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School Policies
Acceptable Use Policy
* The
Acceptable Use Policy must be signed by a parent/guardian and student, in
grade 5 or upon entering the middle school, in order to be able to use the
Internet. Forms are distributed to students in homeroom on the first day of
school. The signed form will be kept on file for the four years you attend
the middle school. Please read this policy carefully.
Introduction
The Tiverton Public
Schools (TPS) are providing students and faculty with access to the
Internet. The Internet is a rich resource of information and fundamental to
preparation of citizens and future employees. Access to the Internet
enables students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, bulletin
boards, and other resources, while exchanging messages with people around
the world. Students will be provided with guidelines and lists of resources
particularly suited to curriculum, and learning objectives. Students will
conduct their Internet work in a supervised environment. However, access to
the Internet also has the potential to be abused and made inappropriate for
a learning community. Just as in the greater world, it is possible to come
across information that may be offensive, morally objectionable, or
pornographic. Attempts will be made to
install security software to diminish this possibility. Users will not find
inappropriate material unless they look for it. Just as students are
responsible for their behavior away from a computer, they are responsible
for their behavior while working with one.
Use of the Internet is a privilege, not
a right, and the purpose of this Agreement is to define acceptable and
unacceptable use of the Internet by the TPS community. Unacceptable use, as
defined by this Agreement may result
in restriction or cancellation of the
access privilege. These sanctions will be at the discretion of the Library
Media Specialist (elementary), Technology Coordinator, or Library Media
Specialist (middle school), or the Library Media Specialist (secondary).
Acceptable Use
Acceptable use of the TPS Internet access is any use which is consistent
with the educational objectives of the Tiverton Public Schools. The
Internet offers a wealth of information and also offers the opportunity for
the exchange of ideas and for collaborative work. All communications should
be polite with appropriate language use.
Unacceptable Use
Illegal Activity.
It is unacceptable use to in any way promote or engage in any activities
which are deemed criminal under federal, state or local laws, including but
not limited to copyright laws.
Hacking and Other Vandalism.
It is unacceptable use to maliciously attempt to harm or destroy the
hardware or data of another user, whether at TPS or at any site connected to
the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation and
spreading of computer viruses. It is also unacceptable use to attempt to
use another's account, including the Computer System Administrators'
accounts, without written permission of the other person.
Offensive and Obscene Materials.
It is unacceptable use to send or receive any data which is offensive and/or
obscene according to TPS standards and purposes.
Private Commercial Gain.
It is unacceptable use to engage in activity for private or financial gain.
No Warranties
TPS will work with its service provider
(RInet) to make Internet service reliable and secure. TPS will also work
with every user to promote technical skills and acceptable use. However,
TPS makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the
service it is providing. TPS will not be responsible for any damages you
suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries,
or service interruption from whatever cause.
Safety Precautions and Information
1. Do not use Internet access unless a
teacher is supervising.
2. Do not reveal your personal address
or phone number or those of others.
3. Notify my teacher if you come
across information that makes you feel uncomfortable.
4. Electronic mail (e-mail) is not
guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system (Computer System
Administrators) do have access to all mail.
5. Users must alert the computer system
administrators of questionable activities and communications, both incoming
and outgoing.
To maintain order and
discipline in the schools and to protect the safety and welfare of
students and school personnel, school authorities may search a student,
student lockers, or student automobiles when parked on school property
under the circumstances outlined below and may seize any illegal,
unauthorized, or contraband materials discovered in the search. School
officials are empowered to conduct reasonable searches of students and
school property when there is reasonable suspicion to believe that
students may be in possession of drugs, weapons, alcohol, and other
materials (“Contraband”) in violation of school policy or state law.
Students suspected of bringing contraband on the school grounds may be
searched in order to secure the school environment so learning can take
place and to protect other
students from any potentially harmful effects stemming from the
contraband. School property shall remain under the control of school
officials, and shall be subject to search. The Administration may
utilize canines as provided in the Administrative Procedures.
School Property
Student’s lockers, desks, and
other such property are owned by the school. The school exercises exclusive
control over the school property, and students should not expect privacy
regarding items placed in school property. School property is subject to
search at any time by school officials.
Students are responsible for
whatever is contained in desks and lockers issued to them by the school.
Substance Abuse Policy
(School Committee
Policy #1136 - Education)
The substance
abuse policy of the Tiverton School System has the primary focus of
prevention through education. Available for grades K-12 is a comprehensive
health curriculum which includes substance abuse education (including
wellness, building skills in the areas of decision making, self-concept,
positive self image, and avoidance
skills). A
K-12 Health Council acts on curricular and offers staff development
opportunities through awareness workshops, which are concerned with issues
related to substance abuse.
Bullying
(School Committee Policy
#1169)
A student is
being bullied or victimized when he or she is exposed, repeatedly, and over
time to negative actions on the part of one or more students.
Some examples
of bullying include hitting, kicking, stealing, threatening/obscene
gestures, name calling, taunting, teasing, excluding from group, etc.
Allegations
of bullying will be investigated by the Principal/Asst. Principal. If the
allegation is found to be true appropriate disciplinary action will be
imposed.
Procedures for Student Suspension
The procedure
to be employed in the exclusion of any students shall provide as minimum,
the following:
Suspensions of ten (10) days or less:
a.
that the student be given
oral or written notice of the charges against him/her;
b.
that if the student denies
the charge, the student be given an explanation of the evidence the
authorities possess;
c.
that the student be given
an opportunity to present his/her version;
d.
that notice and hearing
generally should precede the student’s removal from school since the hearing
may almost immediately follow the incident but if prior notice and hearing
may not be feasible, as where the student’s presence endangers persons or
property or threatens disruption of the academic process, thus justifying
immediate removal from school, the necessary notice of hearing shall follow
as soon thereafter as possible;
e.
the parent/guardian shall
be informed that his/her presence is required at school. The
parent/guardian will be informed for the reasons and duration of the
suspension. Such notice shall be given in the parents/guardian spoken
language, unless it is clearly not feasible to do so;
f.
no later than seventy-two
(72) hours after the removal of the student from school, the student and his
parents must be given the opportunity to be present at a hearing before the
Principal who shall determine if the suspension should be continued on a
day-to-day basis, up to a total of ten (10) days;
g.
within twenty-four (24)
hours after the suspension hearing, the Principal shall notify in writing
the Superintendent of Schools and the student and his/her parents and/or
legal guardian of the reasons for his/her decision; and
During the
suspension, a student will not be allowed to participate in any
school-related activity (i.e. school dances, interscholastic league events,
etc.)
For suspension for (10) days or more:
When the
student's presence endangers persons or threatens disruption of the academic
process thus justifying immediate removal from school, the necessary notice
or hearing shall follow as soon as possible.
The student
shall be afforded:
(1) a clear, written statement of
the reason for suspension or expulsion;
(2) notice of the right to prompt
public or private hearing, at the student's election, and the right to be
represented by counsel at such hearing; and
(3) if a hearing is requested,
the student shall be given prompt notice setting the time and place of such
hearing, said time and place to be reasonably set so as to allow sufficient
time for preparation, without undue delay. In the event a student has not
attained the age of majority (18 years), the parent or guardian shall be
afforded the procedures stated in 1 – 3 above. Such notice
shall be written in the parent's
spoken language, unless it is clearly not feasible to do so.
a. The student shall be
afforded a hearing at which the student shall have a right to:
(1) representation and participation by counsel; and (2) cross-examination
of witness(es) and to present
witness(es) in his/her behalf.
b.
There shall be a complete and accurate (stenographic or electronic) record
of the hearing including all exhibits. The record shall be
preserved for transmission to the Commissioner of Education as soon
as possible in the event of an appeal
c.
The student shall be furnished a copy of the record without cost.
d. A
written decision shall be rendered, within a reasonable time, based
exclusively on the record detailing the reasons and the factual
basis. The student
shall promptly be provided with a copy of the decision.
f. A
copy of the decision, together with the record, shall be promptly forwarded
to the Commissioner of Education if there is an appeal.
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