Wood Oaks Student Handbook

The full contents of the Rules of Conduct and all Northbrook District 27 Board of Education Policies can be found on the District 27 website. Opens in New Window

Wood Oaks Junior High School is committed to providing each student with a safe and secure environment where they will feel free to learn and express themselves.

Anti-bullying code of conduct for all students:

• You have the right to be treated with respect, kindness and trust.
• You have the right to be accepted and included in the Wood Oaks Community.
• You have the right to say no, when you are not comfortable with a situation.
• You have the right not to have your physical space violated.
• You have the right to know that your personal property will not be damaged or taken by your peers.

WE SOLVE PROBLEMS PRODUCTIVELY BY STOPPING, THINKING, AND DISCUSSING OUR ACTIONS.

Incidents of bullying/cyber-bullying can be reported electronically through the Wood Oaks web page link titled “Report Inappropriate Behavior.”

When an incident of bullying is reported to staff, either electronically, verbally or in writing, the following investigative steps will be taken to address the issue:

• The bullying report is submitted to the school guidance counselor or assistant principal for review. The guidance counselor or assistant principal will meet with the victim and discuss the issue. Possible steps that may be taken include--mediation between victim and bully, problem-solving strategies, ongoing counseling services, and/or a referral to the assistant principal for further processing or disciplinary action.

• If the bullying report is submitted to the assistant principal, possible steps that may be taken include--mediation between bully and victim, problem-solving strategies, and/or disciplinary consequences for the bully.

• With any reported incident, either the school guidance counselor and/or the assistant principal will make arrangements to check-in with the victim within a reasonable time following the reported incident to ensure that the situation has been resolved satisfactorily. If it is determined that the situation has not been adequately resolved, further action will be taken on the part of the guidance counselor and/or the assistant principal to attempt to remedy the situation.

These staff members administer tests and interpret test results through individual conferences with students and/or parents. The social worker and guidance counselor help students to solve problems that may be affecting their school performance. Students may refer themselves to these staff members or may be referred by their parents or a teacher.

The Emergent Bilingual specialist provides various types of special instruction programs for students who speak English as a second language.

The speech and language pathologist works with students to assess, diagnose and treat speech and language disorders that impact educational achievement. Speech and language disorders can be in the areas of: articulation and phonology, expressive and receptive language, pragmatics, fluency, and voice. Depending on the needs of the individual, students receive services individually, in a small group, and/or within a small classroom. Generalization of skills is monitored through classroom observation.

The school nurse is involved in a variety of functions designed to assist in protecting or improving student health and to secure information needed to assist the teaching staff in developing school programs to meet the mental and physical abilities and needs of adolescent students. These functions are designed to serve the following purposes:

• To counsel students, parents, and staff personnel in health matters.
• To encourage the correction of remediable defects.
• To help prevent or control the spread of communicable diseases.
• To provide emergency care for sick or injured students.
• To provide a vision and hearing screening program.

The school psychologist works with students to assess and determine the need for intervention strategies to students who have difficulties with learning. This includes difficulties with reading, writing, math, attention, autism, and other difficulties related to health, behavior and emotional problems. School psychology services may be accessed through a request to a teacher, the principal, the Special Education office, or by directly contacting the school psychologist.

Wood Oaks Junior High School's administration and teaching staff places a high priority on students' academic achievement and learning. Academic competency is a prerequisite for participation in any extracurricular activity, sport, or other related event. Students are expected to maintain a "C" average or better in all of their classes throughout the duration of the extracurricular activity. If a student's average in any class drops below the "C" level, the student will not be permitted to continue in any extracurricular activity. The suspension will result in full removal from all extracurricular activities or events. For example, athletes will not be allowed to practice or travel with the team while on academic suspension. The sponsor/coach, administration, and/or teachers will notify parents and students if a grade drops below the "C" guideline. Extracurricular activity lists will be checked by the staff every Friday. If a student's grade falls below a "C" in any class at the end of that week, the student will not be eligible to participate in the extracurricular activity for the entire following week, beginning on Monday. This list will only be checked on Friday and eligibility will be determined on a week by week basis. There shall be no probationary period. It is the student's responsibility to maintain grades that will enable him or her to remain eligible for participation each week. Students may continue to try out for any sport or activity, regardless of their academic status.

Appropriate behavior is expected during all extracurricular activities. Student behavior on the bus, in the locker room, on the court/field, on the stage, etc., should promote a positive image of Wood Oaks. Inappropriate behavior will not be accepted or tolerated. All extracurricular activities are extensions of the school day, so inappropriate behavior during the school day will affect participation in the before and after-school programs. The school administration will be directly involved in all disciplinary matters and will ultimately make decisions regarding unacceptable student actions during the school day. All District 27 due process procedures will be followed as outlined in the Board of Education Rules of Conduct.

If a student is not in attendance by 9:30 a.m. or leaves before the end of the school day, the student will not be permitted to participate in any extracurricular activities unless special arrangements have been approved by the administration. If a student does not participate during P.E. due to a medical reason, the student cannot participate in athletic practices or games on that day. Students are expected to attend all clinics, tryouts, practices, games, performances, meetings, meets, etc. Good attendance allows the team/group to reach its full potential.

All students who will be participating in any interscholastic sport are required to have a sports physical exam by a licensed physician annually. The physical exam is good for only one year from the date of the exam and must be on file in the nurse's office prior to the first sports clinic or tryout. Wood Oaks complies with the health and physical examination guidelines established by the Illinois High School Association.

The Student Technology Device Program at Wood Oaks Jr. High School is designed to help students succeed academically as well as to help prepare them for their future. It is crucial that students care for and use their devices in accordance with these guidelines. During the school year, each student will have full use of a District-owned device for purposes relating to his/her participation in the District 27 instructional program. Students will be required to complete orientation on the care and use of the device when the device is issued. Each student and the student’s parent/guardian must sign and submit the Device Acceptance and Agreement Form. The device issued to each student will remain the property of Northbrook School District 27. As with all materials issued to students by the District, the student is responsible for the daily/ordinary care of the device.