Bridges Elementary
January 2018 Newsletter
District Website: www.saukprairieschools.org
Facebook: Bridges Elementary Facebook Page
24-Hour Attendance Line: 608-643-1847
Fax: 608-643-1849
Bridges' Office Staff
Chanda Kulow, Principal
608-643-1845 chanda.kulow@saukprairieschools.org
Stephanie Tarnutzer, Secretary
608-643-1844 stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org
Jody Kapp, Secretary
608-643-1843 jody.kapp@saukprairieschools.org
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Happy 2018!
I hope everyone had the time to relax and rest over break. Bridges Elementary is ready to make 2018 a year filled with successes. This takes hard work and dedication by providing students with daily opportunities to grow. This hard work is the responsibility of us all - teachers, staff, families, and administrators. I know together we can continue to make learning an exciting venture.
Part of growing and learning together comes from the type of relationship you have with our team at Bridges. Communication is important to us and we hope that you feel well informed. Below are the numerous ways that we communicate with our families:
- Appointments, Phone and E-Mail: Direct personal contact before and after school is preferred, however you can leave messages with the office staff.
- Parent/teacher Conferences: Semi-annual (or as needed) discussions about a student’s academic and behavior progress. Early February is the next conference date.
- Weekly Classroom E-Mail/Newsletter – Classroom’s primary tool for regular communication is the weekly e-mail blast distributed to parents, containing classroom news, and announcements for the upcoming week.
- Monthly Bridges’ Newsletter – Bridges' primary tool for regular communication is the monthly newsletter distributed to parents the first week of each month - containing school news, announcements for the upcoming month, key calendar dates and school and district forms.
- Skylert : Automated phone and e-mail messaging used for important announcements, alerts, and emergency messages.
- Web Site: The public web site is used to communicate district/school news, announcements, calendar events, key contact information, parent group and general school information for current and prospective parents. http://www.saukprairieschools.org/
- Facebook: School news and announcements for the Facebook followers. Search Bridges Elementary to join.
Open lines of communication are key to the success of your son/daughter. Please let us know if we are missing an avenue of communication.
On behalf of the entire Bridges’ Team, I’d like to wish you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Chanda Kulow
Principal of Bridges Elementary
January Calendar
School Board Meetings
Monday, January 8, 7:00 PM
Location: Middle School
Monday, January 22, 7:00 PM
Location: Grand Avenue
GSPiE Meeting
Grade School Partners in Education meeting
All parents/guardians are invited to attend.
Monday, January 15
6:15 PM
Location: Grand Avenue
Child Care available if needed. Email: gspie2@gmail.com
Bridges Literacy Night
Tuesday, January 16
5:00 to 6:30 PM
Early Dismissal
Wednesday, January 17
Elementary - 1:30 PM
MS & HS - 1:50 PM
No K4 or PM Early Childhood
2nd Grade Concert
Tuesday, January 23
6:00 PM
Bridges Elementary Gym
Bring a winter scarf to wear
Click here: http://www.saukprairieschools.org/district/HR/2017%2018%20calendar1.pdf to see all upcoming calendar events (early release, school start and dismissal times, etc).
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Notes From the School Counselor . . . . Anne Uphoff
Parenting can be “the toughest job you’ll ever love.” The Sauk Prairie School District is helping host a program called “Game Plan Parenting.” It is starting January 23 and will meet for 6 sessions total (Feb. 13 & 27, March 13, April 10 & 24.) Mary Ann Marx from True North Coaching will coach parents to design their own family playbook. The class is FREE and FREE childcare is available for the first 10 children registered.
To register, go to MakingServicePersonal.org/learningforlife. As a bonus, if you attend at least 5 sessions, you will receive $50 in grocery vouchers PLUS a Family Movie Night! If you would like any more information about parenting, child development or this class, feel free to contact Anne Uphoff at 643-1842 or anne.uphoff@saukprairieschools.org.
Diana Baumrind conducted pioneering research on parenting styles. In her research, she found four basic elements that helped define four basic parenting styles as seen below. Much research supports her idea that the “Caring Coach” style of parenting generally brings about the best results for both parents and children. Game Plan Parenting helps develop the “Caring Coach” method of parenting style.
4 Examples of Parenting Styles:
HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
“Caring Coach” Parenting
The “Caring Coach” (authoritative) style is high in expectations and support. Measured and consistent in disciple, parents who employ this style set clear cut standards for their children and are firm about enforcing them. They are not intrusive or restrictive, and are able to engage in calm conversation & age-appropriate reasoning with their children.
Not Supportive of Child
“Authoritarian” Parenting
Authoritarian parenting is high in expectations and low in support. Parents are unresponsive to their children’s needs and not open to communication. They enforce strict demands using parental power and threats. They expect their children to follow their rules without questions and require complete obedience.
LOW EXPECTATIONS FOR APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
Supportive of Child
“Permissive” Parenting
As the complete opposite of authoritarian, permissive parenting is high support and low in expectations. Permissive parents are supportive of their children; however, they do not set limits for them and do not try to regulate their behavior or control them.
Not Supportive of Child
“Rejecting-Neglecting” Parenting
Rejecting-neglecting parents do not set limits for their children and are not supportive of their needs. They are unresponsive, focused more on themselves and their needs, often times rejecting or neglecting their child as a whole.
Literacy Night
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2nd Grade Musical January 23rd!
What: 2nd Grade Musical (ALL 2nd GRADERS)
When: Tuesday | January 23, 2018 | 6:00 P.M.
Where: Bridges Elementary Gym
What to bring: A winter scarf to wear
**This replaces the 2nd Grade Concert on the school calendar for April 17th**
If cold weather makes you shiver to and fro, you’ll love our COOL show about friendship and SNOW! Learn how real warmth starts from within and can spread like a blizzard when shared with a song!
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And ONE little mitten rolled out of sight!
Have gently used boots or snow pants you've grown out of? We would welcome a few extra pairs.
Oh, the Weather Outside is...
Please be sure to send your student with coats, hats, gloves, scarves, snow pants, boots, warm clothing, and any other items they might need to stay warm out on the playground and while waiting during daily dismissal.
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Attendance Q & A
School starts at 8:00 AM. Students arriving between 8:00 and 8:10 AM will receive a pink slip to hand to their teacher to let them know they have arrived after the bell. Students arriving after 8:10 AM will receive a pink slip and be marked as tardy in their attendance record. Attendance letters will be sent home once students have reached 7 tardies. A family conference will be requested at 10 tardies.
Is it okay to leave a little early at the end of the day?
Your child's teacher has planned learning activities in the classroom until the end of the school day. Regularly arriving late or leaving early impacts your student's ability to learn presented concepts aligned with state of Wisconsin academic standards. While we understand it is not always possible, it is always best practice to schedule appointments and other activities outside of instructional time.
Our family is going on a trip, is this an excused absence?
Although good for family bonding, family vacations occurring during the school year are not automatically considered excused absences due to the instructional time students are missing. Every student is allowed a maximum of 10 excused days per school year. These days may include illness without a doctor's note, family vacation, funerals, personal days, etc. At 7 days of documented absence, families will receive a letter from the school informing them they are nearing their 10 day mark. At 10 days, a conference will be requested with the school principal and guidance counselor to discuss strategies for positive attendance. Any absences beyond the 10 days will require a professional note in order to be marked as excused. Allowances may be made on a per student/family basis, depending upon the circumstances, as approved by the administration. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's attendance record, please do not hesitate to contact Bridges' principal Chanda Kulow: 643-1800.
My child has an appointment today, what should I do?
Please call the office or attendance line in advance to let us know when you would like to pick him/her up or when he/she will arrive to school from their appointment. If you provide us with the appointment card or a signed note from your provider for the date and time of absence, we will excuse the absence so that it does not count towards your child's attendance record. Providers are also welcome to fax the note directly to our office at 643-1849. There is no expiration date for accepting a note from a professional appointment, other than that it must be received in the same school year that the absence occurred.
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New Year Groove
With the New Year comes new opportunities to make sure our children are getting the best rest possible, based on age and wake up time. Here's a helpful chart put together by Wilson Elementary School:
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Bridges Photo Gallery
On a Giving Roll
Helping Hands
Teamwork
Prairie du Sac Students Donate Gifts for Hope House
Sauk Prairie Eagle
Autumn Luedke
Kindergarten students at Bridges Elementary in Prairie du Sac are learning what it means to give back during the holidays.
Students are participating in a service learning project where they do chores around their house to earn money. The money they earn is put toward purchasing presents for kids staying at the Baraboo-based Hope House — a place where women and children can seek shelter. Hope House draws from Sauk, Columbia, Juneau, Marquette and Adams counties.
Once the kids earn their money, it is brought into the classroom for the students to sort as part of learning math. Teachers then purchase gifts — which include clothing and toys — they bring into the classroom for the kids to gift wrap.
“We’ve been doing this in some form for the past 10 years,” Bridges kindergarten teacher Nyree Larson said. “We talk about the concept of giving and sharing — needs and wants.”
Bridges kindergarten teacher Sarah Brings said the class also talks about what it feels like to be able to give and how the kids are helping.
“We had to find a safe way to talk about Hope House,” Brings said. “We tell them it’s a way to help families who had to leave their home and their things behind.”
Brings said a parent recently made a “generous donation” to the project. “We learned the parent stayed at Hope House as a child,” Brings said. “This project just really touched their heart.”
December Bee Lunch with Principal Kulow is a sweet treat. Thank you to our December Bee Lunch students who made their learning community stronger by showing their greatness!
These adorable reindeer were spotted caroling around Bridges before Winter Break with music teacher Mrs. Spillane.
Field Trip to Sentry Grocery Store a Lesson in Giving
Holiday Cheer and the Spirit of Giving was in full swing for Bridges' kindergarten students from Mrs. Krigbaum’s and Mrs. Tukiendorf’s classes who recently enjoyed a series of lessons on generosity and helpfulness.
They organized a food and donation table in the hallway outside of their classrooms. Students brought in non-perishable food items to be donated to our local food pantry. The students then used any monetary donations to purchase additional items at Sentry in Prairie du Sac. Each student was able to choose a $1 item, scan it, bag it, and load it into the wagon to add to the classroom collection.
Also at Sentry, the kindergartners were lucky enough to get a tour of the store, bakery, back prep rooms, walk-in fridge and freezer, aisles, loading dock, and more. Sentry staff were fantastic and even provided a snack for the students!
On the walk back to school (pulling overflowing wagons) many students commented that it was the, "Best day ever!” We are so thankful to be able to help those in need. Thank you to the Krigbaum and Tukiendorf kindergarten families and Sentry for helping our students learn a very valuable life lesson!
The 12 Days of Bridges
To those of you we missed in our photos, please know the work you do never goes unnoticed! We are so very fortunate to have such an amazing Bridges family.
On the 1st Day
On the 2nd Day
On the 3rd Day
On the 4th Day
On the 5th Day
On the 6th Day
On the 7th Day
On the 8th Day
On the 9th Day
On the 10th Day
On the 11th Day
On the 12th Day
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Teaching Self Control through Games
Throughout the month of December, students have developed their greatness trait of self control. Self control is all about learning how to regulate our impulses; to stop and think: is what I'm about to do safe, fair, and helpful for me and the world around me?
Self control, or self regulation, takes practice. Self-regulation can be a challenging skill for many children (and adults, too!). Thankfully, research has shown that games and fun activities can be effective in promoting the ability to self-regulate for children who are struggling. And games are just plain fun, to boot!
Games that support planning and problem solving, memory, attention, motor control, and sequencing can help kids develop the ability to self-regulate despite challenging situations and circumstances. Calming techniques, self-awareness exercises, and mindfulness activities can also be effective in supporting the development of self-regulation.
Playing games like Red Light Green Light at home is one way for young children to work on developing body/mind cues. First, make green your go and red your stop signal. After playing for a while, switch, and make red your go signal and green the stop. The switch in cues will cause young learners to pause. They will need to self regulate their bodies' automatic desires to go on green to make the correct decision.
Practicing self control through games helps young learners develop regulating skills that may come in handy when presented with challenges such as waiting for dinner to start (without sneaking a snack), maintaining an appropriate volume at circle time, or staying focused to completing a chore before being rewarded with device/television time.
Click on this link for five other games to help teach self regulation
Click here for additional resources and 30 Games from the Inspired TreehouseAs we all gather together again this January, we look forward to working together on our next trait of perseverance--a trait that goes hand-in-hand with self control!
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Stay in Touch
Attendance
1) Please call the Bridges Elementary Attendance Line
643-1847 by 8:00 AM any time your child will be absent or late to school. This is a 24-hour message line.
2) Or send an email. Please include both office secretaries (jody.kapp@saukprairieschools.org and stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org) when emailing your child’s teacher about absences, health concerns, or any issue that needs immediate attention. There are times when a teacher may be absent / unable to receive your message, and it will not be received in a timely manner unless both office staff are included as well.
3) In keeping with our safe arrival policy, the school will contact you if your child is absent and we have not received a call or note from you concerning your child’s absence.
Dismissal/Early Pick-up
Please phone the school or send a note with your child if you will be picking them up early. If your child will be leaving before dismissal, it is necessary for you to come to the office to sign your child in/out for the day.
Excused Absence
If your student is absent due to a professional appointment, the absence can be excused so that it does not count against your child's attendance. To excuse these absences, please provide the school with an appointment card or note from your appointment. Professional appointments include doctor, dental, counseling or other similar appointments. See pages 22 and 23 of the Sauk Prairie School District handbook for more detailed information about what constitutes an excused absence.
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Daily Schedule
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The school day begins at 8:00 AM. Please arrive on time.
*Anyone arriving after 8:10 AM will be considered tardy.*
Please arrive through the main office as all other doors will automatically lock at 8:10.
4-Year-Old Kindergarten:
Morning: 8:00 to 10:50 AM
Afternoon: 12:15 to 3:05 PM
K-2 Lunch:
Kindergarten
Lunch: 11:10 AM to 11:40 AM
Recess: 11:40 AM to 12:00 PM
First Grade
Lunch: 11:45 AM to 12:10 PM
Recess: 12:10 PM to 12:30 PM
Second Grade
Lunch: 12:15 PM to 12:40 PM
Recess: 12:40 PM to 1:00 PM
K-2 Daily Recess:
Kindergarten: 10:00 AM to 10:20 AM
1st Grade: 1:25 PM to 1:45 PM
2nd Grade: 1:50 PM to 2:10 PM
Dismissal:
3:05 PM for walkers/pick-ups and pink bus bell
3:08 PM for After School Club students and blue bus bell
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GUIDELINES FOR RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER ILLNESS
- Fever- Temperature should be less than 100 degrees for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) before returning to school.
- Vomiting/diarrhea- Please keep your child home if he/she has vomited or had diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
- Strep throat- Student should be on prescribed medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
- Pink eye- If your child has red eye(s) and has discharge, he/she will be sent home and asked to be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Student should not return to school for 24 hours or after having used three sets of prescribed eye drops.
- Head lice- We monitor students for itching of the scalp and will check for them if we are concerned. Please notify your child’s school office if you have discovered lice and treated your child.
- Pertussis (whooping cough)- Student will be isolated from school for 5 days if confirmed case while on prescribed antibiotics.
**These are general guidelines to help promote the health and safety of our students. Please follow the recommendations of your child’s healthcare provider.
District nurses are on call for health concerns. We routinely visit each school and will visit as needed for consult. If you have concerns regarding your child’s health or changes in their health, please contact Laura Cody 643-5509 or Martha Allan 643-5628.
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Be Prepared with Extra Clothing
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DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION/DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
Please go to http://www.saukprairieschools.org/families/transportation.cfm for all general information regarding transportation to and from school. At Bridges Elementary, it is vital that we have your child's dismissal plan in Skyward and if there are any changes that it is updated there and we are made aware of it at Bridges. We follow the dismissal plan that is in Skyward. Students will have tags on their backpacks showing their dismissal plan so the aides can easily check if there is any question. This year, the district is requiring a form that parents need to complete if there are any changes in a student's dismissal plan. This is to eliminate hand written notes and call in changes. Here are some examples of when a form is required:
If Jane is invited to a birthday party on Wednesday and she needs to ride a different bus than what she usually does, a form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Jane is being picked up on Thursday instead of riding the bus like her dismissal plan states, the form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Aunt Kathy is picking Jane up on Friday instead of her normal dismissal plan a form needs to be sent in to the office.
- If Jane's normal dismissal plan is that she rides the Grasshopper Bus home, but today she is riding Cherry Bus to Grand Ave, the form needs to be completed and sent to the office.
- Jack's normal dismissal plan is that he rides the Snail Bus to his home. Today he is to ride the Snail Bus to his Aunt's house down the road. Jack would need a form completed and sent in to the office.
- If your child is scheduled to be a Pick Up and someone other than you is going to be picking them up, the form needs to be sent with your child ONLY If that person IS NOT listed as an emergency contact. Please update your emergency contacts in Skyward to eliminate any confusion.
The form is accessible on the link above or below as well as in the office at Bridges. The bus driver will collect the form and will not allow transportation without one. If it is a last minute change at the end of the day you can certainly call the office and we can fill out the form for you. If you have a rotating schedule please let the office know in advance what the plan is for your child. For instance, if every month or week is different, please send in a calendar with the correct dismissal plan. Remember to mark your calendars for early dismissal dates as well. The dismissal plan for those days in addition to emergency release days, can be marked in Skyward.
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MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
According to the Sauk Prairie School board, certain criteria must be met in order for any medication to be dispensed at school. Before any medication can be dispensed, an Authorization for Medication Administration (AMA) must be completed and returned to the school office. This form is necessary for both over-the-counter and prescription medications and requires both a parent and physician signature.
For example, if your child suffers from migraine headaches, we will NOT be able to
distribute medication to him/her without an AMA on file. Many parents picked up the AMA form at district registration. Additional forms are available at the Grand Avenue
office or online.
In order for medication to be distributed, pills must be in a prescription bottle with proper labeling. Students may carry inhalers with them, however, an AMA form must be on file in the office.
If you have any questions regarding medication distribution, please contact Laura Cody, District Nurse, 643-5509.
VOLUNTEERING AND APPLICATIONS
SKYWARD UPDATES
If your child has two households or even if you would like multiple people in your own household to receive general email notifications from the school, such as the monthly newsletter and lunch menu, please log in to Skyward and click on the Skylert link on the left hand side. On that page, you can now add other phone numbers, emails or text message numbers for those who would like to receive emergency messages. If you have additional questions about how to manage your Skylert notifications or need to change your log in and password, please contact Stephanie Tarnutzer at 643-1844 or stephanie.tarnutzer@saukprairieschools.org .
Each guardian has their own Family Access Skylert account. Skylert is used for:
- Emergency: bomb scares, gas leaks, etc.
- General: School schedule changes such as late start, closing early, snow day, etc.
- Low Balance: Food Service account balance is $15 or below
- Negative Balance: Food Service account balance is below $0
How do you edit your Skylert contacts?
1. Log in to www.saukprairieschools.org
2. Click on For Parents/Students
3. Click on Skyward Student/Family Access Link
4. Enter your guardian login and password
5. Click on Skylert
6. Make the appropriate changes
7. Click on Save
8. Click on Exit
Note: Each guardian will need to change their Skylert .If you need assistance, contact Jane Wood at 643-5984 or at susan.oneil@saukprairieschools.org
FAMILY/PERSONAL INFORMATION CHANGES
FAMILY MOVES - TO OUTSIDE THE SAUK PRAIRIE SCHOOL DISTRICT
When a family moves from within the Sauk Prairie School District to outside the district, students may continue to attend the school where they are currently enrolled if they qualify for a Tuition Waiver (obtain from District Office). Students who qualify for a Tuition Waiver (remainder of Current School year, Additional year, Current Year/Additional Year, or Current Year Permissive) are entitled to continue their enrollment through the waiver period. However, they are required to apply for open enrollment at the next possible time (February-April application period) that the application process is available to remain in the District for the present school year and beyond. See our website at www.saukprairieschools.org for more information or call Susan O'Neil, (608) 643-5984 or susan.oneil@saukprairieschools.org. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
FAMILY MOVES - WITHIN SAUK PRAIRIE SCHOOL DISTRICT
When a family move occurs within the Sauk Prairie School District please notify your school office or contact Susan O'Neil, Student Records Secretary at (608) 643-5984 or susan.oneil@saukprairieschools.org with your new address. Parents may request that their elementary child attend a school other than the one in their attendance area in writing to the District Administrator. When families relocate from one attendance area to another within the District during the school year, the children affected may continue their education at their original school if approval is granted by the District Administrator. Transportation can be provided through existing bus routes or parents will provide transportation to/from school.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS/EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
School closings will be announced as early as possible via Skylert to families and staff members, posted on the District’s webpage, and on local television and radio stations. Information will also be available by calling the school closing line at 643-5990 #2 for a recorded announcement.
WISC Channel 3
WKOW Channel 27
WMTV Channel 15
- 1400 AM; 104.9 FM; 102.9 FM
The local police department and bus contractor may be involved in the decision to close. Principals will also be involved in decisions to dismiss school early for emergency reasons. In the absence of the Superintendent, the decision to close school will be made by the Superintendent’s designee.
HEAD LICE
Lice are small insects about the size of a sesame seed. They are usually light brown but can vary in color. They move quickly and shy away from light, making them difficult to see. It helps to use a magnifying glass and natural light when looking for lice. Nits (eggs) are tiny, yellowish-white oval droplets attached to hair shafts; they do not come off easily and have to be combed out with a special comb or manually removed. Nits can be found throughout the hair, but are most often located at the nape of the neck, behind the ears, and frequently on the top of the head.
The CDC states, “Head lice can be a nuisance but they have not been shown to spread disease. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice.” Additionally, lice are not likely to be spread in a classroom setting as usually they are spread by direct head-to-head contact. Regular screenings at home can help prevent the spread of head lice. Please check your child weekly for head lice. When lice are discovered, please contact your child’s physician or a pharmacist regarding treatment. Following a treatment, it is important to comb through the hair for 7-10 days. During this time, lice can be removed manually or with a special comb. A second treatment may be necessary if nits or live lice are still found.
Please contact Laura Cody, District Nurse, at 643-5509 if you have any questions regarding head lice.
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Current nondiscrimination language (Policy 2260):
Sauk Prairie School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, sex, (including transgender status, gender expression, gender identity, and gender nonconformity), or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability ("Protected Classes") in any of its student program and activities.
Lenguaje Actual sobre la No Discriminación (Política 2260):
El Distrito Escolar de Sauk Prairie no discrimina en base a la raza, al color, la religión, la nacionalidad de origen, los ancestros, el credo, el embarazo, el estado marital, el estado de los padres, la orientación sexual, el sexo (incluyendo el estado transgénero, la expresión del género, y el género de no conformidad), o por una discapacidad física, mental, emocional o de aprendizaje (“Las Clases Protegidas”) en cualquiera de las actividades y programas del estudiante.