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MIFFLIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
2008-2009
Student Handbook -
Middle and High Schools
Continued
[Table
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The following are highlights of a policy statement on Student Records of the Board of School
Directors of the Mifflin County School District. Parents and students may obtain a copy of the
complete policy statement from the school principal or the superintendent of schools' office in the
district's administration building in Lewistown. Copies of forms for parents' use -- transfer of
student records, request for records, authorization for release of records -- are also available on
request. Any questions about these highlights or the board policy on student records should be
directed to the principal or the Superintendent of Schools at the district administration building
(248-0148).
The Mifflin County School District maintains a system of student records from kindergarten
or entrance at another grade level through graduation or withdrawal.
Many records are required by state law; others deal with cumulative data that assist the staff
in making judgments about a student's performance, ability, aptitude and progress.
To prevent any intrusion of privacy regarding a student and the student's family, the School
Board has established a policy and accompanying guidelines relating to the collection, maintenance
and dissemination of student records.
COLLECTION OF DATA
No information, to be made part of a student's records, will be collected without the consent
of the student (or the student's parents) or the consent of the school directors, depending on the
nature of the information.
- School director's or representative's consent relates to the recording of minimum educational
data (group ability, aptitude and achievement testing, reporting of skill and knowledge
outcomes in subject matter areas) and other data relevant to the educational needs of
students.
Each year, parents will be informed of the purposes and character of data being collected
by virtue of this representative consent. Parents who wish to contest the need or use of
such data may request (in writing) a hearing before the school directors. (A decision of
the school directors may be appealed to higher authority.)
- Individual student or parent consent relates to data such as
personality testing and assessment; individual psychological
evaluations; family data such as ethnic origin, income, occupation,
etc.; or other information not directly relevant for education purposes.
Individual consent is to be obtained in writing either by the student or
the parent if the student is unable to understand the nature and
consequences of the giving of consent. Before consent is given, school
officials must explain the method of collecting data, how it will be
recorded and maintained, for what length of time it will be retained and
who has access to the data and under what conditions.
Data may be collected in three classifications.
"A" Data
Category "A" data is basic and personal data (as defined) necessary for the operation of
the school system. This data relates to a student's birth date, attendance record,
achievement testing, completion of academic work, grades received, etc.
Such data is placed in a permanent record maintained at the principal's office in
the elementary
school. Access to these records is allowed in accordance with the school directors' policy.
"B" Data
Category "B" data is verified information obtained from group ability and aptitude testing,
personality testing and assessment, interest inventory results, psychological evaluations and
family background information, pupil-personnel team reports, psychological referrals,
health data, teacher or counselor ratings and observations, reports (verified) of recurrent
behavioral patterns and data forms used by counselors.
Most of this data is placed in a cumulative record used by the principal and counselors to
evaluate a student's development and assist the student as much as possible. Psychological
reports are maintained in a separate file and destroyed when their educational relevance has
ended. Discipline reports (related to minor infractions) will be maintained no longer than
10 months. Behavioral reports of a serious nature will be maintained during the student's
period of enrollment or final disposition by the Board of School Directors.
"C" Data
Category "C" data relates to unverified data with an immediate or potential use. This data
will not be made part of a student's permanent or cumulative file but maintained separately.
This data will be reviewed annually. If it is of no further use, it is destroyed. If data is
verified and has usefulness, it may be transferred to category "B" after parents have been
given an explanation why. If it is to be held more than a year, parents will be told why.
Parents have the right to challenge the decision to maintain such data.
Educators may maintain confidential and personal files to counsel and give services to students.
Such files may contain notes, transcripts of interviews, clinical diagnoses and other memory aids
for use in counseling students. These files are considered the personal property of the educator
concerned provided the files are maintained in the manner prescribed by law, school board policy,
professional ethics or by special arrangements made between the educator and a student or the
student's parents.
Parents have the right to inspect the education records of their child. (Students 18 years of age
or older have the right to inspect their own records.) Principals will comply with such a request
within 30 days.
School officials may not destroy education records if there is an outstanding request to review
them.
A record of access (by parents or other authorized persons) will be maintained and available
to parent review.
It is the philosophy of the Mifflin County School District to do everything possible to ensure
that the rights of all family members, parents, and children, are guaranteed. In known cases
involving family conflict, divorce, separation, and domestic violence, natural parents will receive
annually copies of the Mifflin County School District's policy and procedures for accessing student
education records and enrollment information.
- All requests for access to student education records and student enrollment information shall
be made in writing to the student's principal.
- No information on student records or student enrollment will be given over the telephone.
Requestors of student education records or student enrollment information who have complied
with the written request policy are encouraged to come to the student's school to retrieve
information.
- Student education records and enrollment information will be provided to both natural parents
unless a bona fide court order, decree, or other legally binding document is presented within
the specified time to the school principal by the parent seeking to deny access.
- A nominal fee for photocopying of student education records will be charged by the Mifflin
County School District.
- The Mifflin County School District will comply with the forty-five (45) day and thirty (30) day
time-frames for requests for student education records and enrollment information.
- In cases of domestic violence, the Mifflin County School District will follow the policy and
procedures specified for divorced and separated parents contained in this document.
- A list of all persons, other than authorized school officials and the student's parents, who have
requested or obtained access to personally identifiable information contained in the student's
education records or special education records will be maintained by the Mifflin County School
District. This list will include the name of the requestor, a copy of the written request, address
of the requestor, and date when access was given. This list will be made available to parents
upon written request.
Parents (and students 18 years of age and older) who believe the information in the education
records is inaccurate or misleading or violates the privacy or other rights of the student may
request that school officials amend the records.
If school officials decide to refuse to amend the records, they will so inform parents and advise
them of the right to a hearing.
At such a hearing, conducted under school district procedures, parents may present
information challenging the content of the student's education record.
If school officials agree with parents, the education records of the student will be amended and
parents will be so informed.
If school officials disagree, they will inform parents of their right to place in the student's
record a statement commenting on that information and/or setting forth any reason for
disagreeing with the decision of school officials. This statement will be kept in the student's
record file as long as it is maintained in the school.
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The school cafeteria provides a nutritious lunch for students at the lowest price. It operates
under strict state and federal regulations governing preparation and serving of food.
Students are reminded of the following rules and regulations pertaining to cafeteria operation:
- All pupils including those who carry their lunch are required to eat lunch in the cafeteria
at their scheduled time.
- All schools in the Mifflin County School District observe a "closed" lunch period. Pupils
may not leave the cafeteria or the school building at lunch time without permission from
the principal.
- School policy prohibits the sale of candy and other foods in the school from the beginning
of the first lunch period until the end of the last lunch period.
- When going to the cafeteria, pupils are expected to walk quietly and orderly as other
classes may be in session.
- Pupils must abide by seating arrangements which are imposed by school officials.
- Good etiquette and manners are expected behaviors in the cafeteria. Respect is to be
shown to employees of the cafeteria, custodians and professional staff.
- Pupils are responsible for the appearance of the area in which they sit and are expected to
leave their space in a neat and unlittered condition.
- Pupils are responsible for returning trays, dishes and silverware to the serving area after
lunch. Damaged or lost dishware or utensils will be charged to responsible offenders.
- Pupils who do not behave in an appropriate manner in the cafeteria will be disciplined.
Loss of the cafeteria privilege may be one of the disciplines imposed.
- Throwing food; poor manners; excessive noise; running; roughhousing; not cleaning your
immediate area; failing to take containers, utensils, dishes and trays to the kitchen are not
acceptable behaviors, and they will not be tolerated.
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On the basis of presently available medical information, the Mifflin County School District will
use the following guidelines and definitions. The terms "infected student", "infected school
employee" and "infected individual" are used in these guidelines to apply both to persons who have
been diagnosed as having AIDS and to persons who are "asymptomatic carriers"; that is, those
who have been infected by the AIDS virus and are capable of transmitting it but who have not
developed any of the symptoms of AIDS. These individuals may be HIV positive (asymptomatic
carriers), or have AIDS.
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- Infected neurologically handicapped students who lack control of their bodily secretions,
or who display behavior such as biting, vomiting, etc., and infected students who have
uncoverable, oozing lesions, shall not be permitted to attend classes or participate in school
activities with other students.
- The determination of whether an infected student who is not excluded pursuant to Section
1.a above shall be permitted to attend classes or participate in school activities with other
students shall be made on a case-by-case basis by an Evaluation and Placement Team
composed of public health personnel, the student's physician, the school physician, the
student's parents or guardian, and appropriate school personnel, which shall include the
infected student's school principal, school nurse, appropriate teachers, guidance counselor
and central office administrator. In making this determination, the Evaluation and
Placement Team shall consider: (1) the behavior, neurological development, and physical
condition of the student; (2) the expected type and frequency of interaction with other
persons in the school setting, including travel to and from school, and; (3) the impact on
both the infected student and other persons in that setting. The recommendation shall be
made to the Superintendent who after consulting with the committee of the School Board
shall render a final decision.
- The determination of whether an infected school employee should be permitted to remain
employed in a capacity that involves contact with students or other school employees shall
be made on a case-by-case basis by an Evaluation and Placement Team composed of public
health personnel, the school employee's physician, the school physician, the school
employee or his/her representative, the employee's immediate supervisor, central
administrator and superintendent. In making this determination, the Evaluation and Placement Team shall consider: (1) the physical condition of the school employee; (2) the
expected type and frequency of interaction with others in the school setting, including
travel to and from school; and (3) the impact on both the infected school employee and
other persons in that setting. The Team's recommendation shall be made to the
Superintendent who after consultation with a committee of the School Board shall render
a final decision.
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Under the following circumstances, a child with HIV/AIDS might pose a risk of transmission
to others: lack of toilet training, has open sores that cannot be covered, or demonstrated
behavior (biting) which could result in direct inoculation of potentially infected body fluids into
the bloodstream. If it is determined by the Evaluation and Planning Team that such a risk
exists, the student shall be removed from the school.
- A child with HIV/AIDS may be removed from school for the reasons stated in #2 until
either an appropriate school program adjustment can be made, an appropriate alternative
education program can be established, or the Evaluation and Placement Team determines
that the risk has abated and the child can be returned to school.
- A child removed from school shall be provided homebound instruction under
regulations of the School District and Pennsylvania Department of Education.
- Each removal of a child with HIV/AIDS from normal school attendance shall be
reviewed on a monthly basis by the Evaluation and Placement Team.
- A child with HIV/AIDS, as with any other immunodeficient child, may need to be
removed from the classroom for his/her own protection when cases of measles or chicken pox are occurring in the school population. This decision shall be made
by the Evaluation and Placement Team and it shall be based on data supplied by the
local health official and school physician.
- Routine and standard procedures should be used to clean up after a child has an accident
or injury at school. Blood or other body fluids emanating from any child, including ones
known to have HIV/AIDS, should be treated cautiously. Gloves should be worn when
cleaning up blood spills. These spills should be disinfected with either bleach or another
disinfectant, and persons coming in contact with them should wash their hands afterwards.
Blood soaked items should be place in leakproof bags for washing or further disposition.
Similar procedures are recommended for dealing with vomitus and fecal or urinary
incontinence in any child. Handwashing after contact with a school child is routinely
recommended only if physical contact has been made with the child's blood or body fluids,
including saliva.
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- If there is reasonable cause to believe that a student or employee is an infected individual,
the student or employee may be required to submit to an appropriate medical evaluation
at his/her expense. Reasonable cause would exist, for example, if the spouse of a school
employee has HIV/AIDS, or if a school employee recently has given birth to a child who
has AIDS. An individual's sexual orientation is a private matter, and it shall not be a
pretext for an investigation into an individual's private life to search for reasonable causes.
- If the employment of an infected school employee is discontinued, said employee shall be
entitled to use any available sick leave and receive whatever disability benefits are available
under the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System.
- A school employee shall not be required to teach or provide other personal contact
services to an infected student, or to work with an infected school employee, unless a
determination has been made by the School District pursuant to Section 1 above to permit
said individual to remain in the school setting.
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The identity of an infected individual or an individual who there is a reasonable cause to believe
is an infected individual shall not be publicly revealed. If an infected individual is permitted to
remain in the school setting after a determination has been made by the Evaluation and
Placement Team pursuant to Section 1 above, school employees who are likely to have regular
personal contact with said individual shall be informed of his or her identity by the School
District and kept updated on the individual's medical condition. All persons who have been
provided with this information shall be made aware of the confidentiality rights of the infected
individual or person suspected of being infected.
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There shall be an appeal process available to students and employees who have been
determined to have the HIV/AIDS. To appeal the decision rendered by the Superintendent in
consultation with a committee of the School Board, the individual may request in writing a
hearing before the full Board of School Directors. If such an appeal is requested the hearing
shall be conducted in private session to protect the identity of the individual (appellant) but the
School Board's decision shall be rendered in public.
Appeals of decisions made by the School Board after appropriate hearings would follow usual
procedures relating to local agency issues.
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The Board of School Directors of the Mifflin County School District in cooperation with its
Evaluation and Placement team shall annually review these Guidelines, or more often as
dictated by advance in medical research.
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SECTION 504/CHAPTER 15 SERVICES
In Pennsylvania, Chapter 15 of Title 22 of the regulations of the State Board of Education
addresses the responsibility of school districts to comply with requirements in Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These federal and state regulations are designed to ensure that
protected handicapped students have equal opportunity to participate in school programs and
extracurricular activities. Section 504 is designed to prevent discrimination based on disabilities.
If a child is suspected of being eligible for special education or Chapter 15 services, eligibility for
special education services should first be explored. Only if the child is not eligible for special
education services should consideration be given to Chapter 15. A team must determine if the
child has any physical or mental impairment as defined in the regulations. If so, the team must
consider whether the impairment substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an
aspect of the student's school program. If found to be handicapped under Section 504,
educational needs must be determined and a written service agreement developed. Periodic
reevaluations must be conducted.
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Special Education Services
Mifflin County School District (MCSD) operates an extensive continuum of special education
services. A complete listing of the services operated by the MCSD is as follows:
- Gifted Support
- Learning Support
- Life Skills Support
- Emotional Support
- Autistic Support
- Speech and Language Support
- Hearing Support
- Vision Support
Not only does MCSD offer comprehensive special education services within the
district, the MCSD also offers these services in the least restrictive
environment. Every attempt is made to educate special education students with
their peers and in their home school. Should the student’s needs be such that a
more restrictive setting is required, he/she will be included with
non-handicapped students to the maximum extent possible.
MCSD special education students who require early intervention, extended
school year programming, or physical/occupational therapy may receive these
services through the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit (TIU) #11.
Special Education Policies
Every student who requires specially-designed instruction in the Mifflin
County School District is guaranteed an appropriate program.
Every effort shall be made to meet pupils’ needs without placement into
special education. Consequently, before being evaluated or placed into special
education, students are taken through some form of Child Study Team. Should the
CST team feel further assessment is in order, referral for a multi-disciplinary
evaluation (MDE) will be made. Parents will be contacted (and their permission
obtained) before the MDE is conducted; additionally, parents will be integral
members of the MDE process.
Certain children are “at risk” for
developmental delays. In Pennsylvania
children who are “at risk” are children who:
- Have low birth weights (under 3.3
lbs.)
- Have been cared for in hospital
neonatal units
- Have confirmed dangerous levels of
lead poisoning
- Have been affected by illegal
substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms
resulting from prenatal drug exposure; or
- Have been seriously abused or
neglected as found by the Children and
Youth system.
Five Primary Areas of Development
- Cognitive – ability to
think and learn (problem solve)
- Communication – ability to
talk and listen (express needs and
wants)
- Physical – ability to
move, see and hear
- Social and Emotional –
ability to relate to others (children
and adults)
- Adaptive or Self-care –
ability to eat and dress (to take
care of self)
A certified school psychologist shall oversee the MDE and arrange for a team
conference to discuss results/recommendations. If special education placement is
recommended, parents will be asked to help develop an Individualized Education
Program (IEP) at an IEP conference; additionally, parents will be asked to give
their permission to implement the IEP through the Notice of Recommended
Educational Placement (NOREP).
In determining a pupil’s special education program/placement, parents will
be advised of their educational rights and will be afforded due process. Should
disagreements occur with any of the recommendations; parents will be informed of
the available recourse to settle the dispute (i.e., pre-hearing conference,
mediation, and/or due process hearing).
Student Records
The Mifflin County School District is required by law to keep records of all special education
students. Included are items such as: birth date, address, telephone number, other general
information, achievement test results, psychological test results, teacher progress reports, and
routine medical records.
As your child is re-evaluated annually, information is added to his/her file.
According to Board policy, you can review your child's file and challenge the validity of any
record or report.
Only school personnel are permitted to review your child's file. Any other persons must have
written approval before they are allowed to see the file or to receive copies of information in the
file.
Please feel free to contact the Director of Special Education (248-0148) about any
aspect of programming for students with special needs.
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All students having a NOREP and an IEP completed are part of the special
needs student group of the Mifflin County School District.
Students in this group may apply for admission to:
- Any course offered at Mifflin-Juniata Career & Technology Center.
Courses may be modified, adapted, or specially designed to meet the
needs of each student.
- Work Experience or On-the-Job Training programs operated by the
Mifflin County School District or those operated by the Job Training
Partnership Act.
- Combinations of Career & Technology Center and Co-op work training
will also be available on an individual needs basis.
The following information will be used for admission to the programs available:
- Parent-Student Application
- Parent-Student Meetings and Interviews
- Testing and Assessment of Student's Interests and Abilities
- Recommendations of:
- Past and Present Teachers
- Guidance and Administration Staff
- Past and Present Status of:
- Attendance
- Grades
- Behavior
A Multi-Disciplinary Team will evaluate all the above factors on an individual basis and proper
placement will be made at that time.
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Several federally-funded programs
enhance teaching and learning in the
Mifflin County School District. Title
I includes both a supplemental
language arts program for eligible
students in grades K-3 and a
supplemental math program for
eligible students in grades 2-5.
Student eligibility is based on
academic assessments approved by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Eligible buildings for 2007-2008 are
as follows: Armagh, Brown, Buchanan,
East Derry, Highland Park Area,
Lewistown, Strodes Mills and Union
Elementary Schools. Under the No
Child Left Behind Act of 2001,
individual schools qualify annually
based on poverty level, which must be
at least 35%.
Title II, Improving Teacher
Quality, supports staff development.
However, the major portion of Title
II provides for class size reduction
with the hiring of additional at the
elementary level.
Title IV, the Safe and Drug Free
Schools and Communities Grant, helps
to fund prevention activities in the
areas of violence and drug abuse.
With the availability of Title IV
funds, the prevention program Get
Real About Violence is implemented
with all fourth graders. Title IV
also supports elementary student
assistance in the form of individual
counseling and focus groups, as well
as the middle and high school Student
Assistance Program. Title IV funds
are used to implement activities
which reduce barriers to learning.
The Educational Assistance
Program, a state grant, supports
after-school and summer tutoring.
If you have any questions, please
feel free to contact Dr. John J.
Czerniakowski, Director of Federal
Programs at 248-0148, ext. 223, or
Dawn E. Hayes, Federal Programs
Coordinator and K-5 Language Arts
Coordinator at 717-248-0179, ext. 13,
or Steven J. Schaaf, Safe and Drug
Free Coordinator and K-5 Mathematics
Coordinator at 248-0179, ext. 20. |
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We believe that homework and related out-of-school activities are an integral part of the
educational process. We further believe that all such activities should be appropriate to the needs,
capabilities, and interests of students. While a teacher is responsible for identifying goals and
assignments, the student and his/her parent(s) must also assume some responsibilities.
Cooperation and communication are essential to a well defined program.
- To reinforce learning through the practice, application, integration, and/or extension
of knowledge and skills.
- To develop study skills, work habits, and a sense of personal responsibility so that the
student may become an independent learner.
- To enrich school experience and to encourage a carry-over into service, leisure, and
career centered interests.
- Understand the assignment - its purpose, when it is due, how it should be done.
- Budget time to complete and return assignments on time.
- Arrange to make up missed assignments as required.
- Develop a personal system for remembering and/or recording assignments.
- Initiate the request for help when needed.
Parents are cautioned to give only assistance that will enable a child to learn how to do the
assignment; they are not to do the assignment for the child. Parents should not be expected to play
the role of tutor for the pupil to complete homework, but may reasonably be expected to insist that
homework is completed.
- Provide an environment conducive to study: a quiet, well-lighted place, ample work
space, and necessary basic materials.
- Help in development of a satisfactory study schedule.
- Motivate toward best work and completion of assignments.
- Make suggestions toward growth and independence.
- Point out principles involved, giving illustrations.
- Accept each child's own best work and avoid undue comparison with that of other
children.
- Attempt to understand the values of various types of homework.
- Feel free to call teachers and/or principals regarding questions or concerns about
homework.
- Become familiar with the District's philosophy and guidelines.
- Communicate the philosophy and purpose of the Homework Guidelines to teachers,
parents, and students.
- Evaluate periodically the consistent implementation of these guidelines.
- Arrange for the orientation of personnel new to the District.
- Become familiar with the District philosophy and guidelines.
- Consider homework to be a learning tool rather than a disciplinary measure.
- Present all assignments clearly and concisely, the format to be followed, the standards
of acceptance, and the due date. Provide alternative procedures for students to get
help or for absent students to get missed assignments.
- Provide assignments, based on availability of materials, which vary in quantity and
degree of difficulty commensurate with a student's grade and course level.
- Provide long and short-term assignments to reinforce specific skills which have been
presented in class and to encourage students to use study time wisely and efficiently.
- Provide swift, accurate, fair, and comprehensive evaluations of assignments and
consider the assignments as an integral part of a student's education program by
returning the assignment so that student and parent can monitor progress.
- Notify parents if a student's assignments are habitually incomplete or unsatisfactory.
- Consider homework given in other subjects and courses when giving homework
assignments and coursework.
- Inform or involve the librarian in any assignment when collecting, grouping, or
reserving materials which will benefit students in completing the assignment.
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I. OBJECTIVE
The Board recognizes the danger that terroristic threats and acts by students present to the safety
and welfare of district students, staff and community. The Board acknowledges the need for an
immediate and effective response to a situation involving such a threat or act.
Terroristic threat - Shall mean a threat to commit violence communicated with the intent to
terrorize another, to cause evacuation of a building, or to cause serious public inconvenience, in
reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience.
Terroristic act - Shall mean an offense against property or involving danger to another person.
II. PROVISION
A. Authority
The Board prohibits any district student from communicating terroristic threats or committing
terroristic acts directed at any student, employee, Board member, community member or school
building.
B. Delegation of Responsibility
The Board directs the Superintendent to react promptly and appropriately to information and
knowledge concerning a possible or actual terroristic threat or act.
The Superintendent shall be responsible for developing administrative regulations to implement
this policy.
Staff members and students shall be responsible for informing the building principal regarding any
information or knowledge relevant to a possible or actual terroristic threat or act.
The building principal shall immediately inform the Superintendent after receiving a report of such
a threat or act.
C. Guidelines
When an administrator has evidence that a student has made a terroristic threat or committed a
terroristic act, the following guidelines shall be applied.
- The building principal may immediately suspend the student.
- The building principal shall promptly report the incident to the Superintendent.
- Based on further investigation, the Superintendent may report the student to law enforcement
officials.
- The Superintendent may recommend expulsion of the student to the Board.
- If a student is expelled for making terroristic threats or committing terroristic acts, the Board
may require, prior to readmission, that the student provide competent and credible evidence
that the student does not pose a risk of harm to others.
- If a student is expelled for making terroristic threats or committing terroristic acts, upon return
to school, the student shall be subject to random searches.
- In the case of exceptional students, the district will take all steps necessary to comply with the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
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- OBJECTIVE
All use of the district's computer
network resources must be in support of
education and research and consistent
with the purposes of the Mifflin County
School District.
- PROVISIONS
- Purpose
All use of the district's
computer network resources must be in
support of education and research and
consistent with the purposes of the
Mifflin County School District.The
Internet will be used to support the
District's curriculum, the
educational community, projects
between schools, communications, and
research for District students,
teachers, administrators and
other employees.
- Authority
The Mifflin County School District
reserves the right to log, monitor, and
evaluate all network, file server,
computer, and Internet activity by
District users. The District
Administration does have the authority to
intercept email messages of all users and
there will be no privacy right construed
by the District to exist in the
statements made using network or other
computing resources. The District
will monitor and filter all Internet
traffic. The School District
reserves the right to remove a user
account from the network to prevent
further unauthorized or illegal activity.Authorization to enforce this policy
must be granted by the Chief School
Administrator, the Director of
Information Systems, or their designee.
- Student User ID Procedures
- All students must review this
policy on an annual basis.
- All students will be given
computer and Internet accounts.
Parents or guardians who do not
want their child to have Internet
access must write a letter to
their principal requesting access
be removed.
- The Student Internet and
Information Technology Policy
will be posted on the District’s
web site and in student
handbooks.
- Procedures For Use
All users of the network must comply
with the Electronic Communications
Privacy Act of 1986, as amended, and the
Communications Decency Act. These
Acts prohibit the unauthorized
interception or disclosure of email
messages by third parties, as well as the
appropriateness of certain material being
remitted on the Internet. The Act
does permit interception or disclosure if
either the sender or the receiver of the
communication consents. Further,
the Act recognizes that the School
District may monitor any student’s email
messages, as long as the interception
device is included in the email
equipment.Students will report all encounters of
inappropriate materials to their teacher.
Network accounts will be used only by
the authorized owner of the account for
its authorized purpose. Network
users shall respect the privacy of other
users on the system.
- Prohibitions
- Use of the computer network resources for
commercial or for-profit purposes;
- Use of any email account other than a
District-assigned account;
- Use of the network for product
advertisement or political lobbying;
- Allowing any other person to use one’s
password or share one’s account;
- Unauthorized downloading or loading
and/or use of games, programs, files, or
other electronic media;
- Unauthorized installation, distribution,
reproduction, or use of copyrighted
software/ materials on MCSD
computers;
- Use of the network which results in any
copyright violation;
- Use of school technology or the network
for fraudulent copying, communications,
or modification of materials in violation
of law. Such actions will be
referred to appropriate authorities;
- Use of the network to facilitate illegal
activity;
- Malicious
use of the network to develop programs
that harass other users or infiltrate a
computer system and/or damage the
software components of a computer or
system;
- Use of
hate mail, harassment, discriminatory
remarks, and other antisocial
communications on the network;
- Use of the
network to access or transmit obscene or
pornographic material;
- Use of the
network to intentionally obtain or modify
files, passwords, or data belonging to
other users;
- Use of the
network to misrepresent other users on
the network;
- Disruption, abuse or destruction of
hardware, software, or the work of others
in any way;
- Unauthorized use of chat rooms or instant
messaging without pre-approval of the
Information Systems Department;
- Circumvent
system security, guess passwords, or in
any way gain unauthorized access to local
or network resources;
- Use of
email to send message to multiple
recipients (spamming). Group emails
should be limited;
- The email
directory for Mifflin County School
District is the property of the Mifflin
County School District.
Distribution of the MCSD email directory
to anyone outside the district is not
permitted;
- Use of the
network to violate any section of the
Student Policy, including plagiarism and
cheating;
- Use of
school digital photographs for personal
use.
- Consequences for Inappropriate Use
The user shall be responsible for
damages to the equipment, systems, or
software resulting from deliberate or
willful acts.Failure to follow the procedures and
prohibitions listed above may result in
the loss of the right to access to the
Internet and/or all computer resources.
Appropriate disciplinary procedures may
take place, as needed, according to
student policy.
Illegal use of the network,
intentional deletion or damage to files
of data belonging to others, copyright
violations, or theft of services will be
reported to the appropriate legal
authorities for possible prosecution.
- Liability
The Mifflin County School District
will not be held liable for any
information that may be lost, damaged, or
unavailable due to technical or other
difficulties.
- Updating
This policy will be reviewed annually
and amended as necessary to meet
educational needs and to comply with the
law.
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of Contents *] - [Handbooks] - [Policies] - [MCSD]
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Presence/Possession/Use of Cell
Phones, Telephone Paging Devices,
2-Way Radio Wireless Devices, and
Headphones
The use by students of cellular
telephones, 2-way radio wireless devices,
and headphones shall be prohibited during
the academic school day. Such
devices shall be turned off or made
inoperable during the academic school day
or while being transported using public
school transportation on regular runs.
Students are permitted to use cell phones
at the discretion of a coach or advisor
before or after the academic school day.
Cell phones are prohibited for use in
locker rooms at any time.
The possession by students of
telephone paging devices, commonly known
as beepers, or any device that is capable
of operating as a telephone paging
device, shall be prohibited on school
grounds, at school-sponsored activities,
and on buses or other vehicles provided
by the school district at all times.
The term academic school day is
defined from the time the student arrives
on school property to the official
dismissal time set forth by the school
district for that particular school
building. The prohibitions
contained in this policy shall not apply
to any student provided that the school
authorities approve of the presence of
specifically-named devices.
When a student is suspected to be
using or is found using one of the
above-described devices, any or all of
the following consequences may be used:
- Confiscation of the device.
- Notification of parent/guardian.
- Conference with parent/guardian.
- Detention.
- Suspension.
- Referral to law enforcement if violation
involves illegal activity.
- Additional options as
determined appropriate by an
administrator.
|
The following Twelve Traits of Character are emphasized to all students in the
Mifflin County School District:
| Adaptability |
Be ready and willing to adjust as necessary to the changes in people and
circumstances that arise in daily life. |
| Compassion |
Show kindness and concern for others in distress by offering help whenever
possible. |
| Contemplation |
Think things through with proper care before taking action. |
| Courage |
Face difficulty or danger and express your beliefs even if you are afraid. |
| Honesty |
Be truthful in all you do and never deceive, steal, or take advantage of the trust of
others. |
| Initiative |
Take responsible action on your own, without prompting from others. |
| Loyalty |
Show others that you are faithful and dependable when you have a commitment
to them. |
| Optimism |
Strive to be hopeful and positive in your beliefs
about yourself, others, and the
future. |
| Perseverance |
Continue to work hard and persist toward the goal even when obstacles and
difficulties arise. |
| Respect |
Show consideration and regard for yourself, others, and the world around you. |
| Responsibility |
Demonstrate that you consider yourself to be accountable for your actions and that
you follow through on your commitments. |
| Trustworthiness |
Show others by your actions that you are reliable and believable and deserving of
their confidence. |
Character traits will be emphasized to all students in Mifflin County School
District in the following sequence:
|
School Year |
|
2008-2009 |
|
Loyalty |
|
Adaptability |
|
Courage |
|
Contemplation |
Copies of the Student Handbook and
the regulations pertaining to Student
Rights and Responsibilities as published
by the State Board of Education are
available at the Office of the Secretary
of the Mifflin County School District,
the Office of the Principal, and the
library of each building.
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of Contents *] - [Handbooks] - [Policies] - [MCSD]
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