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CODE OF CONDCT
ABRIDGED CODE OF CONDUCT
I. INTRODUCTION:
The Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School District believes that order and discipline are essential to effective education. It also believes that everyone in the school community, students, staff, and all visitors, are responsible for contributing to an orderly environment, and that the standards for behavior extend to the school grounds, property, and school sponsored trips and activities. A safe and orderly school environment requires a Code of Conduct that clearly defines individual rights and responsibilities, categorizes unacceptable behavior, and provides for disciplinary options and responses for all members of the community, not just the students. The district has adopted a zero tolerance for violent behavior of any kind for the safety of all individuals and in recognition that a safe environment is a prerequisite for learning. It is our belief that a successful Code of Conduct must:
1. Identify and recognize acceptable behavior.
2. Be preventative in nature.
3. Promote self-discipline.
4. Promote a close working relationship between home and school.
5. Be conscious of the importance of the balance between welfare of the individual and that of the school community.
6. Encourage a high regard for every person’s right to a reasonable hearing procedures and due process when accused of misconduct.
7. Discriminate between minor and serious offenses and first time and repeat offenders.
8. Provide consequences that are appropriate to the behavior.
9. Be administered in a fair, firm, and consistent manner.
II: STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Student Rights
The district is committed to safeguarding the rights given to all students under state and federal law. In addition, to promote a safe, healthy, orderly and civil school environment, all district students have the right to:
1. Take part in all district activities on an equal basis regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation.
2. Present their version of the relevant events to school personnel authorized to impose a disciplinary consequences.
3. Access school rules and, when necessary, receive an explanation of those rules from school personnel.
B. Student Responsibilities
All district students have the responsibility to:
1. Contribute to maintaining a safe and orderly school environment that is conducive to learning and to show respect to other persons and their property.
2. Be familiar with and abide by all district policies, rules and regulations addressing student conduct.
3. Accept responsibility for their actions.
4. Attend school every day unless they are legally excused and be in class, on time, and prepared to learn.
5. Work to the best of their ability in all academic and extracurricular pursuits and strive toward their highest level of achievement possible.
6. Support and participate in school activities.
7. Accept direction given by teachers, administrators and other school personnel in a respectful, positive manner.
8. Learn self-control, conflict management skills, and work to develop strategies to control their anger.
9. Seek help in solving problems that might lead to discipline.
10. Ask questions when they do not understand.
11. Dress appropriately for school and school functions.
12. Conduct themselves as representatives of the district when participating in or attending school sponsored extracurricular events. To hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, demeanor and sportsmanship.
III: ESSENTIAL PARTNERS:
A. Parents\Guardians – All parents\Guardians are expected to:
1. Recognize that the education of their child(ren) is a joint responsibility of the parents and the school community.
2. Work to instill a positive attitude and to motivate their child(ren) with a desire and a feeling of need for an education; support for the school, for the administration and for the staff of the school district.
3. Send their children to school ready to participate and learn, and dressed and groomed in a manner consistent with the student dress code.
4. Ensure their children attend school regularly and that absences are legitimate.
5. Know school rules and help their children understand them.
6. Help their children understand that in a democratic society appropriate rules are required to maintain a safe orderly environment.
7. Build good relationships with teachers, their children’s friends and other parents.
8. Help their children deal effectively with peer pressure.
9. Inform school officials of changes in the home situation that may affect student conduct or performance.
10. Attend Parent Conferences, Open House, student centered programs, and other school functions and show their child(ren) that they are interested in them and what they do. Become involved in the PTSA.
11. Take an active interest in their child’s homework, projects, and assignments. Set a time and place for their child’s homework, that is free from distractions such as television, radio, or telephone calls.
12. Provide educationally oriented activities at home for children and develop summer activities, such as a family outing, which will be educationally valuable.
13. Hold a family reading time, in which the entire family will have quiet time and enjoy some reading together.
14. Contact the school immediately if there is a concern or problem.
B. Teachers - All district teachers are expected to:
1. Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity, which will strengthen students’ self-concept and promote confidence to learn.
2. Demonstrate a keen interest in teaching and concern for student achievement.
3. Know school policies and rules, and enforce them in a fair and consistent manner.
4. Communicate to students and parents:
a. Course objectives and requirements
b. Expectations for students
c. Classroom discipline plan
d. Assignment deadlines
e. Grading procedures
5. Communicate regularly with students, parents and other teachers concerning growth and achievement.
6. Recognize, by default, that as education leaders they are role models and must exhibit this via preparedness for each day, conduct in the classroom, and professionalism in chosen attire.
C. Guidance Counselors - All district Guidance Counselors are expected to:
1. Assist students in coping with peer pressure and emerging personal, social, and emotional problems.
2. Initiate teacher/student/counselor conferences and parent/teacher/student/counselor conferences, as needed.
3. Regularly review with students their educational progress and career plans.
4. Encourage students to benefit from the curriculum and extracurricular programs.
5. Inform appropriate staff of student academic and social issues.
6. Assist administrators with creating the master schedule of courses.
D. Assistant Superintendent – The Assistant Superintendent is expected to:
1. Promote a safe, orderly and stimulating school environment, supporting active teaching and learning.
2. Ensure that students and staff have the opportunity to communicate regularly with the Assistant Superintendent and approach the Assistant Superintendent for redress of grievances.
3. Evaluate on a regular basis all instructional programs.
4. Support student participation in appropriate extracurricular activities.
5. Be responsible for enforcing the code of conduct and ensuring that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.
E. Superintendent - The Superintendent is expected to:
1. Promote a safe, orderly and stimulating school environment, supporting active teaching and learning.
2. Review with district administrators the polices of the board of education and state and federal laws relating to school operations and management.
3. Inform the board about educational trends relating to student discipline.
4. Work to create instructional programs that minimize problems of misconduct and are sensitive to student and teacher needs.
5. Work with district administrators in enforcing the code of conduct and ensuring that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.
F. Board of Education - The members of the Board of Education are expected to:
1. Collaborate with student, teacher, administrator, and parent organizations, school safety personnel and other school personnel to develop a code of conduct which will clearly define expectations for the conduct of students, district personnel and visitors on school property and at school functions.
2. Adopt and review at least annually the district’s code of conduct to evaluate the code’s effectiveness and the fairness and consistency of its implementation.
IV. DRESS CODE:
Students, staff and visitors to the school have the responsibility to dress in a manner that is appropriate for a teaching-learning environment. All members of the school or community should dress in a way that does not interfere with the rights of others. The chosen attire should not disrupt the educational process and should not represent a threat to the health, safety, or well being of themselves or others.
Clothing, jewelry, buttons, bags, or other attire that has an expression (phrase, work, or words) or insignia (picture, patch, pin or symbol) that is obscene or libelous (that is, which contains objectionable language, including insults whether directed to themselves or others) or that advocates racial or religious prejudice are not allowed. Additionally, clothing, jewelry, buttons, bags or other attire that includes references to alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs will not be allowed.
No one is to wear the following types of clothing: exposed undergarments (i.e. boxer shorts and bra straps); mini skirts/dresses/shorts cannot be shorter than the top of the wearer’s fingers when her arms are extended; bare midriffs; tube tops; backless shirts; see through or mesh shirts; spaghetti strap tops and tank tops that are revealing; and skin tight spandex pants.
It is the policy of the school district to prohibit the wearing of any headgear including hats and bandanas in classrooms or assembly area.
The first time a student is found in violation of the dress code, the student will be asked to change into clothing appropriate for a school setting as outlined above. If students do not have access to such clothing, they will be required to contact their parents to bring appropriate clothing. Repeated offenses will be treated as insubordination and receive consequences as outlined in the code of conduct.
V. STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND ATTENDANCE AT EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:
Attending and experiencing extracurricular activities is a very important component of an educational experience. Students are reminded that while at these events, they are to behave in a manner that is representative of the high standards that we set at WAJ. Students also are expected to follow and are held accountable to the stipulations set forth in the Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School Code of Conduct at all extracurricular events.
In order to attend an extracurricular event, a student must be in good standing. To be in good standing, the student must have been present the entire school day, the day of the event. Students are considered ineligible to attend if they meet the following criteria on the day of the event:
• Suspended Out of School
• Suspended In-School
• Absent from school
• More than 15 minutes late for school (unexcused)
• Listed on the Academic Ineligibility list
• Did not attend an assigned detention on the day of the event.
VI. PROHIBITED STUDENT CONDUCT:
The Board of Education recognizes the need to make its expectations for student conduct, while on school property or engaged in a school function, specific and clear.
The Board of Education expects all students to conduct themselves in an appropriate and civil manner, with proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students, district personnel and other members of the school community, and for the care of school facilities and equipment. The best discipline is self-imposed, and students must learn to assume and accept responsibility for their own behavior, as well as the consequences of their misbehavior. District personnel, who interact with students are expected to use disciplinary action only when necessary and to place emphasis on the students’ ability to grow in self-discipline.
VII. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY SEQUENCE CODE:
The rules of conduct listed below are intended to focus on safety and respect for the rights and property of others. Students who violate the Student Code of Conduct will be expected to accept the consequences for their conduct.
Level I Misconduct:
This involves engaging in conduct that is disorderly or insubordinate. Examples of disorderly conduct include:
1. Misbehavior in the cafeteria.
2. Reckless and\or disruptive behavior outside the classroom and in the hallway areas.
3. Violations of the dress code.
4. Obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
5. Engaging in any willful act that disrupts the normal operation of the school community.
6. Computer/electronic communications misuse, including any unauthorized use of computer, software, or internet/intranet account, accessing inappropriate websites, or any other violation of the district’s Acceptable Use Policy.
7. Possession and\or use of electronic devices.
8. Excessive display of affection; kissing, inappropriate touching, sitting on another’s lap.
9. Use of bicycles, skateboards, scooters, or roller blades on school grounds.
10. Consuming food or drinks outside of the cafeteria.
11. The wearing of dark glasses.
Level II Misconduct:
This involves disruptive behavior whose frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the learning climate of the school. Examples of disruptive behavior include:
1. The general use of language or gestures of a profane or vulgar nature (swearing).
2. Acting in a way that keeps others from learning.
3. Lack of cooperation, rude and\or discourteous behavior.
4. Interfering with school\classroom discipline.
5. Cutting class (one to three periods).
6. Forged notes\excuses.
7. Engaging in any form of academic misconduct. Examples of academic misconduct include:
• Altering records
• Cheating
• Copying
• Plagiarism
• Assisting another student in any of the above actions.
Level III Misconduct:
This involves antisocial acts directed against person(s) or property that could seriously endanger the safety, morals, health or welfare of others within the school. Those acts that are criminal (or illegal) will automatically be referred to the appropriate law enforcement office. Examples of such conduct include:
1. The defacing of school property.
2. Using inappropriate and\or obscene language and gestures in an aggressive or abusive manner.
3. Gross insubordination: argumentative and\or belligerent refusal to comply with the lawful directions of a teacher, school administrator, or other school employee in charge of the student.
4. Endangering the safety, morals, health or welfare of others.
5. Cutting classes (more than 3 periods).
6. Leaving school property without permission.
7. Lying to school personnel.
8. Defamation, which includes making false or unprivileged statements or representation about an individual or identifiable group of individuals that harm the reputation of the person or the identifiable group.
9. Discrimination, which includes the use of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability as a basis for treating another in a negative manner.
10. Harassment, which includes a sufficiently severe action or a persistent, pervasive pattern of actions or statements directed at an identifiable individual or group which are intended to be or which a reasonable person would perceive as ridiculing or demeaning.
11. Intimidation, which includes engaging in actions or statements that put an individual in fear of bodily harm.
12. Hazing, which includes any intentional or reckless act directed against another for the purpose of initiation into, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in any school sponsored activity, organization, club, or team.
13. Selling, using and\or possessing obscene material.
14. Possessing a cigarette, cigar, pipe, or chewing or smokeless tobacco.
15. Inappropriate use of and\or sharing prescription and over-the-counter medication.
16. Gambling.
17. Indecent exposure, that is, exposure to sight of the private parts of the body in a lewd or indecent manner.
18. Skipping Saturday Detention.
Level IV Misconduct:
This involves engaging in conduct that is violent or acts which result in injury or damage to another’s person(s) and\or their property or pose a threat to the safety, morals, health or welfare of others. They are clearly disruptive to the educational process and are so serious that they always require administrative action. Those acts that are criminal (or illegal) will automatically be referred to the appropriate law enforcement office. Examples of violent conduct include:
1. Theft of the property of other students, school personnel, or any person lawfully on school property.
2. Use of tobacco products including cigars, cigarettes, and\or Smokeless\chewing tobacco.
3. Possessing, using or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, or drug paraphernalia. “Illegal substances” include but are not limited to: inhalants, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP, Ecstasy, amphetamines, heroin, steroids, and any substance commonly referred to as “designer drugs”. This includes any substance appearing to be or being represented to be an otherwise illegal substance.
4. Threatening to, attempting to, inciting to, abetting, or committing an act of violence (such as hitting, kicking, punching, and scratching) upon a teacher, administrator or other school employee.
5. Threatening to, attempting to, inciting to, abetting, or committing an act of violence (such as hitting, kicking, punching, and scratching) upon another student or other person lawfully on school property.
6. Threatening use of, possessing, or displaying a weapon or what appears to be a weapon. Authorized law enforcement officials are the only persons permitted to have a weapon in their possession while on school property or at a school function.
7. Intentionally damaging, vandalizing or destroying the personal property of the school district, a student, teacher, administrator, other district employee or any person lawfully on school property.
8. Initiating a report warning of fire or other catastrophe without valid cause, misuse of 911, or discharging a fire extinguisher.
VIII. TEACHER DISCIPLINARY REMOVAL OF DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS:
A student’s behavior can affect a teacher’s ability to teach and can make it difficult for other students in the classroom to learn. In most instances the classroom teacher can control a student’s behavior and maintain and\or restore control over the classroom by using good classroom management techniques. On occasion, a student’s behavior may become disruptive. For purposes of this Code of Conduct, a disruptive student is a student who is substantially disruptive of the educational process or substantially interferes with the teacher’s authority over the classroom. A substantial disruption of the educational process or substantial interference with a teacher’s authority occurs when a student demonstrates a persistent unwillingness to comply with the teacher’s instructions or repeatedly violates the teacher’s classroom rules for behavior.
A classroom teacher may remove a disruptive student from class for up to two days after an informal discussion with the student. If the student poses a danger or ongoing threat of disruption, the teacher may order the student to be removed immediately, and hold the meeting with the student within 24 hours. Any disruptive student removed from the classroom by the classroom teacher shall be offered continued educational programming and activities until he or she is permitted to return to the classroom.
Each teacher must keep a complete log (on a district provided form) for all cases of removal of a student(s) from his or her class. The Assistant Superintendent also must keep a log of all student removals from classrooms by teachers. The Assistant Superintendent may overturn the removal of the student from class if the Assistant Superintendent finds any one of the following:
1. The charges against the student are not supported by substantial evidence.
2. The student’s removal is otherwise in violation of law, including the district’s code of conduct.
3. The conduct warrants suspension from school pursuant to Education Law 3214 and a suspension will be imposed.
IX. REFERRALS:
1. Counseling – Assistant Superintendent or Guidance Office shall handle all referrals of students to counseling.
2. PINS Petitions – The District may file a PINS (person in need of supervision) petition in Family Court on any student under the age of 18 who demonstrates that he or she requires supervision and treatment by:
a) Being habitual truant and not attending school as required by part one of Article 65 of the Education Law.
b) Engaging in an ongoing or continual course of conduct that makes the student ungovernable or habitually disobedient and beyond the lawful control of the school.
c) Knowingly and unlawfully possessing any illegal substance as designated by penal law. A single violation will be a sufficient basis for filing a PINS petition.
d) Knowingly and unlawfully possessing a weapon on school grounds. A single violation will be a sufficient basis for filing a PINS petition.
X. ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM:
The Superintendent of Schools shall be responsible for the enforcement of these rules and guidelines for accountability. He/she shall designate the other personnel who are authorized to take action in accordance with such rules and guidelines when required or appropriate to carry them into effect.
This Code of Conduct will be reviewed annually with the staff and students. Training and in-service will be provided on school safety, behavioral issues and disciplinary methodology on staff development days, through conferences and on an ad hoc basis when necessary.
XI. STUDENT CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES
The Board of Education believes it is crucial for students to behave appropriately while riding on district school buses. Appropriate behavior is to ensure the safety of all passengers and not to distract the bus driver.
In accordance with district guidelines and educational law, transportation is provided to district residents. While the law requires the district to furnish transportation for such students, it does not relieve parent(s) or guardian(s) of the responsibility of supervision until the child boards the bus in the morning and after the child leaves the bus at the end of the school day.
The student who is granted the privilege of riding a school bus will be held accountable for their actions while on the school bus. All of the rules delineated in the student Code of Conduct apply to the student as well as those specific to district transportation outlined below.
1. Students must be ready when the bus arrives at the bus stop.
2. Students will enter and leave a bus only when it has come to a complete stop.
3. Students must obey the instructions of the bus drivers at all times.
4. When exiting the bus, the students must pass in front of the bus. In crossing the street to board a bus, or after disembarking a stopped bus, students must cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus, in full view of the driver.
5. Students must conduct themselves in a manner that will not interfere with the safe operation of the bus and subsequently, the safety and well-being of the passengers.
6. Leaving a seat while the bus is in motion, extending any part of one’s body out of the school bus window, occupying a position on the bus that interferes with the driver’s vision or operation of the bus, throwing anything on the bus or out of its doors or windows is not acceptable.
7. No student will be allowed to ride a school bus from school to a destination other than his/her home without written permission from his/her parent(s) or guardian(s). This destination would be for long-term placements such as: a babysitter, a relative’s house, etc. Trips to birthday parties, scout meetings or any other short term or one time event will be parents’ responsibility.
8. Students will not have in their possession any of the following:
• Animals
• Glass containers
• Bulky and unsafe items such as snowboards, skateboards, and large band instruments.
Within the limits of the philosophy of these regulations regarding the safety and conduct of students on school buses, the bus driver will have the authority to give directions, arrange seating, and implement rules for the safe and orderly conduct of students.
Parents and students are reminded that riding the bus is a privilege extended by the school system and that behavior that is prohibited by this regulation is subject to the school Code of Conduct Policy and could result in the revocation of bus privileges.
XII. DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS ON SCHOOL BUSES:
If a student’s conduct on a school bus, according to the bus driver, is disruptive and jeopardizes the safety and orderly transportation of passengers, the driver will first make an attempt to correct any discipline problems by asking the student to behave and, if necessary, assigning seats to certain students.
If this is not successful in improving the student’s behavior, the district may impose disciplinary actions as follows:
• The student and/or his/her parent(s) are given the opportunity to appear informally before the Assistant Superintendent to discuss the factual situation underlying the impending discipline.
• Depending on the severity and/or number of the infractions committed by a student, a variety of corrective measures may be imposed. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, verbal reprimand, parent conference, 3:00 detention, 4:00 detention, In-school suspension, and out-of school suspension and/or bus suspension or total exclusion from school provided transportation.
• In the event a suspension from transportation amounts to a suspension from school, the school district will make appropriate arrangements to provide for the student’s education. Any such suspension will be in accordance with district policy and education law.
XIII. COMPREHENSIVE ATTENDANCE POLICY:
A. Objectives
The objectives of the Comprehensive Attendance Policy are:
1. To accurately track the attendance, absence, tardiness and early departure of students to and from the school.
2. To ensure sufficient pupil attendance of classes so that pupils may achieve state mandated education standards.
3. To track student location for safety reasons and to account to parents regarding the location of children during school hours.
B. Definitions
Whenever used within the Comprehensive Attendance Policy, the following terms shall mean:
1. Scheduled instruction: Every period that a pupil is scheduled to attend instructional or supervised study activities during the course of a school day during the school year.
2. Absent: The pupil is not present for the entire day/period of the pupil’s scheduled instruction.
3. Tardy: The pupil arrives later than the starting time of scheduled instruction.
4. Early Departure: The pupil leaves prior to the end of scheduled instruction.
5. Excused: Any absence, tardiness, or early departure for which the pupil has a valid school approved excuse on file at the school within five (5) days. Such excused non-appearance shall include: personal illness, illness or death in the family, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health clinics or other medical visits, approved college visits, approved school sponsored trips, military obligations, absences approved in advance by the Assistant Superintendent, and other reasons as may be approved by the Commissioner of Education. When the absence is excused, the student is still responsible to complete any missing assignments within the timeframe and requirements set forth by each classroom teacher.
6. Unexcused: An unexcused absence, tardiness or early departure for which the pupil has no valid school approved excuse. Such unexcused non-appearance shall include shopping trips, family vacation, oversleeping, skipping class, and any other absence that is not excused.
If a note for absences/tardiness is not received with five (5) days of the occurrence, it will be recorded as unexcused. If an absence is recorded as unexcused, the student may not be permitted to make up the work missed and credit for the day’s work may be denied.
Telephone Excuses by law are NOT considered legal and must be confirmed by a written excuse.
C. Attendance Requirements
1. Attendance for Course Credit
a. In order to earn course credit a student may not miss more than ten (10) days in a semester course or twenty (20) days in a two-semester course.
i. For purposes of minimum attendance requirements, a student shall not be counted as present for a class if the student misses any part of class, whether through tardiness or early departure.
ii. Students of compulsory attendance age suspended from school instruction may not be marked as absent unless they fail to attend scheduled alternative education sessions.
iii. Students over the compulsory attendance age suspended from school instruction will be marked absent unless they have requested and been assigned alternative education. If alternative education has been assigned, only failure to attend scheduled alternative education shall count as an absence.
b. In order to prevent loss of credit for failure to attend, the district will take the following steps:
i. The district shall notify the student and his\her parent(s) or persons in parental relation when the student accumulates unexcused absences at a rate that if continued will result in a loss of credit. Notification will be made at the 3rd, 6th, and 10th unexcused absence for a semester course and at the 3rd, 6th, 10th, 14th and 20th unexcused absence for a full year course. The notice will include the school’s attendance for credit policy and the number of unexcused absences a student may accumulate before losing the right to earn credit, and the number of unexcused absences to date.
ii. An excused student absence, for which a student has performed any assigned make-up work, should not be counted as an absence for the purpose of determining a student’s eligibility for course credit;
iii. Where a student is in jeopardy of losing credit for excessive absences, the Assistant Superintendent shall be responsible for reviewing attendance records and determining eligibility for makeup work for excused absences. This review will occur only upon request by the student. The student will be responsible for arranging makeup opportunities with their teachers.
2. Notice of Absences
The pupil’s parent(s)/guardians shall be notified of a pupil’s unexcused absence, tardiness or early departure according to the following:
a. Where a pupil has not been marked as present for the first period of scheduled instruction and the school has not been previously notified of the absence, the district shall attempt to contact the pupil’s parent(s)/guardians to learn the nature of the pupil’s absence and notify the parent that the pupil has not arrived at school. For every 3 unexcused absences, tardies, early departures, or any combination thereof, the pupil’s parent(s) or persons in parental relation shall receive a notice containing the dates, times, and the nature of the pupil’s unexcused non-presence.
3. Disciplinary Procedures
The pupil may be subject to disciplinary procedures for unexcused absence, tardiness, or early departure. This may include verbal and written warnings, detentions, in-school suspensions, and loss of extra-curricular privileges, as described in the Code of Conduct.
4. Incentives
District teachers shall work with the Assistant Superintendent and Attendance Clerk to create and implement classroom-based and school-wide based programs for excellent attendance.
5. Intervention Strategy Development
The Assistant Superintendent shall meet at each marking period with the Attendance Clerk and teachers as the Assistant Superintendent determines if necessary to review student attendance records, address identified patterns of unexcused pupil absence, tardiness and early departure, and review current intervention methods. Where the Assistant Superintendent determines that existing intervention policies or practices are insufficient, the Assistant Superintendent shall notify the Board of Education prior to its annual review of the building’s attendance records, of both insufficient practices and any proposed changes needing Board approval to implement.
6. Counseling
The District shall provide school counseling to students with chronic attendance problems
D. Appeal Process
In the event there are unforeseen circumstances that reach beyond the scope of this policy, a process of appeal is available to evaluate each situation and determine impact on instruction as it relates to credit or promotion.
A written request, including an explanation of the circumstances requiring an appeal must be received by the Assistant Superintendent no later than two (2) weeks prior to the end of each marking period. A committee consisting of the Assistant Superintendent, Director of Guidance, the School Nurse and a teacher representative will meet to discuss and evaluate the information provided. Parents may represent information provided from the written request in person at the meeting. A determination will be rendered and written notice provided within five (5) business days.
The Superintendent, CSE Chair, or other school official may sit in on an appeal or provide information or input when appropriate.
E. Attendance Supervision Officer
The Board shall designate the Assistant Superintendent as the Attendance Supervision Officer. The Attendance Supervision Officer is responsible for reviewing pupil attendance records and initiating appropriate action to address unexcused pupil absence, tardiness and early departure consistent with the Comprehensive Attendance Policy.
