Edited 2023-2024 Parent and Student HandbookK5

Alcott School Willard School Thoreau School

2023-2024

Parent and Student Elementary School

Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction Page

Mission 3

Core Values & Beliefs 3

School Committee / School Administration 4

School Councils 5

Policies & Procedures

Non-Discriminatory Policies – Title IX, Section 504 6

Discrimination 6

Procedure for Filing Complaints Related to Discrimination 6

Harassment 7

CORI 8

Attendance 9

Student Absences and Excuses 9

School Hours 10

Early Dismissal 10

Cancellation or Delayed Opening of School 10

Home/Hospital Instruction 11

English Language Learners Program 11

PAC 11

Special Education 12

504 Accommodation Plan 13

Student Rights and Responsibilities 13

Student Conduct 14

Tobacco Use Policy 15

Substance Abuse 15

Disciplinary Process 16

Discipline Procedures for Students w/Special Needs 16

Discipline of Students Subject to Section 504 17

Discipline of Students Not Yet Determined Eligible 17

Bullying Prevention and Intervention 18

School Bus Safety 31

Transportation Questions 33

METCO 33

School Visitors 33

Clothing 34

Footwear 34

Lunches 35

Allergy Information 36

Playground Rules 36

Class 3 Laser Pointers 37

Student Activities Involving Photos/Videos 37

Telephone / Electronics Policy 37

Homework Guidelines 37

Progress Reports/Parent Conference 38

Network Usage Guidelines 39

Health Services

Immunization Requirements 42

Physical Exams 43

Medication Policies 44

Health Screening 44

School Attendance Dismissals 45

Communicable Diseases 45

Student Allergy Procedures 46

Student Records

State Pupil Records Policy 48

Confidentiality of Records 48

Amendment or Deletion of Records 48

Notification of Rights under FERPA 49

Notification of Rights under PPRA 50

Physical Restraint Policy & Procedure 51

Declaration of Compliance 54

Acceptable Use Policy/Digital Citizens Guidelines 56

Care Solace 57

CONCORD SCHOOL COMMITTEE

2023-2024

Cynthia Rainey Alexa Anderson

[email protected] [email protected]

Court Booth Tracey Marano

[email protected] [email protected]

Carrie Rankin

[email protected]

Regular meetings are held on the 2

and 4

Tuesday of each month in the

Ripley Building, 120 Meriam Road. Meetings begin at 6:00 pm. Community

members are encouraged to attend.

Concord School Administration

Ripley Building

120 Meriam Road

Concord, MA 01742

978-341-2490 ext. 8100

www.concordps.org

Dr. Laurie Hunter, Superintendent

Bob Conry, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations

Kristen Anderson, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning

School Councils

The Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993 requires that each public

school form a school council consisting of the principal, teachers elected by the

professional staff, an equal number of parents elected by the parent community,

and community members who do not have children in the school. The purposes

of the council are to assist and advise the principal in adopting educational goals,

identifying the educational needs of the students, reviewing the annual school

budget, and formulating a school improvement plan.

Non-Discriminatory Policies – Title IX, Section 504

The Concord School Committee and Concord-Carlisle School Committee and

Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District are

committed to maintaining an education and work environment for all school

community members that is free from all forms of discrimination, including

harassment and retaliation. The members of the school community include the

School Committee, employees, administration, faculty, staff, students, volunteers

in the schools, and parties contracted to perform work for the Concord Public

Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District.

Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District do not

exclude from participation, deny the benefits of Concord Public Schools and

Concord-Carlisle Regional School District from or otherwise discriminate against,

individuals on the basis of race*, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,

religion, disability, age, genetic information, active military/veteran status, marital

status, familial status, pregnancy, or pregnancy-related condition, homelessness,

ancestry, ethnic background, national origin, or any other category protected by

state or federal law in the administration of its educational and employment

policies, or in its programs and activities.

This commitment to the community is affirmed by the following statements. The

School Committee commits to:

1. Promoting the rights and responsibilities of all individuals as set forth in

the State and Federal Constitutions, pertinent legislation, and applicable

judicial interpretations.

2. Encouraging positive experiences in human values for children, youth

and adults, all of whom have differing personal and family characteristics

and who come from various socioeconomic, racial and ethnic groups.

3. Working toward a more integrated society and enlisting the support of

individuals as well as groups and agencies, both private and

governmental, in such an effort.

4. Using all appropriate communication and action techniques to air and

address the grievances of individuals and groups.

5. Carefully consider, in all the decisions made within the school district,

the potential benefits or adverse consequences that those decisions might

have on the human relations.

6. Initiating a process of reviewing policies and practices of the school

district in order to achieve to the greatest extent possible the objectives of

this statement.

The Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District

require all members of the school community to conduct themselves in

accordance with this policy.

It shall be a violation of this policy for any member of the school community to

engage in any form of discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, or to

violate any other civil right of any member of the school community. We

recognize that discrimination can take a range of forms and can be targeted or

unintentional; however, discrimination in any form, including harassment and

retaliation, will not be tolerated.

It shall also be a violation of this policy for any school community member to

subject any other member of the school community to any form of retaliation,

including, but not limited to, coercion, intimidation, interference, punishment,

discrimination, or harassment, for reporting or filing a complaint of discrimination,

cooperating in an investigation, aiding or encouraging another member of the

school community to report such conduct or file a complaint, or opposing any act

or practice reasonably believed to be prohibited by this policy.

*race to include traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited

to, hair texture, hair type, hair length and protective hairstyles.

Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District will

respond promptly to any reports or complaints of discrimination, including

harassment and retaliation, or other violations of civil rights, pursuant to our

detailed response protocol. Where it is determined that discrimination or

harassment has occurred, Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle

Regional School District will act promptly to eliminate the conduct and will impose

developmentally- appropriate disciplinary, restorative, and/or corrective action.

Any member of the school community who is found, after investigation, to have

engaged in any form of discrimination, including harassment or retaliation,

against another member of the school community, will be subject to

consequences determined appropriate by the administration. Such

consequences may include restorative measures and corrective action, and/or

student discipline or staff disciplinary action, up to and including termination of

employment.

Definitions

"Discrimination" and "Harassment" are defined as unwelcome conduct, whether

verbal or physical, that is based on any individual´s actual or perceived race*,

color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic

information, active military/veteran status, marital status, familial status,

pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, homelessness, ancestry, ethnic

background, national origin, or any other category protected by state or federal

law, Discrimination and/or harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Display or circulation of written materials or pictures that are degrading

to a person or group described above.

• Verbal abuse or insults about, directed at, or made in the presence of,

an individual or group described above.

• Any action or speech that contributes to, promotes or results in a hostile

or discriminatory environment to an individual or group described above

• Any action or speech that is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent

that it either (i) interferes with or limits the ability of an individual or group

described above to participate in or benefit from employment or a program

or activity of __PS; or (ii) creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive

educational or working environment.

Harassment may include, but is not limited to, any unwelcome,

inappropriate, or illegal physical, written, verbal, graphic, or electronic

conduct, and that has the intent or effect of creating a hostile education or

work environment by limiting the ability of an individual to participate in or

benefit from the district´s programs and activities or by unreasonably

interfering with that individual´s education or work environment or, if the

conduct were to persist, would likely create a hostile educational or work

environment.

"Title IX Sexual Harassment" (effective August 14, 2020) means verbal, physical

or other conduct that targets a person based on their sex, and that satisfies one

or more of the following:

• A school employee conditioning educational benefits or services on

participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo);

• Any unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would find so severe,

pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person

equal access to the school's educational program or activity;

• Any instance of "sexual assault", "dating violence", "domestic violence",

or "stalking", as those terms are defined by the Clery Act (20 U.S.C.

1092(f)(6)(A)(v)) and the Violence Against Women Act (34 U.S.C.

12291(a)(8), (10) & (30)).

Allegations of Title IX Sexual Harassment shall be reported and investigated

pursuant to the CPS and CCRSD Protocol for Investigating Sexual Harassment

and Retaliation Pursuant to Title IX.

Resources

The following individual is designated as the District ADA, Title VI, Title IX, and

Sexual Harassment Coordinator, and Grievance Officer for the School

Committee, administration, faculty, staff, volunteers in the schools, and for parties

who are contracted to perform work for the Concord Public Schools and

Concord-Carlisle Regional School District, and can be reached at:

Human Resources Director

120 Meriam Road, Concord MA 01742

978-318-1500

Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations

120 Meriam Road, Concord MA 01742

978-318-1500

The following individual is designated as the District ADA, Title VI, Title IX, and

Sexual Harassment and Civil Rights Coordinator for students in the Concord

Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle School District. In addition, the Director of

Student Services is the District 504 Coordinator, and can be reached at:

Director of Student Services

120 Meriam Road, Concord MA 01742

978-318-1500

Inquiries concerning the Concord Public Schools´ and Concord-Carlisle Regional

School Districts' policies and protocols, compliance with applicable laws,

statutes, and regulations, and complaints may also be directed to the Director of

Human Resources. Inquiries about laws, statutes, regulations and compliance

may also be directed to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and

Secondary Education or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of

Education, 5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02109; (617)

289-0111; Email: [email protected]; Website: www.ed.gov/ocr

*race to include traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited

to, hair texture, hair type, hair length and protective hairstyles.

Sexual Harassment

The Concord and Concord-Carlisle School Committees and Concord Public

Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District are committed to

maintaining an education and work environment for all school community

members that is free from all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment.

The members of the school community include the School Committee,

employees, administration, faculty, staff, students, volunteers in the schools, and

parties contracted to perform work for the Concord Public Schools and

Concord-Carlisle Regional School District.

Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. The definition

includes unwelcome conduct on the basis of sex that is so severe, pervasive,

and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the

school's education program or activity it also, includes unwelcome sexual

advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical

conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment includes conduct by an

employee conditioning an educational benefit or service upon a person's

participation in unwelcome sexual conduct, often called quid pro quo harassment

and, sexual assault as the Federal Clery Act defines that crime. Sexual violence

is a form of sexual harassment. Sexual violence, as the Office of Civil Rights

(OCR) uses the term, refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a

person's will or where a person is incapable of giving consent (e.g., due to the

student's age or use of drugs or alcohol, or because an intellectual or other

disability prevents the student from having the capacity to give consent). A

number of different acts fall into the category of sexual violence, including rape,

sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse and sexual coercion. Massachusetts

General Laws Ch. 119, Section 51 A, requires that public schools report cases of

suspected child abuse, immediately orally and file a report within 48 hours

detailing the suspected abuse to the Department of Children and Families. For

the category of sexual violence, in addition to Section 51A referrals these

offences and any other serious matters shall be referred to local law

enforcement. Schools must treat seriously all reports of sexual harassment that

meet the definition of sexual harassment and the conditions of actual notice and

jurisdiction as noted above. Holding a school liable under Title IX can occur only

when the school knows of sexual harassment allegations and responds in a way

that is deliberately indifferent (clearly unreasonable in light of known

circumstance).

While it is not possible to list all those additional circumstances that may

constitute sexual harassment, the following are some examples of conduct,

which if unwelcome, may constitute sexual harassment, depending on the totality

of the circumstances, including the severity of the conduct and its pervasiveness:

• Unwelcome sexual advances-whether they involve physical touching or

not;

• Sexual epithets, jokes, written or oral references to sexual conduct,

gossip regarding one's sex life; comment on an individual's body,

comment about an individual's sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess;

• Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, cartoons;

• Unwelcome leering, whistling, brushing against the body, sexual

gestures, suggestive or insulting comments;

• Inquiries into one's sexual experiences; and,

• Discussion of one's sexual activities.

The legal definition of sexual harassment is broad and in addition to the above

examples, other sexually oriented conduct, whether it is intended or not, that is

unwelcome and has the effect of creating an environment that is hostile,

offensive, intimidating, to male, female, or gender non-conforming students or

employees may also constitute sexual harassment.

Because the District takes allegations of harassment, including sexual

harassment, seriously, we will respond promptly to complaints of harassment

including sexual harassment, and following an investigation where it is

determined that such inappropriate conduct has occurred, we will act promptly to

eliminate the conduct and impose corrective action as is necessary, including

disciplinary action where appropriate.

Please note that while this policy sets forth our goals of promoting an

environment that is free of harassment including sexual harassment, the policy is

not designed or intended to limit our authority to discipline or take remedial action

for conduct which we deem unacceptable, regardless of whether that conduct

satisfies the definition of harassment or sexual harassment.

Retaliation against a complainant, because they have filed a harassment or

sexual harassment complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment or

sexual harassment investigation or proceeding, is also prohibited. A student or

employee who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this

policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including student suspension

and expulsion or employee termination.

The complainant does not have to be the person at whom the unwelcome sexual

conduct is directed. The complainant, regardless of gender, may be a witness to

and personally offended by such conduct.

NOTICE OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The regulations require a school district to respond when the district has actual

notice of sexual harassment. School districts have actual notice when an

allegation is made known to any school employee. Schools must treat seriously

all reports of sexual harassment that meet the definition of harassment and the

conditions of actual notice and jurisdiction as noted whether or not the

complainant files a formal complaint. Holding a school liable under Title IX can

occur only when the school knows of sexual harassment allegations and

responds in a way that is deliberately indifferent (clearly unreasonable in light of

known circumstances). Schools are required to investigate every formal

complaint and respond meaningfully to every known report of sexual harassment.

The regulation highlights the importance of supportive measures designed to

preserve or restore access to the school's education program or activity, with or

without a formal complaint. Where there has been a finding of responsibility, the

regulation would require remedies designed to restore or preserve access to the

school's education program or activity.

DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS

Due process protections include the following:

1) A presumption of innocence throughout the grievance process, with the

burden of proof on the school;

2) A prohibition of the single investigator model, instead requiring a

decision-maker separate from the Title IX Coordinator or investigator;

3) The clear and convincing evidence or preponderance of the evidence,

subject to limitations;

4) The opportunity to test the credibility of parties and witnesses through

cross examination, subject to "rape shield" protections;

5) Written notice of allegations and an equal opportunity to review the

evidence;

6) Title IX Coordinators, investigators, and decision-makers must be free

from bias or conflict of interest;

7) Equal opportunity for parties to appeal, where schools offer appeals;

8) Upon filing a formal complaint the school must give written notice to the

parties containing sufficient details to permit a party to prepare for any

initial interview and proceed with a factual investigation. For K-12 schools

a hearing is optional but the parties must be allowed to submit written

questions to challenge each other's credibility before the decision-maker

makes a determination. After the investigation, a written determination

must be sent to both parties explaining each allegation, whether the

respondent is responsible or not responsible, including the facts and

evidence on which the conclusion was based by applying either the

preponderance of the evidence or the clear and convincing standard;

however, a school can use the lower preponderance standards only if it

uses that standard for conduct code violations that do not involve sexual

harassment but carry the same maximum disciplinary sanction. As long as

the process is voluntary for all parties, after being fully informed and

written consent is provided by both parties, a school may facilitate informal

resolution of a sexual complaint.

A district may establish an informal investigation process that may, upon the

request of the complainant be followed by a formal process.

The Superintendent in consultation with the Title IX Coordinator shall designate

the principal of each school in the district, or their designee (or some other

appropriate employee(s)) as the initial entity to receive the sexual harassment

complaint. Also, in a matter of sexual harassment, the district shall require that

the Title IX Coordinator be informed, as soon as possible, of the filing of the

complaint. Nothing in this policy shall prevent any person from reporting the

prohibited conduct to someone other than those above designated complaint

recipients. The investigating officer may receive the complaint orally or in writing,

and the investigation shall be conducted in such a way as to maintain

confidentiality to the extent practicable under the circumstances and in

compliance with applicable law. The investigation will be prompt, thorough, and

impartial, and will include, at least, a private interview with the person filing the

complaint and with witnesses. Also, the alleged harasser will be interviewed.

When the investigation is completed, the complaint recipient will, to the extent

appropriate, inform the person filing the complaint and the person alleged to have

committed the conduct of the results of that investigation.

Schools must create and maintain records documenting every Title IX sexual

harassment complaint. This could include mediation, restorative justice, or other

models of alternative dispute resolution. Schools must keep records regarding

the school's response to every report of sexual harassment of which it becomes

aware even if no formal complaint was filed, including documentation of

supportive matters offered and implemented for the complainant.

This policy, or a summary thereof that contain the essential policy elements shall

be distributed by the Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional

School District to its students and employees and each parent or guardian shall

sign that they have received and understand the policy.

Contact for Employees:

Human Resources Director

120 Meriam Road, Concord MA 01742

978-318-1500

Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations

120 Meriam Road, Concord MA 01742

978-318-1500

Contact for Students:

Director of Student Services

120 Meriam Road, Concord MA 01742

978-318-1500

Please note that the following entities have specified time limits for filing a claim.

The Complainant may also file a complaint with:

• The Mass. Commission Against Discrimination, 1 Ashburton Place,

Room 601

Boston, MA 02108.

Phone: 617-994-6000.

• Office for Civil Rights (U.S. Department of Education)

5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor

Boston, MA 02109.

Phone: 617-289-0111.

• The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,

John F. Kennedy Bldg.

475 Government Center

Boston, MA 02203.

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI

It shall be the policy of the school district that, as required by law, a state and

national fingerprint criminal background check will be conducted to determine the

suitability of full or part time current and prospective school employees, who may

have direct and unmonitored contact with children. School employees shall

include, but not be limited to any apprentice, intern, or student teacher or

individuals in similar positions, who may have direct and unmonitored contact

with children. The school committee shall only obtain a fingerprint background

check for current and prospective employees for whom the school committee has

direct hiring authority. In the case of an individual directly hired by a school

committee, the chair of the school committee shall review the results of the

national criminal history check. The superintendent shall also obtain a state and

national fingerprint background check for any individual, who regularly provides

school related transportation to children. The school committee, superintendent

or principal as appropriate may obtain a state and national fingerprint criminal

background check for any volunteer, subcontractor or laborer commissioned by

the school committee, school or employed by the city or town to perform work on

school grounds, who may have direct and unmonitored contact with children.

School volunteers and subcontractors/laborers who may have direct and

unmonitored contact with children must continue to submit state Criminal

Offender Record Information (CORI) checks.

The fee charged by the provider to the employee and educator for national

fingerprint background checks will be $55.00 for school employees subject to

licensure by DESE and $35.00 for other employees, which fee may from time to

time be adjusted by the appropriate agency. The employer shall continue to

obtain periodically, but not less than every 3 years, from the department of

criminal justice information services all available criminal offender record

information (CORI) for any current and prospective employee or volunteer within

the school district who may have direct and unmonitored contact with children.

Direct and unmonitored contact with children is defined in DESE regulations as

contact with a student when no other employee who has received a suitability

determination by the school or district is present. "Contact" refers to any contact

with a student that provides the individual with opportunity for physical touch or

personal communication.

This policy is applicable to any fingerprint-based state and national criminal

history record check made for non-criminal justice purposes and requested under

applicable federal authority and/or state statute authorizing such checks for

licensing or employment purposes. Where such checks are allowable by law, the

following practices and procedures will be followed.

Requesting CHRI (Criminal History Record Information) checks

Fingerprint-based CHRI checks will only be conducted as authorized by state

and federal law, in accordance with all applicable state and federal rules and

regulations. If an applicant or employee is required to submit to a

fingerprint-based state and national criminal history record check, he/she shall be

informed of this requirement and instructed on how to comply with the law. Such

instruction will include information on the procedure for submitting fingerprints. In

addition, the applicant or employee will be provided with all information needed to

successfully register for a fingerprinting appointment.

Access to CHRI

All CHRI is subject to strict state and federal rules and regulations in addition to

Massachusetts CORI laws and regulations. CHRI cannot be shared with any

unauthorized entity for any purpose, including subsequent hiring determinations.

All receiving entities are subject to audit by the Massachusetts Department of

Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) and the FBI, and failure to comply

with such rules and regulations could lead to sanctions. Federal law and

regulations provide that the exchange of records and information is subject to

cancellation if dissemination is made outside of the receiving entity or related

entities. Furthermore, an entity can be charged criminally for the unauthorized

disclosure of CHRI.

Storage of CHRI

CHRI shall only be stored for extended periods of time when needed for the

integrity and/or utility of an individual's personnel file. Administrative, technical,

and physical safeguards, which are in compliance with the most recent CJIS

Security Policy have been implemented to ensure the security and confidentiality

of CHRI. Each individual involved in the handling of CHRI is to familiarize

himself/herself with these safeguards.

In addition to the above, each individual involved in the handling of CHRI will

strictly adhere to the policy on the storage, retention and destruction of CHRI.

Retention and Destruction of CHRI

Federal law prohibits the repurposing or dissemination of CHRI beyond its initial

requested purpose. Once an individual's CHRI is received, it will be securely

retained in internal agency documents for the following purposes only:

Historical reference and/or comparison with future CHRI requests,

Dispute of the accuracy of the record

Evidence for any subsequent proceedings based on information contained

in the CHRI.

CHRI will be kept for the above purposes in a secure location in the office of the

superintendent.

When no longer needed, CHRI and any summary of CHRI data must be

destroyed by shredding paper copies and/or by deleting all electronic copies from

the electronic storage location, including any backup copies or files. The

shredding of paper copies of CHRI by an outside vendor must be supervised by

an employee of the district.

CHRI Training

An informed review of a criminal record requires training. Accordingly, all

personnel authorized to receive and/or review CHRI at the district will review and

become familiar with the educational and relevant training materials regarding

SAFIS and CHRI laws and regulations made available by the appropriate

agencies, including the DCJIS.

Determining Suitability

In determining an individual's suitability, the following factors will be considered:

these factors may include, but not necessarily be limited to: the nature and

gravity of the crime and the underlying conduct, the time that has passed since

the offense, conviction and/or completion of the sentence, nature of the position

held or sought, age of the individual at the time of the offense, number of

offenses, any relevant evidence of rehabilitation or lack thereof and any other

factors deemed relevant by the district.

A record of the suitability determination will be retained. The following information

will be included in the determination:

The name and date of birth of the employee or applicant;

The date on which the school employer received the national criminal

history check results; and,

The suitability determination (either "suitable" or "unsuitable").

A copy of an individual's suitability determination documentation must be

provided to another school employer, or to the individual, upon request of the

individual for whom the school employer conducted a suitability determination.

Relying on Previous Suitability Determination.

The school employer may obtain and may rely on a favorable suitability

determination from a prior employer, if the following criteria are met:

The suitability determination was made within the last seven years; and

The individual has not resided outside of Massachusetts for any period

longer than three years since the suitability determination was made; and

either

The individual has been employed continuously for one or more school

employers or has gaps totaling no more than two years in his or her

employment for school employers; or

If the individual works as a substitute employee, the individual is still

deemed suitable for employment by the school employer who made a

favorable suitability determination. Upon request of another school

employer, the initial school employer shall provide documentation that the

individual is still deemed suitable for employment by the initial school

employer.

Adverse Decisions Based on CHRI

If inclined to make an adverse decision based on an individual's CHRI, the district

will take the following steps prior to making a final adverse determination:

Provide the individual with a copy of his/her CHRI used in making the

adverse decision;

Provide the individual with a copy of this CHRI Policy;

Provide the individual the opportunity to complete or challenge the

accuracy of his/her CHRI; and

Provide the individual with information on the process for updating,

changing, or correcting CHRI.

A final adverse decision based on an individual's CHRI will not be made until the

individual has been afforded a reasonable time depending on the particular

circumstances not to exceed thirty days to correct or complete the CHRI.

If a school employer receives criminal record information from the state or

national fingerprint-based background checks that includes no disposition or is

otherwise incomplete, the school employer may request that an individual, after

providing him a copy of said background check, provide additional information

regarding the results of the criminal background checks to assist the school

employer in determining the applicant's suitability for direct and unmonitored

contact with children, notwithstanding the terms of General Laws chapter 151B,

S. 4,(9,9 ½). Furthermore, in exigent circumstances, a school employer may,

pursuant to the terms of DESE regulations (see specific regulations in legal refs),

hire an employee on a conditional basis without first receiving the results of a

national criminal background check. After exhausting several preliminary steps

as contained in the above referenced regulation the district may require an

individual to provide information regarding the individual's history of criminal

convictions; however, the individual cannot be asked to provide information about

juvenile adjudications or sealed convictions. The superintendent is advised to

confer with legal counsel whenever he/she solicits information from an individual

concerning his/her history of criminal convictions.

Secondary Dissemination of CHRI

If an individual's CHRI is released to another authorized entity, a record of that

dissemination must be made in the secondary dissemination log. The secondary

dissemination log is subject to audit by the DCJIS and the FBI.

The following information will be recorded in the log:

Subject Name;

Subject Date of Birth;

Date and Time of the dissemination;

Name of the individual to whom the information was provided;

Name of the agency for which the requestor works;

Contact information for the requestor; and

The specific reason for the request.

Reporting to Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education

Pursuant to state law and regulation, if the district dismisses, declines to renew

the employment of, obtains the resignation of, or declines to hire a licensed

educator or an applicant for a Massachusetts educator license because of

information discovered through a state or national criminal record check, the

district shall report such decision or action to the Commissioner of Elementary

and Secondary Education in writing within 30 days of the employer action or

educator resignation. The report shall be in a form requested by the Department

and shall include the reason for the action or resignation as well as a copy of the

criminal record checks results. The superintendent shall notify the employee or

applicant that it has made a report pursuant to the regulations to the

Commissioner.

Pursuant to state law and regulation, if the district discovers information from a

state or national criminal record check about a licensed educator or an applicant

for a Massachusetts educator license that implicates grounds for license action

pursuant to regulations, the superintendent shall report to the Commissioner in

writing within 30 days of the discovery, regardless of whether the district retains

or hires the educator as an employee. The report must include a copy of the

criminal record check results. The school employer shall notify the employee or

applicant that it has made a report pursuant to regulations to the Commissioner

and shall also send a copy of the criminal record check results to the employee

or applicant.

C.O.R.I. REQUIREMENTS

It shall be the policy of the district to obtain all available Criminal Offender Record

Information (CORI) from the department of criminal justice information services of

prospective employee(s) or volunteer(s) of the school department including any

individual who regularly provides school related transportation to children, who

may have direct and unmonitored contact with children, prior to hiring the

employee(s) or to accepting any person as a volunteer. State law requires that

school districts obtain CORI data for employees of taxicab companies that have

contracted with the schools to provide transportation to pupils.

The Superintendent, Principal, or their certified designees shall periodically, but

not less than every three years, obtain all available Criminal Offender Record

Information from the department of criminal justice informational services on all

employees, individuals who regularly provide school related transportation to

children, including taxicab company employees, and volunteers who may have

direct and unmonitored contact with children, during their term of employment or

volunteer service.

The Superintendent, Principal, or their certified designees may also have access

to Criminal Offender Record Information for any subcontractor or laborer who

performs work on school grounds, and who may have direct and unmonitored

contact with children, and shall notify them of this requirement and comply with

the appropriate provisions of this policy.

Pursuant to a Department of Education regulation, "ï¿½Direct and unmonitored

contact with children´ means contact with students when no other employee, for

whom the employer has made a suitability

determination of the school or district, is present. " Contact" refers to any contact

with a student that provides the individual with opportunity for physical touch or

personal communication. The school employer may determine when there is

potential for direct and unmonitored contact with children by assessing the

circumstances and specific factors including but not limited to, whether the

individual will be working in proximity with students, the amount of time the

individual will spend on school grounds, and whether the individual will be

working independently or with others. An individual shall not be considered to

have the potential for direct and unmonitored contact with children if he or she

has only the potential for incidental unsupervised contact in commonly used

areas of the school grounds."

In accordance with state law, all current and prospective employees, volunteers,

and persons regularly providing school related transportation to children of the

school district shall sign an acknowledgement form authorizing receipt by the

district of all available CORI data from the department of criminal justice

information services. In the event that a current employee has a question

concerning the signing of the acknowledgement form, he/she may meet with the

Principal or Superintendent; however, failure to sign the CORI acknowledgement

form may result in a referral to local counsel for appropriate action. Completed

acknowledgement forms must be kept in secure files. The School Committee,

Superintendent, Principals or their designees certified to obtain information under

the policy, shall prohibit the dissemination of school information for any purpose

other than to further the protection of school children.

CORI is not subject to the public records law and must be kept in a secure

location, separate from personnel files and may be retained for not more than

three years. CORI shall be shared with the individual to whom it pertains,

pursuant to law, regulation and the following model policy, and in the event of an

inaccurate report the individual should contact the department of criminal justice

informational services.

Access to CORI material must be restricted to those individuals certified to

receive such information. In the case of prospective employees or volunteers,

CORI material should be obtained only where the Superintendent had

determined that the applicant is qualified and may forthwith be recommended for

employment or volunteer duties.

The hiring authority, subject to applicable law and the model policy, reserves the

exclusive right concerning any employment decision.

The Superintendent shall ensure that on the application for employment and/or

volunteer form there shall be a statement that as a condition of the employment

or volunteer service the school district is required by law to obtain Criminal

Offender Record Information for any employee, individual who regularly provides

transportation, or volunteer who may have direct and unmonitored contact with

children. Current employees, persons regularly providing school related

transportation, and volunteers shall also be informed in writing by the

Superintendent prior to the periodic obtaining of their Criminal Offender Record

Information.

Records sealed pursuant to law shall not operate to disqualify a person in any

examination, appointment or application for public service on behalf of the

Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof.

The Superintendent shall revise contracts with special education schools and

other providers to require a signed statement that the provider has met all legal

requirements of the state where it is located relative to criminal background

checks for employees and others having direct and unmonitored contact with

children.

Attendance

Regular and punctual school attendance is essential for success in school. The

Committee recognizes that parents of children attending our schools have

special rights as well as responsibilities, one of which is to ensure that their

children attend school regularly, in accordance with state law.

Therefore, students may be excused temporarily from school attendance for the

following reasons: illness or quarantine; bereavement or serious illness in family;

weather so inclement as to endanger the health of the child; and observance of

major religious holidays or cultural observances.

A child may also be excused for other exceptional reasons with approval of the

Principal or designee.

A student's understanding of the importance of day-to-day schoolwork is an

important factor in the shaping of his character. Parents can help their children

by not allowing them to miss school needlessly.

Accordingly, parents will provide an explanation for the absence or tardiness of a

child. This will be required in advance for types of absences where advance

notice is possible.

In instances of chronic or irregular absence reportedly due to illness, the school

administration may request a physician's statement certifying such absences to

be justified.

Student Absence Notification Program

Each Principal will notify a student's parent/guardian within 3 days of the

student's absence in the event the parent/guardian has not informed the school

of the absence.

Each Principal or designee shall meet with any student, and that student's

parent/guardian, who has missed five (5) or more unexcused school days (a

school day shall be equal to two (2) or more class periods in the same day) in a

school year. The meeting shall be to develop action steps to improve student

attendance and shall be developed jointly by the Principal or designee, the

student, and the student's parent/guardian. The parties may seek input from

other relevant school staff and/or officials from relevant public safety, health and

human service, housing, and nonprofit agencies.

Report Attendance Forms:

Alcott: http://alcott.concordps.org/report-attendance-form

Thoreau: http://thoreau.concordps.org/report-attendance-form/

Willard: http://willard.concordps.org/report-attendance-form/

School Hours

M-T-W-Th-F Wednesdays(½) Nov. 22/Dec.22

Grades K-5 9:00-3:30 9:00-12:30 9:00–12:30

Early Dismissal

If you wish to have your child dismissed early, please send a note to your child’s

teacher requesting early dismissal. In the note please designate the person who

will pick up your child. When you arrive at the school, please go to the

Administrative Office to meet your child. As a safety precaution, we are requiring

that adults “sign out” children by signing an Early Dismissal Log, which is kept

in the office. If early dismissal is due to illness, a similar sign-out log is in the

Health Office. Children must always be picked up at the Administrative Office or

the Health Office if they leave the school early. Playground aides are not

permitted to release students from the playground.

Cancellation or Delayed Opening of School

ConnectEd is the communication system that will be used when school is

canceled or delayed. An automated telephone call, email, and text will go out to

all families with a message that school is canceled or that there will be a delayed

opening.

Announcements will also be made on local radio and TV stations for news of

delayed openings and school cancellations. Announcements will be made on

television stations WCVB TV5, WHDH TV7, WBZ TV4, radio station WBZ, and

posted on the website www.concordps.org.

On days when school is canceled or delayed, there will be no Before School

programs (Recreation Department, Language classes, etc.).

The Superintendent will tweet if school is canceled or delayed at CPS.CHHS

Super @ cps_cchs

Home or Hospital Instruction

Parents of students who, in the judgment of the child’s physician, must be

confined to home or a hospital on a day or overnight basis, or any combination of

both, for medical reasons, and for a period not less than fourteen school days in

any school year, are eligible for home/hospital tutoring. These services may also

be provided for students who are chronically ill for recurrent periods of less than

14 days each, with written documentation from the child’s physician. To obtain

home or hospital instruction, contact your child’s principal or school counselor

and provide the required written documentation from the physician.

English Language Learners Program (EL)

Students for whom English is not their primary language have equal rights of

access to all courses of study in regular, special, technical and vocational school

programs. They also have the right to participate in all school-sponsored

activities.

All students entering the Concord Public Schools who speak a language other

than English at home are evaluated for English language proficiency. If services

are recommended, parents are advised of their choices. They have the right to

accept or reject the services available.

Instruction for English Language Learners (EL) is provided for all students who

have a limited proficiency in English. Services are tailored to the individual

educational needs of the student. Concord Public Schools currently offers an

ELL program at all of its elementary schools and secondary schools.

Parents Advisory Council for Special Education (SEPAC)

The Parents Advisory Council for Special Education is an organization of parents

of children with special educational needs, parents of typical children, special

education staff and interested members of the community. Chapter 766 requires

that every school district establish a PAC “to advise the School Committee on

matters that pertain to education, health and safety of children with special

needs.” The role of the PAC is to ensure that the local school department is

responsive to the needs of children receiving special education services. PAC

members also offer parent-to-parent support, advice and information about

obtaining quality special education and related services.

Concord Carlisle SEPAC: https://concordsepac.org

Special Education

The goals of this school system´s special education program are to allow each

child to grow and achieve at his own level, to gain independence and

self-reliance, and to return to the mainstream of school society as soon as

possible.

The requirements of Chapter 71B and the Massachusetts General Laws (known

as Chapter 766 of the Acts of 1972) and state regulations will be followed in the

identification of children with disabilities, in referrals for their evaluation, in

prescribing for them suitable programs and in assessing their educational

progress. In keeping with state requirements, all children with disabilities

between the ages of three through 21 who have not attained a high school

diploma or its equivalent will be eligible for special education.

The School Committee believes that many children with disabilities can be

educated in the regular school program if they are given special instruction,

accommodations and the support they need. These children should also be given

the opportunity to participate in the school system´s non-academic and

extracurricular activities.

The Committee recognizes that the needs of certain children are so great that

special programs, special classes or special schools may be necessary. When

appropriate programs, services, or facilities are not available within the public

schools, the Committee will provide these children with access to schools where

such instruction and accommodations are available.

It is the desire of the Committee that the schools work closely with parents in

designing and providing programs and services to children with disabilities.

Parents will be informed, and conferred with, whenever a child is referred for

evaluation. In event of any disagreement concerning diagnosis, program plan,

special placement, or evaluation, the parents will be accorded the right of due

process.

The Committee will secure properly trained personnel to work with the children

with disabilities.

Since the financial commitment necessary to meet the needs of all of these

children is extensive, the

Committee will make every effort to obtain financial assistance from all sources.

Section 504 Accommodation Plan

Section 504 and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) are federal statutes

which prohibit discrimination against disabled individuals on the basis of their

handicap. 34 C.F.R. 104.11. A disabled person is defined, under Sec. 504, as

any person who (i) has a physical or mental impairment, which substantially limits

one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of such impairment, or (iii) is

regarded as having such an impairment. 34 C.F.R. 104.3. A Section 504

Accommodation Plan is designed to identify classroom and instructional

accommodations to assist students with impairments in the regular education

setting.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

The School Committee has the responsibility to afford students the rights that are

theirs by virtue of guarantees offered under the federal and state constitutions

and statutes. In connection with rights, there are responsibilities that must be

assumed by students.

Among these rights and responsibilities are the following:

1. Civil rights – including the rights to equal educational opportunity and

freedom from discrimination; the responsibility not to discriminate against

others.

2. The right to attend free public schools; the responsibility to attend school

regularly and to observe school rules essential for permitting others to

learn at school.

3. The right to due process with respect to suspension, expulsion and

decisions the student believes injures his rights. Due process means that

the student is notified of the charge and is given an opportunity to share

his/her side.

4. The right to free inquiry and expression; responsibility to observe

reasonable rules regarding these rights.

5. The right to privacy, which includes privacy with respect to the student’s

school records.

It is the School Committee’s belief that as part of the educational process

students should be made aware of their legal rights, and of the legal authority of

the School Committee to make and delegate authority to its staff to make rules

regarding the orderly operation of the schools.

Students have the right to know the standards of behavior that are expected of

them, and the consequences of misbehavior.

The rights and responsibilities of students, including standards of conduct, will be

made available to students and their parents through handbooks distributed

annually.

LEGAL REFS.: M.G.L. 71:37H; 71:82 through 71:86

Student Conduct

The Massachusetts General Laws require the School Committee to adopt written

policies, rules and regulations not inconsistent with law, which may relate to

study, discipline, conduct, safety and welfare of all students, or any classification

thereof, enrolled in the public schools of the District.

The implementation of the general rules of conduct is the responsibility of the

Principal and the professional staff of the building. In order to do this, each

school staff in the District shall develop specific rules not inconsistent with the law

nor in conflict with School Committee policy. These building rules shall be an

extension of the District policies by being more specific as they relate to the

individual schools.

The purpose of disciplinary action is to restore acceptable behavior. When

disciplinary action is necessary, it shall be administered with fairness and shall

relate to the individual needs and the individual circumstances.

Students violating any of the policies on student conduct and control will be

subject to disciplinary action. The degree, frequency, and circumstances

surrounding each incident shall determine the method used in enforcing these

policies. Most of the situations which require disciplinary action can be resolved

within the confines of the classroom or as they occur by reasonable but firm

reprimand, and/or by teacher conferences with the student and/or parents or

guardians.

If a situation should arise in which there is no applicable written policy, the staff

member shall be expected to exercise reasonable and professional judgment.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use by Students Prohibited

A student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use or consume, possess, buy or

sell, or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product,

including vapor/E-cigarettes; marijuana; steroids; or any controlled substance.

The School Committee prohibits the use or consumption by students of alcohol,

tobacco products, or drugs on school property, at any school function, or at any

school sponsored event.

Additionally, any student who is under the influence of drugs or alcoholic

beverages prior to, or during, attendance at or participation in a

school-sponsored activity, will be barred from that activity and may be subject to

disciplinary action.

Verbal Screening

• The school district shall utilize, in accordance with law, a verbal

screening tool approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary

Education to screen students for substance abuse disorders. The tool

shall be administered by trained staff on an annual basis at grades 7 and

• Parents/guardians shall be notified prior to the opening of school each

year. Parents/guardians shall have the right to opt out of the screening by

written notice prior to or during the screening.

• All statements made by a student during a screening are confidential

and shall not be disclosed except in the event of immediate medical

emergency or in accordance with law. De-identified results shall be

reported to the Department of Public Health within 90 days of the

completion of the screening process.

This policy shall be posted on the district's website and notice shall be provided

to all students and parents/guardians of this policy in accordance with state law.

Additionally, the district shall file a copy of this policy with DESE in accordance

with law in a manner requested by DESE.

Disciplinary Process

No student shall be disciplined without being afforded appropriate due process.

Prior to discipline which does not involve exclusion from school or school related

activities, the student should be informed of the charges against the student and

given an opportunity to present their side of the story. For discipline involving

exclusion, the following procedures will be followed.

The procedures that will apply, and the rights of a student in connection with

those procedures, will vary based on the requirements of the different state laws

which apply to different types of student conduct. For your information, three of

the most significant statutes in this area are reprinted on the pages that

follow. Section 37H ½ of Chapter 71 of the General Laws applies to the issuance

of a criminal complaint charging a student with a felony or the issuance of a

felony delinquency complaint against a student, as well as to a student’s

conviction of, or adjudication or admission in court of guilt with respect to, such a

felony or felony delinquency. Section 37H of Chapter 71 of the General Laws

applies to student possession (on school premises, or at school sponsored or

school-related events, including athletic games) of controlled substances or

dangerous weapons, or a student’s assault (on school premises, or at school

sponsored or school-related events, including athletic games) on a member of

the educational staff. Section 37H ¾ applies to other disciplinary offenses

including violations to the Student Code of Conduct, that are not covered by

either Section 37H or 37H 1/2. Students should also be aware of the regulations

implementing these statutes at 603 CMR 53.00 et seq., which may be found on

the website for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary

Education.

Suspensions and Exclusions under M.G.L. Chapter 71, Section 37H 3/4

M.G.L. Chapter 71, Section 37H 3/4

(a) This section shall govern the suspension and expulsion of students enrolled

in a public school in the commonwealth who are not charged with a violation of

subsections (a) or (b) of section 37H or with a felony under section 37H1/2.

(b) Any principal, headmaster, superintendent or person acting as a

decision-maker at a student meeting or hearing, when deciding the

consequences for the student, shall consider ways to re-engage the student in

the learning process; and shall not suspend or expel a student until alternative

remedies have been employed and their use and results documented, following

and in direct response to a specific incident or incidents, unless specific reasons

are documented as to why such alternative remedies are unsuitable or

counter-productive, and in cases where the student's continued presence in

school would pose a specific, documentable concern about the infliction of

serious bodily injury or other serious harm upon another person while in school.

Alternative remedies may include, but shall not be limited to: (i) mediation; (ii)

conflict resolution; (iii) restorative justice; and (iv) collaborative problem solving.

The principal, headmaster, superintendent or person acting as a decision-maker

shall also implement school-or district-wide models to re-engage students in the

learning process which shall include but not be limited to: (i) positive behavioral

interventions and supports models and (ii) trauma sensitive learning models;

provided, however, that school-or district-wide models shall not be considered a

direct response to a specific incident. (c) For any suspension or expulsion under

this section, the principal or headmaster of a school in which the student is

enrolled, or a designee, shall provide, to the student and to the parent or

guardian of the student, notice of the charges and the reason for the suspension

or expulsion in English and in the primary language spoken in the home of the

student. The student shall receive the written notification and shall have the

opportunity to meet with the principal or headmaster, or a designee, to discuss

the charges and reasons for the suspension or expulsion prior to the suspension

or expulsion taking effect. The principal or headmaster, or a designee, shall

ensure that the parent or guardian of the student is included in the meeting,

provided that such meeting may take place without the parent or guardian only if

the principal or headmaster, or a designee, can document reasonable efforts to

include the parent or guardian in that meeting. The department shall promulgate

rules and regulations that address a principal’s duties under this subsection and

procedures for including parents in student exclusion meetings, hearings or

interviews under this subsection.

(d) If a decision is made to suspend or expel the student after the meeting, the

principal or headmaster, or a designee, shall update the notification for the

suspension or expulsion to reflect the meeting with the student. If a student has

been suspended or expelled for more than 10 school days for a single infraction

or for more than 10 school days cumulatively for multiple infractions in any school

year, the student and the parent or guardian of the student shall also receive, at

the time of the suspension or expulsion decision, written notification of a right to

appeal and the process for appealing the suspension or expulsion in English and

in the primary language spoken in the home of the student; provided, however,

that the suspension or expulsion shall remain in effect prior to any appeal

hearing. The principal or headmaster or a designee shall notify the

superintendent in writing, including, but not limited to, by electronic means, of any

out-of-school suspension imposed on a student enrolled in kindergarten through

grade 3 prior to such suspension taking effect. That notification shall describe the

student’s alleged misconduct and the reasons for suspending the student

out-of-school. For the purposes of this section, the term “out-of-school

suspension” shall mean a disciplinary action imposed by school officials to

remove a student from participation in school activities for 1 day or more.

(e) A student who has been suspended or expelled from school for more than 10

school days for a single infraction or for more than 10 school days cumulatively

for multiple infractions in any school year shall have the right to appeal the

suspension or expulsion to the superintendent. The student or a parent or

guardian of the student shall notify the superintendent in writing of a request for

an appeal not later than 5 calendar days following the effective date of the

suspension or expulsion; provided, that a student and a parent or guardian of the

student may request, and if so requested, shall be granted an extension of up to

7 calendar days. The superintendent or a designee shall hold a hearing with the

student and the parent or guardian of the student within 3 school days of the

student’s request for an appeal; provided that a student or a parent or guardian

of the student may request and, if so requested, shall be granted an extension of

up to 7 calendar days; provided further, that the superintendent, or a designee,

may proceed with a hearing without a parent or guardian of the student if the

superintendent, or a designee, makes a good faith effort to include the parent or

guardian. At the hearing, the student shall have the right to present oral and

written testimony, cross-examine witnesses and shall have the right to counsel.

The superintendent shall render a decision on the appeal in writing within 5

calendar days of the hearing. That decision shall be the final decision of the

school district with regard to the suspension or expulsion.

(f) No student shall be suspended or expelled from a school or school district for

a time period that exceeds 90 school days, beginning the first day the student is

removed from an assigned school building.

ADMINISTRATIVE DETENTION PROCEDURES

In situations when an administrative detention is warranted, the Assistant

Principal will meet with students to assign the detention. After-school activities

such as clubs, sport teams, and work are not valid reasons for missing an

assigned detention. Detention is held (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday)

throughout the school year, from 2:45 - 4:15 p.m. Failure to report to detention on

the day detention is assigned or the next school day following the assignment

may result in a one-day suspension. In lieu of a detention after school, students

may be assigned to directed study or lunch detention during the school day, at

the discretion of the Assistant Principal.

Students who are disruptive once detention begins will be asked to leave. The

student’s Assistant Principal will then meet with the student to discuss the

incident before determining further disciplinary action.

Short Term Suspension and Exclusion from School-Related Activities

Short-Term Suspension Procedures Under M.G.L. ch. 71, § 37H¾

A Short-Term Suspension is the removal of a student from the school premises

and regular classroom activities for ten (10) consecutive school days or less. The

principal, or the principal’s designee, may, in their discretion, allow a student to

serve a short- term suspension in school. Any student facing a potential

short-term suspension is entitled to a hearing with the Principal or designee with

the following process:

Principal Hearing - Short-Term Suspension

a) The purpose of the hearing with the principal or the principal’s designee is

to hear and consider information regarding the alleged incident for which

the student may be suspended, provide the student an opportunity to

dispute the charges and explain the circumstances surrounding the

alleged incident, determine if the student committed the disciplinary

offense, and if so, the consequences for the infraction. At a minimum, the

principal or designee shall discuss the disciplinary offense, the basis for

the charge, and any other pertinent information. The student also shall

have an opportunity to present information, including mitigating facts that

the principal or designee should consider in determining whether other

remedies and consequences may be appropriate as alternatives to

suspension. The principal or designee shall provide the parent, if present,

an opportunity to discuss the student's conduct and offer information,

including mitigating circumstances, that the principal should consider in

determining consequences for the student.

b) Based on the available information, including mitigating circumstances,

the principal or designee shall determine whether the student committed

the disciplinary offense, and, if so, what remedy or consequence will be

imposed.

c) The principal or designee shall notify the student and parent of the

determination and the reasons for it, and, if the student is suspended, the

type and duration of suspension and the opportunity to make up

assignments and such other school work as needed to make academic

progress during the period of removal, as provided in 603 CMR 53.13(1).

The determination shall be in writing and may be in the form of an update

to the original written notice.

d) If the student is in a public preschool program or in grades K through 3,

the principal shall send a copy of the written determination to the

superintendent and explain the reasons for imposing an out-of-school

suspension, before the short- term suspension takes effect.

No Right to Appeal The decision of the Principal or designee is the final

decision for short-term out-of-school suspensions not exceeding ten (10) days,

consecutively or cumulatively during a school year.

PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

A student who is suspended may not be on campus outside of the school day

and is ineligible to participate in all co-curricular activities, athletics, class, club

and special activities sponsored by the school during the suspension time. In the

case of substance use, opportunities to shorten this ineligible period may exist

through participation in approved treatment program.

Students in a leadership position of sports, student government, a club, or activity

may relinquish that position upon suspension. Students may also be referred to

counseling staff for appropriate assessments and interventions.

MAKE-UP WORK FOR SUSPENDED STUDENTS

Students are allowed to make up all work missed during a suspension. (The

student will be provided with an opportunity to hand in assignments on the day of

the suspension, obtain assignments distributed on the day of the suspension, or

to take a test or quiz given on the day of the suspension.)

Suspensions do not appear on any permanent record.

Long-Term Suspension Procedures Under M.G.L. ch. 71, § 37H¾

A Long-Term Suspension is the removal of a student from the school premises

and regular classroom activities for more than ten (10) consecutive school days,

or for more than ten (10) school days cumulatively for multiple disciplinary

offenses in any school year. The principal or designee, may, in their discretion,

may allow a student to serve a long-term suspension in school. Except for

students who are charged with a disciplinary offense set forth in M.G.L. ch. 71, §

37H, or in M.G.L. ch. 71, § 37H½, no student may be placed on long-term

suspension for one or more disciplinary offenses for more than ninety (90) school

days in a school year beginning with the first day that the student is removed

from school. No long-term suspension under M.G.L, ch. 71, § 37H¾ shall extend

beyond the end of the school year in which such suspension is imposed. Any

student facing a potential long-term suspension is entitled to a hearing with the

Principal or designee with the following process:

Principal Hearing - Long-Term Suspension

a) The purpose of the hearing with the principal or designee is to hear and

consider information regarding the alleged incident for which the student

may be suspended, provide the student an opportunity to dispute the

charges and explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident,

determine if the student committed the disciplinary offense, and if so, the

consequences for the infraction. At a minimum, the principal or designee

shall discuss the disciplinary offense, the basis for the charge, and any

other pertinent information. The student also shall have an opportunity to

present information, including mitigating facts, that the principal should

consider in determining whether other remedies and consequences may

be appropriate as alternatives to suspension. The principal or designee

shall provide the parent, if present, an opportunity to discuss the student's

conduct and offer information, including mitigating circumstances, that the

principal should consider in determining consequences for the student.

b) In addition to the rights afforded a student in a short-term suspension

hearing, the student shall have the following additional rights

1. In advance of the hearing, the opportunity to review the student's

record and the documents upon which the principal may rely in making

a determination to suspend the student or not;

2. the right to be represented by counsel or a lay person of the student's

choice, at the student's/parent's expense;

3. the right to produce witnesses on the student’s behalf and to present

the student's explanation of the alleged incident, but the student may

not be compelled to do so;

4. the right to cross-examine witnesses presented by the school district;

5. The right to request that the hearing be recorded by the principal, and

to receive a copy of the audio recording upon request. If the student or

parent requests an audio recording, the principal shall inform all

participants before the hearing that an audio record will be made, and

a copy will be provided to the student and parent upon request.

c) The principal or designee shall provide the parent, if present, an

opportunity to discuss the student's conduct and offer information,

including mitigating circumstances, that the principal should consider in

determining consequences for the student.

d) Based on the evidence, the principal or the principal’s designee shall

determine whether the student committed the disciplinary offense, and, if

so, after considering mitigating circumstances and alternatives to

suspension, what remedy or consequence will be imposed, in place of or

in addition to a long-term suspension. The principal or designee shall send

the written determination to the student and parent by hand-delivery,

certified mail, first-class mail, or email to an address provided by the

parent for school communications, or any other method of delivery agreed

to by the principal and the parent. If the principal or designee decides to

suspend the student, the written determination shall:

1. Identify the disciplinary offense, the date on which the hearing took

place, and the participants at the hearing;

2. Set out the key facts and conclusions reached by the principal

3. Identify the length and effective date of the suspension, as well as a

date of return to school;

4. Include notice of the student's opportunity to receive education

services to make academic progress during the period of removal from

school;

5. Inform the student of the right to appeal the principal's decision to the

superintendent or designee, but only if the principal has imposed a

long-term suspension. Notice of the right of appeal shall be in English

and the primary language of the home if other than English as

determined by the home language survey, or other means of

communication where appropriate, and shall include the following

information stated in plain language:

i. the process for appealing the decision, including that the

student or parent must file a written notice of appeal with the

superintendent within five (5) calendar days of the effective date

of the long-term suspension; provided that within the five (5)

calendar days, the student or parent may request and receive

from the superintendent an extension of time for filing the written

notice for up to seven (7) additional calendar days; and that the

long-term suspension will remain in effect unless and until the

superintendent decides to reverse the principal’s determination

on appeal.

ii. If the student is in a public preschool program or in grades K

through 3, the principal shall send a copy of the written

determination to the superintendent and explain the reasons for

imposing an out-of-school suspension, before the suspension

takes effect.

Emergency Removal of Student

Under certain emergency circumstances, it may not be practical for the principal

or designee to provide prior oral and written notice before removing a student

from school. The principal or designee may remove a student from school

temporarily when a student is charged with a disciplinary offense and the

continued presence of the student poses a danger to persons or property, or

materially and substantially disrupts the order of the school, and, in the principal's

(or designee’s) judgment, there is no alternative available to alleviate the danger

or disruption. The principal or designee will immediately notify the superintendent

in writing of the removal and the reason for it, and describe the danger presented

by the student. The temporary removal shall not exceed two (2) school days

following the day of the emergency removal, during which time the principal shall:

a) Make immediate and reasonable efforts to orally notify the student and the

student's parent of the emergency removal, the reason for the need for

emergency removal, the disciplinary offense, the basis for the charge, the

potential consequences, including potential length of suspension, the

opportunity for a hearing including the date/time/location of the hearing,

the right to interpreter services, and other rights permitted for students

who may be placed on long-term suspension as set forth in 603 CMR.

53.08(3)(b)

b) Provide written notice to the student and parent, including the information

described in 603 CMR 53.06(2)

c) Provide the student an opportunity for a hearing with the principal or

designee that complies with 603 CMR 53.08(2) or 53.08(3), as applicable,

and the parent an opportunity to attend the hearing, before the expiration

of the two (2) school days, unless an extension of time for hearing is

otherwise agreed to by the principal, student, and parent.

d) Render a decision orally on the same day as the hearing, and in writing no

later than the following school day, which meets the requirements of 603

CMR 53.08(2)(c) and 53.08(2)(d) or 603 CMR 53.08(3)(c) and 53.08(3)(d),

as applicable.

A principal will not remove a student from school on an emergency basis for a

disciplinary offense until adequate provisions have been made for the student’s

safety and transportation.

Superintendent’s Appeal Hearing Under M.G.L. ch. 71, § 37H¾

1. A student who is placed on long-term suspension following a hearing with the

principal shall have the right to appeal the principal's decision to the

superintendent.

2. The student or parent shall file a notice of appeal with the superintendent

within five (5) calendar days of the effective date of the long-term suspension;

provided that within the five (5) calendar days, the student or parent may

request and receive from the superintendent an extension of time for filing the

written notice for up to seven (7) additional calendar days. If the appeal is not

timely filed, the superintendent may deny the appeal, or may allow the appeal

in their discretion, for good cause.

3. The superintendent shall hold the hearing within three (3) school days of the

student's request, unless the student or parent requests an extension of up to

seven (7) additional calendar days, in which case the superintendent shall

grant the extension.

4. The superintendent shall make a good faith effort to include the parent in the

hearing. The superintendent shall be presumed to have made a good faith

effort if the superintendent has made efforts to find a day and time for the

hearing that would allow the parent and superintendent to participate. The

superintendent shall send written notice to the parent of the date, time, and

location of the hearing.

5. The superintendent shall conduct a hearing to determine whether the student

committed the disciplinary offense of which the student is accused, and if so,

what the consequence shall be. The superintendent shall arrange for an

audio recording of the hearing, a copy of which shall be provided to the

student or parent upon request. The superintendent shall inform all

participants before the hearing that an audio record will be made of the

hearing and a copy will be provided to the student and parent upon request.

6. The student shall have all the rights afforded the student at the principal's

hearing for long-term suspension.

7. The superintendent shall issue a written decision within five (5) calendar days

of the hearing which meets the requirements of 603 CMR 53.08(3)(c)1 - 5. If

the superintendent determines that the student committed the disciplinary

offense, the superintendent may impose the same or a lesser consequence

than the principal but shall not impose a suspension greater than that

imposed by the principal's decision.

8. The decision of the superintendent shall be the final decision of the school

district, with regard to the suspension.

Exclusion/Expulsion Under M.G.L. ch. 71 § 37H

In accordance with M.G.L. ch. 71, § 37H, a student may be excluded or expelled

from school under the following circumstances:

a) Any student who is found on school premises or at school-sponsored or

school-related events, including athletic games, in possession of a

dangerous weapon, including, but not limited to, a gun, a knife, or their

facsimile, or anything used in the commission of assault and battery; or a

controlled substance as defined in Chapter 94 C, including, but not limited

to, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, may be subject to expulsion from the

school or school district by the principal.

b) Any student who assaults a principal, assistant principal, teacher,

teacher’s aide, or other educational staff on school premises or at

school-sponsored or school-related events, including athletic games, may

be subject to expulsion from the school or school district by the principal.

c) Any student who is charged with a violation of either paragraph (a) or (b)

shall be notified in writing of an opportunity for a hearing; provided,

however, that the student may have representation, along with the

opportunity to present evidence and witnesses at a hearing before the

principal. After said hearing, a principal may, in their discretion, decide to

suspend rather than expel a student who has been determined by the

principal to have violated either paragraph (a) or (b).

d) Any student who has been expelled (removal of a student from the school

premises, regular classroom activities, and school activities for more than

90 school days, indefinitely, or permanently) from a school district

pursuant to these provisions shall have the right to appeal to the

superintendent. The expelled student shall have ten days from the date of

the expulsion in which to notify the superintendent of the appeal. The

student has the right to counsel at a hearing before the superintendent.

The subject matter of the appeal shall not be limited solely to a factual

determination of whether the student has violated any provisions of this

section

e) If the student moves to another district during the period of suspension or

expulsion, the new district of residence shall either admit the student to its

schools or provide educational services to the student in an education

service plan.

f) Any student who is suspended or expelled pursuant to this section shall

have the opportunity to earn credits, as applicable, make up assignments,

tests, papers, and other school work as needed to make academic

progress during the period of removal.

Any student who is suspended or expelled pursuant to this statute for more than

ten (10) consecutive days shall have the opportunity to receive education

services and made academic progress toward meeting state and local

requirements, through the school-wide education service plan.

Felony Complaint or Conviction Under M.G.L. ch. 71 § 37H1/2

Pursuant to M.G.L. ch. 71, § 37H½, the following procedures shall be

implemented for students charged with or convicted of a felony

a) Upon the issuance of a criminal complaint charging a student with a felony

or upon the issuance of a felony delinquency complaint against a student,

the principal or headmaster of a school in which the student is enrolled

may suspend such student for a period of time determined appropriate by

said principal or headmaster if said principal or headmaster determines

that the student’s continued presence in school would have a substantial

detrimental effect on the general welfare of the school. The student shall

receive written notification of the charges and the reasons for such

suspension prior to such suspension taking effect. The student shall also

receive written notification of his right to appeal and the process for

appealing such suspension; provided, however, that such suspension

shall remain in effect prior to any appeal hearing conducted by the

superintendent.

b) The student shall have the right to appeal the suspension to the

superintendent. The student shall notify the superintendent in writing of his

request for an appeal no later than five calendar days following the

effective date of the suspension. The superintendent shall hold a hearing

with the student and the student’s parent or guardian within three calendar

days of the student’s request for an appeal. At the hearing, the student

shall have the right to counsel. The superintendent shall have the authority

to overturn or alter the decision of the principal or headmaster including

recommending an alternate educational program for the student. The

superintendent shall render a decision on the appeal within five calendar

days of the hearing. Such decision shall be the final decision of the city,

town, or regional school district with regard to the suspension.

c) Upon a student being convicted of a felony or upon an adjudication or

admission in court of guilt with respect to such felony or felony

delinquency, the principal or headmaster of a school in which the student

is enrolled may expel said student if such principal or headmaster

determines that the student’s continued presence in school would have a

detrimental effect of the general welfare of the school. The student shall

receive written notification of the charges and reasons for such expulsion

prior to such expulsion taking effect. The student shall also receive written

notification of his right to appeal and the process for appealing such

expulsion; provided, however, that the expulsion shall remain in effect

prior to any appeal hearing conducted by the superintendent.

d) The student shall have the right to appeal the expulsion to the

superintendent. The student shall notify the superintendent, in writing, of

his request for an appeal no later than five calendar days following the

effective date of the expulsion. The superintendent shall hold a hearing

with the student and the student’s parent or guardian within three calendar

days of the expulsion. At the hearing, the student shall have the right to

present oral and written testimony on his behalf and shall have the right to

counsel. The superintendent shall have the authority to overturn or alter

the decision of the principal or headmaster, including recommending an

alternate educational program for the student. The superintendent shall

render a decision on the appeal within five calendar days of the hearing.

Such decision shall be the final decision of the city, town, or regional

school district with regard to the expulsion

e) Any student who is suspended or expelled pursuant to this section shall

have the opportunity to earn credits, as applicable, make up assignments,

tests, papers, and other school work as needed to make academic

progress during the period of his or her removal.

f) Any student who is suspended or expelled pursuant to this statute for

more than ten (10) consecutive days shall have the opportunity to receive

education services and made academic progress toward meeting state

and local requirements, through the school-wide education service plan.

Education Services and Academic Progress Under M.G.L. ch. 71§§

37H,37H1/2, and37H3/4

Any student who is serving an in-school suspension, short-term suspension,

long-term suspension, or expulsion shall have the opportunity to earn credits, as

applicable, make up assignments, tests, papers, and other school work as

needed to make academic progress during the period of removal from the

classroom or school. The principal shall inform the student and parent of this

opportunity in writing when such suspension or expulsion is imposed.

Any student who is expelled or suspended from school for more than ten (10)

consecutive days, whether in school or out of school, shall have an opportunity to

receive education services and make academic progress toward meeting state

and local requirements, through the school-wide education service plan.

The principal shall notify the parent and student of the opportunity to receive

education services at the time the student is expelled or placed on long-term

suspension. Notice shall be provided in English and in the primary language

spoken in the student's home if other than English as determined by the home

language survey, or other means of communication where appropriate. The

notice shall include a list of the specific education services that are available to

the student and contact information for a school district staff member who can

provide more detailed information.

Discipline of Students with Disabilities

Procedures for Suspension(s) Not Exceeding 10 School Days

● Any student with a disability may be suspended for up to ten (10) school

days during a school year. Disciplinary decisions are the same as for

students without disabilities and in accordance with the due process

procedures in this handbook.

● The school provides additional procedural safeguards for students with

disabilities prior to any suspension beyond 10 consecutive days or more

than 10 cumulative days (if there is a pattern of suspension) in any school

year

Procedures for Suspension(s) Exceeding 10 School Days

● If your child is suspended for more than 10 school days in a school year,

this removal may be considered a “change of placement”. A change of

placement invokes certain procedural protections under federal special

education law and Section 504.

● Federal law defines a “change of placement” as:

o Removal for more than 10 consecutive school days; OR

o A series of removals that constitute a pattern 1) because the

series of removals total more than 10 cumulative days in a

school year; 2) because the student’s behavior is substantially

similar to that in previous incidents that resulted in the series of

removals; and 3) because of such additional factors as the

length of each removal, the total amount of time the student has

been removed, and the proximity of the removals to one

another. Please note that determination of whether a pattern of

removals is a “change of placement” is made by the District.

● Prior to any removal that constitutes a change in placement, the school

must convene a meeting to determine whether or not the behavior that

forms the basis of the disciplinary action is manifestation of your child’s

disability. Parents have a right to participate in this meeting. At the

meeting, all relevant information will be considered including the IEP or

Section 504 Plan, teacher observations, and evaluations reports.

● At a manifestation determination meeting, the team will consider two

questions:

o Did the student’s disability cause or have a direct and

substantial relationship to the conduct in question?

o Was the conduct a direct result of the district’s failure to

implement the IEP/Section 504 Plan?

● If the manifestation determination decision is that the conduct in question

was caused by or had a direct and substantial relationship to your child’s

disability OR a direct result of the district’s failure to implement the

IEP/Section 504 Plan, then your child may not be removed from the

current educational placement (unless under the special circumstances or

parents agree). The Team will review the IEP or Section 504 Plan and any

behavioral intervention plans and may amend those plans as appropriate.

The Team will complete a functional behavior assessment and behavior

intervention plan if it has not already done so.

● If the manifestation determination decision is that the conduct in question

was NOT caused by or had a direct and substantial relationship to your

child’s disability OR was NOT the direct result of the district’s failure to

implement the IEP/Section 504 Plan, then the school may suspend or

otherwise discipline your child according the school’s code of conduct.

The Team may, as appropriate, complete a functional behavioral

assessment and behavioral intervention plan and modification, to address

the behavior so that it does not recur. For students with IEPs, during the

period of time of removal from school that exceeds 10 school days, the

school district must provide educational services that allow your child to

continue to make educational progress. For students with Section 504

Plans, there is no automatic right to receive educational services beyond

the 10th school day of suspension under federal law, however, state law

does provide all students with the rights to receive educational services

during periods of suspensions lasting longer than ten days.

Special Circumstances for Exclusion

Special circumstances exist if your child: 1) possesses, uses, sells or solicits

illegal drugs on school grounds or at a school-sponsored event; 2) carries a

weapon to school or a school-sponsored event; or, 3) inflicts serious bodily harm

upon another person at school or a school-sponsored event. Under these

circumstances, the principal may place your child in an interim alternate

educational setting (IAES) for up to 45 school days. Your child may remain in this

IAES for a period of time not to exceed 45 school days. Thereafter, your child will

return to the previously agreed-upon placement unless a hearing officer has

ordered another placement, or you and the school agree to another placement.

For students with Section 504 Plans, there is no automatic right to receive

educational services beyond the 10th school day of suspension under federal

law, however, state law does provide all students with the rights to receive

educational services during periods of suspensions lasting longer than ten days.

School personnel will provide Parent’s Notice of Procedural Safeguards (Special

Education) or Notice of Parent and Student Rights Under Section 504 for

students with disabilities prior to any suspension constituting a change in

placement. These notices will provide an explanation of the process should there

be disagreement regarding the manifestation determination or any placement

decision. Parent, guardian and/or student may petition Bureau of Special

Education Appeals for a hearing or the Office for Civil Rights (Section 504).

Procedural Requirements Applied to Students Not Yet Determined to Be

Eligible for Special Education or a 504 Plan

1. If, prior to the disciplinary action, a district had knowledge that the student

may be a student with a disability, then the district makes all protections

available to the student until and unless the student is subsequently

determined not to be eligible. The district may be considered to have prior

knowledge if:

a. The parent had expressed concern in writing; or

b. The parent had requested an evaluation; or specific concerns about a

pattern of behavior demonstrated by the student. The district may not be

considered to have had prior knowledge if the parent has not consented to

evaluation of the student or has refused special education services, or if

an evaluation of the student has resulted in a determination of ineligibility.

2. If the district had no reason to consider the student disabled, and the parent

requests an evaluation subsequent to the disciplinary action, the district must

have procedures consistent with federal requirements to conduct an

expedited evaluation to determine eligibility

3. If the student is found eligible for an IEP or 504 Plan, then one receives all

procedural protections subsequent to the finding of eligibility

Bullying Prevention and Intervention

The Concord Public Schools and the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District

are committed to providing a safe, positive and productive educational

environment where students can achieve the highest academic standards. No

student shall be subjected to harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying.

"Bullying" is the repeated use by one or more students or school staff members

of a written, verbal, or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any

combination thereof, directed at a target that:

• causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the

target's property;

• places the target in reasonable fear of harm to him/herself, or of

damage to his/her property;

• creates a hostile environment at school for the target;

• infringes on the rights of the target at school; or

• materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the

orderly operation of a school.

''Cyber-bullying'', bullying through the use of technology or any electronic

communication, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, any transfer of

signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature

transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic

or photo optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, internet

communications, instant messages or facsimile communications. Cyber-bullying

shall also include (i) the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator

assumes the identity of another person or (ii) the knowing impersonation of

another person as the author of posted content or messages, if the creation or

impersonation creates any of the conditions enumerated in clauses (i) to (v),

inclusive, of the definition of bullying. Cyber-bullying shall also include the

distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or

the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or

more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions

enumerated in clauses (i) to (v), inclusive, of the definition of bullying

Cyber-bullying shall also include the creation of a web page or blog in which the

creator assumes the identity of another person or knowingly impersonates

another person as author of posted content or messages, if the creation or

impersonation creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of

bullying.

Cyber-bullying shall also include the distribution by electronic means of a

communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an

electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the

distribution or posting creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition

of bullying.

Bullying and cyber-bullying may occur in and out of school, during and after

school hours, at home and in locations outside of the home. When bullying and

cyber-bullying are alleged, the full cooperation and assistance of parents and

families are expected.

For the purpose of this policy, whenever the term bullying is used it is to denote

either bullying, or cyber-bullying.

Bullying is prohibited:

• On school grounds;

• On property immediately adjacent to school grounds;

• At school-sponsored or school-related activities;

• At functions or programs whether on or off school grounds

• At school bus stops;

• On school buses or other vehicles owned, leased or used by the school

district; or,

• Through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased or

used by the Concord Public Schools and the Concord-Carlisle Regional

School District;

Bullying and cyber-bullying are prohibited at a location, activity, function or

program that is not school-related or through the use of technology or an

electronic device that is not owned, leased or used by the Concord Public

Schools and the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District if the act or acts in

question:

• create a hostile environment at school for the target;

• infringe on the rights of the target at school; and/or

• materially and substantially disrupt the education process or the orderly

operation of a school.

Prevention and Intervention Plan

The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall oversee the development of a

prevention and intervention plan, in consultation with all district stakeholders,

which may include teachers, school staff, professional support personnel, school

volunteers, administrators, community representatives, local law enforcement

agencies, students, parents and guardians, consistent with the requirements of

this policy, as well as state and federal laws. The bullying prevention and

intervention plan shall be reviewed and updated at least biennially.

The Principal is responsible for the implementation and oversight of the bullying

prevention and implementation plan within his or her school.

Reporting

Students, who believe that they are a target of bullying, observe an act of

bullying, or who have reasonable grounds to believe that these behaviors are

taking place, are obligated to report incidents to a member of the school staff.

The target shall, however, not be subject to discipline for failing to report bullying.

Each school shall have a means for anonymous reporting by students of

incidents of bullying. No formal disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the

basis of an anonymous report.

Any student who knowingly makes a false accusation of bullying shall be subject

to disciplinary action.

Parents or guardians, or members of the community, are encouraged to report an

incident of bullying as soon as possible.

A member of a school staff shall immediately report any instance of bullying the

staff member has witnessed or become aware of to the school principal or their

designee.

Investigation Procedures

The Principal or their designee, upon receipt of a viable report, shall promptly

contact the parents or guardians of a student who has been the alleged target or

alleged perpetrator of bullying. The actions being taken to prevent further acts of

bullying shall be discussed.

The school principal or a designee shall promptly investigate the report of

bullying, using a Bullying/Cyber-bullying Report Form which may include

interviewing the alleged target, alleged perpetrator, staff members, students

and/or witnesses.

Support staff shall assess an alleged target's needs for protection and create and

implement a safety plan that shall restore a sense of safety for that student.

Confidentiality shall be used to protect a person who reports bullying, provides

information during an investigation of bullying, or is witness to or has reliable

information about an act of bullying.

If the school Principal or a designee determines that bullying has occurred

he/she shall take appropriate disciplinary action and if it is believed that criminal

charges may be pursued against the perpetrator, the principal shall consult with

the school's resource officer and the Superintendent to determine if criminal

charges are warranted. If it is determined that criminal charges are warranted,

the local law enforcement agency shall be notified.

The investigation shall be completed within fourteen school days from the date of

the report. The parents or guardians shall be contacted upon completion of the

investigation and informed of the results, including whether the allegations were

found to be factual, whether a violation of this policy was found, and whether

disciplinary action has or shall be taken. At a minimum the Principal or his/her

designee shall contact the parents or guardians as to the status of the

investigation on a weekly basis.

Disciplinary actions for students who have committed an act of bullying or

retaliation shall be in accordance with district disciplinary policies.

Each school shall document any incident of bullying that is reported per this

policy and a file shall be maintained by the Principal or designee. A monthly

report shall be provided to the Superintendent.

Confidentiality shall be maintained to the extent consistent with the school's

obligations under law.

Retaliation

Retaliation against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an

investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying,

shall be prohibited.

Target Assistance

The Concord Public Schools and the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District

shall provide counseling or referral to appropriate services, including guidance,

academic intervention, and protection to students, both targets and perpetrators,

affected by bullying, as necessary.

Training and Assessment

Annual training shall be provided for school employees and volunteers who have

significant contact with students in preventing, identifying, responding to, and

reporting incidents of bullying.

Age-appropriate, evidence-based instruction on bullying prevention shall be

incorporated into the curriculum for all K to 12 students.

Publication and Notice

Annual written notice of the relevant sections of the bullying prevention and

intervention plan shall be provided to students and their parents or guardians, in

age-appropriate terms.

Annual written notice of the bullying prevention and intervention plan shall be

provided to all school staff. The faculty and staff at each school shall be trained

annually on the bullying prevention and intervention plan applicable to the school.

Relevant sections of the bullying prevention and intervention plan relating to the

duties of faculty and staff shall be included in the school employee handbook.

The bullying prevention and intervention plan shall be posted on the Concord

Public Schools and the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District website.

School Bus Safety

The school bus is an extension of the school and, as such, expectations for

behavior on the bus are consistent with CPS’ expectations for respectful and

responsible behavior at school.

Conduct on Buses

The School Committee and its staff share with students and parents the

responsibility for student safety during transportation. The authority for enforcing

School Committee requirements of student conduct on buses will rest with the

Principal.

To ensure the safety of all students who ride in buses, it may occasionally be

necessary to revoke the privilege of transportation from a student who abuses

this privilege. Parents of students whose behavior and misconduct on school

buses endangers the health, safety, and welfare of other riders will be notified

that their children face the loss of transportation privileges in accordance with

regulations approved by the School Committee. The Student Code of Conduct

applies during all transportation of students.

Transportation

Please call (978) 461-3981 and ask for John Arena, the manager/dispatcher of

transportation, if you have any questions or concerns.

METCO

The Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District enjoy

a rich partnership with the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity

(METCO) that began in 1967 when 20 students entered Concord-Carlisle High

School. Our program services 123 students in grades K-12, and a team of caring,

knowledgeable professionals ensure each child’s growth as a student and citizen

of the world. METCO shines when students and families in each community –

Boston, Concord, and Carlisle – benefit from the experience.

https://www.concordps.org/metco/

School Visitors

The School Committee welcomes parents/guardians and guests to visit

classrooms to observe and learn about the instructional programs taking place in

our schools. Such visits can prove most beneficial in promotion of greater

school-home cooperation and community understanding of how we carry out the

school district's mission and goals.

Visits by parents/guardians to several classrooms in a given grade for the

purposes of comparing teaching styles to provide a basis for a request for

student assignment to a particular teacher are strongly discouraged because the

School District's policy of assigning a student to a particular class is the sole

responsibility of the building Principal in consultation with the staff of that school.

The following guidelines to classroom and school visits should be followed:

1. Request for classroom visitations by parents/guardians will be

welcomed as long as the educational process is not disrupted. To this end

we request that such requests be made at least forty-eight hours in

advance to allow for proper arrangements to be made during school

hours.

2. The building Principal has the authority to determine the number, times,

and dates of observations by visitors. This will be done in consultation

with staff members so as to give adequate notice to the staff members of

the impending visits.

3. For security purposes it is required that all visitors report to the Main

Office upon entering and leaving the building and sign a guest log showing

arrival and departure times. Teachers are encouraged to ask visitors if

they have registered in the Main Office.

4. Under ordinary circumstances classroom observations will be strongly

discouraged during the first three weeks of school in September and

during the month of June.

All visitors to the building and volunteers helping in classrooms should check in

and out through the office. When signing in at the office, the visitor or volunteer

must take a badge to identify that you have previously checked into the office.

All badges need to be returned upon signing out.

When parents drop off and pick up children during the school day, they must do

so from the office only. Any parent escorting a child to a classroom or reporting

to a classroom for any reason is also required to sign in and out and wear a

visitor badge.

Clothing

Each child is provided with a locker or cubby where outside clothing and personal

items are kept. All clothing should be marked with the child’s name for easy

identification. Lost and Found items are displayed in a designated area at each

school. Children will go outside for recess if the playground is in a safe condition,

even if it is cold. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately, including

hat and gloves/mittens.

The responsibility for the dress and appearance of the students will rest with

individual students and parents.

Winter Guidelines

1. Students need to be appropriately dressed when they go outdoors

(including snow pants and boots to go on the snow).

2. Students must stay off the ice.

3. Students must stay on the hardtop when the field is muddy.

4. Students are to be in areas visible to supervisors.

Footwear

Please note the following recommendations for appropriate footwear in school:

● Clogs and slip-on sandals are not safe for school activities.

● Tied shoes and sneakers provide the best support and stability for

physical education class and playground activities.

● Socks and shoes are recommended to prevent twisted ankles, stubbed

toes, slivers from wood chips, and insect stings to the feet.

● “Heelies” are not permitted at school.

Lunches

Lunch costs $3.85 and includes milk. Milk may be purchased separately for

$.65. Student may bring a lunch from home. For students who purchase

lunch, we use a prepayment system for all school meals, milk, and a la carte

purchases. There are two options to participate in the prepayment system.

One option is to pay by check. Checks should be payable to the Food Service

Department. Checks can be mailed to the Ripley Building, 120 Meriam Road,

Concord, MA 01742 Attention: Food Service Dept. or delivered to your child's

school office.

Food Services Website:

https://www.concordps.org/food-and-nutrition-services/

Food Allergy / Cafeteria Information

We are an allergy-aware school. Allergic reactions to foods vary among students

and can range from mild to severe life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Some

students, who are very sensitive, may react to just touching or inhaling the

allergen. Complete avoidance of peanuts, nuts and products made with peanuts

and nuts is the only way to prevent a serious allergic reaction. You will be

notified by your classroom teacher if your classroom is nut-free. There are

designated tables in the cafeteria for children with peanut or nut allergies.

Eating food is prohibited on school buses.

If you have any questions, please see the school nurse.

Cafeteria and Playground Rules

Children are expected to behave in safe and expected ways in the cafeteria and

playground. Staying in designated areas is part of the expectation as is playing

safely and eating with courtesy and care to others.

Children using the cafeteria are expected to:

● Behave in an orderly manner at all times.

● Use good table manners.

● Talk to their neighbors in normal conversational tones.

● Tidy their areas before leaving the table, and use the proper disposal

containers.

● Leave the cafeteria quietly as soon as they have received permission to

do so from the noon aides.

● No food is to be taken from the cafeteria to be eaten outside.

Student Activities Involving Photographs, Videotapes and Audiotapes

Students may be photographed, videotaped or audiotaped by other students or

by school staff as part of the educational activities of a class or in connection with

student activities such as the production of class or school yearbooks, school

newspapers, drama productions, newspapers, websites, Twitter, etc. If you do

not want your child to be photographed, videotaped or audiotaped when

participating in school activities, please indicate on the parent permission form

sent home at the beginning of the year or ask the office for a form.

Telephone/Electronics Policy

At the elementary school level, students may not use smart devices on school

grounds and during the school day without permission. Permission may be

granted by the principal or principal designee.

Homework Guidelines

What is homework?

Homework is any assigned activity done outside of school which relates to any

phase of learning. It should be enriching and a reinforcement of the learning

activity. It should not be used to teach something new, to fulfill a time

requirement, or to punish. From time to time homework may also be used to

encourage discussion among family members and to provide linkages between

home and school.

Purpose of Homework

1. To supplement and reinforce skills and work done in class.

2. To enrich the child’s school experience.

3. To provide opportunities to use skills/knowledge learned in school in

creative ways outside of school.

4. To promote individual responsibility.

5. To teach children how to budget time and organize materials.

6. To promote independent study and research skills.

7. To develop leisure interests in learning that will enhance later experiences

in life.

Guidelines for Time and Frequency

Grade Level Time Frequency

Kindergarten Share a story with your child

Grade 1 no more than 10 minutes Monday - Thursday

Grade 2 no more than 20 minutes Monday - Thursday

Grade 3 no more than 30 minutes Monday - Thursday

Grade 4 no more than 40 minutes Monday - Thursday

Grade 5 no more than 50 minutes Monday - Thursday

*A guideline is by its nature an approximate standard meant to convey to parents

the average amount of time the teacher anticipates a student will need to spend

on homework. Homework time will vary from student to student and from day to

day. Teachers may also give additional assignments such as reading

independently, writing journals, or keeping up with current events. They may

also give long-term assignments such as research reports or book-related

projects.

Progress Reports and Parent/Teacher Conferences

Concord’s progress reporting system consists of parent conferences and online

progress reports. Parents receive feedback four times a year with one fall

conference and progress report at the end of the first semester in January; a

second conference in the spring and a June end-of-the-year progress report.

The progress report informs parents of the student’s academic progress in

relation to Concord’s essential grade-level standards. These standards are

based on Massachusetts Department of Education Frameworks and national

standards. The progress report also includes information on each student’s

personal and social growth.

The parent conferences are valuable components of the progress reporting

system as parents are provided the opportunity to discuss their child’s strengths

and weaknesses as a learner. Both the conferences and progress reports are

designed to promote parent-teacher relationships in supporting your child’s

academic and social growth.

Network Usage Guidelines Empowered Digital Use Policy

Purpose

The School Committee recognizes the need for students to be prepared to

contribute to and excel in a connected, global community. To that end, the district

provides ongoing student instruction that develops digital citizenship skill sets for

using technology as a tool. Information and communication technology are an

integrated part of our curriculum across subjects and grades in developmentally

appropriate ways and are aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum

Frameworks and standards, including seeking knowledge and understanding;

thinking critically and solving problems; listening, communicating, and interacting

effectively; and engaging and competing in a global environment.

Availability

The Superintendent or designee shall implement, monitor, and evaluate the

district's system/network for instructional and administrative purposes.

All users shall acknowledge that they understand that using digital devices,

whether personal or school owned, and the school district network is a privilege

and when using them in accordance with School District guidelines they will

retain that privilege.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop and implement administrative

guidelines, regulations, procedures, and user agreements, consistent with law

and policy, which shall include but not be limited to the following:

• Digital devices, software, and networks shall be used in school for

educational purposes and activities.

• An individual's personal information (including home/mobile phone

numbers, mailing addresses, and passwords) and that of others shall be

kept private.

• Individuals will show respect for themselves and others when using

technology, including social media.

• Users shall give acknowledgement to others for their ideas and work.

• Users shall report inappropriate use of technology immediately.

These procedures shall be reviewed annually by district administration together

with students and teachers and shall provide a springboard for teaching and

learning around topics such as internet safety, digital citizenship, and ethical use

of technology.

Immunization Requirements

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires that all school children

be properly immunized. All students who are new to Massachusetts schools

must also comply with this requirement. The only exceptions that can be made

are for religious or medical reasons and a signed statement by the

parent/guardian must be submitted annually. Exceptions for medical reasons

must have a note from the doctor. The School Nurse will notify

parents/guardians of students with incomplete records. Immunizations must be

completed prior to entry into school. Incomplete immunizations will result in

exclusion from school until the requirements are met. The Massachusetts

Department of Public Health has established the following immunization

requirements for school entry:

1. Varicella (Chicken Pox)

All students at any point of entrance from kindergarten through fifth grade are

required to have two doses of the Varicella vaccine or a physician certified

history of chickenpox disease that includes the month and year of the illness.

2. Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine (MMR)

All students at any point of entrance from kindergarten through fifth grade are

required to have two doses of the MMR vaccine.

3. Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis Vaccine (DPT)

All students at any point of entrance from kindergarten through fifth grade are

required to have 5 doses of DTP/DTaP vaccine unless the fourth dose was

given after the 4th birthday, then only 4 doses are required.

4. Polio Vaccine

All students at any point of entrance from kindergarten through fifth grade are

required to have 4 doses of polio vaccine unless the 3rd dose was given after

the 4th birthday, then only 3 doses are required.

5. Hepatitis B Vaccine

All students at any point of entrance from kindergarten through fifth grade are

required to have 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine.

6. Lead Screening

All students at entrance to kindergarten must present evidence of having

been previously screened for lead poisoning.

Physical Examinations

Concord Public Schools, in compliance with regulations of the Massachusetts

Department of Public Health, requires the following documents: a copy of a

Physical Exam that contains documentation of a vision screening, TB risk

assessment, and immunization record. The school nurse must receive these

documents as follows: one year prior to:

● Entry to the Concord Public Schools at any level

● Grades preschool, K, 4, 7, and 10

● Annually prior to participation in school sponsored athletics

The Massachusetts Department of Public health requires physical examinations

of students during the first year after entrance into the public school system. A

student transferring from another school system shall be treated as an entering

student unless health records are transferred showing that there has been

adequate health appraisal in the school of transfer.

If participating in competitive sports, physical exams are required annually. All

middle school students who intend to participate in an interscholastic sport must

submit a current physical exam. There are no exceptions. This requirement

must be met before a student is eligible to try out for a sport. Physicals expire

one year after the date that the exam was done.

Medication

All medication to be taken during the school day should be brought to the

school nurse by a parent or designated adult (do not send with a child).

Nurses will accept up to 30 days supply of medicine. Parent/Guardian

permission and a physician order/ authorization must be in writing. In

addition, the following requirements must be met.

1. Over the counter medications

Physician authorization must be in writing for cough/cold remedies, throat

lozenges. All medication must be in manufacturer labeled bottles.

2. Prescription medications

All medications must be in a pharmacy labeled bottle (ask the

pharmacist to dispense a duplicate bottle for use at school). For

short-term antibiotics or medications to be given for less than two weeks,

the parent signature and properly labeled bottle is sufficient authorization.

If the medication is to be administered for a longer time, physician

authorization must be in writing.

Health Screening

In compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, height,

weight, vision and hearing screenings are done annually on all Concord Public

School students. Postural screening is done annually for all students in grades

5-9. Parents will be notified of any significant findings and appropriate referrals

will be made.

School Attendance-Health Dismissal

The following guidelines are used to determine dismissals and may be helpful for

parents to determine appropriate attendance. Keep your child home from school

if he or she:

1. has been vomiting during the night.

2. has a cold with sneezing and coughing and a persistent runny nose.

3. has diarrhea.

4. has an oral temperature of 100 degrees or higher.

5. has a severe sore throat.

6. does not eat breakfast because of a stomach ache.

7. has pink, blood shot eyes with yellow or green drainage.

8. is on an antibiotic for a contagious disease, i.e. strep throat – keep your

child at home for the first 24 hours. They may return when energy and

appetite have returned.

Please report all illnesses to the school nurse.

Please report injuries, including concussions and head lice to the school nurse.

Any student who becomes ill or is injured during the school day must report to

the Health Office. The student will be dismissed, if necessary, by the nurse after

examination and communication with the parent or designated emergency

contact person.

Communicable Diseases

Management of common communicable diseases shall be in accordance with

Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines. A student, who is

diagnosed with, or exposed to, a disease, as defined by law, that may be harmful

to the health and welfare of other students and staff, may be excluded from

school attendance. A student who exhibits symptoms of a communicable disease

may be temporarily excluded from school attendance. CPS/CCRSD reserves the

right to require a health care provider's statement authorizing the student's return

to school.

The educational placement of a student diagnosed with a communicable

disease, will be determined on an individual basis in accordance with this policy

and administrative procedures. Those involved in the placement determination

will include but not be limited to, administration, professional staff, and school

nurse. A regular review of the placement determination will be done to maintain

an appropriate educational placement for the student.

As a public health measure, any student who exhibits the following, regardless of

whether they harbor a known blood-borne infection, should be excluded from

school until these conditions are resolved:

• Any weeping or bleeding lesion that cannot be covered or

controlled with medication.

• Inappropriate behavior that increases the likelihood of

transmission.

• Evidence of infection, and are too ill to be in school.

The school district may request written authorization for school attendance from

the student's health care provider once the condition is resolved.

Student Allergy Procedures

The Districts recognize the increasing prevalence of student allergies and the

life-threatening nature of the allergies for many students. The administration

shall develop and implement procedures to minimize the risk of exposure to

allergens that pose a threat to students, to educate all members of the school

community, and to plan for the individual needs of students with life-threatening

allergies. Further, these procedures will aim to assist students in assuming more

individual responsibility for their health and safety as they grow older, and to

ensure full participation in school activities.

The procedures will be reviewed annually and modified as appropriate and will

include the following:

A. Education and training: The District will provide annual education

and training to all appropriate personnel on management of student

allergies. The training will address prevention efforts, information

about common allergens, and recognition of signs of an allergic

reaction, emergency response plan, and epi-pen administration where

appropriate.

B. Individualized planning and accommodations: An Individual Health

Care Plan (IHCP) or Emergency Health Care Plan that addresses the

management of anaphylaxis will be developed for each student with a

medically diagnosed life-threatening allergy.

C. Classroom management procedures: Appropriate

accommodations will be made in the classroom, including designation

of the classroom as "allergen-free" as necessary. The use of food for

celebrations and rewards will be minimized and bake sales will not be

permitted at elementary and middle schools during the day.

D. Common Use Areas: The procedures will address foods used in

common areas and cleaning of those areas, including use of those

areas by groups other than students.

E. Kitchen and cafeteria procedures: The food service staff must

make reasonable efforts to ensure that all food items offered to a

student with life-threatening allergies are free of foods suspected of

causing the allergic reaction.

F. Transportation procedures: School buses and vans must have a

working means of two-way communication and a plan to check the

communication system periodically. Bus and van drivers must have

an emergency response plan. The eating and sharing of food will be

prohibited on transportation routes unless medically indicated for a

student.

G. Field trip procedures: Planning for field trips will include plans to

implement a student´s IHCP, and identification of the communication

system (cell phone, walkie-talkie etc). A trained staff member

designated by the school nurse will attend field trips which include a

student with a life-threatening allergy in the event that the parent

doesn´t attend.

H. Emergency response procedures: All staff members supervising

students with life-threatening allergies must have a means of

communication to call for assistance. The school nurse or another

school staff member trained to administer epinephrine in accordance

with 105 CMR 210 must be available in each school facility during the

school day.

I. Procedures for handling epinephrine: Each school must maintain a

current supply of epinephrine by auto-injector (epi-pens) and must

comply with all Department of Public Health regulations for

administration, storage, and record-keeping concerning epinephrine.

The school nurse chairperson shall register with the Department of

Public Health and shall train other school personnel to administer

epinephrine in accordance with 105 CMR 210. All staff members will

be informed of the location of the epi-pens.

State Pupil Records Policy

In order to provide students with appropriate instruction and educational services,

it is necessary for the school system to maintain extensive and sometimes

personal information about them and their families. It is essential that pertinent

information in these records be readily available to appropriate school personnel,

be accessible to the student´s parents or legal guardian and/or the student in

accordance with law, and yet be guarded as confidential information.

The Superintendent will provide for the proper administration of student records

in keeping with state and federal requirements, and shall obtain a copy of the

state student records regulations (603 CMR 23.00). The temporary record of

each student enrolled on or after June 2002 will be destroyed no later than seven

years after the student transfers, graduates or withdraws from the School District.

Written notice to the eligible student and his/her parent of the approximate date

of destruction of the temporary record and their right to receive the information in

whole or in part, shall be made at the time of such transfer, graduation, or

withdrawal. The student´s transcript may only be destroyed 60 years following

his/her graduation, transfer, or withdrawal from the school system.

The Committee wishes to make clear that all individual student records of the

school system are confidential. This extends to giving out individual addresses

and telephone numbers.

603 CMR 23.00 is promulgated by the Board of Education pursuant to its powers

under M.G.L.c.71, s.34D which directs that "the board of education shall adopt

regulations relative to the maintenance of student records by the public

elementary and secondary schools of the Commonwealth," and under

M.G.L.c.71, s.34F which directs that "the board of education shall adopt

regulations relative to the retention, duplication and storage of records under the

control of school committees, and except as otherwise required by law may

authorize the periodic destruction of any such records at reasonable times." 603

CMR 23.00 was originally promulgated on February 10, 1975, and was reviewed

and amended in June 1995. 603 CMR is in conformity with federal and state

statutes regarding maintenance of and access to student records, and is to be

construed harmoniously with such statutes.

Application of Rights

603 CMR 23.00 is promulgated to insure parents´ and students´ rights of

confidentiality, inspection, amendment, and destruction of students´ records and

to assist local school systems in adhering to the law. 603 CMR 23.00 should be

liberally construed for these purposes.

(1) These rights shall be the rights of the student upon reaching 14

years of age or upon entering the ninth grade, whichever comes first.

If a student is under the age of 14 and has not yet entered the ninth

grade, these rights shall belong to the student´s parent.

(2) If a student is from 14 through 17 years or has entered the ninth

grade, both the student and his/her parent, or either one acting alone,

shall exercise these rights.

(3) If a student is 18 years of age or older, he/she alone shall exercise

these rights, subject to the following. The parent may continue to

exercise the rights until expressly limited by such student. Such

student may limit the rights and provisions of 603 CMR 23.00 which

extend to his/her parent, except the right to inspect the student record,

by making such request in writing to the school Principal or

Superintendent of Schools who shall honor such request and retain a

copy of it in the student record. Pursuant to M.G.L. c.71, s.34E, the

parent of a student may inspect the student record regardless of the

student´s age.

(4) Notwithstanding 603 CMR 23.01(1) and 23.01(2), nothing shall be

construed to mean that a school committee cannot extend the

provisions of 603 CMR 23.00 to students under the age of 14 or to

students who have not yet entered the ninth grade.

Definition of Terms

The various terms as used in 603 CMR 23.00 are defined below:

Access: shall mean inspection or copying of a student record, in whole or in part.

Authorized school personnel: shall consist of three groups:

(1) School administrators, teachers, counselors and other

professionals who are employed by the School Committee or who are

providing services to the student under an agreement between the

School Committee and a service provider, and who are working

directly with the student in an administrative, teaching, counseling

and/or diagnostic capacity. Any such personnel who are not employed

directly by the School Committee shall have access only to the

student record information that is required for them to perform their

duties.

(2) Administrative office staff and clerical personnel, including

operators of data processing equipment or equipment that produces

microfilm/microfiche, who are either employed by the School

Committee or are employed under a School Committee service

contract, and whose duties require them to have access to student

records for purposes of processing information for the student record.

Such personnel shall have access only to the student record

information that is required for them to perform their duties.

(3) The evaluation team that evaluates a student.

Eligible student: shall mean any student who is 14 years of age or older or who

has entered 9th grade, unless the School Committee acting pursuant to 603

CMR 23.01(4) extends the rights and provisions of 603 CMR 23.00 to students

under the age of 14 or to students who have not yet entered 9th grade.

Evaluation Team: shall mean the team, which evaluates school-age children

pursuant to M.G.L.c.71B (St. 1972, c.766) and 603 CMR 28.00.

Parent: shall mean a student´s father or mother, or guardian, or person or agency

legally authorized to act on behalf of the child in place of or in conjunction with

the father, mother, or guardian. Any parent who by court order does not have

physical custody of the student, is considered a non custodial parent for

purposes of M.G.L. c. 71, s.34H and 603 CMR 23.00. This includes parents who

by court order do not reside with or supervise the student, even for short periods

of time.

Release: shall mean the oral or written disclosure, in whole or in part, of

information in a student record.

School-age child with special needs: shall have the same definition as that given

in M.G.L. c. 71B (St. 1972, c.766) and 603 CMR 28.00.

School committee: shall include a school committee, a board of trustees of a

charter school, a board of trustees of a vocational-technical school, a board of

directors of an educational collaborative and the governing body of an M.G.L.

c.71B (Chapter 766) approved private school.

Student: shall mean any person enrolled or formerly enrolled in a public

elementary or secondary school or any person age three or older about whom a

school committee maintains information. The term as used in 603 CMR 23.00

shall not include a person about whom a school committee maintains information

relative only to the person´s employment by the School Committee.

The student record: shall consist of the transcript and the temporary record,

including all information, recording and computer tapes, microfilm, microfiche, or

any other materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics concerning a

student that is organized on the basis of the student´s name or in a way that such

student may be individually identified, and that is kept by the public schools of the

Commonwealth. The terms as used in 603 CMR 23.00 shall mean all such

information and materials regardless of where they are located, except for the

information and materials specifically exempted by 603 CMR 23.04.

The temporary record: shall consist of all the information in the student record

which is not contained in the transcript. This information clearly shall be of

importance to the educational process. Such information may include

standardized test results, class rank (when applicable), extracurricular activities,

and evaluations by teachers, counselors, and other school staff.

Third party: shall mean any person or private or public agency, authority, or

organization other than the eligible student, his/her parent, or authorized school

personnel.

Log of Access: A log shall be kept as part of each student´s record. If parts of the

student record are separately located, a separate log shall be kept with each

part. The log shall indicate all persons who have obtained access to the student

record, stating: the name, position and signature of the person releasing the

information; the name, position and, if a third party, the affiliation if any, of the

person who is to receive the information; the date of access; the parts of the

record to which access was obtained; and the purpose of such access. Unless

student record information is to be deleted or released, this log requirement shall

not apply to:

(a) Authorized school personnel under 603 CMR 23.02(9)(a) who

inspect the student record;

(b) Administrative office staff and clerical personnel under 603 CMR

23.02(9)(b), who add information to or obtain access to the student

record; and

Access of Third Parties. Except for the provisions of 603 CMR 23.07(4)(a)

through 23.07(4)(h), no third party shall have access to information in or from a

student record without the specific, informed written consent of the eligible

student or the parent. When granting consent, the eligible student or parent shall

have the right to designate which parts of the student record shall be released to

the third party. A copy of such consent shall be retained by the eligible student or

parent and a duplicate placed in the temporary record. Except for the information

described in 603 CMR 23.07(4)(a), personally identifiable information from a

student record shall only be released to a third party on the condition that he/she

will not permit any other third party to have access to such information without

the written consent of the eligible student or parent.

(a) A school may release the following directory information: a

student´s name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth,

major field of study, dates of attendance, weight and height of

members of athletic teams, class, participation in officially recognized

activities and sports, degrees, honors and awards, and post-high

school plans without the consent of the eligible student or parent;

provided that the school gives public notice of the types of information

it may release under 603 CMR 23.07 and allows eligible students and

parents a reasonable time after such notice to request that this

information not be released without the prior consent of the eligible

student or parent. Such notice may be included in the routine

information letter required under 603 CMR 23.10.

Access Procedures for Non-Custodial Parents. As required by M.G.L.

c.71, s.34H, a non-custodial parent may have access to the student

record in accordance with the following provisions.

(a) A non-custodial parent is eligible to obtain access to the student

record unless:

1. The parent has been denied legal custody based on a threat to

the safety of the student or to the custodial parent, or

2. The parent has been denied visitation or has been ordered to

supervised visitation, or

3. The parent´s access to the student or to the custodial parent has

been restricted by a temporary or permanent protective order,

unless the protective order (or any subsequent order modifying the

protective order) specifically allows access to the information

contained in the student record.

(b) In order to obtain access, the non-custodial parent must submit a

written request for the student record to the high school principal

annually. The initial request must include the following:

1. A certified copy of the court order or judgment relative to the

custody of the student that either indicates that the requesting

parent is eligible to receive access as set forth in 603 CMR

23.07(5)(a), or a certified copy of a court order specifically ordering

that the student records be made available to the non-custodial

parent, and

2. An affidavit from the non-custodial parent that said court order or

judgment remain in effect and that there is no temporary or

permanent order restricting access to the custodial parent or any

child in the custodial parent´s custody.

access each year stating that said parent continues to be entitled to

unsupervised visitation with the student and is eligible to obtain

access as set forth in 603 CMR 23.07(5)(a).

(d) Upon receipt of the request (initial and annual) the school must

immediately notify the custodial parent by certified and first class mail,

in English and the primary language of the custodial parent, that it will

provide the non-custodial parent with access after 21 days, unless the

custodial parent provides the principal with documentation that the

non-custodial parent is not eligible to obtain access as set forth in 603

CMR 23.07(5)(a).

(e) The school must delete the address and telephone number of the

student and custodial parent from student records provided to

non-custodial parents. In addition, such records must be marked to

indicate that they shall not be used to enroll the student in another

school.

(f) Upon receipt of a court order which prohibits the distribution of

information pursuant to M.G.L. c.71, s.34H, the school shall notify the

non-custodial parent that it shall cease to provide access to the

student record to the non-custodial parent.

At least once during every school year, the school shall publish and distribute to

students and their parents in their primary language a routine information letter

informing them of the following:

(a) The standardized testing programs and research studies to be

conducted during the year and other routine information to be

collected or solicited from the student during the year.

(b) The general provisions of 603 CMR 23.00 regarding parent and

student rights, and that copies of 603 CMR 23.00 are available to

them from the school.

Physical Restraint Policy and Procedure

Maintaining an orderly, safe environment conducive to learning is an expectation

of all staff members of the school district. Further, students of the district are

protected by law from the unreasonable use of physical restraint. Such restraint

shall be used only in emergency situations as a last resort and with extreme

caution after other lawful and less intrusive alternatives have failed or been

deemed inappropriate.

When an emergency situation arises, and physical restraint is the only option

deemed appropriate to prevent a student from injuring himself or herself, another

student or school community member, a teacher or employee or agent of the

school district may use such reasonable force needed to protect students, other

persons or themselves from assault or imminent, serious, physical harm.

The definitions of forms of restraint shall be as defined in 603 CMR 46.02.

The use of mechanical restraint, medical restraint, and seclusion is prohibited.

Physical restraint, including prone restraint where permitted under 603 CMR

46.03, shall be considered an emergency procedure of last resort and shall be

prohibited except when a student's behavior poses a threat of assault, or

imminent, serious, physical harm to themselves and/or others and the student is

not responsive to verbal directives or other lawful and less intrusive behavior

interventions are deemed inappropriate.

The Superintendent will develop procedures identifying:

• Appropriate responses to student behavior that may require immediate

intervention;

• Methods of preventing student violence, self-injurious behavior, and

suicide including crisis planning and de-escalation of potentially

dangerous behaviors among groups of students or individuals;

• Descriptions and explanations of alternatives to physical restraint as well

as the school's method of physical restraint for use in emergency

situations;

• Descriptions of the school's training and procedures to comply with

reporting requirements including, but not limited to making reasonable

efforts to orally notify a parent of the use of restraint within 24 hours of its

imposition;

• Procedures for receiving and investigating complaints;

• Methods for engaging parents in discussions about restraint prevention

and use of restraint solely as an emergency procedure;

• A statement prohibiting: medication restraint, mechanical restraint,

prone restraint unless permitted by 603 CMR 46.03(1)(b), seclusion, and

the use of physical restraint in a manner inconsistent with 603 CMR 46.00;

• A process for obtaining Principal approval for a time out exceeding 30

minutes.

Each building Principal will identify staff members to serve as a school-wide

resource to assist in ensuring proper administration of physical restraint. These

staff members will participate in an in-depth training program in the use of

physical restraint.

In addition, each staff member will be trained regarding the school's physical

restraint policy and accompanying procedures. The Principal will arrange training

to occur in the first month of each school year, or for staff hired after the

beginning of the school year, within a month of their employment.

Physical restraint is prohibited as a means of punishment, or as a response to

destruction of property, disruption of school order, a student's refusal to comply

with a school rule or staff directive, or verbal threats that do not constitute a

threat of imminent, serious physical harm to the student or others.

Physical restraint is prohibited when it is medically contraindicated for reasons

including, but not limited to, asthma, seizures, a cardiac condition, obesity,

bronchitis, communication-related disabilities, or risk of vomiting;

The use of "time out" procedures during which a staff member remains

accessible to the student shall not be considered "seclusion restraint."

This policy and its accompanying procedures shall be reviewed and

disseminated to staff annually and made available to parents of enrolled

students. The Superintendent shall provide a copy of the Physical Restraint

regulations to each Principal, who shall sign a form acknowledging receipt

thereof.

Be a Good Digital Citizen: Student Computer Use Guidelines

My teachers will supervise my use of computers at school.

In order to use computers, I need to follow these rules.

1. Respect Yourself

★ I will show respect for myself through my actions when using the computer.

★ I will think before I click.

★ I will only use websites that are related to my schoolwork.

★ I will ask a teacher before using an educational game site. (educational games only)

★ I will only use school-appropriate language and images on the computer.

2. Respect Others

★ I will use words that are respectful and kind.

★ I will not bully, threaten, or harass other people online.

★ I will let my teacher know if I see something inappropriate.

★ I will only change or modify others' work with permission.

3. Protect Yourself

★ I will keep my personal information to myself

★ I will be careful that anything I post online does not put me at risk.

★ I will not share my account or password with anyone.

★ I will report any bullying or inappropriate behavior directed to me to a trusted adult.

4. Protect Others

★ I will be an ally to others and report any bullying or inappropriate behavior to a trusted

adult.

★ I will not change settings and preferences on the computer.

★ I will not forward inappropriate content.

★ I will not create or forward false comments.

5. Respect Copyright

★ I will give credit to other authors and respect their intellectual property.

★ I will not steal words, pictures, software, or media (including music) from the Internet.

6. Protect School Property

★ I will take good care of school computers and equipment (clean hands, gentle

keyboarding, two hand carry, etc.)