Annual Notices
2024-2025 Annual Notices
- 2024-2025 Student & Parent Handbook
- Academic & Career Planning
- American Disabilities Act
- Asbestos Notification 2024-2025
- Attendance
- Bullying
- Child Abuse & Neglect
- Code of Conduct
- Computer, Email & Internet Usage
- Concussion & Head Injury Information
- Dress Code
- Dyslexia and Related Conditions Informational Guidebook
- Early College Credit
- Education of Homeless Children and Youth
- Education for Employment
- Educational Options for Students Who Live in the District
- Electronic Communication Devices
- Emergency School Closings
- English Learners
- Facilities
- Human Growth & Development
- Information About Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- Locker Room and Restroom Policy
- Locker Searches
- Managing Students with Sensitivities & Allergies
- Meningococcal Disease
- Parent's Rights & The Curriculum
- Programs for English Learners
- Pupil Nondiscrimination & Equality of Opportunity Five Year Self-Evaluation
- Student Academic Standards
- School Accountability Report
- Student Assessments
- School Nutrition
- Special Education
- Student Alcohol & Other Drug Use
- Student Interviews
- Student Records
- Student Religious Accommodations
- Student Nondiscrimination
- Suicide Prevention Resources
- Use of Canines in Searches
- Transportation
- Student Medications
- Student Privacy
- Title 1 Program
- Title IX
2024-2025 Student & Parent Handbook
Academic & Career Planning
Academic and Career Planning, or ACP, is a student-driven, adult-supported process in which students create and cultivate their own unique and information-based visions for post-secondary success, obtained through self-exploration, career exploration, and the development of career management and planning skills."
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (https://dpi.wi.gov/acp/legal) legislation requires public school districts to provide academic and career planning services to students in grades 6 through 12. These academic and career planning requirements connect school districts’ education for employment plans and programs to the new academic and career planning requirements.
Click here to review the SDMF Academic and Career Plan.
American Disabilities Act
The School District of Menomonee Falls strives to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law designed to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in services, programs or activities. People interested in the effects of the act may contact the superintendent at 262-255-8440.
Asbestos Notification 2024-2025
Under the AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act) rule, all primary and secondary schools must develop and implement a plan for managing all building materials containing asbestos. Included in the AHERA Act is the requirement to annually notify all workers and building occupants (or their guardians) of asbestos-related activities.
Beginning in 1988, all buildings owned, leased, or “under the control of” the School District were inspected by EPA-accredited inspectors, with building material samples analyzed by an independent laboratory. Based on the inspection, the School District prepared, and the state approved a comprehensive management plan for managing the asbestos.
Where the asbestos-containing materials are found, the District has an Operations and Maintenance program.
Environmental Management Consulting, Inc. (EMC) was contracted to be the school’s consultant for asbestos for the school year.
The District is continuing with the Operations and Maintenance Program as designed for the School District. This ensures that all asbestos materials are kept in good condition.
Our consultant completes periodic “surveillance” in each area containing asbestos every six months. Also, the buildings are re-inspected by an accredited inspector every three years.
Attendance
The District believes truancy and excessive absences affect a student’s education and increase the chance of failure. The Board of Education encourages a strong partnership between the home, school and community. It recognizes a positive relationship between good school attendance, and success in school and employment. If student learning and growth are to occur, parents/guardians, students and school personnel must recognize their responsibilities to assure regular attendance.
Parents/guardians have primary responsibility under State law for student attendance at school. Enforcement of student attendance and truancy policies and procedures shall be a shared responsibility between the schools, family service agencies, law enforcement officials, students, parents/guardians and the community at large.
Please refer to Board policy 431 for detailed information about compulsory attendance. Habitual truancy is defined as a student who is absent without an acceptable excuse for part or all of five or more days a semester and 10 days a year. Part of a school day is defined as missing 30 minutes or more without an acceptable excuse.
Bullying
POLICY 411.1 The District and Board of Education are committed to providing a safe, secure, respectful and nurturing learning environment for all students in school buildings, on school grounds, school buses and at school-sponsored activities. The District consistently and vigorously addresses bullying behavior so that there is no disruption to the learning environment and learning process. The policy applies to both on school grounds and during activities that occur off school property.
Definitions (see Policy 411.1 for full descriptions): Bullying - Deliberate or intentional behavior using words or actions intended to cause fear, intimidation or harm. Cyberbullying - All forms of bullying in cyberspace commonly referred to as cyberbullying are prohibited under this policy.
Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to the following misuses of technology: teasing, intimidation, threatening, or terrorizing another person or group of people by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful e-mail messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings, including blogs or any other messages via cyberspace.
The following are used throughout K-12 to help students distinguish between bullying behavior and other types of concerning interactions:
- Teasing: Everyone is having fun; no one is getting hurt; everyone is participating equally.
- Conflict: No one is having fun; there is a possible solution to a disagreement; equal balance of power.
- Mean Moment: Someone is getting hurt on purpose; reaction to a strong feeling or emotion; an isolated event (does not happen regularly).
- Bullying: Someone is being hurt on purpose; repetitive (happens often); imbalance of power.
Reporting Bullying and Filing a Complaint An individual who believes he/she is being subjected to bullying is encouraged to advise the person who is engaging in such conduct (the accused) of their objections to or bullying behavior. If the victim of such behavior is unable or unwilling to advise the person alleged to be engaging in bullying behavior, or if this fails to resolve that behavior, the individual should immediately report the behavior to a teacher, principal, associate principal or district administrator and file a complaint. Complaints against the building principal or associate principal should be filed with Director of Student Support Services, Dan Halvorsen (halvdan@sdmfschools.org) or Director of Human Resources, Evangaline Scoptur (scopeva@sdmfschools.org). Complaints against the Superintendent should be filed with the Board president, Dr. Nina Christensen (nchristensen@sdmfschools.org).
Reports of bullying may be made verbally or in writing and may be made confidentially. All such reports will be taken seriously and a clear account of the incident is to be documented.
Child Abuse & Neglect
POLICY 454 Any District employee having reasonable cause to suspect that a student has been abused or neglected or having reason to believe that a student has been threatened with an injury and that abuse will occur, shall immediately contact the appropriate county or village agency and inform the agency of the fact and circumstances which led to the filing of the report.
School personnel shall not contact the parent(s) and/or legal guardian of the student or any other person to determine the cause of any suspected abuse or neglect. County agencies may contact, observe or interview a student at school, without permission from the parent(s) and/or legal guardian of the student, if necessary to determine if a student is in need of protection or services.
Self-Inflicted Injury
Self-inflicted injuries and threatened suicide are not "abuse." However, these actions are serious threats to a youth's health and life and shall be addressed through other means (e.g., notification of the family or referral for mental health assessment and treatment). The threat of self-inflicted injury may be identified through a number of means, including, but not limited to self-reporting, reporting from other individuals, or discovery on technological devices owned by the District and used by the student
Code of Conduct
POLICY 443 Students who actively engage in their education maximize their educational opportunities, demonstrate a willingness to learn, contribute to a more effective learning environment and display a concern for the rights and privileges of others. Administrators and teachers shall be expected to take reasonable action to maintain a proper learning environment whether in or out of the classroom. The building principal shall maintain written rules of conduct and discipline for students in his/her building within the provisions of state and federal law and adopted Board of Education policies.
Computer, Email & Internet Usage
POLICY 363.2 The School District of Menomonee Falls provides employees and students access to the District’s computer equipment, internal network and the Internet for the purpose of furthering the educational goals and objectives of the District, the professional development of its employees, and the educational enrichment of its students. Access to these facilities is available at all District schools. The District has software and systems in place that monitor and record all Internet usage. No District student or employee should have any expectation of privacy as to his or her computer or Internet usage, or the privacy of any content. Students and employees may not use District computers for viewing or accessing any site that contains any offensive, disruptive, or harmful material. Any violation of the policy found on the district website could result in legal action, disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion, and other action to preserve the integrity of the school district’s property and network. The District is continuing to implement Google Apps for Education for students and teachers in classrooms at the middle and high schools. Our district system is currently a “closed system” that only allows direct communication between district students and teachers. Students in these classrooms will have Google accounts to allow email, storage of their word processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online. All stored work will be accessible from home, school, and anywhere there is an Internet connection. These accounts will be used at school for school-related projects. Google Apps is a place for students to safely keep online communication and collaboration documents as they relate to school – school websites, school documents, school videos, school calendars, and school email.
Concussion & Head Injury Information
Please click on the Concussion & Head Injury Notice here on page 8, letter D.
Dress Code
POLICY 443.2 Restrictions concerning dress, hairstyles and cleanliness shall be confined to those situations which cause interference with school work, create classroom or school disorder, or interfere with the health and safety of the student or other students. Articles of clothing that cause excessive maintenance problems, such as cleats on boots or clothing with metal rivets that scratch furniture, shall be considered unacceptable. Principals shall maintain written rules of dress code and determine discipline when the code is violated.
Dyslexia and Related Conditions Informational Guidebook
The School District of Menomonee Falls supports all students including those with dyslexia and other related conditions. Please contact your child’s classroom teacher and school principal for guidance on how we can best work together to support your child’s educational needs.
Wisconsin's Informational Guidebook on Dyslexia and Related Conditions, required by 2019 Wisconsin Act 86, was created through collaboration between the advisory committee to help learners, families, and educators:
- understand the characteristics of dyslexia and related conditions and how they can be identified.
- share characteristics of instruction that can effectively serve students with dyslexia and related conditions so that all Wisconsin students get the instruction/interventions they need when they need it;
- help families understand what information to request and questions to ask to better understand their child’s strengths and needs as a learner;
- help families understand how their child’s needs as a reader are, or can be, addressed;
- help families understand educational language related to reading, including common terms related to assessment, instruction, and intervention;
- help families understand the universal instruction and/or interventions educators and educational systems use and how to effectively meet the needs of readers with dyslexia or related conditions; and
- support educational systems in considering how their system addresses assessment, screening, instruction, and intervention for all readers, including those with dyslexia and related conditions and those who struggle for other reasons.
Per Act 86, the informational guidebook discusses screening, instruction and intervention, and resources that can support improved learning for school-aged individuals with characteristics of dyslexia. The audience for the information is broad and includes but is not limited to parents and families, educators, interventionists or reading teachers, and educational leaders.
Click here for a one-page summary of the Dyslexia Guidebook.
Each school district is required to include a link to the informational guidebook on dyslexia and related conditions; the school district link must be available no later than December 1, 2023.
Early College Credit
The ECCP statute allows Wisconsin public and private high school students to take one or more courses at an institution of higher education for high school and/or college credit. Under this section, “institution of higher education” means an institution within the University of Wisconsin System, a tribally controlled college, or a private, nonprofit institution of higher education located in the state.
The application deadline for courses to be taken in the fall semester is March 1. The application deadline for courses to be taken in the spring semester is October 1. If you have questions regarding ECCP, you must meet with your school counselor to discuss. For more information please visit the Board of
Education Policy/Procedure 343.3 – Early College Credit and Start College Now Programs Procedure.
An application must be submitted to qualify for ECCP. For application and deadlines please visit:
Education of Homeless Children and Youth
POLICY 420.1 The District shall implement the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act and Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Act to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness or children who are in and out of home/foster care placement are provided with equal access to the same free, appropriate public education.
Please refer to Board policy 420.1 for detailed information. Detailed information on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act can be found on our website at https://www.fallsschools.org/divisions/student-sup...
Families may contact the social worker at each building.
Education for Employment
Click here to review the SDMF Academic and Career Plan.
Click here to review the SDMF Annual Report
Click here to review information and opportunities available to students regarding career exploration, career planning and the availability of programs available at technical colleges.
Educational Options for Students Who Live in the District
Each year, pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 118.57 (54m), The School District of Menomonee Falls (SDMF) is required to publish a Class I Notice outlining the educational options available to children who reside in the district, including public schools and private schools, The SDMF offers a variety of educational options for children who reside in the District:
- Full-time enrollment in a public school from 4-year-old kindergarten (early learning) through grade 12 within the SDMF
- Part-time enrollment involving other educational institutions
- Educational options that involve full-time enrollment at an educational institution outside of schools within the SDMF
Each Fall, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) produces report cards for every publicly funded school and district in Wisconsin. Scores are calculated in four priority areas: student achievement; school growth; closing gaps between student groups; and measures of students being on-track for postsecondary readiness, which includes graduation and attendance rates, third-grade English language arts achievement, and eighth-grade mathematics achievement. Report cards provide a snapshot of performance across the four priority areas and can be used to target improvement efforts. A school or district’s Overall Accountability Score places the school/district into one of five Overall Accountability Ratings:
Significantly Exceeds Expectations | score of 83-100 | *****
Exceeds Expectations | score of 73-82.9 | ****
Meets Expectations | score of 63-72.9| ***
Meets Few Expectations | score of 53-62.9 | **
Fails to Meet Expectations | score of 0-52.9 | *
Report cards for all Wisconsin schools can be found online at https://apps2.dpi.wi.gov/reportcards/home
The School District of Menomonee Falls received an accountability score of 72.4 Exceeds Expectations on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Report Card, which uses multiple measures of student achievement and engagement to describe performance using data from the most recent year of available data. This rating supports students' continuous improvement and strong academic success in the School District of Menomonee Falls. The DPI accountability report under section 115.385 of the state statutes can be accessed via the District’s website at www.fallsschools.org.
District | 72.4 | Exceeds Expectations |
MFHS (9-12) | 77.8 | Exceeds Expectations |
North Middle School(6-8) | 65.2 | Meets Expectations |
Riverside (3-5) | 72.1 | Exceeds Expectations |
Valley View (3-5) | 72.4 | Exceeds Expectations |
*Ben Franklin and Shady Lane, both PreK-2 schools, were rated AR because state testing doesn’t’ begin until grade 3.
Additional educational options for children who reside in the District that involve full-time enrollment or attendance at a school, program or other educational institution that is not a school or instrumentality of the School District of Menomonee Falls include:
- High school students meeting certain age and other eligibility requirements may be permitted to attend a technical college or certain other programs for the purpose of completing a program leading to the student’s high school graduation or to a high school equivalency diploma.
- Full-time Open Enrollment involving physical attendance in a public school of a nonresident school district or attendance through a virtual charter school that is associated with a nonresident school district.
- Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, a child with a disability who meets the program’s specific eligibility requirements may apply to attend an eligible, participating private school under a scholarship awarded through the state’s Special Needs Scholarship Program, as established under section 115.7915 of thestate statutes.
- Enrollment in a private school participating in the Wisconsin parental choice program under section 118.60 of state statutes.
- Enrollment in a home-based private educational program as provided under state law.
- Enrollment in a private school of the family’s choice (at the family’s own cost, as applicable).
- Private schools located in the School District of Menomonee Falls include Aquinas Academy, Bethlehem Lutheran School, Calvary Baptist School, Chesterton Academy, Falls Baptist Academy, Grace Lutheran School, and St. Mary Parish School.
Educational options for children who reside in the School District of Menomonee Falls but who are enrolled in and attending a private school or home-based private educational program include:
1. A non-public school resident student may participate in District classes or programs when specifically required by law
2. A non-public school resident student may enroll in not more than two core or non-core courses during each school semester in at all grade levels provided the following conditions are met:
a. The student has met the standard for admission to thecourse at that grade level;
b. The student takes no more than two courses in any one district a semester.
c. There is sufficient room in the class. When fees are normally charged for a course, the non-public school student shall be responsible for the fee.
3. The rules of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) and other co-curricular activity regulatory entities will be followed where applicable.
4. The student must agree to abide by public school rules and regulations as outlined in the SDMF Handbook for students/parents..
5. Transportation to and from the District class(es), program or activity shall be the responsibility of the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s).
A student attending private school may not apply for full time or part-time open enrollment. A decision denying a request may be appealed to the superintendent/designee. If not resolved by the Superintendent/designee, an appeal may be made to the school board.
Some of the specific educational programs offered to eligible students who are enrolled in and attending the School District of Menomonee Falls include:
- Alternative education programming
- Advanced Coursework: Advanced Placement courses and other opportunities to earn technical college and university-level credits
- Career Academies
- Career and Technical (CTE) programming
- Early childhood special education (for children who are at least three years old but not yet school-age)
- Individualized program and curriculum modifications
- English Language Learners (EL)
- Special Education for students with disabilities
- Falls Summer Academy (summer school)
- Wisconsin Global Scholars Program
Additional educational options for children who reside in the District that involve full-time enrollment or attendance at a school, program or other educational institution that is not a school or instrumentality of the School District of Menomonee Falls include:
- High school students meeting certain age and other eligibility requirements may be permitted to attend a technical college or certain other programs for the purpose of completing a program leading to the student’s high school graduation or to a high school equivalency diploma.
- Full-time Open Enrollment involving physical attendance in a public school of a nonresident school district or attendance through a virtual charter school that is associated with a nonresident school district.
- Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, a child with a disability who meets the program’s specific eligibility requirements may apply to attend an eligible, participating private school under a scholarship awarded through the state’s “Special Needs Scholarship Program,” as established under section 115.7915 of state statutes.
- Enrollment in a private school participating in the Wisconsin parental choice program under section 118.60 of state statutes.
- Enrollment in a home-based private educational program as provided under state law.
- Enrollment in a private school of the family’s choosing (at the family’s own cost, as applicable). Private schools located in the School District of Menomonee Falls include:
- Aquinas Academy
- Bethlehem Lutheran Evangelical School
- Calvary Baptist School
- Falls Baptist Academy
- Grace Lutheran
- Pilgrim Lutheran School
- Zion Lutheran School (Parental Choice School)
- State Assigned Performance Category – N/A
- St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran School
State Assigned Performance Category – N/A - Zion Lutheran School
Educational options for children who reside in the School District of Menomonee Falls but who are enrolled in and attending a private school or home-based private educational program include:
1. A non-public school resident student may participate in District classes or programs when specifically required by law
2. A non-public school resident student may enroll in not more than two core or noncore courses during each school semester in at all grade levels provided the following conditions are met:
a. the student has met the standard for admission to the course at that grade level;
b. the student takes no more than two courses in any one district a semester.
c. there is sufficient room in the class.
When fees are normally charged for a course, the non-public school student shall be responsible for the fee.
3. The rules of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) and other co curricular activity regulatory entities will be followed where applicable.
4. The student must agree to abide by public school rules and regulations.
5. Transportation to and from the District class(es), program or activity shall be the responsibility of the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s).
A student attending private school may not apply for full time or part time open enrollment. A decision denying a request may be appealed to the Superintendent/designee. If not resolved by the Superintendent/designee, an appeal may be made to the Board.
Electronic Communication Devices
POLICY 443.7 The School District of Menomonee Falls recognizes the value of student possession and use of personal electronic communication devices while at school when those devices are used for furthering the educational mission of the District and the health, safety, and welfare of our students. Students may be permitted to use personal electronic communication devices, including, but not limited to, personal digital assistants, cell phones, pagers, and portable media players on school premises and at school-sponsored activities. Possession and use of electronic communication devices must be conducted by students according to Board Policy and the rules set forth at each individual school. Students who possess or use a personal electronic communication device shall be responsible for its care and do so at their own risk.
Emergency School Closings
POLICY 723.1 The Superintendent shall have the authority to close the District schools, start school later or dismiss students early in the event of inclement weather or other emergencies which threaten the health or safety of students and staff. When determining whether or not to close school due to inclement weather, the Superintendent shall consult village public works and other area superintendents.
Procedure for informing families on school closure: Area radio and TV stations shall be notified as early as possible on any day that schools are closed due to inclement weather or other emergencies. Parents will receive an automated call that school is closed, and the announcement will be put on the district’s website.
English Learners
The district is fortunate to have a diverse student population, with students learning to speak multiple languages. To support all students’ access to school, the district has dedicated EL teachers who work with families and students who are learning English. In addition to supporting students, the EL teachers work with families to access resources to communicate with their student’s schools so families can participate in their student's educational experience. Please contact your student's school and they will connect you with an EL teacher to support your next steps or review the EL student handbook for more information.
Facilities
Integrated pest management, or IPM, is a pest control measure that focuses on minimizing pest problems by making the environment unfavorable to pests. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection supports schools in using IPM to manage pests in school settings. This Saturday, May 1, our pesticide contractor will be at the high school for an exterior insect control application for areas at the stadium including the bleachers and structures; the tennis court structures, the soccer field bleachers and structures, the exterior overhangs of the high school and possibly some exterior walls at MFHS. For more information about IPM on school grounds, click here.
Human Growth & Development
POLICY 341.1 The District’s human growth and development education includes age-appropriate information to each grade level and students’ level of maturity. Each year, before human growth and development education begins, an outline of the curriculum will be provided to parents with an outline of the curriculum used in their child’s grade level and information on how the parent may inspect the complete curriculum will be included. Students are required to take courses and participate in units of human growth and development unless a parent files a written request for exemption with the principal. An advisory committee of parents, teachers, administrators, students, health care professionals, clergy members and other district residents advises the board on design, review and implementation of curriculum. The curriculum is evaluated every three years.
Information About Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Starting with any youth athletic activity season that begins on or after July 1, 2022, school districts and other persons who operate certain youth athletic activities are obliged under section 118.2935 to distribute information about the nature and risk of sudden cardiac arrest during such activities. The specific information that must be distributed will be developed and made available by the Department of Public Instruction, working in conjunction with medical experts and other stakeholders. In addition:
(1) The information about sudden cardiac arrest must be provided in connection with any youth athletic activity, as defined under section 118.293(1)(c), that is offered to persons who are 12 years of age or older.
(2) At the beginning of the season of any covered activity (for seasons that start on or after July 1, 2022), the operator of the youth athletic activity must distribute the information sheet to each person who will be coaching the activity and to each person who wishes to participate in the youth athletic activity.
(3) The information about sudden cardiac arrest must be included in the same information sheet that addresses the nature and risk of concussions and head injuries in youth athletic activities (see the previous item in this document, above).
Because the information about sudden cardiac arrest must be combined on the same information sheet as the already-required information about concussions and head injuries, consider the following points about coordinating the two mandates:
(1) As mentioned above, information about cardiac arrest is only required to be provided in connection with activities offered to persons who are 12 years of age or older. In contrast, concussion and head injury information must be provided in connection with any “youth athletic activity,” including those offered to children who are under 12 years of age.
(2) When a student participates in multiple school-sponsored youth athletic activities during the same school year, the statute that addresses concussions and head injuries (section 118.293) allows public and private schools to rely on a single signed and returned information sheet for the duration of each school year (i.e., rather than distributing and receiving a new signed sheet for each separate activity). In the absence of any contrary guidance from the DPI, it appears to be reasonable for schools to apply the same once-per-school- year allowance to the information requirement related to sudden cardiac arrest.
(3) Section 118.2935 itself does not include language that expressly requires the return of a signed copy of the information about cardiac arrest prior to participation in the athletic activity. However, because the information about sudden cardiac arrest must be included on the same sheet as the information about concussions and head injuries, and because a signed copy of the concussion and head injury sheet must be returned prior to participation, the practical impact is that the signed sheet will need to be returned to the school or other activity operator before a person is permitted to participate. Under section 118.293, the returned sheet must be signed by the participant and, if the participant is under the age of 19, by his or her parent or guardian.
Locker Room and Restroom Policy
Locker Searches
POLICY 445.1 All lockers and desks are considered school property and subject to periodic reasonable inspection by school authorities. Lockers may be searched without the consent of the student, without notifying the student and without obtaining a search warrant. Reasonable searches among the personal belongings of the student contained within the locker may be conducted where there are reasonable grounds to believe that the search will provide evidence that the student has violated or is violating the law or the rules of the school. Any unauthorized item found in the locker may be removed. Items removed from the locker may be held by the school for return to the parent/guardian of the student, retained for disciplinary proceedings or turned over to law enforcement.
Managing Students with Sensitivities & Allergies
The District cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment for our students. The District will make every reasonable effort to reduce exposure to any allergen that a family indicates a concern. Since each student’s allergy and situation is different, an individual Health Care Plan may be created for some students and this information shared with school staff that needs to know about the student’s health concern.
The District's primary goal is to create a safe learning environment for students who have life threatening allergies by minimizing the risk of exposure to the offending allergen and to support the individual student in avoidance of the offending allergen. School staff, student's parents/guardian, health care providers, and the student with the allergy will work together to achieve this goal.
Meningococcal Disease
Please see the SDMF Nursing web page for additional information.
Parent's Rights & The Curriculum
POLICY 334 The Board of Education recognizes the pupil’s right of free access to many different types of materials. The Board also recognizes the responsibility of teachers, librarians, and administrators to select books and other materials in accordance with current trends in education and to make them available in the schools. The District recognizes the right of parents to inspect instructional materials and to deny their child’s participation in certain curricular activities in accordance with State and Federal laws and regulations. Complaints resulting from the denial of parent requests regarding the inspection of instructional materials and/or a child’s exclusion from participation in certain curricular activities shall be processed in accordance with established procedures. Complaints shall be judged individually, based upon State and Federal guidelines and District policy.
Parents may request program and curricular modifications through their school administration.
Programs for English Learners
Please visit the Pupil Services web page for additional information.
Pupil Nondiscrimination & Equality of Opportunity Five Year Self-Evaluation
Student Academic Standards
Notice: Student Academic Standards for the School District of Menomonee Falls
(Adopted: August 24, 2015)
The School District of Menomonee Falls is committed to using benchmarked and rigorous standards that set the highest expectations for student performance and prepare students in the District for success in college and career development. In order to align expectations for students with key external assessments used for entrance into college and preparation for viable career pathways (examples include SAT, ACT), the School Board is committed to supporting the College and Career Readiness standards for reading, math, science, and language arts and corresponding standards in other content areas that align skills and concepts with the deep understanding required through the College and Career Readiness standards developed by ACT)
The School Board realizes the importance of community values and positioning students competitively for the global employment market. The Board reviews and approves standards in various areas with the goal of setting high expectations that leverage students for success beyond high school. Primary instructional materials are reviewed and approved by the Board.
In setting standards for students in the School District of Menomonee Falls, the Board looks for the following characteristics:
- Clarity in purpose and measurable outcomes at each grade level
- Collaborative teacher design of expected outcomes and delivery of skills and content.
- Focus on college, community, and workforce preparation
- Benchmarking with other schools across the country
- Flexible and accessible learning so that all students can reach rigorous expectations
Students, parents, and community members can access the Board adopted content standards listed below (date of adoption in parenthesis).
School Accountability Report
Each public school in the state is required by section 115.385(4) of the state statutes to provide a copy o the school's accountability report that is published by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to the parent/guardian of each student enrolled in or attending the school. In addition, each public school that maintains an internet site is required to prominently display a link to the school's most recent accountability report on the homepage of that school's internet site within 30 days after the DPI publishes the accountability report. The district and individual school report cards are available here.
As part of the state accountability system, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) produces report cards for every publicly funded school and district in Wisconsin. These Accountability Report Cards include data on multiple indicators for multiple years across four Priority Areas (Student Achievement, Growth, Closing Gaps, and On-track and Post-secondary Success). In addition, given the impact on student success, the Accountability Report Cards also measure chronic absenteeism and dropout rates. A school or district's Overall Accountability Score places the school/district into one of five Overall Accountability Ratings:
Student Assessments
ACT (Grade 11) (filter to appropriate year and subject results)
https://wisedash.dpi.wi.gov/Dashboard/dashboard/19...
Pre ACT (Grades 9, 10) (filter to appropriate year and subject results) -
https://dpi.wi.gov/assessment/PreACT
ASPIRE (replaced for 2022-23 by Pre ACT by State of WI)
https://wisedash.dpi.wi.gov/Dashboard/dashboard/20...
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) (Grades 3-11) https://dpi.wi.gov/assessment/dlm
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School Nutrition
Students in the Menomonee Falls Public Schools shall have an opportunity to participate in the federally subsidized National School Breakfast Program (NSBP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Both programs allow students who qualify, to receive a free or reduced breakfast and lunch. The Director of School Nutrition shall manage the programs in accordance with established guidelines. District meal and milk prices shall be reviewed and established annually. In addition to the NSLP and NSBP, the School Nutrition Department may offer a la carte food sales or special catering events to students and staff within the district and may contract with other local schools/programs to provide nutrition programs so long as any contracted services are not subsidized by the general fund.
2023-2024 School Year Prices | Lunch | Breakfast |
Elementary K-5 | $2.75 | $1.50 |
Middle School Grades 6-8 | $3.00 | $1.75 |
High School Grades 9-12 | $3.25 | $1.75 |
Adult Meal | $4.65 | $2.75 |
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Payments are accepted online. A separate sheet will explain the process. Checks are also accepted. Please make checks payable to SDMF School Nutrition.
Checks can be mailed to the School Nutrition Office at Menomonee Falls High School, N80 W14350 Titan Drive, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. Please do not send cash. Payments may also be sent with the student and given to the Administrative Assistant in the front office. The families are responsible for keeping their lunch accounts up to date. An email and text message is sent to families regularly, including when the balance reaches $10 or lower per student.
The district recommends depositing $25 or more per student at a time. Please note that there is a minimum of two business days to record payments. Do not include lunch money with any other school dues or fees. Free and Reduced lunch applications are available online at School Nutrition web page. Click “Free and Reduced Lunch.” You may also make online payments by clicking on “Pay School Nutrition Fees.” You will need your family ID and pin number (last 4 digits of the phone number on the account.) Family, student, and staff lunch ID numbers remain the same. The High School and North Middle School offer a la carte items.
Accounts with a negative balance may not charge al a carte items to their account. Only the high school accepts cash in the lunch line. No other schools accept cash in the lunch line.
Special Education
POLICY 342 In recognizing its responsibility to provide children with disabilities appropriate education for all children of the District, the Board shall provide free and appropriate programs. Please refer to Board policy 342 for detailed information about special education. A referral may be made by contacting the office of Pupil Services at 262-255-8442 or by writing to W156N8480 Pilgrim Road, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 53051.
Please click on Pupil Services web page for more information.
Student Alcohol & Other Drug Use
POLICY 443.4 It is the belief of the Board of Education that students and employees have the right to attend school and work in an environment that is free from the non-medical use of alcohol, drugs and mood-altering substances. These substances interfere with the learning environment of students and the performance of students and employees. Possession, distributing, selling, or intending to sell any quantity of drugs, tobacco, intoxicants, look-alike drugs or drug paraphernalia while on school premises or involved in any school related activity, including contracted transportation, by students is strictly prohibited. This policy does not prohibit the authorized use of prescription drugs or over the counter drugs, with the written permission of the student’s parent/guardian and physician. Although not specifically mentioned in the policy, alcohol and other drug use applies to e-cigarettes as well. Students who violate this policy shall be subject disciplinary procedure, which may result in expulsion.
Students participating in voluntary school activities may be subjected to random non-suspicious drug tests provided by the School District of Menomonee Falls as deemed appropriate by the building administrator/designee.
Student Interviews
POLICY 445 There are times when incidents that violate a school rule and/or District policy occur within the school setting. In these cases, the situation will be investigated through interviews of involved students, staff and witnesses for a purpose of gaining a comprehensive understanding of the events that occurred. The questioning will be conducted by a principal/designee. The results of the investigation will determine any consequences.
The police department shall be contacted immediately if there is reason to believe that a student violated any laws. If law enforcement officers are contacted by school personnel, or become involved in an incident that has occurred on school grounds, or at a school-sponsored event away from school premises, it may be necessary to interview the student. If the principal/designee requests assistance, the police officer may conduct an investigation within the school building and interview students as possible witnesses in school and during the school day. Police officers shall make every attempt to interview students outside of school hours and outside of the school setting in cases where assistance by school authorities has not been requested. This procedure will not apply to circumstances where serious crimes are involved or where imminent threats to persons or property are involved. If the police deem it necessary to interview students at school, the police department shall first contact the principal/designee regarding the planned visit and inform the principal/designee of the need to investigate. Communication with Parents/Guardians A. Parents/Guardians will be notified of a school-related incident for all involved students upon completion of the investigation due to the need to be timely and comprehensive, parents will not be notified when students are interviewed. B. Parents/Guardians of involved students will receive communication prior to the release of school should a school investigation be ongoing. C. If police are involved in an investigation, communication to parents/guardians will be determined by the police department.
Student Records
Most student records are confidential with the exception of directory data. Directory data shall be considered public information and may be released to persons, recruiters, and media, unless parents/guardians or adult pupils opt out of the release, in writing, via phone or email, through their own initiation. This release of information is ongoing throughout the school year.
After public notice has been given that a pupil’s name has been designated as directory data, and fourteen (14) days thereafter has been allowed for the parent, legal guardian or guardian ad litem of the pupil to inform the school that the pupil’s name may not be released, the data will be considered public information.information.
A parent, regardless of whether the parent has legal custody of the pupil, shall have access to the pupil’s school records unless the parent has been denied access to such records as outlined by State law (e.g. denied periods of physical placement with the pupil ordered by the court). Parents who have been denied periods of physical placement with a child by court do not have the right to inspect, review or receive copies of the pupil’s education records.
Directory data includes:
1. The student’s name
2. The student’s address
3. The student’s telephone listing
4. The student’s date and place of birth
5. The student’s major field of study
6. The student’s participation in officially recognized activities & sports
7. The student’s weight and height, if a member of an athletic team
8. The student's dates of attendance as defined by the time frame in which the student was enrolled in the school, not the specific dates of attendance
9. The student’s photograph and video
10. The student’s degrees and awards 11. The name of the school most recently previously attended by the student
Pupil Records Personally identifiable information from a pupil record will be disclosed under three circumstances:
- Written consent from a parent, guardian, or adult pupil to the building administrator.
- Receipt of a court order, or - By authority of statute.
Records being released to a parent, or others with written consent, shall contain information related to only their child.Any identifying information about children other than their own shall be redacted.This includes all pupil records, regardless of format.
For additional information, please reference Policy 347 and Procedure.
Student Religious Accommodations
The School District of Menomonee Falls does not discriminate against pupils on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability or handicap in education programs or activities, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. This includes all career and technical education opportunities offered. For information about program offerings, admission criteria, transcripted credited offerings and course standing, please see the MFHS Course Guide.
If any person feels there has been a discriminatory situation in regard to any of the above named classes or in violation of Title IX, Section 504, or Title ADA, please contact the building administrator or contact the Director of Pupil Services.
For more information regarding our process for accommodations or our formal complaint process, please refer to Policy and Procedure 411.
Student Nondiscrimination
The School District of Menomonee Falls does not discriminate against pupils on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability or handicap in education programs or activities, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. This includes all career and technical education opportunities offered. For information about program offerings, admission criteria, transcripted credited offerings and course standing, please see the MFHS Course Guide.
If any person feels there has been a discriminatory situation in regard to any of the classes mentioned earlier or in violation of Title IX, Section 504, or Title ADA, please get in touch with the building administrator or contact Dr. Laura Schieffer, Director of Pupil Services at 262-946-2354 or emailing: schilau@sdmfschools.org.
For more information regarding our process for accommodations or our formal complaint process, please refer to Policy and Procedure 411.
Suicide Prevention Resources
To address mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, schools must foster emotional safety for students and teachers alike. One of the goals of education is to offer students opportunities to develop academic, personal, and social skills that impact on their lives. The School District of Menomonee Falls wants students to be academically and emotionally prepared. The Annual Notice is to provide information on suicide prevention resources, identifying the warning signs, and what you can do if you are concerned about a student. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has a lot of resources available. Please see links below.
Use of Canines in Searches
POLICY 443.6 In order to maintain a drug free school and safe environment, the use of canines trained for drug detection and explosive devices will be used. Accompanied by law enforcement personnel and building administration, canines may be used for purposes of exploratory sniffing of the outside of lockers, vehicles parked on school property, and any other areas of school property deemed appropriate. Canines may also be used for random student searches in extra-curricular, nonmandatory activities. Searches that involve canine units will be carried out on a random or periodic basis.
Transportation
The Board of Education, at district expense, provides transportation to and from school for:
a. All 4K – Grade 5 children residing over one (1) mile from the primary school they will attend (public or private).
b. All children (grades 6 - 12) residing over two (2) miles from the school they will attend (public or private).
c. Children who qualify for pupil transportation according to Wisconsin State Statutes 121.54.
For the following transportation forms, go to www.fallsschools.org/divisions/business-services/t...
- Medical bus alert
- Bus stop change request
The School District of Menomonee Falls provides transportation for District residents to and/or from child care providers based on the location of the child's residence and the location of the child care provider. Such transportation is provided under the following conditions:
1. Students must be eligible for busing based on home residence.
2. The child care provider must be located within the school attendance area and outside the mileage limit which applies to students as specified in Policy #481.
3. Pick-up and drop-off locations must be on the same bus route and in a consistent everyday pattern.
4. Requests for transportation to and/or from a child care provider must be made in writing and received by August 1. Requests made during the school year must be received five working days before a change is to become effective. The request must state the name(s) of the student(s) involved, the student's home address, the child care provider's address, and the pick-up and drop-off points. The request must be submitted to the principal of the school attended by the student(s) involved.
5. Requests for transportation to and/or from a child care provider will be considered based on space availability on the appropriate bus route and on a first come, first served basis.
6. The child care provider must be located on an existing bus route. Routes will not be extended or altered to accommodate requests.
7. There must be no additional cost to the school district for providing this transportation service. Any additional charges will be passed on to the parent.
8. All requests must be renewed each school year.
9. Only two changes of child care provider are accepted during one school year. NOTE: When Milwaukee Public Schools close, transportation does not run for students in open enrollment.
Student Medications
POLICY 453.3 Medications are given to students in the school setting and school sponsored activities (including overnight activities) to continue or maintain a medical therapy which promotes health, prevents disease, relieves symptoms of illness or aids in diagnosis.
To authorize administration of prescription medication, a written, signed statement from the parent/guardian and a written, signed instruction from a practitioner must be on file at the school authorizing school personnel to administer any medication. Non-prescription medication which is FDA approved can be administered. A written, signed statement from the parent/guardian must be on file at school, authorizing school personnel to administer. Students with asthma may possess and self-administer metered dose inhalers or dry powder inhalers for the purpose of preventing or alleviating the onset of asthmatic symptoms. The student must have the written approval of the student’s physician and the written approval of the student’s parent or guardian.
Student Privacy
Directory Data Designations and Opt Outs
See BoardDocs
https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/mfalls/Board.nsf/Public#
Policy 347, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Procedure 347, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Title 1 Program
TITLE 1 PROGRAMS: TEACHER AND PARA QUALIFICATIONS
Federal Notice ESSA [20 U.S.C. 6312(e)1A]
Schools who receive federal Title I program funds are required to notify parents that they may request and obtain information regarding the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers including the following:
--whether a teacher has met state licensing criteria for the grade level and subject areas taught;
--whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status through which state licensing criteria has been waived;
--the undergraduate degree major of the teacher and any graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, including the field of discipline of the certification degree;
--whether the student is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
In addition, a school is required to notify parents if their child is assigned to or taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not “highly qualified.” This provision applies to all teachers and substitute teachers.
Parents who request teacher and/or paraprofessional qualification information must be provided the information in a timely manner.
--School districts receiving federal Title I program funds are required by the ESEA (20 U.S.C.§ 6312(e)(2)(A)) to notify the parents of each student attending any school receiving such funds that the parents may request information regarding any state or local school district policy regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by law and by the district. This notification must be given at the beginning of each school year. When parents request this information, the district must provide it in a timely manner, and the information provided must include, to the extent applicable to each assessment, any policy, procedure or other parental right regarding opting their child out of the otherwise-mandatory federal, state, or local assessments. School officials should be aware that state law (section 118.30(2)(b) of the state statutes) establishes a parental right to excuse their child from taking the state-mandated assessments in grades 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11. According to the DPI, districts may also elect, as a local policy choice, to honor parent requests to excuse their child from state-mandated testing at grades 3, 5, 6, and 7 on an individual basis. There is no parental right to opt their child out of the civics test required for high school graduation under section 118.33(1m) of the state statutes.
**Any parent/guardian requesting information on teacher or paraprofessional qualifications should do so by submitting a written request to the superintendent.**
Title IX
The School District of Menomonee Falls does not discriminate in the opportunities provided for admission to or participation in athletic programs or activities, standards and rules of behavior, disciplinary actions or facilities usage on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, color, or any other factor prohibited by state or federal laws and regulations.
This policy does not prohibit the District from placing a student in a program or activity based on objective standards of individual performance, providing separate programs in interscholastic athletics for males and females if such programs are comparable in type, scope, and support from the district, or from providing separate toilet, locker, and shower facilities if the facilities are comparable. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established discrimination complaint procedures.
In adding a new sport or expanding an existing sport, the District will not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, color, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability, or any other factor prohibited by state or federal laws or regulations.
All SDMF staff are required to complete SafeSchools Training for Title IX to demonstrate proficiency of state and federal compliance. SafeSchools courses have been authored by nationally renowned experts, and has been endorsed by a number of school boards and superintendent associations nationwide.