School Policy Guide

Marquette staff members believe strongly that relationships and trust are the most important aspects of creating a positive school climate and minimizing undesired behaviors. We engage in practices and policies throughout our teaching to build positive relationships and trust with students. Marquette teaches and encourages all students to strive for being a “Model Mustang”. The expectations of a Model Mustang are: 1) Be Safe, 2) Be Kind and Caring, and 3) Be Responsible. Our universal system of behavior is Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS), in which expected behaviors are taught, reinforced and celebrated.

We support students through weekly social emotional learning using MMSD created lessons. Additionally, Marquette is a Welcoming School, a national program that helps create safe and inclusive school environments. Staff members throughout Marquette provide individual supports and interventions as appropriate to help students make positive behavior choices and learn the positive social skills.

We realize some students carry cell phones for communication with families. The Madison School District allows students to possess cell phones while on school property or while attending school-sponsored related activities, on or off school property. At Marquette, we have found that unauthorized use of cell phones can cause disruption in the classrooms, so we want to set clear expectations. Students should not be using cellphones during the school day. They may use the classroom or office phones to contact family members. Cell phones should be silenced and kept in their lockers. A student may ask a teacher to keep it in a secure location during the day. It is the student’s responsibility to retrieve the phone from the teacher at the end of the school day. Students who possess a device do so at their own risk to possible loss, damage or liability. Madison Metropolitan School District will not be responsible for the recovery of lost or stolen electronic devices.

Red Caboose (608-251-5432) provides after school day care on-site at Marquette. Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center (608-257-4576) provides off-site childcare at 504 S Brearly St; children are picked up at Marquette in a van by Wil-Mar staff.

We want all our families to feel a sense of belonging at Marquette. There are school wide opportunities to connect with your child’s teacher at Welcome Back events, fall conferences, and spring conferences. We plan other family friendly activities throughout the school year and hope you can attend. Marquette staff encourages families to reach out to us with questions, concerns, compliments, and comments. This input allows us to better connect with and support our students and families.

Your online approval during enrollment every August covers walking field trips in the neighborhood. Teachers will send home permission slips for those field trips that require bus transportation and fees. Field trip chaperones must go through the MMSD volunteer approval process.

We want to make sure students have appropriate clothing for being outside. This helps them stay healthy, safe, and comfortable. During winter weather, we ask that students have a winter coat, snow pants, snow boots, hat/hood, and mittens/gloves for being outside. Students who are not appropriately dressed for the weather may be restricted to certain areas of the playground or need to stay inside. We appreciate the efforts families put forward to ensure their students are dressed appropriately for the weather. We can also provide some winter clothing for students through donations we receive. Please contact us if your child is in need of some clothing.

To ensure the safety of your child, please send an email to your child’s teacher and the office (marquette@madison.k12.wi.us) in advance. We require parents/guardians to come into the building and sign out the student. Marquette office staff will call the classroom to have the student sent down to the office to meet family members. Please remember anyone picking up a student must be authorized and listed in Infinite Campus.

Families play a key role in school safety. You’ll find information on Marquette and MMSD safety and security, at madison.k12.wi.us/safety. We ask that all visitors sign in to the Marquette office and pick up a visitor badge.

At Marquette, we focus on a continuous cycle of improvement. This means we are reflecting on our practice, analyzing data, and making adjustments throughout the school year. Staff members engage in professional learning as a part of this improvement cycle. We have a School Improvement Plan (SIP) that is focused on improving areas of the school based on measurable goals. We believe in high expectations for all students. We support student learning with a focus on equity and success for all students.

Health Office: 608-204-3227

Social Worker: 608-204-3226

Psychologist: 608-204-6937

School Secretary: 608-204-3225

Lost items go to our lost and found & periodically unclaimed items are donated to charity. We strongly encourage you to put your child’s name on their belongings to avoid lost items. Students are encouraged to leave personal property such as toys, valuables, and electronic devices at home. Having non-essential items at school interferes with learning and are at risk to be lost or damaged.

Morning supervision begins at 7:25 a.m. To ensure safety, please do not drop your child off before this time as there are not any supervising adults present.

If picking up students after school, please make arrangements to be here at dismissal time, 1:15 (Mondays) and 2:40 (Tuesday - Friday). We do not have playground supervision for students after dismissal. We must make sure that all students are safely on their way home after school. Students who are on the playground after school must have an adult on the playground with them.

Student drop off is on Jenifer Street. We now have 20 minute parking on Jenifer Street for drop-off/pickup. Do not park or drop off students at the bus drop or in the parking lot. Please use the crosswalks. Crossing guards and safety patrols are at each corner.