INTRODUCTION

Students attending the Washington State School for the Blind who do not live in Clark County, reside in a number of cottage set­tings provided on campus. The cottage settings are located in four buildings on campus: Watson, Clarke, Hall, and Chapman Cottage. A kitchen, living room, bathroom, and laundry room are located in each cottage.  Students are provided a room with a bed, dresser space, closet, bulletin board, and desk. Students most often have a private room to themselves. Residents are encouraged to bring items from home to place in their rooms to make them more personal.  Many residents bring tape players, stereos, recorders, radios, etc.  Each cottage has a computer, television, brailler, CCTV, electronic equipment, and a supply of toys and games for residents to use.

COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY PARENTS

 "How much do the services my child receives cost?"

There is no cost to students or their families for instructional and residential services if the custodial parent(s) live within the state of Washington.

 Families provide for their child's clothing, medical care, personal needs, recreational spending, and special fees.  Some scholarships are available to students in need.

 "May my child bring personal stereos, games, or toys?"

We encourage students to bring some of their favorite toys to play with and share with other students.  Many students bring tape players, radios, stuffed toys, and games.  Advance permission is required for students to bring bicycles, portable televisions, stereo equipment, and computers. 

 "When am I allowed to visit my child at school?"

We are always pleased to have parents visit the school and cottages.  Please inform the Principal, in advance, of your intention to visit during school hours, or the Director of Residential Services when visiting cottages. It is imperative that you notify the appropriate staff person if you plan to take your child from school or from a cottage area. This helps the school assure the safety and protection of your child.

"May friends and relatives visit my child at school?"

We encourage visitors to come and see your child.  Permission must be granted (or denied) by the parent and is included in our initial application form. Please provide advance notice when visitors are coming. 

 "What type of medical care will my child receive?"

The school is staffed by two registered nurses sixteen hours a day, five days a week. The nurses take care of normal health needs.  In extreme emergen­cies, WSSB uses a local hospital emergency room.  In less immediate situations, the student may be taken to a doctor's office.  Any action taken will follow parental instructions as given on the student's Medical Permis­sion form. Routine dental and health care must be arranged through your own family physi­cian. Mental health counseling should be arranged in your home area, when possible.

 "Whom can I talk with about my child's progress?"

Residential counselors, school nurses, teachers, the Principal, IEP advocates, the Director of Residential Services, and the superintendent are always willing to discuss with you matters relating to your child.  To encourage close home/school ties, yearly conferences are scheduled for the parents of all children.  However, please feel free to call or stop at school any time you have questions.

BIKE RIDING

Students, with prior permission, may bring their own personal bicycles from home to ride; however, we do have a number of bikes available for student use in the recreation department.  Most areas of the campus are restricted from bike riding because of the potential danger to students walking about the campus.  Off campus riding is limited to daylight hours only and students must first obtain the following before permission is granted to ride bikes off campus unsupervised:

1.       Bicycle must pass approved safety inspection.

2.       Student must pass approved bike safety program.

3.       Written parental permission must be obtained.

4.       Helmet must be worn at all times.

5.       Authorization for independent off-campus travel.

Students are responsible for their own bicycles and will need a safety lock to deter theft.  Indoor storage areas are not available, consequently, bicycles may have to be secured to the bike racks outside the cottages.

BUYING, SELLING, BORROWING, OR LENDING

Students should not borrow, lend, buy, sell, or give any person­ally owned items to others.  We need parental support and cooperation in this area.  Parents are urged to question their child regarding possessions or items brought home on the weekend when they are not fully aware of how the child came into possession of the item.  Anytime you have a question, please call the cottage and ask for more information.

All students are expected to check in and out with cottage staff when leaving their cottage areas, whether going to class, off campus, or to recreational activities.  Residential counselors may deny permission to leave the cottage if chores or homework have not been completed.  Hours of independent off-campus privileges vary according to the age and abilities of the student and are limited to daylight hours unless night travel is approved by the orienta­tion and mobility staff.

All residents will be issued "Walking Papers" delineating their level of independence and whether or not cane use is required. These papers will be kept on file in the resident student's cottage and in the school department office. "Walking Papers" are a privilege and not a license to leave campus upon demand.

Washington State School for the Blind does not favor any religious viewpoint.  This in no way restricts your child from taking part in religious activities off campus. Parents requesting their child attend specific church activities, prayer meetings, Bible study, etc., should make arrangements through the local church and then provide WSSB with information regarding the day, time, and transportation arrangements.

Students travel about campus to attend classes and need appropri­ate clothing for inclement weather.  It is suggested that enough clothing be left at home so the student does not have to take clothes home on the weekend.

 Suggested personal items:

Students may wish to duplicate some items to keep in their PE locker.

If your child is not toilet-trained, please send an ample sup­ply of clothing.  This applies to both residential and day students.

*Swimsuit is required for P.E.  We recommend boxer type trunks with insert and drawstring for boys.  For girls, we recommend 100% nylon (no Lycra) one-piece with "T" back.  Suggest­ed brands are Speedo and Are­na.

CURFEW

Students who live within 45 miles or one hour from the school will reside at home and are day students. Transportation for the school day is provided under contract by the Educational Service District 112.  Arrival and departure at WSSB will coincide with the school day as closely as possible.  Parents wishing to enroll their child as a resident student may request residential placement through the IEP program plan as part of the need for more intensive residential experiences.

The superintendent has designated the Director of Residential Services to approve individual day students to spend an overnight in the cottage if the request meets the following criteria:

Day students are welcome to participate in afternoon activities.  They will be assigned a cottage while on campus and will follow the rules of the cottage or obey all rules and regulations when they are on campus or under the jurisdiction of the school.  Whenever the situation deems it necessary, parents must accompany the student to events to maintain staffing ratios. Transpor­tation to and from WSSB for these fun­ctions will be pro­vided by the family and should coincide with the scheduled activity.

HARASSMENT

Harassment by one student against another is taken seriously by staff and is dealt with severely.  Harassment involving verbal threats, sexual references, inappropriate touching, and physical attacks, is not allowed.  Any student who experiences such harassment should immediately report it to a staff member.

MAIL

Student mail will be directed to the student and must be opened by the stu­dent.  When a reader is needed, the person reading the mail is chosen by the student. This could be a staff person, friend, or peer. Staff members selected to act as readers will not disclose the contents of the mail to others. It is suggested that mail for younger students, or for those unable to open their own mail, be addressed to a staff member or reader.

MEALS AND SNACKS

Every effort is made to provide nutritious meals which are served in the main dining room and cottages. Breakfasts and dinners are served family style in the cottages.  Lunches are served cafeteria style or family style in the main dining room.

Students are required to be present for every meal unless ill or excused.  Students may obtain special permission from cottage staff to eat off campus.

It is necessary to notify the cottage staff one day in advance when planning to be away from the cottage at a meal time or if a guest has been invited to dinner.

Kitchens are available for use by the students in each cottage. They are encouraged to prepare their own snacks and may be required to participate in the cooking program.

MUSIC TAPES/VIDEOS

OFF-CAMPUS TRAVEL

Students are encouraged to use their mobility skills when traveling off campus, shopping, or at­tending meetings or recreational events. Students must first be ap­proved for such travel by the mobility instructor, have general parent approval, and have approval of their residential life counselor for the specific trip. While the student is off campus, he/she is expected to behave in a manner which is consistent with school rules and policies.

PERSONAL POSSESSIONS

To the extent possible, personal possessions will be secured in the resident's room, storage area, or closet and will be accessible only to that resident.  (Serial numbers and model numbers of recorders and stereos will be recorded and kept in the resident's file to help in identification in the event the items are lost or stolen.)  Staff or others will not intrude into these areas, or confiscate the resident's personal items, except in cases when during a routine room search illegal drugs or banned materials are found in the resident's possession, in which case the incident will be documented and materials confiscated.  Whenever possible, room searches will be conducted with the resident present. 

Children who are too young to assume responsibility for personal items, such as watches, radios, tape recorders, jewelry, etc. should consider not bringing those items to school.

Personal computers, televisions and bicycles are permitted only with written permission from the Director of Residential Services.

RECREATION PROGRAM

The purpose of the recreation program is to develop lifelong leisure skills and interests through a wide variety of activities made available to WSSB and in the community of Vancouver.  Recreation programs are a part of the total student program and are offered to all students enrolled at WSSB.  Whenever possible, students are encouraged to integrate into recreational activities within the community. Examples include scouts, church activities, athletic events, concerts, and city recreational programs. Transportation is provided when nec­essary for students who participate.

OFF CAMPUS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

Between students:

The relationship between students should be one of mutual respect for one another.  Wholesome relationships are a part of the WSSB environment (classes, meals, recreation, and most activities are co-educational).  Students who are involved in off campus organizations or who attend Vancouver community schools and develop friendships are encouraged to invite friends on campus with permission from their cottage staff. 

Relationships between students are closely monitored by staff, and parents are kept informed when the social relationship progresses into a more intimate relationship.

Between Student and Staff:

The relationship between a staff member and a student should be a professional one of mutual respect for one another.  It is not appropriate for a student to have a staff member’s telephone number or address.  If a student needs to speak with a staff member the student should make an appointment at school at a time convenient for both. Staff should likewise refrain from contacting students outside of school.  Any questions or concerns a staff member may have about a student should be directed to the student’s family.

STUDENT ACCOUNTS

Student accounts for allowances and personal needs are established in the business office to ensure against loss or theft of student money.  The school encourages the use of the student account and is not responsible for loss or theft of student money that is not on deposit. Student accounts are established to enable the student to learn budgeting his/her money management skills to meet personal needs. Parents may specify a weekly amount for the child to spend. 

It is recommended that you deposit $25 in the student's spending account.  When your child's account is depleted to $10, you will be notified.  Checks for deposit into a student's account must be mailed directly to WSSB’s Business Office, made payable to WSSB Student Account.  Checks sent to your child and not for deposit in the student account should be made payable to your child; however, cashing such a check is sometimes difficult unless your child has picture identification, and "walking papers".

STUDENT BETTERMENT FUND

The purpose of this fund is to provide financial assistance to students in need of clothing, personal items, books, medications, etc.  The fund is administered by the superintendent and is supported by donations made by the general public.  Parents or students wishing to use this fund should make a request to the Director of Residential Services.

A store/snack bar is located in the recreation center and is open during recreation hours.  Operated by WSSB students under the supervision of residential staff, the store offers for sale the following items: soft drinks, candy, popcorn, ice cream, pens, pencils, paper, toothpaste, batteries, blank cassettes, etc. 

Students who work in the store can gain experience in the buying, selling, and promoting of merchandise, handling cash, supervising other workers, and in general food handling.  Students are urged to obtain a state food handler's card which can also be used for employment elsewhere.

STUDENT USE OF TELEPHONE

Residents are permitted to make and receive telephone calls using the telephone in their cottages.  The following guidelines should be followed.

• Telephone calls are limited to ten minutes.

• SCAN line usage by res­idents is available on a regular, but limited basis (one ten minute call per week).  Each additional call must be placed collect.

• Residents having two parents living in different locations may call both parents weekly.

• Calls between cottages are not permitted.

• Residents may request privacy during phone use.

TRANSPORTATION

Chartered Bus/Van

The chartered bus is accompanied by two adult WSSB staff who have pertinent information on students and emergency procedures.  Students leave campus for home after lunch on Friday, and return to the school Sunday evening.

When picking up your child on Fridays, please allow an extra minute or two to give the monitor time to relay any messages he/she might have for you.  Students being picked up by parents from campus, must first check out with school or residential staff.

On Sundays, please give all messages, money, medications, etc., to the bus monitor on duty.  The monitor will forward the items to the cottage, school department, nurse, or wherever you indicate.

All luggage should be clearly labeled with student's name and home address. The charter buses are used for trips other than transport­ing our students and if baggage is clearly labeled it can be quickly returned when found.  We encourage a manageable bag (backpack) for carry-on when traveling. 

WSSB cannot be held responsible for lost items.  Please notify us immediately if luggage is missing so we can trace it through the proper channels.  Letting us know in advance when your child is bringing a special item back will prompt an immediate search if the item does not arrive.

Please note that we provide sack lunch­es to students on Fridays.  Parents are responsible for their child's sack lunch for the return trip on Sundays.  Snacks are provided at the cottages after the students arrive on Sunday evenings, but there is no dinner meal.

Telephone calls will be made to students' homes when a decision is made to postpone or cancel transporta­tion to or from school because of adverse weather conditions.

Please read the Medical Services section of this handbook for infor­mation regarding our procedure to follow when your child is ill and unable to return on Sunday.

If the student must remain at or return home during the school week for a medical appointment, family event, early vacation, etc., the parent will assume the cost of transportation.

PLANE TRAVEL

Students traveling by plane must be at the airport at least one hour prior to scheduled departure.  Students should not be left at the airport unattended as sometimes flights are cancelled due to weather conditions or mechanical problems.

In the event that your child is not picked up at the airline gate within ten minutes after the scheduled time of arrival, and after the airline personnel have made attempts to reach the parent, the airline will contact the police to come and pick up your child.  Your child will then be placed into the care of Child Protective Services (CPS) until arrangements are made to release your child into your custody.  If this action needs to be taken and results in additional costs to WSSB, the parents may be asked to make restitution.

For the safety of students, parents or designated persons, will be asked to show identification when picking up the child. 

Please keep luggage at a minimum.  Carry on backpack is preferred.  If larger baggage is checked, please notify us in advance, as we have no extra room in the vehicle transporting students.

If your child is ill and cannot return to WSSB as scheduled on Sunday, please contact Renee Corso, Director of Residential Services at (360) 696-6321, extension 121, and leave a message on her voice mail.  The same ticket may be used for your child’s return although there may be a fee for changing the ticket.  If you keep your child home because of illness, WSSB will reimburse you for incurred costs.  Please send receipts to Jody Cristler, our travel coordinator.

If the student remains at or returns home during the school week for a medical appointment, family event, early vacation, etc., the parents will assume the cost of transportation.  It is critical that WSSB Travel Coordinator, Jody Cristler, be notified at least 4 weeks in advance of planned changes to airline itineraries, as tickets are booked well in advance to take advantage of most competitive/economical airline fares.

WSSB must know two weeks in advance of any changes in your child’s home going schedule.  Please contact Jody Cristler, our travel coordinator at 360-696-6321 ext. 122 or e-mail her at jody.woods@wssb.wa.gov.

FREQUENT FLYER MILES

**Frequent flyer miles earned are the sole property of the Washington State School for the Blind (not the family or child).  These miles are used to assist WSSB in school year flights and helps WSSB make efficient use of limited resources.  

DAY STUDENTS

Day student transportation is arranged through ESD 112 (Educational Service District) and the rules are based on the policies of ESD 112. We suggest that you check with your local district for specific rules and regulations.  Note:  On occasion, WSSB will transport some day students to and from WSSB.  The same procedures listed below should be followed.  More details and schedules will be sent out as information becomes available.

Some general rules include: 

1. Have your child ready ten minutes ahead of the scheduled pickup time. 

2. In the afternoon, please be home for the bus.  

3. Call ESD 112 and WSSB immediately when you change your address or phone number. In the event of an emergency, it is essential that we have a number where you can be reached.  Please let us know two weeks in advance of your move (if changing school districts). 

4. Parents who bring their child to school or take them home must notify WSSB of this fact, so that ESD 112 driver can be contacted. 

5. Regarding bus routes: WSSB has no control over the routes or times that are assigned to your child.  If you have questions, please call ESD 112 (360-750-7500).

Visiting among students:  If your child plans to visit another student during the week or weekend,  or if another student is visiting your home, transportation will not be provided by WSSB, nor ESD 112.  WSSB will not accept responsibility for such visits, but will see that the arrangements for public transportation made by parents are carried out.

Parents of the visiting student should know the family of the student their child will be visiting, and the type of home environment before granting permission.

Letters of permission from both sets of parents of the students involved must be received in the office of the Director of Residential Services two days in advance of the scheduled visit.  The letters of permission must contain: date of the visit, names of both students, name of person providing the transportation, and a statement releasing WSSB of any liability during the visit.

Parental permission via the telephone will not be accepted.  FAX transmission is acceptable as written permission.  Send to Director of Residential Services FAX# 360-737-2120.  Permission for multiple, open-ended visits will not be accepted.  Separate permission must be given for specific dates.

WSSB school administrators reserve the right to deny the permission based on known circumstances and credible information. 

Permission will not be granted for students to stay overnight at a staff persons residence regardless of parental permission.  Students will be allowed to visit staff homes for designated and planned field trips only.  Exceptions can be granted exclusively by the school superintendent. 

Parents should understand that WSSB will not assume responsibility for students once they have left campus.