Policies & Procedures

Bullying Policy

While bullying is a rare occurrence at St. Dennis School, please be assured we have procedures in place in the event bullying occurs.

St. Dennis School has a no tolerance policy when dealing with bullying. Bullying is NOT just “a part of life” or a “normal part of growing up.” St. Dennis School does not allow bullying behavior toward or by students, school employees or volunteers on school grounds, at school-sponsored activities or in transportation to and from school or school-sponsored activities. Use the buttons below to view the full policy, report a bullying incident, or look for more resources.

Dress Code and Uniform Policy

It is important to dress in a manner that is appropriate and shows respect for self and others in a way that allows students to focus on the learning at hand. The following guidelines should be kept in mind.

For all grade levels:

• Hats/caps may not be worn in school at any time. This includes after hours events.
• All clothes should be neat, clean and in good shape (no holes).
• Shorts may be worn at any time, except in the months of December, January and February. No child will be allowed to stay inside for recess due to wearing shorts in cold weather.
• Underwear should never be visible.
• Pants should be worn at an appropriate height—no sagging.
• No inappropriate writing on any clothing (foul language, alcohol messaging, gang signs, etc.)
• Special guidelines will be determined by the teacher for field trips.

Special note for 4K-3rd grade

We understand the change in style for children and how hard it is to find longer shorts and skirts. As parents, please remember to use discretion when purchasing school clothing.

Additions for 4th-8th grade

• Shorts and skirts must reach the end of the student’s fingers when standing straight with hands at side.
• No midriff tight fitting shirts or sweaters
• No tube tops, muscle shirts or apron back shirts.
• No spaghetti strap tops
• All necklines must be no more than two inches below the clavicle.

Uniforms

St. Dennis School families are expected to purchase a polo shirt with the school logo. The shirts—available in both short and long sleeves—are available for purchase at the beginning of the school year during Gear Up Day. If you need to order uniforms at other times during the year, please contact the school principal.

Students must wear the polo with pants, shorts or a skirt that is either than or black. If leggings are worn under the skirt, there should be no writing on them.

The uniform is required at the following times:

• Every Wednesday
• Field Trips (unless the student’s teacher decides if other clothing is more appropriate for the destination)
• Holy Days when we attend Mass
• Any other day designated by the Principal

Uniforms must be worn the entire day. No alterations or embellishments may be made of the polo shirt.

If uniforms are not worn on required days, students in grades K-3rd grade will get three reminders. The fourth time they forget, they will lose shorts privileges for the remainder of the year.

Students in 4th-8th grade will get one reminder. The second time, they will lose shorts privileges for the remainder of the year.

Attendance Policy

It is the policy of St. Dennis School that all work missed by students who were absent must be made up as soon as possible after returning to school. State law allows a child to have 80 hours of parent excused absence. Beyond those 80 hours, all absences will be considered unexcused unless excused by a doctor.

When absence is necessary parents/guardians must take the following steps:

1. Parent/Guardian will call the school each morning of a student’s absence by 9:00 a.m.
2. Parent/Guardian will write an excuse giving name, date, days of absence, and reason for absence, which student will present to the office on return to school.
3. Students will make immediate plans to do all make-up work due to absence upon return to school.
4. All homework should be requested in the morning before class begins.
5. If absence is due to work, travel, or some other reason, parent/guardian should notify the school prior to the absence.

Any student absent from school is ineligible to participate in any school related activity (sports, play, variety show, etc.) that night.

Tardiness

A student is considered tardy if he/she arrives after the 8:25 bell. Students arriving late must report to the school office. When buses arrive late, children will not be marked tardy.

Illness During the School Day

The principal or the school secretary under the direction of the principal dismisses or approves the dismissal of a student who becomes ill or hurt during the school day. St. Dennis does not have a school nurse. Parent/guardians are notified when the illness is reported. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to make arrangements for the student to be picked up in the school office. Students must be signed out at the school office.

Truancy

Wisconsin Truancy Law states “Truancy means any absence of one or more days from school during which the principal or teacher has not been notified in writing of the legal cause of such an absence by the parent or guardian of the absent pupil.”

School Closing Policy

If the school will be closed due to weather or other circumstances, it will be submitted to local news stations (channels 3, 15 and 27) to be broadcast on TV and on their respective websites. No announcement means the school will be open. In the case of a cancellation, all families will be contacted through email, text, and posted on our school Facebook page. This will occur after local news stations have been notified.  For clarity, if Madison Metropolitan School District is closed, St. Dennis School must close due to no busing.

Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures

Dropping off

The first bell rings at 8:10 for students to enter the school. The second bell rings at 8:20. Students are expected to be in their seats at this time. Students who do not ride the bus to school must be dropped off at the far end of the circle drive in front. Please wait until you reach the end of the drive for your children to exit the vehicle. Parents should not leave their vehicles when dropping off. If you need to leave your vehicle, park in the street or in the back. Please have your children ready to exit the vehicle. Students are to exit via the right hand side, closest to the school building. Do not allow your children to exit on the left side, into the driveway. Please do not pass on the left around other cars; wait until the vehicle in front of you exits.

Picking up

School ends at 2:15 on Monday and at 3:15 Tuesday through Friday. Students are released form the school via the side doors at the north end of the building and are monitored by their teachers. Parents should line up behind the cones in the back parking lot and wait for a teacher to tell them to proceed for pick up. Please stay in your car and wait in the car line along with the other parents. Please do not park your car in the back parking lot and pick up your children.

If you do not wish to wait in the car line, please park in front of the school or on side streets, enter the school through the front doors and pick up your children. Again, please park or have your children meet you in the back parking lot. Again, please be ready for your children to enter your vehicle in order to keep the line moving quickly. These procedures are in place to keep your children safe and drop-off and pick-up running smoothly.

Safety Policy

St. Dennis continues to be proactive in ensuring the safety of all students, faculty and staff. All doors are locked 24-hours a day with an electronic locking system and all entryways are monitored by cameras. Teachers and students are continuously trained in mental health, internet safety and physical safety measures.

Parents may apply for a key card for access to the school during school hours. Please see Mrs. Stanek if you’d like one. If you do not have a key card, you may ring the bell. You will be asked who you are prior to being allowed entrance. You must sign in and sign out in the school office.

Safety drills are practiced frequently and parents are kept continuously informed of new safety protocols as they are introduced.

Walking Field Trip Permission Policy

During the school year, teachers plan activities that sometimes require leaving the school premises to locations within walking distance. Some of these locations might include the public library, a nursing home, or homes of individuals involved in school service projects. In the beginning of the year, parents will fill out a permission slip for such field trips that will remain active for the duration of the year.

Parents may apply for a key card for access to the school during school hours. Please see Mrs. Stanek if you’d like one. If you do not have a key card, you may ring the bell. You will be asked who you are prior to being allowed entrance. You must sign in and sign out in the school office.

Safety drills are practiced frequently and parents are kept continuously informed of new safety protocols as they are introduced.

Chromebook Policy

The following policy applies to students who are issued a Chromebook for school use.

1. The computer is the property of St. Dennis School and as a result may be seized and inspected at any time. If passwords for accessing student computers are used, they must be registered with the school. The student should have NO expectations of privacy of materials found on a school supplied or supported email service.
2. The St. Dennis School Chromebook is the only approved personal computer allowed. All other computers and wireless devices are not allowed to connect to the district network and are subject to seizure.
3. The Chromebook comes equipped with both front and rear-facing camera and video capacities. As with all recording devices, it is best practice and common courtesy to ask permission before recording an individual or group. St. Dennis School retains the rights concerning any recording and/or publishing of any student or staff member’s work or image. Students must obtain permission to publish a photograph or video of any school related activity. Unauthorized recordings are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with School Policy.
4. Students are responsible for bringing their Chromebook fully charged to school every day unless otherwise directed by a staff member. Failure to bring a Chromebook or any other class material(s) does not release the students from their responsibility for class work. If students repeatedly fail to bring materials to class, including an Chromebook, students will be subject to disciplinary action or the natural consequences associated with not being prepared for class.
5. While personalized screensavers, wallpapers, and protective covers are permitted, inappropriate or provocative images including but not limited to pornographic images, guns, weapons, inappropriate language, threatening language, drug, alcohol, or gang related images are not permitted and are subject to disciplinary action.
6. Chromebooks must remain free of any writing, drawing, stickers, or labels that are not property of St. Dennis School.
7. The adding or deleting of an “app” is by district approval only. Failure to comply may result in restricted access to the Chromebook and/or a substantial reimage cost to the student.
8. Games, music, videos, and sound use will be at the discretion of the classroom teacher and building administrator. Unless permission is obtained, sound must be muted at all times.
9. The Chromebook affords limited electronic storage space. As with all electronic files, it is good practice to back up, duplicate, or archive files to an independent storage space. It is recommended students e-mail documents to themselves for storage using alternative methods. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that work is not lost due to mechanical failure, accidental deletion, or re-imaging.
10. All students should recognize and guard their personal and private information. While on the Internet, students shall not reveal personal information, including a home address or phone number, or the address or phone number of others.
11. When appropriate, St. Dennis School expects students to take their Chromebook home at night for class work and recharging. All of the rules and regulations that are in effect during the school day extend to the use of the Chromebook at home.
12. St. Dennis School makes no guarantee, written or implied, that materials on the Chromebook, including student work, will be safe from deletion or corruption, accident or otherwise.
13. Any misuse of the school computer in the form of downloading or viewing inappropriate material, removing School Security blocks, “Hacking” other student Chromebooks or School computers, etc. May result in immediate loss of privilege.
14. Chromebooks are to be left in classroom storage or taken home. St. Dennis School is not responsible for a Chromebook left in a locker or at school.
15. If a Chromebook is damaged by neglect or abuse or lost, it is the family’s financial responsibility to replace the Chromebook at a price of approximately $275.

Electronic Device Policy

The following policy applies to all students.

Possessing, concealing or storing unauthorized electronic devices before or during school is prohibited. Electronic readers, such as Chromebooks, iPads, Nooks or other tablets are allowed. No internet use is allowed. Inappropriate use will result in loss of privilege. Phones, gaming systems, iPods, etc. must be turned off and in bag during school hours for 4K-4th grade. Students in 5th through 8th grade must turn in devices at the beginning of the day. St. Dennis School is not responsible for lost or stolen electronic devices.

Honor Roll Policy

Middle school students are eligible to be on the honor roll each quarter. High honor roll students will achieve a grade point average of 3.75-4.00. Honor roll students will achieve a grade point average of 3.30-3.74.