Colebrook Consolidated School

Student HandBook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION   1

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY   1

MISSION STATEMENT   1

VISION STATEMENT   1

SCHOOL STAFF   2

SHARED SERVICES STAFF   2

COLEBROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION   3

PTO   3

GENERAL INFORMATION

     School Hours   4

     Absence   4

     Arrival   4

     Attendance   4

     Bicycle Rules   4

     Bullying   4

     Bus Company   4

     Discrimination and Sexual Harassment   4

     Dismissal   4

     Dress Code. 4

     Emergency Dismissal   5

     Emergency Drills (School Lockdowns).. 5

     Emergency Procedure (Code Red Declared).. 5

     Field Trips   5

     Fire Drills   5

     Holiday Observances    5

     Homeless Students   5

     Internet Use   5

     Parking   6

     Personal Property   6

     Pesticide Use   6

     Pledge of Allegiance   6

     Promotion and Retention   6

     Psychotropic Drug Use   6

     Recess   6

     Report Cards & Parent/Teacher Conferences   6

     Reporting of Child Abuse   7

     School Cancellations/Late Openings/Early Closings   7

     Student Insurance   7

     Student Records   7

     Student Substance Abuse   7

     Student Suicide Prevention   7

     Tardy to School   7

     Transfers   7

     Truancy   7

     Visitors   7

     Volunteers   7

NUTRITION

     Lunch Program   8

     Morning Juice, Milk and/or Snack   8

     Behavior Guidelines for Cafeteria   8

RULES

     School Rules   8

     Telephone   9

     Playground Rules   9

TRANSPORTATION

     Bus Service   9

     Consequences for Misbehavior   9

HOMEWORK   9

THE ARTS  10

     Band  10

     Library  10

TESTING  11

     Screening  11

     Standardized Testing  11

     Special Services  11

     Change in Family Circumstances  11

HEALTH PROGRAM  12

     Medication  12

     AIDS Policy  12

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES  12

     Consequences for Misbehavior  12

     Suspension/Expulsion  12

PARENTS' RIGHT TO KNOW……………………………………………………………………………………….. 13

APPENDIX A – Bullying Policy

APPENDIX B – Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

APPENDIX C – Emergency Procedure (Code Red Declared)

APPENDIX D – Homeless Students

APPENDIX E – Internet Use

APPENDIX F – Promotion and Retention

APPENDIX G – Psychotropic Drug Use

APPENDIX H – Reporting of Child Abuse

APPENDIX I – Student Substance Abuse

APPENDIX J – Student Suicide Prevention
 

  COLEBROOK CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this booklet is to provide you with some essential information which you should know about your school.  Please read it carefully and keep it on hand for future reference.  Additionally, feel free to call the school with any questions that may arise.  We want you to feel that you are a vital part of the school, and welcome your assistance in the process of educating your children.  With this in mind, we will all work toward a successful school experience for every child.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY

The Colebrook Board of Education has adopted an Equal Opportunity Policy which prohibits discrimination in education on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin or physical handicap.  This policy also covers employment practices, retention, and promotion of employees.  It states that discrimination will not occur in regard to the school's programs, curriculum, class assignments or educational opportunities for students.  We are committed to not using materials, library books, or textbooks that might tend to perpetuate prejudice, intolerance, or negative feelings toward all peoples.

                                                             COLEBROOK CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

MISSION STATEMENT

The Colebrook Consolidated School, working in partnership with parents and the community, is committed to provide a safe, nurturing, quality educational experience where each child acquires the skills to become a life-long learner and to succeed in a changing global society.

                                                           COLEBROOK CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

VISION STATEMENT

The Colebrook Consolidated School:

• Teaches each child to learn.  Each learner is respected and taught as an individual with unique strengths, talents and needs.

• Challenges each learner to set and achieve high personal expectations.

• Stimulates, encourages and guides the intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth of each learner.

• Enables each learner to develop the character traits of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship for themselves and when dealing with others.

• Includes parents and the community as active partners in the education process.

               www.colebrookschool.org

ABSENCE
If your child is absent from school due to illness or any other reason, the child must bring a written note to school on the day he/she returns.  Parents may be requested to present a doctor's letter in cases of prolonged or persistent absence.   Report of Absence:  If your child will be absent, please call the school office (379-2179) before 9:00 A.M. that morning.

ARRIVAL
Children should arrive no earlier than 8:20 A.M.  Classroom supervision is not available until this time.

ATTENDANCE
Good attendance is a necessary part of the educational process and is closely related to successful performance in school.  A student is considered to be "in attendance" if present at school or an activity sponsored by the school (e.g., field trip) for at least half of the regular school day. If a student has been absent for 10 days, parents will be notified in writing that attendance may become a serious academic problem.  If a student is absent for 20 days, he or she will be considered for retention.  A hearing will be held to discuss the problem, which will include the parents, the child's teacher, the school nurse and the school principal.

BICYCLE RULES AND REGULATIONS
Students in Grades 4 - 6 are permitted to ride their bikes to school with their parent's permission.  A signed note, indicating that the child has their parent's permission to ride a bike to and from school, must be given to the school secretary prior to riding the bike to school for the first time.  One note may be written to cover the entire school year.  It is strongly recommended that students obey the rules of the road and the state helmet law when riding their bikes.

BULLYING
See Appendix A.

BUS COMPANY
In the event of bus problems or questions, please call the bus company directly:  First Student, Inc. - 379-0020.

DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT
See Appendix B.

DISMISSAL
Regular dismissal is 3:15 P.M.  Parents are asked not to have children dismissed from school early except for very important reasons.  If you need to have your child dismissed early, you must notify the office with a written note.  Parents who pick up their children before dismissal time must come to the school office and sign their child out.  Children will not be allowed to meet parents in the parking lot, for obvious safety and security reasons.

DRESS CODE
A student's attitude toward learning is directly impacted by the manner in which they dress.  Therefore, all students are expected to come to school dressed appropriately.  T-shirts with obscene slogans and/or illustrations, profanity, or racial slurs are not considered appropriate attire for school.  Students arriving at school with inappropriate attire will be sent to the school office.  Their parents will be contacted and requested to bring alternate attire for the student to wear during the school day.  The following attire is considered inappropriate attire at the Colebrook School.  Please review this dress code with your child(ren).

• Head coverings of any kind unless worn for medical reasons or when helping in the lunchroom
• Tank tops/athletic shirts unless worn over a T-shirt
• Sunglasses unless worn for medical reasons
• Attire and/or accessories portraying disruptive writing or illustrations
• Attire and/or accessories displaying logos, emblems or slogans advertising or encouraging the use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products
• Shirts, tops or blouses that expose the abdomen, chest or undergarments
• See-through clothing
• Shorts, mini-skirts or pants that reveal undergarments

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Colebrook Board of Education directs that time be set aside in each classroom on every day that school is in session for the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.  Students may be excused from participation in the recitation of the Pledge by written request from a parent or guardian.  It is expected, however, that all students will stand.

PROMOTION AND RETENTION
It is the school's policy to recommend retention when it has been determined that it is in the best interest of the child to do so.  Retention is viewed as a means to allow a child to mature socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively.  Retention should enable the child to take advantage of instruction so that his/her highest potential can be achieved.  The school accepts the responsibility to discuss retention when there appears to be a serious gap between the child's potential and performance.  The parents will be notified of possible retention as early as possible in the school year, preferably before the spring conference.

When retention is considered, the classroom teacher, the parent, the special education team and the principal will meet to discuss the situation.  Pertinent information including test results will be provided.  Specialists' information will also be included.  The final decision regarding retention will ultimately rest with the Principal.  See Appendix F for the policy.

PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG USE
See Appendix G.

RECESS
Children have outdoor recess unless it is raining or the temperature is 20 degrees or below.  If the child is well enough for school, he/she is considered well enough to go outside, unless a doctor's note to the contrary is presented.  Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for health, safety, and recess purposes, including hats, gloves, and boots as necessary.

REPORT CARDS & PARENT/ TEACHER CONFERENCES
Progress reports are issued 4 times during the school year in Grades 1 - 6.  Kindergarten progress reports are issued 3 times during the school year.  The dates of issue are included in the School Calendar and Newsletters.

Parent/teacher conferences will be scheduled three times each school year.  These conferences will provide each parent with the opportunity to discuss a child's progress on a personal basis.  Conference times will be available both in the afternoon and evening.  In addition, either parents or teachers are encouraged to request a conference whenever the need arises.  It is the aim of the Colebrook School to maintain a free and open dialogue with parents at all times.

REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE
See Appendix H.

SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS/LATE OPENINGS/EARLY CLOSINGS
In the event of school cancellation, late openings or early dismissals, announcements will be made via our AlertNow System.  In addition, you can also listen to the following radio and TV stations to find out whether school has been cancelled or whether school will start 90 minutes late (all delays will be 90 minutes).  If children are already in school when the bad weather starts and we need to send them home at 1:00 PM, these stations will also make this announcement during the day.  The stations to listen to are:  Radio:  WTIC (1080 AM), WDRC (1360 AM) and WZBG (97.3 FM).  TV:  Channels 3 and 8 (abbreviated school listings will appear under Regional #7).

STUDENT INSURANCE
A low cost insurance program is available to all students.  Enrollment forms for this purpose will be provided early in the school year.  The school does not provide accident insurance to cover students.

STUDENT RECORDS
Students' records are on file in the school office.  These materials are open to the student's parents or legal guardians.  When parents/guardians wish to review these, it is advisable to call for an appointment.  This will insure the availability of the teacher or administrator to discuss the contents of the records.  Parents are required to sign a form confirming the review.

STUDENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
See Appendix I.

STUDENT SUICIDE PREVENTION
See Appendix J.

TARDY TO SCHOOL
If your child arrives at school after 8:30 AM, a parent or guardian must accompany the child to the office and sign the student into school.  Otherwise, your child will be marked absent for the entire day.

TRANSFERS INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM
In addition to requesting records from the previous school, students transferring into the Colebrook School may be given placement tests in reading and math.  The results of these tests will be used to ensure proper academic placement of the student.

TRANSFERS OUT OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM
If your family is moving out of Colebrook, please let us know.  We will ask you to sign a release form which allows us to send your child's school records to the new school.  You can also sign this release form while registering your child at the new school, and they will forward the request to us.

TRUANCY
The Colebrook Board of Education recognizes the need for early intervention for students exhibiting truant behavior.  A "truant" student is one who is enrolled in a grade and has four unexcused absences in one month, or ten unexcused absences in one year.

VISITORS
Parents who wish to visit their child's classroom are encouraged to do so.  Grandparents, etc. are also welcome.  However, as a courtesy to the teacher, one day's prior notice is requested.  All visitors, including classroom visitors, must check in at the office upon entering the building.

VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers provide valuable resources to the school by assisting in classrooms, the library, etc.  Volunteers contribute to the learning process by improving instruction, enriching curriculum, building school/community relations, and helping to close the generation gap.  Please call our school office or a classroom teacher if you would like to join our volunteer team.

NUTRITION

LUNCH PROGRAM
The Colebrook Consolidated School offers all students the opportunity to enjoy a healthy and nutritious lunch every day that school is in session.  School lunches are prepared in the school kitchen by our dietician. 

Students may purchase a hot lunch (which includes milk) in the school cafeteria for $2.00.  Lunch money is collected daily unless otherwise prepaid.  The menu for the week will be listed in the weekly Newsletters and on our school website (www.colebrookschool.org).  Milk or juice may also be purchased.  An 8 oz. carton of milk costs 45 cents, and juice costs 30 cents.  Juice may only be substituted for milk with the purchase of a hot lunch with a note from a physician stating that the child is allergic to milk.  In an emergency, a child may borrow lunch or milk money for the day, but this money must be repaid the following day.

Parents may prepay lunches for an entire week as follows:  On Mondays, send in the exact amount of money for the week (or a check payable to "Colebrook School Lunch") in an envelope.  On the outside of the envelope, indicate the child's name and which dates he/she is buying lunch and/or milk.

Families with limited income may be eligible to receive free or reduced lunches for their children.  Applications are sent home the beginning of each school year.  For further information and/or an application during the school year, please contact the school office.  This information is kept confidential.

MORNING JUICE, MILK AND/OR SNACK
All children are encouraged to bring a healthy, nourishing snack or nutritious snacks may be purchased for 50 cents in the morning.  Students may purchase milk or juice to go with their snacks.  Milk is 45 cents and juice is 30 cents per day.  Milk and/or juice may be purchased on a weekly basis and may be paid for by check.  Children may not borrow morning milk, juice or snack money.

BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES FOR THE CAFETERIA
Children are expected to:

1.   Follow directions of the staff members who are in charge.

2.   Be courteous and use good manners

3.   Clean up their place at the lunch table.

RULES AND REGULATIONS
The following rules and regulations have been established to promote student safety and responsibility.  All students, without exception, are expected to abide by them.

SCHOOL RULES
The student shall:

1. Refrain from damaging, defacing or destroying school and personal property.

2.  Practice good citizenship.

3. Be regular and punctual in attendance.

4.  Dress appropriately and neatly.

5.  Practice habits of good health and cleanliness.

6. Be honest and courteous.

7.  Use only acceptable language.

8. Walk in hallways and travel quietly at all times.

9. Remain on the school grounds until dismissed or given permission to leave.

10. Use drinking fountains, play equipment, and lavatories with safety and cleanliness in mind.

11. Not throw any object which may injure another person.

12. Not push, trip, or fight with students at school nor on the way to or from school.

13. Complete all assigned work on time.

14. Respect other students and their feelings.

15. Respect teachers, principal, and other staff members.

16. Never bring dangerous materials (i.e., weapons, fireworks and other dangerous materials) to school or onto  the school bus.

TELEPHONE
The office telephone is for school business.  Children should come to school prepared for the activities of the day.  Parents can help their children by establishing regular morning routines which allow ample time to prepare and get ready for the day.  However, in an emergency situation, the principal will grant permission for student telephoning as necessary.  It is recommended that students not bring cell phones to school.  If brought, however, they must be turned off during the school day.

PLAYGROUND RULES
1.   Supervision - It is the responsibility of the student to be seen at all times by the supervisor on duty.

2.   Use of equipment:

 a)  Use all equipment in a safe manner.

 b)  If classroom equipment is brought outside, the child is to return it after recess.

 c)  Skateboard, in-line skates, pogo balls, and hard balls are not permitted during school hours for safety reasons.

3.   No food, candy, gum or beverages are allowed during recess.

4.   No student is permitted to leave school grounds without permission.

5. The school playground closes at sunset. No one will be permitted to use the playground facilities after that time.

TRANSPORTATION

BUS SERVICE
The majority of the students attending the Colebrook School are transported to and from school by bus.  Bus service to Colebrook School is provided under contract by First Student, Inc.  In the event of a transportation problem, please call First Student at 379-0020.

The driver is in complete charge of the bus and is expected to enforce reasonable standards of behavior on the part of all persons riding that bus.  Children who disregard the directions of the driver or who misbehave so as to endanger others may be denied the privilege of riding the bus.

Children are assigned to a bus at the beginning of each school year and they are expected to ride that bus to and from their regular stops.  A note to the school is required if a change from this procedure is necessary.  Students in Grades 4 through 6 may ride a bicycle to and from school, in the spring and early fall, provided a note from parents is received by the school prior to their bicycling  to school.  State law requires all children to wear a helmet when riding a bike.

When riding the bus, students are expected to remain seated, to use quiet voices, and behave in a manner which will insure the safety of all passengers.  Students who misbehave on the bus may be assigned a seat by the driver or a school administrator.  In the case of repeated or severe behavior problems, a student may be suspended from the bus and the parents held responsible for transportation.

CONSEQUENCES FOR MISBEHAVIOR
 First Offense:   Warning.  Parent contacted.

 Second Offense:  Assigned seat.  Parents contacted.

 Third Offense:   Bus suspension (Parents are responsible for transportation).  In-person conference  required.

HOMEWORK
Homework is a vital part of each child's learning experience.  Please encourage your child to complete his/her homework assignments on a daily basis.  Provide him/her with a place to work that is free from distractions and well lit.  Don't hesitate to help your child complete his/her assignments, but do not do the work for them.

Grade       Average Homework Assignments

K        10 - 15 Minutes, once or twice a week.

1-3        20 - 30 Minutes, daily.

4-6        30 - 60 Minutes, daily.

Teachers may assign missing work as homework in addition to planned assignments.  If homework is not completed on time, the child will be assigned a detention.  Parents will be notified by phone regarding detentions.

If you are looking for a constructive use of time at home, as a supplement to learning, we urge you to encourage pleasure reading.  A sustained period of reading from 10-45 minutes daily, depending on age and readiness, would be beneficial to every child.  Reading aloud to children in grades K-6 is also most beneficial.

THE ARTS
Every child at the Colebrook School is scheduled for at least one class per week in music, library, art and physical education.  Violin lessons are provided for those students in Grades 1-6 who are interested in learning to play the violin.  Recorder lessons are also offered by the general music teacher for students in Grade 3.

All students in the Colebrook School participate in a musical production that is staged by the general music teacher and the classroom teachers.  The grades are often divided (K-3 and 4-6) and alternate between performing in the Winter and Spring Programs.  The School Band performs in both programs as well as in Promotion Night in June.  Violin students also perform in either or both of the musical programs.

In addition to musical activities, Colebrook students will also participate in an annual Art Show.  The show will be held each spring at the Colebrook School.

BAND AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS
Students in Grade 4-6 are eligible to take a musical instrument.  They may choose between a band instrument or the violin.  All instrumental music students will have weekly lessons.  Beginning students will join the weekly band practices mid-year.  All Fifth and Sixth Grade students are eligible and are encouraged to participate in the band.  Membership is contingent upon the students' adherence to the "Band Membership Standards".

BAND MEMBERSHIP STANDARDS
To be eligible to play in the Band, each student must show satisfactory proficiency on their particular instrument.  In most cases, it takes several months of group lessons to reach this point.  In addition to the group lessons, it is necessary for the students to practice their instruments at home each day.  It is recommended that the students practice 30 minutes per day.  This time is needed to develop the skills necessary for good musicianship.  Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to this process.  Most beginning students are not ready to perform in the School Band by the Winter Concert.  In general, beginners are ready to join the Band by the Spring Concert, provided they have practiced regularly.

LIBRARY
All Colebrook students have at least one scheduled library period each week.  The period will include time for an activity and/or research as well as time to check out books.  During the regularly scheduled library time, students will be allowed to select 2 books each.  They will be able to borrow these books for one week with the option of renewing them for a period of up to four weeks.  Students needing materials for classroom related research will be allowed to select additional books.  They will be allowed to borrow these books for two weeks with an option to renew for as long as they are needed.

Book Renewal Policy:  Books should be returned to have date cards re-stamped to renew books.  Any books not returned by the end of the school year will result in the withholding of that student's report card.  The report card will not be released until the book is returned to the library or the child has paid for the  book.

The same standards of behavior that apply to all other school activities, apply in the library.

SCHOOL TESTING

SCREENING:  PRE-SCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN
Federal law requires schools to provide pre-school screening for all 3-5 year old children whom the parents or physicians suspect of having developmental difficulties (i.e. slow to speak or walk, difficulty learning or seeing).  If you feel that your child may be experiencing any problems that could affect future learning, please contact the school.  Additionally, please encourage any friends or neighbors whose children may be experiencing difficulties to contact the school.  Letters to this effect are sent to the parents of all known 3-5 year olds annually, but it is quite possible for the school to miss some of these children.

Should a child be diagnosed, via the screening process, with an identifiable exceptionality, an individualized program will be developed to help minimize the effects of the exceptionality on the developmental process.  Questions regarding the availability of special programming or the appropriateness and/or adequacy of such programming should be directed to the Director of Shared Services at 379-8583, or the Colebrook School Principal at 379-2179.  A packet, "Due Process", explains the rights of the parent and is available in the school office.

STANDARDIZED TESTING PROGRAM
Connecticut Mastery Testing is conducted by the State Department of Education in Grades 3 through 6 during the Spring.  It is the policy of the Colebrook School to include all students in the testing situation.

Unit tests and other teacher-made assessments are also used to measure a student's day-to-day progress.  The result of this testing is reflected in the grades students receive on their report cards.

SPECIAL SERVICES
A wide range of special services is available to children with special needs.  Supplementary diagnostic testing is provided for those students suspected of having a specific educational need. 

Special services are available to children who have been identified as having special needs.  Identification is accomplished through a referral and testing process.  Once a child has been referred, a child study team meeting is convened with school staff.  If the team identifies a need, the parents are asked to attend a Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meeting where parental permission for further testing is requested.  The referred child is evaluated and modifications appropriate to his/her program are recommended at a second PPT meeting.  Parents' input is required throughout this process.

The purpose of the PPT is to plan a learning program for the special needs student that will optimize his/her educational experience.  The PPT includes the parent(s) or legal guardian, the classroom teacher, the school principal, the Special Education teacher(s) and all other appropriate specialists.  The PPT may be convened by any of the team members, including the parents.  A PPT must be held annually to review each special needs student's progress and/or when any modifications are made to the students prescribed program.

CHANGE IN FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES
Any major change in family circumstances may have an adverse effect on a young child.  Divorce, a death in the family, the death of a pet or a prolonged business trip can all have a negative effect on a child's behavior and consequently, his/her ability to learn.  Should a situation of this nature occur in your family, please make your child's teacher and/or the school principal aware of it.  This will enable the school to take whatever steps are necessary to provide the student with additional support to foster a positive school environment and decrease the possibility of a major disruption of the learning process.  Please be assured that all such information will be held in strictest confidence.

HEALTH PROGRAM

MEDICATION
Connecticut State Law requires a physician's written order and the parent or guardian's authorization for the administration of medicinal preparations exclusive of hallucinogens or narcotics.  In the absence of the school nurse, the principal or the teacher may be given permission to administer oral medications. (Public Act No. 723 of 1969.)  All medications must be brought to school by the parent or guardian.  Students may not bring medication to school or carry them on their person except in special cases, when under direct doctor's orders to do so.  Medications must be contained in an appropriate prescription container with correct pharmaceutical or doctor's label, including the name of the child, the name of the medication and the prescribed dosage.

POLICY ON AIDS AND OTHER LONG-TERM COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
The Colebrook Public School System will monitor the information made available through the State of Connecticut, Department of Education and Department of Health Services, as well as through the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, relative to children diagnosed as having any long-term communicable disease.

Based on the most recent medical and educational information, the school system will review each case on an individual basis to recommend the most appropriate educational program and the school medical advisor will recommend appropriate in-school health procedures.

Parents must notify, in writing, the building principal if they do not wish to have their child/children participate in AIDS instruction.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
Discipline problems are normally dealt with at the level at which they occur (i.e., classroom, cafeteria, bus, etc.).  In cases that warrant office intervention, a referral system is used.  Our referral system is designed to provide us with documentation as well as an opportunity for the child to discuss the incident.  These forms are maintained during the school year as an informal record and are not part of the child's official school file.

CONSEQUENCES FOR MISBEHAVIOR

First Offense:   Warning.  Parents contacted dependent upon the severity of the infraction.

Second Offense: Parents contacted.

Third Offense:  After-school detention and/or school/community service.  Parent conference required.

SUSPENSION / EXPULSION
In accordance with Section 10-233 (revised) of the Connecticut General Statutes, all students are to be notified annually of Board policies governing student conduct.  This statute also provides that pupils may be suspended or expelled from school "when such pupil's conduct endangers persons or property or is seriously disruptive of the educational process and which conduct is violate of a publicized policy of the Board".

Suspension is defined as exclusion from school for a period of time not to exceed ten school days.  Expulsion is defined as exclusion from school for more than ten days.  A pupil may be expelled or suspended for one or more of the following reasons:

1. Conduct which endangers persons or property or is seriously disruptive of the educational process.  Included   within such prohibited conduct are the following acts:

a. Conduct causing a threat of danger to the physical well-being of himself or other people.

 b. Physical assault on another person on school premises or buses or at school-sponsored events            which is not reasonably necessary for self-defense.

 c. Taking, or attempting to take, personal property or money from another person, or from his             presence, by means of force or fear.

 d. Taking school property.

 e. Willfully causing, or attempting to cause, substantial damage to school property.

f. Participation in an unauthorized occupancy by any group of pupils or others, of any part of any building or school premises, and failure to leave such school premises promptly after being directed to do so by the principal or other person then in charge of the building.

g. Intentional incitement which results in an unauthorized occupation by any group of pupils or others of any part of the school or grounds.

 h. Possession, use, transmission or being under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic , amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind.

 i. Knowingly being in the presence of those who are in possession of, using, transmitting, or being

  under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind.

 j. Possession or transmission of any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object of no     reasonable use to a student at school.

 k. Using or copying the academic work of another and presenting it as his/her own without proper           attribution.

 l. Possessing or consuming tobacco products.

 m. Violation of any Federal or State law which would indicate that the violator presents a danger to           any person in the school community or to school property.

n. Violation of any other Board policy dealing with student conduct, including that dealing with conduct on school buses, a copy of which is incorporated in this Handbook.

2. Open defiance of the authority of any teacher or person having authority over the student, including verbal abuse.

3. Repeated unauthorized absence from school.

4. Intentional and successful incitement of truancy by other pupils.

The administration may suspend a pupil for cause, provided that "no student shall be suspended without an informal hearing before the building principal or his/her designee at which time such pupil shall be informed of the reasons for the disciplinary action and given an opportunity to explain the situation, provided nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a more formal hearing being held if the circumstances surrounding the incident so require".

The Board may expel any pupil for cause, provided that "no student be expelled without a formal hearing" conducted in accordance with procedures governing hearings as established by statute.

The parents or guardian of any pupil, either expelled or suspended, shall be given notice of such disciplinary action within twenty-four (24) hours of time such action takes place.

PARENTS' RIGHT TO KNOW
As a requirement of the Title 1 statute, the school office will provide to any parent who makes a request to the Principal information regarding the professional qualifications of the child's teacher(s).  The following information will be provided in a timely manner:

1. Whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.

2. Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status.

3. The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.

4. Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

Please note that the school ensures that all students provided Title 1 services receive instruction from school staff
(teachers and/or paraprofessionals) who possess appropriate qualifications and/or degrees.

For additional information, contact the school office at 379-2179.