Wood Oaks Student Handbook
Table of Contents
Click each tab to view the information for that section.
- Home
- Welcome Letter
- Schedule and School Calendar
- Academic Program
- Attendance Policies
- Building Procedures
- Student Discipline
- Supported Services
- Extra-Curricular Activities
- Technology Guidelines
- Selected Board Policies
Home
Mission Statement
Our Mission
Educating Students to Succeed in a Changing World
Our Core Values
-
Pursue learning that develops individual growth, potential, and leadership to the fullest of our capacity.
-
Commit to performance excellence as a learning community.
-
Use performance results to honor our accomplishments, determine our needs, and improve learning experiences and achievements.
-
Share the responsibility to learn and work in a collaborative environment.
-
Adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior (both personal and organizational).
-
Treat others with respect and value differences.
This mission statement was developed by a steering committee of parents, teachers and community members and was approved by the Board of Education in April 21, 2005.
Wood Oaks Philosophy
Middle school philosophy is child-centered. It asks teachers to adapt content to the needs of the learner and to be flexible and sensitive to the interests and abilities of the learner.
Middle school philosophy maintains high expectations while providing support for the learner to be successful.
Middle school philosophy recognizes the uniqueness of the middle level child in order to provide a quality educational program.
Welcome Letter
Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome to Wood Oaks! We hope that your years here will be some of the happiest and most challenging of your life. This handbook has been prepared in order to outline the basic expectations and responsibilities of students. It also explains school policies, academic programs, discipline procedures, and citizenship expectations. It has been prepared through a combined effort of parents, students, teachers, and administrators. Please read it carefully and
review the school rules. These rules and procedures are based upon the following beliefs:
-
Self-discipline, which includes being responsible for one's own actions, is an important part of good citizenship and an important goal of education.
-
Public education is a right of youth; however, it assumes compliance with the laws of the State of Illinois and the policy rules and regulations as established by the Board of Education and administration of Northbrook School District 27.
-
The attainment of good citizenship is a shared responsibility of the school and the home which includes parents and students.
If you have any questions concerning this handbook please contact the office.
We wish you a successful and fulfilling school year.
Sincerely,
Paul Suminski
Assistant Principal
Schedule and School Calendar
Student Schedule
Period | Time |
---|---|
First Bell | 8:10 a.m. |
1st | 8:15 a.m. - 8:58 a.m. |
2nd | 9:01 a.m. - 9:43 a.m. |
3rd | 9:46 a.m. - 10:28 a.m. |
4th | 10:31 a.m. - 11:13 a.m. |
5th | 11:16 a.m. - 11:51 a.m. |
6th | 11:54 a.m. - 12:29 p.m. |
7th | 12:33 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. |
8th | 1:18 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. |
9th | 2:03 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. |
10th | 2:48 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
2024 - 2025 School Calendar
Academic Program
Click on a title to view the information below.
Wood Oaks Junior High School is committed to providing each student with opportunities to explore all academic areas through exciting and enriching courses and to provide guidance for students to extend their activities and knowledge beyond the classroom.
- The core program includes reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and foreign language.
- Each grade level has groupings in mathematics based upon student performance, test criteria, and teacher recommendation.
- The Extended Learning Program (ELP) addresses the areas of reading, language arts, and social studies through creative problem solving and higher level thinking skills.
- All students take physical education every day.
- Some students may receive academic assistance through the resource program or learning pathways instead of taking a foreign language. A student may begin a study of a foreign language in grades six, seven, or eight.
- All sixth-grade students take art, general music, health, and technology for one quarter each.
- Seventh-grade students take art, general music, technology, and public speaking for one quarter each.
- Eighth-grade students take art, general music, health, and technology for one quarter each or science fair for two quarters.
- Students at all grades will have an Advisory class one day per week.
- All 6th-grade students have study skills one period per week each.
- Students in 7th and 8th grade are able to elect to take STEAM courses during their 5th /6th period Lunch/STEAM block or may choose to take study hall.
Attendance Policies
Click on a title to view the information below.
Board of Education policy requires all students to be in full attendance for the entire school day. State attendance reporting regulations require a student be in attendance 2.5 hours in both the AM and PM or be reported absent for the respective half day. Students arriving late but within the 2.5-hour limit shall be considered tardy.
For example:
-
A student arrives at 9:00 a.m.
-
Attending more than 2.5 hours in the morning between 8:15 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
-
Considered Tardy
-
-
A student arrives at 9:30 a.m.
-
Attending less than 2.5 hours in the morning between 8:15 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
-
Considered absent half day a.m.
-
-
A student leaves at 2:00 p.m.
-
Attending less than 2.5 hours between 12:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
-
Considered half day p.m.
-
-
A student is present until 3:05 p.m.
-
Attending more than 2.5 hours in the morning and afternoon
-
Considered an early dismissal with written parent authorization
-
Building Procedures
Click on a title to view the information below.
All backpacks must be kept in student lockers during the school day. Students are expected to carry their District provided Chromebook in their District provided Chromebook bag. No other bags or large containers to carry items will be allowed during the school day. Students will be expected to use their school assigned locker to store all additional school materials.
Allowable and recommended items to carry:
- District provided Chromebook bag
- Small pencil case
- Accordion folder or Trapper Keeper folder system
Any student in need of assistance with organizing materials or determining when the best time to visit their locker, can request assistance from any teacher.
Student Discipline
Rules of Conduct and Board of Education Policies
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
Sexual Harassment Board of Education Policy 7:20
- Substantially interfering with a student’s educational environment;
- Creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment;
- Depriving a student of educational aid, benefits, services, or treatment; or
- Making submission to or rejection of such conduct the basis for academic decisions affecting a student.
The terms intimidating, hostile, and offensive include conduct that has the effect of humiliation, embarrassment, or discomfort. Examples of sexual harassment include touching, crude jokes or pictures, discussions of sexual experiences, teasing related to sexual characteristics, and spreading rumors related to a person’s alleged sexual activities. The term sexual violence includes a number of different acts. Examples of sexual violence include, but are not limited to, rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse, and sexual coercion. 7:20 Page 2 of 4 Northbrook School District 27
Making a Complaint; Enforcement
Rob McElligott, Ed.D., Director of Human Resources and Student Services
1250 Sanders Road
Cari Beake, Principal, Wood Oaks Junior High
1250 Sanders Road
1250 Sanders Road
Anti-Bullying Code
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.
Supported Services
Wood Oaks offers a variety of supportive services to students. Supportive services help students make the best possible adjustment to school.
Social Work and Guidance Services
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.
Multilingual Learner Program
The Multilingual Learner specialist provides various types of special instruction programs for students who speak English as a second language.
Speech and Language Services
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.
Health Services
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.
School Psychology Services
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.
Extra-Curricular Activities
In keeping with middle school philosophy in developing the unique talents of all students, Wood Oaks offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as:
- Art Club
- Billiards Club
- Chess Club
- Creative Writing
- Debate Club
- Fiber Arts Club
- Math Club
- Sports Card Club
- Tabletop Games Club
- Tech Club
Clubs change from year to year and over the course of the school year. Any student wanting to start a club should contact the Assistant Principal.
Academic Guidelines/Eligibility
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
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.
Participation
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.
Physical Examinations
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.
Technology Guidelines
Overview
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 their 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.
Technology Device Guidelines
Using the Device at School and Home
- All students are expected to comply with District 27 Acceptable Use Policy regarding technology use. The Acceptable Use Policy covers student etiquette, obscenities, network use, cyber bullying, and overall personal conduct. Students are subject to disciplinary action for inappropriate use of the network and/or the device. The guidelines are included in the Student Handbook.
- Students are required to bring their device to school every day with a fully charged battery. Students need to charge their devices each evening as part of their homework. (The battery cannot be overcharged).
- Students are prohibited from sending non-school related e-mails or chat messages from their devices.
- Using the device to secretly communicate with anyone else is prohibited, regardless of the method used.
- Out of consideration for other learners, the sound volume must be muted at all times unless permission is obtained from the teacher for instructional purposes. Headphones are prohibited in class, unless directed by a faculty member.
- Students may not lend or trade their devices with anyone.
- Illegal use or transfer of copyrighted materials is not allowed.
- The devices are populated (All necessary software will be pre installed) with files necessary for normal operation and educational purposes. Deletion of certain files can result in computer failure and can interfere with one’s ability to complete class work.
- Devices should be shut down at the end of the school day.
- Devices are configured to access all school printers.
- Students will not be allowed to use a family or personally owned laptop or other technology at school or on the District network. Only a District-owned device is permitted for use at school on the District network.
Personal Security
- Each device is identified by a specific number and is assigned to a specific carrying case. This is to ensure that students always have their assigned device. All labeling should remain on the device at all times. Devices should never be switched from case to case or from student to student.
- Students should never share their usernames or passwords at anytime for any reason.
- The device is for school use only, not for personal use.
File Management
- All will utilize the Google Apps suite of tools. Student files are saved to their personal online storage and accessible on any internet enabled device.
Device Storage
- During the school day, the device either needs to be in the direct possession of the student or stored in a secured locker. Unattended/unsecured devices are in danger of being lost or stolen. The student and parent(s) are financially responsible if a device is lost or stolen.
- Unsupervised devices will be confiscated by staff. Disciplinary action may be taken for leaving a device in an unsupervised or unsecured location.
General Care and Precaution
- Students should always place devices away from food and drink.
- Care should be exercised when plugging in and removing power cords, cables, and external storage devices.
Devices should remain free from any type of defacement; this includes but is not limited to marking, painting, drawing, stickers, glitter, or marring the surface in any way.
- Liquid cleaning solution should not be directly applied to the device screen or keyboard.
- Devices should not be exposed to direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, or ultraviolet light. Do not leave a device in the car or on the playground. Such exposure to extreme heat or cold could result in damage.
Ownership
Change in Student Status during the School Year
- In the event a student withdraws from the District prior to the last day of school, the device and all peripherals must be returned to District 27 prior to the withdrawal.
- The Technology User Fee for the school year will be reimbursed on a prorated basis.
Graduation
- Upon graduation, student devices will be turned into the district for repurposing.
- All student work at the end of 8th grade will be deleted over the summer. Students will have a chance to download and archive their documents. This will be the responsibility of the student to do.
Maintenance and Support
Maintenance
Regular maintenance and repair of the device will be conducted solely by Northbrook School District 27 personnel. Under no circumstances should students, parents, or third party entities attempt any repairs on the devices. The devices will be turned in over summer break to be updated and physical damage will be assessed. Devices will be collected during summer breaks for maintenance. Students will not be permitted to use the District devices during the break.
Repair
Student devices will be repaired by District staff. In the event of a repair, students will be issued a replacement device. The replacement device will be assigned to that student permanently. Parents are not charged a deductible for repairs.
Chronic Abuse
Students displaying disregard for their devices may lose take-home privileges. Students will receive a warning prior to this action taken.
Device left at home
If a student leaves the device at home, a loaner device will be provided, as appropriate, for use during the school day only. Students will need to return the loaner device at the end of the day.
Lost or Stolen
In the event that equipment is lost or stolen, the student must immediately notify the Technology Department personnel or School Administration. Parents may want to file a report with the Northbrook Police Department. The parent may be responsible for the cost of the lost netbook and any necessary peripherals such as power cord.
Replacement Costs
Students are given a computer bag, charger, and a Chromebook for use while they attend Wood Oaks Junior High School. Students also receive a new student ID at the start of every school year. If it is determined by the technology staff that the charger and/or bag are faulty, then a new one will be reissued at no cost. Otherwise, the student/parent/guardian will need to pay for a replacement. Here’s the replacement costs for each item:
- Computer Bag - $20.00
- Computer Charger - $55.00
- Student ID $5.00
- Each student will be allowed one free replacement ID during each school year. After that, there will be a $5.00 replacement cost every time the student requests another ID.
Software
Software Installation
Students are prohibited from installing any software or software updates on the devices. All software installation must be performed by Northbrook School District 27 Technology Staff.
Virus Protection
Virus protection software is included in the operating system.
Filtering
- Each device is equipped with a sophisticated filtering program that complies with the Children’s Internet Protection Act. At no time should the filter be tampered with or disarmed.
- Parents are encouraged to closely monitor student use at home.
Responsibility/Liability
- The Northbrook School District 27 Acceptable Use Policy governs the use of the devices.
- Students’ devices are the property of the District and are subject to inspection or search at any time there is cause to believe the student has violated the Device Guidelines or Northbrook School District 27 Acceptable Use Policy. Devices may not be used for any inappropriate or illegal purpose.
- As consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, students are subject to disciplinary action for inappropriate use of the network and/or the device.
Selected Board Policies
Equal Educational Opportunities/Policy 7:10
Harassment of Students Prohibited/Policy 7:20
Prevention and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment/Policy 7:180 Opens in New Window Opens in New Window
Student Behavior/Policy 7:190 Opens in New Window Opens in New Window Opens in New Window Opens in New Window
Administering Medicines to Students/Policy 7:270 Opens in New Window Opens in New Window Opens in New Window Opens in New Window
Student Records/7:340 Opens in New Window Opens in New Window Opens in New Window Opens in New Window
Acceptable use of District Technology and Network/Policy 6:235 Opens in New Window Opens in New Window Opens in New Window Opens in New Window