Rochester Student Handbook

Rochester School District

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

And

Rights, Responsibilities and Authority of
Teachers and Administrators

September 2008

The following infractions are identified as EXCEPTIONAL MISCONDUCT and will result in immediate short or long-term suspension or expulsion, subject to exceptions in cases where school officials feel there are extenuating circumstances:

Possession of a weapon, weapon facsimile or other dangerous instrument(s).
Possession of, use of, or participation in the sale or transmission of a prescription drug, drug paraphernalia or an illegal substance including drugs and alcoholic beverages. The possession and/or consumption of any medical substance used under a doctor’s orders and registered with the main officer per district policy will not constitute violation of the policy).
Being under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal drugs.
Assault or causing physical injury to another person or maliciously threatening physical injury to another person.
Disruption of the school, including:

causing false alarms
refusal to follow reasonable directions
use of racist, harassing, obscene or abusive language
stealing school property or the private property of another student or staff
vandalizing or defacing school property or the property of other students or staff
reckless or dangerous driving on or near school property or at school activities
gang-like or gang-related behavior

No student shall be suspended or expelled because of one or more unexcused absences unless the district has:

Provided written notice to the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) in their primary language that the student has failed to attend school without valid justification;
Scheduled a conference(s) with the above party(s) and the student at a convenient time and place to analyze the causes for the student’s absence, such analysis to determine by appropriate means whether the student should be made a focus of concern for placement in special education or other special program; and
Taken steps to reduce the student’s absence which include, when agreeable to all parties, adjusting the student’s school program, changing schools, or assisting the student to obtain supplementary services that might ameliorate the causes of absence.

Expulsion means a denial of attendance at any single subject or class or any full schedule of classes for an indefinite period of time. A student may be expelled immediately by the school principal, provided that the principal has good and sufficient reason to believe that the student’s presence poses an immediate and continuing threat of substantial disruption to the educational process.

An emergency expulsion shall continue until rescinded by the imposing administrator or until modified or reversed pursuant to a hearing.

Expulsion is subject to the same conditions as a suspension, except that an expulsion shall be in effect for an indefinite period of time. All expulsions shall be brought to the attention of the juvenile court.

A student may be removed immediately from a class by a certificated teacher or an administrator without other forms of corrective action (if sent or delivered to the building principal or another designated school authority) provided that the teacher or administrator has good and sufficient reason to believe that the student’s presence poses an immediate and continuing danger to the student, other students or school personnel or any immediate and continuing threat of substantial disruption of class, subject, or educational process of the student’s school. The removal of students from classes shall continue only until the danger or threat ceases or the principal acts to impose discipline, a short-term suspension, or an emergency expulsion or to initiate a long-term suspension.

Appeals

A student shall be given an opportunity to contest the facts leading to corrective action or punishment or to contest the appropriateness of the corrective action or punishment imposed by a disciplinary authority. The school principal will advise the student of the procedure available if he/she wishes to appeal a disciplinary, corrective, or expulsion action.

Application for Readmission

Any student who has been suspended or expelled shall be allowed to make application for readmission at any time. If a student desires to be readmitted to the school from which he/she has been suspended/expelled, the student shall submit a written application to the principal, who instituted the corrective action or punishment. If a student wishes admission to another school, he/she shall submit the written application to the superintendent.
The application shall include:

The student’s reasons for returning and why the request should be considered;
Evidence, which supports the request; and
A supporting statement from the parent, guardian or others who may have assisted the student.

The superintendent shall, in writing, advise the student and the student’s parents or guardians of the principal’s or superintendent’s decision within seven school days of the receipt of such application.

Rights, Responsibilities, and Authority of certificated Staff

Certificated staff shall share responsibility for supervising the behavior of students and for maintaining the standards of conduct, which have been established.

Certificated staff shall have the right to:

Expect students to comply with school rules.

Develop and/or review building rules relating to student conduct and control at least once each year. Building rules shall be consistent with district rules relating to student conduct and control.
Exclude a student from class for all or any portion of the period or for the balance of the school day or until the teachers has conferred with the principal, whichever occurs first. Prior to excluding a student, the teacher shall have attempted one or more corrective actions. In no case shall an excluded student be returned for the balance of the period without the consent of the teacher.
Receive any complaint or grievance regarding corrective action or punishment of students. They shall be given the opportunity to present their version of the incident and to meet with the complaining party in the event that a conference is arranged.

Certificated staff shall have the responsibility to:

Distribute to students, parents and staff a publication defining the rights, responsibilities and corrective action or punishment relating to student behavior.

Observe the rights of students.
Enforce the rules of student conduct fairly, consistently, and without discrimination. Any infractions shall be reported orally and in writing to the principal as soon as possible regardless of any corrective actions taken by the teacher.
Maintain good order in the classroom, in the hallways, and on the playgrounds or other common areas of the school, or while riding the school buses (field trip).
Maintain accurate attendance records and report all cases of truancy.
Set an appropriate example of personal conduct and avoid statements which may be demeaning or personally offensive to any student or group of students.
Notify parents when students are suspended or expelled.
Meet with a parent(s) within five (5) school days upon request to hear a complaint regarding the use of classroom materials and/or teaching strategies that are being employed in the classroom.

Certificated staff shall have the authority to:

Use such reasonable action as is necessary to protect himself/herself, a student, or others from physical abuse or injury.

Remove a student from a class session for sufficient cause.
Detain a student after school with due consideration for bus transportation.
(Principals shall) Impose suspension or expulsion when appropriate.

Annual Notices

A comprehensive policy manual, including detailed student policies, and the annual descriptive guide for the district are available for review at each school office.

Equal opportunity: The school district does not discriminate on the basis of age, race creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, Vietnam or other veteran status, or non-job related physical, sensory, or mental handicap in its education programs, activities, employment procedures and personnel practices as required by state and federal laws. Inquiries or complaints regarding compliance with these laws should be directed to Affirmative Action Officer. Complaint forms for concerns in the regulated areas of Affirmative Action, Title IX (Education Amendments of 1972) and Section 504 (Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973) are available from the Affirmative Action Officer.

Student Records: The school district maintains current, clear, and accurate records for all students in attendance. Uniform procedures govern the collection, maintenance, storage, examination, transmittal, and destruction of all student records and any information included therein.

Only information deemed necessary to the welfare of students and the orderly operation of school, or that information required by law and regulation, is included in the student’s official records. Student records are the property of the school district. Student records are available for inspection and review by parents in an orderly and timely manner and in accordance with district policy and procedures. Parents may challenge inclusion of any information in a student’s records, which they believe inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights. Parents may request deletion or modification of records, or enter into the records their own statements of clarification or explanation. All information relating to individual students shall be deemed confidential and be dealt with in a professional manner. Student records will be released upon request to a school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. Other organizations, agencies, or individuals will receive student records only upon the signed, written, dated request of the parent, except as otherwise provided by law or district policy. A high school student may grant authority to the district permitting prospective employers with the opportunity to review the student’s transcript. This policy shall not apply to records required for reports of child abuse or neglect. All rights accorded to, or consent required of, parents shall be accorded to, or required of, legal guardians or student who have attained eighteen years of age or have entered a post-secondary training or education institution. A student upon request, is entitled to receive a final transcript after graduating from high school. A grade report, transcript or diploma shall not be released.

The following is considered DIRECTORY INFORMATION and may be released by the school: student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student, photographs and other similar information.

A parent or guardian, or any student who is 18, has the right to not have such directory information shared with the public. If that is the case, the student or parent must notify the school district in writing of their desire to not have such directory information shared. This request must be made within 10 days following publication of this notice, or no later than 10 days following the enrollment of a student in the school district. This written notice should be addressed to the principal of the school(s) involved. Certain provisions of federal law require that military recruiters have access to directory information as well. If you do not want directory information to be shared with military recruiters, you must so inform the principal of the school involved as described above.

Parental Rights: Parents are advised to contact the school office regarding:

The availability of specialized services for a child who has a suspected handicapping condition that may impair his/her performance in school;
The eligibility standards for a child who wishes to participate in the free or reduced price food services program;
The right to visit their child’s classroom;
The right to review classroom materials and to consent to any psychological testing/treatment proposed for their child;
The right to meet with a classroom teacher within five (5) school days after registering a complaint regarding the use of classroom materials and/or teaching strategies that is employed in the classroom.
The right to request the professional qualifications of their child’s teachers and the paraprofessionals who provide instructional support to their child if their child attends a school which receives Title I funding.

Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
PPRA affords parents certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:

• Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)–
1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
3. Sex behavior or attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or
8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

•Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of –
1. Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding;
2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and
3. Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.

•Inspect, upon request and before administration or use –

1. Protected information surveys of students;
2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and
3. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.

These rights transfer to from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State law.
Health Information: The following information is being provided to you at the direction of the Washington State Legislature to help reduce cervical cancer rates in Washington by protecting girls from HPV.

Human Papillomavirus
What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?
HPV is a very common virus that is spread through genital contact. At least 50 percent of sexually active people will get HPV at some time in their lives. There are many types of HPV. Some types can cause cervical cancer or genital warts. Both women and men can get HPV and easily spread it to others without knowing they have it.

What are the symptoms of HPV?
Most people with HPV have no signs or symptoms. Some people know they have HPV because they have a symptom like genital warts. Women may find out they have HPV through cervical cancer screening (Pap tests) and HPV testing. Health care providers do not usually test for HPV unless abnormal cervical cell changes are detected by a Pap test.

How can HPV infection be prevented?
The best way to prevent HPV infection is to abstain from all sexual activity. People with only one lifetime partner can get HPV if their partner had previous sexual partners. It is uncertain how well condoms protect against HPV infection. However, condom users do have lower cervical cancer rates. The HPV vaccine is a very effective way to prevent four types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.

What is the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine, Gardasil, ® protects against four types of HPV which cause 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts. The vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV or other sexually transmitted infections. The vaccine also does not protect against any type of HPV that someone already has. Current studies show that HPV vaccine protection lasts up to 5 years. Research will continue to determine the length of the HPV vaccine’s protection.

Who should get the vaccine and when should they get it?
The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the HPV vaccine for all girls age 11-12 years. The vaccine can also be given to females as young as nine and up to 26 years, if their doctor recommends it. HPV vaccine is given as a series of three shots over a six month period. The vaccine is not currently recommended for boys or men. The HPV vaccine is a preventive vaccine and will offer the best protection if given before sexual activity starts. HPV vaccine is not required for school entry in Washington.

Are Pap tests still recommended for females that get the HPV vaccine?
Yes. The HPV vaccine does not protect against all of the types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, so females will still need Pap tests.

Where can I find the HPV vaccine?
Ask your doctor, nurse, or local health clinic to find out whether your daughter needs the HPV vaccine and where you can get it. Most providers in Washington will have state-supplied HPV vaccine and there will be no cost to parents (of girls under 19 years) for the vaccine. Providers may charge an office visit and/or administration fee. The HPV vaccine is available to providers at no cost through Washington State’s Universal Childhood Vaccine Program.

For more information on HPV, the Vaccine, and Cervical Cancer:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention                      www.cdc.gov/std/hpv
Washington State Department of Health                         www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/immunize/documents/hpvvaccinefactsheet.pdf
American Social Health Association                                www.ashastd.org
American Cancer Society                                                   www.cancer.org

Meningococcal Disease:
Schools in Washington are required to provide information on meningococcal disease to parents or guardians of all students entering grades 6-12.

Meningococcal disease is a serious infection of the brain (meningitis) and blood caused by a bacteria. Fortunately, this life-threatening infection is rare -- only about 75 people are infected each year in Washington. Adolescents and young adults are most likely to get meningococcal disease, especially those living in group settings such as college dorms.

The Department of Health wants you to be aware of meningococcal disease and how you can protect your child against it. A vaccine is available that can prevent up to 65 percent of meningococcal disease among adolescents and young adults. The vaccine is recommended for all children 11-12 years. It is also recommended for unvaccinated teens age 15 years and college freshmen who will be living in a dorm. The meningococcal vaccine is not required for school or college attendance.

Here are some other ways to prevent the spread of meningococcal disease:

Practice good hygiene (regular hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, etc.)
Do not share items that may spread meningococcal disease and other bacteria and viruses, such as eating utensils, glasses, cups, water bottles, drinks, lip gloss or toothbrushes.

We encourage you to learn more about meningococcal disease and how to prevent it. More information on meningococcal disease is available on the following web sites: