docParent Handbook 2014 - Brewster Elementary School
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Parent Handbook 2014 - Brewster Elementary School
Frederick F. Brewster Elementary School 126 Tuttle Road, P.O. Box 310 Durham, Connecticut 06422 Telephone: (860) 349-7227 Fax: (860) 349-7232 Francis E. Korn School 144 Pickett Lane Durham, Connecticut 06422 Telephone: (860) 349-7210 Fax: (860) 349-7213 Nancy M. Heckler, Principal Debra Stone, Principal August 28, 2014 Dear Parent/Guardian, Welcome to the Brewster/Korn Contemporary Program. We are very proud of our program because of our outstanding professional staff and our very supportive and involved parent community. We believe that Brewster and Korn students are successful because of a strong partnership between home and school. This allows children to become life-long learners who make positive contributions to our community. Within this handbook you will find staff listings, procedures, and general school information. Please read through the material and keep the book for a quick reference during the school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call us. We are looking forward to a great school year. Sincerely, Nancy Heckler Principal, Brewster Elementary School Debra Stone Principal, Korn Elementary School Brewster and Korn at a glance…. Brewster Elementary School – Nancy Heckler, Principal 126 Tuttle Road, P.O. Box 310, Durham, CT 06422 Main Office Fax Number 349-7227 349-7232 Korn School – Debra Stone, Principal 144 Pickett Lane, P.O. Box 434, Durham, CT 06422 Main Office Nurse – Joyce Parisi Fax Number 349-7210 349-7922 349-7213 School Hours Regular Day Early Dismissal One-Hour Delay Two-Hour Delay Including Professional Development Days Pre School (Mon-Thurs) AM 8:50-11:30 PM 12:35-3:20 AM 8:50-10:50 PM 11:30-1:30 AM 9:50-12:00 PM 1:05-3:20 AM 10:50-12:30 PM 1:35-3:20 Grades K, One & Two 8:50-3:20 8:50-1:30 9:50-3:20 10:50-3:20 Grade Three & Four 8:55-3:25 8:55-1:35 9:55-3:25 10:55-3:25 School Cancellations Announcements concerning school cancellation, late opening, and early dismissal will be made on 10AM WTIC, WFSB channel 3, WVIT channel 30, WTNH channel 8. The announcement will be made for Regional District #13, not Durham/Middlefield or the individual schools. When the district issues a message, the RSD13 Alerts Emergency Notification System will also deliver the message. The decision to close school early will be made by 10:45. Parents are advised to monitor TV stations for announcements of early dismissal. In the event of an early dismissal, Brewster AM pre-k will be dismissed at 11:20. Grades kindergarten, one and two will be dismissed at 1:30. Korn School’s grades three and four will be dismissed at 1:35. Early Dismissal - Professional Development Days There are five delayed opening days to accommodate Professional Development for teachers. Those days are: October 10, January 16, March 27, April 2 and May 7. Brewster and Korn School will follow the early dismissal schedule as shown above. All students including pre-k will attend school on these days. Check the columns above to find the times your child will be attending school. Please mark your calendar with these days to ensure that all students are in attendance. Board of Education Members Kerrie Flannagan, Chairman Merrill Adams Dr. Victor Friedrich Jeremy Renninghoff Norman Hicks, Secretary Nancy Boyle Raffaela Fronc Robert Fulton, Treasurer Eileen Buckheit Dr. Anthony Onofreo 2 Administrative Offices – 135A Pickett Lane, P.O. Box 190, Durham, CT 06422 Dr. Kathryn Veronesi - Superintendent Ronald Melnik – Business Manager Dr. Linda C. Berry – Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Amy Emory – Director of Pupil Personnel Eida Hinson-Yokubinas – Special Education Coordinator 349-7200 349-7200 349-7206 349-7208 349-7235 Before and After School Recreation and Enrichment Program (BASREP) – 349-1819 Dattco Bus Company – 349-8479 Brewster/Korn Parent Teacher Organization – BKPTO Officers 2014-2015 President Korn Vice President Brewster Co-Vice Presidents Secretary Treasurer Cecily Quincy Annjeanette Bugai Cheralyn Gargano Julie Sass To be determined To be determined [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 203-213-5949 860-349-6583 203-605-4732 860-349-7079 Regional District #13 Technology Information The District and school websites are updated regularly and is a wonderful way to feel connected to what’s happening in the district. Calendars, lunch menus, and exciting happenings are posted regularly. Please make it a point to check the website on a regular basis. In addition, there are links to individual classroom and related arts websites. Regional School District #13 - www.rsd13ct.org Brewster Elementary School - www.rsd13ct.org/brewster Korn Elementary School - www.rsd13ct.org/korn Twitter is also a great way to stay connected to what’s happening at Brewster and Korn. Please follow us to get up-todate posts. Debra Stone @dstone_Korn13 Nancy Heckler @nmheckler PowerSchool Parent Portal All school wide notices and community flyers are published on the Daily Bulletin through PowerSchool Portal. To view the daily bulletin for Brewster School visit the following website: https://powerschool.rsd13.org/bulletin/2130112/ To view Korn School’s Daily Bulletin visit the following website: https://powerschool.rsd13.org/bulletin/2130212/ Parents can also elect to have the PowerSchool bulletin updates emailed to their email addresses. Parents must first enroll in the PowerSchool Portal. After enrolling, you can select “Email Notification” then check “School Announcements” and select how often you wish to receive messages. To view attachments and flyers, you must go onto the Daily Bulletin to download or view any attachments. This is the best way to keep informed as to what is going on in the schools. Important Dates to Remember in September Korn School Instrumental Information Night at Lyman Korn School Open House BK/PTO Meeting at Brewster School Brewster School Information Night (This evening is for parents only) Brewster School Open House (This evening is for all students, families and friends) Durham Fair – NO school for students 02 08 09 10 18 26 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 5:30 PM 6:00-7:30 PM 6:00-7:30 PM 3 Frederick F. Brewster Elementary School Staff List Nancy Heckler Patti Checko Principal Secretary Pre Kindergarten Salli Miller Kindergarten Teachers Mary Kate Brand Jennifer Canning Carrie Kosienski Melissa Lonsdale First Grade Teachers Elizabeth Burns Maura Caramanello Jessica Loffredo Christina Zauner Second Grade Teachers Jeff Bernabeo Lindsay Costanza MaryBeth Ghoreyeb Maura Lundt Tammy Stewart Reading Department Christy Barrett – Reading Teacher Vicki Cummings – Reading Teacher Christina Toti – Reading Teacher To be determined – Literacy Tutor Gina Peach - Math Tutor Pupil Personnel Services Mary Ellen Johnson – School Nurse Laura Bernstein– Special Education Teacher Jennifer Martel – Special Education Teacher LauraBeth Neely – Speech/Language Pathologist Teresa Reilly – Speech/Language Pathologist Franciene Lehmann - School Psychologist Linda Frazer-Sierra – Social Worker Kelly Davis - Occupational Therapist Carla Muskatallo – Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Penny Sawicki – Physical Therapist Crystal Castro – Secretary Related Arts Teachers Ruth Dwyer – Art Alex Edwards – PE/Health Teacher Jenny Lussier – Library Media Specialist Tiger Robison - Music Teacher Scott Mongillo – Technology Teacher Teacher Assistants Kelly Andrukiewicz Cathy Barra Nancy Boyea Marcia Croteau Matt Girosky Cynthia Jones Debbie Kekacs Jason Korn Carm Meliso Lori Robison Terri Ryan Sandy Simon Marilyn Sheehan ABA Laura Kehlenbach – ABA Coordinator Brian Baranowski Tina Cornwall Teresa D’Antonio Jacqueline Howard Jeff Landry Josephine Milardo Outdoor Education Lorrie Martin Custodians Jeff Emack Robert Lawson Cafeteria Staff Mark Basil, Director Bonnie Racine 4 FRANCIS E. KORN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Staff List Debra Stone Eileen Chupron Principal Secretary Joyce Parisi Nurse – 349-7922 Third Grade Teachers Noreen Grenier Cheri Eames Cassandra Montepara JoAnn Pantalena Fourth Grade Teachers Noelle Durkin Leslie Kilroy Bridgette Schlicker Maryellen Zastawsky Remedial Teachers Maria Fazzino – Reading Melinda Aronson - Math Remedial To be determined – Literacy Tutor Pupil Personnel Services Nancy Cavanaugh – Special Education Teacher Katie Bodak – Special Education Teacher Samantha Graycek – Speech/Language Pathologist Barbara Allen – Social Worker Danielle Hay – School Psychologist Kelly Davis - Occupational Therapist Carla Muskatallo – Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Penny Sawicki – Physical Therapist Crystal Castro – Secretary Related Arts Teachers Ruth Dywer – Art Tiger Robison - Music Cheryl Wiener – Music/Instrumental Music John Valerio – Music/Instrumental Music Jen Holland – P.E./Health Teacher Michael Klimas- Library Media Specialist Scott Mongillo – Technology Teacher ABA Lynn Gonzalez Lisa Bosco Paula Murphy Outdoor Education Lorrie Martin Cafeteria Staff Mark Basil - Director Nancy Thiede Custodians Kenneth Anderson William Baker Teacher Assistants Lucy Luce Lori Gucwa Alicia Mancarella Leanne Slawinowski Carol Perruccio Tara Tuttle 5 Table of Contents Brewster/Korn Parent Handbook Mission Statement Life Long Learning Standards Statement of Beliefs/Core Ethical Values Code of Conduct Responsibility Code of Discipline School Rules Bus Rules Brewster Security System Brewster School Drop-off and Dismissal Procedures Korn Security System Korn School Drop-Off and Dismissal Procedures Brewster/Korn Attendance Health Recess Dismissal Notes Brewster/Korn Lunch/Snack Field Trips Pets Items Not Allowed In School Invitations Student Assistant Team Class Lists Notice of Intent to Release Directory Information Mandatory School Age Fire Drills/Safety Drills Brewster/Korn Volunteers Homework Policies Bullying Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Student Records Board of Education Policies: Section 504 – 6159.1 Field Trips – 6153 School Sponsored Activities - 6145.3 Attendance and Truancy – 5013 Administration of Medication by School Personnel – 5141.21 Video Cameras on School Buses - 5145 Student Discipline – 5114 Search and Seizure – 5145.2 Technology and Acceptable Use Policy (TAUP) – 5131.3, 4132 Child Abuse – 5141.5 Student Sexual Harassment – 5150 Asbestos Pest Management and Pesticide Application Program 7 7-8 8 9 9 9 9 9 10 10-11 11 11 12 13 13 13 13 13 14 13-14 14 14 14 14-15 15 16 16 16 17-21 21 21-31 31 31-32 32 32-36 36-37 37 37-48 48-49 49-52 53 53-56 57 58 6 Mission Statement The mission of Regional District 13, a community that celebrates learning, honors tradition and embraces change, is to ensure that all students will be engaged and ethical lifelong learners and citizens who will thrive, excel, and contribute in an ever-changing, interdependent world by providing challenging, diverse, and nurturing experiences that empower each student to succeed through meaningful partnership with family and community. Lifelong Learning Standards As part of the first five-year Strategic Plan, the District 13 Assessment Committee nine lifelong learning standards representing those skills that must be demonstrated across disciplines. Standards highlighted in bold are also CRHS graduation competencies. Students will need to demonstrate proficiency in these and several other competencies prior to graduation beginning in 2006. These standards are: ♦ Students will demonstrate the ability to produce quality work ♦ Students will demonstrate the ability to use technology responsibly, legally, and ethically ♦ Students will demonstrate the ability to access and process information across content areas and from a variety of sources ♦ Students will demonstrate the ability to read critically for a variety of purposes ♦ Students will demonstrate the ability to collaborate and cooperate ♦ Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate for a variety of purposes and audiences ♦ Students will demonstrate productive habits of mind ♦ Students will demonstrate the ability to extend, refine, and use knowledge meaningfully ♦ Students will demonstrate responsible citizenship At the elementary level, lifelong learning is assessed each marking period using the following set of benchmarks. These generally represent progress toward the lifelong learning standards related to productive habits of mind, collaboration and cooperation, quality work, and responsible citizenship. Lifelong Learning Behaviors / Social Studies Demonstrates responsibility towards learning • comes to class prepared • stays with task to completion • completes work on time • listens and follows directions • turns in quality work • completes and returns homework on time • follows classroom routines • participates in group activities Demonstrates organizational skills • takes care of classroom materials • manages personal belongings Demonstrates self-control • controls talking • uses appropriate voice level • works without disturbing others • accepts responsibility for actions 7 Demonstrates respect for others • respects rights and property • respects rules and authority • shows courtesy to others Demonstrates working cooperatively • takes responsibility for share of group work • relates well with peers Statement of Beliefs We believe that: ♦ Every human being has inherent worth. ♦ Everyone wants to succeed and can be a successful learner. ♦ Meaningful learning requires the active involvement and commitment of the learner. ♦ Individuals are responsible for their actions. ♦ Each individual bears responsibility for the welfare of others. ♦ Diversity enriches a society and its individuals. ♦ Change demands that learning continue throughout one’s life. ♦ Growth, innovation and creativity require the willingness to take risks. ♦ The level of expectation drives the level of achievement. ♦ Achievement builds self-worth; self-worth promotes achievement. ♦ Education and learning are the shared responsibility of the students, the family, the school and the community. ♦ The support and involvement of the community are critical to the quality of the schools. ♦ People are the most important resource in achieving educational excellence. ♦ The future of a just and democratic society depends on an educated citizenry. Statement of Core Ethical Values As a school community, we are committed to growing in good citizenship and personal integrity; thus, we are continually asking ourselves: Am I showing RESPECT for 1. myself 2. the worth and rights of others 3. the views of others 4. personal, school and community property 5. the environment Am I accepting RESPONSIBILITY for 1. my own actions and words 2. my own welfare and the welfare of others 3. my personal growth and learning 4. making ethical choices Am I practicing HONESTY 1. with myself 2. with others 3. in my work Am I showing KINDNESS by 1. treating others the way I would want to be treated 2. promoting the well-being of others 3. being patient with myself and others 4. acting with compassion Am I showing COURAGE by 1. standing up for moral principles 2. persisting in the face of adversity 3. being willing to accept challenges 4. being true to myself 8 Respect, responsibility, honesty, kindness and courage are the core values we strive to embrace and practice in Regional District 13. Code of Conduct As a student in Regional School District 13, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. I will treat others with courtesy, respect, fairness and kindness. I am honest with other people in my work. I will obey teachers and other school staff members. I will follow all school and classroom rules. I will accept consequences for not doing what I should. I will take care of my property, the property of others and school property. I will work, play and move safely and appropriately. I will cooperate when I work and play. I will participate in my education to the best of my ability. Responsibility Responsibility is a key component in the school’s mission. As a student, this means that we accept the consequences whenever we violate school or district policy. As we prepare for our roles in society, our behavior should not be disruptive to the school community whether we are in class, at a sporting event, on a field trip or any other school related event. Code of Discipline As we look at our Code of Conduct, let us remember that it represents behaviors that we expect from all of the students in Region 13. Every school in the district has established rules that are created as a result of this code and the Core Ethical Values. Consequences for infractions of school and classroom rules are age appropriate and established by each school. When board policies or state laws are violated, consequences are more serious and are uniform throughout the district regardless of the age of the student. School Rules • Show RESPECT by using friendly words. • Show RESPONSIBILITY by following all adult directions. • Show HONESTY by telling the truth. • Show KINDNESS by keeping hands, feet and objects to one’s self. • Show COURAGE by making good choices. Bus Rules School transportation is a student privilege conditional upon satisfactory behavior on buses and at bus stops. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Follow directions the FIRST time they are given. Keep hands, feet, and objects to one’s self. Keep all parts of your body and all objects inside the bus. Stay in your seat with your feet on the floor (not in the aisle.) No toys are allowed on the bus. All items must be kept in backpacks. Do not swear, use rude gestures, or tease anyone on the bus. No pushing, shoving, or fighting. No eating on the bus. Do not litter, write on, or damage the bus in any way. Please be certain to remind your child periodically about bus safety. Children must listen to the driver at all times, remain seated at all times when the bus is moving, and use quiet voices. Drivers have a very difficult job with much responsibility. Please help them. Students who do not follow these rules will be written up and receive appropriate consequences. If a child continues to misbehave he/she may lose the privilege of riding the bus for a period of time. It will be the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation. 9 Brewster School Security System The security system ensures the safety of students and staff at Brewster School. All exterior doors including the front doors will remain locked throughout the day. All parents, guardians, volunteers and visitors must go to the main entrance of the school. At the main entrance there is a call button that must be pressed to enter the school. The office staff will be able to view the visitor prior to entering the school on a video screen in the office. Once the visitor has been verified, the office will allow the door to be opened by the visitor. All visitors must then sign-in in the appropriate book and wear a security badge while in the building. Visitors must sign out when leaving the building. If your child arrives after 9:00, you child will considered tardy and you or your child must press the call button to enter the school. When dropping off your child at the front door, feel free to call the school from your cell phone to let the office know your child is on his/her way to the door. Parents who plan on picking up their child at the end of the school day should arrive at 3:10. At the end of the day after entering the school, please go directly to the gymnasium where your child will meet you at 3:15. Dismissal cards will be in the gym. Exit the school through the doors by the cafeteria ONLY, the main doors are for bus dismissal. Dropping Off Students at School Please be aware that we cannot supervise children before 8:30 A.M. Please do not leave your child at school prior to that time. Staff members are on duty at 8:30 A.M. daily. Our driveway is ONE WAY. Always enter from the south and exit only to the north; do not go against the flow of entering car and bus traffic. Children should be dropped off at the end of the bus ramp by the gym; and they may walk under the canopy down the sidewalk. Please have children exit the vehicle only on the sidewalk side. Once your child is on the sidewalk, ask him/her to go directly into the school or to the playground. Crossing the driveway is extremely dangerous during arrival and pick up. Never allow your child to go between cars or buses at the curb. Parking at the curb in front of our school is never allowed, even before or after school hours. This lane is not only our bus lane but also the FIRE and EMERGENCY LANE. It must be kept clear of parked vehicles at all times. At no time should you pass a bus that is displaying FLASHING RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGN. When these lights and the sign are displayed, children are entering or exiting the bus. State law prohibits you from passing a bus in either direction when the flashing lights and sign are displayed. You will be reported to the State Police and subject to a hefty fine if you pass such a bus, even at the bus platform. We are always concerned for the safety of all our children. Please be extremely alert and cautious when driving anywhere on school grounds. Picking Up Students From School All students are placed on their regular bus each day for the trip home. If your child is going somewhere other than the agreed upon stop, you must send a written note to school with your child. Please plan ahead. Phone calls for bus changes should be used only for emergencies and you must call prior to 3:00 to change your child’s dismissal. If we do not have a note, your child will be put on his/her regular bus. For the safetey of your child DO NOT email bus changes to the teacher or the office, we cannot guarantee that they are received in a timely manner. Dismissal is at 3:20 P.M. and 11:30 AM for Pre-K. Please do not arrive more than five minutes before dismissal time. The end of the day is hectic for teachers and students. Dismissal is much smoother with fewer interruptions. At 3:10 each day, the Pick-Up Passes are taken to a table in the gym. All students who are being picked up will be dismissed to the gym at 3:15. Please wait for your child to meet you in the gym. When leaving the school with your child, please exit with your child through the doors by the gymnasium. The main hallway is where students are lined up for bus dismissal. AM Pre-K students will be dismissed at 11:30. Parents should come to the office window for their child’s Pick-Up Pass and a visitor badge. The AM students will be dismissed through the doors by the cafeteria. Please wait for your child in the parent waiting area located in the hallway by the gym, not in the main foyer by the classrooms. To further ensure your child’s safety, if you plan to pick up your child at school prior to dismissal time, you must come to the Main Office and your child will be called to the office for dismissal. No one other than a parent or legal guardian may sign-out a child without written permission of a parent or guardian. If someone else is to pick up your child at any time, please send in a note giving this specific person your permission to take your child. The individual picking your child up may be asked to show his/her identification if the staff does not recognize him/her. 10 Bus Information Drivers often have difficulty determining whether or not to drop off children at their afternoon bus stops. You MUST be at the stop to meet your child or you MUST be clearly visible to the driver. Drivers are instructed never to leave children at the stop if an adult is not present. If a neighbor or relative will be meeting your child, please inform the school by sending a note, otherwise your child will not be dropped off. The person responsible for getting your child off the bus should be prepared to show identification to the driver. If no one is at the bus stop to meet your child, he/she will be brought to the Before and After School Recreation Enrichment Program (BASREP) at Korn School where he/she will be safe until you make arrangements to pick him/her up. If you have a bus change during the school year, please remember that it may take up to 48 hours for a bus change to be processed. You must complete a green bus form with the change and submit it to the school. You will be notified when the bus change will go into effect. In accordance with BASREP guidelines, if your child is taken to the after school program more than once, you will be required to register your child in the program and pay all applicable fees. The registration fee for the 2013-2014 school year will be $30. The phone number for BASREP is 349-1819. When waiting at the bus stop, plan to be at the stop 10 minutes before and after the scheduled time of bus arrival. There are many things that make a bus run off schedule including several children are not attending school on a particular day, or the driver encounters traffic. You should call the school, not the bus company, if the time of pick up and drop off is extremely inconsistent. Korn School Security System The security system ensures the safety of students and staff at Korn School. All exterior doors including the front lobby doors will remain locked throughout the day. All parents, guardians, volunteers and visitors must go to the main entrance of the school. At the main entrance there is a call button that must be pressed to enter the school. The office staff will be able to view the visitor prior to entering the school on a video screen in the office. Once the visitor has been verified, the office will allow the door to be opened by the visitor. All visitors must then sign-in in the appropriate book and wear a security badge while in the building. Visitors must sign out when leaving the building. If your child arrives after 8:55, you or your child must press the call button to enter the school. When dropping off your child at the front door, feel free to call the school from your cell phone to let the office know your child is on his/her way to the door. At the end of the day after entering the school, please go directly to the gymnasium where your child will meet you at 3:20. The dismissal book to sign out your child will be in the gym. Dropping Off Students at School Please be aware that we cannot supervise children before 8:30 a.m. Please do not leave your child at school prior to that time. Staff members are on duty at 8:30 a.m. daily. Our driveway is ONE WAY. Always enter from the north and exit only to the south; do not go against the flow of entering car and bus traffic! Children should be dropped off at the sidewalk. Please have children exit the vehicle only on the sidewalk side. Once your child is on the sidewalk, ask him/her to go directly to the playground. Crossing the driveway is extremely dangerous during arrival and pick up. Never allow your child to go between cars or buses at the curb. Teacher assistants are on duty at 8:30 a.m. daily. Parking at the curb in front of our school is never allowed, even before or after school hours. This lane is not only our bus lane but also the FIRE and EMERGENCY LANE. It must be kept clear of parked vehicles at all times. At no time should you pass a bus that is displaying FLASHING RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGN. When these lights and the sign are displayed, children are entering or exiting the bus. State law prohibits you from passing a bus in either direction when the flashing lights and sign are displayed. You will be reported to the State Police and subject to a hefty fine if you pass such a bus, even at the bus platform. We are always concerned for the safety of all our children. Please be extremely alert and cautious when driving anywhere on school grounds. Picking Up Students From School All students are placed on their regular bus each day for the trip home. If your child is going somewhere other than the agreed upon stop, you must send a written letter to school with your child. If we do not have a note, your child will be put on his/her regular bus. 11 When picking your child up at the end of the school day, we ask that you go to the gym and sign out your child. At approximately 3:20 an announcement will be made for all students, who have a note to be picked up, to go to the gym. Also at this time, any students whose parent has contacted the office regarding picking their child up, will be called to the gym. No one other than a parent or legal guardian may sign-out a child without written permission of a parent or guardian. If someone else is to pick up your child at any time, please send in a note giving this specific person your permission to take your child. To further ensure your child’s safety, if you plan to pick up your child at school at any other time, you must come to the Main Office and sign out your child. The secretary will call your child to the office. It has come to our attention that the bus drivers are having difficulty determining whether or not to drop off children at their afternoon bus stops. You MUST be at the stop to meet your child or you MUST be clearly visible to the driver. Drivers are instructed never to leave children at the stop if an adult is not present. However, if you filled out the bus procedure form indicating that your child may be dropped off without a parent present, then your child will be dropped off. If a neighbor or relative will be meeting your child, please inform the school by sending a note. Your child will not be dropped off to an unknown person. Unless you have indicated on the bus procedure form that your child may be dropped off without a parent present, he/she will be brought to the Before and After School Recreation Enrichment Program (BASREP) at Korn School where he/she will be safe until you make arrangements to pick him/her up. If you have a bus change during the school year, please remember that it may take up to 48 hours for a bus change to be processed. You must complete a blue bus form with the change and submit it to the school. You will be notified when the bus change will go into effect. In accordance with BASREP guidelines, if your child is taken to the after school program more than once, you will be required to register your child in the program and pay all applicable fees. The registration fee for the 2011-2012 school year will be $30. The phone number for BASREP is 349-1819. Dismissal is at 3:25 p.m. Please do not arrive more than five minutes before dismissal time. The end of the day is hectic for teachers and students. Dismissal is much smoother with fewer interruptions. We ask that parents go to the gym to sign-out their children and remain there. At 3:20 each day an announcement is made for students being picked-up to go to the gym. Please then exit with your child through the gym doors. Please be certain to remind your child periodically about bus safety. Children must listen to the driver at all times, remain seated at all times when the bus is moving, and use quiet voices. Drivers have a very difficult job with much responsibility. Please help them. Brewster and Korn Attendance Significant changes have been made to the State Attendance Policy that impacted the District Attendance Policy. Please carefully read the Student Attendance and Truancy Plan in Policy Section of this handbook and call the school office if you need clarification or have any questions. Written documentation is required each time your child is absent. The first nine absences will be excused with a signed not from a parent/guardian. After nine absences additional documentation (see policy) will be required for an excused absence. The Brewster School day begins at 8:50 and ends at 3:20. The morning pre-school session is from 8:50-11:30 and the afternoon hours are from 12:35-3:20. The Korn School day begins 8:55 and ends at 3:25. It is important for your child to attend the entire day of school so he/she can benefit from every educational experience. Please make every attempt to have your child to school on time and to allow him/her to finish the day. Every attempt should be made to schedule appointments after school hours. Vacations should be scheduled when school is not in session. Students will be marked tardy if they arrive after 9:00 A.M. at Brewster and 8:55 at Korn (12:45 P.M for PM PreK). If a student is late due to a bus problem, he/she will not be marked as tardy. If you drop your child off late, please make sure that he/she checks in at the office upon his/her arrival to school. If you sign out your child prior to 3:15, it will be recorded as an early dismissal on your child’s records. If your child will be absent or tardy from school, please call the school and inform the office as to why your child is absent. In the event that the office is not open at the time of your call, please press 2 to report your child’s absence. If you do not call the school, the nurse will be contacting you to regarding your child’s absence. 12 Health A student having a temperature of 100° or higher, sore throat, signs of pink eye, earache, or vomiting should not attend school. If you have a question as to whether your child should attend, please call the nurse. Your child may return to school 24 hours after a fever or vomiting have subsided. According to district policy, medication, including cough drops, must never be brought to school by a child. If your child requires medication during school hours, please call the nurse to obtain a form to be completed by your child’s physician for the dispensing of any medication. If your child is well enough to attend school they will be going outdoors for recess. A note from your child’s physician is required for a student to miss recess or physical education due to a health concern. Recess Students in grades kindergarten through four will go outside each day for recess throughout the school year. Students will stay inside for recess if it is raining or if the weather is unusually cold. In the winter months, the temperature is checked prior to the students going outside. If it is deemed too cold, the students will be kept indoors. However, the staff is a very hearty bunch and the students need physical activity during the day even if the weather is cool. Students are outside for 30 minutes and should be dressed appropriately for the weather. The playground at Brewster has lots of climbing activities that are easier to navigate with sneakers. Backless shoes and flip-flops may fall off while climbing. Dismissal Notes Please do not email a last minute emergency bus change to your child’s teacher or to the office staff. Your child’s teacher may not have an opportunity to check her email prior to dismissal and we cannot guarantee that the email will be received prior to dismissal time. For your child’s safety, please call the office with emergency changes prior to 3:00. Lunch/Snack The cost of a school lunch, including milk, is $3.00 a day. Individual milk and water are also available for .50. Parents are now able to access their child’s lunch account online. Parents have been given instructions how to make purchases from the cafeteria. Money to purchase lunch or drinks can still be sent to school with your child on a daily, weekly or monthly basis and will be applied to your child’s account. Each student will be issued a student ID with his/her photo on it and will use it when buying his/her lunch or drink. If your child does not have a lunch or has forgotten to bring in lunch money, hot lunch will be made available. A notice will be sent home with your child indicating the amount borrowed for purchasing lunch. Please send the money and the notice back to school in a sealed envelope the following day. Brewster and Korn parents should pack a healthy snack and drink for their child to have during school snack time. Korn school students can purchase a snack or a drink from the cafeteria at snack time. The cost of the snack varies depending on what the child wishes to purchase. Milk or water is available for 50 cents. Field Trips Field trips are a wonderful way to enrich a student’s academic area of study. Field Trips are learning experiences for students, and chaperones. Siblings can often distract students and chaperones on field trips so they are not allowed to attend a field trip or a nature walk. First Friday Family Read, the Dance Festival, school open houses and school performances are a great time to bring siblings and friends. If your child becomes ill on a field trip, you will be contacted and it will be your responsibility to pick up your child at the trip location. When tickets are purchased for field trips, there will be no refund for the field trip if your child is unable to attend due to illness. Students are expected to ride district transportation to and from all field trips. Items Not Allowed In School Hats are not allowed to be worn during school hours, unless it is for a specific event or activity and approved by the Principal. 13 Students are never allowed to trade any items from home while on the bus or in school. The following items are not allowed to be used during school or on the bus: Trading cards – including but not limited to Pokemon, Yugio, sports Electronics – PSP, Gameboys, ipods, CD players Cell Phones Bakugan toys Beyblades Pets Due to allergies and for safety reasons no animals or pets will be allowed in the school at any time without prior permission from the principal. Invitations Invitations to birthday parties or other events should not be handed out at school unless the whole class is invited. Young children feel isolated and left out when not invited to parties. Student Assistance Team As a part of our Early Intervention Program, the Student Assistance Team meets weekly to discuss children whose academic, social, emotional, or behavioral needs raise a concern with one or more faculty members. Members of the team are the: principal, school psychologist, social worker, special education teacher(s), school nurse, regular education teacher(s), and speech pathologist. Reading teachers, and physical and occupational therapists also join the team periodically to discuss student concerns. A referral form must be completed prior to an SAT date being scheduled. The referral should be reviewed with the school psychologist who will schedule the SAT meeting. The main purpose of the team is the early identification of any behaviors of concern exhibited by a child. This early identification can prevent a concern from becoming a more significant problem later. The first step is a teacher/parent contact to discuss the concerns. Next, a teacher will bring the child’s name to the team for discussion. The team will then develop an action plan that will include strategies to try in the classroom. It also may include observations of the child in class, parent conferences, team meetings, or any number of other options. Parents are a vital part of any plan to assist a child. Parents will be invited to participate whenever necessary to develop the best plan for their child. Parents and teachers working together consistently can resolve many early difficulties. We all have the same goal; helping our children be successful. All students are eligible for the services of the Student Assistance Team. If for any reason you do not wish for your child to receive any such services, please contact the Principal. Class Lists A class list containing your child’s name and contact information will be made available to parents of students in the class. It is a great way to plan play dates, classroom parties, Valentine’s Day cards, etc. A consent form will be included in the first day packet that will give you the opportunity to choose to have that information shared with classmates. This information is For School Use Only. The information may not be used for any other purpose. Notice of Intent to Release Directory Information – Policy - Without Prior Consent The following types of information contained in the education record of an enrolled student are hereby designated as directory information and may be disclosed by school officials without the prior consent of a parent or eligible student: A. Name B. Address C. Telephone number D. Place and date of birth E. Electronic mail address F. Photograph G. Videotape of officially recognized activities where the activity is open to the public or the public is invited H. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports I. Weight and height as a member of an athletic team 14 J. K. L. Dates of attendance Grade level Honors and awards received A parent or eligible student may refuse to allow school officials to designate any or all of the above listed types of information as directory information. Any such refusal must be made in writing to and received by the building principal no later than September 15th. A. Directory information may be released to the following: B. Federal, state and local government agencies C. Representatives of the news media, including but not limited to newspapers, magazines, and radio and television stations D. Employers or prospective employers E. Parent/teacher organizations F. Military Recruiters Subject to the provisions of C.G.S.§1-210(b)(17), high schools shall provide the same directory information and oncampus recruiting opportunities to military recruiters as are offered to non-military recruiters or commercial concern. (cf.5145 On-campus Recruitment) No information may be released to a private profit-making entity other than employers, prospective employers and representatives of the news media. Denial of Permission to Release Certain Directory Information – Policy – Without Prior Consent Dear Parent/Guardian: Certain directory information may be released to media, colleges, civic or school-related organizations and state or governmental agencies including military recruiters, as well as published programs for the athletic, music and theater presentations of the District. Directory information included the following kinds of information. A. Name B. Address C. Telephone number D. Date of birth E. Major Field of Study F. Photograph G. Videotape of officially recognized activities where the activity is open to the public or the public is invited H. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports I. Weight and height as a member of an athletic team J. Dates of attendance K. Most recent school attended L. Honors and awards received Please circle the specific categories of information if any, listed above that you do not wish to be released without your specific prior written permission. ____ The release of all Directory Information is denied. This form must be completed and returned to the school principal within ten (10) days after receipt of this information. ______________________________ Name of student ______________________________ Parent’s signature ________________________ School __________ Date __________ Date Mandatory School Age The Connecticut General Assembly, in the 1998 session completed in May, passed a number of proposals, affecting education and the operation of school districts. Most of these proposals are aimed at promoting early reading success and overall early literacy. 15 One proposal, which directly involves parents of young children, is concerned with the age of the child upon school entry. The mandatory school age has been lowered from age 7 to 5, with a parental option to have their child begin school at age 6 or 7. To exercise the option, the parent, or other person having control of the child, must personally appear at the school district office and sign an option form and the district must provide the parent, or other person, with information on the educational opportunities available in the district. What this means for parents is that, if they choose not to have their child start school in the calendar year their child turns five they must make an appointment at the Regional School District 13 Central Office and sign a form. Parents exercising the option to hold their child out for a year, and therefore needing to sign the option form, should call Rosemary Allen at 349-7200. Rosemary Allen will arrange an appointment at which time the option may be signed and information about educational opportunities available in the district will be shared. Fire Drills/Safety Drills As part of our District Crisis Management Plan each school must have monthly fire drills and periodic safety drills throughout the year. The fire drill and safety drill procedures will be reviewed with students throughout the school year. The first fire drill will be held during the first week of school. During fire drills, students exit the building and go to a designated area outside. The children remain in their classroom during lockdown drills and modified lockdown drills. If you have any questions about fire drills or safety drills, please feel free to call your child’s school. Brewster/Korn Volunteers Volunteers are an extremely important resource and are appreciated by classroom teachers and other school personnel. Numerous parents are involved in short and long-term volunteering activities. Volunteers are used in many ways to supplement and enrich our school programs. Volunteers assist in daily classroom activities, Reading Counts/Accelerated Reader, school trips and are actively involved in our parent organization, the Brewster/Korn Parent Teacher Organization. Classroom volunteers work with individuals or small groups of students under the direction of the classroom teacher. When volunteering for a field trip, please remember your undivided attention is required to supervise a group of students. Siblings are not allowed to attend nature walks or accompany you when volunteering. When you volunteer, the following information will be shared with you: • • • The daily classroom schedule and the expectations of the classroom teacher Information regarding classroom visitors, classroom interruptions and procedures in the event of an emergency The importance of confidentiality. Before reporting to your volunteer assignment, please sign in at the office and wear a security badge. Children are easily distracted so, please turn your cell phone off or on privacy mode and refrain from calling or texting others when volunteering. Each school has established its own set of guidelines for the use of volunteers. If you have any questions about volunteering, you should check with the school principal. Homework Philosophy Learning activities scheduled outside of the classroom are a vital aspect of the Brewster/Korn learning experience. In meeting our District’s Mission “to ensure that all students become self-reliant, lifelong learners” an active partnership between family and school is essential. Homework is recognized as one means of enhancing the learning experience. Homework helps build responsibility, independence, autonomy, perseverance, time management, initiative, self-reliance, resourcefulness and selfesteem. Homework also provides an opportunity to practice and strengthen academic skills. Students are expected to: • make a commitment to complete and return assignments in a timely manner. • take pride in their work. • students will attempt assignments independently when appropriate. • students are expected to complete their work in a neat and legible manner. 16 Time and Frequency Guidelines Kindergarten • The frequency of the assignments will be left to the teacher’s discretion, usually not to exceed four times per week. Grades one and two: • Students will usually have homework assignments that will require between 10 and 20 minutes to complete. • The frequency of these assignments will be left to the teacher’s discretion, usually not to exceed four times per week. Grades three and four: • Students will usually have homework assignments that will require between 30 and 40 minutes to complete. • The frequency of these assignments will be left to the teacher’s discretion. • Occasionally, homework assignments for fourth grade students will require 45 minutes to complete. Policies The Region School District 13 Public School District is committed to creating and maintaining an educational environment free from bullying, harassment and discrimination. The Region School District 13 Public School District expressly prohibits any form of bullying behavior on school grounds; at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program, whether on or off school grounds; at a school bus stop; on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of education; or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by Region School District 13 Board of Education. The Region School District 13 Public School District also prohibits any form of bullying behavior outside of the school setting if such bullying (i) creates a hostile environment at school for the student against whom such bullying was directed, (ii) infringes on the rights of the student against whom such bullying was directed at school, or (iii) substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. Discrimination and/or retaliation against an individual who reports or assists in the investigation of an act of bullying is likewise prohibited. Students who engage in bullying behavior shall be subject to school discipline, up to and including expulsion, in accordance with the Board's policies on student discipline, suspension and expulsion, and consistent with state and federal law. "Bullying" means the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic communication, such as cyberbullying, or a physical act or gesture directed at another student attending school in the same school district that: 1) causes physical or emotional harm to such student or damage to such student’s property; 2) places such student in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself, or of damage to his or her property; 3) creates a hostile environment at school for such student; 4) infringes on the rights of such student at school; or 5) substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. Bullying shall include, but not be limited to, a written, verbal or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics. "Cyberbullying" means any act of bullying through the use of the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, cellular mobile telephone or other mobile electronic devices or any electronic communications. To address concerns about bullying behavior, the Region School District 13 Public School District follows a prevention and intervention policy that includes the criteria listed below. Parents and/or students who have concerns regarding bullying behavior may report such concerns to Nancy Heckler, Principal. The prevention and intervention procedure: (1) Enables students to anonymously report acts of bullying to school employees and requires students and the parents or guardians of students to be notified annually of the process by which students may make such reports; (2) enables the parents or guardians of students to file written reports of suspected bullying; 17 (3) requires school employees who witness acts of bullying or receive reports of bullying to orally notify the safe school climate specialist, or another school administrator if the safe school climate specialist is unavailable, not later than one school day after such school employee witnesses or receives a report of bullying, and to file a written report not later than two school days after making such oral report; (4) requires the safe school climate specialist or other appropriate school employee to investigate or supervise the investigation of all reports of bullying and ensure that such investigation is completed promptly after receipt of any written reports made under this section; (5) requires the safe school climate specialist or other appropriate school employee to review any anonymous reports, except that no disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report; (6) includes a prevention and intervention strategy for school employees to deal with bullying; (7) provides for the inclusion of language in student codes of conduct concerning bullying; (8) requires notification to the parents or guardians of students who commit any verified acts of bullying and the parents or guardians of students against whom such acts were directed not later than forty-eight hours after the completion of the investigation; (9) requires an invitation to the parents or guardians of a student who commits any verified act of bullying and the parents or guardians of the student against whom such act was directed to a meeting to communicate to such parents or guardians the measures being taken by the school to ensure the safety of the student against whom such act was directed and to prevent further acts of bullying; (10) establishes a procedure for each school to document and maintain records relating to reports and investigations of bullying in such school and to maintain a list of the number of verified acts of bullying in such school and makes such list available for public inspection, and annually report such number to the Department of Education and in such manner as prescribed by the Commissioner of Education; (11) directs the development of case-by-case interventions for addressing repeated incidents of bullying against a single individual or recurrently perpetrated bullying incidents by the same individual that may include both counseling and discipline; (12) prohibits discrimination and retaliation against an individual who reports or assists in the investigation of an act of bullying; (13) directs the development of student safety support plans for students against whom an act of bullying was directed that address safety measures the school will take to protect such students against further acts of bullying; (14) requires the principal of a school, or the principal's designee, to notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency when such principal, or the principal's designee, believes that any acts of bullying constitute criminal conduct; (15) prohibits bullying (A) on school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of education, or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by the local or regional board of education, and (B) outside of the school setting if such bullying (i) creates a hostile environment at school for the student against whom such bullying was directed, (ii) infringes on the rights of the student against whom such bullying was directed at school, or (iii) substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school; (16) requires, at the beginning of each school year, each school to provide all school employees with a written or electronic copy of the school district's safe school climate plan; and (17) requires that all school employees annually complete the training described in Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-220a. Not later than January 1, 2012, the Region School District 13 Board of Education shall approve a Safe School Climate Plan and submit such plan to the Department of Education. Not later than thirty (30) calendar days after approval by the Board, the Board shall make such plan available on the school district's web site, the website of each school, and ensure that the Safe School Climate Plan is included in the school district's publication of the rules, procedures and standards of conduct for schools and in all student handbooks. 18 Complaint Resolution Procedure Connecticut State Department of Education Elementary and Secondary Education Act 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 299(10)(a) I. Filing of Complaint A. Violation of Law A written complaint may be filed by an organization or individual with the Connecticut Commissioner of Education alleging that the state educational agency (SEA) or an agency or consortium of agencies is violating a federal statute or regulation that applies to the following applicable programs: 1. Part A of Title I (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies). 2. Part B, Subpart 1 of Title I (Reading First). 3. Part B, Subpart 3 of Title I (Even Start Family Literacy Programs). 4. Part D of Title I (Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk of Dropping Out). 5. Part A of Title II (Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund). 6. Part D of Title II (Enhancing Education Through Technology). 7. Part A of Title III (English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act). 8. Part B, Subpart 4 of Title III (Emergency Immigrant Education Program). 9. Part A of Title IV (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities). 10. Part A of Title V (Innovative Programs). B. Review of an Appeal A written complaint may be filed by an individual with the Connecticut Commissioner of Education appealing the decision of an agency or consortium of agencies based on prior written complaint presented by an individual to such agency or consortium of agencies. C. Content of Complaint The complaint shall be in writing, signed by the complainant and contain the following: 1. A statement that the SEA or an agency or consortium of agencies has violated a requirement of federal statutes or regulation regarding the applicable program, or in the case of an appeal, a statement of aggrievement with the decision rendered by the agency or consortium of agencies based on a prior written complaint. 2. A clear and concise description of the facts on which the statement is based and the specific alleged violation or aggrievement. 3. A description of prior efforts to resolve the complaint, including information demonstrating that the SEA, agency or consortium of agencies has taken action adverse to the complaint or has refused or failed to take action within a reasonable period of time. 4. Complainant’s and respondent’s name, address and telephone number. 5. Other materials or documents containing information which support or clarify the statement. II. Review of Complaint A. Analysis Within three business days of the receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner shall assign a review official. Within five business days of the assignment, the review official shall determine whether the complaint has been properly filed in accordance with Section I. If necessary, the review official shall interview the complainant. B. Dismissal of Complaint The review official may dismiss the complaint in writing stating an explanation for such action. The grounds for dismissal shall include, but not limited to, the following: 1. Failure to file a proper complaint pursuant to Section I. 2. The allegations fail to state a bona fide violation of federal statute or regulations by the SEA or an agency or consortium of agencies. 3. The allegations fail to state a bona fide aggrievement with the decision rendered by an agency or consortium of agencies based on prior written complaint. 4. The allegations were not caused by the actions or failure to act by the SEA, agency or consortium of agencies. III. Notification of Complaint and Investigation If a complaint is not dismissed, the review official shall forward the complaint to the respondent immediately along with a copy of the Complaint Resolution Procedures. IV. Response to Complaint Within 10 business days of the receipt of the complaint from the review official, the respondent shall file with the 19 Commissioner a written response to the complaint. A. Content of Response The response shall address each and every allegation of the complaint and shall list the respondent’s name, address and telephone number. B. Interview The review official or the respondent may request an interview to discuss the response and to resolve the dispute informally. V. Complaint Investigation Upon completion of Section IV or the failure of the respondent to file a response, the review official shall conduct an investigation. All parties may be duly notified that an investigation has begun. At any time during the investigation, the review official shall attempt to resolve the dispute informally. Within 60 calendar days of the receipt of the complaint, an investigation of the complaint shall be completed and a written report shall be mailed to both parties. Information shall be gathered in a timely manner, while minimizing any inconvenience or disruption to the complainant or respondent. Concerning a review of an appeal of the decision of an agency or consortium of agencies, the review official may elect to disregard the procedures contained in this section using in lieu thereof the following abbreviated procedure: 1. Review all of the appropriate records and determine whether the decision of the agency or consortium of agencies shall be affirmed, reversed or modified. 2. Draft a letter of review of an appeal addressing, but not limited to, the issue in dispute, the facts found, the affirmation, reversal or modification of the lower decision and recommendation for improved practices, policies or procedures. A. Data Collection The complainant and respondent shall provide the review official with copies of all relevant records requested in writing. Telephone interviews of the complainant, respondent and others with knowledge of the allegations may be conducted. Pursuant to 34 CFR 99-35(a) the review official, acting on behalf of the SEA,is authorized to have access to education records in connection with an evaluation of federal or state-supported education programs or for the enforcement of or compliance with federal legal requirements which relate to those programs. B. Independent On-Site Investigation The review official may conduct an on-site visit to investigate the complaint if the official deems it necessary. Any on-site visit shall be coordinated with the respondent. C. Complaint Investigation Report The Complaint Investigation Report shall be completed by the review official and mailed to the parties within 60 calendar days of the receipt of the complaint by the SEA. The Commissioner may grant an extension for the completion of the report upon written request of the review official or respondent if exceptional circumstances exist with respect to the particular complaint. Such extension shall be in writing and shall be mailed to the parties. The report shall contain the following contents: 1. Summary of all investigation activities including, but not limited to, date of receipt of complaint, allegations, parties interviewed, documents received and dates of on-site visits. 2. Specific allegation of the complaint, the findings of fact, conclusions and final decisions rendered regarding each allegation, including citation to applicable federal statute or regulation. 3. Specific corrective action plan that resolves the complaint or ensures future compliance of the respondent regarding the violation of federal statute or regulation. 4. Recommendations for improved practices, policies or procedures shall be offered when no violation of federal statute or regulation is found. D. Corrective Action Plan If the Complaint Investigation Report finds that the respondent is violating federal statute or regulations, the respondent shall be requested to submit a corrective action plan within a specified period of time as determined by the review official. Respondent may request technical assistance from the SEA in order to prepare a plan to achieve compliance. VI. Review of Final Decision The complainant may file a written request with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education to review the decision of the SEA. final 20 All local educational agencies shall disseminate information about the complaint procedures to teachers, staff, parents and appropriate private school officials or representatives. A private school official shall have the right to complain that a local educational agency did not engage in consultation that was meaningful and timely, or did not give due consideration to the views of the private school official. Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) The PPRA affords parents as well as students who are 18 and emancipated minors (“eligible students”) certain rights regarding the conduct of student surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to: 1. 2. 3. Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following subjects (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U. S. Department of Education (ED) – • Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; • Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family; • Sex behavior or attitudes; • Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; • Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships; • Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers; • Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or • Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility. Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of – • Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding; • Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and • Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others, except to the extent notification of such activities is not required by law. Inspect, upon request and before administration or use – • Protected information surveys of students; • Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and • Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum. Parents/eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with: Amy Emory, Pupil Personnel Director or Family Policy Compliance Office Regional District 13 Family Policy Compliance Office P.O. Box 190 U.S. Department of Education Durham, CT 06422 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20202-4605 STUDENTS Student Records Confidentiality and Access to Education Record I. Policy The Board of Education ("Board") complies with the state and federal regulations regarding confidentiality, access to and amendment of education records. The Board shall implement procedures that protect the privacy of parents and students while providing proper access to records. Availability of these procedures shall be made known annually to parents of students currently in attendance and eligible students currently in attendance. II. Definitions A. Access is defined as the right to inspect or review a student's education records or any part thereof. Access may include the right to receive copies of records under limited circumstances. B. Biometric record, as used in the definition of personally identifiable information, means a record of one or more measurable biological or behavioral characteristics that can be used for automated recognition of an individual, such as fingerprints, retina and iris patterns, voiceprints, DNA sequence; facial characteristics and handwriting. 21 C. De-identified education records means education records or information from education records from which all personally identifiable information has been removed, and for which the district has made a reasonable determination that a student’s identity is not personally identifiable, whether through single or multiple releases, taking into account other reasonably available information. D. Directory Information includes information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. It includes, but is not limited to, the parent’s name, address and/or e-mail address, the student’s name, address, telephone number, email address, photographic, computer and/or video images, date and place of birth, major field(s) of study, grade level, enrollment status (full-time; part-time), participation in school-sponsored activities or athletics, weight and height (if the student is a member of an athletic team), dates of attendance, degrees, honors and awards received, and the most recent previous school(s) attended. Directory information does not include a student’s social security number, student identification number or other unique personal identifier used by the student for purposes of accessing or communicating in electronic systems unless the identifier cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user’s identity, such as a PIN or password. E. Disciplinary action or proceeding means the investigation, adjudication or imposition of sanctions by an educational agency or institution with respect to an infraction or violation of internal rules of conduct applicable to students. F. Disclosure means to permit access to or to release, transfer, or other communication of personally identifiable information as contained in education records by any means, including oral, written or electronic means, to any party except the party identified as the party that provided or created the record. G. Education Records 1. Education records means any information directly related to a student that is recorded in any manner (e.g., handwriting, print, computer media, video or audio tape, film, microfilm, and microfiche) and that is maintained by the school system or persons acting for the school system. 2. Education records do not include: private, personal, or working notes in the sole possession of the maker thereof, and which are not accessible or revealed to any other individual except a "substitute"; b) records maintained by a law enforcement unit of the school district that were created by that unit for the purpose of law enforcement; c) employment records used only in relation to the student's employment by the school district that are 1) made and maintained in the normal course of business, 2) relate exclusively the student’s capacity as an employee, and 3) are not made available for any other purpose; d) records on an eligible student (i.e. over 18 or attending a postsecondary educational institution) that are considered “treatment records” as they meet the following criteria: 1) the records are maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized professional or paraprofessional acting in his or her professional capacity or assisting in a paraprofessional capacity, 2) the records are made in connection with the treatment of the student and 3) the records are disclosed only to individuals providing such treatment (treatment does not include remedial educational activities or activities that are part of the program or instruction of the school district); however, the school district must, upon request, permit an eligible student to have a physician or other appropriate professional of the student’s choice review his/her treatment records; e) records created or received by the school district after an individual is no longer a student in attendance and that are not directly related to the individual’s attendance as a student; and f) grades on peer-graded papers before they are collected and recorded by a teacher. H. Eligible Student is a student or former student who has reached 18 years of age or is attending an institution of post-secondary education or is an emancipated minor. I. Legitimate Educational Interest means the need for a school official to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities. J. Parent is defined as a parent or parents of a student, including a natural parent, a guardian, or surrogate parent, or an individual acting as a parent in the absence of a parent or guardian. The rights of a parent shall transfer to an eligible student; however, a parent of a student who claims that student as a dependent under Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is entitled to access to the student's education records without the eligible student's consent. K. Personally Identifiable Information includes, but is not limited to, the student’s name; the name of the student’s parent or other family members; the address of the student or his/her family; a personal identifier, such as the student’s social security number, student number or biometric record; other indirect identifiers, such as the student’s date of birth, place of birth, and mother’s maiden name; other information that, alone or in combination, is linked or linkable to a specific student that would allow a reasonable person in the school community, who does not have personal knowledge of the relevant circumstances, to identify the student with reasonable certainty; or information requested by 22 a person who the school district reasonably believes knows the identify of the student to whom the education record relates. L. School Official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the Board of Education; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, consultant, therapist, or school resource officer); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. M. Signed and Dated Written Consent to disclose personally identifiable student information from a student’s education records must specify the records to be disclosed, the purpose of disclosure and the party to whom such records should be provided. Consent may include a record and signature in electronic form provided that the consent identifies and authenticates a particular person as the source of electronic consent. III. Annual Notification of Rights/ Release of Directory Information A. On an annual basis, the school district will notify parents and/or eligible students currently in attendance of their rights regarding a student's education records. This notice will be published in all student handbooks in the District and will also be published in the school district's guide to Pupil Personnel Services and will be published in any other manner "reasonably likely" to inform such parents and eligible students of their rights. The school district will take steps to ensure that parents or eligible students whose primary or home language is not English or who are disabled will also be notified of their rights regarding a student's education records. B. On an annual basis, the school district will also notify parents and/or eligible students currently in attendance of any categories of information designated as directory information. This notice will provide such individuals with an opportunity to object to such disclosure. An objection to the disclosure of directory information shall be good for only one school year. C. In the annual notification, the school district will also provide notice to parents and/or eligible students that the district is legally obligated to provide military recruiters or institutions of higher education, upon request, with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of secondary school students, unless the secondary student or the parent of the student objects to such disclosure in writing. Such objection must be in writing and shall be effective for one school year. IV. Confidentiality of Education Records A. All school officials are directed to maintain the confidentiality of personally identifiable information contained in a student’s education records. Each person who has access to education records is responsible for ensuring personally identifiable information is protected from disclosure at collection, storage, disclosure, and destruction stages. Disclosure of information is permitted only in accordance with Board policy and administrative regulations and in a manner consistent with state and federal law. B. Education records are not public records and any disclosure other than to persons authorized to receive the records without prior consent of a parent or an eligible student violates the law and Board policy, except as provided in federal and state statutes. C. The school district shall use reasonable methods, including administrative policies and procedures, as well as physical and technological access controls, to ensure that school officials obtain access to only those education records in which they have a legitimate educational interest. D. The district shall use reasonable methods to identify and authenticate the identity of parents, students, school officials and other parties to whom the district discloses personally identifiable information from education records. E. The district shall require contractors and other outside agencies with access to education records to certify their compliance with the confidentiality requirements of this policy, as well as applicable state and federal law. V. Access to Education Records A. Parents and/or an eligible student have the right to inspect and review all education records of the student unless such rights have been waived under Section XI, below. Parents' rights of inspection and review are restricted to information dealing with their own child. In the case of an eligible student, the right to inspect and review is restricted to information concerning the student. All requests for access to education records must be in writing. B. When submitting a written request to inspect or review education records, the request must identify the record or records being sought. The school district will notify the parent or eligible student of the date, time, and location where the records may be inspected and reviewed. C. The parents or eligible students may designate in writing a representative to inspect and review the records. Consent for disclosure of education records to a designated representative must be signed and dated by the parent or eligible students. D. A school professional shall be present at all such inspections and reviews and shall respond to reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of the records. 23 E. For the records of regular education students, the Board will make education records available for inspection and review by parents or eligible students within a reasonable period of time, but in any event, no more than forty-five (45) calendar days from the receipt of a written request. F. For students requiring special education, the Board will comply with a request to inspect and review a student’s education records within ten (10) days of the request; or within three (3) days of the request if the request is in order to prepare for a meeting regarding an IEP meeting (planning and placement team meeting) or any due process proceeding. G. Parents of students eligible to receive special education and related services (or the eligible student) have the right to receive one free copy of their child’s (his/her) education records. The request for the free copy must be in writing and the Board shall comply with the written request within five (5) school days of the request. Notwithstanding the fact that a test instrument or portion of a test instrument may meet the criteria of an “education record” under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 USC 1232g, any test instrument or portion of a test instrument for which the test manufacturer asserts a proprietary or copyright interest in the instrument shall not be copied. The parent or eligible student retains the right to review and inspect such information and the board of education shall respond to reasonable requests from the parent or eligible student for explanations and interpretations of the student’s education record, which may include reviewing copyrighted testing instruments. H. Aside from a parent or eligible student, staff members, school employees and other school officials may access a student’s educational records only if they have been determined by the school system to have a legitimate educational interest in accessing the information contained in such records. Disclosures to any other parties may only be made in accordance with the exemptions and provisions set forth in Section VII, below. I. Pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section VI, below, the district maintains a record of all parties that have requested access to education records, including access to education records found in computer memory banks. J. Non-custodial Parents: A parent does not lose his or her right to access to education records upon divorce. Non-custodial parents retain their rights to review their child's education records unless the school district has been provided with evidence that there is a court order, state statute, or legally binding document relating to such matters as divorce, separation, or custody that specifically revokes the non-custodial parent’s rights. School notices shall be mailed to the non-custodial parent/guardian requesting the notices at the same time that they are provided to the custodial parent/guardian. Any requests by the noncustodial parent/guardian to receive school notices shall be effective for as long as the child remains in the school the student is attending at the time of the request. K. Copies of Education Records/Fees: 1) The school district cannot charge a fee to search for or to retrieve the education records of a student. As noted above, if a student has been identified as requiring special education and related services, the parents’ (or eligible student’s) right to inspect and review the child's records shall include the right to receive one free copy of those records. The request for the free copy shall be made in writing. The board of education shall comply with such request as stated above. A charge will be levied for additional copies; in no case will the charge exceed $.50 per page. 2) In addition to the provision above regarding special education students, if circumstances effectively prevent the parent or eligible student from exercising the right to inspect and review the student’s education records, the district shall: a. provide the parent or eligible student with a copy of the records requested, or b. make other arrangements for the parent or eligible student to inspect and review the requested records. 3) The Board reserves the right to charge for copies of a student’s education records. Such charge will not exceed $.50 per page. VI. Record Keeping Requirements/Documentation of Access of Education Records A. The school district will appoint an individual to be responsible for the care and upkeep of all education records. Education records are kept by categories, each of which encompasses a specific type of data collected during a student's educational career. These categories also determine how long the school district must maintain the records. The school district will provide to parents, on request, a list of the categories and locations of education records collected, maintained, or used by the school district. B. Except as provided below, a record (log) will be kept documenting each request for, and disclosure of, personally identifiable information from the education records of each student, including information found in computer memory banks. The record log shall contain: 1) the name of any individual, agency, or organization that requested or obtained access to the student's records; 2) the date of the request for access; 3) whether access was given; 24 4) the purpose for which the party was granted access to the records; 5) the names of additional parties to whom the receiving party may disclose the information on behalf of the school district; and 6) the legitimate educational interest in obtaining the information. C. The record (log) requirement does not apply to requests from, or disclosure to: 1) a parent or eligible student 2) a party seeking directory information; 3) a party who has a signed and dated written consent from the parent and/or eligible student; 4) school officials from the school district in which the student is currently enrolled who have a legitimate educational interest in the information contained in the student's record; or 5) persons seeking or receiving the information as directed by a Federal grand jury, other law enforcement subpoena, or ex parte order of the Attorney General of the United States (provided that the information requested is not to be redisclosed). D. The record (log) is a permanent part of the student’s education records and must be available to the parent or eligible student upon request. E. If the district makes a release of education records without consent in a health and safety emergency, the district must record: 1) the articulable and significant threat to the health and safety of a student or other individuals that formed the basis for disclosure; and 2) the parties to whom the district disclosed the information. VII. The Release of Records or Personally Identifiable Information A. The school system or its designated agent(s) may not permit release of education records or any information from such records which contains personally identifiable student information to any outside individual, agency, or organization without the signed and dated written consent of the parents or eligible student, except as indicated in Section VII.C below. Personally identifiable information contained in the education record, other than directory information, will not be furnished in any form (i.e., written, taped, person-to-person, statement over the telephone, on computer disk, e-mailed, etc.) to any person other than those listed below, unless prior written consent has been obtained. B. To be effective, the written consent must be signed and dated and must specify the records that may be disclosed, state the purpose of the disclosure, and identify the party or class of parties to whom the disclosure may be made. C. Personally identifiable information may be released without consent of the parents, or the eligible student, only if the disclosure meets one of the criteria set forth below: 1. The disclosure is to other school officials within the district, including teachers, who have been determined by the school district to have legitimate educational interests in the education records. 2. The disclosure is to a contractor, consultant, volunteer, or other party to whom an agency or institution has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the outside party (a) performs an institutional service or function for which the district would otherwise use employees, (b) is under the direct control of the district with respect to the use and maintenance of education records, and is subject to the requirements of FERPA with respect to the use and redisclosure of personally identifiable information from education records. 3. The disclosure is to officials of another school, including other public schools, charter schools, and post-secondary institutions, in which the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer. Disclosure of personally identifiable information will be made only upon condition that the student’s parents be notified of the transfer, receive a copy of the record if desired, and have an opportunity for a hearing to challenge the content of the record pursuant to Section X. 4. The disclosure is to authorized representatives of the Comptroller General of the United States; the Attorney General of the United States; the Secretary of Education; or State and local educational authorities, under the following conditions: the school shall provide such authorized representatives access to student or other records that may be necessary in connection with the audit, evaluation, or enforcement of state and federally supported education programs, but shall not permit such representatives to collect personally identifiable information unless specifically authorized to do so by state and federal law or if the parent or eligible student has given written 5. The disclosure is made in connection with a student's application for, or receipt of, financial aid, if such information is necessary to determine eligibility for, the amount of, or the conditions for financial aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of financial aid. 6. The disclosure is to state and local officials or authorities within the juvenile justice system as long as the officials and authorities to whom the records are disclosed certify in writing to the school district that (a) the information is required by the court, (b) will not be disclosed to any other party without the prior, written consent of the parent of the student, except as provided under State law. Disclosure shall be permitted for information relating to the student’s school attendance, 25 adjustment and behavior, as well as the student’s individualized education program (IEP) and related documents if the student receives special education services. If a student is placed on probation by the juvenile court, school officials may issue their own recommendation concerning the conditions of the student's probation. 7. The disclosure is to organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, educational agencies or institutions for the purpose of developing, validating, or administering predictive tests, administering student aid programs, or improving instruction, so long as (a) the study does not permit personal identification of parents or students by individuals other than representatives of the organization, (b) the information is destroyed after it is no longer needed for the purposes for which the study was conducted, and (c) the district enters into a written agreement with the organization conducting the study that ensures that the study protects the confidentiality of personally identifiable student information consistent with FERPA requirements. 8. The disclosure is to accrediting organizations in order to carry out their accrediting functions. 9. The disclosure is to parents of an eligible student who claim that student as a dependent student as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 10.The disclosure is to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena, provided that the educational agency makes a reasonable effort to notify the parent or the eligible student in advance of compliance, unless such disclosure is in compliance with (a) a federal grand jury subpoena and the court has ordered that the existence or the contents of the subpoena or the information furnished in response to the subpoena not be disclosed; or (b) any other subpoena issued for a law enforcement purpose and the court or other issuing agency has ordered that the existence or the contents of the subpoena or the information furnished in response to the subpoena not be disclosed; or (c) an ex parte order obtained by the United States Attorney General (or designee not lower than an Assistant Attorney General) concerning the investigation or prosecution of terrorism crimes specified in sections 2332b(g)(5)(B) and 2331 of title 18, U.S. Code. 11. If the school district initiates legal action against a parent or student, the school district may disclose to the court, without a court order or subpoena, the education records of the student that are relevant for the school district to proceed with the legal action as plaintiff. 12.If a parent or eligible student initiates legal action against the school district, the school district may disclose to the court, without a court order or subpoena, the student’s education records that are relevant for the school district to defend itself. 13. The disclosure is to appropriate parties, including parents of an eligible student, in connection with a health and safety emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. In making a determination regarding the disclosure of education records without consent in a health and safety emergency, the district may take into account the totality of the circumstances pertaining to the threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals. If the district reasonably determines that there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals, it may disclose information from education records to any person whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals, provided, however, that the district record such disclosure in accordance with Section VI. D, above. 14. The disclosure is to the parent of a student who is under 18 years of age or to the student. 15. The disclosure concerns sex offenders and other individuals required to register under Section 170101 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. 14071, and the information was provided to the district under 42 U.S.C. 14071 and applicable federal guidelines. D. Directory Information 1. The school district will notify parents (of students currently enrolled within the district) or eligible students (currently enrolled in the district) annually of any categories of information designated as directory information. This notice will provide such individuals with an opportunity to object to such disclosure. An objection to the disclosure of directory information shall be good for only one school year. 2. School districts are legally obligated to provide military recruiters or institutions of higher education, upon request, with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of secondary school students, unless the secondary student or the parent of the student objects to such disclosure in writing. Such objection must be in writing and shall be effective for one school year. 3. In all other circumstances, information designated as directory information will not be released when requested by a third party unless the release of such information is determined by the administration to be in the educational interest of the school district and is consistent with the district’s obligations under both state and federal law. 4. The school district may disclose directory information about students after they are no longer in enrollment in the school district. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the district will continue to honor any valid objection to the disclosure of directory information made while a student was in attendance unless the student rescinds the objection. 26 5. An objection to the disclosure of directory information shall not prevent the school district from disclosing or requiring a student to disclose the student’s name, identified or institutional email address in a class in which the student is enrolled. 6. The school district will not use the student’s social security number or other non-directory information alone or combined with other elements to identify or help identify the student or the student’s records. E. De-identified Records and Information 1. The school district may release education records or information from education records without the consent of a parent or eligible student after the removal of all personally identifiable information, provided that the district has made a reasonable determination that a student’s identity is not personally identifiable, whether through single or multiple releases, taking into account other reasonably available information. 2. The school district may release de-identified education records including student level data from education records for the purpose of education research by attaching a code to each record that may allow the recipient to match information received from the same source, provided that: a) the district does not disclose any information about how it generates and assigns a record code, or that would allow a recipient of the information to identify a student based on the record code; b) the record code is used for no purpose other than identifying a de-identified record for the purposes of education research and cannot be used to ascertain personally identifiable information about a student; and c) the record code is not based on a student’s social security number or other personal information. F. Disciplinary Records Nothing in this policy shall prevent the school district from: 1. Including in the education records of a student appropriate information concerning disciplinary action taken against the student for conduct that posed a significant risk to the safety or well-being of that student, other students, or other members of the school community. 2. Disclosing appropriate information concerning disciplinary action taken against a student for conduct that posed a significant risk to the safety or well-being of that student, other students, or other members of the school community, to teachers and school officials who have been determined to have legitimate educational interests in the behavior of the student. G. In accordance with state and federal law, the district will facilitate the transfer of records of suspension and expulsion of a student to officials of any private elementary or secondary school in which the student is subsequently enrolled or seeks, intends or is instructed to enroll. H. Records of the Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) 1. Documents related to any Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) child abuse and/or neglect investigations that are maintained by the Board are considered education records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”). As such, they are subject to the confidentiality and disclosure requirements set forth in this policy and in corresponding provisions of state and federal law. Such records should be kept in a confidential location, with restricted access and shall be disclosed only as authorized by law. In addition to meeting the requirements under FERPA, should the Board receive a request to disclose confidential DCF records to an outside third party, the Board shall redact the name or other personally identifiable information concerning the individual suspected of being responsible for the alleged abuse and/or neglect unless the requested records are being released to the individual named in the DCF records. 2. In addition, the district shall redact the name or any personally identifiable information related to the identity of any individual responsible for making a report of alleged child abuse and/or neglect before releasing or transferring any DCF records containing such reports. VIII. Redisclosure of Education Records A. The school district may disclose personally identifiable information from an education record only on the conditions that: 1. the party to whom the information is disclosed will not subsequently redisclose the information to any other party without the proper consent of the parent or eligible student, and 2. the officers, employees, and agents of a party that receives such information may only use the information for the purposes for which disclosure was made. B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section A. above, the school district may disclose personally identifiable information from an education record with the understanding that the information may be redisclosed by the recipient of the information as long as prior written consent for disclosure is not required, for one of the reasons listed in Article VII, Section C. above, and at least one of the following conditions is met. 27 1. The record of the original disclosure includes the names of the parties to whom redisclosure is being made and the legitimate interests each such party has in requesting or obtaining the information. 2. In the case of disclosures made pursuant to a court order or lawfully issued subpoena, the district has made a reasonable effort to notify the parent or eligible student in advance of compliance with the subpoena (except if such subpoena meets the criteria set forth above in Article VII, Section C. (10)). 3. Disclosure is made to a parent, an eligible student, or the parent of an eligible student. 4. The information is considered directory information. C. In the event that the Family Policy Compliance Office determines that a third party outside of the school district has improperly redisclosed personally identifiable information from education records in violation of FERPA, the school district may not allow that third party access to personally identifiable information from education records for at least five (5) years. IX. Amendment of Education Records A. If a parent or an eligible student believes that information in the student's education records is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student's right to privacy, he/she is entitled to: 1. Request in writing that the school district amend the records; 2. Receive within a reasonable period of time a decision from the school district with respect to its decision on the amendment(s) requested by the parent or eligible student. B. If the school district decides to amend the records, the school district shall promptly take such steps as may be necessary to put the decision into effect with respect to the requested amendments, and shall inform the parent or eligible student of the amendment. C. If the school district decides that an amendment of the records in accordance with the request is not warranted, it shall so inform the parent or eligible student and advise him/her of the right to a hearing pursuant to this policy. X. Hearing Rights and Procedudres A. Rights 1. Upon written request of a parent or eligible student to the Superintendent, an opportunity for a hearing shall be provided to challenge the content of a student's education records on the grounds that the information contained in the education records is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of the student. 2. If, as a result of the hearing, the school district decides that information contained in the education records of a student is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of the student, the records shall be amended, and the parent or eligible student shall be informed in writing. 3. If, as a result of the hearing, the school district decides that information contained in the education records of a student is not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of the student, the parent or eligible student shall be informed of the right to place in the student's education records a statement commenting on the contested information or stating why he or she disagrees with the district’s decision, or both. a. Any statement placed in the records of the student shall be maintained by the school system as part of the records of the student as long as the record or contested portion is maintained by the school system. b. If the contested portion of the education record is disclosed by the school system, the statement of disagreement by the parents and/or eligible student shall also be disclosed. B. Procedures 1. The hearing shall be held within a reasonable time after the school system has received the request, unless the parent or eligible student requests a delay. 2. The parent or eligible student shall be given notice of the date, place, and time of the hearing, within a reasonable time in advance of the hearing. 3. The hearing will be conducted by a person or persons appointed by the Superintendent of Schools. This person(s) shall be knowledgeable of the policies relating to confidentiality and shall not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing 4. The parent or eligible student and the school system shall have the right to be represented by person(s) of their choosing at their own expense, to cross-examine witnesses, to present evidence, and to receive a written decision of the hearing. 5. The decision reached through the hearing shall be made in writing within a reasonable period of time after the hearing. The decision will be based solely upon the evidence presented at the hearing and shall include a summary of the evidence and the reasons for the decision. 28 XI. Waiver of Rights A. A student who is an applicant for admission to an institution of post-secondary education or is in attendance at an institution of post-secondary education, may waive his or her right to inspect and review confidential letters and confidential statements of recommendations with the following limitations: 1. The student is notified, upon request, of the names of all individuals providing the letters or statements. 2. The letters or statements are used only for the purpose for which they were originally intended. 3. The waiver is not required by the agency as a condition of admission to or receipt of any other service or benefit from the agency. 4. The waiver is in writing and executed by the student, regardless of age, rather than by the parent. B. A waiver may be revoked with respect to any actions occurring after the revocation. C. Revocation of a waiver must be in writing. XII. Special Confidentiality Procedures for HIV-Related Information A. The following definitions shall apply to Section XII of this policy: 1. Confidential HIV-Related Information "Confidential HIV-related information" means any information pertaining to the protected individual or obtained pursuant to a release of confidential HIV-related information, concerning whether a person has been counseled regarding HIV infection, has been the subject of an HIVrelated test, or has HIV infection, HIV-related illness or AIDS, or information which identifies or reasonably could identify a person as having one or more of such conditions, including information pertaining to such individual's partners. 2. Health Care Provider "Health Care Provider" means any physician, dentist, nurse, provider of services for the mentally ill or persons with mental retardation, or other person involved in providing medical, nursing, counseling, or other health care, substance abuse or mental health service, including such services associated with, or under contract to, a health maintenance organization or medical services plan. 3. Protected Individual "Protected individual" means a person who has been counseled regarding HIV infection, is the subject of an HIV-related test or who has been diagnosed as having HIV infection, AIDS or HIVrelated illness. 4. Release of confidential HIV-related information "Release of confidential HIV-related information" means a written authorization for disclosure of confidential HIV-related information which is signed by the protected individual, if an eligible student, or a person authorized to consent to health care for the individual and which is dated and specifies to whom disclosure is authorized, the purpose for such disclosure and the time period during which the release is to be effective. A general authorization for the release of medical or other information is not a release of confidential HIV-related information, unless such authorization specifically indicates its dual purpose as a general authorization and an authorization for the release of confidential HIV-related information. 5. School Medical Personnel "School medical personnel" means an employee of the Board who is a school nurse or the school district medical adviser. B. Confidentiality of HIV-related Information 1. All school staff must understand that no person who obtains confidential HIV-related information regarding a protected individual may disclose or be compelled to disclose such information. Each person who has access to confidential HIV-related information is responsible for ensuring that confidential HIV-related information is protected from disclosure and/or redisclosure. 2. Confidential HIV-related information is not public information and any disclosure, other than to persons pursuant to a legally sufficient release or to persons authorized by law to receive such information without a legally sufficient release, violates the law and Board policy. C. Accessibility of Confidential HIV-related Information 1. No school staff member who obtains confidential HIV-related information may disclose or be compelled to disclose such information, except to the following: a. the protected individual, his/her legal guardian or a person authorized to consent to health care for such individual; b. any person who secures a release of confidential HIV-related information; c. a federal, state or local health law officer when such disclosure is mandated or authorized by federal or state law; 29 d. a health care provider or health facility when knowledge of the HIV-related information is necessary to provide appropriate care or treatment to the protected individual or when confidential HIV-related information is already recorded in a medical chart or record and a health care provider has access to such record for the purpose of providing medical care to the protected individual; e. a medical examiner to assist in determining cause of death; or f. any person allowed access to such information by a court order. D. Procedures 1. If a school staff member, other than school medical personnel, is given confidential HIV-related information regarding a protected individual who is also a student from the student's legal guardian or the student, the school staff member shall attempt to secure a release of confidential HIV-related information for the sole purpose of disclosing such information to school medical personnel. 2. If a school medical personnel member is given confidential HIV-related information regarding a protected individual, who is also a student, by a student's legal guardian, or by the student, and the legal guardian or the student requests accommodations to the student's program for reasons related thereto, the school medical personnel member shall inform the legal guardian or the student, if an eligible student, that a release of confidential HIV-related information is necessary before such information may be disclosed to other educational personnel capable of assessing the need for and implementing appropriate accommodations to the student's program. 3. Any school staff member who obtains confidential HIV-related information from a source other than the protected individual or his/her legal guardian, shall keep such information confidential and shall not disclose such information. 4. No school staff member may disclose confidential HIV-related information to other school staff members without first obtaining a release of confidential HIV-related information. 5. Any record containing confidential HIV-related information shall be maintained in a separate file, and shall not be subject to the provisions of this policy regarding accessibility of general student records. 6. If school medical personnel determine that the health and safety of the student and/or others would be threatened if a release of confidential HIV-related information is not obtained, the school medical personnel may seek a court order authorizing disclosure. In such cases, such confidential HIV-related information may be disclosed as set forth in and subject to any limitation of such court order. E. Disclosures Pursuant to a Release 1. Any disclosure pursuant to a release shall be accompanied by a notice in writing stating, "This information has been disclosed to you from records whose confidentiality is protected by state law. State law prohibits you from making any further disclosure of it without the specific written consent of the person to whom it pertains, or as otherwise permitted by said law. A general authorization for the release of medical or other information is NOT sufficient for this purpose." 2. Oral disclosures must be accompanied or followed by the above notice within ten (10) days. 3. Except for disclosures made to a federal, state or local health officer when such disclosure is mandated or authorized by federal or state law, a notation of all disclosures shall be placed in the medical record or with any HIV-related test result of a protected individual, who shall be informed of such disclosures on request. XIII. Child Abuse Reporting Nothing in this policy shall limit a mandated reporter's responsibility to report suspected child abuse or neglect under the Board's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Policy. XIV. Right to File a Complaint FERPA affords parents and eligible students the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the agency that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20202-4605 Legal References: State Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-210 et seq. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-15b Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-28 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-101k Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-581 et seq. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-134 30 Regs. Conn. State Agencies § 10-76d-18 Office of the Public Records Administrator, Retention Schedule M8-Education Records, Revised 2/2005, available at http://www.cslib.org/retschedules.htm Federal Law: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. §§ 1232g et seq. USA Patriot Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-56 No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-110 34 CFR 99.1 - 99.67 (as amended) 34 CFR 300.560-300.576 Balancing Student Privacy and School Safety: A Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act for Elementary and Secondary Schools, US Department of Education (October 2007), available at http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/safeschools/. Policy Revised: February 12, 2014 Instruction Section 504 - 6159.1 Section 504 It is the policy of the Board of Education to provide a free and appropriate public education to each handicapped student who is a resident of the District, regardless of the nature or severity of the handicap. It is the intent of the District to ensure that students who are handicapped within the definition of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, are identified, evaluated, and provided with appropriate educational services. Students may be handicapped under this policy even though they do not require services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Due process rights of handicapped students and their parents under Section 504 will be enforced. The Director of Pupil Personnel is the coordinator of Section 504 activities. Policy Adopted: October 25, 1995 Field Trips - 6153 The Board of Education encourages and sanctions student trips and other out-of-school activities, including participation in interscholastic events and community service projects, which are of value in helping achieve each participating student’s educational objectives. The school staff, under the direction of the administration, shall take all reasonable and prudent steps to safeguard the physical and educational welfare of participating students. The principal may place restrictions upon a student’s participation when, in the staff’s judgment, his/her welfare requires it. Transportation for trips of significant educational value as described above may be free of cost to students. In some instances, transportation for trips may be provided for a fee set by the Superintendent of Schools, or his/her designee to cover costs. If a fee is charged, the opportunity to participate in a field trip, specifically tied to the curriculum, must be available to every member of a class who is unable to pay. Efforts may be made to defray costs for enrichment field trips for students unable to pay. Field trips that are overnight or for more than one school day require Board of Education approval. Out of state field trips that are not overnight or not for more than one school day require approval by Superintendent of Schools. All other field trips require approval by the building principal. Applications must be submitted well in advance because event dates are reserved only after applications have been approved. Applications for trips requiring Board of Education approval must be submitted in writing to the Superintendent of Schools by the principal prior to the beginning of any fundraising, and 45 days prior to the date of the trip or 90 days for any trip that includes air travel or is greater than 4 days in length on a form designated and approved by the Board of Education. Exceptions to the “prior notice” clause may be approved by the Superintendent. 31 All field trips must occur within the school year, any request for exception would require special Board of Education approval. Applications for trip approval shall include the following information: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Clear and detailed statement of educational objectives Description of activities Statement of costs Provision for students who cannot afford trip Provision for supervision including number of students, number of staff, number of parents, and names of chaperones The criteria utilized by the Board of Education in determining whether to approve a field trip includes, but it is not limited to the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Degree of educational value Cost to the District or to each student Location of the trip Amount of time missed from regular classes Number of chaperones Number of previous field trips undertaken by particular group Age appropriateness of students for the trip Approval by the Board of Education is also contingent upon all building requirements having been met. Field trips will be offered exclusively to Regional School District 13 students who are enrolled at the time of the trip. Chaperones for field trips that are out-of-state or overnight must be certified staff or adults over the age of 25. Spouses of certified staff who are chaperones may accompany a field trip at the discretion of the Superintendent. Students from other districts traveling simultaneously with a District 13 sanctioned field trip shall not be under the auspices of Regional School District 13. If any trip is not approved by the Principal, Superintendent, or Board of Education, the Board of Education and Regional District 13 bears no responsibility or liability if such trip occurs without appropriate authorization. Policy Revised: September 14, 1983 Policy Revised: January 8, 1992 Policy Revised: February 8, 1995 Policy Revised: May 10, 1995 Policy Revised: April 25, 2001 Policy Revised: September 12, 2012 School Sponsored Activities - 6145.3 Students who reside in Durham and Middlefield but are full time students outside District 13 or are home schooled are not eligible to participate in any curricular or extra curricular activities provided by or sponsored by Regional School District 13. The only exception to this policy will be school-sponsored dances at the middle school and high school as long as the guest is invited by a student currently enrolled in Regional School District 13. All guests must be registered with the school’s principal before the dance. Policy Adopted: May 22, 2002 Policy Revised: January 8, 2003 Policy Reviewed: February 8, 2011 Students Student Attendance and Truancy – 5113 Regular and punctual student attendance in school is essential to the educational process. Connecticut state law places responsibility for assuring that students attend school with the parent or other person having control of the child. To assist parents and other persons in meeting this responsibility, the Board of Education, through its Superintendent, will adopt and maintain procedures to implement this policy. I. Definitions: 1. Absence - any day during which a student is not considered “in attendance” at his/her assigned school, or on a school sponsored activity (e.g. field trip), for at least one half of the school day. 32 2. 3. 4. Disciplinary absence - Any absence as a result of school or District disciplinary action. Any student serving an out-of-school suspension or expulsion should be considered absent. Such absence is not considered excused or unexcused. Educational evaluation - for purposes of this policy, an educational evaluation is an assessment of a student’s educational development, which, based upon the student’s presenting characteristics, would assess (as appropriate) the following areas: health, vision, hearing, social and emotional status, general intelligence, academic performance, communicative status and motor abilities. Excused absence - a student is considered excused from school if the school has received written documentation describing the reason for the absence within ten (10) school days of the student’s return to school, or if the child has been excluded from school in accordance with section 10-210 of the Connecticut General Statutes (regarding communicable diseases), and the following criteria are met: A. Any absence before the student’s 10th absence, is considered excused when the student’s parent/guardian approves such absence and submits appropriate written documentation in accordance with this policy. B. For the student’s 10th absence and all absences thereafter, a student’s absences from school are, with appropriate documentation in accordance with this regulation, considered excused only for the following reasons: a. b. c. d. e. 5. 6. 7. 8. student illness (verified by an appropriately licensed medical professional); religious holidays; mandated court appearances (documentation required); funeral or death in the family, or other emergency beyond the control of the student’s family; extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by the District administrators and in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Education guidance and this regulation; f. lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends. In Attendance - any day during which a student is not considered to be absent from his/her assigned school, or from an activity sponsored by the school (e.g. field trip), for at least one half of the school day. Student - a student enrolled in Regional School District 13. Truant - any student five (5) to eighteen (18) years of age, inclusive, who has four (4) unexcused absences from school in any one month or ten (10) unexcused absences from school in any school year. Unexcused absence - any absence from a regularly scheduled school day for at least one half of the school day, which is not excused or considered a disciplinary absence. The determination of whether an absence is excused will be made by the building principal or his/her designee. Parents or other persons having control of the child may appeal that decision to the Superintendent or his/her designee, whose decision shall be final. II. Written Documentation Requirements for Absences 1. Written documentation must be submitted for each incidence of absence within ten (10) school days of the student’s return to school. An incidence of absence is considered consecutive days of absence. 2. The first nine (9) days of absence will be excused upon receipt of a signed note from the student’s parent/guardian, a signed note from a school official that spoke in person with the parent/guardian regarding the absence, or a note confirming the absence by the school nurse or by a licensed medical professional, as appropriate. 3. For the student’s 10th absence, and all absences thereafter, documentation of the absence must be submitted in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 above, and must also include the reason for the absence and the following additional information: A. Student illness: a. signed note from a medical professional, who may be the school nurse, who has evaluated the student confirming the absence and giving an expected return date; or b. signed note from school nurse who has spoken with the student’s medical professional and confirmed the absence, including the date and location of the consultation. B. Religious holidays: none. C. Mandated court appearances: (1) a police summons; (2) a subpoena; (3) a notice to appear; (4) a signed note from a court official; or (5) other official, written documentation of the legal requirement to appear in court. D. Funeral or death in the family, or other emergency beyond the control of the student’s family: written document must explain the nature of the emergency. E. Extraordinary educational opportunity pre-approved by the District administrators and in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Education guidance and this policy: written pre-approval from the administration, in accordance with this regulation. 33 F. 4. 5. 6. Lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends: none. Neither e-mail nor text message shall serve to satisfy the requirement of written documentation. In rare and extraordinary circumstances, a building administrator may, in his/her own discretion, accept the delivery of written documentation through a scanned copy sent by e-mail. Regional School District 13 reserves the right to randomly audit written documentation received, through telephone and other methods of communication, to determine its authenticity. Any absence that is not documented in accordance with this regulation within ten (10) school days after the incidence of absence will be recorded as unexcused. If documentation is provided within ten (10) school days, but is incomplete, the building principal may, at his/her own discretion, grant up to a five (5) school day extension for provision of the completed documentation. III. Extraordinary Educational Opportunities 1. To qualify as an extraordinary educational opportunity, the opportunity must: A. be educational in nature and must have a learning objective related to the student’s course work or plan of study; B. be an opportunity not ordinarily available for this exemption; C. be grade and developmentally appropriate; and D. include content that is highly relevant to the student; while some opportunities will be relevant to all students, others will contain very specific content that would limit their relevance to a smaller group of students. 2. Family vacations do not qualify as extraordinary educational opportunities. 3. All requests for approval of extraordinary educational opportunities must: A. be submitted to the building principal in writing prior to the opportunity, but no later than ten (10) school days prior to the opportunity except in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the building administrator; B. contain the signatures of both the parent/guardian and the student; C. include an outline of the learning objective of the opportunity and include detail as to how the objective is linked to the student’s coursework or plan of study; and D. include additional documentation, where available, about the opportunity. 4. The building principal shall provide a response in writing and include the following: A. either approval or denial of the request; B. brief reason for any denial; C. any requirements placed upon the student as a condition of approval; D. the specific days approved as excused absences for the opportunity; E. the understanding that the building administrator may withdraw its approval if the opportunity is canceled or the student fails to meet the agreed-upon requirements of the approval. 5. All decisions of the building principal relating to extraordinary educational opportunities shall be final. 6. Students who are granted excusal from school to participate in extraordinary educational opportunities are expected to share their experiences with other students and/or school staff when they return. 7. Approval for an extraordinary educational opportunity is determined on a case-by-case basis and the analysis of individualized factors. An opportunity approved for one student may not be approved for another. IV. 1. 2. 3. V. Truancy Exceptions: A student five (5) or six (6) years of age shall not be considered truant if the parent or person having control over such student has appeared personally at the school district office and exercised the option of not sending the child to school at five (5) or six (6) years of age. A student seventeen (17) years of age shall not be considered truant if the parent or person having control over such student consents to such student’s withdrawal from school. Such parent or person shall personally appear at the school district office and sign a withdrawal form indicating such consent. Such withdrawal form must include an attestation from a guidance counselor or school administrator from the school that the District provided the parent (or person having control of the child) with information on the educational options available in the school system and community. If a parent or guardian of an expelled student chooses not to enroll the student in an alternative program, the student shall not be considered to be “truant.” Readmission to School Following Voluntary Withdrawal 1. Except as noted in paragraph 2 below, if a student voluntarily withdraws from school (in accordance with Section IV.2, above) and subsequently seeks readmission, the Board may deny school accommodations to the student for up to ninety (90) school days from the date of the student’s withdrawal from school. 2. If a student who has voluntarily withdrawn from school (in accordance with Section IV.2, above) seeks readmission within ten (10) school days of his/her withdrawal, the Board shall provide school accommodations to the student not later than three (3) school days after the student requests readmission. 34 VI. Determinations of Whether a Student is “In Attendance”: 1. A student serving an out of school suspension or expulsion shall be reported as absent unless he or she receives an alternative educational program for at least one half of the regular school day. In any event, the absence is considered a disciplinary absence, and will not be designated as excused or unexcused. 2. On early dismissal days and days shortened due to inclement weather, the regular school day for attendance purposes is considered to be the amount of instructional time offered to students on that day. For example, if school is open for four hours on a shortened day scheduled, a student must be present for a minimum of two hours in order to be considered “in attendance.” 3. Students placed on homebound instruction due to illness or injury in accordance with applicable regulations and requirements are counted as being “in attendance” for every day that they receive instruction from any appropriately certified teacher for an amount of time deemed adequate by the administration so as to ensure that the student is able to successfully return to the regular classroom setting. VII. Notification and Monitoring of Attendance 1. Notification A. Annually at the beginning of the school year and upon the enrollment of any child during the school year, the administration shall notify the parent or other person having control of the student enrolled in grades K - 8 in writing of the obligations pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-184 to assure that such a student attends school regularly or to show that the child is elsewhere receiving equivalent instruction in the studies taught in the Durham/Middlefield Public Schools. B. Annually at the beginning of the school year and upon the enrollment of any child during the school year, the administration shall obtain from the parent or other person having control of the student in grades K-8 a telephone number or other means of contacting such parent or other person during the school day. 2. Monitoring Each school shall implement a system of monitoring individual unexcused absences of students in grades K8. Whenever such a student fails to report to school on a regularly scheduled school day, school personnel under the direction of the building principal [or his/her designee] shall make a reasonable effort to notify the parent or other person having control of such student by telephone and by mail of the student's absence, unless school personnel have received an indication that the parent or other person is aware of the student's absence. [Reasonable efforts shall include two (2) attempts to reach the parent or other person at the telephone number provided by the parent or other person. Such attempts shall be recorded on a form provided by the Superintendent.] Mailed notice of the student’s absence shall include a warning that two unexcused absences from school in a month or five unexcused absences in a school year may result in a complaint filed with the Superior Court pursuant to section 46b-149 alleging the belief that the acts or omissions of the child are such that the child's family is a family with service needs. Any person who, in good faith, gives or fails to give such notice shall be immune from liability, civil or criminal, which might otherwise be incurred or imposed and shall have the same immunity with respect to any judicial proceeding which results from such notice or failure to give notice. (*Note: State law mandates notification and monitoring only with regard to students in grades K-8. Boards of Education are free, however, to extend the application of monitoring and intervention procedures to students at all grade levels.) VIII. 1. Procedures applicable to students ages five (5) to eighteen (18) Intervention A. When a student is truant, the building principal or his/her designee shall schedule a meeting with the parent (or other person having control of such student) and appropriate school personnel to review and evaluate the reasons for the student's truancy. This meeting shall be held no later than ten (10) days after the student becomes truant. The District shall document the meeting, and if parent or other person declines to attend the meeting, or is otherwise is non-responsive, that fact shall also be documented and the meeting shall proceed with school personnel in attendance. B. When a student is truant, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall coordinate services with and referrals of students to community agencies providing child and family services, as appropriate. The District shall document efforts to contact and include families and to provide early intervention in truancy matters. C. If the parent or other person having control of a student who is truant fails to attend the meeting held pursuant to subsection A., above, or otherwise fails to cooperate with the school in attempting to solve the truancy problem, the Superintendent shall file, within fifteen calendar days of such failure to attend the meeting or other failure to cooperate with the school in attempting to solve the truancy problem, for such truant a written complaint with the Superior Court pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b - 149 alleging the belief that the acts or omissions of the truant are such that his/her family is a family with service needs. D. In addition to the procedures specified in subsections A through C above, a regular education student who is experiencing attendance problems should be referred to the building Child Study Team [or other appropriate school based team] to consider the need for additional interventions and/or assistance. 35 The Team will also consider whether the student should be referred to a planning and placement team (“PPT”) meeting to review the student's need and eligibility for special education. A special education student who is experiencing attendance problems should be referred to a PPT meeting for program review. E. If a FWSN petition is filed and the court orders an educational evaluation of the student, the District shall conduct an appropriate educational evaluation if no such evaluation has been performed within the preceding year. a. For a regular education student, the educational evaluation will be conducted or arranged for by appropriate school personnel and coordinated through the Child Study Team [or other appropriate school based team]. Upon completion of the evaluation of a regular education student, the Child Study Team [or other appropriate school based team] shall review the evaluations and make appropriate recommendations for alternative procedures, programs or interventions. Such recommendations may include a referral of the student for further evaluation and/or consideration for special education eligibility. b. In the case of a student who requires or may require special education and related services, the District shall convene a PPT to determine what evaluations may be appropriate to assess any specific areas of concern. The PPT shall reconvene to review the evaluations and make appropriate recommendations regarding the student’s need for special education services and the need, if any, to write and/or revise the student’s individualized education program (“IEP”). IX. Reports to the State Regarding Truancy Data: Annually, each local and regional board of education shall include information regarding truancy in the strategic school profile report for each school under its jurisdiction and for the school district as a whole submitted to the Commissioner of Education. Measures of truancy include the type of data that is required to be collected by the Department of Education regarding attendance and unexcused absences in order for the department to comply with federal reporting requirements and the actions taken by the board of education to reduce truancy in the school district. Legal References: Connecticut General Statutes §10-220 Connecticut General Statutes §10-184 Connecticut General Statutes §10-186 Connecticut General Statutes §10-198a Guidelines for Reporting Student Attendance in the Public School Information System (Connecticut State Department of Education, January 2008) Connecticut State Department of Education Circular Letter C-2, Utilizing Local Support Resources Prior to Referral of Students for Family with Service Needs (August 4, 2009 Connecticut State Board of Education Memorandum, Definitions of Excused and Unexcused Absences (June 27, 2012) Connecticut State Department of Education, Guidelines for Implementation of the Definitions of Excused and Unexcused Absences and Best Practices for Absence Prevention and Intervention (April 2013) Policy Revised: February 12, 2014 Administration of Medication by School Personnel - 5141.21 1. Medications shall be administered in the school only when it is not possible to achieve the desired effects by home administration during other than school hours. Arrangements will be made for administering such medications when the nurse and prescribing physician deem it necessary for the well being of the student. The prescribing physician will be responsible for the medical care of the student. 2. Medications shall be administered in schools only upon written authorization of the attending physician or dentist and written authorization of the parent or guardian, in accordance with District procedure. 3. Personnel authorized to administer medications shall be limited to either the school medical advisor (M.D.), or a school nurse (R.N.), or in their absence, a licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.) so designated by them. In the absence of these persons, the school principal, or in his/her absence, an appropriately trained teacher or teacher assistant may administer medications in accordance with District procedures. School health aides are not allowed to administer medications. In an emergency, if the student’s physician or the school medical advisor is not immediately available, any physician (M.D.) may be called to take appropriate emergency measures. 4. The medication should be delivered to the school nurse, principal, assistant principal, or L.P.N. by the parent or responsible adult and should be properly labeled with directions. 5. Students in grades 7 through 12 may be allowed to carry and self-administer medications, only with prior written authorization of a physician or dentist, and parent/guardian, and upon a determination on an individual basis as to need and safety in accordance with District procedures. 6. Administration of medication off of school property or after school hours to our students involved in school activities shall be in accordance with District 13’s medication procedures. 7. Aspirin or aspirin substitutes containing acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen will not be administered without written physician order and parent authorization. 36 8. Emergency administration of medication: In case of an anaphylactic reaction or risk of such reaction, a school nurse, or in his/her absence, the administrator, [or] designated teacher or teacher assistant, may administer emergency oral 9. and/or injectable medication to any student in need thereof on the school grounds, in the school building, on school 10. transportation, or at a school function according to the Standing Order of the school medical advisor. The data on the medication administered shall be entered in ink on an Individual Student Medication Form and filed in the student’s cumulative health record. Each school wherein any controlled drug is administered under the provisions of this policy shall maintain such records as are required of hospitals under the provisions of subsections (f) and (h) of section 21a-254 and shall store such drug in such a manner as the Commissioner of Health Services shall, by regulation, require. Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes 10-212a Administration of medicines by school personnel 52-557b Immunity from liability for emergency medical assistance, first aid or medication by injection. School personnel not required to administer or render CT Regulations of State Agencies 10-212a-1 through 10-212a-7 Policy Adopted: May 9, 1990 Policy Revised: May 23, 1990 Policy Revised: August 26, 1998 Video Cameras on School Buses - 5145 Video Cameras in School Facilities The Regional District 13 Board of Education recognizes the District’s continuing responsibility to maintain and improve discipline and to ensure the health, welfare and safety of its staff and students on school transportation vehicles and elsewhere on school facilities. The Board of Education, after having carefully weighed and balanced the rights of privacy of students and staff with the District’s duty to ensure discipline, health, welfare and safety of staff and students, supports the use of video cameras on its transportation vehicles and elsewhere in school facilities when appropriate. Video cameras may be used to monitor student behavior on school transportation vehicles transporting students to and from school and extracurricular activities and under other circumstances in which the Superintendent of Schools has determined that the use of video monitoring is in the best interests of the students and the school system. Students in violation of District conduct rules shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with established Board of Education policy and administrative regulations governing student conduct and discipline. The District shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws related to video recordings, including when such recordings are considered for retention as part of the student’s behavioral record. Such records will also be subject to established District student records procedures including retention, access, review and release of such records. The Superintendent shall develop procedures for the notification of staff, students, parents and others as necessary of these video cameras on school transportation vehicles and school facilities, and such other procedures as may be required for the implementation of this policy. Legal Reference: CT General Statutes 7-109 Destruction of Documents 10-221 Boards of Education to prescribe rules 10-233d(a)(3) Expulsion of Pupils Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400, et seq. Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g Policy Adopted: February 13, 2002 Student Discipline - 5114 STUDENTS Student Discipline I. Definitions A. Dangerous Instrument means any instrument, article or substance that, under the circumstances in which it is used or attempted or threatened to be used, is capable of causing death or serious physical injury, and includes a "vehicle" or a dog that has been commanded to attack. B. Deadly Weapon means any weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, from which a shot may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, gravity knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon or metal knuckles. A 37 C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. II. weapon such as a pellet gun and/or air soft pistol may constitute a deadly weapon if such weapon is designed for violence and is capable of inflicting death or serious bodily harm. In making such determination, the following factors should be considered: design of weapon; how weapon is typically used (e.g. hunting); type of projectile; force and velocity of discharge; method of discharge (i.e. spring v. CO2 cartridge) and potential for serious bodily harm or death. Electronic Defense Weapon means a weapon that by electronic impulse or current is capable of immobilizing a person temporarily, but is not capable of inflicting death or serious physical injury, including a stun gun or other conductive energy device. Emergency means a situation in which the continued presence of the student in school poses such a danger to persons or property or such a disruption of the educational process that a hearing may be delayed until a time as soon after the exclusion of such student as possible. Exclusion means any denial of public school privileges to a student for disciplinary purposes. Expulsion means the exclusion of a student from school privileges for more than ten (10) consecutive school days. The expulsion period may not extend beyond one (1) calendar year. Firearm, as defined in 18 U.S.C § 921, means (a) any weapon that will, is designed to, or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, (b) the frame or receiver of any such weapon, (c) a firearm muffler or silencer, or (d) any destructive device. The term firearm does not include an antique firearm. As used in this definition, a "destructive device" includes any explosive, incendiary, or poisonous gas device, including a bomb, a grenade, a rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, a missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, a mine, or any other similar device; or any weapon (other than a shotgun or shotgun shell particularly suited for sporting purposes) that will, or may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by explosive or other propellant, and which has a barrel with a bore of more than ½" in diameter. The term "destructive device" also includes any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device or any device from which a destructive device may be readily assembled. A “destructive device” does not include: an antique firearm; a rifle intended to be used by the owner solely for sporting, recreational, or cultural purposes; or any device which is neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon. In-School Suspension means an exclusion from regular classroom activity for no more than ten (10) consecutive school days, but not exclusion from school, provided such exclusion shall not extend beyond the end of the school year in which such in-school suspension was imposed. No student shall be placed on in-school suspension more than fifteen (15) times or a total of fifty (50) days in one (1) school year, whichever results in fewer days of exclusion. Martial Arts Weapon means a nunchaku, kama, kasari-fundo, octagon sai, tonfa or Chinese star. Removal is the exclusion of a student from a classroom for all or part of a single class period, provided such exclusion shall not extend beyond ninety (90) minutes. School Days shall mean days when school is in session for students. School-Sponsored Activity means any activity sponsored, recognized or authorized by the Board and includes activities conducted on or off school property. Seriously Disruptive of the Educational Process, as applied to off-campus conduct, means any conduct that markedly interrupts or severely impedes the day-to-day operation of a school. Suspension means the exclusion of a student from school and/or transportation services for not more than ten (10) consecutive school days, provided such suspension shall not extend beyond the end of the school year in which such suspension is imposed; and further provided no student shall be suspended more than ten (10) times or a total of fifty (50) days in one school year, whichever results in fewer days of exclusion, unless such student is granted a formal hearing as provided below. Weapon means any BB gun, any blackjack, any metal or brass knuckles, any police baton or nightstick, any dirk knife or switch knife, any knife having an automatic spring release devise by which a blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches in length, any stiletto, any knife the edged portion of the blade of which is four inches and over in length, any martial arts weapon or electronic defense weapon, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument, unless permitted by law under section 29-38 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Notwithstanding the foregoing definitions, the reassignment of a student from one regular education classroom program in the district to another regular education classroom program in the district shall not constitute a suspension or expulsion. Scope of the Student Discipline Policy A. Conduct on School Grounds or at a School-Sponsored Activity: Students may be disciplined for conduct on school grounds or at any school-sponsored activity that endangers persons or property, is seriously disruptive of the educational process, or that violates a publicized policy of the Board. B. Conduct off School Grounds: 38 1. Students may be suspended or expelled for conduct off school grounds if such conduct is seriously disruptive of the educational process and violates a publicized policy of the Board. In making a determination as to whether such conduct is seriously disruptive of the educational process, the Administration and the Board of Education may consider, but such consideration shall not be limited to, the following factors: (1) whether the incident occurred within close proximity of a school; (2) whether other students from the school were involved or whether there was any gang involvement; (3) whether the conduct involved violence, threats of violence, or the unlawful use of a weapon, as defined in section Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38, and whether any injuries occurred; and (4) whether the conduct involved the use of alcohol. In making a determination as to whether such conduct is seriously disruptive of the educational process, the Administration and/or the Board of Education may also consider whether such off-campus conduct involved the use of drugs. III. Actions Leading to Disciplinary Action, including Removal from Class, Suspension and/or Expulsion Conduct that may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to, removal from class, suspension and/or expulsion) includes conduct on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity (including on a school bus), and conduct off school grounds, as set forth above. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Striking or assaulting a student, members of the school staff or other persons. 2. Theft. 3. The use of obscene or profane language or gestures, the possession and/or display of obscenity or pornographic images or the unauthorized or inappropriate possession and/or display of images, pictures or photographs depicting nudity. 4. Violation of smoking, dress, transportation regulations, or other regulations and/or policies governing student conduct. 5. Refusal to obey a member of the school staff, law enforcement authorities, or school volunteers, or disruptive classroom behavior. 6. Any act of harassment based on an individual's sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, disability, national origin or ancestry. 7. Refusal by a student to identify himself/herself to a staff member when asked, misidentification of oneself to such person(s), lying to school officials or otherwise engaging in dishonest behavior. 8. Inappropriate displays of public affection of a sexual nature and/or sexual activity on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity. 9. A walkout from or sit-in within a classroom or school building or school grounds. 10. Blackmailing, threatening or intimidating school staff or students (or acting in a manner that could be construed to constitute blackmail, a threat, or intimidation, regardless of whether intended as a joke). 11. Possession of any weapon, weapon facsimile, deadly weapon, martial arts weapon, electronic defense weapon, pistol, knife, blackjack, bludgeon, box cutter, metal knuckles, pellet gun, air pistol, explosive device, firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, whether functional or not, or any other dangerous object or instrument. The possession and/or use of any object or device that has been converted or modified for use as a weapon. 12. Possession of any ammunition for any weapon described above in paragraph 11. 13. Unauthorized entrance into any school facility or portion of a school facility or aiding or abetting an unauthorized entrance. 14. Possession or ignition of any fireworks, combustible or other explosive materials, or ignition of any material causing a fire. Possession of any materials designed to be used in the ignition of combustible materials, including matches and lighters. 15. Unauthorized possession, sale, distribution, use, consumption, or aiding in the procurement of tobacco, drugs, narcotics or alcoholic beverages (or any facsimile of tobacco, drugs, narcotics or alcoholic beverages, or any item represented to be tobacco, drugs or alcoholic beverages), including being under the influence of any such substances. For the purposes of this Paragraph 15, the term "drugs" shall include, but shall not be limited to, any medicinal preparation (prescription and non-prescription) and any controlled substance whose possession, sale, distribution, use or consumption is illegal under state and/or federal law. 16. Sale, distribution, or consumption of substances contained in household items; including, but not limited to glue, paint, accelerants/propellants for aerosol canisters, and/or items such as the aerators for whipped cream; if sold, distributed or consumed for the purpose of inducing a stimulant, depressant, hallucinogenic or mind-altering effect. 39 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. Possession of paraphernalia used or designed to be used in the consumption, sale or distribution of drugs, alcohol or tobacco, as described in subparagraph (15) above. For purposes of this policy, drug paraphernalia includes any equipment, products and materials of any kind which are used, intended for use or designed for use in growing, harvesting, manufacturing, producing, preparing, packaging, storing, containing or concealing, or injecting, ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing controlled drugs or controlled substances into the human body, including but not limited to items such as "bongs," pipes, "roach clips," vials, tobacco rolling papers, and any object or container used, intended or designed for use in storing, concealing, possessing, distributing or selling controlled drugs or controlled substances. The destruction of real, personal or school property, such as, cutting, defacing or otherwise damaging property in any way. Accumulation of offenses such as school and class tardiness, class or study hall cutting, or failure to attend detention. Trespassing on school grounds while on out-of-school suspension or expulsion. Making false bomb threats or other threats to the safety of students, staff members, and/or other persons. Defiance of school rules and the valid authority of teachers, supervisors, administrators, other staff members and/or law enforcement authorities. Throwing snowballs, rocks, sticks and/or similar objects, except as specifically authorized by school staff. Unauthorized and/or reckless and/or improper operation of a motor vehicle on school grounds or at any school-sponsored activity. Leaving school grounds, school transportation or a school-sponsored activity without authorization. Use of or copying of the academic work of another individual and presenting it as the student's own work, without proper attribution; or any other form of academic dishonesty, cheating or plagiarism. Possession and/or use of a cellular telephone, radio, walkman, CD player, blackberry, personal data assistant, two-way radio, Smartphone, mobile or handheld device, or similar electronic device, on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity in violation of Board policy and/or administrative regulations regulating the use of such devices. Possession and/or use of a beeper or paging device on school grounds or at a schoolsponsored activity without the written permission of the principal or his/her designee. Unauthorized use of any school computer, computer system, computer software, Internet connection or similar school property or system, or the use of such property or system for inappropriate purposes. Possession and/or use of a laser pointer, unless the student possesses the laser pointer temporarily for an educational purpose while under the direct supervision of a responsible adult. Hazing. Bullying, defined as the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic communication, such as cyberbullying, directed at or referring to another student attending school in the same school district, or a physical act or gesture by one or more students repeatedly directed at another student attending school in the same school district, that: a) Causes physical or emotional harm to such student or damage to such student’s property. b) Places such student in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself, or of damage to his or her property. c) Creates a hostile environment at school for such student. d) Infringes on the rights of such student at school. e) Substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. Bullying shall include, but not be limited to, a written, verbal or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics. Cyberbullying, defined as any act of bullying through the use of the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, cellular mobile telephone or other mobile electronic devices or any electronic communications. Acting in any manner that creates a health and/or safety hazard for staff members, students, or the public, regardless of whether the conduct is intended as a joke. 40 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. IV. Engaging in a plan to stage or create a violent situation for the purposes of recording it by electronic means or recording by electronic means acts of violence for purposes of later publication. Engaging in a plan to stage sexual activity for the purposes of recording it by electronic means or recording by electronic means sexual acts for purposes of later publication. Using computer systems, including email, instant messaging, text messaging, blogging or the use of social networking websites, or other forms of electronic communications, to engage in any conduct prohibited by this policy. Use of a privately owned electronic or technological device in violation of school rules, including the unauthorized recording (photographic or audio) of another individual without permission of the individual or a school staff member. Any action prohibited by any Federal or State law. Any other violation of school rules or regulations or a series of violations which makes the presence of the student in school seriously disruptive of the educational process and/or a danger to persons or property. Discretionary and Mandatory Expulsions A. A principal may consider recommendation of expulsion of a student in a case where he/she has reason to believe the student has engaged in conduct described at sections II.A. and II.B., above. B. A principal must recommend expulsion proceedings in all cases against any student whom the administration has reason to believe: 1. Was in possession on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity of a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, martial arts weapon, or firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921 as amended from time to time; or 2. off school grounds, possessed a firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921, in violation of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35, or possessed and used a firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921, a deadly weapon, a dangerous instrument or a martial arts weapon in the commission of a crime under chapter 952 of the Connecticut General Statutes; or 3. was engaged on or off school grounds in offering for sale or distribution a controlled substance (as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-240(9)), whose manufacturing, distribution, sale, prescription, dispensing, transporting, or possessing with intent to sell or dispense, offering or administering is subject to criminal penalties under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§21a-277 and 21a-278. The terms “dangerous instrument,” “deadly weapon,” electronic defense weapon,” “firearm,” and “martial arts weapon,” are defined above in Section I. C. D. Upon receipt of an expulsion recommendation, the Superintendent may conduct an inquiry concerning the expulsion recommendation. If the Superintendent or his/her designee determines that a student should or must be expelled, he or she shall forward his/her recommendation to the Board of Education so that the Board can consider and act upon this recommendation. In keeping with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233d and the Gun-Free Schools Act, it shall be the policy of the Board to expel a student for one (1) full calendar year for: the conduct described in Section IV(B)(1), (2) and (3) of this policy. For any mandatory expulsion offense, the Board may modify the term of expulsion on a case-by-case basis. V. Procedures Governing Removal from Class A. A teacher or administrator may remove a student from class if he/she deliberately causes a serious disruption of the educational process. When a student is removed, the teacher must send him/her to a designated area and notify the principal or his/her designee at once. B. A student may not be removed from class more than six (6) times in one school year nor more than twice in one week unless the student is referred to the building principal or designee and granted an informal hearing at which the student should be informed of the reasons for the disciplinary action and given an opportunity to explain the situation. C. The parents or guardian of any minor student removed from class shall be given notice of such disciplinary action within twenty-four (24) hours of the time of the institution of such removal from class. VI. Procedures Governing Suspension A. The principal of a school, or designee on the administrative staff of the school, shall have the right to suspend any student for breach of conduct as noted in Section II of this policy for not more than ten (10) consecutive school days. In cases where suspension is contemplated, the following procedures shall be followed. 41 1. B. Unless an emergency situation exists, no student shall be suspended prior to having an informal hearing before the principal or designee where the student is informed of the charges and given an opportunity to respond. In the event of an emergency, the informal hearing shall be held as soon after the suspension as possible. 2. If suspended, such suspension shall be an in-school suspension unless, during the informal hearing, the principal or designee determines that the student: (a) poses such a danger to persons or property or such a disruption of the educational process that he or should be excluded from school during the period of suspension; or (b) the administration determines that an out-of-school suspension is appropriate based on evidence of (i) the student’s previous disciplinary problems that have led to suspensions or expulsion of such student, and (ii) previous efforts by the administration to address the student’s disciplinary problems through means other than out-of-school suspension or expulsion, including positive behavioral support strategies. 3. Evidence of past disciplinary problems that have led to removal from a classroom, suspension, or expulsion of a student who is the subject of an informal hearing may be received by the principal or designee, but only considered in the determination of the length of suspensions. 4. By telephone, the principal or designee shall make reasonable attempts to immediately notify the parent or guardian of a minor student following the suspension and to state the cause(s) leading to the suspension. 5. Whether or not telephone contact is made with the parent or guardian of such minor student, the principal or designee shall forward a letter promptly to such parent or guardian to the last address reported on school records (or to a newer address if known by the principal or designee), offering the parent or guardian an opportunity for a conference to discuss same. 6. In all cases, the parent or guardian of any minor student who has been suspended shall be given notice of such suspension within twenty-four (24) hours of the time of the institution of the suspension. 7. Not later than twenty-four (24) hours after the commencement of the suspension, the principal or designee shall also notify the Superintendent or his/her designee of the name of the student being suspended and the reason for the suspension. 8. The student shall be allowed to complete any classwork, including examinations, without penalty, which he or she missed while under suspension. 9. The school administration may, in its discretion, shorten or waive the suspension period for a student who has not previously been suspended or expelled, if the student completes an administration-specified program and meets any other conditions required by the administration. Such administration-specified program shall not require the student and/or the student’s parents to pay for participation in the program. 10. Notice of the suspension shall be recorded in the student's cumulative educational record. Such notice shall be expunged from the cumulative educational record if the student graduates from high school. In cases where the student’s period of suspension is shortened or waived in accordance with Section VI.A(9), above, the administration may choose to expunge the suspension notice from the cumulative record at the time the student completes the administration-specified program and meets any other conditions required by the administration. 11. If the student has not previously been suspended or expelled, and the administration chooses to expunge the suspension notice from the student’s cumulative record prior to graduation, the administration may refer to the existence of the expunged disciplinary notice, notwithstanding the fact that such notice may have been expunged from the student’s cumulative file, for the limited purpose of determining whether any subsequent suspensions or expulsions by the student would constitute the student’s first such offense. 12. The decision of the principal or designee with regard to disciplinary actions up to and including suspensions shall be final. 13. During any period of suspension served out of school, the student shall not be permitted to be on school property and shall not be permitted to attend or participate in any schoolsponsored activities, unless the principal specifically authorizes the student to enter school property for a specified purpose or to participate in a particular school-sponsored activity. In cases where a student’s suspension will result in the student being suspended more than ten (10) times or for a total of fifty (50) days in a school year, whichever results in fewer days of exclusion, the student shall, prior to the pending suspension, be granted a formal hearing before the Board of Education. The principal or designee shall report the student to the Superintendent or designee and request a formal Board hearing. If an emergency situation exists, such hearing shall be held as soon after the suspension as possible. 42 VII. Procedures Governing In-School Suspension A. The principal or designee may impose in-school suspension in cases where a student's conduct endangers persons or property, violates school policy, seriously disrupts the educational process or in other appropriate circumstances as determined by the principal or designee. B. In-school suspension may not be imposed on a student without an informal hearing by the building principal or designee. C. In-school suspension may be served in the school that the student regularly attends or in any other school building within the jurisdiction of the Board. D. No student shall be placed on in-school suspension more than fifteen (15) times or for a total of fifty (50) days in one school year, whichever results in fewer days of exclusion. E. The parents or guardian of any minor student placed on in-school suspension shall be given notice of such suspension within twenty-four (24) hours of the time of the institution of the period of the inschool suspension. VIII. Procedures Governing Expulsion Hearing A. Emergency Exception: B. C. D. Except in an emergency situation, the Board of Education shall, prior to expelling any student, conduct a hearing to be governed by the procedures outlined herein and consistent with the requirements of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233d and the applicable provisions of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 4-176e to 4-180a, and § 4-181a. Whenever an emergency exists, the hearing provided for herein shall be held as soon as possible after the expulsion. Hearing Panel: 1. Any three or more Board members will hear expulsion hearings conducted by the Board. A decision to expel a student must be supported by a majority of the Board members present, provided that no less than three (3) affirmative votes to expel are cast. 2. Alternatively, the Board may appoint an impartial hearing board composed of one (1) or more persons to hear and decide the expulsion matter, provided that no member of the Board may serve on such panel. Hearing Notice: 1. Written notice of the expulsion hearing must be given to the student, and, if the student is a minor, to his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) within a reasonable time prior to the time of the hearing. 2. A copy of this Board policy on student discipline shall also be given to the student, and if the student is a minor, to his/her parent(s) or guardian(s), at the time the notice is sent that an expulsion hearing will be convened. 3. The written notice of the expulsion hearing shall inform the student of the following: a. The date, time, place and nature of the hearing. b. The legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held, including a reference to the particular sections of the legal statutes involved. c. A short, plain description of the conduct alleged by the administration. d. The student may present as evidence relevant testimony and documents concerning the conduct alleged and the appropriate length and conditions of expulsion; and that the expulsion hearing may be the student’s sole opportunity to present such evidence. e. The student may cross-examine witnesses called by the Administration. f. The student may be represented by any third party of his/her choice, including an attorney, at his/her expense or at the expense of his/her parents. g. A student is entitled to the services of a translator or interpreter, to be provided by the Board of Education, whenever the student or his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) requires the services of an interpreter because he/she/they do(es) not speak the English language or is(are) disabled. h. The conditions under which the Board is not legally required to give the student an alternative educational opportunity (if applicable). i. Information about free or reduced-rate legal services and how to access such services. Hearing Procedures: 1. The hearing will be conducted by the Presiding Officer, who will call the meeting to order, introduce the parties, Board members and counsel, briefly explain the hearing procedures, and swear in any witnesses called by the Administration or the student. 2. The hearing will be conducted in executive session. A verbatim record of the hearing will be made, either by tape recording or by a stenographer. A record of the hearing will be maintained, including the verbatim record, all written notices and documents relating to the case and all evidence received or considered at hearing. 43 3. E. Formal rules of evidence will not be followed. The Board has the right to accept hearsay and other evidence if it deems that evidence relevant or material to its determination. The Presiding Officer will rule on testimony or evidence as to it being immaterial or irrelevant. 4. The hearing will be conducted in two (2) parts. In the first part of the hearing, the Board will receive and consider evidence regarding the conduct alleged by the Administration. 5. In the first part of the hearing, the Superintendent or his/her designee will introduce the charges into the record. 6. Each witness for the Administration will be called and sworn. After a witness has finished testifying, he/she will be subject to cross-examination by the opposite party or his/her legal counsel, by the Presiding Officer and by Board members. 7. After the Administration has presented its case, the student will be asked if he/she has any witnesses or evidence to present concerning the charges. If so, the witnesses will be sworn, will testify, and will be subject to cross-examination and to questioning by the Presiding Officer and/or by the Board. The student may also choose to make a statement at this time. If the student chooses to make a statement, he or she will be sworn and subject to cross-examination and questioning by the Presiding Officer and/or by the Board. Concluding statements will be made by the Administration followed by the student and/or his or her representative. 8. In cases where the student has denied the allegation, the Board must determine whether the student committed the offense(s) as charged by the Superintendent. 9. If the Board determines that the student has committed the conduct as alleged, then the Board shall proceed with the second portion of the hearing, during which the Board will receive and consider relevant evidence regarding the length and conditions of expulsion. 10. When considering the length and conditions of expulsion, the Board may review the student’s attendance, academic and past disciplinary records. The Board may not review notices of prior expulsions or suspensions which have been expunged from the student’s cumulative record, except as so provided in Section VI.A (9), (10), (11), above, and Section X, below. The Board may ask the Superintendent for a recommendation as to the discipline to be imposed. 11. Evidence of past disciplinary problems, which have led to removal from a classroom, suspension, or expulsion of a student being considered for expulsion may be considered only during the second portion of the hearing, during which the Board is considering length of expulsion and nature of alternative educational opportunity to be offered. 12. Where administrators presented the case in support of the charges against the student, such administrative staff shall not be present during the deliberations of the Board either on questions of evidence or on the final discipline to be imposed. The Superintendent may, after reviewing the incident with administrators, and reviewing the student’s records, make a recommendation to the Board as to the appropriate discipline to be applied. 13. The Board shall make findings as to the truth of the charges, if the student has denied them; and, in all cases, the disciplinary action, if any, to be imposed. While the hearing itself is conducted in executive session, the vote regarding expulsion must be made in open session and in a manner that preserves the confidentiality of the student’s name and other personally identifiable information. 14. The Board may, in its discretion, shorten or waive the expulsion period for a student who has not previously been suspended or expelled, if the student completes a Board-specified program and meets any other conditions required by the Board. The Board-specified program shall not require the student and/or the student’s parents to pay for participation in the program. 15. The Board shall report its final decision in writing to the student, or if such student is a minor, also to the parent(s) or guardian(s), stating the reasons on which the decision is based, and the disciplinary action to be imposed. Said decision shall be based solely on evidence presented at the hearing. The parents or guardian or any minor student who has been expelled shall be given notice of such disciplinary action within twenty-four (24) hours of the time of the institution of the period of the expulsion. Presence on School Grounds and Participation in School-Sponsored Activities During Expulsion: F. During the period of expulsion, the student shall not be permitted to be on school property and shall not be permitted to attend or participate in any school-sponsored activities, except for the student’s participation in any alternative educational program provided by the district in accordance with this policy, unless the Superintendent specifically authorizes the student to enter school property for a specified purpose or to participate in a particular school-sponsored activity. Stipulated Agreements: In lieu of the procedures used in this section, the Administration and the parents (or legal guardians) of a student facing expulsion may choose to enter into a Joint Stipulation of the Facts and a Joint Recommendation to the Board concerning the length and conditions of expulsion. Such Joint 44 Stipulation and Recommendation shall include language indicating that the parents (or legal guardians) understand their right to have an expulsion hearing held pursuant to these procedures, and language indicating that the Board, in its discretion, has the right to accept or reject the Joint Stipulation of Facts and Recommendation. If the Board rejects either the Joint Stipulation of Facts or the Recommendation, an expulsion hearing shall be held pursuant to the procedures outlined herein. If the Student is eighteen years of age or older, the student shall have the authority to enter into a Joint Stipulation and Recommendation on his or her own behalf. IX. X. If the parties agree on the facts, but not on the disciplinary recommendation, the Administration and the parents (or legal guardians) of a student facing expulsion may also choose to enter into a Joint Stipulation of the Facts and submit only the Stipulation of the Facts to the Board in lieu of holding the first part of the hearing, as described above. Such Joint Stipulation shall include language indicating that the parents understand their right to have a hearing to determine whether the student engaged in the alleged misconduct and that the Board, in its discretion, has the right to accept or reject the Joint Stipulation of Facts. If the Board rejects the Joint Stipulation of Facts, a full expulsion hearing shall be held pursuant to the procedures outlined herein. Alternative Educational Opportunities for Expelled Students A. Students under sixteen (16) years of age: Whenever the Board of Education expels a student under sixteen (16) years of age, it shall offer any such student an alternative educational opportunity. B. Students sixteen (16) to eighteen (18) years of age: 1. The Board of Education shall provide an alternative educational opportunity to a sixteen (16) to eighteen (18) year old student expelled for the first time if he/she requests it and if he/she agrees to the conditions set by the Board of Education. Such alternative educational opportunity may include, but shall not be limited to, the placement of a pupil who is at least sixteen years of age in an adult education program. Any pupil participating in an adult education program during a period of expulsion shall not be required to withdraw from school as a condition to his/her participation in the adult education program. 2. The Board of Education is not required to offer an alternative educational opportunity to any student between the ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) who is expelled for the second time, or if it is determined at the hearing that (1) the student possessed a dangerous instrument, deadly weapon, firearm or martial arts weapon on school property or at a school-sponsored activity, or (2) the student offered a controlled substance for sale or distribution on school property or at a school-sponsored activity. 3. The Board of Education shall count the expulsion of a pupil when he/she was under sixteen years of age for purposes of determining whether an alternative educational opportunity is required for such pupil when he/she is between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. C. Students eighteen (18) years of age or older: The Board of Education is not required to offer an alternative educational opportunity to expelled students eighteen (18) years of age or older. D. Students identified as eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”): Notwithstanding Sections IX.A. through C. above, if the Board of Education expels a student who has been identified as eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), it shall offer an alternative educational opportunity to such student in accordance with the requirements of IDEA, as it may be amended from time to time. E. Students for whom an alternative educational opportunity is not required: The Board of Education may offer an alternative educational opportunity to a pupil for whom such alternative educational opportunity is not required as described in this policy. Notice of Student Expulsion on Cumulative Record Notice of expulsion and the conduct for which the student was expelled shall be included on the student’s cumulative educational record. The Board shall expunge such notice, except for notice of an expulsion based upon possession of a firearm or deadly weapon, from the cumulative educational record if the student graduates from high school. In cases where the student’s period of expulsion is shortened or waived in accordance with Section VIII.D(14), above, the Board may choose to expunge the expulsion notice from the cumulative record at the time the student completes the Board-specified program and meets any other conditions required by the Board. If the student has not previously been suspended or expelled, and the administration chooses to expunge the expulsion notice from the student’s cumulative record prior to graduation, the administration may refer to the existence of the expunged notice, notwithstanding the fact that such notice may have been expunged from the student’s cumulative file, for the limited purpose of 45 XI. XII. determining whether any subsequent suspension or expulsion by the student would constitute the student’s first such offense. Change of Residence During Expulsion Proceedings A. Student moving into the school district: 1. If a student enrolls in the district while an expulsion hearing is pending in another district, such student shall not be excluded from school pending completion of the expulsion hearing unless an emergency exists, as defined above. The Board shall retain the authority to suspend the student or to conduct its own expulsion hearing. 2. Where a student enrolls in the district during the period of expulsion from another public school district, the Board may adopt the decision of the student expulsion hearing conducted by such other school district. The student shall be excluded from school pending such hearing. The excluded student shall be offered an alternative educational opportunity in accordance with statutory requirements. The Board shall make its determination based upon a hearing held by the Board, which hearing shall be limited to a determination of whether the conduct which was the basis of the previous public school district’s expulsion would also warrant expulsion by the Board. B. Student moving out of the school district: Where a student withdraws from school after having been notified that an expulsion hearing is pending, but before a decision has been rendered by the Board, the notice of the pending expulsion hearing shall be included on the student’s cumulative record and the Board shall complete the expulsion hearing and render a decision. If the Board subsequently renders a decision to expel the student, a notice of the expulsion shall be included on the student’s cumulative record. Procedures Governing Suspension and Expulsion of Students Identified as Eligible for Services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) A. Suspension of IDEA students: B. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administration suspends a student identified as eligible for services under the IDEA (an “IDEA student”) who has violated any rule or code of conduct of the school district that applies to all students, the following procedures shall apply: 1. The administration shall make reasonable attempts to immediately notify the parents of the student of the decision to suspend on the date on which the decision to suspend was made, and a copy of the special education procedural safeguards must either be hand-delivered or sent by mail to the parents on the date that the decision to suspend was made. 2. During the period of suspension, the school district is not required to provide any educational services to the IDEA student beyond that which is provided to all students suspended by the school district. Expulsion and Suspensions that Constitute Changes in Placement for IDEA students: Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, if the administration recommends for expulsion an IDEA student who has violated any rule or code of conduct of the school district that applies to all students, the procedures described in this section shall apply. The procedures described in this section shall also apply for students whom the administration has suspended in a manner that is considered under the IDEA, as it may be amended from time to time, to be a change in placement: 1. The parents of the student must be notified of the decision to recommend for expulsion (or to suspend if a change in placement) on the date on which the decision to suspend was made, and a copy of the special education procedural safeguards must either be hand-delivered or sent by mail to the parents on the date that the decision to recommend for expulsion (or to suspend if a change in placement) was made. 2. The school district shall immediately convene the student’s planning and placement team (“PPT”), but in no case later than ten (10) school days after the recommendation for expulsion or the suspension that constitutes a change in placement was made. The student’s PPT shall consider the relationship between the student’s disability and the behavior that led to the recommendation for expulsion or the suspension that constitutes a change in placement, in order to determine whether the student’s behavior was a manifestation of his/her disability. 3. If the student’s PPT finds that the behavior was a manifestation of the student’s disability, the Administration shall not proceed with the recommendation for expulsion or the suspension that constitutes a change in placement. 4. If the student’s PPT finds that the behavior was not a manifestation of the student’s disability, the Administration may proceed with the recommended expulsion or suspension that constitutes a change in placement. 5. During any period of expulsion, or suspension of greater than ten (10) days per school year, the Administration shall provide the student with an alternative education program in accordance with the provisions of the IDEA. 6. When determining whether to recommend an expulsion or a suspension that constitutes a change 46 C. in placement, the building administrator (or his or her designee) should consider the nature of the misconduct and any relevant educational records of the student. Transfer of IDEA students for Certain Offenses: School personnel may transfer an IDEA student to an appropriate interim alternative educational setting for not more than forty-five (45) school days if the student: 1. Was in possession of a dangerous weapon, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 930(g)(2), as amended from time to time, on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity, or 2. Knowingly possessed or used illegal drugs or sold or solicited the sale of a controlled substance while at school or at a school-sponsored activity; or 3. Has inflicted serious bodily injury upon another person while at school, on school premises, or at a school function. The following definitions shall be used for this subsection XII.C.: 1. Dangerous weapon means a weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury, except that such term does not include a pocket knife with a blade of less than 2.5 inches in length. 2. Controlled substance means a drug or other substance identified under schedules I, II, III, IV, or V in section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 812(c). 3. Illegal drug means a controlled substance but does not include a substance that is legally possessed or used under the supervision of a licensed health-care professional or that is legally possessed or used under any other authority under the Controlled Substances Act or under any other provision of federal law. 4. Serious bodily injury means a bodily injury which involves: (A) a substantial risk of death; (B) extreme physical pain; (C) protracted and obvious disfigurement; or (D) protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. Procedures Governing Expulsions for Students Identified as Eligible under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, if the Administration recommends for expulsion a student identified as eligible for educational accommodations under Section 504 who has violated any rule or code of conduct of the school district that applies to all students, the following procedures shall apply: 1. The parents of the student must be notified of the decision to recommend the student for expulsion. 2. The district shall immediately convene the student’s Section 504 team (“504 team”) for the purpose of reviewing the relationship between the student’s disability and the behavior that led to the recommendation for expulsion. The 504 team will determine whether the student’s behavior was a manifestation of his/her disability. 3. If the 504 team finds that the behavior was a manifestation of the student’s disability, the Administration shall not proceed with the recommended expulsion. 4. If the 504 team finds that the behavior was not a manifestation of the student's disability, the Administration may proceed with the recommended expulsion. Procedures Governing Expulsions for Students Committed to a Juvenile Detention Center A. Any student who commits an expellable offense and is subsequently committed to a juvenile detention center, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School or any other residential placement for such offense may be expelled by the Board in accordance with the provisions of this section. The period of expulsion shall run concurrently with the period of commitment to a juvenile detention center, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School or any other residential placement. B. If a student who committed an expellable offense seeks to return to a school district after having been in a juvenile detention center, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School or any other residential placement and such student has not been expelled by the board of education for such offense under subdivision (A) of this subsection, the Board shall allow such student to return and may not expel the student for additional time for such offense. Early Readmission to School An expelled student may apply for early readmission to school. The Board delegates the authority to make decisions on readmission requests to the Superintendent. Students desiring readmission to school shall direct such readmission requests to the Superintendent. The Superintendent has the discretion to approve or deny such readmission requests, and may condition readmission on specified criteria. Dissemination of Policy The Board of Education shall, at the beginning of each school year and at such other times as it may deem appropriate, provide for an effective means of informing all students, parent(s) and/or guardian(s) of this policy. Compliance with Reporting Requirements A. The Board of Education shall report all suspensions and expulsions to the State Department of Education. 47 B. If the Board of Education expels a student for sale or distribution of a controlled substance, the Board shall refer such student to an appropriate state or local agency for rehabilitation, intervention or job training and inform the agency of its action. C. If the Board of Education expels a student for possession of a deadly weapon or firearm, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3, the violation shall be reported to the local police. Legal References: Connecticut General Statutes: §§ 4-176e through 4-180a and § 4-181a Uniform Administrative Procedures Act) §§ 10-233a through 10-233e Suspension and expulsion of students. § 10-233f In-school suspension of students. §29-38 Weapons in vehicles §53a-3 Definitions §53a-206 (definition of “weapon”) Packer v. Board of Educ. of the Town of Thomaston, 246 Conn. 89 (1998). State v. Hardy, 896 A.2d 755, 278 Conn. 113 (2006). State v. Guzman, 955 A.2d 72, 2008 Conn. App. LEXIS 445 (Sept. 16, 2008). Federal law: Honig v. Doe, 484 U.S. 305 (1988) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq., as amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, Pub. L. 108-446. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794(a). 18 U.S.C. § 921 (definition of “firearm”) 18 U.S.C. § 930(g)(2) (definition of “dangerous weapon”) 18 U.S.C. § 1365(h)(3) (identifying “serious bodily injury”) 21 U.S.C. § 812(c) (identifying “controlled substances”) 34 C.F.R. § 300.530 (defining “illegal drugs”) Gun-Free Schools Act, Pub. L. 107-110, Sec. 401, 115 Stat. 1762 (codified at 20 U.S.C. § 7151) Policy Adopted: May 11, 2005 Policy Revised: June 11, 2008 Policy Revised: January 9, 2013 Search and Seizure – 5145.2 I. Intent of the Policy The Board of Education promulgates this policy in recognition that pupils have certain constitutionally protected rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures and in recognition that school officials need to maintain security and order in school. II. Definitions A. Prohibited Items Prohibited items as used in this policy statement shall include the following: firearms, weapons, explosives, poisons, alcoholic beverages, drugs, stolen property and other materials which endanger the physical safety of persons or property in the school. B. Delegation of Responsibilities For purposes of definition in this regulation, the term “principal” shall include any supervisor designated by the building principal to act in his/her behalf. III. The term “superintendent” shall include the administrator designated to act in the superintendent’s absence. Circumstances Under Which Searches May be Conducted A. Searches Pursuant to a Warrant A search of a pupil’s person or personal property may be conducted in accordance with law pursuant to a valid warrant by law enforcement personnel. B. Searches Under Administrative Procedures A warrantless search of a pupil’s person or personal property shall be conducted only when it is reasonably likely to produce anticipated tangible evidence of a violation of the law or of the rules of the school. Any search shall be limited in scope to measures which are reasonably related to the objectives of the search and not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the pupil and the nature of the suspected infraction. If a school principal has reasonable suspicion to believe that a “prohibited item” is on a pupil’s person, gym bag or similar personal property, the school principal shall authorize the search if he/she finds that it is supported by facts constituting reasonable suspicion to believe that a prohibited item is on the pupil’s person or in the pupil’s personal property. The principal shall set limitations on the scope of the search based on the age and sex of the pupil, the nature of the suspected infraction, the nature of the suspected prohibited items and other factors which relate to 48 C. the reasonableness of the scope of a search in order to balance the need of the search against the invasion which the search entails. Lockers and Desks The school administration, and law enforcement officers, are hereby authorized to search student lockers, and any other property available for use by students, for weapons, contraband, including the items listed in Section IIA, or the fruits of a crime when there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or school policy or rules. State statutes require that the scope of any search under this section meet certain requirements. While the scope of a search of a student’s desk or locker is less likely to be an issue than in the case of the search of a student’s person, administrators should be mindful that state statutes require that the search be reasonably related in scope to the circumstances that justified the search in the first place. The scope of such a search shall be considered reasonable when the measures adopted are reasonably related to the objectives of the search and are not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the infraction. IV. Limitations on Searches A. Strip Searches School personnel shall not conduct strip searches of students, i.e. a search that requires students to remove their clothes or requires the inspection or feeling of parts of the students’ bodies. When it is believed by the Superintendent that such a search is warranted because of the magnitude of the suspected criminal offense and the nature of the circumstances, local law enforcement officials shall be contacted. B. Group Searches All searches of students and their effects must be particularized. Because group searches lack the grounds of individualized suspicion of wrongdoing, they will not be permitted. C. Consent Except as provided in Section III, a student’s person shall not be searched. School authorities may not consent on behalf of a student to a search of his/her person. V. Persons Present at a Search In all cases where searches are conducted pursuant to a warrant, the school principal, or his/her authorized designee, shall be present. In the case of a warrantless search conducted by a school principal, or his/her authorized designee, at least one witness other than the pupil shall be present. When feasible, the pupil shall be notified and present during a search. Prohibited items found during a search shall be held by the school principal if needed as evidence. Items which do not belong to the pupil and which are not held as evidence shall be returned to the owner, if possible. VI. Reports of the Searches Promptly following any search, the school principal shall submit a Report of Search to the Superintendent. The report shall include the identity of the person or locker searched, the time of the search, the identity of the person conducting the search, the persons present, the items, if any, taken from the person, and, if known, the intended disposition of those items. VII. Class Trips Any search of a student, his/her personal property or room in which he/she is staying which may occur while on a class trip shall be governed by all sections elaborated above. All searches shall be conducted by a school official and not a parent or other chaperone who may accompany students. Prior to any class trip, written notice shall be given to each student and parent that the student, his/her personal property or room may be subject to a search by a school official pursuant to this policy. VIII. Notice Student will be provided notice of this policy concerning search and seizure through publication in the student handbook during the first two weeks of every school year. Policy Adopted: March 12, 1986 Policy Reapproved: January 11, 1989 Policy Revised: March 24, 1999 Policy Reviewed: February 8, 2011 TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY Students - 5131.3 Computers, computer networks, internet access, and e-mail are effective and important technological resources in today's educational environment. The Board of Education has installed computers, a computer network, including 49 Internet access and an e-mail system (referred to collectively as "the computer systems"), in order to enhance both the educational opportunities for our students and the business operations of the District. As the owner of the computer systems, the Board reserves the right to monitor the use of the District’s computers and computer systems. When personal devices are used on the District network, they are considered part of the computer system and therefore are subject to monitoring by the District and the subject of this and other related policies. These computer systems are business and educational tools. As such, they are made available to students in the District for educational uses. The Administration shall develop regulations setting forth procedures to be used by the Administration in an effort to ensure that such computer systems are used by students solely for educational purposes. The Board will educate students about appropriate online behavior, including cyberbullying, and interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms. Additionally, the Board will implement technology protection measures to block or filter internet access to visual depictions that contain obscene material, contain child pornography, or are harmful to minors. The administration will ensure that such filtering technology is operative at all times. Students are allowed to use privately owned technology devices for educational purposes at the discretion of the faculty and in accordance with appropriate use guidelines to be determined by the principal or principal’s designee. Privately owned technology devices will be permitted access to the school network only through Board-provided network accounts, and all such access will be monitored and filtered by the District’s technology protection measures. All use of privately owned technology devices is subject to this Technology Acceptable Use policy, the Discipline Policy (5114) and the Regional School District 13 Core Ethical Values. Violations may result in revocation of access to and privileges relating to use of the computer systems, and to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion. Responsibilities Building principals are responsible for ensuring that use of the computer systems by students is supervised by faculty in accordance with school and District policies and monitored by the technical staff as needed. Building principals shall also determine which privately owned technology devices will be permitted in their school and establish guidelines for their use. The Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee will be responsible for implementing this policy, establishing procedures and guidelines and supervising access privileges. Such guidelines shall be used to enforce the measures to block or filter internet access and to preserve the rights of both students and staffs to examine and use information to meet the educational goals and objectives of Regional District 13. Classroom teachers are responsible for employing technology in relevant ways to meet the District’s Technology Integration Standards and Benchmarks, providing training to students as needed, and supervising student use of computer systems as directed by the principal in accordance with school and District policies. Legal References: Children’s Internet Protection Act, Pub. L. 106-554, codified at 47 U.S.C. § 254(h) Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-182b; 53a-183; 53a-250 Electronic Communication Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510 through 2520 No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-110, codified at 20 U.S.C. § 6777 Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, Pub. Law 110-385, codified at 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)(5)(B)(iii). Policy Adopted: February 11, 2009 Policy Reviewed: February 8, 2011 Policy Revised: October 12, 2011 Policy Revised: May 23, 2012 STUDENTS – REGULATION Computer Use and Internet Safety Introduction - 5131.3 The District offers students access to the District's computers and computer networks, including access to electronic mail (e-mail) and the internet (that will be referred to collectively as "computer systems". This also includes privately owned technology devices.) Access to the school's computer systems will enable students to explore libraries, databases, and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with others. Such access is provided solely for educational purposes. Use of the District's computer systems will be allowed exclusively for students who comply with all District policies and procedures pertaining to the District’s computer systems. Access to the computer systems or computer network, and use of privately owned technology devices on the school network is a privilege, and not a right. Violations to this policy may lead to withdrawal of the access privilege and/or disciplinary measures in accordance with the Board’s student discipline policy. 50 Monitoring It is important that students and parents understand that the District, as the owner of the computer systems, will monitor the use of these computer systems at all times even if they are accessed from privately owned technology devices. As part of the monitoring and reviewing process, the District will retain the authority to bypass any individual password of a student or other user. The system's security aspects, such as personal passwords and the message delete function for e-mail may be bypassed for these purposes. The District's ability to monitor and review is not restricted or neutralized by these devices. The monitoring and reviewing process also includes, but is not limited to oversight of Internet site access, the right to review emails sent and received, the right to track student access to blogs, electronic bulletin boards and chat rooms, and the right to review student document downloading and printing. All users must be aware that they shall not have any expectation of personal privacy in the use of District computer systems. Student Conduct Students are permitted to use District computer systems exclusively for legitimate educational purposes. Personal use of the District computer systems is expressly prohibited. Conduct that constitutes inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to the following: 1. Cyberbullying or any other form of harassing, threatening, or intimidating message, at any time, to any person (such communications may also be a crime); 2. Gaining or seeking to gain unauthorized access to computer systems; 3. Damaging computers, computer files, computer systems or computer networks; 4. Downloading or modifying computer software of the District in violation of the District's licensure agreement(s) and/or without authorization from a teacher or administrator; 5. Using another person's password under any circumstances; 6. Trespassing in or tampering with any other person's folders, work or files; 7. Sending any message that breaches the District's confidentiality requirements, or the confidentiality of students; 8. Sending unauthorized copyrighted material over the system; 9. Using computer systems for any personal purpose, or in a manner that interferes with the District’s educational programs; 10. Accessing or attempting to access any material that is obscene, contains child pornography, or is harmful to minors; 11. Transmitting or receiving e-mail communications or accessing information on the Internet for noneducational purposes. Misuse of the computer systems, or violations of these policies and regulations, may result in loss of access to such computer systems as well as other disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion, or legal action if the misuse is constituted a criminal activity. Further, the District will cooperate with law enforcement. Anyone who is aware of problems with, or misuse of these computer systems, or has a question regarding the proper use of these computer systems, should report this to his or her teacher or principal immediately. Most importantly, the Board and the Administration urge any student who receives any harassing, threatening, intimidating or other improper message through the computer system to report this immediately. It is the Board's policy that no student should be required to tolerate such treatment, regardless of the identity of the sender of the message. Internet Safety The Administration will take measures: to ensure the safety and security of students when using e-mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; to prohibit unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online; to prohibit unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information regarding students; to educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response; and to restrict students’ access to online materials harmful to minors, including obscene materials and child pornography. Privately Owned Technology Devices Students are permitted to use privately owned technology devices in school and to access the school network during the school day for educational purposes. Use of privately owned technology devices by students is allowed under the following conditions: 1. When they focus on the educational uses of personal technology and their appropriate use and etiquette in a public setting. 51 2. 3. When the use is at the discretion of the teacher. Students will be able to use devices only in the manner that each teacher permits, and are not to use them in class at other times or for other uses. When they are used in non-classroom settings, they will be permitted as long as they do not interfere with education, the learning environment, or the functioning of the classroom or school. Guidelines for using privately owned devices are: A. Devices are permitted in the cafeteria and library during unstructured times and in study halls. Earphones must be used, and only at a volume that allows a person speaking to be heard easily. B. Earphones will not be permitted in hallways. Privately owned devices are the responsibility of the students who bring them to school, and no student will be required to bring their devices to school. The school will not assume any responsibility for devices that are lost or damaged in any way if students choose to bring them to school. Legal References: Children’s Internet Protection Act, Pub. Law 106-554, codified at 47 U.S.C. § 254(h) Electronic Communication Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510 through 2520 No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-110, codified at 20 U.S.C. § 6777 Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, Pub. Law 110-385, codified at 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)(5)(B)(iii) 18 U.S.C. § 2256 (definition of child pornography) Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973) (definition of obscene) Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-182b; 53a-183; 53a-250 (computer-related offenses) Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-193 (definition of obscene) Regulation Adopted: February 11, 2009 Regulation Reviewed: February 8, 2011 Regulation Revised: October 12, 2011 Regulation Revised: May 23, 2012 PERSONNEL – CERTIFIED/NON-CERTIFIED Technology Acceptable Use Policy (TAUP) - 4132 Computers, computer networks, electronic devices, Internet access, and e-mail are effective and important technological resources. The Board of Education provides computers, a computer network, including Internet access and an e-mail system, as well as any electronic devices that access the network such as PDAs, Smartphones, mobile or handheld devices, (referred to collectively as "the computer systems"), in order to enhance both the educational opportunities for our students and the business operations of the district. These computer systems are business and educational tools. As such, they are made available to Board employees for business and education related uses. The Administration shall develop regulations setting forth procedures to be used by the Administration in an effort to ensure that such computer systems are used for appropriate business and education related purposes. The system administrator and others managing the computer systems may access email or monitor activity on the computer system or electronic devices accessing the computer systems at any time and for any reason or no reason. Typical examples include when there is reason to suspect inappropriate conduct or there is a problem with the computer systems needing correction. Further, the system administrator and others managing the computer systems can access or monitor activity on the systems despite the use of passwords by individual users, and can bypass such passwords. In addition, review of emails, messages or information stored on the computer systems, which can be forensically retrieved, includes those messages and/or electronic data sent, posted and/or retrieved using social networking sites, including, but not limited to, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and MySpace. Incidental personal use of the computer systems may be permitted solely for the purpose of e-mail transmissions and access to the Internet on a limited, occasional basis. Such incidental personal use of the computer systems, however, is subject to all rules, including monitoring of all such use, as the Superintendent may establish through regulation. Moreover, any such incidental personal use shall not interfere in any manner with work responsibilities. Users should not have any expectation of personal privacy in the use of the computer system or other electronic devices that access the computer system. Use of the computer system represents an employee’s acknowledgement that the employee has read and understands this policy and any applicable regulations in their entirety, including the provisions regarding monitoring and review of computer activity. Legal References: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-48d Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-182; 53a-183; 53a-250 Electronic Communication Privacy Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2510 through 2520 Policy Approved: November 12, 2008 Policy Revised: November 14, 2012 52 Child Abuse or Neglect - 5141.5 It is the public policy of the State of Connecticut to: protect children whose health and welfare may be adversely affected through injury and neglect; strengthen the family and make the home safe for children by enhancing the parental capacity for good child care; provide a temporary or permanent nurturing and safe environment for children, where necessary; and, for these purposes, require the reporting of suspected child abuse, investigation of such reports by a social agency/local police, and the provision of services, where needed, to such child and family. Connecticut General Statute 17a-101 as amended, has defined various school employees as mandated reporters. Mandated reporters are required to report if they suspect or believe that a child has been abused or neglected or may be abused. In order to assure that the above policy of the State of Connecticut is fully implemented, Regional District 13 does hereby establish the following policies with respect to suspected abuse and neglect of students: 1. All personnel of Regional School District 13 shall fully comply with all the requirements of the Connecticut General Statutes and with regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Children and Families with respect to the reporting of suspected abuse or neglect of a child in accordance with the administrative procedures of Regional District 13. 2. All personnel of Regional District 13 shall fully comply with all the requirements of the Connecticut General Statutes and Regulations promulgated by the Director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for persons with disabilities with respect to the reporting of suspected abuse or neglect of mentally retarded students between the ages of 18 and 21 in accordance with the administrative procedures of Regional District 13. 3. All personnel shall cooperate fully with the investigation of suspected abuse and neglect by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), a law enforcement agency, and/or the Office of Protection and Advocacy for persons with disabilities, and with all court proceedings involving suspected abuse and neglect. 4. Such mandated reporting requirements of the general statutes and regulations, and the administrative procedures regarding reporting, shall be appropriately reviewed with all professional and paraprofessional personnel who are mandated reporters, and with school personnel who are not mandated reporters (e.g., secretaries, maintenance, cafeteria, and transportation staff) at periodic intervals not less frequently than once each school year. 5. Any student suspected of having been abused or neglected who is in need of health care attention shall be provided such health care to the same extent it would be provided to any other child in need of such care. 6. All personnel of Regional School District 13 shall treat all cases of suspected abuse and neglect with full consideration of the privacy of students and families, and will maintain appropriate confidentiality within the limitations of federal and state laws and local policy. The purpose of this Board policy is to inform all employees in the school system of the statutory requirements to report suspected child physical or sexual abuse, and neglect, and of their immunity from civil liability or criminal penalty for making such reports. Legal Citations: Legal Reference: CT General Statutes Sections 17a-101, 102,103,104,106 and CT General Statutes Sections 19a-458a, as amended by Public Act 96-246 17a-101 Protection of children from abuse. Reports required of certain professional persons. When a child may be removed from surrounding without court order. (as amended by PA 96-246, PA 00-220 and PA 02-106) 17a-101a Report of abuse or neglect by mandated reporters. (as amended by PA 02-106) Policy Approved: August 22, 1992 Policy Revised: October 28, 1992 Policy Revised: January 8, 1997 Policy Revised: March 26, 1997 Policy Revised: November 13, 2002 Policy Reviewed: February 8, 2011 Student Sexual Harassment - 5150 It is the policy of the Board of Education to create and maintain a learning environment that is free from sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex. The District strictly prohibits all forms of sexual harassment on school grounds, school buses and at all school-sponsored activities, programs and events including those that take place at locations outside the district. Sexual harassment can occur adult to student, student to student, between members of the opposite sex, or between members of the same sex. 53 The District encourages all victims of sexual harassment and persons with knowledge of sexual harassment to report the harassment immediately. All students have the right to be free from retaliation of any kind. The District will promptly investigate all complaints of sexual harassment, and will take prompt corrective action to end the harassment. Policy Adopted: March 24, 1999 Policy Reviewed: February 8, 2011 Student Sexual Harassment - 5150 Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct or communication of a sexual nature, and any other gender-based harassment, whether initiated by students, school employees, or third parties, when: 1. Submission to the conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student’s participation in school-sponsored activities, or any other aspect of the student’s education; 2. Submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as the basis for decisions affecting a student’s academic performance, participation in school-sponsored activities, or any other aspect of a student’s education; 3. The conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s academic performance or participation in school-sponsored activities, or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. While an exhaustive list is not possible, the following are examples of specific behaviors that could constitute sexual harassment: 1. Unwelcome sexual invitations or requests for sexual activity in exchange for grades, promotions, preferences, favors, selection for extra-circular activities or job assignments, homework, etc. 2. Any unwelcome communication that is sexually suggestive, sexually degrading or implies sexual motives or intentions, such as sexual remarks or innuendoes about an individual’s clothing, appearance or activities; sexual jokes; sexual gestures; public conversations about sexual activities or exploits; sexual rumors and “rating lists”; howling, catcalls, and whistles; sexually graphic computer files, messages or games, etc. 3. Unwelcome physical contact or closeness that is sexually suggestive, sexually degrading, or sexually intimidating. 4. Any other unwelcome gender-based behavior that is offensive, degrading, intimidating or demeaning. Complaint Procedures It is the policy of the District to investigate promptly and resolve equitably all complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex. Victims of sexual harassment shall be afforded avenues for filing complaints which are free from bias, collusion, intimidation or reprisal. Step I – Informal Level The complainant may request a meeting to discuss the complaint with the building principal of his/her school in an effort to resolve the matter informally. In the event that the student is uncomfortable, for any reason, with discussing the matter with the building principal, the student may speak with any other administrator regarding the alleged harassment. The principal or other school administrator shall schedule a meeting promptly with the complainant to discuss the complaint, but in no event shall the meeting be held later than fourteen (14) days from the receipt of the meeting request. Step II – Formal Level If the complainant is not satisfied with the disposition of his or her complaint at the informal level, he or she may file a formal complaint with the Pupil Personnel Director. A student need not have brought an informal complaint before filing a formal written complaint. Complaint forms may be obtained from the office of the Superintendent of Schools, as well as the office of the building principal. In addition, written complaints may be brought to the attention of a building principal or the Pupil Personnel Director. Any student who is unable to file a written complaint may speak with one of the above mentioned district employees, who will then assist the student in filing a written complaint. Any school employee who receives a complaint of sexual harassment from a student shall inform the student of the employee’s obligation to report the complaint to the school administration, and then shall immediately notify the principal and/or the Pupil Personnel Director/Title IX Coordinator. The written complaint should state the name of the complainant and the date of the complaint, the date(s) of the alleged harassment, the name or names of the alleged harasser or harassers, the name or names of any witnesses, and a statement of the circumstances in which the alleged harassment occurred. All formal complaints must be filed within sixty(60) days from the alleged violation. Upon the filing of a written complaint, the complainant shall be provided with a copy of this regulation. The Pupil Personnel Director shall schedule a meeting promptly with the complainant to discuss the complaint but in no event shall the meeting be held later than fourteen (14) days from receipt of the formal complaint. Whenever possible, the District will make an effort to respect the privacy and confidentiality of all parties and witnesses to complaints brought under this policy. However, because an individual’s need for confidentiality must be balanced with the District’s obligation to investigate complaints, the District retains the right to disclose the identity of parties and witnesses to the extent necessary. Whenever, a sexual harassment complaint is made, the school administration will investigate the 54 complaint or refer the complaint for investigation even if the student does not request any action or withdraws the compliant. Upon completion of an investigation but in no event later than fourteen (14) days after meeting with the complainant, the Pupil Personnel Director/Title IX Coordinator shall render a written decision to the complainant as to the disposition of the complaint. Time lines herein for investigation and resolution of sexual harassment complaints may be extended to ensure a thorough investigation of the complaint. If the decision results in a determination that sexual harassment has occurred, appropriate actions shall be taken to ensure that the harassment ceases and will not reoccur. Appropriate action may include re-assignment, transfer, and/or disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or expulsion from school of the harasser. No adverse action will be taken against a student for filing a complaint of sexual harassment. Regulation Approved: March 24, 1999 Regulation Reviewed: February 8, 2011 Grievance Form Title VI, IX and Section 504 Name: ______________________________________________________ Employee _____ Student _____ School: _____________________________________________________ Statement of Complaint: Solution Suggested by Complainant: Solution Suggested by Complainant: _________________________________________ Signature Student/Employee _________________________________________ Date Submitted Level One Procedure The student or employee who has a complaint, and is unable to solve the issue, may address the complaint in writing to the compliance coordinator. The coordinator’s responsibilities: A. investigate, within one (1) week, the circumstances of the complaint, B. render a decision, within two (2) weeks after receipt of the complaint, and notify the complainant, C. provide the complainant one (1) week to react to the decision before it becomes final. Level Two Procedure The compliance coordinator requests the Superintendent of Schools to review the complaint. The Superintendent will schedule a meeting within one (1) week of the request for review. The participants shall be the complainant, the coordinator and the superintendent. The Superintendent will make a decision within (1) week which shall be final. The complainant and the coordinator will receive copies of the decision. 55 I have read the above policy, regulation and complaint procedure on sexual harassment, and understand my rights and obligations under this policy. _________________________________________________ Signature _________________________________________________ Date United Stated Department of Education – Office for Civil Rights, Region 1 The Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education located in Boston and serving New England has moved to a new building. The new address is U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights 33 Arch Street, Suite 900 Boston, MA 02110-1491 56
