Stafford Trojan staff are back at it. School started today for faculty and staff of Stafford Schools.
Hey all you Trojan middle school volleyball fans! We are ordering shirts for this upcoming volleyball season. If you would like one, please place your order through the following Factory 233 link 🏐 Orders due 8/21!
https://factory233.com/stafford_volleyball/shop/home
There will be a MS football equipment checkout tomorrow evening at 7:30 at the school.
Come cheer on our Trojans for Pink Out Night!
https://factory233.com/stafford_schools_pink_out/shop/home
School starts next Wednesday, August 16. If you have not fully enrolled your student, please come in before the end of the day this Thursday, August 10 by 3:30pm.
This is the very beginning of the discipline process. It is lengthy so please take a look at pages 19-23 of the student and family handbook for all of the information.
DISCIPLINE PROCESS The first priority of the district is "teaching and learning of the intended curriculum for all students, including misbehaving students." Everything done in Stafford USD No. 349 must support the first priority. Discipline is one of many ways of supporting the teaching and learning process. The focus of all discipline procedures is to lessen the negative impact that misbehaviors have on a safe, orderly, and academically productive environment.
Besides maintaining a safe and orderly environment, the discipline process must protect the time assigned for teaching and learning. It is important to decrease the amount of interference that misbehaviors cause in the academic time on task for both the rest of the class and the misbehaving student. There should be no hidden agendas when it comes to discipline. The handling of all discipline situations must support the teaching and learning of the intended curriculum for all students, including misbehaving students.
COMPUTER AND/OR SCHOOL ISSUED DEVICE USE (BOE Policy IIBG)
Computer/School Issued Device Use Policy
Individuals who are provided access to computer use and to the schools’ communication network assume responsibility for their appropriate use. Stafford Schools expects individuals to be careful, honest, responsible, and civil in the use of computers and networks. Those who use the Internet to communicate with others or to connect to computers at other institutions are expected to abide by the rules for the remote systems and networks as well as those for our local area network. Be advised that, in addition to being a violation of Stafford Schools rules, certain computer misconduct is prohibited under Kansas General Laws, and is, therefore, subject to criminal penalties. Such misconduct includes knowingly gaining unauthorized access to a computer system or database, falsely obtaining electronic services or data without payment of required charges, and destroying of electronically processed, stored, or in-transit data.
Acceptable Use Guidelines (BOE Policy IIBF)
Purpose: The district provides computer network and internet access for its students and employees. This service allows employees and students to share information, learn new concepts, research diverse subjects, and create and maintain school-based websites. The district has adopted the following Acceptable Use Guidelines to govern the conduct of those who elect to access the computer network or district Internet.
Users shall adhere to the following guidelines of acceptable use:
All use of the Internet will be in support of educational activities.
Users will report misuse and breaches of network security.
Users shall not access, delete, copy, modify, nor forge other users’ emails, files, or data.
Users shall not use other users’ passwords nor disclose their password to others.
Users shall not pursue unauthorized access, disruptive activities, nor other actions commonly referred to as “hacking,” internally or externally to the district.
Users shall not disclose confidential information about themselves or others.
Users shall not utilize unlicensed software.
Users shall not access or permit access to pornography, obscene depictions, or other materials harmful to minors.
Students shall not disable or attempt to disable Internet filtering software.
Prohibited Although the district reserves the right to determine what use of the district network is appropriate, the following actions are specifically prohibited:
Transferring copyrighted materials to or from any district network without the express consent of the owner of the copyright.
Use of the network for creation, dissemination, or viewing of defamatory, factually inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, or other material prohibited by law or district policy.
Dissemination of personnel or student information via the network when such information is protected by law, including the Family and Educational Rights Act or Student Data Privacy Act.
Utilization of the network to disseminate non-work-related material.
Utilization of the network as a means for advertising or solicitation.
The full policy can be found on pages 15-17 in the student and family handbook. https://www.stafford349.com/documents/resources/191392
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STUDENTS Development of good discipline is one of the most important goals of education. Discipline is the development of self-control, character, and proper consideration for other people. The purpose of discipline is to form positive attitudes to assist the student in becoming a better person and provide a positive learning environment for students.
Stafford Schools teachers and administrators have the following expectations of the students:
Appropriate school behavior that assures the right and safety of students to learn and the right of teachers to teach. Appropriate behavior demonstrates respect for the personal and property rights of other students, faculty, and staff.
Arrival at school and to class on time.
Daily school and class attendance.
Appropriate care and safe use of the buildings, equipment, and facilities of the school.
Cooperation with the school staff as they attempt to meet the varied educational needs of all students.
Adherence to acceptable standards of courtesy, decency, morality, and compliance with provisions of civil law.
In order for a group of people to exist and work together in harmony, certain standards of behavior should be observed. To obtain a level of excellence, students will PRACTICE the following:
COOPERATION: Working together to acquire a common goal of education.
COURTESY: Each person will demonstrate respect for the rights, property, and opinions of others.
HONESTY: Quality of good living that enables one to have a clear conscience.
RESPONSIBILITY: Each person chooses his/her behavior and accepts the consequences for his/her decisions and actions. Students will be responsible for bringing the proper materials to class on a daily basis (paper, pencil, text).
SAFETY: The ability to demonstrate safe work habits that guarantee the safety of self, students, staff, and others.
SCHOOL SPIRIT: The feeling of love and devotion that one has for his/her school and the striving as a group for the betterment of the school.
SPORTSMANSHIP: Treating each other as we would like to be treated and accepting victory and defeat with the proper attitude.
We should work to leave our school a better place because of our presence.
Failure to meet the above expectations will result in appropriate disciplinary action being taken as outlined under the discipline policy.
Please read the detailed information for student code of conduct on pages 12-14 in the student and family handbook. https://www.stafford349.com/documents/resources/191392
BULLYING - (BOE Policy JDDC; Also See EBC, GAAB, GAAE, JCE, JDD, JGEC, and JGECA)
The board of education prohibits bullying in any form, including electronic means, on or while using school property, in a school vehicle or at a school-sponsored activity or event. The administration shall propose, and the board shall
Review and approve a plan to address bullying on school property, in a school vehicle or at a school-sponsored activity or event.
The plan shall include provisions for the training and education of staff members and students and shall include appropriate community involvement as approved by the board. Students who have bullied others in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and expulsion. If appropriate, students who violate the bullying prohibition shall be reported to law enforcement.
Part of having good discipline on our campus is not allowing bullying to take place. Bullying is defined as: Any intentional gesture or any intentional written, verbal, electronic, or physical act or threat that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student or staff member that a reasonable person, under the circumstances, knows or should know will have the effect of:
Harming a student or staff member, whether physically or mentally;
Damaging a student’s or staff member’s property:
Placing a student of staff member in reasonable fear of harm; or
Placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of damage to the student’s or staff member’s property.
Bullying also includes “Cyberbullying” means bullying by use of any electronic communication device through means including, but not limited to, email, on-line video, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, online games, and websites.
Additionally, bullying means any form of intimidation or harassment prohibited by the board of education of the school district on policies concerning bullying adopted pursuant to K.S.A. 72-8256 or subsection (e) of K.S.A. 72-8205, and amendments thereto. USD 349 will not tolerate these actions by students or staff.
Any act of bullying by either an individual student or group of students is prohibited on or while utilizing school property, in a school vehicle or at school-sponsored functions. This policy applies to students who directly engage in an act of bullying, to students who, by their behavior, support another student’s act of bullying, and to all staff members who engage in similar behaviors.
No teacher, administrator, or school district employee shall engage in, permit or tolerate bullying.
Retaliation against a victim, good faith reporter, or a witness to bullying is prohibited.
A person who engages in an act of bullying, reprisal, retaliation or false reporting of bullying, shall be subject to discipline in accordance with school district policy and procedures. The school district may take into the account the following factors: the ages of the parties involved; the developmental and maturity levels, special education needs of
the parties involved, and the severity of the behavior.
Please see pages 10-11 of the student and family handbook for more information. https://www.stafford349.com/documents/resources/191392
Please see the attached letter to household.
DRILLS (BOE Policy EBBE) Students shall be informed of emergency drill procedures at the beginning of each school year.
Crisis/Evacuation Drills There may be yearly crisis/evacuation drills done by the school district in cooperation with local authorities. Parents will be notified after the drill.
As prescribed by the State, USD 349 has an official Crisis Plan document that is regularly revisited and updated according to best procedures adopted by our surrounding service center. Parents and patrons can request this document from the school administration for review. These crisis procedures and policies have been approved by the BOE.
Fire and Tornado Drills There will be regular monthly fire drills as prescribed by the State. Each teacher is responsible for providing instruction on fire drill procedures for his/her classroom. In addition, three (3) tornado drills will be held. The signal for a tornado drill shall be intermittent ringing of the bell from the intercom.
Lockdowns Lockdowns will be announced school wide via email or intercom to ensure the safety of students and staff. Administration will determine whether parents will be notified of these realities or drills in order to protect the rights of individuals involved. As always, students’ safety and privacy is of utmost importance in these cases.
See pages 24-27 in the student handbook for more detailed information. https://www.stafford349.com/documents/resources/191392
CHECK IN/CHECK OUT Students must check in when arriving at school after 8:00 AM. Students must check out in the office before leaving school premises during the school day. ALL visitors must check in the office when arriving and before leaving.
There will be no MS weights tomorrow.
Enrollment:
TODAY 8/1 from 12pm-7pm and TOMORROW 8/2 from 8am-12pm.
Call the office to schedule a time if you are not able to make it on these dates.
Elementary Office 620-234-5255
MS/HS Office 620-234-5248
Building Hours:
Only in special circumstances such as inclement weather, appointments with teachers, or a need to report to the office, should students be in the building before 7:40 AM. In such cases, students should remain in the vicinity of the entries and not be throughout the building. At the end of the school day all students are expected to exit the building unless they have a legitimate need to remain. Under no circumstances should students remain in the building without supervision.
The student and family handbook can be accessed at: https://www.stafford349.com/documents/resources/191392
Attendance and truancy
Tardies
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TARDIES (K-5) It is the responsibility of the student and parents to be on time for school. Students who fail to do so shall be required to stop in the office before going to class for a tardy pass. The elementary considers students to be tardy if they are past 8:05 a.m. Breakfast is served until 8:00 a.m. Morning Meetings start at 8:05 a.m. and contain our school kickoff and social emotional curriculum.
First and Second Tardies—No penalty. Warning.
Third and Additional Tardies- Students serve 15 minutes for each tardy.
The elementary office will contact parent/guardian(s) when tardies are beyond three and discuss times for students to serve detentions. Notification is sent to parents regarding dates and times for the detention.
In matters of truancy, five tardies constitute an unexcused absence.
If a student is more than 20 minutes late, it is considered an unexcused absence.
Parents and school will work together to come up with a plan to help students arrive in time for breakfast and to participate in Morning Meetings.
MIDDLE / HIGH SCHOOL TARDIES “Early is on time, on time is late.” Students who arrive at school late without a valid excuse will be given a “pink slip” before entering class. Time lost will be time made up at the end of the school day (minimum 30 minutes). Students with tardies will report to the school office for make-up time. Students will bring homework.
(5) Tardies- conference after school on the day of the tardy.
(5+) Tardies- conference with the student/parent/principal.
Arriving late to class is a disruption to the teacher and all students involved. These tardies will be addressed by each teacher individually.
Attendance and truancy continued
Excessive Absences The basis of the USD 349 Attendance Policy is the School Attendance Laws of the State of Kansas.
Excessive Absence Policy (Grades K-12) After the 10th day of any absence, all further absences are considered unexcused unless the student brings in a doctor’s note, appointment card, or a conference is held with the building principal who then classifies the absence as excused. A student is marked with an “unexcused absence” from school if the child is absent from all or a significant part of the day without a valid excuse acceptable to the school administration.
Excessive Absence Policy (K-12)
On the 7th absence: The school will send a letter to the parent/guardians of attendance concerns. This total of seven counts for excused absences, unexcused absences, or a combination of both.
On the 10th absence: The school will notify parents that all subsequent absences must be verified by:
A note from a doctor who has examined the child for the specific condition (medical doctor, dentist, optometrist, etc.)
A funeral brochure
Administrative approval for other types of verification
All unverified Absences After the Tenth (10th Absence will be considered “Unexcused.”
Unexcused Absences are absences that:
have not been called in and the school doesn’t know where the child is
absences that are past the threshold (10 absences) determined by the district and not verified as defined above.
Attendance and truancy continued
Attendance: Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
Parents are responsible for:
Informing the school office personnel of a student’s absence within the first 30 minutes of each school day.
Sending a note explaining the absence on the day the student return to school if unable to contact the school on the day of the absence.
Notifying the school if medical or dental appointments are scheduled during the school time for that day.
Scheduling appointments for their son or daughter on those mornings and days when school is not in session. If this is not possible, all efforts should be made for the student to be in school until it is time to leave for the appointment and to return promptly when the appointment is over. Hair appointments are not considered an excused absence. A note from orthodontist, dentist, eye and doctor appointments may be required by administration.
Students are recorded absent if:
They are not present at school for any reason
They miss more than 20 minutes of any class period, (this will be recorded as absent for that whole class hour.)
They miss more than 4 hours (this will be recorded for a whole day).
Any exceptions to the above guidelines may be approved by the building administrator.
Attendance: Excused Absences
The following are valid excused absences within the limits established by the excessive absence policy:
Personal illness
Family illness
Death in the family/friends
Doctor/Dental Appointments
Court Proceedings
Religious observances
School activities
Other absences deemed necessary by the parents AND approved in advance by the principal.
Attendance and truancy continued
The focus of improving attendance and eliminating tardies centers on the belief of the Stafford High School Mission Statement - “to foster a cooperative and inviting environment in which students, staff, and community have high expectations for lifelong learning.”
It is the responsibility of the student to be in class on time. Students who fail to do so shall be required to obtain a tardy note from the office if the tardy occurs in the 1st hour of any day (A, B, or C). An unexcused tardy of more than 20 minutes will be considered an unexcused absence.
Tardies that occur during the rest of the day (2nd through 7th hour) will be marked by the teacher in the student information system.
Attendancy and truancy continued:
Truancy (BOE Policy: JBE) Whenever a student is required by law to attend school and is inexcusably absent there from on either three (3) consecutive days or five (5) or more days in any semester or seven (7) in a year, such child is truant. A student is inexcusably absent from school if he/she is absent from all or a significant part of a day without a valid excuse.
A “significant part of a day” shall mean more than one hour or more than one scheduled class period, whichever is shorter.
The principal of each attendance center is designated as the school attendance officer. Each shall be responsible for the school attendance of the students under his/her jurisdiction.
Matters of truancy, as defined in this section, shall be handled according to applicable statutes and board policies.
The building principal shall report students who are inexcusably absent from school to the appropriate authority. Prior to reporting to the Department of Children and Families (for children under 13 years), a letter shall be sent to the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) notifying them that the student’s failure to attend school without a valid excuse shall result in the student being reported truant. If a law enforcement official returns a truant child to school, the principal shall notify the parent or guardian.
