ATHLETICS/EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

(Please note that elementary students do not compete in interscholastic sports.)

Students participating in extracurricular activities initially must pass five out of six classes from the previous semester and then maintain passing grades in all classes during the season.  Complete eligibility requirements are maintained in the principals’ and/or athletic directors’ offices. Denial of student attendance or participation in extracurricular activities is subject to due process requirements.

Students, parents, staff members or volunteers may request the addition of interscholastic sports and other modifications to the athletic/activities program. Requests for addition or modification may include, but are not limited to, the evaluation of a club or sport for interscholastic competition or to increase the number or size of a team currently engaged in interscholastic play.

Additions or modifications requests may be made to the superintendent or the district’s Title IX officer at (360) 458-1900. Within a reasonable time of receiving a request, the district’s superintendent and/or Title IX officer shall respond in writing to the requesting party. The district response may grant the request, deny the request, or advise that the request will be reviewed further for possible adoption, pending an annual review of the district’s activities program pursuant to district procedure. If the request is subject to further review, the district’s response shall provide a date that a final response will be provided.

DRESS CODE
In order to facilitate learning for all students, YCS requires that student dress and appearance follow health and safety standards and not cause disruption to the learning environment. Students who do not follow these guidelines will be asked to change their clothing, cover up and/or contact home if necessary.

Head:  K-8 students must remove all headwear while in the building. Headwear includes hats, hoods, bandanas and head wraps. (Exceptions will be made for medical, religious and other approved reason.)

Torso: Clothing must cover stomachs, backs, shoulders, chests and undergarments.

Legs: Shorts, skirts and dresses must be longer than mid-thigh and cover undergarments.

Feet:  Footwear must be worn at all times appropriate to the activity.  Strapless shoes and high heels are discouraged for safety.

Prohibited Clothing:  Any that promotes drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, is sexually suggestive, displays inappropriate pictures or writing is prohibited or worn in a manner identified as gang-related is prohibited. Jewelry that can pose safety hazards.

Exceptions: Dress code standards may be made for PE or school activities.

DRIVING AND PARKING REGULATIONS
Parking regulations will be in effect at all schools. There is no parking in restricted areas during posted hours, and never any parking in fire zones.  See the school principal/secretary for specific requirements for individual schools. (Policy 3243, Procedure 3243P) A student may not occupy a vehicle without permission or drive during the school day without the consent of the parent and principal. A student may transport another student during the school day only with the consent of the student passenger’s parent and if consistent with the terms of the student’s driver’s license. Middle school students are prohibited from bringing vehicles to school.

Parking on school district property is at the owner’s/driver’s own risk. The school district does not assume responsibility for damage to or loss of privately owned vehicles or property in vehicles.

INTRA-DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION FOR DISTRICT PROGRAMS
There may be occasion when students are transported by bus to another school within the district for a district program. If you would like to be notified before allowing your child to be transported within the district, please notify the school office.

METAL DETECTORS
In order to protect students, staff and patrons, promote an environment for learning and prevent weapons from being brought to school or related events, metal detectors may be used to screen persons entering school buildings, vehicles and school events. Students who do not submit to the screening shall be disciplined. Patrons who refuse to comply with the screening will be denied entry. Items prohibited by law or school rules will be confiscated. If weapons are found, law enforcement personnel will be notified.

PERSONAL PROPERTY
Students bringing personal property onto school district property do so at their own risk. Students are requested to leave personal property at home, especially due to state-wide increased incidences of theft of high-tech electronics.  The school district does not assume responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen property.

PESTICIDES/HERBICIDES
Upon request, the district will provide notification to staff and parents of the district’s pest control policies, methods and its posting and notification requirements (Board Policy 6895/6895P).  Copies of the annual pesticide use record and summary are available at:

Yelm Community Schools - Facilities Office
16525 100th Way SE / PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597

PROCEDURES FOR VISITING SCHOOLS
All visitors to our schools are to check in at the main office and receive a visitor’s pass. Parent(s) /guardian(s), adult community members and interested educators are welcomed and encouraged to visit schools. We request that visits to schools be in accordance with reasonable procedures and usually with a minimum of one day’s notification. Guidelines for nonstudent visitations to schools are available through your school principal. (RCW 28A.605.020, Policy 4200, Procedure 4200P)

PROPERTY DAMAGES
Any pupil who defaces or otherwise injures any school property, or property belonging to a school contractor, employee, or another student, may be subject to school discipline. If any property of the school district, a contractor of the district, an employee, or another student has been lost or willfully cut, defaced, or injured, the school district will seek to recover the cost of the item(s).  (RCW 4.24.100, RCW 28A.635.060, Policy 3231)    

PUBLIC RECORDS COORDINATOR
Requests for public records should be made to the district public records coordinator Human Resources Director, PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597; julie_mondry@ycs.wednet.edu; Fax (360) 458-6178. Website: www.ycs.wednet.edu/publicrecords. (Policy 4040).

SCHOOL BOARD INFORMATION
School Board meetings are open to the public and all discussions will be held in open forum, with the exception of executive sessions. There is time on the meeting agenda for audience participation on agenda or non-agenda items. If you have questions about specific procedures, please check with any district staff member prior to the start of the meeting. Involved and informed parents and citizens are our best guarantee of excellence in our public schools.

The Yelm School Board generally meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. All board meetings will begin at 6 p.m. There are two types of board meetings. One is the monthly business meeting which is generally on the fourth Thursday of the month at the district office board room. The second type is a study session. These meetings are held at various schools on a rotating basis. Dates, times and locations of board meetings are always posted on our district website.

In addition to regular meetings, special meetings or emergency sessions are held on rare occasions to address urgent issues. Notices are provided to the news media, board members, and posted on the district web site 24 hours before such meetings are scheduled. All scheduled meetings are open to the public.

Find the current schedule of Yelm School Board meetings agendas and minutes, visit www.ycs.wednet.edu/board.

Superintendent
Brian Wharton

Yelm School Board Members

Director District No. 1
Mark Rohwedder
5721 Peninsula Dr. SE
Olympia, WA 98513
(360) 561-8727

Director District No. 2
Donna Edwards
15743 127^th Ln. SE
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-7506

Director District No. 3
Denise Hendrickson
PO Box 359
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-4592

Director District No. 4
Debbie Edwards
15739 Topaz Dr. SE
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 894-2812

Director District No. 5
Bill Hauss
5819 SR 702
Roy, WA 98580
(360) 458-7068

SCHOOL BUS PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
In order to ensure the safety of each child, students must abide by bus behavior guidelines. Students violating these rules may receive discipline or forfeit bus-riding privileges. Review discipline procedures on the district Transportation website.

BUS STOP PROCEDURES
Students should observe the following procedures at bus stops:

• Be at the assigned bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• Stay off the road when waiting so the driver has room to stop.
• Line up in an orderly fashion and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before boarding. Do not crowd or push.
• Use the handrail when getting on the bus. Walk up the steps one at a time.
• A parent, guardian or older sibling must be present at the bus stop to receive kinders.

SEATING PROCEDURES
Students entering the bus should go immediately to a seat without crowding, shoving or disturbing others. They need to share seats with others; be seated at all times when the bus is moving; sit facing the front of the bus; and remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop and the driver opens the door.

Drivers may assign seats in the front of the bus to students with disabilities or to students who have a temporary physical impairment. Drivers, at their option, may also assign seats to avoid misconduct.

BUS BEHAVIOR
The driver is in full charge of the bus and passengers.  Passengers must obey the driver promptly and willingly. Students need to remain in their seats at all times, face forward, keep their hands and feet to themselves and keep voices at a moderate level. Aisles need to remain clear at all times.  Additional unacceptable behaviors can be found on the Transpiration website.

BRINGING ITEMS ON THE BUS
Buses are not designed to transport heavy, sharp, bulky and/or other articles, which may be hazardous in the event of an accident or an emergency stop.  Items should be stored in a bag/backpack or easily fit on the student’s lap or between their legs.  Items that may break, cause injury to others, distract the driver or have value will not be allowed. Visit the Transportation website for a list of items not allowed on the bus.

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Yelm Community Schools publishes an annual School Performance Report. It is available on our website at www.ycs.wednet.edu. In addition, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction publishes a web site with report cards on every public school in the state. It contains how students at our schools and district performed on state tests, the number of students enrolled, the race and ethnicity of the students and educators in the school community, and success indicators. Access the site at https://washingtonstatereportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/.  If you would like a printout of this information, please call the district office at (360) 458-1900.

WITHHOLDING GRADES, TRANSCRIPTS AND DIPLOMAS
Official grades, transcripts, and diplomas shall not be withheld for unpaid fines or for damaging or losing school property or property belonging to other specified parties.

Dates To Remember

September
6 - First Day of School (1st-12th)
9 - First Day of School for Kindergarten
21 & 28 - Late Starts (1 hour)

October
5, 12, 19 & 26 - Late Starts (1 hour)
7 - No School (Teacher Training)

November
2, 9, 16 & 26 - Late Starts (1 hour)
11 - No School (Veteran’s Day)
10 - Half Day (Records Day)
21-23 - Half Days (Fall Conferences)
24-25 - No School (Thanksgiving)

December
7 & 14 - Late Starts (1 hour)
19-31 - No School (Winter Break)

January
2 - No School (New Year's Day)
4, 11, 18 & 25 - Late Starts (1 hour)
16 - No School (MLK Day)
27 - Half Day (Records Day)

February
1, 8, 15 & 22 - Late Starts (1 hour)
20 - No School (Presidents’ Day)

March
1, 8, 15 & 22 - Late Starts (1 hour)
3 - No School (Teacher Training)
17 - Half Day (Records Day)
29-31 - Half Day (Conferences)

April
3-7 - No School (Spring Break)
12, 19 & 26 - Late Starts (1 hour)

May
3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 Late Starts (1 hour)
29 - No School (Memorial Day)

June
11 - Graduation (pending)
16 - Half Day (Last Day of School)
20-31 - Make-Up Days**
 **Make-up days if needed due to emergency closure

For the most up-to-date calendar, visit our web site at www.ycs.wednet.edu.

District Administration Office  (360) 458-1900
Transportation Department  (360) 458-3300
District Website
STOP !T
School CrimeStoppers  (800) 222-TIPS (8477)

SCHOOLS
Fort Stevens Elementary (360) 458-4800
Lackamas Elementary (360) 458-6000
McKenna Elementary (360) 458-2400
Mill Pond Elementary (360) 458-3400
Prairie Elementary (360) 458-3700
Southworth Elementary (360) 458-2500
Ridgeline Middle School  (360) 458-1100
Yelm Middle School  (360) 458-3600
Yelm High School  (360) 458-7777
Yelm Extension School  (360) 458-2002