Rumor Mill

Published August 2, 2013

The purpose of this section is to answer any questions parents, teachers or community members might have regarding the school district and to set the record straight in regards to any rumors that might be circulating.

If you have a question or have heard a rumor that you would like for us to address, simply SEND US your questions and we will respond to them in upcoming issues of IN FOCUS. Below are some of the questions we have received since our last issue.

I would like to know why we start with a half day on Friday instead of just starting with a full day the following Monday? Does a half day really do anything for the students?

The reason for beginning the school year with a half day on Friday is really about school and district readiness. The half day allows the district to meet the students and welcome them to school, while ensuring that we can accommodate our students appropriately.

Some of the questions district leaders and administrators will be asking themselves Friday include: were our expectations correct on student enrollment; did we plan well based on that projected enrollment; do we have enough teachers; did we staff appropriately; and are our teacher placements appropriate to the students that arrived.

The half day and the two additional days over the weekend gives the district just a little extra time to make sure all is in place for a successful full day in kicking off a successful school year.

I'm concerned about the Parent Portal issues...if I am not able to login on July 29th will I receive the paper information on the first day of school or are they doing away with paper entirely?

If you are having difficulty logging in with your parent portal account, contact your child's school. You can find the name of the school contact for parent portal posted at http://wcs.schoolnet.com. Scroll to item 3 and click on the link. Contact the school and they will be happy to assist you.

After school starts, schools will continue to provide support to parents so you can complete updating your registration information online. We will not be sending a paper form.

I had heard that WCS was considering school uniforms. Who would ultimately make that decision?

According to School Board Policy 6.310, the Board of Education endorses the concept of a uniform dress code or uniforms to be adopted on an individual school basis. That means it is up to each school to determine whether or not to adopt school uniforms.

The district's minimum dress code standards can be found online in BOARD POLICY 6.310; however it should be noted that the Board of Education encourages individual schools to adopt standards that would exceed the minimum standards.

I updated my son’s registration information online. He will be in the ninth grade at Ravenwood High School. He is coming from Sunset Middle School. Do I need to take copies of my utility bills to Ravenwood to complete his registration?

Yes, you will need to take copies of your utility bills to Ravenwood in order to complete registration. This year, WCS will be verifying student addresses for each student who will entering a school for the first time. This applies to students who are new to the district as well as those who will be moving from one Williamson County school to another.

I just ran into some neighbors who have their home up for sale because supposedly our community (Cool Springs East) is going to be rezoned again, back to Crockett Elementary starting with the 2014-2015 school year. Is this true?

At this time, district leaders have not discussed any rezoning needs for 2014-2015. That discussion will occur after we have seen actual growth numbers at our schools for the 2013-2014 school year.

Our daughter was granted permission to attend Independence High School. We are zoned for Summit. I provided transportation last year and understand that that is one of the conditions. But if a school bus passes our subdivision on route to Independence, is there no possible way that she could be a bus rider?

According to School Board Policy 1.703, transportation to any school outside the attendance transportation zone will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian. Transportation exceptions may only be made for groups of students as needed for the best interests of the district when approved in advance by the School Board.