DISTRICT POLICIES

DISTRICT POLICIES

VOLUNTEERS - IJOC

The District recognizes the valuable contribution made to the total school program through the volunteer assistance of parents and other citizens. In working with volunteers, a District staff shall clearly explain the volunteer's responsibility.

The Superintendent is responsible for developing and implementing procedures for the utilization of volunteers. The selection of volunteers will be consistent with those policies and procedures under the direction of the Superintendent or his/her designee.

The voluntary help of citizens should be requested by staff through administrative channels to assist in conducting selected activities and/or to serve as resource persons. Staff members shall receive training in assignment of duties and supervision and evaluation of volunteers.

Designated Volunteers

At the beginning of each school year, building principals will identity a pool of people who will routinely volunteer as their designated volunteers.

Designated volunteers will be required to undergo a background investigation and a criminal records check. The District will reimburse the designated volunteer for the cost of the background check. “Designated volunteer” means any volunteer who:

1. Comes in direct contact with pupils on a daily basis;

2. Meets regularly with students;

3. Meets with students on a one-on-one basis;

4. Any other volunteer so designated by the School Board or Superintendent.

5. Attends and chaperones field trips.

Designated volunteers are subject to the provisions of Policy GBCD – Background Investigation and Criminal Records Check.

Volunteer Duties

A. Complete an application form describing their skills, interests and availability.

B. Serve in the capacity of assistants and not be assigned to roles which require specific professional training. Instructional services shall be rendered under the supervision of certified staff.

C. Sign a confidentiality agreement, and refrain from discussing the performance or actions of a student except with the student's teacher, counselor or Principal.

D. Refer any student problem that arises, whether of an instructional, medical or operational nature, to a regular staff member.

E. Receive orientation, including (1) general job responsibilities; (2) information about school facilities, routines, and procedures, including safety and evaluation; (3) work schedule and place of work; and (4) expected relationship to regular staff.

F. Receive appropriate training at the building level, consistent with their tasks and existing District standards. This training shall be developed under the leadership of the Principal in consultation with the volunteer coordinator.

G. The school district employee with whom the volunteer is working is should have assignments and activities clearly defined and in writing.

H. Receive evaluation and acknowledgment for their services.

I. Volunteers may be terminated when:

1. Program and/or duties are no longer needed;

2. They are replaced by paid staff; or

3. In the sole judgment of the administration, their conduct does not meet the standards of the District.

Coaches

Volunteer coaches of individual sports must be certified in that sport and be in compliance with the standards set by NHIAA.

Volunteers should only function under direct supervision of a school employee.

ADMINISTERING MEDICATION TO STUDENTS- (WRSD Policy JLCD)

General Guidelines – Whenever a student has health needs which require taking medication during the school day, it will be considered as a program adjustment. Prescribed medication should not be taken during school hours if it is possible to achieve the medical regimen at home during other than school hours. Non-prescribed medication will not be encouraged for use by students.

Specific Guidelines - Policies and regulations in the matter of medication in schools:

For the purpose of clarification, the school nurse may administer medical prescriptions. In the absence of the school nurse, a designee of the building principal may assist* the student in taking medication.
Physician’s orders for medicinal preparation for use by the student shall specify in writing the duration of the order, name of the drug and the dosage. Physician’s orders shall be renewed each school year if long term (or more often if a change in medication) dosage or time schedule is indicated.
Upon receiving requests from the parent or physician relative to a particular student’s need for medication during schools hours, the school nurse may contact the parent and family physician and give due consideration to whether the student should remain at home, or whether the medication can be taken at home before and after school is in session.
In those instances when medication must be taken during the school day, arrangements will be developed to accomplish this.
The prescribing physician will be responsible for the medical care of the student, but assistance in his assessment of the student’s health/condition/program will be given upon request by the physician from the classroom teacher and/or school nurse on the appearance, behavior and classroom achievement of the student.
The school nurse may obtain additional information regarding medication, such as side-effects of the drug, results of possible refusal by the child to take medication, etc.
The medication should be delivered directly to the school nurse, principal or assistant principal by the parent or guardian.
The medication should be delivered in a container properly labeled with the student’s name, the physician’s name, the date of original prescription, name and strength of medication and directions for taking by the student.
All prescribed medication shall be stored in a designated and secure place. The principal or his/her designated representative shall be responsible for the key or combination of a locked cabinet.
Unused medication shall be picked up by a parent or guardian within ten days, or disposal by the school nurse will be carried out and such recorded.
Clarification – having the required medication available to the student as needed, and observing the student as he takes, or does not take his own medication. The nurse and school personnel give only emergency first aid. Serious injuries such as fractures and cuts requiring sutures are not treated except for emergency measures until parents can be notified. When it is not possible to locate the parent, the child will be referred to his family doctor. If there is no family doctor, the child will be referred to a doctor on call at the hospital. Students who are ill may be dismissed from school, and it shall be the responsibility of the parent to come and pick them up. Should it be necessary for an ill child to go home, he/she may not go home alone, but only in the company of a parent or an adult designated by the parent. Children who are in school are expected to attend physical education classes unless for medical reasons, not covered above, a doctor indicates that the child should refrain from such activity. In such cases, al alternate activity may be provided.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, DRUGS AND NARCOTICS

A student, during school hours, on school property, or in the approximate vicinity, shall not buy, sell, possess on his/her person or in his/her desk, locker, or any other place, use, transmit, give or be under the influence or knowingly in the presence of, any narcotic drug, controlled drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, counterfeit drug purported to be controlled, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind.

“No person shall drink or have in his possession, any intoxicating beverage while in attendance as a spectator or otherwise, at any place where a school interscholastic contest is being conducted. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days or both” RSA 570:24

A student shall not possess on his/her person or in his/her desk or locker or any other place, any drug or any kind of drug paraphernalia (including, but not limited to roach clips, pipes, rolling papers, bong). Use of drugs authorized by a medical prescription from a registered physician must be registered with the school nurse and would not be considered in violation of this rule.

All factual information pertaining to any alleged offense will be presented to the student’s parents and the local police authorities. The student will be suspended from school for up to 10 days. Serious cases will be referred to the Superintendent for further action.

TOBACCO

Under New Hampshire state law, no person shall use any tobacco product in or on the grounds of any public educational facility. Any person caught smoking in or on the grounds of any public educational facility shall be fined a maximum of $100 for each offense. No person under 18 years of age shall purchase, use, or possess tobacco products. The use or possession of tobacco or tobacco products by students in any form is prohibited on the school grounds RSA 78:12-b. Possession of lighters or other incendiaries devices are prohibited on school grounds.

The school administration shall consider the use of tobacco to be:

Holding a lighted cigarette
Disposing of a lighted cigarette
Inhaling or exhaling smoke
Holding a cigarette in the process of being lit
Chewing tobacco
Other judgment situations considered to be smoking, i.e. one or more people in a bathroom stall with smoke rising above

WEAPONS (WRSD Policy JICI)

Weapons are not permitted on school property, in school vehicles or at school-sponsored activities. This policy applies to students and members of the public alike. Student violations of this policy will result in both school disciplinary action and notification of local law enforcement authorities. Members of the public who violate this policy will be reported to local law enforcement authorities.

The term “weapons” includes, but is not limited to, firearms (rifles, pistols, revolvers, pellet guns, BB guns, etc.) knives, slingshots, metallic knuckles, firecrackers, billy-clubs, stilettos, switchblade knives, swords, canes, pistol canes, black jacks, daggers, dirk knives, explosives, incendiaries, martial arts weapons or self-defense weapons (as defined by RSA 159:24 and RSA 159:20 respectively), or any other object or substance which, in the manner it is used or threatened to be used, is known to be capable of producing death or bodily injury.

In addition, any student who is determined to have brought a firearm (as defined by 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.

Weapons under control of law enforcement personnel are permitted.

All students will receive written notice of this policy at least once each year.

CHILD FIND

As mandated by Public Law 94-142, Education for All Children Act, and the NH Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities, public school must provide special education for all children determined to be educationally handicapped. The law also requires a school district to identify such children from birth through 21 years of age. This law applies to all children including those in non-public schools, pre-schools and hospital settings. Parents or service providers who suspect a child might have an educationally handicapping condition are encouraged to contact that child’s school. The principal will provide information on the procedures for determining if a child is educationally handicapped and in need of special education services. For more detailed information about policies, procedures, services, and building contact persons established in SAU #59 for special education, you may also contact the Director of Pupil Personnel Services at (603) 286-4116.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR STANDARDS

Good behavior and classroom discipline are mandatory if learning is to take place. The purpose of the Winnisquam Regional School District’s Student Behavior Standards is to ensure that a safe and orderly environment is maintained for everyone. These rules are in effect for all Winnisquam Regional School District students at any school function, school sponsored event, or bus ride.

As students grow and mature, they are expected to accept greater behavioral responsibilities. These standards are designed to guide students through the process of learning good discipline and to outline the consequences of disruptive behavior. There are situations that will warrant minor disciplinary responses at the elementary level (grades K-5), while the same situation will result in a more severe response at the middle (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) levels. Although the responses may differ, the Student Behavior Standards remain constant. Students should be aware that, in addition to the violations listed, other infractions may be included as part of the individual school rules and regulations. These rules and regulations will be communicated to parents and students in writing annually.

HAZING (WRSD Policy JICFA)

It is the policy of the District that no student or employee of the District shall participate in or be members of any secret fraternity or secret organization that is in any degree related to the school or to a school activity. No student organization or any person associated with any organization sanctioned by the Board of Education shall engage or participate in hazing.

For the purposes of this policy, hazing is defined as an activity which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation which any organization sanctioned or authorized by the Board of Education.

“Endanger the physical health” shall include, but is not limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping; beating; branding; forced calisthenics; exposure to the elements; forced consumption of any food, alcoholic beverage, drug or controlled dangerous substance; or any forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual.

“Endanger the mental health” shall include any activity, except those activities authorized by law, which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as prolonged sleep deprivation, forced prolonged exclusion from social contact which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.

Any hazing activity upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with an organization sanctioned or authorized by the Board of Education is conditioned, directly or indirectly, shall be presumed to be a forced activity, even if the student willingly participates in such activity.

This policy is not intended to deprive School District authorities from taking necessary and appropriate disciplinary action toward any student or employee. Students or employees who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action which may include expulsion for students and employment termination for employees.

BEHAVIOR CHART: The behavior chart (Click here) (See Page 30) outlines student violations and the proper response to those violations. The chart is made up of four (4) major columns. The first major column is the student violation. The second, third, and fourth major columns are the responses for those violations by grade level: Elementary, Middle School, and High School. At times the response will be the same for more than one grade level and more than one violation; in this case the grade level column may appear as one. In other cases the response will refer you to a higher offense class such as Class II or Class I, at which time you need to refer to the appropriate chart. When more than one response is available, the school administrator will use the most appropriate choice according the severity of the offense(s) and all other factors involved in the incident.

Class III offenses

Class III Offenses usually occur in the classroom or other setting under the teacher's supervision. Occasionally, the teacher will have to call on other people for assistance, the responses at this level usually do not require the intervention of a building administrator.

Procedural responses to class III offenses

A. Discuss the matter with the student, and inform the student that the continued misbehavior will result in the loss of certain privileges.

B. The teacher may then proceed as appropriate, with any of the following corrective actions:

Isolate the student within the classroom when practical. Contact parent/guardian by telephone/note
Have the student present when calling a parent/guardian at home/work to explain the misbehavior.
Have student write a letter to parent/guardian explaining his/her misbehavior: require parent guardian to sign the letter
Develop a student behavior contract. Assign an after-school detention
Withhold privileges (no student may be denied the right to eat lunch or snack). Initiate a pre-arranged alternative classroom setting
Consult with principal, guidance counselor, case managers, or other appropriate staff concerning future strategies
Any other acceptable action as adopted by the school staff

C. If the student does not respond to the above attempts, the student shall be removed from the classroom for at least the remainder of the class period and/or up to the remainder of the school day, and the parent/guardian will be notified.

D. When a student is sent to the office, a discipline referral form will be submitted by the teacher as soon as practical. The office will maintain these forms as part of the student's disciplinary files. When necessary teachers will be responsible for providing summary information of corrective actions attempted prior to referring the student to the office.

E. Repeated Class III Offenses as reviewed by appropriate staff may be treated as Class II Offenses. F. A singularly severe incident may be treated as a Class II Offense by the principal.

Class II offenses (Intermediary)

By their nature, these acts are considered as significant violations of the student behavior standards. Class II Offenses require that a building administrator be involved in the disciplinary action.

Procedural responses to class II offenses

A. Immediate removal of the student for the rest of the class period or for the school day if the student's presence is detrimental to the classroom or poses any danger to others.

B. The school administrator shall make every reasonable effort contact the parent as soon as possible. A conference shall be scheduled as needed.

C. According to the severity of the offense(s):

Middle and High Schools: The administrator will use one or more of the following corrective actions:

Notices, and/or detention(s) will be assigned

Friday Evening Detention(s) will be assigned
Parent notification will take place (mail, email or phone). Parent conferences will be held
Suspensions of 1-10 days will be assigned

D. Depending on the severity and the nature of the offense, law enforcement officials may be contacted and the student may be subject to prosecution.

E. Restitution for damages to school or private property may be required.

*Singular severe incidents and/or repeated Class II Offenses may be treated at Class I Offenses.

Class I Offenses

In accordance with RSA 192-D:2, the Safe School Zone Act, violence, weapons, and crime will not be tolerated on Winnisquam Regional School District property or at any Winnisquam Regional School District sponsored event. These acts are the most severe violations of the behavior code. Offenses at this level usually go beyond the school discipline system almost always draw upon law enforcement authorities. Most students involved in Class I Offenses will be removed from school immediately.

Procedural responses to class I offenses

The administrator will contact the parents and the police department. In addition, some of the following are possible additional consequences:

Up to a Ten (10) day out-of-school suspension from the Principal or Assistant Principal. Alternative program offered (i.e. Youth Assistance Program)
Additional out-of-school suspension from the Superintendent, and a possible recommendation for an extended suspension by the School Board

Expulsion from school by the Board of Education. When applicable, restitution for damages

If a student is recommended for an extended suspension or expulsion, then a building team shall meet to determine if there is an educational disability of a regular student undiagnosed or to determine whether the event causing disciplinary action was a manifestation of a special education student's educational handicap.

DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, BULLYING (WRSD Policies: JICK, JICD, JBAA, AC)

It is the position of the Winnisquam Regional School Board to maintain a school district in which students, staff, and faculty are free to exist in an environment void of discrimination and harassment, i.e. sexual, racial, religious, and/or personal. Offensive, intimidation and hostile behaviors, conscious or otherwise, will not be tolerated. All issues involving harassment should be reported to administration. Complaints will be handled in the following manner:

Informal – seek help from the building principal, and, if it is possible for the student to do so, the following informal process should be followed:

-Tell the harasser the behavior is unwanted

-Keep a journal

-Seek assistance through a third party (supervisor, principal, assistant principal, guidance counselor, teacher, nurse, etc.)

Formal – file a complaint with the Title IX Coordinator (Larry Prince, HR, located in SAU Office). The complaint shall state a specified alleged situation. It should also state forth the names, dates and other related facts, which provide a sound basis for the complete understanding of the situation.

Bullying is conduct which subjects a person to intentional and repeated negative actions, insults, taunts, or challenges, whether verbal, nonverbal, or physical in nature which are likely to intimidate or provoke a violent or disorderly response from the student being treated in this manner. Any incident must be reported to the principal or assistant principal.

DRUG FREE SCHOOL ZONE

It is the policy of the Winnisquam Regional School District it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell, prescribe, administer, dispense, or possess with the intent to sell, dispense or distribute any controlled drug or an identical item, within a drug-free school zone at any time during the school year.

HANDICAP LEGISLATION -Public Law 94-142

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (public law 94-142) guarantees all children the right to an education. Its primary goal is to give every child the learning opportunities he/she needs to become as self-sufficient and productive as possible. This law goes further than any other legislation in our history in effecting the lives of handicapped children. Its aim is “to assure that all handicapped children have available to them a free and appropriate education which emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs.” A parent or guardian who has a handicapped child or who feels that their child is handicapped can become informed about the rights and responsibilities concerning the education of his or her child by contacting the school principal, resource room teachers, or the Superintendent.

INFORMATION NETWORK ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

The intent of this document is to serve as a statement on the proper and acceptable use of computer technology and the WRSD Information Network (WRSD IN) for all users in the school district.

Definition: The definition of "Information Network" is any configuration of hardware and software that connects users. The network includes all of the computer hardware, operating system software, application software, stored text and data files. This includes the Internet, electronic mail, Web pages, local databases, externally accessed databases, CD-ROM, recorded magnetic or optical media, clip art, digital images, digitized information, communications technologies, and new technologies as they become available. Stand-alone workstations are also governed by this acceptable use procedure.

Educational Purpose: The purpose of the WRSD IN is educational. Users are responsible for ensuring that their activities adhere to generally accepted educational standards. Within reason, freedom of speech and access to information will be honored. We believe the benefits to students from access to the Internet, in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, exceed the disadvantages.

It is the purpose of the WRSD IN to enhance established school curriculum. While there will be some need to instruct learners in the skills needed to make use of the network, its purpose will be to serve as a resource for improving, extending, and enriching teaching and learning in the Winnisquam Regional School District.

Internet: One component of the Information Network is a connection to the Internet. The Internet is a vast, global information network, linking computers at universities, high schools, science labs and other sites. Through the Internet one can communicate with people all over the world and obtain files and programs of educational value. The WRSD does not provide or typically allow Email accounts for students. For educational purpose an exception may be made with an instructor’s request, full monitoring and responsibility. Students should not access any other Email accounts through the use of the WRSD IN. Chat rooms, gaming sites and personal blogs/journal sites are not allowed. Educational classroom related blogs/journal sites may be allowed with instructors request, full monitoring and responsibility.

Due to the Internet’s limitless access to computer systems located all over the world, the potential for abuse exists. Users and parents/guardians of users who are minors must understand that neither the WRSD nor any district staff member controls the vast content of the information available on these other systems. Families should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet might contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people. The Winnisquam Regional School District does not condone the use of such materials.

While our intent is to make Internet access available to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to or accidentally access other material. For this purpose, and in compliance with the CHILDREN’S INTERNET PROTECTION ACT, Pub. L. 106-554, we do maintain current filtering and logging technology that can and does reduce this occurrence. The filtering system is updated continually to block sites that are harmful or inappropriate for students. As with any filtering system websites emerge constantly that may not be immediately identified by the software. If a student comes across a site that is suspicious they should immediately report it to a teacher or supervisor. Students who attempt to circumvent the filter will be disciplined under the terms of this policy. Log files are maintained and monitored for a two (2) week period after which time they are purged from the system and no longer available.

Responsibilities: All users shall assume full liability – legal, financial or otherwise – for their actions when using the WRSD IN. Users are expected to report policy violations that they observe to the appropriate authority, teacher/supervisor or administrator.

Behaviors that can result in disciplinary action or limitation of access include, but are not limited to:

involvement in any activity prohibited by law
using profanity, vulgarity, obscenity or other language which tends to be offensive to or degrade others
using the network for financial and/or personal gain or for political lobbying except as expressly allowed during a school activity
intentional use of invasive software such as "viruses", "worms", and/or other detrimental activities such as hacking, “spamming” or attempts to override the systems in any manner.
attempts to log-on to the network as the system administrator or user other than oneself
viewing, storing or transferring obscene, sexually explicit or pornographic materials
"chain" type letters, hate mail, anonymous messages, threatening messages, harassment, racial, sexist, or discriminatory remarks or other antisocial behaviors
sharing passwords or using someone else’s password
transferring, utilizing or storing material in violation of copyright laws or license agreements
intentionally infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others in computer programs or electronic information including plagiarism and/or unauthorized use or reproduction
trespassing in another’s folder, work or files
using or attempting to use any of the systems when privileges have been revoked

Responsible use of the network requires that users NOT:

interfere with the normal and proper operation of the network, computers, printers or the Internet
change computer settings, displays, or any other configurations without appropriate authority
download files or programs without express permission from an instructor or supervisor
load unauthorized programs or files onto the computers (e.g. games, video clips, wav files, unlicensed software, etc.)
adversely affect the ability of others to use equipment or services
conduct themselves in ways that are harmful or deliberately offensive to others
use the network for illegal purpose
change computer files that do not belong to the user
store / download or transfer unnecessarily large files
create, transfer or otherwise use any text, image, movie, or sound recording that contains pornography, profanity, obscenity, or language that offends or tends to degrade others

The WRSD reserves the right to include additional activities that can result in disciplinary actions or limit access privileges.

All users of the network will be held fully responsible for the use of their account to transfer or store materials. Any inappropriate activities carried out will be considered to be the actions of the account holder. Therefore, passwords must not be shared or transferred.

Students are not to reveal their name, personal home address, home phone number, or other personal information about themselves or any other individual on the Internet. Students must notify a parent/guardian and the system administrator or teacher immediately if anyone is trying to contact them for illicit or suspicious activities.

Copyrighted and other proprietary materials: All users shall respect copyright and ownership rights of any materials accessed through the WRSD IN. Users may not duplicate copyrighted software, including school owned software, without permission from the copyright holder, whether for personal use or the use of others. Duplicating copyrighted materials or the use of such materials are offenses subject to criminal prosecution.

Disciplinary actions: The use of WRSD IN is a privilege and not a right. Inappropriate use will result in disciplinary actions. These actions will be determined by factors such as the actual incident of inappropriate use, the particular user (grade level/staff position). Violation of this Acceptable Use Policy may result in one or more of the following disciplinary actions:

Students:

Suspension / revocation or limitation of access privileges
Removal from a class activity
Removal from a course
Student detention, suspension or expulsion
Financial retribution for damages
Referral to the appropriate legal authorities for possible criminal prosecution.

Staff:

· Incident(s) referred to appropriate district administrator(s) for further action, which may lead up to and include dismissal.

· Referral to the appropriate legal authorities for possible criminal prosecution.

Privacy: The WRSD IN is maintained and managed by the system administrator in such a way as to insure its availability and reliability in performing its educational mission. Users have no reasonable expectation of privacy concerning any materials transferred over or stored within the network. These total materials remain the property of the WRSD. The WRSD will cooperate fully with legal services that may require this information.

Liability: The responsibility of the user is to familiarize himself/herself with, understand and abide by the rules of the Acceptable Use Policy and make appropriate use of the available resources. The school district shall not be liable for any direct or indirect, incidental, or consequential damages (including lost data or information) sustained or incurred in connection with the use, operation, or inability to use District networks and resources.

Internet Access and Parent/Guardian permission: This policy is in place to insure an understanding of the correct use of technology in the school district by all users and to assure its respected and educational purpose. It is standard that the WRSD allows all students full privilege of the WRSD IN including access to the Internet unless he/she is under a previous restriction or limitation. However, parents/guardians have the right to prohibit their student’s access to the Internet. If you want your student’s Internet access denied, you must appropriately indicate so and return a signed form.

References and acknowledgments: This Acceptable Use document is a product of the WRSD, edited policies from the Bow School District, NH “Acceptable Use Policy” and the New Hampshire School Board Association.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT of 2001 (NCLB) Parents right to know (section 1111 (h)(6)(A-c)

The Winnisquam Regional School District is a recipient of Title I funds. As such, the district hereby notifies parents that they may request, and that the schools will provide the parents on request (and in a timely manner) information regarding the professional qualifications of the student’s classroom teachers. These include at minimum the following: whether the teacher has met State qualifications for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction; whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other professional status that the state has waived; the degree major of the teacher an any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher and the field of discipline of the certification or degree; and whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and if so their qualifications. The school must also provide parents with the following information: information on the level of achievement the child has made on all state assessments; and timely notice if a child has been assigned or taught for 4 or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified.

NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY UNDER TITLE VI AND TITLE IX

It is the policy of SAU #59 – WRSD not to discriminate in their educational programs, activities or employment practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, language, sex, age or handicap. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination.

Inquiries may be directed to:

Title IX Coordinator

433 West Main St.

Tilton, NH 03276 Tel: 603-286-4116

or to:

U.S. Commissioner of Education

330 C Street

Washington, DC 0200

Grievance procedures are available which provide for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging violations of Title VI and Title IX. These may be obtained at the Office of the Superintendent of Schools 433 West Main St., Tilton, NH 03276

NOTIFICATION OF DISCLOSURE DIRECTORY INFORMATION

Parents, or students 18 years of age or older, have the right to inspect the student’s school records. Otherwise, information found in the school record is regarded as confidential except for the student’s name, address, telephone number, date of birth, school attendance, degrees and awards, major field of study and participation in sports and activities. This information will be released by the schools unless you, parent or student (18+) refuse such release. This must be done in writing to the Superintendent of Schools, WRSD, 433 West main St., Tilton, NH 03276. Policy JRA

504 SERVICES

It is the policy of the Winnisquam Regional School District, SAU #59, that no otherwise qualified person shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of, any program or activity sponsored by this district. The intent of the Winnisquam Regional School District is to meet the obligations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. As used in this policy and any implementing regulations, “handicapped persons” means a person who has, or had, or is regarded or was regarded, as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of person’s major life activities. This term may include students identified as disabled and students found to be eligible for services under IDEA as educationally disabled.

Notice of the District’s policy on non-discrimination shall be stated in the local School Board policy manual, posted throughout the district, and published in any district statement regarding the availability of education services. The educational program of the District shall be equally accessible to all students at each grade level. Barrier-free access to school facilities shall be provided to the extent that no handicapped person is denied the opportunity to participate in a District program available to non-handicapped persons. Information as to the existence and location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable by handicapped persons is available through the district 504 Coordinator and building principals.

A free and appropriate public education shall be provided for each child determined to be in need of services. Such services or programs shall be provided in the least restrictive environment in barrier-free facilities comparable to those provided to non-handicapped students. No otherwise qualified student with handicaps will be denied participation in co-curricular, intramural, or interscholastic activities or any of the services offered regularly to student sin this District.

The Director of Pupil Personnel Services is designated as the Section 504 Coordinator. A complaint regarding violation of the law and this policy shall be subject to the District’s adopted grievance procedure, which provides for prompt and equitable resolution of disputes.

Eligibility for services will be established by the provision of appropriate documentation by the concerned party, identification through the special education process, child find activities, or other reasonable alternatives. Once eligibility is established, the building principal will assign a case coordinator. A team is then established to develop a reasonable accommodation/modification plan. This plan will adhere to the district policy of non-discrimination, providing a free and appropriate public education for all students.

For further information regarding 504 accommodation plans, please notify the Director of Pupil Personnel Services at (603) 286-4166.

Inquiries regarding Section 504 may be directed to:

Superintendent of Schools

433 West Main St.

Tilton, NH 03276

Tel. 603-286-4116

Or the director of the Regional Office of Civil Rights, Dept. of HEW, 140 Federal St., Boston, MA 02110.

Grievance procedures are available which provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging violations of Section 504. These may be obtained at the Office of Superintendent of Schools, 433 West Main St., Tilton, NH 03276.

TRANSPORTATION

Pupils transported in a school bus shall be under the authority of the school district and under control of the bus driver, a legal representative of the School Board. The safety of pupils riding school buses cannot be left to chance, and it is imperative that good order and discipline be maintained on each bus. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for a pupil to be denied the privilege of transportation in accordance with the regulations of the schools board and RSA 189.9a. The driver of the bus shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils transported. Each driver has the support of the school board in maintaining good conduct on the bus. The rules adopted by the School Board are as follows:

Once a student has entered the school bus, they are now considered be on school grounds and therefore subject to all school rules and policies.

All pupils will be picked up and/or dropped off only at predetermined stops approved by the school board. Pupils must be ready to board the bus when it arrives. Drivers are not to wait for pupils who are not ready. Students must not crowd onto the street or road when waiting for the bus. Students should line up and enter the bus in an orderly fashion when it arrives.
Pupils must board the bus in an orderly and courteous manner, go immediately to a seat, and sit down. The driver may assign definite seats to pupils.
Pupils will be expected to ride only on the school bus assigned to them. Emergency situations will be handled at the discretion of the building principal.
Pupils wishing to use a different bus or get off at a different location must have a note from the parent/guardian to the bus driver, pre-approved by the school office. Approval will be given only if space is available.
Pupils must remain seated at all times when the bus is moving; arms and heads must be inside the bus at all times.
Pupils must not throw anything within the bus or outside the windows of the bus.
Aisles are to be left free of books, lunch boxes, coats and other objects at all times. Musical instruments should be placed under the seat.
Talking should be carried on in conversational tones – never shouting or making loud noises that may distract the driver.
Eating or drinking is prohibited on school buses during regular bus routes to and from school.
Pupils loading and departing from the bus will do so from the front of the bus. Emergency doors are for emergencies only.
Pupils will always cross the street in front of the bus when loading or departing the bus.
Pupils must obey instantly any request or suggestion from the bus driver pertaining to safe pupil transportation.
Animals of any kind are not allowed on the bus.
Pupils must not fight, shove or molest others on the bus or while waiting for the bus.
Defacing or destroying any area of the bus will not be tolerated.
Profanity, obscene or vulgar language will not be tolerated.
Smoking is prohibited on school busses.
Igniting any combustible material is prohibited.
Anything that would create a safety hazard, e.g. knives, razor blades, any sharp instruments, are not allowed on the bus.

Bus violations are subject to the same disciplinary action as school offenses and consequences will be left to the discretion of the building administrator(s). (re. Student Behavior Standards).

Where applicable, the above rules apply to both bus and bus stop.

Disciplinary Action – Severe cases may result in immediate bus/school suspension.

First time violations of these rules will result in parent notification by the assistant principal. If a bus suspension results, the parents are responsible for transportation of pupils to school. Second violations may result in an automatic suspension of up to five days from the privilege of riding the bus. Third violations may result in a suspension of up to ten days. Fourth violations may result in a suspension of up to twenty days. Repeated violations may result in suspension of bus riding privileges for the remainder of the school year, at the discretion of the School Board and in compliance with RSA 189:9a.

Procedures for violations:

Drivers are to report violators immediately (in writing) to the building principal involved, including the date, the trip (morning or afternoon) and the specific violation.
The principal is to notify parents of first offenders by a warning letter stating that the next violation will result in suspension of bus riding privileges.
The principal must notify the parents immediately if the student is a second offender and is to lose his bus privilege. Copies of this notification will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Schools and others concerned.

In addition any student who is determined to have brought a firearm (as defined by 18 US 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. A complete description of the Safe School Policy may be picked up in the Principal’s Office or the office of the Superintendent of schools.