Sunday, March 27, 2011

School Committee - Policies for discussion

File: KCDB - SCHOOL-BASED ADVERTISING CONTENT
The purpose of allowing school-based advising is to generate additional revenue for Franklin High School extra-curricula programs by giving community, regional businesses and organizations the opportunity to respectfully and tastefully promote themselves and the Franklin Public Schools. Revenue generated from advertising will not supplant the operational budget of the school district. Any advertising content that is interpreted as being contrary to the stated purpose and guidelines of the Superintendent of Schools shall
be prohibited.
 
The content of any advertising that may be displayed at the Franklin High Field House or Pisini Field must be approved, in advance, by the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee and the Chairman of the School Committee or his/her designee. The promotion of any product related to alcohol, tobacco, illegal substances or advocates any political or religious position is strictly prohibited. Advertising that is determined to be vulgar, profane, or sexually explicit is not allowed. Advertising content with language or graphics that are interpreted as being of a harassing nature to any individual will not be allowed.
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File: KBE - SCHOOL/PARENT ORGANIZATIONS RELATIONSHIPS
To enhance communications between parents and school officials, the School Committee encourages the maintenance of formal parent organizations at each school building. For this purpose the Committee will officially recognize parent organizations upon request. 
To foster relationships with parent organizations that encourage the home and school to work together to establish and achieve the educational goals for students, the administration and staff will: 
1. Encourage parents to share in school planning through the school improvement council in setting objectives and evaluating programs.
2. Help parents understand the educational process and their role in promoting it.
3. Provide for parent understanding of school operations.
4. Provide opportunities for parents to be informed of their child's development and the criteria for its measurement.

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File: KBE-E - SCHOOL COMMITTEE / ADMINISTRATION PARTICIPATION IN PCC MEETINGS GUIDELINES
The School Committee and the Administration of the Franklin Public Schools recognize the autonomy of Parent Communication Councils (PCC) at each of our schools. The School Committee and Administration endeavor to support the role of the PCC and welcome opportunities to present information, provide updates on school/community business and initiatives, to engage in meaningful conversation and to solicit feedback about our schools. 
In an effort to respect the authority and mission of the PCC and to recognize that each organization has established meeting agendas, bylaws and procedures. Below is the protocol to include School Committee and/or Administration at PCC meetings.
Invitation Protocol
  • Parent Communication Council President/designee, at their discretion, will invite a member(s) of the School Committee and/or Administration to present or be available at a meeting.
  • Invitation will be extended through the designated School Committee Liaison or the Office of the Superintendent of Schools
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File: KDD - NEWS MEDIA RELATIONS/NEWS RELEASES
Every effort will be made to assist the press and other communications media to obtain coverage of the programs, planning, and activities of the school system.
Representatives of the media will be provided equal access to information about the schools. General releases of interest to the entire community will be made available to all the media simultaneously. There will be no exclusive releases except as media representatives request information on particular programs, plans or problems.
In order that school system publicity is given wide coverage and is coordinated into a common effort and purpose, the following procedures will be followed in giving official information to the news media:
  1. The School Committee chairman will be the official spokesman for the Committee, except as this duty is delegated by the Chairman to another School Committee member.
  2. Any news releases and statements made to the press by any staff member or administrators must be cleared by the Superintendent.
  3. News releases that are of concern to only one school, or to an organization of one school, are the responsibility of the Principal in conjunction with the Superintendent. All statements made to the press by other staff members of the particular school must be cleared with the Principal and Superintendent.
Every possible effort should be made to obtain coverage of school activities that will create and maintain a dignified and professionally responsible image for the school system.

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File: JICFB - BULLYING
It is the goal of the Franklin School Committee to promote a learning atmosphere for students free from all forms of bullying. Because bullying affects not only students who are targets but also those who participate and witness such behavior, it is detrimental to student learning and achievement and will not be tolerated by Franklin Public Schools. 

Franklin Public Schools prohibits all forms of harassment, discrimination and hate crimes based on race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability. The civil rights of all school community members are guaranteed by law. The protection of those rights is of utmost importance and priority to our school district. Franklin Public Schools also prohibits bullying of school community members for reasons unrelated to their race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability. Further, Franklin Public Schools will also not tolerate retaliation against persons who report an incident(s) of bullying and/or harassment. 
Bullying is the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target that: (a) causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property; (b) places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or of damage to his property; (c) creates a hostile environment at school for the target; (d) infringes on the rights of the target at school; or (e) materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. For the purposes of this policy and related procedures, bullying shall include cyber-bullying.
Cyber-bullying is bullying through the use of technology or any electronic devices such as telephones, cell phones, computers and the Internet. It includes, but is not limited to, email, instant messages, text messages, and Internet postings. 
As is required by Massachusetts General Law, curriculum concerning the prevention of bullying and the fostering of a safe and nurturing school climate at each school shall be implemented in the Franklin Public Schools. 
All reports of bullying will be promptly investigated and will subject the perpetrator(s) to disciplinary action. Bullying actions will include, when appropriate, referral to law enforcement agencies or other state agencies. Franklin Public Schools will support this policy in all aspects of its activities, including its curricula, instructional programs, staff development, extracurricular activities and parental involvement. 
This policy applies to all sites and activities under the supervision and control of the district, or where it has jurisdiction under the law, including school grounds, property immediately adjacent to 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 school district or school, or through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased, or used by a school district or school. 
Bullying is also 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 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 or materially and substantially disrupt the education process or the orderly operation of the school.


The School Committee expects administrators and staff to make clear to students that bullying will not be tolerated and will be grounds for disciplinary action. 
All staff members are required to report any bullying or harassment they see or learn about. The district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment, including bullying. The Principal or his/her designee will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment or bullying. Retaliation against a person who reports bullying, who provides information during an investigation of bullying, or who is a witness to or has reliable information about bullying, is prohibited. 
Nothing in this policy is designed or intended to limit the District’s authority to discipline or take remedial action under General Laws Chapter 71, §37H or other statutes or regulations, or in response to violent, harmful, or disruptive behavior, regardless of whether this policy covers the conduct. Reports of cyberbullying by electronic or other means, occurring in or out of school will be reviewed and, when a connection to school exists, will prompt investigation and disciplinary action. 
The Superintendent will develop administrative guidelines and procedures for implementation of this policy, consistent with the requirements of M.G.L. Chapter 71 §37O and related guidelines issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Superintendent in conjunction with principals will publish disciplinary polices in Student Handbooks, which shall prohibit bullying and shall include the bullying prevention and intervention plan required by Chapter 71, §37O of the Laws of the Commonwealth. Student handbooks shall include age-appropriate summaries of the student-related sections of the district’s bullying prevention and intervention plan. 
LEGAL REFERENCE: MGL General Laws Chapter 71, §37 O
LEGAL REFERENCE: Massachusetts Equal Educational Opportunities Regulations, 603 CMR 26.00.
CROSS REFERENCE: Student Handbooks
School Committee Policy JICFA, JICFA-E, JICFA-E1, JICFA-E2 Hazing
FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Bullying Flowchart

Franklin, MA

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