School Policy Guide

If your child is sick or not going to attend school, you can report the absence on our website with the Absence Reporting Link .

If it is necessary for a student to be absent from school for a reason other than being physically unable to attend (i.e. a trip or special circumstances) please request for a pre-approved absence at the same link. If you do not, your child will be marked with an unexcused absence. Five unexcused absences will result in a truancy conference with the principal and social worker. If your child is out sick more for more than ten days throughout the year, a health note is requested. If you do not have online access please call (608) 204-1908 and report your child’s absence. If we have not heard from you by 8am we will be calling you.

An important District and Stephens goal for each of our students is that they arrive at school on time every day. We understand that everyone is delayed occasionally, but arriving at school on time not only allows for healthy social interaction on the playground, at breakfast and in the halls, it also sets a positive tone for the day. 4k students line up in front of the building. All other students should walk around the building to the corresponding k/1, 2/3 or 4/5 doors. Breakfast is served in the classrooms at 7:15am. Students can come in the front door starting at 7:30am. The tardy bell rings at 7:35 am. If your child arrives at or after 7:35 they need to stop in the office to get a late pass and will have a Tardy marked on their attendance record.

Our Motto is Together We Are .. Stephens. Unidos Somos Stephens. We celebrate PBS by teaching our students what it means to be safe, respectful and responsible. We also use Second Step, the social emotional curriculum to help students learn how to name their feelings and calm themselves. We celebrate Welcoming Schools through out the year which is a program by the Human Rights Campaign by celebrating diverse LGBTQIA+ families and people.

We also look at anti-bias-based bullying and other ways to create equity in our community. We also use many strategies to work towards mindfulness with students to help resolve personal problems. If you have any questions about how behaviors are addressed please contact the office.

For bus stop information including times, and schedules, please visit the transportation link.

The Afterschool Program by Wisconsin Youth Companies held in the gym from 2:47 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.:
www.afterschoolwi.org 608-276-9782

The Allied Learning Center: 608-204-6561

Kids Junction Learning Center: 608-827-5437

Black Belt America: 273-4111

Kindercare Old Sauk Rd: 608-831-1223

Kings Kids Academy: 608-845-5464

At Stephens we have a very active PTO. Please join us in our activities! There are many ways for parents to get involved by participating in events, planning events, and being part of the PTO. We welcome all forms of participation. We have Bilingual Resource Specialists for Chinese and Spanish at most events. We encourage visits. It is important to schedule a visit first with the teacher or the principal.

Parents of Black Excellence: A group of African American Parents have come together to support their students in the school and each other. They will be advocating for the needs of Black Students in the school. Our Family Liaison Lindsey Johnson is the lead of this group.

We believe field trips can enhance learning for all students. The PTO is very generous in supporting our field trips by paying for the transportation. You will get a permission slip to inform you of any cost of the trip and to let you know about the arrangements; however, all students are expected to participate in trips as they are connected to our curriculum. We can support any field trip costs if needed.

To view the lunch menu and pay lunch accounts online please go to: https://food.madison.k12.wi.us/. If you prefer to pay by check or cash please put payment in an envelope in the office.

There are two parent/teacher conferences a year in November and March. This is a great opportunity for you to hear about how your child is doing and ask questions.

To ensure the safety of your child, please send a note in advance to your child’s teacher or the office. We require parents to come to the door and ring the buzzer. . We will call the classroom to have the student sent down to the office to meet the parents. Please remember anyone picking up a student must be authorized and listed in Infinite Campus. Once school is in session, no non-school staff (including parents) will be allowed to go to a classroom unaccompanied and pick up a child. In the fall parents are not allowed to come into the building due to COVID.

Families play a key role in school safety. At stephens.madison.k12.wi.us/families/safety-and-security, you can read about school-specific resources for helping keep students safe. You’ll find more information on district safety and security, including how we communicate with you in an emergency, at madison.k12.wi.us/safety.

If your child is missing an item of clothing our “Lost and Found” is located in the support services hallway. It is highly recommended that you label all of your child’s things. If your child has a cell phone that they use for safety afterschool, it must be stored in his/her locker and powered off until the end of the day.

Mandy Monson, our school nurse, is here each day for part of the day. She helps with prevention as well as addressing students who are sick or injured. We have an aide here in the office to help when she is not here. We have a full-time psychologist, Adan Vasquez and social worker, Amy Bennett who help again with preventative issues and can address anything that comes up for your child throughout the year. We have several special education teachers and assistants who help students access the curriculum. We have a part-time advanced learning teacher who supports the teachers and advanced students. If you need some extra support in any area please talk to your teacher or the principal for assistance.

At Stephens, we have staff supervision starting at 7:15AM at all of the playground entrances and near the buses. Students should not arrive before 7:15AM. Starting at 7:30am students should come in the front doors as the supervisors on the playground come inside.

We have the most school buses of any school in the district. At the end of each day we check in every child onto the bus to be sure we know where they are! Parents should meet students on the school side of the street or have the students cross with the crossing guard. Please see the Stephens brochure regarding traffic. Please do not cross your child across Rosa road without the crossing guard.

When visiting Stephens, you must stop in the office to check in as a visitor before heading into the hallways or classrooms. If you would like to be a school volunteer, you may apply online.