2020-2021 Coventry Public Schools District Handbook
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2020-2021 Coventry Public Schools District Handbook Coventry Public Schools Mission Statement The Coventry Public Schools will prepare every student for life, learning and work in the 21st century. Introduction The material covered within this student handbook is intended as a method of communicating to students and parents regarding general district information, rules, procedures, Board policies and regulations. The student handbook is designed to be in harmony with Board policy. Any information contained in this handbook is subject to unilateral revision or elimination from time- to-time without notice. To view all policies of the Board of Education in their entirety, please visit our website at www.coventrypublicschools.org. This material is written for our students and their parents. It contains required and useful information. Because it cannot be as personal a communication as we would like, we address students not directly as “you” but rather as “the student,” “students,” or “children.” Likewise, the term “the student’s parent” may refer to the parent, legal guardian, or other person who has agreed to assume responsibility for the student. At the conclusion of this district-wide handbook, parents will find individual school-based handbooks. Please be sure to review your child(ren)’s school’s handbook in addition to this district-wide one. Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination Statements The Board of Education complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws prohibiting the exclusion of any person from any of its educational programs or activities, or the denial to any person of the benefits of any of its educational programs or activities because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability (including pregnancy), veteran status or gender identity or expression, subject to the conditions and limitations established by law. Inquiries, or to file a complaint, regarding the Coventry Public School's non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Director of Pupil and Staff Support Services, Title IX Coordinator and 504 Coordinator Coventry Public Schools 1700 Main Street Coventry, CT 06238 (860)742-7317 ext. 4 The Coventry Board of Education’s policies and administrative regulations governing non- discrimination, #1231, #4116.1, #5122.2-A, #5131, and #5131-A, may be viewed at http://www.coventrypublicschools.org/boe/policies. 02/26/20 Page 1 of 14 Section 504: Notification of Rights, Grievance procedure and Coordinator Information The Coventry Board of Education’s policy and administrative regulation governing Section 504, #4116.11, #4116.11-A, #5145 and #5145-A, may be viewed at http://www.coventrypublicschools.org/boe/policies. Notification Concerning Asbestos Management Plan The Board of Education, in compliance with federal law, has developed an asbestos management plan, concerning the presence or suspected presence of asbestos-type materials within district school buildings, and required inspections and preventive measures related thereto. In accordance with federal law, members of the public, including parents, teachers and other employees, shall be permitted access to the asbestos management plan of the Coventry Board of Education. Upon request, the district shall permit members of the public, including parents, teachers and other employees, to inspect any asbestos management plan. The district shall grant access to such management plans within a reasonable period of time after a request from a member of the public is received. Attendance and Truancy K-8 Notification Regular and punctual student attendance in school is essential to the educational process. Connecticut state law places responsibility for assuring that students attend school with the parent or other person having control of the child. To assist parents and other persons in meeting this responsibility, the Board of Education, through its Superintendent, will adopt and maintain procedures to implement this policy. In addition, the Board of Education takes seriously the issue of chronic absenteeism. To address this issue, the Board of Education, through its Superintendent, will adopt and maintain procedures regarding chronic absenteeism in accordance with state law. The Coventry Board of Education’s policy and administrative regulation governing attendance and truancy, #5110 and #5110-A, may be viewed at http://www.coventrypublicschools.org/boe/policies Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment It is the policy of the Board of Education that any form of sex discrimination or sexual harassment is prohibited, whether by students, Board employees or third parties subject to the control of the Board. Students, Board employees and third parties are expected to adhere to a standard of conduct that is respectful of the rights of students. Any student or employee who engages in conduct prohibited by this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action. The Coventry Board of Education’s policies and administrative regulations governing non- discrimination and sexual harassment, #1231, #4116.1, #5122.2-A, #5131, and #5131-A, may be viewed at http://www.coventrypublicschools.org/boe/policies. 02/26/20 Page 2 of 14 Bullying Prevention and Intervention and Safe School Climate The Coventry Board of Education is committed to creating and maintaining an educational environment that is physically, emotionally and intellectually safe and thus free from bullying, dating violence, harassment and discrimination. In accordance with state law and the Board’s Safe School Climate Plan, the Board expressly prohibits any form of bullying behavior on school grounds; at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program, whether on or off school grounds; at a school bus stop; on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of education; or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by the Board of Education. Both students and parents need to be familiar with the district’s Safe School Climate Plan which is intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere conducive for learning. The Coventry Board of Education’s policies governing bullying prevention and intervention and Safe School Climate, Policies #5131.7 and 5131.71, may be viewed at http://www.coventrypublicschools.org/boe/policies. Drug and Alcohol Use by Students The Board is required by Connecticut law to prescribe rules for the management and discipline of its schools. In keeping with this mandate, the unlawful use, sale, distribution or possession of controlled drugs, controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, as defined in C.G.S. Section 21a- 240, or alcohol on or off school property or during any school sponsored activity is prohibited. It shall be the policy of the Board to take positive action through education, counseling, discipline, parental involvement, medical referral, and law enforcement referral, as appropriate, in the handling of incidents in the schools involving the unlawful possession, distribution, sale or use of substances that affect behavior. The Coventry Board of Education’s policy governing drug and alcohol use by students, Policy #5131.6, may be viewed at http://www.coventrypublicschools.org/boe/policies. Student Dress In order to maintain an environment conducive to the educational process, the Board of Education prohibits, unless specifically authorized by the administration, certain clothing from wear during the academic school day. Students who fail to comply with Board policy and regulations concerning student dress will be subject to school discipline up to and including expulsion in accordance with the Board’s policy on student discipline. The Coventry Board of Education’s entire policy governing student dress, Policy #5132, may be viewed at http://www.coventrypublicschools.org/boe/policies. Student Discipline 02/26/20 Page 3 of 14 Students may be disciplined for conduct on school grounds or at any school-sponsored activity that endangers persons or property, is seriously disruptive of the educational process, or that violates a publicized policy of the Board. Students may also be suspended or expelled for conduct off school grounds if such conduct is seriously disruptive of the educational process and violative of a publicized policy of the Board. The Coventry Board of Education’s entire policy governing student conduct and school discipline, Policy #5144, may be viewed at http://www.coventrypublicschools.org/boe/policies. Title I Parental Involvement In accordance with Section 1010 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (“ESSA”), Public Law 1114-95, it is the policy of the Coventry Board of Education to provide parents and family members of students participating in the district’s Title I programs meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children within these programs. To facilitate parental and family participation, the Board encourages parents and family members of Title I eligible students to be involved in regular meetings, communications, and activities that will inform them about the district’s Title I programs, to participate in the improvement of such programs and to help improve their child’s progress within these programs. As a parent of a student enrolled in Coventry Public Schools, under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, you have a right to request the following information concerning the qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals who work with your child: 1. Whether your