School Policy Guide

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 Advisory by helping students build social-emotional skills in small learning communities.

Please call 204-4020 to speak with someone or leave a message regarding a student absence. Absences can also be reported online at madison.k12.wi.us/families/attendance.

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, and universal policies to support student behavior and learning. Our Student Support Team are additional adults who support teaching and students in need of social and emotional support.

Cell Phones and Electronic Devices Policy

1. Cell phones must be turned off and cannot be visible on campus during the school day (i.e Phy Ed, recess, cafeteria, hallways)
2. Cell phones and other personal devices are not permitted to be charged in the school.
3. Headphones and other Bluetooth-enabled devices (earphones/earbuds) are not allowed at school.
4. Cell phones are not to be used in restrooms.
5. Using a cell phone to record or videotape is prohibited.
6. A staff member will request that the student turn in their cell phone/electronic device if it rings, vibrates, is visible anytime during class time, or is caught using it on campus during the school day. Devices are returned at the end of the school day.

Consequences

Violation of these guidelines will result in the following:

If a student gives a phone to a teacher when asked, the student may have the phone back at the END of the day. Staff will bring the phone to the main office to store in a secure location and it will be labeled. If staff is unable to easily acquire the cell phone from the student when asked, the teacher will document the behavior in Educlimber and request behavior support. If this situation occurs three times in a semester, a plan will be put in place and families will be notified.

Additional Guidelines

• If a student must be contacted during the school day, contact the school office for assistance at (608) 204 -1920
• Students requiring the use of a phone during the school day must use a school phone available for student use with appropriate permission.
• Sennett staff are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged cell phones or electronic devices.
  • Phones that are turned in will be placed in a labeled zip-lock bag with the student’s name and kept in a secured location in the office.
• The student will be subject to disciplinary action if any violation of these guidelines causes or involves a distraction or interruption of transportation, the instructional environment, or leads to the violation of other district rules or policies.

The Research

Science supports an “Away For The Day: Policy” when students are not free to access their phones during school hours; they are more socially and academically engaged. Know the facts about how cell phones impact students; according to Away for The Day:

1. Brain Drain:
   1. Studies show that just having your phone out on your desk causes a decline in focus in the classroom.
2. Better Grades:
   1. Test scores can significantly improve when phones are left out of the classroom.
3. More Attentive:
   1. Avoiding social media at school helps pay attention to the people students are with.
4. Not Easy But Worth It:
   1. Concentration, grades, and respect go up when phones go away.

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 ski masks/balaclava during the school day.
• 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. Undergarments may not show over the waistband.
• Students may not wear clothing with vulgar or obscene statements or statements or pictures promoting illegal drugs, alcohol, sex, violence or gang activities.
• Students may not wear clothing with words, pictures or caricatures based on 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 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. See MMSD Dress Code Policy for more information.

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 in our school. The school-based leadership team meets regularly, which includes parent representatives. We value diversity and input from every family and community partner.

Please speak with 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.

Food and nutrition are critical tools for effective learning. As such, all students will be given access to breakfast/snack in the morning and lunch. Breakfast and lunch will be served daily. There are 3 different lunch periods for students based on grade level. 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.

We look forward to meeting with all of our parents/guardians during November conferences and on an as-needed basis for February conferences.

Families play a key role in school safety. At sennett.madison.k12.wi.us/families/safety-and-security, 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 madison.k12.wi.us/safety.

Emergency Situations: Information about our Standard Response Protocol, drills and Inclement weather are posted in the Family newsletter well in advance of the drill dates. We also practice monthly Fire drills, including at least one drill in collaboration with the City of Madison Fire Department as their schedule and that of the school permits.

The School Improvement Plan is the core of our academic and social-emotional instruction and practice. Our School Based Leadership Team (SBLT) is responsible for the development of the SIP. The team meets weekly to monitor our SIP progress, plan events, and to go over data that informs a plan for professional development that best supports the needs of our students.

Sennett is excited to be a school where technology is integrated into the curriculum. Proper computer use and being good digital citizens is highly valued. Policies and procedures for appropriate computer use are developed and communicated for students, staff, and parent/guardian(s). Computer use policies and procedures are available on the Family Guidelines document that is available online. Violations of the device agreements may result in computer and login privileges being paused, restricted by school staff or restricted and revoked by administration.

Students are expected to be in their classrooms when the bell rings. Students have a 4 minute passing period between classes. If students do not arrive to class on time, they may go to an alternate space to receive a tardy pass. Tardies will be documented in Infinite Campus.

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 First Student. Bus routes for Sennett students can be found on the Student Portal in Infinite Campus, in person in the Sennett Middle School Main Office. Sennett does not provide Metro Bus Passes.