Student Handbook
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- Student Handbook
- District Information
- Non-Discrimination and Harassment
- Annual Asbestos Notification
- Attendance
- Emergency Closing Information for Inclement Weather or Other Reasons
- Student Records
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Food Services
- Information Regarding Food Celebration
- Transportation Services
- General Information
- Academics
- Conditions for Academic Success
- Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
- General Behavior
- Recess
- Regulations Regarding Personal and School Property
- Discipline Philosophy & Restorative Practices
- Code of Conduct
- Due Process
- School Safety
- Honor Code
- Health and Well Being
- Guidance Services
- Cafeteria Rules and Procedures
- Bullying, Cyber-Bullying, and Retaliation
- Protection for Students with Disabilities
- Discipline of Students Whose Eligibility for Special Education is Suspected
- Affirmative Action Committee – Complaint Procedure
- Responsible Use Policy
- Incidents of Alcohol and/or Drug Use
- Appendix A: Telecommunications Guidance
- Appendix B: Videotaping/Photography of Children in Schools
- Glossary of Terms
- Appendix C: Student Discipline
- Morse Pond School
- General Information
Address and Contact Information
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Changes in address or family situation should be immediately reported to the school office, so records are kept current. Keeping the Emergency Information up to date is essential so that we can reach you swiftly in an emergency situation.
Gift Giving
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School personnel may not accept individual gifts from parents/guardians or students valued at $50.00 or more in a calendar year. The $50.00 limit is per parent/guardian or student per year. In the case of a class gift, the total value for the year may not exceed $150.00, and the recipient may not know the names of the givers that contributed or the amounts given.
Hazing
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The Falmouth School Committee recognizes the right of all students to participate, through competition or open admission, in all clubs, activities, and sports programs, and, therefore, prohibits the practice of “hazing.” The full document regarding hazing is available at all school buildings and on the district website.
Partnership with Parents/Guardians/Families
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For every student to reach their potential there needs to be a strong partnership between the family and the school. We welcome the involvement of parents/guardians and the community-at-large in our schools. There are many ways for parents/guardians to be involved in our schools. The purpose of this section is to list some of the opportunities that are available to you.
- Attend classroom events, plays, band and choral concerts.
- Attend special events at the school, such as Open House and Art Show/Book Fair.
- Stay in communication with your child’s guidance counselor and teachers.
- Attend School Committee meetings where issues affecting the Falmouth Public Schools are discussed.
- Access online resources such as the Morse Pond School website.
- Attend School Council meetings that are scheduled monthly at your school. The School Council is advisory to the Principal at each school. Issues are discussed at the School Council that impact that particular school.
- Join our Parent/Teacher Organization.
- Visit the school website to view teacher websites and current events.
The following volunteer opportunities allow an individual to work directly with the students and staff and are quite rewarding for the volunteer as well as the students.
- Become a mentor.
- Become a Volunteer in Public Schools (VIPS). Please contact 508-548-1621 vips@falmouth.k12.ma.us
- Volunteer to chaperone field trips.
- Volunteer at special school events.
All volunteers working in any capacity with the students are required to submit the CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) form that is available on our website at:
https://www.falmouthvips.org/uploads/2/5/2/9/25295603/cori_form_2017.pdfFalmouth Public Schools will obtain criminal offender record information (CORI) for all volunteers and others who wish to participate in school activities. This includes classroom volunteers and field trip chaperones. The CORI process must be completed before any involvement in the schools, and the results of the CORI, based on the discretion of the Superintendent or designee, will determine one’s eligibility to participate in school activities. CORI information is confidential, and privacy will be maintained. In addition, individuals may be asked to submit state and national fingerprint-based criminal background checks at the expense of the individual. The requirement to submit state and national fingerprint-based criminal background checks will be made by the Superintendent or designee. For information regarding how to become CORI’d, you may contact the main office at 508-548-7300 or you may visit the Office of Falmouth Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) at Falmouth High School, 874 Gifford Street, Falmouth MA, or call VIPS at 508-548-1621.
- Attend classroom events, plays, band and choral concerts.
Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence
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In accordance with Massachusetts law, each school will recite the Pledge of Allegiance and will observe a moment of silence at the start of the school day. School personnel will not require students participate during the Pledge of Allegiance and/or the moment of silence. In addition, students will not be required to provide a reason if they choose not to participate nor will disciplinary action occur.
Release of Information
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State law prohibits the release of student information to anyone without the permission of the parent/guardian. This even prohibits us from releasing the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the students in a class to the PTO or to other parents/guardians who wish to contact you/your child for a variety of reasons. Therefore, we seek your permission to allow the classroom teacher or main office to release the name, address, and telephone number of your child to the PTO, room parents/guardians, and other parents or/guardians of children in your child’s class. If we do not hear from you to the contrary, we will consider this permission granted. Other records are not covered by this permission and will be released only with your specific written approval.
Returned Check Policy
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This local policy refers to checks that are made out to the Town of Falmouth or any group sponsored by the Town of Falmouth, including the Falmouth Public Schools. Checks are subject to a $25.00 surcharge if the checks are returned as an overdraft.
School Hours
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- School Cafeteria opens for breakfast at 8:10 am
- School doors open at 8:15 am
- School begins at 8:25 am
- Students are tardy as of 8:25 am
- School ends and dismissal begins at 2:50 pm
Your child should not arrive at school prior to 8:10 am. Remember that the only reason for your child to arrive before school starts should be to participate in the breakfast program, or a before school activity.
School Visits By Visitors/Parents/Guardians
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When entering the school, all visitors must enter the main entrance and check in at the main office. All other doors will be locked during the school day. Parents/guardians are invited to visit the school as long as it does not interfere with the normal school or class routine. If a parent/guardian wants to visit the school, they must contact the principal at least forty-eight (48) hours before their planned visit. This is not necessary if a parent/guardian is joining their child for lunch, but the parent/guardian must sign in and obtain a Visitor’s Pass in the office before going to the cafeteria. If a parent/guardian wishes to visit their child’s classroom, they must make arrangements with their child’s teacher at least forty-eight (48) hours before their planned visit. Individuals visiting the school to volunteer need to preregister with VIPS.
Sharing Information Regarding Tragic Events
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If a tragic event occurs during school hours, students will not receive any information from the school. We will not use Internet or television that confronts students with such disastrous events as they are taking place or in the immediate aftermath. Principals and administrators are responsible for monitoring these situations. In all schools, when such tragedies or disasters stimulate emotional reactions on the basis of national origin, race or religion, or any categorical grouping, the schools will take appropriate steps to discuss the dangers of stereotypical statements. All schools will work to assist parents/guardians with information on how to help respond to students’ reactions.
Transfers
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Families moving out of the community or school district shall notify the school secretary at least three (3) days before leaving. Upon registration at their new school families, will sign a records release form. At that time, student records at Falmouth Public Schools will be released to the new district.