts may not show over the waistband.
• Students may not wear clothing with vulgar or obscene statements or pictures promoting illegal drugs, alcohol, sex, violence or gang activities.
• Students may not wear clothing with words, pictures or caricatures based on negative stereotypes of a specific gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Students may not wear shirts, hats or other attire with Native American team names, logos or mascots that depict negative stereotypes. A list of team names, logos and mascots prohibited under this provision is available at all schools and on the district website.
• Students may not wear skirts or shorts that expose undergarments or the buttocks.
• See-through clothing items are not permitted. Tops should be sufficient so as not to expose a student’s bra.
• Students must wear shoes or footwear.

Students who are dressed in a manner that does not fit within these guidelines may be asked by school staff to change their clothing or address the dress code violation. Students are expected to follow staff direction regarding dress code violations.

We are committed to partnering with our families to improve the quality of education and experiences for students at Sennett. In our School Improvement Plan (SIP), we aim to design ways to involve families in school events and create opportunities for engagement with our Family and Community Engagement Team. This team meets once per month. We value diversity and input from every family and community partner.

Please speak with a secretary in the main office regarding specific questions about fee waivers.

Field trip permission slips are critical in order for students to attend. Please speak with your student’s teacher about questions related to the trip or cost.

Breakfast is served from 7:10 – 7:30 daily. There are 3 different lunch periods for students. Parents/guardians may place money on a student’s account online, or they can stop in the main office. The weekly menu is available on the Sennett homepage.

If you are so moved, rather than monetary gifts, we ask that you send heartfelt words of encouragement and appreciation to staff. If you’d like to do a monetary donation, please consider giving to one of our endowment funds through the Foundation of Madison Public Schools located on this site.

We require all students to go to the health office for an assessment prior to calling home and asking to leave school.

To report your student’s absence or late arrival, please call the Attendance/Safe Arrival line at (608) 204-6821. Even if you’ve talked to the classroom teacher, you must still call the Attendance Line to notify the office. You must contact the school every day that your child will not be in school. You can also report absences online at mmsd.org/attendance.

Planned Absence from School: If you are planning an absence of three or more school days, you will need to submit a Planned Absence request to the Principal. Forms are available online at https://okeeffe.madison.k12.wi.us Go to the section For Families and select Attendance.

Please attempt to schedule appointments at times other than during school hours.Help us avoid unnecessary office and classroom interruptions by sending a note to school when your child has to leave school early for an appointment. They should bring the note to the office first thing in the morning, allowing office staff to issue a pass slip. This will allow your child to leave class and the building at the designated time and means you do not need to come to the office to sign them out! However, your child should still stop by the office before leaving school so they can be checked out by office staff.If your child has a pass to leave for an appointment and you are picking them up, please arrange beforehand where and when you will meet them. Students returning to school after an appointment need to check back in with the office. A parent does not need to accompany their child to the office when they return.If you did not send a note to school with your child on the day they need to leave for an appointment, you will be required to come to the office to sign your child out. Students who become ill during the day MUST be sent to the health office with a pass from a staff member. Students should not be communicating directly with a parent or guardian in case of illness without going through the health office. If the health office deems it necessary for the student to go home, they will contact the parent/guardian to come and collect their child from school. Parent/Guardians should go to the main office upon arrival to sign-out their child. Office staff will call the health office to have your child come to the office.

Families play a key role in school safety. You can read about school-specific resources for helping keep students safe. You’ll find more information on district safety and security, including how we communicate with you in an emergency, at mmsd.org/safety.

Emergency situation procedures:

Emergency Situations: Information about our Code Red Drills and Tornado Drills are posted in the Family newsletter well in advance of the drill dates. We also practice monthly Fire Drills in collaboration with the City of Madison Fire Department.

Sennett is excited to be a school where technology is integrated into the curriculum. Policies and procedures have been developed and are communicated to parents through the Family Guidelines document available online or at registration. Proper computer use and being good digital citizens is highly valued. Violations of the device agreements may result in computer and login privileges being revoked.

Please report any student safety concerns to the main office (204-1920). Students must be sure to lock their bikes on one of the bike racks.Transportation is provided by Madison Metro Transit. Bus routes for Sennett students can be found on the Madison Metro Transit website or in the Sennett Middle School Main Office. 10 Ride Youth Bus Passes are available for purchase all year round in the Sennett Middle School Main Office for $11.25. Full Semester EZ Rider Passes are available through Madison Metro Transit for $165.00.