k
2015-2016
Parent & Student
Handbook
Revision 1.0
k
2015-2016
Parent & Student
Handbook
Revision 1.0
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MASON SCHOOL DISTRICT ~ School Administrative Unit 89
Mason Elementary School Personnel ~ 2015-2016
VISITORS
AND VOLUNTEERS _ 4
SCHOOL DELAY, NO SCHOOL CLOSURE POLICY
ENROLLMENT AND AGE OF ENTRANCE
ADMISSION OF TUITION AND NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS
ADMISSION OF HOMELESS STUDENTS
PARENTS/GUARDIANS’ RIGHT TO KNOW NOTICE
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS OF STUDENTS
GUIDANCE & School psychologist
FREE AND REDUCED MEALS PROGRAM
USE OF PRIVATE VEHICLES TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS
RECESS GUIDELINES 32
MODIFICATION OR REVIEW OF EXPULSIONS
DRUG/ALCOHOL USE AND POSSESSION
TOBACCO PRODUCTS - USE AND POSSESSION Banned
SEARCHES OF STUDENTS’ AND OTHER SCHOOL-OWNED PROPERTY
Acceptable use policy for computers, network and internet
access
PERSONAL HARASSMENT AND BULLYING
SEXUAL HARASSMENT and SEXUAL VIOLENCE58
PARENT/STUDENT RIGHTS IN IDENTIFICATION EVALUATION AND PLACEMENT
CONTENT OF NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
TITLE IX NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
2015-2016 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ACADEMIC CALENDAR
BACK COVER
The purpose of this handbook is to aid parents, students and teachers in
becoming familiar with school policies and procedures.
The handbook has been prepared to answer questions that families may
have concerning their child’s school experience at the elementary level. This book should be used as a guide and
reference tool.
Not all of your questions will be answered
in this handbook. Please feel free to
call the school at (603) 878-2962, (603) 878-1744, (603) 878-3439 at any time
for questions, comments, and concerns.
Information in this handbook is based on
current
The
We believe in an education that
incorporates reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, social
skills, unified arts, world language, physical education and technology as well
as inquiry into the broad reservoir of human thought and experience. We foster an integrated curriculum connected
to real-world and hands-on experiences.
We believe that this will develop within our children inspiration,
imagination, the ability to create, intellectual growth, and well-balanced
perspectives.
We actively promote an atmosphere which
emphasizes respect for self-worth and the individual, and which creates
opportunities for students to participate in decision-making processes. We believe in a challenging curriculum which
recognizes the merits of both new and conventional methodology in the teaching
of basic skills. We recognize the role
of creativity and exploration as primary qualities in the learning process.
SCHOOL BOARD
OFFICERS
|
Moderator |
Catherine Schwenk |
2017 |
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Clerk |
Becky Partridge |
2017 |
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Treasurer |
Susan Schulman |
2016 |
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Secretary |
Becky Partridge |
2016 |
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
|
Chairman |
Robert Doyle |
2017 |
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Vice Chairman |
Dr. Christopher Guiry |
2016 |
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Robert Hemmer |
2016 |
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Timothy Leak |
2017 |
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MAILING ADDRESS
School Administrative Unit #89
PHONE
Main Office (603) 878-2962
Fax Line (603)
878-3439
WEBSITE
mason.sau89.org
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Administrative Staff
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James McCormick |
Superintendent |
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Kristen Kivela |
Principal /Director of Student
Services |
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Heidi DeLorme |
Administrative Assistant |
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Michael O’Neill |
Business Manager |
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Brenda Wiley |
Accounts and Business
Services |
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Professional |
Michelle Alton |
Integrated Preschool Teacher |
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Teaching Staff
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Susan Rysnik |
Kindergarten Teacher |
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Karen Mann |
Grade 1 Teacher |
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Kate Coey |
Grade 2 Teacher |
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Colleen Ringer |
Grade 3 Teacher |
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Laura Hooper |
Grade 4 Teacher |
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Alexcina Leel |
Grade 5 Teacher |
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Jill LaMontagne |
Special Education/Title 1
Teacher |
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Peter Balducci |
Technology Teacher |
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Kristina Levick |
Music Teacher |
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Michelle Jimeno |
Art Teacher |
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Michael Parent |
Physical Education Teacher |
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Student Aides
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Pamela Brock |
Student Aide |
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Deborah Cullen |
Student Aide |
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Kelly Sirois |
General Aide/IT Support |
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Pre-K – Grade 5
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Danielle Carrier |
Nurse |
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Jennifer Boudrieau |
Guidance Services |
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Jonas Taub |
School Psychologist Testing |
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Diana Lewis |
Speech/Language Pathologist |
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Elizabeth Cohen |
Occupational Therapist |
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Facilities
& Operations
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Deborah
Holland-Savoie |
Food Service Director |
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Richard Griffith |
School Facility Director |
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Mason & Milford
Transportation |
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Phone # (603)213-6401 |
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Students who walk, ride a bike, or are
driven to school may arrive NO
Earlier Than
All visitors at the school must sign in at
the main office and get a visitor badge.
Visitors may not interrupt classroom instruction or conference with the
teacher or paraprofessional during instructional time. After your visit, return to the main office,
turn in the visitor pass and sign out.
At
A form will go home with the children on
the first day of school which will allow you to state your preferences in
writing regarding photographs and videos.
Photographs and videos taken during school
activities may be posted on the school or classroom websites or on bulletin
boards and other displays within the school unless a written request to the
contrary is filed in the school administrative offices. This access to photos also applies to
all-school group photographs for town calendars and the school website. Parents/guardians should understand that on
field trips and during events such as concerts and plays, we have no control
over photographs and videos taken by members of the public or the audience. Also, we often prepare CDs and DVDs of school
photos which we send home to families.
Parents/guardians must let the school know in writing if they do not
wish their child’s image to appear publicly, or if the image may appear but the
name may not. If the first name may
appear and not the last name, this must also be clearly stated in writing.
Cameras are not allowed in school or on the bus unless the child
has obtained permission from the school office.
This includes cameras and photographic capabilities embedded in
electronic games and other devices.
Unless the office is in possession of
legal documents prohibiting access to a student, students will be released to
either parent/guardian or anyone else that you give written permission to.
If there is a restraining order or limited
access right against either parent, it is the responsibility of the custodial
parent to supply the office with a copy of legal documentation stating
this. If this situation should change,
please notify the office in writing.
Students and parents/guardians will have
access to their school records. Students
and parents/guardians should know:
1.
The
type of records kept;
2.
The
procedure for inspecting and copying records;
3.
The
right for interpretation;
4.
The
right to challenge data thought to be erroneous, the procedures for correcting
or expunging erroneous data or inserting a rebuttal statement;
5.
The
right to lodge a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if mandates
are not adequately implemented.
Additionally, parents/guardians have the
right to be notified of the district’s policy on the collection or use of
personal information collected from students for the purpose of marketing or
selling that information or otherwise providing that information to others for
that purpose, including arrangements to protect student policy that are
provided by the agency in the event of such collection, disclosure or use.
The education records or school records
include all materials directly related to a student that a school
maintains. Records and notes maintained
by a teacher, administrator, school physician, or school psychologist for
his/her own use, and which are not available or distributed to others (except
substitutes) are exempt from this definition.
The school will require a prior written
consent before information other than directory information may be divulged to
third parties. An exception to this rule
exists for school district employees or consultants who have legitimate
interests in viewing the records, as well as officials in other schools which
the student seeks to enroll. A school
district in which a student is enrolled or is in the process of enrolling in
may request the student’s education records from any district in which the
student was formally enrolled to ascertain safety issues in incoming students
and ensure full disclosure. The records,
including the student’s disciplinary records, will be forwarded to the
requesting district within three (3) business days.
When the school transfers records to new
educational institutions, the schools must notify parents of the transfer, and
of their right to review and contest the material. An exception exists for material under court
order. Parents/guardians must be
notified of such order prior to release.
Except as otherwise required by state or
federal law, when compelled by a court order to produce records, the district
will make reasonable efforts to notify parents or eligible student prior to
compliance with such order.
The district may disclose, without the
consent or knowledge of the eligible student or parent/guardian, personally
identifiable information in the educational records of a student to the
Attorney General of the
The district may disclose appropriately
designated “directory information” without written consent, unless the parent
or eligible child has advised the district of the contrary. Directory information may include such things
as the student’s name, participation in officially recognized teams or
activities, a student’s class designation, name of the school the student is
attending, and achievements, awards, or honors.
When there is a delayed opening, school
will be opened two hours after the regular starting time. AM bus pick-ups will operate two hours later
than normally scheduled. Dismissal and
PM bus drop-offs will be at the regular time.
REGULAR TIME START DELAYED TIME START
The policy for SCHOOL DELAY or NO SCHOOL
is put into place for the safety of the children. Generally, if buses can operate safely, school
will be in session. However, it is
expected that if any parents/guardians do not desire to have their child
venture out during inclement weather, it is their prerogative to keep their
child at home. Road agents and
transportation contractors make the decision to operate as usual, delay or
close. If it is determined that the road
conditions are hazardous, parents and the children will be informed in the
following manner:
1. TV
STATIONS
WBZ – TV
WMUR-TV –
Please be aware that the TV stations don’t always list us, as we are
such a small district.
2.
WEBSITE-mason.sau89.org
School delays, early
dismissals, and closures will be posted on the home page of the school website.
3.
RECORDED TELEPHONE
A recorded telephone
message will be available on 878-2962, 878-1744 and 878-3439. This will typically be in place between
4. I-ALERT – Families will receive an automated call to alert
them of the delay or
cancellation.
Should road conditions remain hazardous or
worsen, the NO SCHOOL announcement (changing the situation from delayed to no
school) will be made over the TV stations listed above as well as at the
school’s telephone message. If your child attends Milford Middle or High
School, please also check their website for further updates.
Early release occurs when weather
conditions or other situations indicate that students be sent home from school
as soon as possible or at a certain time.
If this occurs, we will call every family to notify them. It is extremely important that telephone
numbers on record for us to call be ones which will be answered during the
school day hours. Early dismissals are
considered only in extreme circumstances because of child care issues. Even though early dismissal is rare, parents/guardians
must plan for this event. We advise
parents/guardians to consult with child care providers, friends and neighbors
and agree on a plan for child care arrangements in the event of an early
dismissal. It is very helpful to us to
have this plan on record in the school office.
Equally important, we advise parents/guardians to make children aware
of those special arrangements in anticipation of possible early dismissals.
Please note that our school buses are also
used to transport middle and high school students to
We believe that the school and parents/guardians
have a shared responsibility for the care and education of the students
attending the school. We would like to
assure parents that their child arrived at school safely and on time.
If a student is unable to attend school,
his/her parents/guardians MUST CALL
the school to report the absence.
Parents must call the school to report an absence before
1. Your name
2. Your child’s name
3. Grade and teacher’s name
4. Reason for absence
5. Your telephone number or
another way we can reach you
The school will call parents/guardians
after
The Following are considered excused
absences:
1.
Illness
2. Recovery from an
accident
3. Required court
attendance
4. Medical and dental
appointments
5. Death in the immediate
family
6. Observation or
celebration of a bona fide religious holiday
7. Such other good cause
as may be acceptable to the principal or
permitted by law.
The principal may require parents to
provide documentation in support of the reported absence, including but not
limited to doctor’s notes, court documents, obituaries, or other documents
supporting the claimed reason for non-attendance.
Parents who plan to take their children
out of school for an extended period of time, for reasons other than illness or
injury, must put their intent in writing to the principal, if possible, two
weeks prior to the absence.
When a student is taken out of school by a
parent/guardian to go on a trip while school is in session, missed work will be
given upon the student’s return to school.
This policy enables the student to enjoy and focus on the trip. Special arrangements can be made with the
teacher as to the time frame and method of getting the work caught up.
The time frame for completion of work for
children with illness or injuries will be determined on an individual basis.
Students who are absent for reasons of
illness (or other circumstances approved by the school) for over 10 days have
the right to a tutor.
Frequent absences may affect a child’s
“letter grade” and/or promotion.
In-class instruction and participation are vital to a child’s
understanding of the material.
Parents/guardians must weigh the alternatives and decide what is best
for their child.
Student absences, tardiness, and early
dismissals are part of the official attendance records, which are required by
the state of
The administration closely monitors
absences, tardiness, and early dismissals.
Attendance records of all children are reviewed. According to NH State Law (RSA 189:34),
truancy is defined as an unexcused absence from school or class. Ten
half days of unexcused absence during a school year shall constitute
habitual truancy. Attendance
records of all children are reviewed regularly.
Parents of children with five or more unexcused absences may receive a
letter of concern from administration which will be kept on file. The letter will indicate the need to meet
with administration to determine a plan to address attendance concerns. The Chief of Police shall serve as the
designated truancy official for
Preschool is available to children who are
at least age 3 but will not yet be age 5 by September 30th of 2015. This is an integrated preschool with tuition
and space-availability requirements which can be obtained on a case-by-case
basis by calling the Main Office.
Kindergarten is offered to all Mason
children who are at least age 5 by September 30th of 2015. In
Every child between the age of six and
sixteen years of age shall attend the school within the district, a public
school outside the district to which he/she is assigned, an approved charter
school program, an approved home-school program, or an approved private school.
A student may enter grade one if his/her
age will be 6 before September 30th of the year of entering school.
A birth certificate must be presented upon
registration as proof of the date of birth. The child must enroll under his/her
full legal name. After being entered in
the school records, the birth certificate will be returned to the
parent/guardian.
In-coming transfer students in grades 2
through 8 will be initially placed in accordance with the date forwarded by the
sending District. Such placement is
tentative and subject to reassignment by the Superintendent or his/her
designee.
Incoming transfer students in kindergarten
or Grade 1 will only be admitted if their age will be 5 or 6 respectively
before December 31 of the year of entering school or if previously enrolled in
such grades in another community and attending local schools only on a
temporary basis (10 months or less).
Such placement is tentative and subject to reassignment by the
Superintendent.
All new students, accompanied by a
parent/guardian, should register at school before opening day or as early as
possible. Children entering school for
the first time must have proof of physical examination, immunization records, a
copy of the child’s birth certificate and proof of residency satisfactory to
the Superintendent or his/her designee.
The Principal or a designee will meet with new children and
parents/guardians to explain school programs.
Non-resident students may attend district
schools when their attendance has been approved by the Board. Tuition will be charged at a rate set by the
Board and billed quarterly in advance to the sending district or
parent/guardian responsible for payment.
When a sending district is responsible for tuition, approval must be
received from the sending district school board.
Under normal circumstances, the district
will not provide transportation to and from school for non-resident and tuition
students at district expense. However,
the district may assist parents/guardians in finding and procuring
transportation services for their children.
The district will work with homeless students and
their families to provide stability in school attendance and district services
for which they are eligible, including comparable pre-school programs, similar
state programs, special education, bilingual education.
Per the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, homeless
students are those lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence,
including
• sharing the
housing of other persons due to loss of housing or economic hardship
• living in
motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative
adequate accommodations
• living in
emergency or transitional shelters
• abandoned in
hospitals
• awaiting
foster care placement
• living in
public or private places not designed for or ordinarily used as regular
sleeping accommodations for human beings
• living in
cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing,
transportation stations or similar settings
• migratory
children living in conditions described in previous examples
The Superintendent shall designate an appropriate
staff person to be the District’s liaison for homeless students and their
families.
To the extent feasible, homeless students will
continue to be enrolled in their school of origin while they remain homeless or
until the end of the academic year in which they obtain permanent housing. Instead of remaining in the school of origin,
parents or guardians of homeless students may request enrollment in the school
in which attendance area the student is actually living, or other schools.
If there is an enrollment dispute, the student
shall be immediately enrolled in the school in which enrollment is sought,
pending resolution of the dispute. The
parent or guardian shall be informed of the District’s decision and their
appeal rights in writing. Unaccompanied
youth will also be enrolled pending resolution of the dispute.
Once the enrollment decision is made, the school
shall immediately enroll the student, pursuant to District policies. If the student does not have immediate access
to the immunization records, the student shall be admitted under a personal
exception. Students and families should
be encouraged to obtain current immunization records or immunizations as soon
as possible, and the District liaison is directed to assist. Records from the student’s previous school
shall be requested from the previous school pursuant to District policies. Emergency contact information is required at
the time of enrollment consistent with District policies.
Homeless students are entitled to transportation to
their school of origin or the school where they are to be enrolled. If the school of origin is in a different
district, or a homeless student is living in another district but will attend
his or her school of origin in this District, the Districts will make
reasonable efforts to coordinate the transportation services necessary for the
student.
The District’s liaison for homeless students and
their families shall coordinate with local social services agencies that
provide services to homeless children and youths and their families; other
school Districts on issues of transportation and records transfers; and state
and local housing agencies responsible for comprehensive housing affordability
strategies. The district’s liaison will
also review and recommend to the district policies that may act as barriers to
the enrollment of homeless students.
Requests for Home Schooling should be submitted to the Superintendent.
Please
refer to New Hampshire Department of Education Website: http:/www.education.nh.gov/ for Home
Schooling Laws and Regulations as well as any changes in the procedure for
establishing a Home Education program and evaluation procedures.
After 5th grade, Mason students leave
Exceptions can be made for students with
certain circumstances and needs and must be pre-approved by the Mason School
Board.
As a parent/guardian of a student in the
Ř Whether the New Hampshire State Department
of Education has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades and subjects
he or she teaches.
Ř Whether the New Hampshire State Department
of Education has decided that the teacher can teach in a classroom without
being licensed or qualified under state regulations because of special
circumstances.
Ř The teacher’s college major, whether the
teacher has advanced degrees, and, if so, the subject of the degrees.
Ř Whether any teachers’ aides or similar
paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if they do, their
qualifications.
It is the intent of the school to handle
concerns and/or problems that arise during school hours with cooperation among
all parties involved.
If parents or guardians become aware of
concerns or problems that happened during school hours in regard to curriculum,
behavior and/or policy and procedures, please:
Ř Discuss the concern as soon as possible
with the classroom teacher. We ask that
the parent/guardian consult the classroom teacher at a time which will be least
disruptive to classroom teaching time.
Ř If either the parent/guardian or teacher
is not satisfied with the outcome, or if a settlement has not been agreed upon,
the parent/guardian or teacher should contact the Principal.
Ř If the parent/guardian or teacher is not
satisfied with the decision of the principal, they may contact the
Superintendent.
Ř Should the parent/guardian or teacher
involved remain dissatisfied with the outcome, they may contact the Chairman of
the School Board.
Homework should relate directly to the
purpose of education. It is an important
part of a child’s educational experience.
Well-planned homework assignments that are appropriate to the grade and
level of the learner may take many forms, including regular practice and
reinforcement of the previously taught skills, independent assignments that
enrich the school curriculum, reading to prepare for subsequent class
discussions, review and study of materials assembled in class, and student
writing in a variety of styles and forms.
Meaningful homework assignments are those
that emphasize quality rather than quantity and that are reasonable in length,
appropriate for the learner, and purposeful in nature.
We will know that our homework policy
works when
Ř Homework is completed by students in a
responsible, conscientious and timely fashion.
Ř Parents/guardians give their support and
involvement, thereby demonstrating agreement that homework is purposeful and a
valuable part of a child’s education.
Ř Homework is reviewed and used by a teacher
to diagnose, reinforce and enrich student learning.
It is our belief that it is the
responsibility of the parent to assist in making homework useful and successful. Long-term projects or reports may require
that a student spend additional time beyond the “regular” homework time. The approximate
nightly homework should take about:
Grade 1 – 10 minutes
Grade 2 - 20 minutes
Grade 3 - 30 minutes
Grade 4 - 40 minutes
Grade 5 - 50 minutes
1. Help to establish a regular format for learning at home.
2. Assist students to develop good study habits by providing a
comfortable, well-lighted area away from distractions.
3. Understand that children have different learning styles. Some need movement when learning or trying to
focus. Movement can take the form of
“lounging” on a rug, taking frequent breaks, or – yes – chewing gum! Some children are “visual learners,” needing
to see the written word. Some are
“auditory learners,” doing better when they hear things read aloud. Some children work better to music, while
others require silence and no distractions.
Some children can multi-task, whereas others must finish one thing before
they start another. Becoming aware of
one’s learning style is key to learning and understanding.
4. Encourage students to set a regular time for study.
5. Monitor and evaluate outside activities (e.g. extracurricular and
television) to be sure that the student has sufficient study time.
6. Recognize that homework is assigned and if necessary require the
student to keep an assignment book that can be reviewed at home.
7. Communicate with the classroom teacher if questions or concerns
should arise over homework assignments or practices.
8. Assist the school in developing, within each child, an attitude
that homework is an important student responsibility.
9. Use time when no specific homework assignments have been given for
reading or reviewing notes.
|
Term |
Grades Close |
Report
Cards |
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First |
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Second |
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Third |
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** This schedule may be adjusted
due to excessive school cancellations. **
Mason
Elementary will administer Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA)
computer-based testing internally, for use in overall school assessment and in
designing instruction, as well as for individual student assessment. The NWEA Testing will occur in the Fall and
Spring for Grades K -3. As the tests
progress, the questions change according to the way the student answers in
order to accommodate the broad range of student learning. Mason Elementary will also be administering
Smarter Balanced Testing in the Spring for Grades 3 -5.
You may contact the
Parents or guardians of a child with a
disability have certain protections under the procedural safeguards of Part B
of the IDEA (Section 615 (d)(1)(a). Please contact Student Services to request
a copy.
Additional agencies that can provide
assistance in understanding the provisions of Part B of the IDEA:
New
Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street,
Telephone (603) 271-3741
The
Telephone (603) 224-7005
State
of
Telephone (603)-271-4326
The school nurse is on duty from
Responsibilities of the school nurse include, but
are not limited to providing direct
health care to students and staff; providing leadership for the provision of
health services; promoting a healthy school environment; promoting health;
serving in a leadership role for health policies and programs; and serving as a
liaison between school personnel, family, community, and health care
providers. Additionally, the school
nurse is responsible for developing procedures to address and meet special physical
health needs of students. Such
procedures may be developed and implemented on a case-by-case basis.
All injuries or illnesses occurring during the
school day are to be reported to the school nurse or the building
principal. Students attending school
during the extended day, night, or summer school programs, or any other time
when the school nurse is not in the building, are to report to the supervising
adult. The school nurse, principal or
designee will notify parents/guardians before a student who is injured or ill
is permitted to go home. Students will
not be allowed to leave school without first notifying either the school nurse
or principal of his/her injury or illness.
Additionally, parent/guardian notification and authorization is
necessary before any student will be released from school due to injury or
illness. Emergency medical care will be
provided pursuant to the guidelines of Board Policy EBBC/JLCE.
The school nurse is also responsible for the
oversight of other school services, including but not limited to assessing and responding to student health
needs, maintaining accurate health records, screening for vision, hearing and
Parents are urged to keep their child home if
he/she is not feeling well. Students who
come to school are expected to be healthy enough to play outside. Exceptions are made only with a written
excuse from a physician or with permission from the school nurse.
Please notify the school nurse if your child has a
physical concern or allergy. Please also
let the nurse know if an illness or allergy occurred during non-school
hours so that we can monitor the situation.
Communication with the nurse may be by telephone
between
Please notify the school if there are changes in
the emergency information during the year.
Health records MUST BE
RECEIVED PRIOR to the child entering school
If a child is on medicine, prescription or
over-the-counter, the school must have
1. A dated note from the prescribing physician must
include:
a. Student’s name
b.
Name, Signature and
Contact numbers of the licensed prescriber
c.
Name, Route, Dosage and
Frequency of Time of medication
d.
Diagnosis (If not a
violation of confidentially)
2.
A physician’s order MUST accompany EVERY medication, including over-the-counter
medications.
3. A note signed by the parent/guardian giving
permission for the child to take the medication in school.
4. No more than one month’s supply of medication
should be given to the nurse at one time.
5. All medication should be sent in the original
container with the child’s name written on it.
RSA. 200:38-I.a states: “All children
shall be immunized prior to school entrance in accordance with RSA 141-C:20-a”
And the NH Department of Education
Administrative Rule ED 311.01 (a) states:
“A parent or legal guardian shall have a
child immunized against certain diseases as determined in rules He-P 301.14,
Immunization Requirements, adopted by the commissioner of the department of
health and human services.”
The Immunizations listed below must be
completed prior to school entry.
Documentation of immunizations must include dates on which each vaccine
was administered.
Ř VARICELLA (CHICKEN POX)
Pre-School/3-5 years old: One dose on or after age of 12 months
K-6th Grade: 2 doses (Varicella vaccination or laboratory confirmation
of immunity to
varicella.)
7-12th Grade: 2 doses (Varicella vaccination or history of
chicken pox
disease required.)
Ř DTaP/DTP/DT/Td/Tdap
Pre-School/3-5 years old: 4 doses (3rd and 4th
doses should be separated
by at least 6 months.)
6 years and under: 4 or 5 doses (with last dose given on or after 4th
birthday.)
7 years and older: 3 or 4 doses (with last dose given on or after 4th
birthday.)
11 years and older: One time dose Tdap.
If a child turns 11 on or after
the first day of school, they are required to have Tdap prior to first day of
next school year. A dose of Tdap
at age 10 is acceptable.
Ř POLIO
Pre-School/3-5 years old: 3 doses.
Kindergarteners – 3rd Graders: 3-4 doses with one dose on or after
age 4, and the last two
doses separated by 6 months.
Grades 4th – 12th: 3 doses with the last dose
given on or after the 4th
birthday, or 4 doses
regardless of age at administration.
Ř MEASLES-MUMPS-RUBELLA
Pre-School/3-5 years old: 1 dose on or after age 12 months.
Grades K – 12th: 2 doses required, at lease one on or after the
first
birthday.
Ř HEPATITIS B
Pre-School/3-5 years old: 3 doses at
acceptable intervals
Grades K – 12th: 3 doses at
acceptable intervals.
Ř HIB(HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZA TYPE B)
Pre-School/3-5 years old: 1 dose after 15 months of age or 4 dose series
with last dose administered on or after 12 months of age. (HIB is
not required for children over 5 years of age.)
The vaccines and doses above are the minimum
requirements for school attendance.
For the NH Department of Education “Most
Requested School Health Services Laws and Rules for Specific Topics”,
reference:
Please refer to www.dhhs.nh.gov for more
information
RSA 200:38-II states
“All children shall be examined prior to
school entrance to detect symptoms of Tuberculosis and may be periodically
examined during his/her school experience.”
TB test (intradermal) within one year prior
to school entrance.
Physical examinations, including vision
and hearing tests, will be required for all children upon entrance to school.
No child will be allowed to enter school
without a physician’s documentation or waiver for relevant reasons meeting the
above requirements.
Plans should be made with the family
physician or other medical resource to accomplish these requirements prior to a
child being admitted to school.
Medical and Religious Exemption information is available: http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/immunization/exemptions.htm
HIV is not spread by casual, everyday
contact. Therefore, barring special
circumstances (i.e. a serious secondary infection, such as untreated
tuberculosis, that may be transmitted to others, or a significant health
problem that will permanently restrict his or her ability to attend class), a
student who is infected with HIV shall attend the school and classroom to which
he/she would be assigned if he/she is not infected. He/she is entitled to all rights, privileges,
and services accorded to other students.
SAU #89 has a procedure to encourage
students and/or their parents/guardians to report an HIV infection and to help
determine what effect, if any, their HIV infection has upon their continued
ability to attend school. Reporting is
voluntary and is made directly to the Superintendent.
The school is not liable for any accident
or injury occurring on the way to school, during school, on the way home from
school, or during athletic or extra-curricular activities. All students are encouraged to take out
accident insurance. School insurance is
offered to all students in the fall and provides coverage for such accidents.
A school guidance counselor IS
available for consultation with students, parents/guardians and teachers for
academic as well as social counseling. Please
call the
1.
Menus:
2. Method of Payment: You may send a check with your child made
payable to the
3. Credit Policy:
There is a no credit policy in the
4. Student Allergy/Special Needs Identification: If your student has an allergy or special
need when it comes to food, please contact your school nurse and have her
forward any pertinent information to the food service director.
5. Pricing:
Breakfast Full
price student breakfast $1.70 (Includes Milk or Juice)
Reduced student breakfast $.30
Staff breakfast $2.00 (Includes Milk or Juice)
Lunch Full price student lunch $2.45 (Includes Milk or Juice)
Reduced student lunch $ .40
Staff lunch $3.75 (Includes Milk or Juice)
Non-Staff lunch $5.00 (Includes Milk or Juice)
Separate milk or juice purchase is $.45.
Note: Students
allergic to milk or who do not care for milk may make special arrangements with
the chef.
All students are sent home with an
application for the Free and Reduced Meal Program at the beginning of the
school year. List all of your children
on the top of this form and indicate school and grade. On the lower section of the form you must
list all members of your family living in your household and the income they
earn. Please read the instructions
carefully. If the form is incomplete, it
will delay approval. If you do qualify
for this program, by law, you must notify the Lunch Program if your income or
household size changes during the year.
You can reapply to the Lunch Program at any time during the year. You may qualify for more help if your
circumstances change. Reduced breakfast
is $.30 daily and lunches are $.40 daily.
The
The school and its staff are responsible
for the promotion of the education process, including maintaining the health
and safety of all our students. Healthy
snacks are encouraged at
We do have several students and
occasionally staff members, with dietary allergies or both dietary and
religious restrictions that do not allow them to be able to participate in food
related celebrations. Many parents do
not wish their children to be eating items not supplied by them or by confirmed
sources. There is also a potential
health risk for illness due to contamination with consumption of homemade
items. Due to this, we have adopted a
new procedure that will enable all students to be safe and healthy during any
celebrations in the classrooms.
Holiday/Class
Parties School Wide:
1.
No foods in classroom
as an option for Birthdays.
2.
Specific sign up sheest
for all classroom parties/Holdiays.
a. Store
bought food with intact labeling in orginal packaging. (Nothing comes in homemade.)
b. Teacher is responsible for adhearing to sign
up sheet.
c. One sugary treat and the rest healthy treats.
d. All
sugary treats must be in individual servings (ie: cupcakes or cookies.)
3. Room Parent
(party coordinator) will oversee the sign ups and designate parents as to what
food they will provide. Email “reply
all” for what is available for foods at party.
4. One week
notice from the sign up sheet.
5. Teacher
is responsible for providing food list to Nurse and/or parent if appropriate
for specific health need in classroom.
6. No food offered as a prize/reward for any
occasion.
7. Non
consumption food related activities are restricted, specific to health needs in
respective classrooms (ie: counting activities, science projects, etc…).
The
responsibility of the school district begins when the child sets foot on the
school bus. The responsibility ceases at
the end of the school day when the school bus leaves the child’s bus stop.
Each
bus driver is responsible for maintaining order on the bus. Bus drivers shall maintain the same type of
order on buses as teachers maintain in the classroom.
The
purpose of bus rules and regulations is to allow each student a safe and
comfortable ride to and from school.
Riding the bus is a privilege.
Respect and consideration for the bus driver and riders is
expected.
Profane
language, obscene gestures, excessive noise, fighting, wrestling, or acts of
physical aggression will not be tolerated.
1.
For
the safety of all, students must keep hands, head, feet, etc. inside the bus.
2.
Students
must ride only the bus to which they have been assigned unless other
arrangements have been made by parents in writing.
3.
Once a
student has boarded the bus, he/she can get off only at his/her
destination. Exceptions will be made
only with the permission of the principal or office in writing.
4.
Students
will be seated promptly and will not change seats when the bus is in motion.
5.
Eating
and drinking on the bus is generally not allowed.
6.
Students
will be held responsible for all damages made by them to the bus.
7.
To
insure students’ safety, all students will cross the street in front of the
bus.
8.
Students
should be at their bus stop 5 minutes before the bus is due.
9.
Anything
that would create a safety hazard for the passengers of the vehicle is not
permitted.
10. Cameras may not be used on the bus. Camera capability embedded in electronic
games or other electronic devices may not be used.
11. Electronic devices capable of accessing
the internet may not be used on the bus.
12. The school is not responsible for loss,
damage or theft of electronic or other items on the bus.
13. The bus drivers are in charge of the bus,
and their instructions must be followed.
14. Only authorized riders will be permitted
on the bus.
Proper
behavior on the bus is essential to the safety of our children.
Written
discipline referrals to the administration from a bus driver will result in the
following:
1st referral: Written warning or
one to ten day suspension of riding privileges, depending upon offense. If the offense is very serious and it is
deemed necessary, then a twenty-day bus suspension may result, with possible
referral to the Superintendent or School Board.
2nd referral: Written warning
or one to ten day bus suspension, depending upon offense.
3rd referral: One to twenty
day bus suspension.
4th referral: Referral to the
Superintendent. Possible permanent loss
of riding privileges.
Parents
will be notified in writing by the principal when the bus company has written a
disciplinary referral. A sealed note
will be sent home with the child. The
note must be returned the following school day with a parent/guardian
signature, indicating that they have seen the note. If the note is not returned the following
school day, the principal will call the parent/guardian.
School
bus evacuation drills are conducted semi-annually. Students are given instruction and experience
on how to quickly and safely evacuate the bus in the event of an emergency.
Any use of
private vehicles to transport students to or from school, field trips, athletic
events, or other school functions, must have prior authorization by a
parent/guardian and the superintendent or his/her designee. The Board specifically forbids any employee
to transport students, except the teacher’s own children, for school purposes
without prior written authorization by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Individuals providing unauthorized student transportation do so at their own
expense and liability.
Any employee
or private citizen using their own or a rented vehicle to provide
school-authorized student transportation must have automobile liability
insurance of not less than $500,000 combined Single Limit and provide a
Certificate of Insurance naming the district as an Additional Insured. The district will maintain liability
insurance, which will be in excess of the owner’s primary insurance for
authorized student transportation.
Persons under
contract with the school district to provide school transportation services
must have a valid School Bus Driver Certificate/License in accordance with
applicable rules and laws. All vehicles
must be approved by the New Hampshire Department of Safety as meeting all
applicable school bus safety standards.
Parents/guardians transporting their own children are exempt from this
requirement, per Department of Safety regulations.
Persons
providing transportation on an incidental basis, i.e., not specifically as part
of a contract to transport, must have a valid driver’s license, and the vehicle
used must have a current
Reimbursement
for use of private vehicles may be made, but only if the employee or other
person has prior approval of the designated administrator.
Parents/guardians
who wish to transport their own child on a field trip must provide the school
with a photo copy of their license, registration and the face page of their
insurance coverage.
In general,
siblings are not allowed on field trips.
However, please check with your child’s teacher as to the sibling policy
for specific trips.
Parents/guardians
must sign a Field Trip consent form for each child participating in a field
trip away from school grounds. No child
may leave the school grounds on a field trip unless this form has been signed.
Arrangements for financing all field trips must be made prior to the trip. If student contributions are involved, the
necessary funds must be in the hands of the school – or alternative
arrangements made – before the trip will be taken.
Any
overnight or out-of-state field trips must have the prior approval of the
School Board.
Mason Elementary conducts a number of different drills including fire
drills, reverse evacuation, bomb threat, lock-down, health hazard, medical
emergency, intruder drill and shelter-in-place.
Drills are administered in coordination with the fire department and police
department.
A Safe
School Zone is considered to be the area inclusive of all school property
including school buses.
In
accordance with RSA 193-D4 - Any public school employee shall report in writing
an act of theft, destruction, or violence witnessed by or reported to such
employee in a “Safe School Zone” to an immediate supervisor. A supervisor receiving such a report shall
immediately forward it to the school principal.
The school principal shall file a report with the local law enforcement
authority within 48 hours. A copy shall
be submitted to the Superintendent of Schools.
An act
of theft, destruction, or violence is defined as any first or second degree
assault or aggravated felonious assault committed knowingly. This includes the sale or possession of a
fire arm or dangerous weapon. Simple
assault at the elementary school level will be dealt with in the manner
described in the Discipline Code of this handbook.
Our
school district in conjunction with local law enforcement authorities will
establish provisions for reporting violations with the “Safe School Zone”.
Students
who violate the “Safe School Zone” policy can be subject to suspension or other
disciplinary action. Any student
violating the “Safe School Zone” policy will be allowed due process and appeals
in accordance with this policy.
Student
individual dress is primarily a parental responsibility that should reflect
concern for the health and safety of students, staff and others. When the dress of an individual student
constitutes a health problem, is unsuitable for school wear, is a danger to any
person, or causes a substantial and material disruption or substantial
disturbance, the principal shall take appropriate action to correct the
situation.
Specifically,
clothing should not be distractible to the education of others and should not
make others feel uncomfortable. Student
appearance and dress shall be neat and clean, and appropriate for school. Students will be given an opportunity to
correct improper clothing situations by either changing the clothing, removing
the clothing (if appropriate), wearing it inside-out, or other means.
Students
should not share head gear or combs.
Gum
chewing is NOT allowed.
Because
recess is an important part of a student’s physical and social education,
weather permitting, all students are required to go outside. Exceptions are made only with a doctor’s note
restricting outside play. The decision
to have outside recess during cold weather depends on the temperature and wind
chill factor. Students will be inside
when the temperature or wind chill factor is below 20 degrees. It is the parent’s responsibility to see that
their child comes to school dressed appropriately for the weather each day;
i.e. mittens, boots, warm jacket, snow pants, etc. during the winter
months. Boots should not be worn in the
classroom; therefore a change of footwear is necessary and maybe left at
school,
The
board endorses the following principles of Student conduct
Ř Respect for law and those given the
authority to administer it shall be expected of all Students. This includes conformity to school rules as
well as to general provisions of the law regarding minors.
Ř Respect for the rights of others,
consideration of their privileges, and cooperative citizenship shall be
expected of all members of the school community.
Ř Respect for real and personal property,
pride in one’s work, and exemplary personal standards of courtesy, decency,
honesty, and wholesome attitudes shall be maintained.
Ř Respect for individual worth is the
obligation of the school. Diligence and
a desire to benefit from the opportunity is the obligation of the Student.
The
Board expects student conduct to be such as to contribute to a productive
learning climate. Individual rights are
to be honored and protected in all instances; however, the rights of one
individual shall not take precedence over those of another individual or of the
group itself, and all pupils shall have equal rights and equal responsibilities
in the classroom or at any school-sponsored activity.
The
Board further recognizes the right of each school to establish disciplinary
procedures in accordance with RSA 19313 and RSA 193-D through the development
of administrative, as well as rules and regulations governing student conduct,
to be approved by the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee. Due process and equal protection of the law
shall be afforded to any pupil involved in a proceeding which may result in
suspension, exclusion, or expulsion.
Students expelled from school may be reinstated by the Board under the
provisions of RSA 193-13.
The
Board expects Student conduct to be such as to contribute to a productive
learning climate. Individual rights are
to be honored and protected in all instances however, the rights of one
individual shall not take precedence over those of another individual or of the
group itself, and all pupils shall have equal rights and equal responsibilities
in the classroom, in or upon any school property, or at any school sponsored or
sanctioned activity.
In order to fulfill and assure adherence to these principles and goals,
rules and regulations governing conduct are imperative.
The
following are examples of conduct which is prohibited on school property, on school
sanctioned or sponsored events, on and/or while using transportation provided
by the
1.
Using inappropriate
language;
2.
Disrupting classes or
the school in general;
3.
Causing or attempting
to cause damage to school property, or the property of any other person;
4.
Stealing or attempting
to steal school property or the property of any other person;
5.
Fighting;
6.
Intimidating,
threatening, attempting, or causing physical harm to others;
7.
Interfering with a
teacher conducting a class or intentionally defying the valid authority of a
teacher, administrator, or any other member of the staff;
8.
Smoking, or possession
of cigarettes on school property or at school sponsored or sanctioned
activities;
9.
Being truant;
10.
Failing to adhere to
the consequences of prior misconduct and/or previously assigned disciplinary
action;
11.
Possessing or
threatening to use weapons or potential weapons;
12.
False reporting of a
dangerous circumstance (e.g. fire alarm, etc.);
13.
Possessing, consuming
or selling illegal drugs or alcohol beverages, or attending any school
sponsored or sanctioned activity, or being on school property while under the
influence of such substances;
14.
Throwing harmful
objects (rocks, food, sticks, etc.);
15.
Unsafe operation of any
form of motor vehicle, or of any bicycle, scooter, or skateboard, while on
school grounds;
16.
Leaving school without
permission;
17.
Possessing fireworks or
any other illegal substance;
18.
Forgery;
19.
Lying or
misrepresentation to school employees;
20.
Plagiarism or other
forms of cheating;
21.
Doing another student’s
work without the knowledge of the appropriate faculty;
22.
Repeated use and/or
possession of electronic devices such as i-pods, cellular phones, pagers,
etc. A first offense may result in
confiscation by the Administration or staff.
23.
Public displays of
affection beyond the holding of hands or brief hugs;
24.
Engaging conduct
constituting personal harassment, sexual harassment,
25.
Sexual violence, as
prohibited by Title IX of the United States Code and prohibited by RSA 193-F
and Board Policy;
26.
Any
other conduct deemed to be inappropriate by school officials and which violates
one or more of the principles of student conduct established by the School
Board.
Disciplinary
matters, or incidents when any violation of school rules and regulations is
suspected, will be handled initially at the most immediate level possible. Violations will subject the student to
disciplinary consequences. A
disciplinary consequence may include one or more of the following warnings; out of school suspension,
expulsion, reporting to the criminal authorities, and any other action which
the appropriate official deems reasonable and fitting.
The level of
disciplinary response for any violation of school rules will depend on a
variety of circumstances, including, but not limited to
ü Whether any person was harmed or injured;
ü Whether there was property damage or other
loss of property;
ü The level of any class or school
disruption caused by the student’s behavior;
ü The number, if any, of prior infractions
of school rules and regulations;
ü Whether the student has been previously
disciplined;
ü Whether there were illegal substances (for
example, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.);
ü Whether the student had been earlier
warned about the same or similar conduct;
ü Whether there was a weapon or other
dangerous item involved (for example, a smoke bomb, or fireworks); and or
ü Whether the conduct is of the kind also
prohibited by criminal law.
A school administrator or teacher may detain a student for disciplinary
reasons during school hours. Further, a
school administrator or teacher may detain a student for disciplinary reasons
after school hours, provided the parent has been notified of the detention and
in the case of bus students, arrangements have been made for the student’s
transportation home. In cases where
transportation is required, 24-hour notice will be given so that transportation
may be arranged.
Parents may be asked to arrange for the transportation of the detained student.
Detention on one day is to be limited to 60 minutes.
When
suspension is being considered, the Principal and/or Teacher will meet with the
student to explain what rules and/or policies have been violated, and what
evidence they have. Students will be
given the opportunity to “tell their side of the story”.
When
children are suspended for a serious violation of school rules, their parents
are called and the child must be picked up right away. If the school cannot reach the parent, then
the person listed as the emergency contact is called to pick up the child.
The
parent is given a copy of the Suspension Form which explains why the student is
being suspended.
Suspension
will be served off school property.
Short term suspensions are any single suspension that last up through
ten school days. A long term suspension
is any period of suspension following a short term suspension. A long term suspension may be of any
duration in a single school year.
Although
students will not receive credit for any academic work during a suspension
period, they will remain responsible for all materials covered and are,
therefore, encouraged to keep up with class assignments. A student will have the opportunity to take
any test or examination of major consequence during the suspension period,
provided the test or examination primarily covers work which was assigned to
prior to the period of suspension.
Students
serving a suspension will not be entitled to attend any school event, or school
sponsored or sanctioned activity during the term of suspension. Furthermore, students serving suspension are
prohibited from entering school property during the term of suspension; in the
event that a student does enter upon school property during a suspension, the
Administration may determine to file a criminal trespassing charge with local
law enforcement.
An
expulsion is when the School Board has determined to exclude a student from the
enrolled student body for any period of time.
An expulsion may be for a stated number of school days, calendar days,
the remainder of a school year, term or quarter, or may be permanent. The School Board may also attach conditions
for an expelled student to meet prior to or in conjunction with the student’s
re-enrollment. In the case of expulsions
through or longer than the remainder of the school year, the student will have
the right to request re-enrollment prior to the commencement of the subsequent
school year. All such requests for
re-enrollment shall be made as provided under
Pursuant
to RSA 19313, IV the Superintendent may, upon written application of an expelled
pupil, recommend modification of an expulsion.
In such cases the following shall apply
A. An expelled pupil has the right to request a
review of the expulsion prior to the start of each school year.
B. A request for review should be directed by
the pupil to the Superintendent of Schools and should be received by the
Superintendent on or before August 15.
The request shall set forth each and all reasons why the pupil’s right
to attend school should be reinstated.
Of particular importance would necessarily be such information as might
convince school authorities that the conduct which led to the expulsion would
not be repeated.
C. The Superintendent of Schools and the
Principal school shall direct written recommendation to the Board with a copy
to the pupil.
D.
The expulsion may be continued. The pupil
may be reinstated without conditions; or the pupil may be required to meet
certain conditions prior to reinstatement.
A code of conduct and consequences may be established for a reinstated
pupil which are stricter than for the general student population.
Before any disciplinary action that may result in suspension, exclusion,
or expulsion is taken against a student, the student has a right to the due
process guaranteed him/her by our Constitution.
Any student accused of an action and threatened with punishment for this
action that may result in suspension, exclusion or expulsion has the right to
request a hearing before the principal or the assistant principal with the
student’s parents attending if the student desires. Decisions of the Superintendent or Principal are
appealable to the Mason School Board.
Finally a student may request the State Board of Education to review
decisions by the School Board in accordance with RSA 193-13.
The
following policies are for reference only.
Please contact the
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
All
medications which a Student has on prescription and carries onto school
property for ingestion as prescribed by a doctor, will be kept in the Nurse’s
office, or Principal’s office if the nurse is not available.
Taking
or possession of illegal drugs is not permitted at any time. The phrase “illegal drugs” shall include,
without limitation, alcohol any prescription medicines not prescribed by a
health care professional licensed to prescribe such medicines, as well as any
“controlled substances” as defined and prohibited under New Hampshire RSA Ch.
318-B, as said statute may be amended or superseded from time to time.
1)
Violations - Students
Ř Parents will be informed immediately if a
pupil is in violation of this policy, and the matter will be brought to the
attention of the Board and other proper authorities, including police.
Ř In case a Student appears to be under drug
influence, the parent will be notified by school authorities to come for the
Student and remove him/her to his home or to medical facilities.
Ř In severe cases, if the parents or school
doctor will not come to the school, the Principal is authorized to call an
ambulance to remove the Student to the hospital. Parents will be notified of this action and
be responsible for the incurred expenses.
Ř Upon reasonable evidence of the illegal
possession and/or use of drugs by any Student on
Ř Any Student found selling, distributing,
or giving away illegal drugs will be turned over to police authorities
immediately and suspended from school pending further disciplinary review,
which may include long term suspension or expulsion.
Ř Any Student charged in court for illegally
selling drugs on or off school property will be immediately suspended from
school pending further disciplinary review, which may include long term
suspension or expulsion.
2) Violations - Employees and other persons
Any
other person, including all employees, for whom there is reliable evidence he
or she is under the influence of illegal drugs, will be asked to leave
I. USE
OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN/ON ALL SCHOOL FACILITIES AND/OR
GROUNDS
A. No
person shall use any tobacco product in any facility maintained by the
B.
Definitions
1.
“Tobacco products”, includes, without limitation, cigarettes, cigars, snuff,
smokeless tobacco, smokeless cigarettes, and any other products containing
tobacco in any other form.
2. “Facility” is any place which is supported by
public funds and which is used for the instruction of students enrolled in
preschool programs, of for any grade maintained by the District. This definition shall include all
administrative buildings and offices and areas within facilities supportive of instruction
and subject to educational administration, including, but not limited to,
lounge areas, passageways, rest rooms, laboratories, classrooms, study areas,
cafeterias, gymnasiums, maintenance rooms, and storage areas.
C.
Signs shall be placed by the District in all buildings, facilities and school
vehicles stating that the use of tobacco products is prohibited.
D. It
is the initial responsibility of the building principal(s), or designee, to
enforce this policy by requesting that any person who is violating this policy
to immediately cease the use of tobacco products. After this request is made, if any person
refuses to refrain from using tobacco products in violation of this policy, the
principal or designee may call the local police who shall then be responsible
for all enforcement proceedings and applicable fines and penalties. [this creates a first warning provision for
the principal]
II.
STUDENTS
A. No
student shall purchase, attempt to purchase, possess or use any tobacco product
in any facility, in any school vehicle or anywhere on school grounds maintained
by the District.
B.
Enforcement of this prohibition shall initially rest with building principals,
or their designees, who may report any violation to the local police
department. In accordance with state
law, the police department shall be responsible for all proceedings and
applicable fines and penalties.
C. The
principal will develop regulations which cover disciplinary action to be taken
for violations of this policy. These
regulations will be communicated to students by means deemed appropriate by the
principal. In addition to disciplinary
actions taken by the school, criminal penalties for fines may result from
violations of this policy.
III.
EMPLOYEES
A. No
employee shall use any tobacco product in any facility in any school vehicle or
anywhere on school grounds maintained by the District.
B.
Initial responsibility for enforcement of this prohibition shall rest with
building principals, or their designees.
The principal may report violations to the local police department. In accordance with state law, the police
department shall be responsible for all proceedings and applicable fines and
penalties.
C. The
principal will develop and implement the appropriate means of notifying employees
of the possible disciplinary consequences of violating this policy. Any employee(s) who violates this policy is
subject to disciplinary action which may include warning, suspension or
dismissal.
D. In
addition, fines or other penalties may result from enforcement of these
prohibitions by other law enforcement officials.
IV.
ALL OTHER PERSONS
A. No
visitor shall at any time use tobacco products in any facility, in any school
vehicle, or anywhere on school grounds maintained by the District.
B. Responsibility
for enforcement of this prohibition shall rest with all
C. In
accordance with state law, the police department shall be responsible for
pursuing applicable criminal fines and penalties.
School staff shall
report a student’s suspicious activity to the principal prior to initiating
most searches, except in emergency situations or when the search is minimally
invasive.
If a student refuses to
cooperate in a personal search, the student should be held until the student’s
parents or guardian is available to consent to the search. If a parent or guardian cannot be reached in
a reasonable time, the principal may conduct the search without the student’s
consent.
II. Locker and Other School Property Searches. Lockers, desks, and assigned storage areas
are the property of the District and are not property of the students to which
they are assigned, such that the student’s use of the locker/desk/storage area
is nonexclusive against the school. Likewise,
a student’s use of the parking lot is conditioned upon the student’s acceptance
of the District’s right to search the automobile under the same, conditions
which would permit a locker search or inspection.
A. A specific or single
student’s desk, automobile, storage area, or locker, or their contents, may be
search by District staff if reasonable grounds exist to suspect that evidence
of a violation of the law or school rules will be uncovered.
B. Principals may randomly
search or inspect all desks, storage areas, parking lots, or lockers (including
contents) without prior notice given to students and without reasonable
suspicion that the search will yield evidence of any particular student’s
violation of the law or school rules.
Such random inspections can include the use of canine units, or metal or
other substance detectors.
C. Administrative
inspections, or health and welfare inspections, may be conducted at any time
for the purpose of locating misplaced library books, textbooks or other school
property or to ensure that all lockers, desks, or storage areas are being kept
clean and free from potential health or safety hazards. Periodic inspection s of lockers will
reinforce the district’s ownership of lockers and the minimal expectation of
privacy students have in the contents of their school owned lockers, desks or
storage areas.
D. During a search or
inspection conducted under II, A, B, or C above, if the school official
conducting the search or inspection discovers any container within a locker,
automobile, etc., which may conceal contraband, the container may be searched
according to the District’s procedure governing searches of specific students
and their property. A “container” for
the purpose of this policy may include, but is not limited to, an article of
clothing, a handbag, lunchbox, purse, backpack, gym bag, or any other item
within which contraband material may be concealed.
III. Search Methods. Depending on the circumstances, the District
may use any reasonable means to conduct a search or inspection, including, but
not limited to, surveillance cameras, breathalyzer, metal detectors, and
urinalysis. The District may also engage
the services of other persons or agencies in carrying out searches or
inspections. Although not legally
considered a search, the District may from time to time use Canine Units, with
properly trained personnel and animals to make random inspections of lockers,
buildings and other school property.
Such canine inspections shall be conducted according to Section II
above.
IV. Procedures. The Superintendent shall establish procedures
and guidelines regarding “reasonable grounds” for specific searches, as well as
for the parameters and scope of the searches themselves.
Dangerous weapons, such
as, but not limited to, “Weapon” means (1) a firearm [see 18 USC Section 921]
to include a pellet or BB gun; (2) any object prohibited, licensed, or
regulated under RSA 159; (3) a knife, but not a folding pocket knife or
cafeteria-issued dining utensil; (4) a bullet; (5) any fireworks, explosive, or
other incendiary, (6) club, metallic knuckles, (7) containers containing
chemicals such as pepper gas or mace, and/or (8) any other substance or object
which, in the manner it is used, intended to be used, or threatened to be used,
is known to be capable of producing serious injury, are not permitted on school
property, on school vehicles or at school sponsored activities. Student violations of this policy will result
in both school disciplinary action and notification of the police. Suspension or expulsion from school could
result.
Additionally, any
Student who is determined to have brought a firearm (as defined by Title 18
U.S.C. § 921) to school will be expelled for not less than one year (365 days).
This expulsion may be modified by the Superintendent upon review of the
specific case in accordance with other applicable law. The determination of whether to modify the
expulsion shall be left to the discretion of the Superintendent, who in making that
determination may consider the following factors:
Ř Whether possession of the firearm was inadvertent
in that another person had left the firearm in the pupil’s vehicle; and the
pupil had not noticed that he/she was bringing the firearm within the safe school
zone; or
Ř Whether the pupil intended to use the firearm for
sport immediately before or after school and had no intention to display the
firearm to other students.
Ř Whether the pupil is in the fifth grade or lower
grade and the pupil did not properly understand the dangers of firearms when
the firearm was brought to school.
Ř Whether the firearm was loaded; and whether there
was any ammunition reasonably available; and whether the pupil had any
intention to display the firearm to other students.
Weapons under control
of law enforcement personnel are permitted.
All Students will
receive written notice of this policy at least once each year.
I. Statement of Purpose and Intent
The
The
II. Required Acceptable Use Policy Agreement
Every year, students (and
their parent/guardians), and employees who want access to the Computer Systems
and Network will need to sign and return an Acceptable Use Policy Agreement
("AUP Agreement") to the School District. Students who are under 18
must also have their parents or guardians sign the Acceptable Use Policy
Agreement. By signing an AUP Agreement, the student, employee, and parent or
guardian agree to follow the rules set forth in this Acceptable Use Policy and
to report any misuse of the computer systems and network (or any component
thereof) to a teacher or supervisor.
Parties agreeing to this
Acceptable Use Policy also understand the
Once a student or employee has
returned the signed AUP Agreement, the
The Account may only be used
during the time the user is a student or employee of the
The
III. Acceptable Uses of the Computer Network
or the Internet
The Account provided by the
If a user is uncertain about
whether a particular use of the Computer Systems and Network is appropriate, he
or she should consult or contact the building principal or designee.
IV. Privacy Policy
The
V. Unacceptable Uses of the Computer
Network and Systems
Paragraph V, A is a list of
general categories of unacceptable and prohibited uses of the Computer Systems
and Network. Paragraph V, B includes examples of specific conduct and uses
which are prohibited under one or more of the general categories. The
prohibitions include any use by which the user is intending to accomplish, or that
would have a high likelihood of accomplishing, the prohibited use.
A. General Categories of Unacceptable Uses
1) Uses, or attempted uses,
which would violate any state or federal law or municipal ordinance.
2) Uses, or attempted uses,
that would involve the accessing, transmitting or downloading of materials
which are deemed inappropriate as determined by the School Board or its
designate(s) or any other related authority.
3) Uses, or attempted uses,
which involve accessing, obtaining, and/or transmitting information either
anonymously or under a false name (for example; emails, instant messages,
electronic forms).
4) Uses, that cause harm, or
which would tend to cause harm, to other persons or their property.
5) Uses which
would tend to cause, or which actually cause, damage to the Computer Systems
and Network or any part thereof;
6) Uses which
allow the user, or which are intended by the user, to access or lead to
unauthorized access into accounts of other employees or students; into files of
other users; into prohibited areas of the District's networks; or into other
computer networks.
7) Commercial uses.
B. Examples of Specifically Prohibited Uses
(including attempts)
1) Selling or purchasing any
illegal substance or materials;
2) Accessing, transmitting, or
downloading any type of pornography, obscene or lewd depictions, harmful
materials, or materials that encourage others to violate the law;
3) Accessing, transmitting or
downloading confidential information or copyrighted materials;
4) Accessing, transmitting, or
downloading offensive, harassing, or disparaging materials;
5) Threatening, harassing, or
making defamatory or false statements to, or about, others;
6) Transmitting or receiving
any information through a false name or anonymously;
7) Damaging the Computer
Systems and Network, any part thereof, including any files or data stored
within the Computer Systems and Network;
8) Using profane, abusive, or
impolite language in transmittals;
9) Disguising one's identity,
impersonating other users;
10) Using other Account
passwords or identifiers of another user, or accessing another user's account;
11)
12) Interfering with the
ability of any other user to access his or her own Account or otherwise use the
Computer Systems and Network;
13) Disclosing one's Account
password to other users or allowing other users to use one's Account;
14) Disclosing or transmitting
any information specifically identifying other students or users without the
written authorization of the other person and, if such person is a student
under the age of 18, the authorization of the student's parent or guardian;
15)
Accessing, transmitting or downloading computer viruses or other harmful files
or programs, or in any way degrading or disrupting the performance of any part
of the Computer Systems and Network;
16) Accessing, transmitting or
downloading large files, including "chain letters" or any type of
"pyramid schemes";
17) Accessing, or attempting
to access, prohibited parts of the District's Network, or accessing other
computer networks without the authorization of both the District and the owner
of the other network (authorization may be implied by way of public links on
non-prohibited web-sites);
18) Accessing or attempt to
access ("hack") into computer systems, files or data, or otherwise
attempting to access information that
is protected by privacy laws, irrespective of whether such attempts are within
the District's own Computer Systems and Network.
19) Selling or buying anything
over the Computer Systems and Network for personal reasons;
20) Using the Computer Systems
Network for advertising, promotion, or financial gain;
21) Conducting fundraising or
advertising activities relating to non-school sponsored activities, whether
such activities are connected to for-profit, or not-for-profit, purposes (for
example, soliciting votes, soliciting applicants or participants for a group, employer,
camp etc.; advertising for private events, soliciting for religious purposes,
or lobbying for political purposes).
VI. Computer Systems and Network. Safety
Safeguards and Monitoring
A. The School District will
install software intended to filter or block, or restrict access to internet
sites containing any type of pornography, obscene depictions, or other
materials harmful to minors, or otherwise unsuitable in a school setting. Most
such software works by scanning for objectionable words or concepts, or by
blocking access to previously identified sites. However, no software is
foolproof, and there are always efforts by outside parties to design new
technology or software to evade the filtering/blocking software. Consequently
there is always a risk that a user of the Computer Systems and Network may be
exposed to a site containing such materials. An Account user who incidentally
connects to such a site must immediately disconnect from the site and notify a
teacher or supervisor. If an Account user sees another user is accessing
inappropriate sites or information, he or she should notify a teacher or
supervisor immediately.
B. The School
District and its representatives may implement a mechanism to monitor the use
of all aspects of the use of the Computer Systems and Network, including, for
instance, a user's on-line activities, website browsing, email use, bulletin
board use, network file access, etc.. Such a mechanism may lead to discover a
user has violated or may be violating this Acceptable Use Policy, the
appropriate disciplinary code or the law. The purposes of the monitoring
include 1) protection of minors from the inappropriate or harmful materials; 2)
better enforcement of the AUP; and 3) protection of the Computer Systems and
Network from invasive viruses, worms or other threats to the integrity of the
District's property.
C. The
D. Account users shall not
reveal personal information about themselves or about other persons while on
the Internet. For example, Account users should not reveal their full names,
home addresses, telephone numbers, school addresses, or parents' names on the
Internet.
E. Information concerning
student identities shall not be posted or transmitted unless necessary to
receive information for instructional purposes, or as otherwise permitted in
writing by the student and the student's parent or guardian if the student
under 18.
F. Students under the age of
18 shall not meet in person anyone they have communicated with via the Internet
without parental permission.
G. Account users will abide by
all school district security policies.
To ensure that Account users
remain within the allocated disk space, users with email accounts should check
their email frequently and delete unwanted messages and other files or data
that take up excessive storage space. The
VIII. Penalties for Improper
Use
The use of the Account is a
privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in the restriction or
cancellation of the Account. Inappropriate use may lead to any disciplinary
and/or legal action, including but not limited to suspension or expulsion or
dismissal from employment from the
IX. Disclaimer
A. The School District makes
no guarantees about the quality of the services provided and is not responsible
for any claims, losses, damages, costs, or other obligations arising from the
unauthorized use of the Accounts. The
B. Any statement, accessible
on the computer network or the Internet, is understood to be the author's
individual point of view and not that of the
C. Account users are
responsible for any losses sustained by the
For further information,
please contact the Superintendent's office.
RULES AND PROCEDURES IMPLE
I. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
The
Conduct constituting bullying
or cyber-bullying will not be tolerated, and is prohibited by this policy in
accordance with RSA 193-F. This policy
applies to pupils, school district employees, regular school volunteers,
coaches, and persons who have contact with pupils in connection with school
classes, activities and programs.
Bullying and cyber-bullying outside of school activities or off school
premises is subject to this policy as set forth herein.
It shall be a violation of
this policy to engage in, or cause others to engage in, the bullying or
cyber-bullying of a pupil.
It shall be a violation of
this policy to engage in retaliation or false accusations against a victim,
witness, or anyone else who in good faith provides information about an act of
bullying or cyber-bullying.
There shall be disciplinary
consequences or interventions, or both, for a person who commits an act of
bullying or cyber-bullying, falsely accuses another of the same as a means of
retaliation or reprisal, or otherwise violates this policy.
The Superintendent of Schools
is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented.
II. DEFINITIONS.
A. Bullying: a single significant incident
or pattern of incidents involving a written,
verbal, or electronic communication, or
a physical act or gesture, or any combination
thereof, directed at another pupil
which:
1.
Physically harms a pupil or damages the pupil’s property;
2.
Causes emotional distress to a pupil;
3.
Interferes with a pupil’s educational opportunities;
4.
Creates a hostile educational environment;
5.
Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school.
Bullying
also includes actions motivated by an imbalance of power based on a pupil’s
actual or perceived personal characteristics, behaviors, or beliefs, or
motivated by the pupil’s association with another person and based on the other
person’s characteristics, behaviors, or beliefs.
B. Cyber-bullying: bullying (as defined
above) undertaken through the use of electronic
devices.
C. Electronic devices: include, but are
not limited to, telephones, cellular phones,
computers, pagers, electronic mail,
instant messaging, text messaging, social media
(e.g. Facebook, etc.) and websites.
D. Perpetrator: a pupil who engages in
bullying or cyber-bullying.
E. School property: all real property and
all physical plant and equipment used for
school purposes, including public or
private school buses or vans.
F. Victim: a pupil against whom bullying
or cyber-bullying has been perpetrated.
G. Educational opportunities: the curricular
and extra-curricular programs and activities
offered by the District.
H. Interference with educational opportunities:
a single significant incident or pattern of
incidents involving a written, verbal
or electronic communication, or a physical act or
gesture, or any combination thereof
which impedes a pupil’s ability to participate in,
or access, the educational
opportunities offered by the District.
The determination as
to whether an incident or a pattern of
incidents interferes with a pupil’s educational
opportunities shall be made by the
person investigating the reported incident(s).
I. Hostile educational environment: a
single significant incident or pattern of incidents
that is so severe and pervasive that it
effectively denies a student equal access to the
District’s educational
opportunities. The determination as to
whether an incident or
pattern of incidents has created a hostile
educational environment shall be made by
the person investigating the reported
incident(s).
J. The determination as to whether a single
significant incident or a pattern of incidents
causes a “substantial disruption to the
orderly operation of the school” shall be made
by
the person investigating the reported incident(s), and shall be based on the
totality
of the circumstances, and may include
disruptions to curricular or extra-curricular
programs and activities offered by the
District.
In
accordance with RSA 193-F:4, the District reserves the right to impose
discipline or intervention for bullying and/or cyber-bullying that:
·
Occurs on, or is delivered to, school property or a
school-sponsored activity or event on or off school property; or
·
Occurs off of school property or outside of a
school-sponsored activity or event, if the conduct interferes with a pupil’s
educational opportunities or substantially disrupts the orderly operations of
the school or school-sponsored activity or event.
III. REPORTING PROCEDURE
The
Principal of each school is responsible for receiving oral or written reports
of bullying or cyber-bullying. The
Principal may also designate another school employee to receive oral and
written reports of bullying.
Student or Parent Reports
1. Any student who believes that he or she has
been the victim of bullying or cyber-
bullying, as defined in Section II, above,
should immediately report the alleged
act(s) to the Principal or designee;
however, if the student prefers, he/she may
inform any school employee or volunteer.
2. Students or parents who have witnessed or who
have reliable information that a
pupil has been subjected to bullying or
cyber-bullying shall be available at the
school office. Use of the form is encouraged, but not
required. If the Principal or
his/her designee receives the report
verbally, he/she shall reduce the report
received to writing within forty-eight
hours of receiving the information.
Reports by Staff, Volunteer, or Employees
of a Company under Contract with the
Any
school employee, volunteer, or employee of a company under contract with the
District, who has witnessed or has reliable information that a pupil has been
subjected to bullying, or cyber-bullying as defined in Section II above, shall
report such incident to the Principal or his/her designee as soon as reasonably
possible.
IV. NOTICE TO PA
Within 48 hours of receiving a report of alleged bullying or
cyber-bullying, the Principal, or his/her designee, shall give notice of the
report of the alleged incident to the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the victim
and the perpetrator. The report shall be
made by telephone or in writing; if made by telephone, a record of the report
shall be made. The record should
include, at a minimum, the date and time of the call. Any such notification under this policy must
comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), 20 U.S.C.
1232g. At a minimum, the notice shall
advise the individuals involved of the nature of the incident, the date and
time the report was received, and the procedures described in this policy. In accord with FERPA, the notice shall not
contain any personally identifiable information obtained from student education
records.
V. WAIVER OF NOTIVICATION REQUIREMENT
The
Superintendent may, within the 48 hour time period referenced in Section IV of
this policy, grant the Principal or his/her designee a written waiver from the
notification requirement in Section IV of this policy, if the Superintendent or
his/her designee deems such waiver to be in the best interest of either the
victim or the perpetrator. The granting
of a waiver does not negate the responsibility to follow the other procedures
set forth in this policy.
VI. INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES
1. The Principal or his/her designee is
responsible for investigating reports of
bullying or cyber-bullying. The Superintendent reserves the right to
appoint
another individual to conduct the investigation.
2. Investigations shall be initiated within five
(5) school days of the date that the
incident is reported to the Principal or
his/her designee, and shall be completed
within ten (10) school days.
3. If the Principal or his/her designee requires
additional time to complete the
investigation, the Superintendent or
his/her designee may extend the time period
for the investigation by up to seven (7)
school days. Any such extension shall be
in
writing, and the Superintendent or his/her
designee shall provide all parties
involved with written notice of the
granting of the extension.
4. Upon completion of the investigation, the
Principal or his/her designee shall draft
a written investigation report. The report must include, at a minimum, a
description of the scope of the
investigation, the findings, and the actions taken
(i.e., the response to remediate,
discipline, non-disciplinary interventions, etc).
5. Upon completion of the investigation, the
Principal or his/her designee shall
report all substantiated incidents of
bullying or cyber-bullying to the
Superintendent or his/her designee.
6. Within ten (10) school days of the completion
of the investigation, the Principal
or his/her designee shall provide the
parents of the alleged victim and the alleged
perpetrator with written notice of the
results of the investigation (i.e., substantiated
or unsubstantiated) and the available
remedies and assistance. The notice
shall
comply with FERPA, and other State and Federal laws concerning student privacy.
BULLYING OF CYBER-BULLYING
The Principal
or his/her designee shall develop a response to remediate any substantiated
incident of bullying or cyber-bullying.
The response should be designed to reduce the risk of future incidents,
and where appropriate, to offer assistance to the victim or perpetrator. In those cases where a perpetrator or victim
is identified as a student with an educational disability, the Principal’s
response to remediate any substantiated incident of bullying or cyber-bullying
shall be presented to the IEP Team. The
IEP Team is permitted to amend or augment the response in a manner necessary to
ensure that the perpetrator and/or victim receives a free, appropriate public
education, while still taking appropriate measures to remediate bullying.
VIII. DISCIPLINE AND/OR INTERVENTIONS FOR
VIOLATIONS OF
THIS POLICY
If, after
investigating pursuant to Section VI of this policy, the Principal or his/her
designee concludes that a pupil engaged in bullying or cyber-bullying, that
student may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include
alternative disciplinary measures, positive behavioral intervention, loss of
privileges (e.g. recess,etc.), loss of buss riding privileges, suspension and
expulsion. Any such disciplinary action
shall be taken in accordance to applicable board policy and legal requirements.
In addition
to imposing discipline under such circumstances, the Board encourages the
administration and school district staff to seek alternatives to traditional
discipline, including but not limited to early intervention measures,
alternative dispute resolution, conflict resolution and other similar measures.
IX. PROHIBITION AGAINST RETALIATION AND FALSE
ACCUSATIONS
1. Reprisal or Retaliation: The District
will discipline and take appropriate action
against any pupil, teacher, school
administrator, school volunteer, or other school
employee who retaliates against any person
who makes a good faith report of
alleged bullying or against any person who
testifies, assists, or participates in a
proceeding or hearing related to such
bullying.
The
consequences and appropriate remedial action for a pupil, teacher, school
administrator, school volunteer, or other school employee who engages in
reprisal or retaliation shall be determined by the Principal or designee after
consideration of nature, severity, and circumstances of the act, in accordance
with the law and Board policies.
2. False Reporting: A student found to have wrongfully and
intentionally accused
another of bullying or cyber-bullying may
face discipline or other consequences,
ranging from positive behavioral
interventions up to and including suspension and
expulsion.
Any such disciplinary action shall be taken in accordance to applicable
board policy and legal requirements. At the discretion of the Principal or his/her
designee, students who commit an act of
bullying or cyber-bullying or falsely
accuse another of the same as a means of
retaliation or reprisal may, either in
addition to discipline or in lieu of
discipline, receive a non-disciplinary
interventions. Interventions are not considered disciplinary
in nature.
3. Process to Protect Pupils From
Retaliation: If the alleged victim or any witness
expresses to the Principal or other staff
members that he/she believes he/she may
be retaliated against, the Principal or
designee shall develop a process or plan to
protect that student from possible
retaliation.
Each process
or plan may be developed on a case-by-case basis. Suggestions include, but are not limited to,
stern warning to alleged perpetrators, temporary loss of privileges, or other
means necessary to protect against possible retaliation.
Nothing in
this policy shall supersede the disciplinary procedures of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, including
the protections offered through the manifestation determination process.
X. TRAINING
The
Superintendent shall ensure that the school employees, regular volunteers, and
employees of a company under contract with the District, and/or any of the
schools within the District, who have significant contact with pupils annually
receive training on this policy for the purpose of preventing, identifying,
responding to, and reporting the incidents of bullying or cyber-bullying.
The
XI. NOTICE
OF POLICY
The
Superintendent or his/her designee shall provide written notice annually of
this policy to students, parents, legal guardians, school employees, school
volunteers, and employees of companies under contract with the District, or any
school within the District, through appropriate references in the student and
employee handbooks, by publishing a copy of this policy on the District/SAU
website, by providing companies under contract with the District, with a copy of
the policy, by providing training on the policy in accord with RSA 193-F, or
through other reasonable means.
XII. REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The Principal
or his/her designee is responsible for reporting substantiated incidents of
bullying to the Superintendent or his/her designee.
The
Superintendent or his/her designee shall, on an annual basis, or as requested,
report substantiated incidents of bullying or cyber-bullying to the School
Board and/or Department of Education.
The reports shall not contain any personally identifiable information
pertaining to any pupil.
XIII. LEGAL REFERENCES WITHIN THIS POLICY
·
RSA 193-F
· RSA 57-8XUAL HARASSMENT and SEXUAL VIOLENCE
I. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which
violates Section 703 of Title
It is the policy of the
It shall be a violation of this policy for any student or
employee to harass a student or an employee through conduct or communication of
a sexual nature as defined by this policy.
It shall be a violation of this policy for any student or
employee to be sexually violent to a student or employee.
The
I. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which
violates Section 703 of Title
It is the policy of the
It shall be a violation of this policy for any student or
employee to harass a student or an employee through conduct or communication of
a sexual nature as defined by this policy.
It shall be a violation of this policy for any student or
employee to be sexually violent to a student or employee.
The
Abstract of the reporting law
– 169-C : Child Protection Act
REPORTING IS MANDATORY
New Hampshire Law (RSA-169-C:29)
requires that any person who has reason to suspect that a child under the age
of 18 has been abused or neglected must report the case to the local district
office of New Hampshire Division of Welfare.
AN ABUSED CHILD IS ONE WHO HAS
BEEN
Sexually abused; or
Intentionally physically
injured; or
Psychologically injured so
that said child exhibits symptoms of emotional problems generally recognized to
result from consistent mistreatment or neglect; or
Physically injured by other
than accidental means
A NEGLECTED CHILD MEANS A
CHILD
Who has been abandoned by his
parents, guardian, or custodian; or
Who is without proper parental
care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or
control necessary for his physical, mental, or emotional health, when it is
established that his health has suffered or is very likely to suffer serious
impairment; and the deprivation is not due primarily to the lack of financial
means of the parents, guardian or custodian; or
Whose parents, guardian or
custodian are unable to discharge their responsibilities to and for the child
because of incarceration, hospitalization or other physical or mental
incapacity; Provided, that no child who is, in good faith, under treatment
solely by spiritual means through prayer in accordance with the tenets and
practices of a recognized church or religious denomination by a duly accredited
practitioner thereof shall, for that reason alone, be considered to be a
neglected child.
NATURE AND CONTENT OF REPORT
Oral - Immediately by
telephone or otherwise,
Written - within 48 hours if
requested.
Content - if known
Name and address of the child
suspected of being neglected or abused.
Name of parents or persons
caring for child.
Specific information
indicating neglect or the nature or the abuse (including any evidence or
previous injuries).
Identity of parent or persons
suspected of being responsible for such neglect or abuse.
Any other information which
might be helpful or is required by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Such files will be destroyed
after seven (7) years unless otherwise directed by the Department of Health and
Human Services.
IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY (Ref
169-C:31)
Anyone participating in good
faith in the making of a report is immune from any liability, civil or
criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed. Any such participant has
the same immunity with respect to participation in any investigation by the
department or judicial proceeding resulting from such report.
PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION (Ref
169-C:32)
“The privileged quality of
communication between a professional person and his patient, or client, except
that between attorney and client, shall not apply to proceedings instituted
pursuant to this chapter and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report
as required by this chapter.”
PENALTY (ref 169-C:39)
Violation of any part of the
New Hampshire Child Protection Act, including failure to report, is punishable
by law. (RSA 169-C39), “Anyone who
knowingly violates any provision of this subdivision shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor.
The following is a description
of the rights granted by federal law to students with disabilities. The intent of the law is to keep you fully
informed concerning decisions about your child and to inform you of your rights
if you disagree with any of these decisions.
You have the right to:
1.
Have your child take part in, and receive benefits from public education
program
without discrimination because of his/her disabling conditions.
2.
Have the
3.
Receive notice with respect to identification, evaluation, or placement
of your
child.
4.
Parent consent must be obtained before conducting an initial evaluation
and
placement.
5.
Have your child receive a free appropriate education. This includes the right to
be educated with non-disabled students to the maximum extent
appropriate. It
also includes the right to have the
accommodations to allow your child an equal opportunity to participate
in
school and school-related activities.
6. Have your child educated in facilities and
receive services comparable to those
provided non-disabled students.
7.
Have your child receive special education and related services if she/he
is found
to be eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Act or Section
504 of the
Rehabilitation Act.
8.
Have evaluation, educational, and placement decisions based upon a
variety of
information sources, and by persons who know the students, the
evaluation data,
and placement options.
9.
Have transportation provided to and from an alternative placement
setting at no
greater cost to you than would be incurred if the student were placed in
a
program operated by the
district.
10. Have your child be given an equal opportunity to participate in
nonacademic and
extracurricular activities offered by the district.
11. Examine all relevant records related to decisions regarding your
child’s
identification, evaluation, educational program, and placement.
12. Obtain copies of educational records at a reasonable cost unless the
fee would
effectively deny you access to the records.
13. A response from the
interpretations of your child’s records.
14. Request amendment of your child’s educational records if there is
reasonable
cause to believe that they are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in
violation
of the privacy rights of your child.
If the
for amendment, it shall notify you within a reasonable time and advise
you of
the right to a hearing.
15. Request mediation or an impartial due process hearing related to
decisions or
actions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, educational
program or
placement. You and the student
may take part in the hearing and have an
attorney represent you.
16. Ask for payment of reasonable attorney fees if you are successful on
your claim.
17 .File a local grievance.
Reference: Section 504/Subpart D of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
SAU
#89 has prepared and shall use the following form of notice (the “Notice”)
“It is the policy of SAU #89 not to
discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, sex, or disability, in
its educational programs, activities
or employment policies as required by Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, Provision of Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, the Age
Discrimination Act of 1967, Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972,
The Education of all Handicapped Children Act
of 1975, the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act of 1990, and the
Americans with Disabilities Act of
1991.”
Inquiries regarding Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
Any person
having inquiries concerning Title IX or the Education Amendments of 1972 and 34
C.F.R. Part 106 may contact the Title IX Coordinator, Department of Education,
It is the policy of the
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Front Cover
~ ‘Mason Mustangs’
Designed & Drawn by Kimberly A. Vocell
