High School Principal:
Kenneth H. Sauer
Middle School Principal:
Scott Richards
PO Box N,
845-373-4106, 4107, 4114
Fax: 845-373-8529, 4126
STUDENT
HANDBOOK AGREEMENT
2005-2006
SCHOOL YEAR
“STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE”
Designated a 21st Century School
I have reviewed and understand
all of the areas discussed in the STUDENT HANDBOOK established by
STUDENT SIGNATURE
________________________________________________________
Date: ___________________________________
Print your name: _______________________________________________________________
Please read, sign and remove this agreement from your handbook/planner
to submit to the main office by
September, 2005
The faculty, staff, and administration
welcome those of you who are new to these halls and we look forward to seeing
the return of familiar faces.
This handbook was designed
to help you understand the policies and procedures at our school. Please read
the handbook carefully and thoroughly and become familiar with our practices to
ensure that you have a safe and successful school year.
Our teachers, staff, and
administrators are committed to helping you succeed. We encourage you to become
involved in the life of the school. There are many opportunities to participate
in clubs, athletics, and organizations that will help expand your horizons. Please
take advantage of these options. Be an active participant in your education and
you will certainly be provided with many memorable experiences.
As we look forward to the
coming year I hope we can all work together to create a learning environment
rich in mutual respect, academic success, and heightened community awareness.
Enjoy your school year! Work hard and your efforts will surely be
rewarded. We look forward to working and learning with you.
Sincerely,
Kenneth H. Sauer
Principal
2005-2006 WEBUTUCK CENTRAL SCHOOL
STUDENT AND PARENT HANDBOOK RECEIPT
To: All Parents and Guardians of Webutuck Central School
Students
From: Kenneth
H. Sauer, High School Principal & Scott Richards, Middle School Principal
Subject: Student Handbook
The contents of this
handbook are intended to familiarize you and your children with all aspects of
our school program. To acknowledge receipt of this handbook, please review this
statement and return a signed copy to the Principal’s Office.
I understand and consent to the
responsibilities outlined in the Webutuck Central School Student and Parent
Handbook.
I understand and
agree that my child/children should and will be held responsible for their
behavior. I also understand the expectations and consequences included in the
school conduct and discipline codes
apply while on school property or attending school-sponsored activities.
Furthermore, I also understand that any student who violates the student code of conduct shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from school.
“I understand that the district does not
discriminate on the basis of disability with regard to admission, access,
treatment, or employment in school programs and activities; and that my child/children
has/have the right to: individualized evaluation, an examination of relevant
records, and to demand an impartial hearing and/or subsequent review with
respect to discrimination on the basis of disability.”
“Regarding student records, I have read and
understand the information regarding access to my child’s/children’s
educational records. I also understand that certain student information is
considered directory information. Directory information includes: a student’s
name, telephone number, address, date and place of birth, awards received in
school, dates of attendance, weight and height of members of athletic teams,
most recent previous school attended, participation in officially recognized
activities and sports.”
RELEASE: __________ DO NOT RELEASE: ____________
Directory
information may be released by the school to anyone who requests it unless I
object to the release of any or all of this information within ten (10) school
days of the time this Handbook was issued to my child/children. “Lastly, I
have read and discussed with my child/children the information regarding the
district’s Emergency Management Plan.”
_______________________________ _____________________
Parent’s
Signature/Date Student’s
Signature/Date
Please return this sheet to the main office by September 23, 2005.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Academic Eligibility 48
Addresses and Telephone Number Changes 38
Athletic Selection and Classification Program 39-40
Appointments with Staff Members 38
Attendance at Athletic Events 38
Bus Information 40
– 41
2004-2005 Calendar 7
CODE OF CONDUCT 8
– 38
Alternative
Instruction 28-32
Attendance 25
– 27
Corporal Punishment 32
Definitions 8
– 9
Disciplinary Key/Disciplinary
Action Chart 23
– 24
Disciplinary
Penalties/Procedures/Referrals 16
– 22
Discipline
of Student’s with Disabilities 28
– 32
Dissemination
and Review 38
– 39
Essential Partners 10
– 12
Minimum Periods of
Suspension 20
– 22
Public Conduct on School
Property 36
– 38
Prohibited Student Conduct 13
– 15
Referrals – Support Options 26
– 27
Reporting Violations 15
– 16
Student Dress Code 12
– 13
Student’s Rights/Responsibilities 9
– 10
Student Searches and Interrogations 32
– 35
Visitors to Schools 35-36
Cell Phones 44
Dances 42
Driving 44
Emergency Procedures 42-43
Extra-Curricular Activities,
Extra Help, Fire Drills 43
Grades for Repeated Courses
or Examinations 44
Promotion Requirements 44
Guidance Services 45
– 46
Homework 45
Honor Roll Program/Honor
Society 46
– 47
Library, Lockers, Nurse, Medications
and Physical Exams 49
– 50
Seniors 47-48
Sexual Harassment Policy 50–
57
Student Council 56
Study Halls and Textbooks 57
– 58
Tobacco Use and Smoking 41-42
2005—2006
TWO-HOUR DELAY SCHEDULE
Period 1
Period 2
Period 3
Period 4
Period 5
Period 6
Period 7
Period 8
Period 9
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
FIRST DISMISSAL BUS
SECOND DISMISSAL BUS
LATE/SPORTS BUS
For information on the
closing of school, please listen to one of the following radio stations:
WGY
WHVW Hyde Park 95
AM
WEOK
WKZE
2005-2006 CALENDAR
CODE OF CONDUCT
I.
INTRODUCTION
The Board of Education
(“Board”) is committed to providing a safe and orderly school environment where
students may receive and district personnel may deliver quality educational
services without disruption or interference. Responsible behavior by students,
teachers, other district personnel, parents and other visitors is essential to
achieving this goal.
The District has a
long-standing set of expectations for conduct on school property and at school
functions. These expectations are based on the principles of civility, mutual
respect, citizenship, character, tolerance, honesty and integrity.
The Board recognizes the
need to clearly define these expectations for acceptable conduct on school
property, to identify the possible consequences of unacceptable conduct, and to
ensure that discipline when necessary is administered promptly and fairly. To
this end, the Board adopts this Code of Conduct (“Code”).
Unless otherwise indicated,
this Code applies to all students, school personnel, parents and other visitors
when on school property or attending school functions.
II. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Code,
the following definitions apply:
“Disruptive student” means an elementary or secondary student under the
age of 21 who is substantially disruptive of the educational process or
substantially interferes with the teacher’s authority over the classroom.
“Parent” means parent, guardian or person in parental relation to a student.
“School property” means in or within any building, structure, athletic playing field,
playground, parking lot or land contained within the real property boundary
line of a public elementary or secondary school, or in or on a school bus, as
defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law § 142.
“School function” means any school-sponsored extra-curricular event or activity.
“Violent student” means a student under the age of 21 whom:
1. Commits an act of violence upon a
school employee, or attempts to do so.
2.
Commits, while on school property or at a school function, an act of
violence upon another
student or any other person lawfully on school property or at the school
function, or attempts to
do so.
3.
Possesses, while on school property or at a school function, a weapon.
4. Displays, while on school property or
at a school function, a weapon.
5. Threatens, while on school property or
at a school function, to use a weapon.
6. Knowingly and intentionally damages or
destroys school district property.
“Weapon” means a firearm as defined in 18 USC §921 for purposes of the Gun-Free
Schools Act. It also means any other gun, BB gun, pistol, revolver, shotgun,
rifle, machine gun, disguised gun, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, switchblade
knife, gravity knife, brass knuckles, sling shot, metal knuckle knife, box
cutter, cane sword, electronic dart gun, Kung Fu star, electronic stun gun,
pepper spray or other noxious spray, explosive or incendiary bomb, or other
device, instrument, material or substance that can cause physical injury or
death when used to cause physical injury or death.
III. STUDENT RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
A. STUDENT’S RIGHTS
The district is committed to
safeguarding the rights given to all students under state and federal law. In
addition, to promote a safe, healthy, orderly and civil school environment, all
district students have the right to:
1. Take part in all district activities
on an equal basis regardless of race, color, creed, national origin,
religion, gender or sexual
orientation or disability.
2. Present
their version of the relevant events to school personnel authorized to impose a
disciplinary penalty in connection with the imposition of the penalty.
3. Access
school rules and, when necessary, receive an explanation of those rules from
school personnel.
B. STUDENT
RESPONSIBILITIES
All district students have
the responsibility to:
1. Contribute to maintaining a safe and orderly school
environment that is conducive to learning and to show respect to other persons
and to property.
2.
Be familiar with and
abide by all district policies, rules, and regulations dealing with student
conduct.
3.
Attend school every day unless they are legally excused and be in
class, on time, and prepared to
learn.
4.
Work to the best of their ability in all academic and extracurricular
pursuits and strive toward
their highest level of
achievement possible.
5.
React to direction given by teachers, administrators and other school
personnel in a respectful,
positive manner.
6.
Work to develop mechanisms to control their anger.
7.
Ask questions when they do not understand.
8.
Seek help in solving problems that might lead to discipline.
9. Dress
appropriately for school and school functions.
10. Accept responsibility for their actions.
11.
Conduct themselves as representatives of the district when
participating in or attending school-
sponsored extracurricular
events and to hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, demeanor,
and sportsmanship.
IV. ESSENTIAL PARTNERS
A. PARENTS
All parents are expected to:
1.
Recognize that the education of their child/children is a joint
responsibility of the parents and the school community.
2.
Send their children to school ready to participate and learn
3. Ensure
their children attend school regularly and on time.
4. Ensure
absences are excused.
5. Insist their children be dressed and groomed in a manner
consistent with the student dress code.
6.
Help their children understand that in a democratic society appropriate
rules are required to
maintain a safe, orderly
environment.
7. Know
school rules and help their children understand them.
8. Convey
to their children a supportive attitude toward education and the district.
9. Build
good relationships with teachers, other parents and their children’s friends.
10. Help
their children deal effectively with peer pressure.
11.
Inform school officials of changes in the home situation that may
affect student conduct or
performance.
12. Provide
a place for study and ensure homework assignments are completed.
B. TEACHERS
All district teachers are
expected to:
1. Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity, which
will strengthen students’ self-concept
and promote confidence to
learn.
2. Be
prepared to teach.
3. Demonstrate interest in teaching and concern for student
achievement.
4. Know
school policies and rules, and enforce them in a fair and consistent manner.
5. Communicate
to student and parents:
a. Course objectives and requirements;
b. Marking/grading procedures;
c. Assignment deadlines;
d. Expectations for students;
e. Classroom discipline plan.
6.
Communicate regularly with students, parents and other teachers
concerning growth and
achievement.
C. GUIDANCE COUNSELORS
1. Assist students in coping with peer pressure and emerging
personal, social and emotional
problems.
2. Initiate teacher/student/counselor conferences and
parent/teacher/counselor conferences, as
necessary, as a way to
resolve problems.
3. Regularly preview with students their educational
progress and career paths.
4. Provide information to assist students with career
planning.
5. Encourage students to benefit from the curriculum and
extracurricular programs.
D. PRINCIPALS/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
1. Promote a safe, orderly and stimulating school environment,
supporting active teaching and learning.
2. Ensure that students and staff have the opportunity to
communicate regularly with the Principal and approach the Principal for redress
of grievances.
3. Evaluate on a regular basis all instructional programs.
4. Support the development of student participation in
appropriate extracurricular activities.
5. Be responsible for enforcing the Code of Conduct and ensuring
that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.
6. Be responsible for keeping channels of communication open
with parents.
E. SUPERINTENDENT
1. Promote a safe, orderly and stimulating school environment,
supporting active teaching and learning.
2. Review with district administrators the policies of the
Board of Education and state and federal laws relating to school operations and
management.
3. Inform the Board about educational trends relating to
student discipline.
4. Work to create instructional programs that minimize problems
of misconduct and are sensitive to student and teacher needs.
5. Work with district administrators in enforcing the Code of
Conduct and ensuring that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.
F. BOARD OF EDUCATION
1. Collaborate with student, teacher, administrator, and parent
organizations, school safety personnel and other school personnel to develop a
Code of Conduct that clearly defines expectations for the conduct of students,
district personnel and visitors on school property and at school functions.
2. Adopt and review at least annually the district’s Code of
Conduct to evaluate the code’s effectiveness and the fairness and consistency
of its implementation.
3. Lead by example by conducting board meetings in a
professional, respectful, courteous manner.
V. STUDENT DRESS CODE
All students are expected to
give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to dress appropriately for
school and school functions. Students and their parents have the primary responsibility
for acceptable student dress and appearance. Teachers and all other district
personnel should exemplify and reinforce acceptable student dress and help
students develop an understanding of appropriate appearance in the school
setting.
A student’s dress, grooming
and appearance, including hair style/color, jewelry, make-up and nails, shall:
1. Be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with
the educational process.
2. Recognize that extremely brief garments such as tube tops,
net tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, plunging necklines (front and/or back)
and see-through garments are not appropriate and will be considered a
disruption to the learning environment. Shorts, skirts and dresses must fall at
least to the end of the middle finger when the arms are extended naturally at
the sides. Pajamas and slippers are not considered appropriate attire for
school.
3. Ensure that underwear is completely covered with outer
clothing.
4. Include footwear at all times. Footwear that is a safety hazard will not be
allowed.
5. Not include items that are vulgar, obscene, and libelous or
denigrate others on account of race, color, religion, creed, national origin,
gender, sexual orientation or disability.
6. Not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco or
illegal drugs and/or encourage other illegal or violent activities.
7.
Sunglasses, hats, visors, bandannas, do-rags, coats, jackets and other
types of outerwear are to be kept in lockers and not worn during the course of
the school day.
9. Students must also comply with the dress code for
physical education class.
Each building Principal or
his or her designee shall be responsible for informing all students and their
parents of the student dress code at the beginning of the school year and any
revisions to the dress code made during the school year.
Students who violate the
student dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering or
removing the offending item, and if necessary or practical, replace it with an
acceptable item. Any student who refuses to do so shall be subject to
discipline, up to and including suspension for the day. Any student who
repeatedly fails to comply with the dress code shall be subject to further
discipline, up to and including suspension.
VI. PROHIBITED STUDENT
CONDUCT
The Board of Education
expects all students to conduct themselves in an appropriate and civil manner,
with proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students, district
personnel and other members of the school community, and for the care of school
facilities and equipment.
The best discipline is
self-imposed, and students must learn to assume and accept responsibility for
their own behavior, as well as the consequences of their misbehavior. District personnel who interact with students
are expected to use disciplinary action only when necessary and to place
emphasis on the students’ ability to learn and develop self-discipline.
The Board recognizes the
need to make its expectations for student conduct while on school property or
engaged in a school function specific and clear. The rules of conduct listed below are
intended to do that and focus on safety and respect for the rights and property
of others. Students who will not accept
responsibility for their own behavior and who violate these school rules will
be required to accept the penalties for their conduct.
Students may be subject to
disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from school, when they:
A. Engage in conduct
that is disorderly. Examples of disorderly
conduct include:
1. Running in hallways;
2. Making unreasonable noise;
3. Using language or gestures that are profane, lewd, vulgar
or abusive (1-3 Day Suspension);
4. Obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic;
5. Engaging in any willful act that disrupts the normal
operation of the school community;
6. Trespassing. Students
are not permitted in any school building, other than the one they regularly
attend, without permission from the administrator in charge of the building;
7. Computer/electronic communications misuses, including any
unauthorized use of computers, software, or inter/intranet account, accessing
appropriate websites, or any other violation of the district’s acceptable use
policy.
B. Engage in conduct
that is insubordinate. Examples of
insubordinate conduct include:
1. Failing to comply with the reasonable directions of
teachers, school administrators or other school employees or otherwise
demonstrating disrespect.
2. Lateness for, missing, or leaving school without permission.
3. Skipping an assigned after school detention.
C. Engage in conduct
that is disruptive. Examples of
disruptive conduct include:
1. Failing to comply with the reasonable directions of
teachers, school administrators or other school personnel.
D. Engage in conduct
that is violent. Examples of violent
conduct include:
1. Committing an act of violence (such as hitting, kicking,
punching, and scratching) upon a teacher, administrator or other school
employee or attempting to do so.
2. Committing an act of violence (such as hitting, kicking,
punching and scratching) upon another student or any other person lawfully on
school property or attempting to do so.
3. Possessing a weapon.
Authorized law enforcement officials are the only persons permitted to
have a weapon in their possession while on school property or at a school
function.
4. Displaying what appears to be a weapon.
5. Threatening to use any weapon.
6. Intentionally damaging or destroying the personal property
of a student, teacher, administrator, other district employee or any person
lawfully on school property, including graffiti or arson.
7. Intentionally damaging or destroying school district
property.
E. Engage in any conduct
that endangers the safety, morals, health or welfare of others. Examples of such conduct include:
1. Lying to school personnel.
2. Stealing the property of other students, school personnel or
any other person lawfully on school property or attending a school function.
3. Defamation, which includes making false or unprivileged
statements or representations about an individual or identifiable group of
individuals that harm the reputation of the person or the identifiable group by
demeaning them.
4. Discrimination, which includes the use of race, color, creed,
national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability as a basis
for treating another in a negative manner.
5. Harassment, which includes a sufficiently severe action or a
persistent, pervasive pattern of actions or statements directed at an
identifiable individual or group which are intended to be or which a reasonable
person would perceive as ridiculing or demeaning.
6. Intimidation, which includes engaging in actions or
statements that put an individual in fear of bodily harm.
7. Hazing, which includes any intentional or reckless act
directed against another for the purpose of initiation into, affiliating with,
or maintaining membership in any school sponsored activity, organization, club
or team.
8. Selling, using or possessing obscene material.
9. Using vulgar or abusive language, cursing or swearing.
10. Smoking a cigarette, cigar, pipe or using chewing or
smokeless tobacco.
11. Possessing, consuming selling, distributing or exchanging
alcoholic beverages or illegal substances, or being under the influence of
either. “Illegal substances” include,
but are not limited to, inhalants, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP, amphetamines,
heroin, steroids, look-alike drugs, and any substances commonly referred to as
“designer drugs.”
12. Inappropriately using or sharing prescription and
over-the-counter drugs.
13. Gambling.
14. Indecent exposure; that is exposure to sight of the private
parts of the body in a lewd or indecent manner.
15. Initiating a report warning of fire or other catastrophe
without valid cause, misuse of 911, or discharging a fire extinguisher.
F. Engage in misconduct while on a school bus. It is crucial for students to behave
appropriately while riding on district buses to ensure their safety and that of
other passengers and to avoid distracting the bus driver. Students are required to conduct themselves
on the bus in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom
behavior. Excessive noise, pushing,
shoving and fighting will not be tolerated.
G. Engage in any form of academic misconduct. Examples of academic misconduct include:
1. Plagiarism; to use another persons’ ideas or expressions in
your writing without acknowledging the source.
2. Cheating.
3. Copying.
4. Altering records.
5. Assisting another student in any of the above actions.
VII. REPORTING VIOLATIONS
All students are expected to
promptly report violations of the Code of Conduct to a teacher, guidance
counselor, the building Principal or his or her designee. Any student observing a student possessing a
weapon, alcohol or illegal substance on school property or at a school function
shall report this information immediately to a teacher, the building Principal,
the Principal’s designee or the Superintendent.
All district staff that is
authorized to impose disciplinary sanctions is expected to do so in a prompt,
fair and lawful manner. District staff
that are not authorized to impose disciplinary sanctions are expected to
promptly report violations of the Code of Conduct to their supervisor, who
shall in turn impose an appropriate disciplinary sanction, if so authorized, or
refer the matter to a staff member who is authorized to impose an appropriate
sanction.
Any weapon, alcohol or
illegal substance found shall be confiscated immediately, if possible, followed
by notification to the parent of the student involved and the appropriate
disciplinary sanction if warranted, which may include permanent suspension and
referral for prosecution.
The building Principal or
his or her designee must notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency of
those code violations that constitute a crime and substantially affect the
order or security of a school as soon as practical, but in no event later than
the close of business the day the Principal or his or her designee learns of
the violation. The notification may be
made by telephone, followed by a letter mailed on the same day as the telephone
call is made. The notification must
identify the student and explain the conduct that violated the Code of Conduct
and constituted a crime.
VIII. DISCIPLINARY
PENALTIES, PROCEDURES AND REFERRALS
Discipline is most effective
when it deals directly with the problem at the time and place it occurs, and in
a way that students view as fair and impartial.
School personnel who interact with students are expected to use
disciplinary action only when necessary and to place emphasis on the students’
ability to grow in self-discipline.
Disciplinary action, when
necessary, will be firm, fair and consistent so as to be the most effective in
changing student behavior. In
determining the appropriate disciplinary action, school personnel authorized to
impose disciplinary penalties will consider the following:
1. The student’s age.
2. The nature of the offense and the circumstances that led
to the offense.
3. The student’s prior disciplinary record.
4. The effectiveness of other forms of discipline.
5. Information from parents, teachers and/or others, as
appropriate.
6. Other extenuating circumstances.
As a general rule,
discipline will be progressive. This means that a student’s first violation
will usually merit a lighter penalty than subsequent violations.
If the conduct of a student
is related to a disability or suspected disability, the student shall be
referred to the Committee on Special Education and discipline, if warranted,
shall be administered consistent with the separate requirements of the Code of
Conduct for disciplining students with a disability or presumed to have a
disability. A student identified as having a disability shall not be
disciplined for behavior related to his/her disability.
A. PENALTIES
Students who are found to
have violated the district’s Code of Conduct may be subject to the following
penalties, either alone or in combination. The school personnel identified
after each penalty are authorized to impose that penalty, consistent with the
student’s right to due process.
1. Verbal warning – any member of the
district staff.
2. Parent contact
3. Written warning –
bus drivers, hall and lunch monitors, coaches, guidance counselors, teachers,
assistant Principal, Principal, and Superintendent.
4. Written notification
to parent – bus driver, hall and lunch monitors, coaches, guidance
counselors, teachers, assistant Principal, Principal, and Superintendent.
5. Detention – teachers, assistant Principal, Principal,
and Superintendent.
6. Suspension from
transportation – director of transportation, assistant Principal,
Principal, and Superintendent.
7. Suspension from
athletic participation – coaches, assistant Principal, Principal, and
Superintendent.
8. Suspension from social
or extracurricular activities – activity director, assistant Principal,
Principal, and Superintendent.
9. Suspension of other
privileges – assistant Principal, Principal, and Superintendent.
10. In-school suspension
– assistant Principal, Principal, and Superintendent.
11. Removal from classroom by teacher –
teacher, assistant Principal, and Principal.
12. Short-term (five days or less) suspension from school –
assistant Principal, Principal, Superintendent, and board of education.
13. Long-term (more than
five days) suspension from school – assistant Principal, Principal,
Superintendent, and board of education.
14. Permanent suspension
from school – Superintendent, board of education.
B.
PROCEDURES
The amount of due process a
student is entitled to receive before a penalty is imposed depends on the
penalty being imposed. In all cases,
regardless of the penalty imposed, the school personnel authorized to impose
the penalty must inform the student of the alleged misconduct and must
investigate, to the extent necessary, the facts surrounding the alleged
misconduct. All students will have an
opportunity to present their version of the facts to the school personnel
imposing the disciplinary penalty in connection with the imposition of the
penalty.
Students who are to be given
penalties other than an verbal warning, written warning or written notification
to their parents are entitled to additional rights before the penalty is
imposed. These additional rights are
explained below:
1. Teacher Detention:
Teachers, Principals,
Assistant Principal and the Superintendent may use detention as a penalty for
student misconduct in situations where removal from the classroom or suspension
would be inappropriate. Detention will be imposed as a penalty only after the
student’s parent has been notified. The student and the student’s parent will
be provided with a reasonable opportunity for an informal conference with the
building Principal or the Principal’s designee to discuss the conduct and the
penalty involved. Saturday detention may also be assigned in lieu of or in
addition to In School Suspension or teacher assigned detention.
2. Suspension from
transportation:
If a student does not
conduct himself/herself properly on a bus, the bus driver is expected to bring
such misconduct to the Principal or Assistant Principal’s attention. Students
who become a serious disciplinary problem may have their riding privileges
suspended by the Principal, Assistant Principal, or the Superintendent or their
designees. In such cases, the student’s parent will become responsible for
seeing that his or her child gets to and from school safely. Should the
suspension from transportation amount to a suspension from attendance; the
district will make appropriate arrangements to provide for the student’s
education.
A student subjected to a
suspension from transportation is not entitled to a full hearing pursuant to
Education Law §3214. However, the student and the student’s parent will be
provided with a reasonable opportunity for an informal conference with the
building Principal or the Principal’s designee to discuss the conduct and the
penalty involved.
3. Suspension from
athletic participation, extra-curricular activities and other privileges:
A student subjected to a
suspension from athletic participation, extra-curricular activities, or other
privileges is not entitled to a full hearing pursuant to Education Law
§3214. However, the student and the
student’s parent will be provided with a reasonable opportunity for an informal
conference with the district official imposing the suspension to discuss the
conduct and the penalty involved.
4. In-school
suspension:
The Board recognizes the
school must balance the need of students to attend school and the need for
order in the classroom to establish an environment conducive to learning. As
such, the Board authorizes Principals, Assistant Principal, and the
Superintendent to place students who would otherwise be suspended from school
as the result of a Code of Conduct violation in “in-school suspension.” The
in-school suspension teacher will be a certified teacher.
A student subjected to an
in-school suspension is not entitled to a full hearing pursuant to Education
Law §3214. However, the student and the
student’s parent will be provided with a reasonable opportunity for an informal
conference with the district official imposing the in-school suspension to
discuss the conduct and the penalty involved.
Students assigned In School
Suspension may not attend or participate in any school-related activities
during the period of the suspension. This includes extra-curricular as well as
curricular activities.
5. Teacher disciplinary
removal of disruptive students:
A student’s behavior can
affect a teacher’s ability to teach and can make it difficult for other
students in the classroom to learn. In most instances the classroom teacher can
control a student’s behavior and maintain or restore control over the classroom
by using good classroom management techniques. These techniques may include
practices that involve the teacher directing a student to briefly leave the
classroom to give the student an opportunity to regain his or her composure and
self-control in an alternative setting. Such practices may include, but are not
limited to: (1) short-term “time out” in an administrator’s office; (2) sending
a student into the hallway briefly; (3) sending a student to the Principal’s
office for the remainder of the class time only; or (4) sending a student to a
guidance counselor or other district staff member for counseling. Time-honored
classroom management techniques such as these do not constitute disciplinary
removals for purposes of this code.
On occasion, a student’s
behavior may become disruptive. For purposes of this Code of Conduct, a
disruptive student is a student who is substantially disruptive of the
educational process or substantially interferes with the teacher’s authority
over the classroom. A substantial disruption of the educational process or
substantial interference with a teacher’s authority occurs when a student
demonstrates a persistent unwillingness to comply with the teacher’s
instructions or repeatedly violates the teacher’s classroom behavior rules.
A classroom teacher may
remove a disruptive student from class for up to two days. The removal from
class applies to the class of the removing teacher only.
If the disruptive student
does not pose a danger or ongoing threat of disruption to the academic process,
the teacher must provide the student with an explanation of why he or she is
being removed and an opportunity to explain his or her version of the relevant
events before the student is removed. Only after the informal discussion may a
teacher remove a student from class.
If the student poses a
danger or ongoing threat of disruption, the teacher may order the student to be
removed immediately. The teacher must, however, explain to the student why he
or she was removed from the classroom and give the student a chance to present
his or her version of the relevant events within 24 hours.
The teacher must complete a
district-established disciplinary removal form and meet with the Principal or
his or her designee as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the
school day, to explain the circumstances of the removal and to present the
removal form. If the Principal or designee is not available by the end of the
same school day, the teacher must leave the form with the secretary and meet
with the Principal or designee prior to the beginning of classes on the next
school day.
Within 24-hours after the
student’s removal, the Principal or another district administrator designated
by the Principal must notify the student’s parents, in writing, that the
student has been removed from class and why. The notice must also inform the
parent that he or she has the right, upon request, to meet informally with the
Principal or the Principal’s designee to discuss the reasons for the removal.
The written notice must be
provided by personal delivery, express mail delivery, or some other means that
is reasonably calculated to assure receipt of the notice within 24 hours of the
student’s removal at the last known address for the parents. Where possible,
notice should also be provided by telephone if the school has been provided
with a telephone number(s) for the purpose of contacting parents.
The Principal may require
the teacher who ordered the removal to attend the informal conference.
If at the informal meeting
the student denies the charges, the Principal or the Principal’s designee must
explain why the student was removed and give the student and the student’s
parents a chance to present the student’s version of the relevant events. The
informal meeting must be held within 48 hours of the student’s removal. The
timing of the informal meeting may be extended by mutual agreement of the
parent and Principal.
The Principal or the
Principal’s designee may overturn the removal of the student from class if the
Principal finds any one of the following:
1. The charges against the student are not supported by
substantial evidence.
2. The student’s removal is otherwise in violation of law,
including the district’s Code of Conduct.
3. The conduct warrants suspension from school pursuant to
Education Law §3214 and a suspension will be imposed.
The Principal or his or her
designee may overturn a removal at any point between receiving the referral
form issued by the teacher and the close of business on the day following the
48-hour period for the informal conference, if a conference is requested. No
student removed from the classroom by the classroom teacher will be permitted
to return to the classroom until the Principal makes a final determination, or
the period of removal expires, whichever is less.
Any disruptive student
removed from the classroom by the classroom teacher shall be offered continued
educational programming and activities until he or she is permitted to return
to the classroom. The students’ classroom teacher will provide class work.
Each teacher must keep a
complete log (on a district provided form) for all cases of removal of students
from his or her class. The Principal must keep a log of all removals of
students from class.
Removal of a student with a
disability, under certain circumstances, may constitute a change in the
student’s placement. Accordingly, no teacher may remove a student with a
disability from his or her class until he or she has verified with the
Principal or the Chairperson of the Committee on Special Education that the
removal will not violate the student’s rights under state or federal law or
regulation.
6. Suspension from
school
Students are expected to
make up work missed during a day of suspension and to meet the deadlines set by
teachers for the completion of that work.
Students on suspension may
not attend or participate in any school-related activities during the period of
the suspension. This includes extra-curricular as well as curricular
activities.
Suspension from school is a
severe penalty, which may be imposed only upon students who are insubordinate,
disorderly, violent or disruptive, or whose conduct otherwise endangers the
safety, morals, health or welfare of others.
The Board retains its
authority to suspend students, but places primary responsibility for the
suspension of students with the Superintendent and the building Principals.
Any staff member may
recommend to the Superintendent or the Principal that a student be suspended.
All staff members must immediately report and refer a violent student to the
Principal or the Superintendent for a violation of the code of conduct. All
recommendations and referrals shall be made in writing unless the conditions
underlying the recommendation or referral warrant immediate attention. In such
cases a written report is to be prepared as soon as possible by the staff
member recommending the suspension.
Upon receiving a
recommendation or referral for suspension, or when processing a case for
suspension, the Superintendent or Principal shall gather the facts relevant to
the matter and record them for subsequent presentation, if necessary.
a. Short-term (5 days
or less) suspension from school
When the Superintendent or
Principal (referred to as the “suspending authority”) proposes to suspend a
student charged with misconduct for five days or less pursuant to Education Law
§3214(3), the suspending authority must immediately notify the student orally. If
the student denies the misconduct, the suspending authority must provide an
explanation of the basis for the proposed suspension. The suspending authority
must also notify the student’s parents in writing that the student may be
suspended from school. The written notice must be provided by personal
delivery, express mail delivery, or some other means that is reasonably
calculated to assure receipt of the notice within 24 hours of the decision to
propose suspension at the last known address for the parents. Where possible,
notice should also be provided by telephone if the school has been provided
with a telephone number(s) for the purpose of contacting the parents.
The notice and opportunity
for an informal conference shall take place before the student is suspended
unless the student’s presence in school poses a continuing danger to persons or
property or an ongoing threat of disruption to the academic process. If the
student’s presence does pose such a danger or threat of disruption, the notice
and opportunity for an informal conference shall take place as soon after the
suspension as is reasonably practicable.
After the conference, the
Principal shall promptly advise the parents in writing of his or her
decision. The Principal shall advise the
parents that if they are not satisfied with the decision and wish to pursue the
matter, they must file a written appeal to the Superintendent within five
business days, unless they can show extraordinary circumstances precluding them
from doing so. The Superintendent shall
issue a written decision regarding the appeal within 10 business days of
receiving the appeal. If the parents are not satisfied with the
Superintendent’s decision, they must file a written appeal to the Board of
Education with the district clerk within 10 business days of the date of the
Superintendents’ decision, unless they can show extraordinary circumstances
precluding them from doing so. Only final decisions of the Board may be
appealed to the Commissioner within 30 days of the decision.
b. Long-term (more than
5 days) suspension from school
When the Superintendent or
building Principal determines that a suspension for more than five days may be
warranted, he or she shall give reasonable notice to the student and the
student’s parents of their right to a fair hearing. At the hearing the student
shall have the right to be represented by counsel, the right to question
witnesses against him or her and the right to present witnesses and other
evidence on his or her behalf.
The Superintendent shall
personally hear and determine the proceeding or may, in his or her discretion,
designate a hearing officer to conduct the hearing. The hearing officer shall
be authorized to administer oaths and to issue subpoenas in conjunction with
the proceeding before him or her. A record of the hearing shall be maintained,
but no stenographic transcript shall be required. A tape recording shall be
deemed a satisfactory record. The
hearing officer shall make findings of fact and recommendations as to the
appropriate measure of discipline to the Superintendent. The report of the hearing
officer shall be advisory only, and the Superintendent may accept all or any
part thereof.
An appeal of the decision of
the Superintendent may be made to the board that will make its decision based
solely upon the record before it. All appeals to the board must be in writing
and submitted to the district clerk within 10 business days of the date of the
Superintendent’s decision, unless the parents can show that extraordinary
circumstances precluded them from doing so. The board may adopt in whole or in
part the decision of the Superintendent. Final decisions of the board may be
appealed to the Commissioner within 30 days of the decision.
c. Permanent suspension
Permanent suspension is
reserved for extraordinary circumstances such as where a student’s conduct
poses a life-threatening danger to the safety and well being of other students,
school personnel or any other person lawfully on school property or attending a
school function.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION CHART
C. MINIMUM PERIODS OF
SUSPENSION
1. Students who bring a
weapon to school:
Any student, other than a
student with a disability, found guilty of bringing a weapon onto school
property will be subject to suspension from school for at least one calendar
year. Before being suspended, the student
will have an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to Education Law §3214. The Superintendent has the authority to
modify the one-year suspension on a case-by-case basis. In deciding whether to modify the penalty,
the Superintendent may consider the following:
1. The student’s age.
2. The student’s grade.
3. The student’s prior disciplinary record.
4. The Superintendent’s belief that other forms of
discipline may be more effective.
5. Input from parents, teachers and/or others.
6. Other extenuating circumstances.
A student with a disability
may be suspended only in accordance with the requirements of state and federal
law.
2. Students who commit
violent acts other than bringing a weapon to school:
Any student, other than a
student with a disability, who is found to have committed a violent act, other
than bringing a weapon onto school property, shall be subject to suspension
from school for at least five days. If the proposed penalty is the minimum
five-day suspension, the student and the student’s parents will be given the
same notice and opportunity for an informal conference given to all students
subject to a short-term suspension. If the proposed penalty exceeds the minimum
five-day suspension, the student and the student’s parents will be given the
same notice and opportunity for a hearing given to all students subject to a
long-term suspension. The Superintendent has the authority to modify the
minimum five-day suspension on a case-by-case basis. In deciding whether to
modify the penalty, the Superintendent may consider the same factors considered
in modifying a one-year suspension for possessing a weapon.
3. Students who are
repeatedly substantially disruptive of the educational process or repeatedly
substantially interferes with the teacher’s authority over the classroom:
Any student, other than a
student with a disability, who repeatedly is substantially disruptive of the
educational process or substantially interferes with the teacher’s authority
over the classroom, will be suspended from school for at least five days. For purposes of this Code of Conduct,
“repeatedly is substantially disruptive” means engaging in conduct that results
in the student being removed from the classroom by teacher(s) pursuant to Education
Law § 3214(3-a) and this code on four or more occasions during a semester, or
three or more occasions during a trimester.
If the proposed penalty is the minimum five-day suspension, the student
and the student’s parent will be given the same notice and opportunity for an
informal conference given to all students subject to a short-term
suspension. If the proposed penalty
exceeds the minimum five-day suspension, the student and the student’s parent
will be given the same notice and opportunity for a hearing given to all
students subject to a long-term suspension.
The Superintendent has the authority to modify the minimum five-day
suspension on a case-by-case basis. In
deciding whether to modify the penalty, the Superintendent may consider the
same factors considered in modifying a one-year suspension for possessing a
weapon.
ATTENDANCE
ABSENCES AND LATENESS:
PARENTAL NOTES
ABSENCES: When a
student is absent, the school must obtain an affidavit (commonly called an
“excuse") from the parent or guardian and signed, stating:
The student’s full name;
1. Days and dates absent from
school;
2. The reason for the absence.
This excuse is a legal document that must be kept on file for three years and
can be admitted in court as documentary evidence. Failure to present a note
following an absence will result in the absence being recorded as truancy.
ABSENCES- LEGAL: Students are legally excused from school for the following
reasons: personal illness; critical illness or death in the immediate family;
impassable roads (that the district buses do not service); recognized religious
holiday; required attendance at court, and quarantine.
ABSENCES- ILLEGAL: Fall into two categories: Unlawful Detention and Truancy.
1. Truancy: A student
sent to school by his/her parents and expected to be in school is considered
truant if she/he absents him/herself for some unlawful reason.
2. Unlawful Detention:
Occurs when a pupil is absent from school with the knowledge and consent stated
or implied of his parent for other than legal reasons, such as visiting, away,
vacation, shopping, needed at home, caring for baby, work, no shoes, overslept,
car trouble, etc. Trips with parents are not approved educational trips.
If excuses are not received,
all absences will be recorded as illegal.
The
Education Law also applies
to late arrivals (tardiness). Students arriving late for the start of school
must carry a parental note with them indicating the reason for such lateness.
These are filed in the Principal’s Office.
·
Students are expected to be in school on time daily. Late arrival to
school or class is not acceptable.
·
3 lates = a cut, which will result in an
in-school suspension. The same laws in effect for attendance apply to tardiness
as well. Students must be in attendance at school every day of the school year
unless they are sick, have a death in the family, must observe a religious
obligation, or have another legal excuse.
·
Students requesting early dismissal from school must carry a parental
note with them to school at the beginning of the school day. Parents must sign
the sign out sheet in the Office when picking up their children from school
during the day. No Verbal Permission
will be accepted. Leaving school property during the school day without
parental permission and school approval is strictly forbidden. No student may sign him or herself out
of school. This is a closed campus. Students may not leave without authorized
approval from the Assistant Principal or Principal.
·
Unexcused tardiness falls into two categories: Unlawful detention and
truancy. Under truancy, a student sent to school by his/her parent and expected
to be in school is considered truant if he/she absents himself for some
unlawful reason. Unlawful detention occurs when a pupil is absent from school
with the knowledge and consent stated or implied of his parent for other than
legal reasons, such as visiting, away, vacation, shopping, needed at home,
caring for baby, work, no shoes, overslept, car trouble, etc.
ATTENDANCE – COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW
IMPORTANT NOTE: A 1992 amendment to New York
State Compulsory Education Law states:
“Children who turn 16 during a school year continue to be subject to the
compulsory education laws until the end of that school year.” For example, students who turn 16 between
Regarding a student over 16
year of age not subject to the above revision of the law: A student is not dropped from the register
until 20 days after the school is notified that the student will not be
returning to school, or until twenty consecutive days absent from school
accumulate. Once the school is notified, steps will be taken, involving a
conference with the student and parents or guardians, to persuade the student
to return to school or to at least continue his or her education through an
alternative educational program
ABSENCES
We wish to emphasize
consistent attendance is crucial to student success. Should a student be
absent, the school nurse will attempt to contact a parent or guardian to verify
the legality of the absence. It would also be helpful if parents could call the
school before
The school will accept
requests for student’s work for those who are absent.
Class work, including tests
and/or homework, missed due to illegal absences cannot be made up.
3 lates to school or any class = a cut = 1 day In-school suspension
Webutuck
Attendance Policy
I.
Absence
A. Parents
should notify the school of the student’s absences by
B. Students
may not be absent from a full year class more than 9 times in one semester, and students may not be absent from a full
year class more than 18 times in one
year. Students exceeding the allotted
number of days will be denied credit.
C. Students
who are more than 20 minutes late to
class without a legitimate excuse will be counted as absent.
D. Absences
are either excused or illegal. The principal, acting as the board appointed
designee, shall approve or disapprove any student’s absences in excess of the
equivalent of 9 days. Credit may be re-instated at the discretion of the
principal, provided that the student remains in the class, does not miss any
more days, and maintains a passing grade. Credit will only be re-instated
following the end of the course.
1. The
Board recognizes the following as examples of legal excuses for student absence
(i.e.—excused absences). These must be verified by the student’s
parent/guardian or school personnel, where applicable:
a. Personal
illness.
b. Serious illness or death in the immediate family.
c. Religious observance.
d. Required attendance in court.
e. Approved school-sponsored activities, including field trips, interscholastic athletics, musical and other competitions.
f. Directed or authorized presence at the Administrative Offices or Nurse’ Office.
g. Sent home by the nurse.
h. Student present in ISS.
i. Student assigned Out of School suspension.
j. Quarantine.
k. Dental and medical appointments that cannot be arranged for after school or during other non-school hours.
l. Approved college visitation (generally restricted to juniors and seniors), with the prior knowledge and approval of parents and counselors, so long as it does not exceed 4 days in a school year.
m. Accident.
n. Bus is late to school.
o. Hospitalized with home instruction (medical/psychiatric placement).
p. Home instruction (pursuant to administrative referral).
2. The following are examples of inexcusable or illegal absences (i.e.—unexcused absences):
a. Truancy
b. Missing the school bus
c. Shopping
d. Baby-sitting
e. Hunting and fishing
f. Vacations
g. Employment
h. Car trouble or traffic delays
i. Oversleeping
j. Family business
(Note: The preceding lists are not to be considered complete and/or comprehensive.)
II. Make-up
A. Students
with excused absences will be given an opportunity to make up work missed
provided arrangements are made within three (3) days of the student’s return to
school. There will be no academic penalty for excused absences provided that
any work missed is made up.
B. Students
may make up or reduce previous class absences through the following:
1. Do
subject work with the subject teacher for 40 min/1 hour after school during the
teacher’s available after school hours, OR
2. Do
prearranged subject work in Saturday detention to make up time due to excessive
absences, OR
3. Go
to Attendance school.
a. Attendance
school will be scheduled for the last 4 Saturdays immediately preceding the end
of each semester in order to provide the opportunity for students who are able
to maintain a passing average in a given course but who fail due to attendance.
C. Stipulations
for make-ups include:
1. Class
make-ups cannot be done during the regular school day.
2. Make-up
assignments are to be completed within one calendar week of the student’s
return to class.
3. Classes
missed due to in school or out-of-school suspension must be made up through the
make-up options.
D. Students
who abuse the make-up policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action
which may include denial of future make-up options.
III. Intervention.
A. Classroom
teachers will inform main office with
reference to attendance.
B. The
main office will then coordinate the communications with the student’s
parent/guardian.
1. The
principal will complete a letter notifying parents/guardian that a student is In Danger of Failing Due to Attendance
at 3, 6 and 8 days total
absences for each semester.
2. The
principal will also complete a letter notifying that a student has Failed Due to Attendance once the
maximum days of absence have been met and make up work has not been completed.
C.
IV. Extra-Curricular
Activities
A. Students
must be in attendance for the full day or arrive by
B. Students
who miss a class during the school day due to an illegal absence cannot
participate in after school activities that day, including sports practices and
interscholastic competition.
C. Students
who leave school due to illness may not return to school later that day to
participate in after school activities.
V. Vacation
Policy. Planned absences for family vacations are illegal absences. Vacationing
students who are at risk of reaching the limit must make up classes prior to
vacation. Parents of student planning vacations should notify the school
administration at least one week prior to the vacation. Vacationing students
are responsible for all material and assignments missed.
VI. Extended
Illness. When a student is absent for
more than a day, or when a student is diagnosed as having a potential long term
illness, the student or his/her parent should contact the school administration
to arrange for the educational needs of the student. An extended illness will
be counted as a single day if, upon return to school, the student supplies a
doctors note that indicates the physician recommended the student remain out of
school.
VII. Driving
Privileges
A. Students
who drive to school and arrive late are subject to losing their driving
privileges. After 3 lates, students’ driving privileges may be revoked for a
period of time.
B. Younger
siblings of students with driving privileges are responsible for arriving on
time and are subject to procedures described above in regard to excessive tardiness.
C. Students
are not allowed to leave without a legal excuse during the school day.
D. Students
with any lapse in adhering to the Attendance Policy will result in revoking of parking
privileges.
D. REFERRALS
1. Counseling:
The
Guidance Office shall handle all referrals of students to counseling.
2. PINS Petitions:
The district may file a PINS
(person in need of supervision) petition in Family Court on any student under
the age of 18 who demonstrates that he or she requires supervision and
treatment by:
a. Being habitually truant by not attending school as required
by part one of Article 65 of the Education Law.
b. Engaging in an ongoing or continual course of conduct, which
makes the student ungovernable or habitually disobedient, and beyond the lawful
control of the school.
c. Knowingly and unlawfully possesses marijuana in violation of
Penal Law §221.05. A single violation of §221.05 will be a sufficient basis for
filing a PINS petition.
3. Juvenile Delinquents
and Juvenile Offenders
The Superintendent is
required to refer the following students to the
a. Any student under the age of 16 who is found to have
brought a weapon to school, or
b. Any student 14 or 15 years old who qualifies for juvenile
offender status under the Criminal Procedure Law §1.20(42).
The Superintendent is
required to refer student’s age 16 and older or any student 14 or 15 years old
who qualifies for juvenile offender status to the appropriate law enforcement
authorities.
TARDIES
Any student arriving to 1st
period class after the bell will be marked tardy. Students must present a note
from their parent or guardian explaining the tardiness and sign in with the
Office before going to first period class. Students who are late three (3)
times to school will be assigned an in-school suspension by the office.
Failure to sign in properly
as stated above and chronic tardiness may result in a conference with Parent/
Guardian and/or further
disciplinary action
SUPPORT OPTIONS
We work in many ways to try
and help students in the most effective manner. Below are some support options
that you can avail yourself of whenever the need arises. Please call 845-373-4108 for further information
and/or assistance.
CHILD STUDY TEAM: The child study team
consists of the Guidance Counselors, The Astor School Social Workers, the
Student Assistance Counselor, the School Nurse, Assistant Principal and the
Principal. The team meets as requested to discuss students at risk.
COUNSELING: We utilize the professional services of our
Astor Counseling Team, which consists of School Social Workers. We also have on staff a School Psychologist,
a Student Assistance Counselor, and Guidance Counselors. Sometimes, students
and/or families are referred to outside agencies or counselors. The Guidance
Office shall handle all referrals of students for counseling.
MEDIATION: Many students and teachers have taken
advantage of the expertise of our trained student mediators. Through the
mediation process, disputants work together with teachers, counseling staff,
and guidance counselors to develop a resolution of the conflict in which both
sides win.
IX. ALTERNATIVE
INSTRUCTION
When a teacher removes a
student of any age from class or a student of compulsory attendance age is
suspended from school pursuant to Education Law §3214, the district will take
immediate steps to provide alternative means of instruction for the student.
X. DISCIPLINE OF
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The Board recognizes that it
may be necessary to suspend, remove or otherwise discipline students with
disabilities to address disruptive or problem behavior. The Board also
recognizes that students with disabilities enjoy certain procedural protections
whenever school authorities intend to impose discipline upon them. The Board is
committed to ensuring that the procedures followed for suspending, removing or
otherwise disciplining students with disabilities are consistent with the
procedural safeguards required by applicable laws and regulations.
This Code of Conduct affords
students with disabilities subject to disciplinary action no greater or lesser
rights than those expressly afforded by applicable federal and state laws and
regulations.
A. Authorized Suspensions or Removals of Students with
Disabilities
1. For
purposes of this section of the Code of Conduct, the following definitions
apply:
A “suspension” means a
suspension pursuant to Education Law §3214.
A “removal” means a removal
for disciplinary reasons from the student’s current educational placement other
than a suspension and change in placement to an interim alternative educational
setting (IAES) ordered by an impartial hearing officer because the student poses
a risk of harm to himself or herself or others.
An “IAES” means a temporary
educational placement for a period of up to 45 days, other than the student’s
current placement at the time the behavior precipitating the IAES placement
occurred, that enables the student to continue to progress in the general
curriculum, although in another setting, to continue to receive those services
and modifications, including those described on the student’s current
Individualized Education Program (IEP), that will enable the student to meet
the goals set out in such IEP, and include services and modifications to
address the behavior which precipitated the IAES placement that are designed to
prevent the behavior from recurring.
2. School personnel may order the suspension or removal of a
student with a disability from his or her current educational placement as
follows:
a. The
Board, the district (BOCES) Superintendent of schools or a building Principal
may order the placement of a student with a disability into an IAES, another
setting or suspension for a period not to exceed five consecutive school days
and not to exceed the amount of time a non-disabled student would be subject to
suspension for the same behavior.
b. The
Superintendent may order the placement of a student with a disability into an
IAES, another setting or suspension for up to 10 consecutive school days,
inclusive of any period in which the student has been suspended or removed
under subparagraph (a) above for the same behavior, if the Superintendent
determines that the student has engaged in behavior that warrants a suspension
and the suspension or removal does not exceed the amount of time non-disabled
students would be subject to suspension for the same behavior.
c. The
Superintendent may order additional suspensions of not more than 10 consecutive
school days in the same school year for separate incidents of misconduct, as
long as those removals do not constitute a change of placement.
d. The
Superintendent may order the placement of a student with a disability in an
IAES to be determined by the committee on special education (CSE), for the same
amount of time that a student without a disability would be subject to
discipline, but not more than 45 days, if the student carries or possesses a
weapon to school or to a school function, or the student knowingly possesses or
uses illegal drugs or sells or solicits the sale of a controlled substance
while at school or a school function.
1. “Weapon” means the same as “dangerous
weapon” under 18 U.S.C. §930(g)(w) which includes, “a weapon, device,
instrument, material or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or
is readily capable of causing death or serious bodily injury, except…[for] a
pocket knife with a blade of less that 2 ½ inches in length.”
2. “Controlled substance” means a drug or
other substance identified in certain provisions of the federal Controlled
Substances Act specified in both federal and state law and regulations
applicable to this policy.
3. “Illegal drugs” means a controlled
substance except for those legally possessed or used under the supervision of a
licensed health-care professional or that is legally possessed or used under
any other authority under the Controlled Substances Act or any other federal law.
B. Change of Placement Rule
1. A
disciplinary change in placement means a suspension or removal from a student’s
current educational placement that is either:
a. for
more than 10 consecutive school days; or
b. for
a period of 10 consecutive school days or less if the student is subjected to a
series of suspensions or removals that constitute a pattern because they
cumulate to more than 10 school days in a school year and because of such
factors as the length of each suspension or removal, the total amount of time
the student is removed and the proximity of the suspensions or removals to one
another.
2. School
personnel may not suspend or remove a student with disabilities if imposition
of the suspension or removal would result in a disciplinary change in
placement, based on a pattern of suspensions or removals if the CSE has
determined that the behavior was not a manifestation of the student’s
disability, or the student is placed in an IAES for behavior involving weapons,
illegal drugs or controlled substances.
C. Special Rules Regarding the Suspension or Removal of
Students with Disabilities
1. The
district’s Committee on Special Education shall:
a. Conduct
functional behavioral assessments to determine why a student engages in a particular
behavior, and develop or review behavioral intervention plans whenever the
district is first suspending or removing a student with a disability for more
than 10 school days in a school year or imposing a suspension or removal that
constitutes a disciplinary change in placement, including a change in placement
to an IAES for misconduct involving weapons, illegal drugs, or controlled
substances.
If subsequently, a student
with a disability who has a behavioral intervention plan and who has been suspended
or removed from his or her current educational placement for more than 10
school days in a school year is subjected to a suspension or removal that does
not constitute a disciplinary change in placement, the members of the CSE shall
review the behavioral intervention plan and its implementation to determine if
modifications are necessary.
b. Conduct
a manifestation determination review of the relationship between the student’s
disability and the behavior subject to disci0plinary action whenever a decision
is made to place a student in an IAES either for misconduct involving weapons,
illegal drugs or controlled substances or because maintaining the student in
his current educational setting poses a risk of harm to the student or others;
or a decision is made to impose a suspension that constitutes a disciplinary
change in placement.
2. The
parents of a student who is facing disciplinary action, but who has not been
determined to be eligible for services under IDEA and Article 89 at the time of
misconduct, shall have the right to invoke applicable procedural safeguards set
forth in federal and state law and regulations, if, in accordance with federal
and state statutory and regulatory criteria, the school district is deemed to
have had knowledge that their child was a student with a disability before the
behavior precipitating disciplinary action occurred. If the district is deemed
to have had such knowledge, the student will be considered a student presumed
to have a disability for discipline purposes.
a. The
Superintendent, building Principal or other school official imposing a
suspension or removal shall be responsible for determining whether the student
is a student presumed to have a disability.
b. A
student will not be considered a student presumed to have a disability for
discipline purposes if, upon receipt of information supporting a claim that the
district had knowledge the student was a student with a disability, the
district either:
1. conducted
an individual evaluation and determined that the student is not a student with
a disability, or
2. determined that an evaluation was not necessary and provided
notice to the parents of such determination, in the manner required by
applicable law and regulations.
If there is no basis for knowledge
that the student is a student with a disability prior to taking disciplinary
measures against the student, the student may be subjected to the same
disciplinary measures as any other non-disabled student who engaged in
comparable behaviors.
However, if a request for an
individual evaluation is made while such non-disabled student is subjected to a
disciplinary removal, an expedited evaluation shall be conducted and completed
in the manner prescribed by applicable federal and state law and regulations.
Until the expedited evaluation is completed, the non-disabled student who is
not a student presumed to have a disability for discipline purposes shall
remain in the educational placement determined by the district, which can
include suspension.
3. The
district shall provide parents with notice of disciplinary removal no later
than the date on which a decision is made to change the placement of a student
with a disability to an IAES for either misconduct involving weapons, illegal
drugs or controlled substances or because maintaining the student in his/her
current educational setting poses a risk of harm to the student or others; or a
decision is made to impose a suspension or removal that constitutes a
disciplinary change in placement.
The procedural safeguards
notice prescribed by the Commissioner shall accompany the notice of
disciplinary removal.
4. The
parents of a student with disabilities subject to a suspension of five
consecutive school days or less shall be provided with the same opportunity for
an informal conference available to parents of non-disabled students under the
Education Law.
5. Superintendent
hearings on disciplinary charges against students with disabilities subject to
a suspension of more than five school days shall be bifurcated into a guilt
phase and a penalty phase in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
Commissioner’s regulations incorporated into this code.
6. The
removal of a student with disabilities other than a suspension or placement in
an IAES shall be conducted in accordance with the due process procedures
applicable to such removals of non-disabled students, except that school
personnel may not impose such removal for more than 10 consecutive days or for
a period that would result in a disciplinary change in placement, unless the
CSE has determined that the behavior is not a manifestation of the student’s
disability.
7. During
any period of suspension or removal, including placement in IAES, students with
disabilities shall be provided services as required by the Commissioner’s
regulations incorporated into this code.
D. Expedited Due Process Hearings
1. An
expedited due process hearing shall be conducted in the manner specified by the
Commissioner’s regulations incorporated into this code, if:
a. The
district requests such a hearing to obtain an order of an impartial hearing
officer placing a student with a disability in an IAES where school personnel
maintain that it is dangerous for the student to be in his or her current
educational placement, or during the pendency of due process hearings where
school personnel maintain that it is dangerous for the student to be in his or
her current educational placement during such proceedings.
b. The
parent requests such a hearing from a determination that the student’s behavior
was not a manifestation of the student’s disability, or relating to any
decision regarding placement, including but not limited to any decision to
place the student in an IAES.
2. During the pendency of an expedited due process hearing or
appeal regarding the placement of a student in an IAES for behavior involving
weapons, illegal drugs or controlled substances, or on grounds of
dangerousness, or regarding a determination that the behavior is not a
manifestation of the student’s disability for a student who has been placed in
an IAES, the student shall remain in the IAES pending the decision of the
impartial hearing officer or until expiration of the IAES placement, whichever
occurs first, unless the parents and the district agree otherwise; (2) if school personnel propose to change the
student’s placement after expiration of an IAES placement, during the pendency
of any proceeding to challenge the proposed change in placement, the student
shall remain in the placement prior to removal to the IAES, except where the
student is again placed in an IAES.
3. An
expedited due process hearing shall be completed within 15 business days of
receipt of the request for a hearing.
Although the impartial hearing officer may grant specific extensions of
such time period, he or she must mail a written decision to the district and
the parents within five business days after the last hearing date, and in no
event later than 45 calendar days after receipt of the request for a hearing,
without exceptions or extensions.
E. Referral to law enforcement and judicial authorities
In accordance with the
provisions of IDEA and its implementing regulations:
1. The
district may report a crime committed by a child with a disability to
appropriate authorities, and such action will not constitute a change of the
student’s placement.
2. The
Superintendent shall ensure that copies of the special education and
disciplinary records of a student with disabilities are transmitted for
consideration to the appropriate authorities to which a crime is reported.
XI. CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
Corporal punishment is any
act of physical force upon a student for the purpose of punishing that student.
Corporal punishment of any student by any district employee is strictly
forbidden.
However, in situations where
alternative procedures and methods that do not involve the use of physical
force cannot reasonably be used, reasonable physical force may be used to:
1. Protect
oneself, another student, teacher or any person from physical injury.
2. Protect
the property of the school or others.
3. Restrain
or remove a student whose behavior interferes with the orderly exercise and
performance of school district functions, powers and duties, if that student
has refused to refrain from further disruptive acts.
The district will file all
complaints about the use of corporal punishment with the Commissioner of
Education in accordance with Commissioner’s regulations.
XII. STUDENT SEARCHES AND
INTERROGATIONS
The Board of Education is
committed to ensuring an atmosphere on school property and at school functions
that is safe and orderly. To achieve this kind of environment, any school
official authorized to impose a disciplinary penalty on a student may question
a student about an alleged violation of law or the district Code of Conduct.
Students are not entitled to any sort of “Miranda” – type warning before being
questioned by school officials, nor are school officials required to contact a
student’s parent before questioning the student. However, school officials will
tell all students why they are being questioned.
In addition, the Board
authorizes the Superintendent, building Principals, the school nurse and
district security officials to conduct searches of students and their
belongings if the authorized school official has reasonable suspicion to
believe that the search will result in evidence that the student violated the
law or the district Code of Conduct.
An authorized school
official may conduct a search of a student’s belongings that is minimally
intrusive, such as touching the outside of a book bag, without reasonable
suspicion, so long as the school official has a legitimate reason for the very
limited search.
An authorized school
official may search a student or the student’s belongings based upon
information received from a reliable informant. Individuals, other than the
district employees, will be considered reliable informants if they have
previously supplied information that was accurate and verified, or they make an
admission against their own interest, or they provide the same information that
is received independently from other sources, or they appear to be credible and
the information they are communicating relates to an immediate threat to
safety. District employees will be considered reliable informants unless they
are known to have previously supplied information that they knew was not
accurate.
Before searching a student
or the student’s belongings, the authorized school official should attempt to
get the student to admit that he or she possesses physical evidence that they
violated the law or the district code, or get the student to voluntarily
consent to the search. Searches will be limited to the extent necessary to
locate the evidence sought.
Whenever practicable,
searches will be conducted in the privacy of administrative offices and
students will be present when their possessions are being searched.
A. Student Lockers,
Desks and Other School Storage Places
The rules in the Code of
Conduct regarding searches of students and their belonging do not apply to
student lockers, desks and other school storage places. Students have no
reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to these places and school
officials retain complete control over them.
This means that student lockers, desks and other school storage places
may be subject to search at any time by school officials, without prior notice
to students and without their consent.
B. Strip Searches
A strip search is a search
that requires a student to remove any or all of his or her clothing, other than
an outer coat or jacket. If an authorized school official believes it is
necessary to conduct a strip search of a student, the school official may do so
only if the search is authorized in advance by the Superintendent or the school
attorney. The only exception to this rule requiring advanced authorization is
when the school official believes there is an emergency situation that could
threaten the safety of the student or others.
Strip searches may only be
conducted by an authorized school official of the same sex as the student being
searched and in the presence of another district professional employee who is
also of the same sex as the student.
In every case, the school
official conducting a strip search must have probable cause – not simply
reasonable cause – to believe the student is concealing evidence of a violation
of law or the district code. In addition, before conducting a strip search, the
school official must consider the nature of the alleged violation, the
student’s age, the student’s record and the need for such a search.
School officials will
attempt to notify the student’s parents by telephone before conducting a strip
search or in writing after the fact if the parent could not be reached by
telephone.
C. Documentation of
Searches
The authorized school
official conducting the search shall be responsible for promptly recording the
following information about each search:
1. Name, age and grade of student searched.
2. Reasons for the search.
3. Name of any informant(s).
4. Purpose of search (that is, what item(s) were being
sought).
5. Type and scope of search.
6. Person conducting search and his or her title and
position.
7. Witnesses, to the search.
8. Time and location of the search.
9. Results of search (that is, what item(s) were found).
10. Disposition of items found.
11. Time, manner and results of parental notification.
The building Principal or
the Principal’s designee shall be responsible for the custody, control and disposition
of any illegal or dangerous item taken from a student. The Principal or his or
her designee shall clearly label each item taken from the student and retain
control of the item(s), until the item(s) is turned over to the police. The
Principal or his or her designee shall be responsible for personally delivering
dangerous or illegal items to police authorities.
D. Police Involvement in
Searches and Interrogations of Students
District officials are
committed to cooperating with police officials and other law enforcement
authorities to maintain a safe school environment. Police officials, however,
have limited authority to interview or search students in schools or at school
functions, or to use school facilities in connection with police work. Police
officials may enter school property or a school function to question or search
a student or to conduct a formal investigation involving students only if they
have:
1. A
search or an arrest warrant;
2. Probable
cause to believe a crime has been committed on school property or at a school
function;
3. Been
invited by school officials.
Before police officials are
permitted to question or search any student, the building Principal or his or
her designee shall first try to notify the student’s parent to given the parent
the opportunity to be present during the police questioning or search. If the
student’s parent cannot be contacted prior to the police questioning or search,
the questioning or search shall not be conducted. The Principal or designee
will also be present during any police questioning or search of a student on
school property or at a school function.
Students who are questioned
by police officials on school property or at a school function will be afforded
the same rights they have outside the school. This means:
1. They
must be informed of their legal rights,
2. They
may remain silent if they so desire,
3. They
may request the presence of an attorney.
E. Child Protective
Services Investigations
Consistent with the
district’s commitment to keep students safe from harm and the obligation of
school officials to report to child protective services when they have
reasonable cause to suspect that a student has been abused or maltreated, the
district will cooperate with local child protective service workers who wish to
conduct interviews of students on school property relating to allegations of
suspected child abuse, and/or neglect, or custody investigations.
All requests by child
protective services to interview a student on school property shall be made
directly to the building Principal or his or her designee. The Principal or his
or her designee shall set the time and place of the interview. The Principal or
designee shall decide if it is necessary and appropriate for a school official
to be present during the interview, depending on the age of the student being
interviewed and the nature of the allegations. If the nature of the allegations
is such that it may be necessary for the student to remove any of his or her
clothing in order for the child protective services worker to verify the
allegations, the school nurse or other district medical personnel must be
present during that portion of the interview. No student may be required to
remove his or her clothing in front of a child protective services worker or
school district official of the opposite sex.
A child protective services
worker may not remove a student from school property without a court order,
unless the worker reasonably believes that the student would be subject to danger
of abuse if he or she were not removed from school before a court order can
reasonably be obtained. If the worker
believes the student would be subject to danger of abuse, the worker may remove
the student without a court order and without the parent’s consent.
XIII. VISITORS TO THE
SCHOOLS
The Board encourages parents
and other district citizens to visit the district’s schools and classrooms to
observe the work of the students, teachers and other staff. Since schools are a place of work and learning,
however, certain limits must be set for such visits. The building Principal or
his or her designee is responsible for all persons in the building and on the
grounds. For these reasons, the following rules apply to visitors to the
schools:
1. Anyone
who is not a regular staff member or student of the school will be considered a
visitor.
2. All
visitors to the school must report to the office of the Principal upon arrival
at the school. There they will be
required to sign the visitor’s register and will be issued a visitor’s
identification badge, which must be worn at all times while in the school or on
school grounds. The visitor must return
the identification badge to the Principal’s office before leaving the building.
3. Visitors
attending school functions that are open to the public, such as parent-teacher
organization meetings or public gatherings are not required to register.
4. Parents
or citizens who wish to observe a classroom while school is in session are
required to arrange such visits in advance with the classroom teacher(s), so
that class disruption is kept to a minimum.
5. Teachers
are expected not to take class time to discuss individual matters with
visitors.
6. Any
unauthorized person on school property will be reported to the Principal or his
or her designee. Unauthorized persons will be asked to leave. The police may be
called if the situation warrants.
7. All
visitors are expected to abide by the rules for public conduct on the school
property contained in this Code of Conduct.
XIV. PUBLIC CONDUCT ON
SCHOOL PROPERTY
The district is committed to
providing an orderly, respectful environment that is conducive to learning. To
create and maintain this kind of an environment, it is necessary to regulate
public conduct on school property and at school functions. For purposes of this
section of the code, “public” shall mean all persons when on school property or
attending a school function including students, teachers and district
personnel.
The restrictions on public conduct
on school property and at school functions contained in this code are not
intended to limit freedom of speech or peaceful assembly. The district
recognizes that free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the
objectives of the district. The purpose of this code is to maintain public
order and prevent abuse of the rights of others.
All persons on school
property or attending a school function shall conduct themselves in a
respectful and orderly manner. In addition, all persons on school property or
attending a school function are expected to be properly attired for the purpose
they are on the school property.
A. Prohibited Conduct
No person, either alone or
with others, shall:
1. Intentionally
injure any person or threaten to do so.
2. Intentionally
damage or destroy school district property or the personal property of a
teacher, administrator, other district employee or any other person lawfully on
school property, including graffiti or arson.
3. Disrupt
the orderly conduct of classes, school programs or other school activities.
4. Distribute
or wear materials on school grounds or at school functions that are obscene,
advocate illegal action, appear libelous, obstruct the rights of others, or are
disruptive to the school program.
5. Intimidate,
harass or discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, creed,
national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
6. Enter
any portion of the school premises without authorization or remain in any building
or facility after it is normally closed.
7. Obstruct
the free movement of any person in any place to which this code applies.
8. Violate
the traffic laws, parking regulations or other restrictions on vehicles.
9. Possess,
consume, sell, distribute or exchange alcoholic beverages, controlled
substances, or be under the influence of either on school property or at a
school function.
10. Possess
or use weapons in or on school property or at a school function, except in the
case of law enforcement officers, or except as specifically authorized by the
school district.
11. Loiter on or about school property.
12. Gamble
on school property or at school functions.
13. Refuse to comply with any reasonable order of identifiable
school district officials performing their duties.
14. Willfully
incite others to commit any of the acts prohibited by this code.
15. Violate
any federal or state statute, local ordinance or board policy while on school
property or while at a school function.
16. Smoke
a cigarette, cigar, pipe or use chewing or smokeless tobacco.
B. Penalties
Persons who violate this
code shall be subject to the following penalties:
1. Visitors: Their authorization, if any, to remain on
school grounds or at the school function shall be withdrawn and they shall be
directed to leave the premises. If they
refuse to leave, local law enforcement authorities will be contacted to assist
in removing the person.
2. Students: They shall be subject to disciplinary action
as the facts may warrant, in accordance with the due process requirements.
3. Tenured faculty members: They shall be subject to disciplinary action
as the facts may warrant in accordance with Education Law §3020-a, or any other
legal rights that they may have.
4. Staff
members in the classified service of the civil service entitled to the protection
of Civil Service Law §75. They shall be subject to immediate ejection and to
disciplinary action as the facts may warrant in accordance with Civil Service
Law §75 or any other legal rights that they may have.
5. Staff
members other than those described in subdivisions 4 and 5. They shall be
subject to warning, reprimand, suspension or dismissal as the facts may warrant
in accordance with any legal rights they may have.
C. Enforcement
The building Principal or
his or her designee shall be responsible for enforcing the conduct required by
this code.
When the building Principal
or his or her designee sees an individual engaged in prohibited conduct, which
in his or her judgment does not pose any immediate threat of injury to persons
or property, the Principal or his or her designee shall tell the individual
that the conduct is prohibited and attempt to persuade the individual to stop.
The Principal or his or her designee shall also warn the individual of the
consequences for failing to stop. If the person refuses to stop engaging in the
prohibited conduct, or if the person’s conduct poses an immediate threat of
injury to persons or property, the Principal or his or her designee shall have
the individual removed immediately from school property or the school function.
If necessary, local law enforcement authorities will be contacted to assist in
removing the person.
The district shall initiate
disciplinary action against any student or staff member, as appropriate, with
the “Penalties” section above. In addition, the district reserves its right to
pursue a civil or criminal legal action against any person violating the code.
XV. DISSEMINATION AND
REVIEW
A. Dissemination of Code
of Conduct
The Board will work to
ensure that the community is aware of this Code of Conduct by:
1. Providing
copies of a summary of the code to all students at a general assembly held at
the beginning of each school year.
2. Making
copies of the code available to all parents at the beginning of the school
year.
3. Mailing
a summary of the Code of Conduct written in plain language to all parents of
the district students before the beginning of the school year and making this
summary available later upon request.
4. Providing
all current teachers and other staff members with a copy of the code and a copy
of any amendments to the code as soon as practicable after adoption.
5. Providing
all new employees with a copy of the current Code of Conduct when they are
first hired.
6. Making
copies of the code available for review by students, parents and other
community members.
The Board will sponsor an
in-service education program for all district staff members to ensure the
effective implementation of the Code of Conduct. The Superintendent may solicit
the recommendations of the district staff, particularly teachers and
administrators, regarding in-service programs pertaining to the management and
discipline of students.
The Board of Education will
review this Code of Conduct every year and update it as necessary. In conducting the review, the Board will
consider how effective the code’s provisions have been and whether the code has
been applied fairly and consistently.
The Board may appoint an advisory
committee to assist in reviewing the code and the district’s response to code
of conduct violations. The committee will be made up of representatives of
student, teacher, administrator, and parent organizations, school safety
personnel and other school personnel.
Before adopting any
revisions to the code, the Board will hold at least one public hearing at which
school personnel, parents, students and any other interested party may
participate.
The Code of Conduct and any
amendments to it will be filed with the Commissioner no later than 30 days
after adoption.
ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
CHANGES
It is extremely important
that changes in address, and home, work, and emergency telephone numbers be
reported to the guidance office immediately. In case of an emergency, we want
to be able to reach parents as soon as possible.
APPOINTMENTS WITH STAFF
MEMBERS
Please call if you need an
appointment with office staff, the Assistant Principal, Principal, Guidance
Counselor, Nurse's Office or Teacher’s.
ATHLETICS - ATTENDANCE AT
ATHLETIC EVENTS
All students are encouraged to attend as many
athletic events as they can and to cheer the Webutuck teams on to victory.
Those attending are to follow these rules of
behavior:
1. Cheer for your team -- do not boo or hiss the opposing
team.
2. Use appropriate language at all times.
3. Do not harass spectators, players or officials.
4. Food or Drink is not permitted inside the gym.
5. Any student absent, tardy, in-school
suspended or suspended from school during the day may not attend an after
school function without special permission from the Principal.
6. Any student who is on social suspension may not attend an
after school function.
7. A spectator may not leave the building
during an indoor contest and return to the building without the prior approval
of a chaperone.
8. Anyone who is carrying alcoholic
beverages or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited from
school property.
9. Spectators may not have any noisemakers.
10. Signs, placards, or posters may not be brought or carried
by a spectator into a game or displayed.
ATHLETIC SELECTION AND CLASSIFICATION PROGRAM
In order to participate in
interscholastic sports, students must have had a physical examination by a
Doctor, Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Associate within one year of the time
the sport is to take place. A report of this physical examination must be filed
with the school nurse. Physical examinations are conducted at school for this
purpose at no cost to the student. The nurse will announce dates for physical
examinations. The Selection/Classification Program for selecting and
classifying students for interscholastic athletics focuses on determining a
student's readiness for interscholastic competition. The procedures may be used
to identify students of above average, average, and below average development
for athletic participation. This screening program is based on the following:
·
Pupils do not grow and mature on identical schedules. Age and grade
level alone provide insufficient information about a student's readiness for
involvement in interscholastic athletic contests.
·
Among pupils of the same age and grade, there is a tremendous range in
stage of maturation, physical fitness, skills and prior sports experience. All
factors must be evaluated to ensure the pupil's sports success and the
prevention of injury.
·
The stage of maturation is related to physical development, strength,
closure of the epiphyses, and to the development of agility, strength, speed
and endurance.
·
The demands of different sports vary as to the importance of the
evaluated factors. Each sport is considered in relation on the degree of
contact and strenuous nature. New York State Physical Fitness Screening Test
items are weighted in relation to their importance to each specific sport.
·
The screening procedure applies only to a pupil's eligibility to have
access to try out for a specific team. An approval decision permits a pupil to
try out for a team under the same standards that are used for all other pupils
trying out for a team.
The following standards must be met:
1. A parent must sign the request form to allow the student
to try out for a particular team.
2. The student must pass a physical examination and the
maturation test for the particular sport and level, either Junior Varsity or
Varsity.
3. The student must pass the New York State Physical Fitness
Screening Test for the particular sport and level (Junior Varsity and Varsity)
within 30 days of the beginning of that sports season. Once a student has gone
through these procedures and has been scheduled to participate in a specific
sport at a specific level of play, re-administration of the Physical Fitness
Test is not necessary for additional seasons in the same sport.
4. After the student has met all of the above, he or she must
have the approval of the Athletic Director. Only after the Athletic Director
indicates acceptance into the selection and classification program may the
student try out for the team.
BUS INFORMATION FOR YOUR
SAFETY
BUS PASSES:
·
Bus passes may be requested prior to the start of school each day only.
Students requesting bus passes must
have a written note from a parent or
guardian with them when a pass is requested, no verbal permission is allowed.
BUS PROCEDURES:
·
Proper behavior on school buses will be strictly enforced to maintain
safety. Students who violate proper behavior standards or fail to heed
directions issued by the bus driver may forfeit their privileges to ride for a
fixed period of time. All students must know that a bus driver has the
authority of a classroom teacher, i.e., to assign seats, demand silence, issue
instructions, etc.
·
Inquires regarding buses, routes, pick up, drop-off should be directed
to the Transportation department. Please call them directly: 845-373-4105.
AT THE BUS STOP:
·
Be on time. Form a line as the bus approaches.
·
Never run toward the bus. Never push or shove near the bus.
·
Stay away from the sides and back of the bus.
·
If you cross the street or road, wait for the driver to signal you to
cross. Look both ways for yourself.
ENTERING THE BUS:
·
Enter one at a time. Use the handrails.
·
Sit in the first available seat unless assigned a seat by the driver.
·
A student will not ride any bus other than his or her own without
written permission from the school office.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT
TO BE CARRIED ON THE BUS:
·
Anything made of glass, or any pointed or sharp objects.
·
Large class projects or large musical instruments.
·
Baseball bats, hockey sticks, or any large, hard objects.
·
Any object that may endanger oneself or others.
·
No unapproved electronic equipment.
LEAVING THE BUS:
·
A student will not be allowed to get off the bus at any stop other than
his or her designated bus stop without written permission from the school
office.
·
Emergency doors may never be used to enter or exit except in an
emergency or an emergency drill.
·
Remain in your seat until the bus comes to a complete stop and the
doors have been opened. Go down the steps slowly using the handrail.
·
Move away from the bus immediately. There are dangerous blind spots
along the right side, in back of and in front of the bus.
·
If you cross the street after getting off you must walk ahead of the
bus on the sidewalk or along the edge of the road if there is no sidewalk.
Remember to wait for the driver to give the signal to cross, and look both ways
before crossing.
· If a student drops something under or near the bus, the student must NOT attempt to pick it up without first telling the driver. If a monitor is present, he or she must get the object or paper.
BEHAVIOR ON THE BUS:
1. Cooperate with the driver at all
times.
2. The driver has authority on the bus.
You must follow the driver's instructions.
3. Do not stand while the bus is
moving.
4. Remain seated and face the front of
the bus.
5. Never touch opening devices on
emergency doors or windows.
6. Talk in a normal tone without making
any loud noises. Loud voices and noises distract the driver.
7. Do not stick head, arms, or legs out
the window for any reason.
8. Never yell out the windows.
9. Never throw objects out the windows.
10. No pushing, shoving, fighting, or
disturbing other students.
11. Keep aisles clear of book bags, lunch
boxes or other objects.
12. Keep your bus clean.
13. Vandalism will not be tolerated.
Payment must be made for any damages.
TOBACCO USE AND SMOKING
New York State Law forbids
smoking on the school grounds and in the buildings. The school grounds and
school buildings have been declared “drug-free school zones,” which means it is
illegal to possess, sell, or use drugs, including tobacco, within one thousand
(1000) feet of the school property.
Smoking by students in the
building, on the grounds, in school or in personal vehicles on school grounds
is prohibited at all times. In addition, smoking items, i.e., all tobacco products
and paraphernalia, including chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.,
are also prohibited. Said items will be confiscated and discarded, and repeated
instances will result in disciplinary action.
Smoking on school grounds or
at school functions (home or away) will be identified by any one of the
following:
·
Students possessing a cigarette, chewing tobacco, or any tobacco
products or paraphernalia;
·
Smoke being exhaled;
·
Student or students in a closed lavatory stall with smoke rising or in
an area where smoke is present.
·
More than one student in a closed lavatory stall.
Possession by a student of tobacco in any form will result in an
immediate three (3) day suspension.
DANCES
Student organizations may
sponsor dances during the year. The purpose of dances at school is to provide a
healthy and enjoyable social activity for students. While student organizations
have been able to raise money at such events, the emphasis has always been on
the entertainment of our students at a reasonable cost.
The Principal must approve
each dance. Only students in grades 6 - 8 may attend middle school dances. Only students in grades 9 – 12 may attend
high school dances.
RULES:
1. All
other school rules apply at a dance.
2. Guests: If a student wishes to invite a guest to a
school-sponsored dance, the guest must be registered with the Principal at
least 1 week prior to the dance. A list of approved guests will be given to the
chaperone at the entry desk. Only approved guests will be permitted at the
dance.
3. Students who are absent, have an unexcused tardiness,
in-school suspension or suspended on the day of a dance are not permitted
at the dance unless the Principal granted special permission.
4. Once a student has been admitted, he or she may not leave
the dance without being accompanied by a chaperone. Otherwise, if you leave the
dance, you cannot return.