Student Services

nomonie Alternative HS

 


MISSION STATEMENT

 Menomonie Alternative High School is a school of choice for at-promising students in grades 10-12 and some adult learners.  The mission of the Menomonie Alternative High School is to empower students to be lifelong learners, caringindividuals, and citizens who are responsible for their own behaviors.  The core values of our school are belonging, independence, mastery, and generosity.

 


NAMES AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Menomonie Alternative High School Office (715) 232-2606
David Muñoz (Administrator) at High School (715) 232-2606 Ext. 41005 [email protected]
Jim Swanson (Techer) 715 232-2606 Ext. 45001 [email protected]
Fabreann Buffington (Teacher) 715-232-2606 Ext. 45003 [email protected]
Sue Halama (Counselor) 715-232-2606 Ext. 45004 [email protected]

 


FOOD SERVICE INFORMATION

Students may eat breakfast as part of the school food service program. The lunch program is provided by the Menomonie School District. Information on how to participate in the lunch program is mailed to each family before school begins. Students have an opportunity to eat/participate in the school lunch program.

 


VISITOR POLICY

Visitors, including parents/guardians, and family are invited to visit the school and are required to obtain a visitor’s pass from the high school office. Visiting animals must also be be preapproved using the district animal permission  form.

Student visitors must be a guest of a student enrolled at Menomonie Alternative High School. A visiting student may not attend class until the enrolled student’s teacher completes the permission form. No student visitor passes will be allowed during the last week of each term. A two-day advance notice is required to receive a visitor pass.

 


TRANSPORTATION

Menomonie Alternative High School students may ride the bus to school and then report to their class.  Bus arrangements would need to be made with Menomonie Transportation.

 


ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS

•    Students will receive individualized programs based on their needs
•    Students will earn a minimum of 1.5 credits per term/quarter
•    Students will demonstrate at least 80% accuracy on each learning unit
•    Students will perform 72 hours of community service
•    Students will participate in work experiences

*Please refer to the Expectations for Academic Progress, Report Cards and Grading Policy, and Senior Platform and Individual Projects handouts for more detailed information

 


GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

There are five primary means for students to earn the 25 credits required for graduation:
•    Student initiated project
•    Traditional classes for credit
•    Computer-based instruction, i.e. PLATO and/or other online classes
•    PASS individual programming
•    Classes for credit taught by community volunteers
72 hours of community service and physical education are required of each student for graduation.

Course/credits required:
English-4
Social studies-3
Math-2
Science-2
PE-1.0
Health-.5

 


GRADUATION DATES

Menomonie Alternative High School has two graduations per year. One taking place in January and the other in June.

 


ATTENDANCE POLICY

Student attendance is required by state law. Please refer to the high school attendance policy for more detailed information.

 


PARENT PARTICIPATION

Parents/guardians are encouraged to be involved in their child’s educational experience. They are welcome to visit or volunteer at school, participate in conferences and other meetings.

 


PARENT CONFERENCES

Parent conferences take place two times per year from 4:00-7:30 pm. Dates for parent conferences are 11/03/11 and 03/29/12, alson on 3/30/12 from 8:00 a.m. to Noon.  Know that if you would have any concerns that a conference can be set up at any time with the teacher, school counselor and/or administrator.

 


USE OF BUILDING

All students will be responsible to a staff member when using the building facilities. Anyone in the building without making arrangements with a staff member will lose the privilege of using the facilities. This policy applies during times school is in session, weekends, and vacation periods.

 


BUILDING CONDITIONS

Students and staff are responsible for the cleanliness of the school and grounds.

 


USE OF CELL PHONES

Use of cell phones during the school day is not allowed. Cell phones being used will be confiscated by staff and returned at the end of the day.

 


STUDENT REPRESENTATION

 


PICTURE DAY

Lifetouch will be at the high school to take pictures of students and staff. A schedule for picture taking  will be established prior to the start of school. Picture information will be handed out on Orientation Days.

 


PLANNING DAYS

There are early release days when students will be released at 12:30.  The early release days for this year are:
Wednesday, 9/21/11

Wednesday, 10/19/11

Wednesday, 11/23//11

Wednesday, 01/25/12

Wednesday, 02/22/12

Wednesday, 04/25/12

Wednesday, 05/23/12

 


MENOMONIE ALTERNATIVE HS PHILOSOPHY

We value FOCUSED ACTIVITY
Effective teams work close to the core of issues and are not distracted by trivial points. Therefore we will:
o    Focus on one goal at a time
o    Work together
o    Set timelines & adhere to them
o    Have an agenda & follow it
o    Record minutes (take turns)

We value CREATIVITY
Effective teams encourage thinking beyond normal options, listen to the “minority voice”, encouraging dissenting opinions, synergize the thoughts and perspectives of different members, and approach problems from new perspectives.  Therefore we will:
o    Accept/promote creative strategies/solutions

We value OPEN COMMUNICATION
Conflict is an asset to maintaining open communications.  Member’s in effective teams challenge each other’s assumptions.  Effective teams make the fullest possible use of all their members.  In less effective groups there is often a disproportionate contributions between members.  Good teams seek out opinions of those who are less active and moderate the contributions of those who monopolize conversation.  Therefore we will:
o    Respect other’s truths and opinions
o    Talk about problems with the person rather than other people

Effective teams have a culture that allows people to speak freely and challenge the premise of other’s viewpoints without the threat of anger, resentment, or retribution.  Therefore we will:
o    Have shared decision making
o    Create a forum for safe conversation/communication

We value CARING
Effective teams nurture their relationships.  Trust grows out of personal interaction.  They recognize that what and how things are said communicates who we are and what we care about.  Therefore we will:
o    Put students first
o    Make fullest use of all members
o    Empathize with others and value trust
o    Nurture professional/personal relationships

 


MAHS CONTRACT

1.  Be Responsible:
•    On time
•    Prepared for class
•    Meet goals for achieving credits

2.    Treat Everyone Fairly:
Students and staff are expected to treat each other fairly.
3.    Be Helpful:
At all times, students and staff will demonstrate helpful behaviors.
      Respect People and Property:
•    Appropriate language (no putdowns, namecalling, swearing, or use of gender or sexually degrading comments)
•    Appropriate clothing
•    Participate/work without disturbing others

*All students and staff have the right not to be discriminated against on the basis
 of race, sex, religion, or beliefs.

CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING THE SOCIAL CONTRACT POLICY:

Step 1:  Student and teacher talk about actions and consequences.

Step 2:  Teacher and student talk with parent/guardian.

Step 3:  Student, parent, and teacher meet with the administrator.

Consequences may include:
•    Make up time on Friday
•    Suspension
•    Loss of privileges such as breaks
•    Expulsion from MAHS
•    Contact with law enforcement or human service agencies

Bottom Line Behavior:
Weapons shall not be permitted on school property, school buses, or at any school related event.  Fighting, property damage and theft will not be allowed.  Students will not sell, possess, use or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages, illegal or controlled substances during the school day.

 


STUDENT LEVELS

LEVEL 1:

Criteria:
¬    New students
¬    Academic probation
¬    Truancy issues (2 or more unexcused absences per term)
¬    Owes more than 5 hours for unexcused absences/rule breaking
Expectations:
¬    One break
¬    M-F 9:00am-2:00pm
¬    Advisor’s room only
LEVEL 2:

Criteria:
¬    Earned at least 1.5 credits last term
¬    Less than 2 unexcused absences per term
¬    Consistently on time for classes
¬    Owes less than 5 hours for unexcused absences/rule breaking

Expectations:
¬    One break
¬    15 min. free time (gym, computer, read, games, inside building)
¬    M-Th 9:00am-2:00pm
¬    Hats allowed
¬    Advisor’s room for Eng.-access to other rooms with advisor’s permission
¬    Other options considered
LEVEL 3:

Criteria:
¬    Earned 3.0 or more credits per term
¬    Work turned in weekly
¬    Attends school regularly
¬    On time for classes
¬    Does not owe hours for unexcused absences/rule breaking

Expectations:
¬    One break
¬    30 min. free time (gym, computer, read, games, inside building)
¬    M-Th 9:00am-2:00pm
¬    Thursday movie with popcorn after lunch
¬    Fast food lunch with staff
¬    Hats allowed
¬    Access to other rooms except during required classes

 


DAILY SCHEDULE

TIME
ACTIVITY
9:00-10:00 am
Foods management class, goal setting, advisor time
10:00-10:45 am
Integrated Literacy
10:45-11:00am
Break (staff supervise)
11:00 am-12:00 pm
Individual work time/special courses and projects
12:00-12:30 pm
Town Hall
12:30-1:00 pm
Lunch (staff supervise)
1:00-2:00 pm
Individual work/special courses and projects
2:00-2:15 pm
Break/dismissal
2:15-4:00 pm
Students with reduced schedules/meetings

 


ELECTIVE COURSES FOR THE YEAR

TERM 1
9/6/11-10/29/11
TERM 2
10/31/11-01/20/12
TERM 3
01/23/12-03/23/12
TERM 4
03/26/12-06/06/12
PLATO, PASS, packets
Vocational class
Individual Projects
Resiliency Group
Radio Theatre
Resiliency Group
Living History
Parenting Class
HMV
HMV
Foods Management Class (Jim)
Art
Science
Smoking Cessation
Smoking Cessation

Town Hall: Required for all students. Areas covered include personal/social skills, career/vocational information, current events, and citizenship.

Integrated Literacy: Required for all students. Curriculum includes reading, writing, sustained silent reading, and book studies. Students will meet with their teacher advisor weekly to set and review goals.