Student Rights and Responsibilities
Section Contents
- Student Rights & Responsibilities
- Personal Electronic Devices (Internet Safety)
- Nondiscrimination (Bullying/Harassment/Intimidation)
- Attendance
- Student Conduct/Dress Code
- Student/Campus Safety
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
All Walla Walla Public Schools students have rights as part of their educational experiences and responsibilities to comply with written rules of the school district.
In order to maintain and advance the district’s mission, it shall be the responsibility and duty of each student to pursue his/her course of study and comply with written rules of the district.
Walla Walla Public Schools staff strive to resolve all concerns. Those closest to the concern can most accurately and efficiently address the problem. Those with concerns are encouraged to follow the steps detailed in Policy 4220.
Federal law allows the school district to release certain school directory information for legitimate educational purposes. Directory information shall not be released for commercial purposes. Parents/guardians of students have options for preventing the release of directory information.
The district will maintain those student records necessary for the educational guidance and/or welfare of students, for orderly and efficient operation of schools and as required by law.
State law provides that at certain ages students attain the right to decide for themselves what records will remain confidential, even from their parents/guardians, and the activities in which the student will participate.
PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES (INTERNET SAFETY)
Walla Walla Public Schools policy addresses students in possession of telecommunications devices including, but not limited to, pagers, beepers and cellular phones, while on school property or while attending school-sponsored or school-related activities.
Each student attending Walla Walla Public Schools has the privilege of Internet access for educational purposes and receives digital citizenship safety training. Parents/guardians of students have the ability to opt out of internet access for their child.
NONDISCRIMINATION (BULLYING/HARASSMENT/INTIMIDATION)
Walla Walla Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Title IX Coordinator &
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator
Dr. Mindy Meyer, Director of Human Resources
364 S. Park Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 527-3000
Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Barb Casey, Director of Special Education
364 S. Park Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 527-3000
The District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/legal guardians, volunteers and patrons that is free from harassment, intimidation or bullying.
The district will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
This district is committed to a positive and productive education free from discrimination, including sexual harassment. This commitment extends to all students involved in academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of the school, whether that program or activity is in a school facility, on school transportation or at a class or school training held elsewhere.
ATTENDANCE
Attending the schools of the district shall be recognized as a right and responsibility for those who meet the requirements prescribed by law.
Parents/guardians of any child eight years of age and under 18 years of age shall cause such child to attend school and such child shall have the responsibility to and therefore shall attend for the full time when such school may be in session unless the child is enrolled in an approved private school, an educational center as provided in chapter 28A.205 RCW or is receiving home-based instruction.
Regular school attendance is necessary for mastery of the educational program provided to students of the district and students are expected to attend all assigned classes each day. At times, students may appropriately be absent from class per the district’s attendance policy.
The district recognizes its responsibility for the proper care of students during school hours. Students will not be removed from school grounds, any school building or school function during school hours except by a person authorized according to district procedures.
STUDENT CONDUCT/DRESS CODE
Students' choices in matters of dress should be made in consultation with their parents/guardians while preserving a beneficial learning environment and assuring the safety and well-being of all students. Student dress shall only be regulated when, in the judgment of school administrators, it is determined there is a substantial disruption of the educational process.
The district will provide an educational program for their students as free of costs as possible.
The superintendent has the authority to establish appropriate fees and procedures governing the collection of fees to meet program needs. A student will be responsible for the cost of replacing materials or property which are lost or damaged due to negligence.
STUDENT/CAMPUS SAFETY
The district meets requirements of RCW 28A.320.125 by maintaining safe school plans and procedures to manage an emergency resulting from natural or man-made disasters. Please see the district’s Emergency Procedures website for information.
SAFETY FIRST!
See Something, Hear Something, Say Something. Anonymously report bullying, harassment, threats of violence, suicide, drugs, weapons and other safety concerns.
FOUR EASY WAYS TO REPORT:
- (Phone) 855.976.8772
- (Text) 855.976.8772
- (Email) 1057@ALERT1.US
- (Web) 1057.ALERT1.US
BICYCLE, SKATEBOARD, ALL WHEELED DEVICES REGULATIONS
Students who bring bicycles, skateboards or other wheeled devices to school must comply with the school guidelines. Riding bicycles, skateboards, or other wheeled devices on the campus (including walkways) is prohibited at all times. Failure to do so will jeopardize their privilege of bringing these devices to school.
The closed campus principle requiring all students to remain on the school grounds from the time of arrival until officially excused shall apply to all schools in the Walla Walla School District, with the exception of the high school during the lunch hour.
It is a violation of district policy and state law for any person to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon on school premises, school-provided transportation or areas of other facilities being used exclusively for school activities unless specifically authorized by state law.
The board has adopted regarding their obligation to staff, students and citizens to take reasonable steps to assure safety in the workplace and to provide safety and high quality performance for the students that the staff serves.
The use of tobacco products and delivery devices on school property, including all district buildings, grounds and district owned vehicles, is prohibited at all times.
The learning environment and the staff's time for students shall be as free as possible from interruption. All visitors except those attending scheduled school activities must immediately register at the office upon their arrival at a school.
ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT
In December 2020, the mandatory three-year inspection of the Walla Walla Public Schools facilities was successfully completed. This inspection is required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response ACT (AHERA) of 1986. AHERA regulations also require that annual notification be given to teachers, workers, and the students’ parents/guardians to update them on the status of asbestos in their schools and of the availability of the management plans. Walla Walla Public Schools conducts six-month periodic surveillance inspections in January and July to check the condition of the asbestos-containing building materials and the records are kept at Plant Facilities. The inspection reports are included in the updated copies of the AHERA Management Plans that are located in the district plant facilities office and district schools. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the Facilities Director (Asbestos Designated Person) for the district (1174 Entley St., Walla Walla, WA 99362, 509-527-3018).
The board of directors presumes that the person who enrolls a student in school is the residential parent/legal guardian of the student. The residential parent/guardian is responsible for decisions regarding the day-to-day care and control of the student.The district, unless informed otherwise, assumes that there are no restrictions regarding the nonresidential parents/guardians right to be kept informed of the student's school progress and activities.