Grades Six through Eight Student Handbook

Wilson Middle School provides a positive and safe environment to educate, inspire, and empower all students for academic and social success.

The 4 B’s

• Be Kind: Treat others with dignity; no name-calling or bullying.

• Be Safe: Maintain physical boundaries; walk safely and keep hands/feet to yourself.

• Be Respectful: Show regard for yourself, your peers, staff, and school property.

• Be Responsible: Arrive on time, come prepared, and accept ownership of your actions.

PBIS

Wilson Middle School utilizes PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention & Support), a research-based framework focused on proactive prevention rather than reaction. We explicitly teach kindness, respect, responsibility, and safety.

• Prevention First: We build strong student rapport, set clear expectations, and use positive reinforcement to reward good behavior.

• Data-Driven: We track disciplinary data to identify trouble spots and adjust our support strategies accordingly.

• Preferred Consequences: When misbehavior occurs, we prioritize keeping students in school. Preferred interventions include restorative practices, student/parent meetings, detentions, and In-School Suspension (ISS).
  Note: Students who violate behavior rules while serving an ISS will be sent home on Out-of-School Suspension (OSS).

• Expectations: Students must use appropriate language, respect private property, and avoid littering, loitering, or trespassing.

• Neighborhood Disputes: Outside conflicts that occur off school grounds will only be investigated if they carry over into the school day.

Daily Schedule

• Arrival: Doors open at 7:30 AM via the main entrance (15th St.). School begins promptly at 7:40 AM.

• Dismissal: School dismisses at 2:30 PM (Half-days dismiss at 11:30 AM). Students walking or biking must leave campus immediately. Students waiting for rides must wait outside.

• After-School Activities: Students in sports or clubs must leave campus and return at their designated start time if it does not begin immediately after dismissal. Loitering is prohibited.

Traffic & Drop-Off Procedures

The front of the school on 15th Street is a one-way, drop-and-drive zone in the morning. No parking or idling in the street is permitted. Drivers must pull to the curb for student drop-off to avoid local traffic citations. Alternate drop-off locations include Antoine Street or the north parking lot.

Absence & Truancy Policy

Michigan law mandates school attendance until age 18. If a student is absent, parents must contact the attendance office at 734-759-5300 or the attendance line at 734-759-5485. Wyandotte Public Schools determines that a student is considered truant after 15 absences without valid and lawful exceptions (medical documentation), triggering formal truancy officer involvement. Students who are habitually late to first hour are also at risk of a citation from our attendance officer. 

Absence Conditions:

1. Personal illness or injury and home confinement for health reasons or medical appointments are only exempt with medical documentation.

2. Death of a relative - The length of absence may vary as needed.

3. Observance of a religious holiday 

4. Absences for vacation still count as regular school absences. Vacations and parental excusal do not prevent absences from being reported for truancy. Students should attend school as much as possible during school days. Vacations are no exception to this.

*Attendance warning reporting via mailed letter is as follows:

• 5 days, 30 hours

• 10 days, 60 hours

• 15 days, 90 hours (Ticket will be issued)

Weekly Tardy Policy

Tardiness is tracked weekly and carries progressive interventions effective from the third week of September:

Note: Missing class by 10+ minutes without adult consent is classified as "skipping," resulting in an automatic unexcused absence and discipline. Failure to attend an assigned detention results in 1 day of ISS.

Cell Phone & Personal Electronics Policy

Cell phones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds must remain powered off and stored in lockers during the school day. Students can use the office phone during the school day if needed – they should NOT use their personal cell phone to contact parents and guardians during school hours.  Emergency communication must go through the main office. Unauthorized use triggers progressive disciplinary actions:

• 1st Offense: Device confiscated and returned to the student at dismissal.

• 2nd Offense: Device confiscated; parent/guardian must personally pick up the device.

• 3rd Offense: Device confiscated; parent/guardian pick-up required, along with a mandatory administrative meeting to establish a strict electronic compliance plan. Students will be required to dock the device in the office for the remainder of the year. Subsequent violations will result in in/out-of-school suspensions.

Note: Unauthorized recording or photography is strictly banned. Violations, especially involving social media uploads, will face immediate suspension.

Dress Code

The following are prohibited to maintain safety and a focused learning environment:

• Pants with rips, holes, or tears that display undergarments

• Sagging pants 

• All footwear must have a hard protective bottom

  • Soft fabric bottom slippers are not permitted

• Backless, see-through, strapless, spaghetti-strap tops

• The entire structure of the shoulder must be covered from the base of the neck to the top of the arm 

• Cropped shirts and three-quarters shirts

  • Bellies should not be showing/ Midriffs must be covered

  • Necklines can not be plunging or revealing

• Tops may not be of see-through material and must not reveal undergarments

• Excessively tight or short shorts, skirts, or dresses 

• Clothing promoting tobacco, alcohol, drugs, profanity, violence, hate, or any inappropriate messages

• Hats or hoods 

• Animal ears or tails

• Flags

• Spiked jewelry or ”Dog collars”

• “Extreme” or excessive makeup 

• Writing on bodies or clothing with markers, pens, etc.

• Visible piercings other than ears and/or a simple nose stud

*Other dress styles are subject to administrative approval (other disruptive or unsafe styles tend to pop up). 

If a student is not certain about a particular style, they should ask office staff before wearing the item. 

If a dress-code violation occurs, students will be asked to change.  If no clothes are readily available to change into, students must call home.  Students will NOT be allowed back into class until he/she changes. If habitual offenses occur, other consequences, including suspension, may be issued. 

Banned Items

• Weapons or anything resembling a weapon, tobacco and vapes, drugs, alcohol, sprays (perfume or deodorant), and glass containers.

• NEE DOH’s (i.e. gel filled squish toys)

• Vapes, Illegal substances, narcotics  

• GLASS bottles and containers

• Permanent markers and Paint pens

• Lasers, chains, pins, rubber bands, and items that could be used in dangerous and annoying and inappropriate ways    

*The above items may be confiscated. The school reserves the right to ban other items that become distracting.

General School Regulations

• Backpacks, Outerwear & Valuables: Backpacks, heavy coats, purses, and crossbody bags must remain stored in lockers. Students can have a Trapper Keeper but no bags of any sort in classrooms. The school holds zero liability for lost, stolen, or damaged personal valuables. Large sums of money will be confiscated.

• Snacks and Drinks in School: Students are allowed to drink WATER in classrooms only. No other beverage is allowed due to their sticky nature, except on special occasions arranged by teachers. Students who arrive with coffee drinks or any other beverage that is not water,  will be required to finish them prior to entering the building.

• Transportation: Bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters must be walked while on school grounds and locked securely at designated outdoor racks. Riding is NOT permitted on school grounds.  Students must walk their bikes/scooters to the bike racks upon arriving on school grounds. The following intervention(s) will be used in the event students conduct unsafe riding practices such as wheelies, riding on school property, or general unsafe conduct with bikes/scooters/ebikes or any other means of transportation:

  • 1st Infraction - 1 week ban from school property

  • 2nd Infraction - 2 week ban from school property

  • 3rd infraction - Mandatory in person parent conference, ban from school property for remainder of school year, citation from SRO

• Financial Exchanging: Borrowing, loaning, begging, or trading currency or personal items between students is prohibited on school property.

• Public Displays of Affection (PDA): Hand-holding, hugging, and kissing are inappropriate behaviors on school property and are subject to disciplinary intervention.

Physical Education

• Physical Education Lockers: Students must provide their own combination locks for gym lockers (key locks are banned). Gym lockers must be emptied daily; leftover locks will be cut off at dismissal at the owner's expense.

• Students are expected to take part in class unless excused by a doctor’s note or parental notification of an injury.  (If a student is “ill”, they should not be in school.  If they are in school, they are expected to participate in gym class.)  Students will be sent to the office if they consistently refuse to participate.  Any member of a Wilson athletic team who refuses to engage in P.E. class the day of an athletic event may be ineligible to play in his/ her contest. 

Hygiene

Proper hygiene, including the use of soap and deodorant, is essential for school. Neglecting hygiene can lead to negative attention, and if it becomes an issue, parents will be contacted or students will receive counseling. 

• Head Lice Awareness and Protocol: Head lice spread easily through head-to-head contact or by sharing items like combs, hats, and bedding. Parents should check for constant head scratching and look closely near the scalp (especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck) for tiny, firmly attached nits. Students with head lice must not attend school. If you suspect an infestation, please contact the school immediately so we can follow District protocol.

After-School Events, Athletic Events, Dances, and Activity Nights

The school organizes various events and dances throughout the year to help students develop socialization skills and a positive school attitude. Participation is a privilege, and all school rules and expectations apply to both attendees and spectators.

To ensure a safe and positive environment, please note the following guidelines:

• Eligibility & Behavior: Students who are absent or suspended on the day of an event cannot attend or be on school grounds. Additionally, students with poor behavior or more than one "E" in their classes may be banned from attending.

• Consequences: Misbehavior at any after-school event will result in removal from the venue and school discipline. It may also lead to a ban from all future events or a trespassing citation.

• Pick-Up: For student safety, it is imperative that students are picked up within 5 minutes of the scheduled ending time.

Behavioral Expectations & Disciplinary Actions

While most students consistently follow school rules, infractions are handled with a range of positive interventions, restorative practices, and progressive disciplinary actions. Consequences are tailored to individual student needs, the severity of the behavior, and whether the infraction is habitual.

• Minor Infractions: Classroom teachers manage initial issues, which may include parent contact or detentions up to 10 minutes after school.

• Office Interventions: More serious or chronic behaviors are referred to the office. Consequences range from counseling, social worker support, and parent meetings to lunch and after-school detentions, Saturday detentions, In-School Suspension (ISS), and Out-of-School Suspension (OSS).

• Suspension Rule: Students who are suspended are strictly prohibited from entering school grounds or attending any District or school-related events.

Common Prohibited Behaviors & Consequences

• Unkind Behavior & Bullying: Wilson Middle School enforces an "Expect Respect" policy. Bullying (repeated behavior involving a power imbalance) and harassment (intentional, repeated harm) are strictly prohibited. Threatening comments, including telling a student to harm themselves, will result in strict disciplinary action. "Just joking around" is not an excuse. Parent Note: Most unkind behavior originates on social media. Please teach your child social-media etiquette and monitor their platforms.

• Unsafe Behavior: Pushing, shoving, hitting, or throwing items will result in consequences ranging from warnings to suspensions, depending on severity. "Just playing around" does not excuse unsafe actions.

• Fights: Fighting results in a mandatory suspension and potential citations. Offenses lead to a progression of longer suspensions (e.g., 3, 5, 10 days) up to expulsion. Instigating, encouraging, videoing, or posting fights on social media will also result in severe penalties.

• Insubordination & Profanity: Refusal to work or gross disrespect will result in consequences ranging from parent contact to suspension. Blatant or habitual profanity will result in formal discipline; profanity directed at staff may result in immediate suspension.

• "Depanting" & Spitting: Tugging on another student’s pants is considered inappropriate behavior that may be deemed sexual in nature. Spitting is a serious health hazard and is intolerable; both acts will result in strict disciplinary action.

Extremely Serious Infractions

Physical assaults, arson, bomb and death threats, theft, deliberate destruction of school property, and the possession of weapons (including pocket knives and look-alikes) are extremely serious. These violations jeopardize student enrollment and will result in suspension, potential expulsion, and legal citations.

• Substance Abuse & Vaping: The possession or use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or vaping devices (including those containing nicotine or THC) is strictly prohibited. Vaping carries harmful health risks and will result in immediate suspension and a citation.

Social Media and Digital Safety

Many school conflicts originate online. Middle school students often lack the maturity to navigate online negativity and drama.

• Parental Role: Please monitor, limit, or remove your child’s social media access to protect them from cyberbullying and inappropriate content. Note that most platforms require users to be at least 13 years old to comply with federal privacy laws (COPPA).

• School Jurisdiction: The school is not responsible for disciplining behavior that occurs outside of school hours. Parents must handle external digital conflicts privately or contact the police if threats are made. However, if social media drama spills into the school day and disrupts the learning environment, school consequences will apply.

Understanding "Zero Tolerance" & Expulsion

A zero-tolerance policy ensures specific, consistent discipline for serious infractions, but it does not mean automatic suspension or expulsion for every offense.

• Investigation: Administration thoroughly and impartially investigates all incidents to issue fair, fact-based consequences. Not all misconduct results in a suspension.

• Expulsion: Expulsion is rare and reserved for "Extremely Serious Infractions." School administrators do not have the authority to expel a student; that final decision rests solely with the Superintendent and the School Board. Suspended or expelled students are strictly prohibited from entering school grounds.

Support Staff

Wilson Middle School provides comprehensive student support services. Students can request counseling or social work support via a teacher pass, a physical mailbox note, or a dedicated Google Form.

• School Counselors: Ms. Pizzo (student last names A-K) & Mrs. Stewart (student last names L-Z) (Academic scheduling, assessments, peer mediation).

• School Social Workers: Ms. Bak & Mrs. Mohlman (Social and emotional support).

• School Resource Officer: Officer Theisen (Campus safety and community liaison).

Academic Monitoring & Recognition

• Report Cards: Emailed home at the end of each quarter. Real-time grades, missing assignments, and academic performance must be monitored daily via the online Parent Portal. Hard copies are available upon request. Daily updates to academic progress are available in the MiStar Parent Portal.

• Honor Roll: Awarded to students earning a quarterly GPA of 3.0 – 3.69 with no grade below a C-.

• Principal's List: Awarded to students earning a quarterly GPA of 3.7 or higher. Maintenance across Quarters 1, 2, and 3 is honored at the year-end awards ceremony.

• Alfred DeFran Student of the Year: Awarded annually to one male and one female 8th grader demonstrating top academic achievement, excellent citizenship, and school involvement. Winners receive a trophy and a $500 high school graduation scholarship.

• Homework Hub: Available 5 days a week from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm open to all students as needed. 

Standardized Testing/Assessments

All students in grades 6-8 participate in M-STEP or PSAT testing in the spring. These are state-mandated tests for public school students.  These tests do not provide information about student growth, but they do show where students are in comparison to other students across the state in the same grade.  The WPS District uses a valuable assessment for reading and math called NWEA (done three times a year: fall, winter, and spring). This testing protocol does measure student growth and helps provide insight into student learning throughout the year. 

Medication & Emergency Guidelines

• Medication Authorization: All prescription and over-the-counter medications (including ointments and cough drops) require a Medication Authorization form signed by a physician. Students are strictly prohibited from carrying medications on campus.

• Medical Plans and Elevators: Students with chronic conditions must provide a completed Medical Plan to the office. Elevator access requires a formal medical restriction note from a physician.

• Emergency Contacts: Parents must maintain a minimum of 3 valid emergency contacts in the online Parent Portal and submit the annual paper backup card.

Campus Safety & Restrictions

• Trespassing: Suspended students, students from other schools, or expelled individuals are restricted from school grounds and all district extracurricular events.

• Jefferson Property: Wilson students waiting for elementary siblings must wait exclusively on Wilson property until Jefferson Elementary's designated dismissal time.

• Emergency Drills: State-mandated safety drills (Fire, Lockdown, Tornado, AED, ALICE, Evacuation) are conducted periodically and demand strict compliance.

• Leaving School Early

Parents and guardians must contact the school before their child will be given permission to leave school during the course of a day. Students may not leave school without signing out in the office. If students are signed out 20 minutes prior to the end of the school day, this will result in a full hour absence. This practice is discouraged.   Permission to leave school can only be issued by a parent and guardian.  Parents and guardians will be asked to fill out dismissal information using a designated QR code. 

Chromebook & Network Policies

• Grades 8: Students are provided a district-owned Chromebook. Students must charge it nightly, bring it to school daily, and keep the district provided case on it at all times.

• Grade 6 & 7: Chromebooks are in classroom-dedicated Chromebook sets; devices do not go home.

• Acceptable Use Policy: Network access requires a signed Acceptable Use form. Violations will result in the suspension of internet privileges and progressive discipline.

Learning Materials & Lockers

• Learning Resource Center (LRC) & Textbooks: Students are financially liable for any lost, stolen, or damaged textbooks, library media, or equipment. All outstanding balances must be cleared before the end of the academic year.

• Hallway Lockers: Issued individually. Shared combinations or shared lockers are prohibited. Lockers must remain clean, clear of food, and may only contain removable magnets (no exterior decorations or stickers). Access is generally restricted to arrival, lunch, physical education hours, and dismissal. The expectation is that students use the 5 minute passing times expeditiously. 

Lunch Times & Account Funding

Standard breakfast and lunch meals are free for all students. To preserve federal Title I school funding, parents are required to submit the annual Free and Reduced Lunch Application. These can be found in the Parent Portal or paper copies are available at Wilson and Wyandotte Schools Board Office. Ala carte purchases can be funded online via MyPaymentsPlus. For food service inquiries, call 734-759-5340.

• Breakfast Service: 7:15 AM – 7:35 AM Daily

• Lunch Blocks: Grade 8 (10:47 AM – 11:17 AM) | Grade 7 (11:24 AM – 11:54 AM) | Grade 6 (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM).

Cafeteria Expectations

• Seating Policy: Tables are initially assigned by 4th-hour class to start each year and semester. Choice seating is open during week two and becomes permanent in at the beginning of week three. Table-hopping is prohibited once seats have been set for the quarter. Students will be allowed to change their preferred seating at the beginning of each quarter. 

• Food Restrictions: Pop, energy drinks, and coffee beverages are prohibited campus-wide. Outside food drops by parents must coincide precisely with the student's lunch window. Third-party commercial delivery services (e.g., DoorDash, GrubHub) are strictly banned.

• Device Rules: Cell phones are banned in the cafeteria. Chromebooks or cards are permitted unless they create a disruption.

• Discipline: Rule infractions or throwing objects may result in long-term assigned lunch detention tables, In-School Suspension (ISS), or Out-of-School Suspension.