new bethlehem · 2019. 10. 22. · 2. ohak aoon. bethlehem. middle school handboo....

http://bethlehemschools.org

Bethlehem

2016-2017

HANDBOOK

for Students

and Parents

2 MOHAWK / PATROON

B e t h l e h e m M I D D L E S C H O O L H A N D B O O K

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Table of Contents

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Bethlehem Central School District offers employment and educational opportunities, including vocational education opportunities, without regard to race, color, national origin, creed, religion, marital status, sex, age or disability. Grievance procedures are available to interested persons by contacting the person listed below. Inquiries regarding this non-discrimination policy may be directed to: Title IX/Section 504 Coordinator, Sex/Handicap Discrimination, Ms. Jody Monroe, Superintendent of Schools, 700 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054; (518) 439-7098.

Mission statement ........................................... 3Academic information & policies ...................4-5

Academic intervention services Assessment

Aspen Parent PortalHonor roll Marking periodsMonitoring students’ academic progressReport CardsCalling a teacher or school counselor

Activities ........................................................ 6Administration ................................................ 6Announcements............................................... 6Attendance policy ............................................ 6 Truancy

Calling in absencesSigning in lateLeaving school during the dayPlanning a vacation

Bicycles at school ............................................ 7Board of Education .......................................... 7

Board meetingsContacting the board

Breakfast & lunch program .............................. 7Cafeteria informationFree & reduced price meals

Calendar ......................................................... 8Computer & Acceptable Use Policy .................... 8Custody issues .............................................. 10Social events ................................................. 10Emergency contact information ...................... 10Emergency school closings ............................. 10Food in school ............................................... 11Guidance & counseling department ................. 11Harassment, Hazing & Bullying ....................... 11Health services .............................................. 11

Emergency health informationDistrict medication policyPhysical exam requirementBody Mass Index reportingImmunization requirementsDental Certificates

Health ScreeningsIllness or injuries at school

InsuranceSports information for secondary students

Home base ................................................... 14Guidelines & expectations for students

Homeroom.................................................... 14Homework policies ........................................ 15

Homework guidelinesMaking up assignmentsHomework during absences

Idle-free school zones .................................... 15Intramurals ................................................... 16Library media center ..................................... 16Lockers & locks ............................................. 16Lost & found ................................................. 16Open house ................................................... 16Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) ................. 17Plagiarism .................................................... 17Pre-Service teachers ...................................... 17Special Education & Student Support Services ..... 17

Pupil study teamSchool social workersBehavior specialistsCommittee on Special Education

Recreation area ............................................. 18Recycling ...................................................... 18Religious holidays.......................................... 18School News Notifier (SNN) ............................ 18School pictures ............................................. 18School resource officer ................................... 18School safety procedures ................................ 19

Visitors to schoolSchool supplies ............................................. 19Skateboards & rollerblades ............................ 19Telephones, beepers, other electronic devices ... 19Textbooks ..................................................... 19Transfers/moving .......................................... 20Transportation............................................... 20

Bus drillsTransportation policies and safety procedures

District Code of Conduct ...........................23-42District phone numbers ............. inside back cover


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THIS HANDBOOK CONTAINS IMPORTANT

information to serve as a resource for both parents and students at Bethlehem Central Middle School. We encourage you to review the contents together to become familiar with school and district policies that are necessary for the safety, welfare and well-being of our students and staff and school procedures that will facilitate your communication and interaction with the Middle School.

Please keep this handbook in a safe, convenient place for easy reference throughout your years at BCMS, since we will not be redistributing it every year.

This edition of the Handbook was updated prior to the start of the 2016-17 school year.

The mission of the Bethlehem Central Middle School is to provide all students with challenging opportunities that encourage intellectual development, creative talents and personal growth in an atmosphere that promotes positive self-esteem and sound educational values. Our students will increase their skills to think critically, make wise choices and act with self-discipline and mutual respect. They will assume responsibility as productive citizens with a positive vision for the future.

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Academic information and policiespersonalized information about a student’s academic program and progress. Student report cards and bus schedules will be posted on this new system.Parents and guardians can use Aspen to access basic student information such as emergency contact information, bus route information, student schedules, academics and calendar infor-mation. Aspen will also provide Bethlehem families with access to online progress and grade

reports, attendance records, student registration forms, and transcripts.

If you have more than one student in the Bethlehem Central School District, you will only need one Aspen account and login to access the information for each of your children. Questions regarding Aspen should be directed, via email, to: [email protected].

ACADEMIC INTERVENTION SERVICES (AIS)As defined by New York State, Academic Intervention Services (AIS) are supplemental services provided to those students who perform below the state standards or demonstrate partial or minimal understanding of the skills and knowledge needed at their grade level. Inclusion in the program may be based on group test results and/or teacher recommendation. If the child requires help, supplementary instruction is conducted individually or in small groups of children of approximately the same age and grade placement. Instruction can be provided by the classroom teacher or by a designated teacher for supplemental services.

ASSESSMENTThe district is required to administer assessments that are part of the New York State Testing Program for students in grades 6-8. Generally, these tests help to assess individual student performance and identify areas of instructional program improvement. Parents are advised to pay close attention to their child’s standardized test results, which are shared with parents annually. We also administer additional local assessments.

ASPEN PARENT PORTALThe district believes strongly that one of the major factors driving student success is a strong partnership between home and school. The district’s parent portal, once called BC@Home, is now Aspen. It was introduced in 2014-15 and is being used regularly by schools and teachers. Aspen is a password protected parent portal that will help to make communication among students, parents, teacher and administratorsmore efficient. As the district's student information system Aspen offers parents and students online access to a secure site with

CommunicationsThe best source for BCMS news, announcements,

dates of upcoming events, and more is the school website,

http://bethlehemschools.org/BCMSFrom this site, you can also access the PTO page,

which is updated regularly.In nearly all cases, the district’s School News

Notifier (SNN) system is used instead of paper letters home. Visit https://snn.neric.org/bcsd/ to learn more, log-in, or create an SNN account.



HONOR ROLL

One of the ways Bethlehem Central Middle School recognizes excellence in student academic achievement is by posting an honor roll at the end of each marking period.

Two categories of excellence are recognized:

■ Merit: 82-91% GPA with no gradebelow 65% and no incompletes;and

■ Honor: 92%+ GPA with no gradebelow 80% and no incompletes.

Excellence is achieved through hard work and commitment, and we encourage everyone to strive for their own highest academic achievement.

PRESIDENT’S EDUCATION AWARDSThese certificates, signed by the President and U.S. Secretary of Education, are given to eighth-grade students in recognition of their outstanding scholarship during their three years in middle school.

Students with an overall minimum 90 percent grade point average for grades 6 and 7 and the first two marking periods of grade 8, plus minimum 85 percentile scores on grade 7 reading or mathematics achievement tests, are eligible to receive the President’s Award for Educational Excellence.

The President’s Award for Educational Achievement is awarded to eighth-grade students who have maintained an overall minimum 90 percent grade point average for grades 6 and 7 and the first two marking periods of grade 8 but did not qualify for the President’s Educational Excellence Award.

MARKING PERIODSEach school year is divided into four marking periods, which are noted on the district calendar and are the same for the Middle School and High School. Report cards are posted on the Aspen Parent Portal after each marking period.

MONITORING STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PROGRESSThere are three general methods of finding out about your child’s academic progress: the Interim Progress Report, the report card and a call to a teacher or guidance counselor.

The Interim Progress Report Approximately halfway through the 10 week marking period, students may receive an Interim Progress Report posted on the Bethlehem Central portal. These progress reports are intended to provide you with more frequent feedback about how your child is doing in school.

REPORT CARDSReport Cards are posted on the Aspen Parent Portal at the end of each of the four marking periods. We encourage you to review this report with your child.

CALLING A TEACHER OR SCHOOL COUNSELORParents are always encouraged to contact either the teacher or the school counselor to discuss their child’s progress. Teachers are available for conferences by appointment. Parents should call 439-7460 to set up a conference.

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ActivitiesStudents are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to broaden and enrich their academic experience. The Library Media Center is open most every day after school Tuesday through Thursday. Our staff members offer many activities and special interest clubs throughout the year. Students should refer to the Guide to Student Activities posted online and should listen to the morning announcements for information regarding after-school activities. Most activities are scheduled from 2:46-3:46 p.m., at which time the district offers a late bus run to bring students home (Tuesday through Thursday only). Students who stay after the 2:46 p.m. dismissal must be with a teacher until the 3:46 p.m. dismissal and must obtain a signed bus permission slip from the activity’s supervisor.

AdministrationThe middle school administrative team consists of a principal, assistant principal and a hall principal. The administrative dean is primarily responsible for working with students, team teachers, and parents to encourage and support student success in our school. This individual is a resource for students in resolving any issues which may arise in our school, both social and academic. The assistant principal partners with the house dean in also working directly with teams, students and parents in addition to other management responsibilities in the school. This person coordinates testing, scheduling and building programs and activities. The principal is responsible for the overall functioning of the middle school and, together with the other administrators, provides the direction for programs and activities. Each of the administrators is involved with building level programming as well as staff supervsion and evaluation. This is a team which works closely together with staff to maintain an effective and safe environment for students.

AnnouncementsEach morning during the homeroom period a student news program and announcements are broadcast via our in-house TV studio, run by BCMS students. Information may include information about events, achievements, recognitions, meeting

dates and locations, activity opportunities for students, school expectations, and host staff and student presenters. It is important that students listen carefully for information. Announcements are posted to the school’s website and can be viewed daily on YouTube at http://tinyurl.com/p85zplr.

When necessary, students are paged at 9:48 each morning to report to the Health, Main or House offices. Items which need to be picked up by students should be dropped off in the main office prior to 9:30 a.m.

Attendance policyRegular attendance and punctuality are expected of students from the first day of school. Children should understand that regular school attendance is essential to their educational development and well-being. With some exceptions, every child enrolled in school is expected to be present. State law specifies certain legal absences are permitted, of which personal illness is most common. School attendance is closely monitored.

Absences, tardiness and early departures (ATED) from class or school are excused if they are due to personal illness, illness or death in the family, impassable roads or weather, religious observance, quarantine or medical appointments. All other ATEDs are considered unexcused absences.

All ATEDs must be accounted for. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school office within at least 24 hours of the ATED and to provide a written excuse upon the student’s return to school.

Please read the district’s complete attendance policy in the District Code of Conduct (see p. 28).

TRUANCYTruancy is any student absence from school without the permission or awareness of parents or the school office. This is a very serious matter, especially when parents believe that their child is at school. Any student who leaves school grounds without proper authorization is also considered truant. In instances of truancy, the student and his/her parents will meet with school officials to discuss make-up time and disciplinary action.

CALLING IN ABSENCESThe parents of a child who is going to be absent due to illness should call 439-7705 between 7:30



and 8:30 a.m. each day of absence. Our Office secretary will contact parents if there has been no previous message from home.

SIGNING IN LATEStudents are to be in school by 8:03. There is a warning bell at 8:10 a. m. which signals that students should move to their homeroom. Students should be seated in homeroom by the 8:13 a.m. bell. Promptness to homeroom and classes is expected. Any student who arrives between 8:13 and 8:20 a.m. will be recorded as tardy. Students who arrive after classes begin (after 8:20 a.m.), must report to the Main Office with a parent-signed note explaining the reason for being late. Chronic tardiness will result in a request for a parent student conference, and students may be assigned after-school make-up time or lunch detention.

LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAYStudents who need to leave school during the day for an appointment must bring in a parent-signed note to the Health Office when arriving to school, and a pass will be issued. The time and reason for leaving should be included in the note. Students must wait in the Main Office for their parents to sign them out. Students report to the Main Office when they return that day to sign in before going back to class. If an unscheduled appointment occurs, parent and child should meet at the Main Office.

PLANNING A VACATIONWe believe that children learn best in the classroom along with their peers. The school calendar allows many opportunities for families to arrange trips and activities so that the normal school periods need not be missed.

Bicycles at schoolStudents who ride a bike to school may park and lock it to the bike rack provided in front of the school. We strongly suggest proper storage of quick releases and detachable bike parts at school. Student bicycles are not covered by school insurance. Remember that traffic rules apply, so ride (single file) with traffic on the right-hand side of the street, cross road intersections carefully, and enter

our parking lot with the one-way traffic. By law, students must wear a biker’s safety helmet to prevent head injury in the event of an accident.

Board of EducationThe Board of Education, representing all district residents, is the governing body of the school district. The Board comprises seven members who are elected by district residents and receive no remuneration. Members serve three-year terms of office, with two or three seats up for election each year at the time of the Annual School District Budget Vote (third Tuesday in May).

BOARD MEETINGSRegular public board meetings are generally held on the first and third Wednesday evenings of every month, starting at 7 p.m. at the Bethlehem Central High School Library Media Center, 700 Delaware Ave., Delmar. Additional meetings are typically added in February and March for budget development. Please check the district Web site (http://bethlehemschools.org) or school notices for any meeting date changes.

CONTACTING THE BOARDDistrict residents interested in contacting the Board of Education may write to the Board c/o Educational Services Center, 700 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054. The Board also has an e-mail address, [email protected]. E-mails received at that address will be forwarded to all Board members upon receipt. Individuals who have specific school, program or department-related questions or who require an immediate response should contact the relevant school or department directly.

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those dates (start and end of school, vacations, holidays etc.) are available on the district’s Web site at http://bethlehemschools.org. The district wall calendar, listing a variety of school and district events, is mailed to all BC families at the end of August each year.

Computer & Internet Acceptable UseThe Bethlehem Central School District is pleased to offer its students access to the Internet. Access from school to Internet resources is structured to point students to sources that have been evaluated prior to use. Students may inadvertently be able to access resources that have not been approved by staff. Students are provided with the following guidelines to assess whether or not a resource is suited to the district’s learning objectives.

While the intent of the School Steering Committee for Technology is to make Internet access available in order to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well. Families should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet might contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people. In addition, it is possible to purchase certain goods and services via the Internet, which could result in unwanted financial obligations for which a student’s parent or guardian would be liable.

School access to the Internet and the BC network is a privilege, not a right, and it entails responsibility. At the beginning of each school year the district gives every Middle School and High School student a generic password to allow them to gain access to their own computer network storage space. This network storage space is provided so students can store educationally-relevant electronic files that fall within the confines described in this handbook. Students must change this generic password to a confidential password in order to protect themselves and the district from malicious access to the district’s computer network. Users are responsible for keeping their user names and passwords confidential. Users should never give computer passwords to others and should

Breakfast & lunch programSchool breakfast and lunch are available to all students on a daily basis. Monthly menus are available on the district website [under Departments/Services click Food Services]. Meal prices are determined during the summer and announced at the opening of school.

CAFETERIA INFORMATIONStudents may purchase a hot lunch, milk or snacks or bring their own lunch from home. Students will be asked for their student lunch ID card or number when making any purchases. Students with money on their account may also use their cards to charge complete lunches. We ask that parents not deliver or have delivered outside food (take out) for their children during the school day. If a child forgets their lunch, you may drop off a bag lunch for them or they can purchase a lunch in the cafeteria. When students have finished eating, they should make sure their table area is clean and bring all trash to one of the refuse containers around the cafeteria. Trays should also be returned to the kitchen windows; silverware and recyclables should be deposited in marked receptacles. When weather is appropriate, students may then go outside to the recess area or may remain sitting inside until the lunch period is over. Students should return to classes quietly so other students in their classrooms are not disturbed. Students must follow requests from and respect all noon aide and kitchen staff.

FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEALSThe district participates in the Federal and State Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program. Students may be eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch if their families meet federal income guidelines. Detailed information, including eligibility criteria, is mailed to the parents of every BC student in a back-to-school packet prior to the start of the year.

CalendarThe Board of Education adopts the official district calendar of major dates for the upcoming school year each spring, usually in March. Once adopted,



never log on to a district computer and leave it unattended without first logging off.

Parents and guardians of minors bear responsibility for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources in and out of school. Students using school-provided Internet access must demonstrate responsible behavior online just as they do in a classroom or other area of the school. The same general rules for behavior and communications apply.

The school institutes technical methods or systems to regulate students’ Internet access; however, those methods do not guarantee student compliance with this acceptable use policy. That notwithstanding, the School Steering Committee for Technology believes that the benefits of access to the Internet exceed any disadvantages. Toward that end, the Bethlehem Central High School Technology Committee provides this policy for review by all parents, guardians and other members of the community and provides parents and guardians the option of requesting for their minor children alternative activities not requiring Internet use.

The purpose of school-provided Internet access is to facilitate communications in support of research and education. To remain eligible as users, students must act in a manner consistent with the educational objectives of the teachers of the specific course of BCHS.

Users should not expect that files stored on school-based computers are private. Electronic messages and files stored on school-based computers may be treated like school lockers. Administrators and faculty may review files and messages at any time to maintain system integrity and ensure that users are acting responsibly.

The following uses of school-provided Internet access are not permitted:

■ Accessing, uploading, downloading ordistributing vulgar, pornographic, obscene,sexually explicit, ethnically offensive or anyother inappropriate material.

■ Using proxy sites or other means to bypass theBCSD Internet filter.

■ Transmitting obscene, abusive, harassing,

Help your child get organized for a successful school year

Kids in middle school can be smart. They can work hard. Yet they can still fail. The problem is often disorganization. They forget or lose assignments or they don’t plan well. School counselors say the following items are key to success:

✔ A good planner or assignment book. One with subjects already written down for each day helps students remember what to write. Each child is provided an assignment/agenda book on the first day of school.

✔ Multiple pocket folders or binders. Color code them to make the different subjects easy to identify. Place papers that return to school in one pocket.

✔ A homework kit. Put pencils, paper, file cards and other needed school supplies in a box. Then no time will be wasted looking for what’s needed to complete homework assignments.

✔ A homework routine. Studying in the same place at the same time everyday makes doing homework a habit.

✔ A family reading time. Even older kids benefit when you turn off the television and read together. You can all read the same book, or each read your own book or magazine.

sexually explicit or threatening language.

■ Violating any local, state or federal statute.

■ Vandalizing, damaging or disabling the propertyof another individual or organization.

■ Accessing stored computer folders or files thatbelong to other network users or organizations.

■ Violating copyright or otherwise using theintellectual property of another individual ororganization without permission.

■ Using the Internet for any illegal or commercial(profit-making) purpose.

■ Downloading computer applications or installingsoftware applications or computer hardwarewithout first having the express permission fromthe BCSD Technology Office through a BCSDfaculty member. This includes, but is not limitedto, audio files, movies, animation files, games,instant messenger, computer applications, zipfiles or other large files.

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■ Storing any computer files not directly relatedto the educational goals of the user or thedistrict on Bethlehem Central School Districtstorage areas.

Violations will result in the following:

First offense:■ Written notice will be made, put in the

student’s discipline folder and sent home to parents.

■ The student’s Internet privileges will besuspended for one month. During the suspension period, computer use by the student may only take place with teacher authorization.

Second offense:■ Written notice will be made, put in the

student’s discipline folder and sent home to parents.

■ The student’s Internet privileges will besuspended based on the severity of the offense. During the suspension period, computer use by the student may only take place with teacher authorization.

At any point, depending on the nature of the offense, law enforcement officials may be involved.

The Bethlehem Central High School makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, for the Internet access it is providing. The school is not responsible for:

■ any damages users suffer, including—but notlimited to—loss of data resulting from delays orinterruptions in service;

■ the accuracy, nature or quality of informationstored on school diskettes, hard drives orservers or gathered through school-providedInternet access;

■ personal property used to access schoolcomputers or networks or for school-providedInternet access; or

■ unauthorized financial obligations resultingfrom School-provided access to the Internet.

This policy and all its provisions are subordinate to local, state, and federal statutes.

Custody issuesIf there is an issue with the custody of your child, please be sure that current, updated custody papers are on file with the district registrar and in the school

office. Our student assistance counselor provides a variety of optional programs for children of divorced or separated parents or other single-parent homes.

Social eventsFrom time to time the Student Council or other school organizations will sponsor social activities. These events are planned for BC Middle School students only. No guests will be allowed. Admission to school socials is a privilege for students, one that may be lost as a result of disciplinary infractions or ongoing academic concerns.

Emergency contact informationThe school should have on record the following information for each child:

■ Parents’ phone numbers, for both home andplaces of employment.

■ The name and phone number of a person to becalled in an emergency if the parents cannot bereached.

■ The name and phone number of the familyphysician.

Should the child become injured or ill at school, the nurse will first call the parent. If no response can be obtained, the emergency designee or the family physician will then be called as conditions warrant. If any of your emergency information changes during the year, please notify the office as soon as possible.

Emergency school closingsOccasionally, it is necessary for schools to be



closed or to delay opening because of inclement weather, facilities failure or emergencies. Cancellations, delays or early dismissals are posted on the school district’s website and social media accounts. During the school day, should conditions require an early dismissal of students, please check our Web site and/or listen for television or radio reports. We encourage you to subscribe to our School News Notifier alert system, which promptly sends an e-mail message to you should school be cancelled or closed early. (Visit https://snn.neric.org/bcsd/ to sign-up). Your child should know where to go (neighbor, relative etc.) in the case of an early dismissal. Please have a plan in place with your child.

Food in schoolEvery attempt is made to keep our school clean. All food must be consumed either in the cafeteria or in a classroom with the permission of the classroom teacher. No open containers of drink/food are allowed in school hallways. All food brought for lunch should be finished in the cafeteria. Only closed and/or unopened packages of food should be stored in lockers. Due to concerns with food allergies, students are not allowed to share food with classmates in the cafeteria.

Guidance and Counseling DepartmentThe Middle School Guidance & Counseling Department helps students achieve success in school. School counselors provide information about educational opportunities and advise students regarding the best use of their abilities, interests and aptitudes. Each student is assigned to a counselor. Counselors visit classrooms early in the fall semester and continue to provide services to students throughout the school year.

The student assistance counselor works with students in an individual and group counseling setting. Students may be referred to the student assistant counselor by the student’s guidance

counselor, parents, administration and through teacher recommendations. The student assistant counselor collaborates with all appropriate support staff (i.e. guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, behavior specialists) and with parents, teachers and administration to best meet the needs of the students. The student assistant counselor facilitates group counseling sessions addressing issues related to divorce, grief, social skills, family health and substance abuse.

Our school counselors welcome the opportunity to speak with parents about the schoolwork and other activities of their children. The counselors work closely with our teachers, administrators, psychologists and other school personnel to help all students reach their academic and personal potential.

Harassment, Hazing, & BullyingIt is essential that students are able to pursue their academic goals and extracurricular activities in a respectful environment. In May 2010, the Board of Education adopted a policy that strictly prohibits all forms of harassment, hazing & bullying. This refers to any intentional, written, verbal, or electronic communication or physical act which intimidates or threatens others. The policy applies to students and staff members on all school grounds, as well as buses. The policy also states that students and staff members with knowledge of harassment, hazing, and/or bullying should report such activity to a school official promptly. Expectations for student behavior are covered at assemblies and at various programs throughout the year. Parents and students are also encouraged to visit the district’s website, http://bethlehemschools.org to learn more about the Harassment, Hazing & Bullying policy in the online manual. (Policy No. 0115)

Health servicesSchool health services in BCSD are provided by professional registered nurses. Our school nurses have a multi-faceted role within the school setting, one that supports the physical, mental, emotional, and social health of students

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and their success in the learning process. Our nurses provide a variety of school health services, functions and programs. These services are based upon current evidence, best practices, and professional school nursing standards.

EMERGENCY HEALTH INFORMATION FORM An “Emergency Health Information Form” will be provided to parents in late August/early September via the Aspen Parent Portal. Parents are required to provide updated health information on which includes allergies, medications, (both prescription and over-the-counter medications), and recent health information. This health information is kept on file by the nurses only.

In addition, the nurse relies on emergency contact information provided by parents. Current emergency contact information for each student can be reviewed on the Aspen Parent Portal. These contacts may include friends or relatives who could be called in case of illness or injury if the parents cannot be reached. Parents should regularly review the contact information stored on Aspen. It is important to inform the school in writing of changes to contact information. If you cannot be contacted, the school may not release your child to anyone other than the person or persons listed in case of emergency.

MEDICATION POLICYNew York State Education Department Guidelines state that ALL medications, including over-the-counter medications, given at school, REQUIRE the following:

1) Written order from your child’s physicianstating the name of the medication, dosage, frequency and time of administration;

2) Written statement from the parent orguardian requesting administration of the medication in school; and

3) Delivery of the medication to the health office byparent or guardian in a properly labeled “original” / pharmacy container. Elementary students are NOT allowed to carry medications to and from school.

At the secondary level, emergency medications such as epi-pens and inhalers can be carried by those

students who are determined to be self-directed with written orders from the student’s medical provider.

BCSD medication forms can be found on the district website, http://bethlehemschools.org. Follow the “Health and Wellness” link from the left-hand side of the home page.

PHYSICAL EXAM REQUIREMENTA physical exam is required for all children entering this school system for the first time and for all children entering grades K, 2, 4, 7 and 10. Proof of this exam must be a signed physician’s physical appraisal form. [A physical exam performed within the 12 months prior to the start of the school year is acceptable. All forms are due by October.] If such an examination is not provided, the school is required by law to provide the exam at the school’s expense. We prefer that parents make appointments to have the family doctor complete the physical as he/she will perform a more complete physical exam and will give the required immunizations.

BCSD physical appraisal forms can be found on the district website, http://bethlehemschools.org. Follow the “Health Services” link under the "Departments" tab at the top of the district homepage.

*Please note that there are different forms forElementary and Secondary (Middle School & High School) students.

BODY MASS INDEXAs part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to figure out the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI’. The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low.

New York State Education Law requires that BMI and weight status group beincluded as part of the student’s school health examination. Each year, a sample of school districts are selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health (DOH).

The Bethlehem Central School District has not been selected to submit its information to DOH in2016- 2017, however it could be required to do so in the future. When surveyed by the state, onlysummary information is sent. No names or information about individual students are sent.



However, you may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report. If you would like to do so, download the opt-out form found under “Health Services” on the district website and return the completed form to your child’s school.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTSPublic Health Law 2164 requires that the requires that parents vaccinate their children against serious diseases – including polio, measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, meningitis and others.

Please be advised that students not in compliance with the required immunization requirements,or those lacking proof of satisfactory progress toward completion, will be excluded from attendingschool until adequate proof is submitted.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Beginning Sept. 1, 2016, students entering seventh and 12th gradesmust be vaccinated against meningococcal disease in order to attend school in New York state.Learn more: http://www.bethlehemschools.org/nys-require-meningitis-vaccination-studentsentering-grade-7-grade-12/

Demonstrated serologic evidence of measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, varicella or all three serotypes of polio antibodies is acceptable proof of immunity to these diseases. Diagnosis by a physi-cian, physician assistant or nurse practitioner that a child has had varicella disease is acceptable proof of immunity to varicella.BCSD needs proof of compliance with Public Health Law 2164 before your child may enter school. Adequate proof is certificate or record from the physician’s office or Health Care Clinic. Transcript records from other schools are NOT acceptable proof of immunization.Demonstrated serologic evidence of measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, varicella or all three serotypes of polio antibodies is acceptable proof of immunity to these diseases. Diagnosis by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner that a child has had varicella disease is acceptable proof of immunity to varicella.

For more information or to download a copy of the BCSD immunization form, visit http://bethlehemschools.org and click “Health Services” under the Department/Services top link.

DENTAL CERTIFICATESNew York State Education Law 903, Chapter 281, permits schools to request a dental examination report for all newly enrolled students, and for

Now that your child is in middle school, he/she must take more responsibility for his/her own learning. It’s important for your middle schooler to think about how, when and where he/she can do his/her best work. Here are some things to consider:✔ Does he/she learn best by seeing? By hearing?

By doing?

✔ Where is the best place for him/her to sit in the classroom?

✔ What time of day is he/she most alert?

✔ Is he/she able to study effectively with someone else?

✔ Does he/she concentrate better at home, at the library or someplace else?

✔ Does he/she need specific study times, such as 6 to 7 p.m. for math, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. for English?

✔ What lighting and air temperature does he/she prefer when concentrating?

✔ How often does he/she need a break?

Once your child answers these questions, he/she will have a study profile of herself. If he/she sticks to the profile as often as he/she can, your child will probably study more effectively.

Creating good study habits

To make it easier for parents to view up-to-date immunization requirements for their students,the district's Health Services office has created an online resource that lists requiredimmunizations by grade level. This resource is available on the district website at:www.bethlehemschools.org/immunization-requirements-grade-level/

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students in grades K, 2, 4, 7, and 10. Dental Health Certificates are to be completed by parent or guardian and the child’s dentist. Completed certificates should be sent to your school nurse.

Dental Screening Forms can be found on the Bethlehem District website, http://bethlehemschools.org and click “Health Services” under the Department/Services top link.

SCHOOL HEALTH SCREENINGSNew York State Education Law, (Article 19, Section 905), and the Commissioner’s Regulations, Section 136.3, requires that schools provide the following health screenings:

■ Vision screening for all newly enrolled students,including color perception, distance acuity, nearvision, and hyperopia; in addition, all students ingrades K, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10, will be screened fordistance acuity.

■ Hearing screening for all newly enrolledstudents, as well as for students in grades K, 1,3, 5, 7, and 10.

■ Scoliosis screening for all students in grades 5through 9.

Parent(s) will be notified if there are any concerns during their child’s screening. Results of all screenings will be documented in the student’s school health record.

DISMISSAL FOR ILLNESS OR INJURY DURING SCHOOLAll students who are ill or injured must be dismissed through the health office. Students are encouraged to report to the health office any illness or injury that occurred at school. This will ensure proper care and insurance claim processing.

The facilities in school are not designed to take care of ill or injured students for any length of time. Parents are expected to make arrangements to have their ill or injured child picked up at school.

INSURANCEThe district carries accident insurance for all students in grades K-12. The insurance plan provides excess, or secondary, coverage. In the event of accidental injury to a student, parents should first submit the claim to their own health and accident carrier. If the claim is not payable or is in excess of the coverage provided,

the remainder is submitted to the school plan for payment.

The school accident insurance plan covers students participating in school-sponsored activities, and all students are automatically enrolled as of the first day of school. The individual schools in the district will handle claims under this plan.

Primary accident coverage by the school district would be both prohibitively expensive and, in most cases, a wasteful duplication of coverage carried by families. It is expected that the school’s secondary coverage insurance plan will add an additional layer of coverage for those few situations in which the injury is not fully covered by the existing family plan.

SPORTS INFORMATION FOR SECONDARY STUDENTSInterested students must sign up to participate in the athletics program through the health offices at the middle and high schools. The following forms are required to play a sport: 1) Sport’s Update form for every season (to be completed by parent); and, 2) Current physical exam. (Additional information may be requested such as illness/injury clearance). If parents or students have any questions, (ie. deadlines, etc), please contact your school nurse.

Home baseHome base is a time that is scheduled within the school day. This is a time during which students may receive extra help, participate in enrichment activities, participate in performing music ensembles, or work independently. It is also a time when students may make-up work due to an absence. Home base is a flexible period that allows students time to meet with their teachers.

GUIDELINES & EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS■ All students are expected to report to home base

on time.

■ All students are expected to have work to doduring home base. If a student has completed allof his/her homework, he/she should have a bookto read.

■ A student may be assigned to a restricted homebase if he/she is failing one or more subjects or



his/her teachers and/or school counselor decide that it would be in the student’s best interest. Upon teacher/team review, if the student is passing all of his/her subjects, the student may be removed from restricted home base.

■ Students should go to the Library MediaCenter (LMC) only if they need access to LMCmaterials and are unable to complete work inthe classroom.

■ If students are assigned to AIS (math and/orreading) during home base, they are required toattend. AIS is not an optional class, and studentsshould not be pulled from AIS to meet with ateacher unless prior arrangements have beenmade.

■ If students receive supplemental services (speech,social work, OT, PT etc.) during home base, theyare required to attend. This is not optional andstudents should not be pulled from this to meetwith a teacher, unless prior arrangements havebeen made with the service provider.

■ Students taking performing music classes willmeet on specified days during homebase.

HomeroomHomeroom (8:03-8:20 a.m.) is when student attendance is first taken for the day and when students receive any special passes or general messages over the TV news. Homeroom is meant to be a quiet place before the school day begins. When returning from a previous absence, be sure to give your parent-signed excuse note to the homeroom teacher.

Homework policiesIt is school district policy to assign meaningful homework. When properly guided, homework serves to reinforce and extend formal instruction. Homework may also stimulate curiosity that may lead students to explore new areas and dimensions independently. Such assignments also:

■ Provide practice in developing and reinforcingskills;

■ Encourage students’ development of good studyhabits and self-initiative; and

■ Develop parental interest and participation inthe student’s program.

Homework should never simply be an assignment that is characterized chiefly by the time it consumes.

HOMEWORK GUIDELINESTotal homework assignments may range from a minimum of two hours a week in Grade 6 to eight hours or more per week in Grade 8. All teachers instruct their students in ways to organize their work and study skills habits each September. The teachers reinforce these skills throughout the year. We encourage you to call your child’s teacher regarding any concerns or questions about homework. Every teacher expects that all homework will be completed in a timely manner and to the best of each child’s ability. Each teacher will clarify the consequences for incomplete or inadequately done assignments.

MAKING UP ASSIGNMENTSThese guidelines apply to students who have legal, excused absences of one or more days. Upon the student’s return to school, teachers will provide a list of owed assignments. Two days completion time for each day of absence will be allowed (e.g., six days to complete assignments for a three-day absence). Teachers at their discretion may provide alternate assignments in relation to the duration and nature of the absence.

HOMEWORK DURING ABSENCESIn the event of short-term absences, the student is expected to call a “friend” from the same class for assignments. For absences of two or more days, assignments may be obtained by calling the Main Office on the second day of absence before 9:00 a.m. Assignments may be picked up in the front foyer after 3:45 p.m. Students who are absent from school will be given two days for each day absent to make up any missed work.The following guidelines apply exclusively to students who are illegally absent for one or more

The LMC is a place for quiet study, reading, research and computer use, open almost

every school day from 8:00 a.m. to 2:46 p.m. The LMC is open for students

afterschool (2:46-3:45 p.m.) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thurdays.

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days. Students not in attendance for the purpose of participation in non-school sponsored or related activities (i.e., competitions, exhibitions) are generally considered to be illegal. They do not apply to students who are legally absent for reasons of illness, bereavement, religious observance or other educational purposes. Students and parents are advised that current or improved levels of achievement are not likely to be attained as a result of illegal absences. Some assignments such as labs, group discussions or lectures cannot be duplicated and missing these activities might, in fact, affect their grade.Teachers are not obligated to provide assignments in advance for illegal absences. If teachers do provide assignments, the students are required to return the assignments completed on the day they return to school to receive full credit. If not returned on the first day back to school, the grading/credit is subject to the teacher’s late policy.The day of the student’s return to school, parents and/or students may request a list of assignments owed. A list of assignments owed can be provided within two days of the request. If the student receives the work after they return, from the time the work is provided, the student has one day for each day absent to complete the assignment for full credit.

Idle-free school zonesBC has taken an important step to provide a safe and healthy environment for our students, staff and community by adopting a no idling policy for school buses and private vehicles on school grounds-essentially, making our schools “idle-free zones.” The policy itself reinforces existing New York State idling restrictions, but it is our hope that by making this moral commitment, we can encourage all staff, parents and community members to observe the idle-free zones.

IntramuralsDepending on student interest, we offer year-long intramural activities for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. We select teams and play games. Students should refer to the Guide to Student Activities or the Web site and should listen to the morning announcements for information regarding these activities.

Library Media Center The Library Media Center (LMC) is a place for quiet study, reading, research and computer use. The LMC is open almost every school day from 8:00 a.m. to 3:46 p.m. and for special events. Students who wish to visit the LMC after school must arrive by 3:00 p.m. and stay until the 3:46 p.m. dismissal time. The LMC Web site at http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/middle/lmc/lmc.htm offers educational resources for students and parents, including Web sites, reference databases and the BCMS Style Manual. Occasionally, the LMC is closed for student use after school due to staff meetings and/or workshops. Students will be notified by announcement when this occurs.

Lockers & locksStudents are assigned an individual hall locker by their homeroom teacher and a physical education locker by their P.E. teacher. Students are required to bring in 2 combination locks for use in school - one for their hall locker and one for their physical education locker. You may be able to purchase locks which have the same combination for both locks. These should be one time purchases for school as they can be reused from year to year. We will provide the service of engraving the locks with the student name so that, if lost, they can be returned to the individual. Combinations will be recorded with students’ homeroom teachers and the P.E. staff. These records are kept for safety purposes only and remain confidential.

Students should not allow any other student to share a locker with them. All students’ belongings



must be kept in locked lockers (hall and physical education) at all times. Personal items should not be left unsecured or unattended at any time (before, during or after school, e.g., intramurals, team practices), and students should respect others’ property at all times. Students should not tamper with another student’s lock or locker contents and are not to put anything in a locker that is not permitted in school. All student lockers are school district property and may be searched at any time without the student’s knowledge or permission.

Lost & FoundStudents should mark all belongings with their name. Lost items will be stored in the Lost & Found. Please turn in any found property to the Main Office. Students are encouraged to store valuables in the Main Office for safekeeping. However, to avoid the possibility of loss, students should not bring valuables to school.

Open houseEach fall, the school holds evening open houses for parents. The dates (by house) appear on the district calendar mailed home in August and on the district Web site. The purposes of open house are:

■ to give parents and teachers the opportunityto interact;

■ to give teachers the opportunity to presentan overview of the year’s program and sharethoughts about standards; and

■ to give parents the opportunity to ask questionsand become actively involved in the school.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)The Bethlehem Central Middle School PTO is a non-profit organization committed to supporting the administration, faculty, students and families associated with Bethlehem Central Middle School. The PTO seeks to fulfill its responsibility by raising funds and seeking out volunteers that will enable us to support the many programs and events that we are called upon to provide for in many ways.

The PTO’s role in this endeavor has become even

more cruicial and important in recent years. We cannot fulfill our commitment to the children that make up Bethlehem Central Middle School without your help. We therefore greatly apprecaite parent involvement and participation at our public meetings and any other help that parents are able to offer. Feel free to contact us at any time with your ideas and questions, and we thank you for your support. Additional information and contacts are located on the middle school web page under “PTO”.

PlagiarismEach student at BCMS has his or her own individual capacity to learn. Learning to cite work is a cumulative process, and students will have ample opportunities to practice citing information sources. It is important that student work represent an individual’s own work as they gather new ideas from many sources over the course of the year.

Plagiarism is the presentation of another writer’s ideas or words as if they were one’s own, without letting the reader know the real source. This may include research gathered from the Internet, books, tapes, teachers or even from other students. A simple way to think about plagiarism is “stealing” others’ ideas. This is illegal, inappropriate and a violation of the District Code of Conduct. Students are taught at BCMS how to properly cite the sources they use for research and learning so as to avoid plagiarizing other’s work.

Pre-Service TeachersThe district frequently works with local colleges to place pre-service teachers with tenured teachers in our schools. We feel we are professionally assisting “new” colleagues, and we heartily welcome the extra heads, hands and enthusiasm.

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Special Education and Student Support ServicesThe Special Education and Student Support Services Department provides a wide range of services for students in the district including support services in general education and special education services. Services available to students include the following:

PUPIL STUDY TEAMEach school’s Pupil Study Team, led by the school assistant principal, meets to discuss and make recommendations for students who require additional supports. Team members can include a principal, teacher, social worker, nurse, psychologist, behavior specialist and others as appropriate.

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERSSocial workers provide individual and group counseling and case management services and make recommendations for students’ behavior management plans.

BEHAVIOR SPECIALISTSBehavior specialists conduct in-depth analyses of a student’s behavior and develop behavior management plans to assist students in being available to learning.

COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATIONBesides these services, referrals can be made to the Committee on Special Education if a student is suspected of having a disability. The committee arranges for an evaluation of the student’s abilities and needs. Based on the evaluation results, the committee decides if the student is eligible to receive special education services and programs. Parents are members of this committee.

For more information on these services, please call the Special Education and Student Support Services Department at 439-8886. You can also request a copy of Special Education in New York State for Children Ages 3-21: A Parent’s Guide by contacting the department.

Recreation areaThe “Pit,” area in our school’s basement, is run by the Town of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation

Dept. and is open on different afternoons of the week from 2:46-3:45 p.m. There is no charge for admission, and students are expected to help clean up after use. Facilities include ping-pong tables, pool tables, comfortable furniture, a snack bar and a dance area. Students must observe the rules that are posted in the Pit front entrance area.

RecyclingIn an effort to “go green” the Middle Scchool recycles in numerous ways. Each classroom and office has a recycle bucket for paper materials. Twice a week, students empty these buckets into larger receptacles in the hallways which are then weighed and moved to larger outside bins for removal. We track our recycled paper goods each month determining how student and staff efforts have affected our environment.

We also recycle plastic and metal containers, ink cartridges from printers, and cell phones. Bins are located throughout the school to collect these items.

Our cafeteria now uses metal utensils, doing away with the waste of plastic forks, knives and spoons. Students are instructed on what and how to recycle and encouraged to assist in our attention to this process.

Religious holidays The district recognizes that many religious groups within our community celebrate different holidays during the year. On occasions when scheduled school activities and observances of



religious holidays conflict, district policy is to honor family requests to excuse students.

School News Notifier (SNN)The School News Notifier (SNN) is a system that connects our schools to you via email. Both emergency and regular announcements pertinent to the activities at school are sent over SNN periodically. If you have not signed up for this service, please do so by visiting the district’s homepage, www.bethlehemschools.org and link to SNN.

School pictures Each fall, BCMS authorizes a professional photographer to take students’ pictures for school records (e.g., school record, guidance record, yearbooks and library loan record) and for personal school identification. All students have their picture taken at no cost. Parents and families have the option to purchase additional photographs for their own use. Proceeds from all photo packages purchased go to the BCMS PTO to fund projects and activities.

School resource officerThe school resource officer (SRO) is a member of the Bethlehem Town Police force assigned to be in the Middle School. The SRO interacts with students, collaborates with teachers and administrators, serves as a resource for parents and connects the school to the larger community. This partnership between the school district and the Bethlehem Police Department aims to promote more positive interaction with police officers and to help maintain a safe school environment conducive to learning.

School safety proceduresThere is a specific plan in place at BCMS to ensure the safety of staff and students. Throughout the year, there are drills so that all individuals in the school are comfortable with emergency procedures. Proper information and direction will be given to all involved before, during and after any drill or

emergency. Due to the seriousness of these drills, students must listen to and follow all directions.

VISITORS TO SCHOOLOur visitor policies are designed to ensure the safety of all students and staff and minimize disruption to the instructional program. All visitors must sign in and take a visitor’s badge upon entering our school. Upon leaving the building, please sign out and return the badge. Students are not allowed to have student guests during the school day.

School suppliesIn general, the school furnishes the major materials necessary for the student’s education. Parents are asked, however, to provide certain personal items. Supply lists are posted at the beginning of the summer on the middle school webpage. There are some supplies, like calculators, locker stockers, larger binders, and locks which can be one time purchases and may be reused from year to year.

Each team often requests a slightly different selection of supplies based upon their own needs. Those differences are noted on the supply lists.

Agenda books are purchased by the PTO and distributed to students each year on the first day of school. Payment for these very important tools is requested to go to the PTO at the opening of school.

Skateboards, rollerblades, and heeliesDue to safety and insurance concerns, skateboards, rollerblades/rollerskates and heelies cannot be brought on school buses or used on school grounds.

Telephones, beepers & other electronic devicesAs per district policy (District Code of Conduct), unapproved electronic devices (phones, beepers, iPods, etc.) and games are not to be used in school without specific permission from the school administration. Unauthorized use of phones, cameras, and texting creates a concern for safety, academic integrity, privacy, and confidentiality for

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students and teachers. We strongly recommend that these items not be brought to school due to both their value and the potential disruption to the learning process.

If a student has a phone as required by a parent it is our recommendation and expectation that it remains turned off and in the student’s locker which is secured by a student owned lock. Locker combinations should not be shared with anyone other than a parent. In emergency situations, staff will locate students and students have access to office phones. No electronic devices may be used during the school day and items used after the school day has begun will be brought to an administrator. Parents will be contacted to come in and pick up the device

During safety emergencies, personal devices present a security and safety issue and may not be used. Our school emergency protocols have been devised in collaboration with the local and state police authorities who support this policy.

Please note that the school is not responsible for the damage, loss, or theft of unapproved electronic devices brought to school.

TextbooksDuring the year, students may be provided one or more textbooks. Students are responsible for all textbooks and library books issued to them. To protect the covers, students must keep textbooks covered throughout the year. In the event a book is damaged or lost, students are required to pay a fee based on the condition and/or replacement cost of the book. All outstanding fines and replacement costs for lost or damaged books must be paid to the school district before the student’s final yearly report card will be released in July.

Transfers/movingFamilies moving out of the district should notify the district registrar (439-7481, ext. 31960) as soon as possible. The Main Office should be notified as well. Notifying us in advance helps to ensure the proper gathering and summation of information for your child’s new school. A copy of test data and other information maintained by the school will be mailed to the child’s new school upon request from the parent or the new school.

TransportationThe district provides transportation to and from school for all BCMS students who live more than 1/2 mile from the Middle School. Information on bus routes and pick up times for each student are mailed home in late August each year.

Students who use district bus transportation are expected to ride on their assigned bus to and from school. If a student needs to take an alternate bus, he/she must present a note signed by a parent/guardian to the Main Office at the start of the school day. A separate note is required for each day affected by the short-term change. If the child is on the same bus but getting off at a different stop, a note is still required.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion to promote overall safety while riding on the school bus. The bus driver is in charge of the bus and the students on the bus at all times. Students should remain seated and obey the driver. The driver has the right to reassign students to certain seats in order to maintain good bus conduct. Students who do not behave on their school bus risk a suspension of their bus riding privilege or other school administered consequences.

BUS DRILLSAt least three bus safety drills are held each school year. The first drill is conducted during the first week of the fall term.

TRANSPORTATION POLICIES AND SAFETY PROCEDURESAt the start of each school year, it is helpful to review school bus regulations, safety tips and procedures with all students and drivers in your family and encourage everyone to follow them. Some of them—such as stopping when encountering a school bus with flashing red lights (whether you are on the road or in a school parking lot) and obeying school zone speed limits—are state laws. They were established for the safety of everyone on the roads, especially our children!

Medications on the busMedications (including Tylenol and other over-the-counter medicines and cold remedies) may not be transported on school buses. If a child needs medication, the parent should deliver it directly to the nurse’s office at their child’s



school. Exceptions to this policy are handled on a case-by-case basis [examples include carrying Epi-Pens and/or sweet packs] and must first be approved by a school nurse.

Transporting items to schoolAll items brought to school should be packed in a carrying case (e.g., a tote bag or backpack), which must be small enough to be held on the student’s lap. Students riding on a school bus may not transport food for class parties.

Transporting large objects and musical instrumentsNew York State Department of Transportation and federal regulations PROHIBIT bringing large items and musical instruments on school buses. This prohibition is designed to prevent the blockage of seats and aisles in the event of an accident.

Large items not allowed on the bus include, but are not limited to: alto clarinet, bass clarinet, contra bass clarinet, trombone, baritone saxophone, cello, guitar, tenor saxophone, tuba, baritone horn, string bass, large school projects, skateboards, bikes, fishing poles, hockey sticks, skis and poles and sleds.

Placing large items on the floor of the bus and holding them in between one’s legs is not permissible.

The following is a partial list of items allowed on the bus if held on the student’s lap: piccolo, oboe, flute, soprano clarinet, bassoon, snare drum, alto saxophone, French horn, trumpet, violin and viola.

Other items not allowed on the bus include, but are not limited to: any weapons (real or play), pets or any live or preserved animals (except service animals), glass containers, aerosol cans, coloring paints, play putty and other arts & crafts items, especially sharp objects or objects with points. Many of these items can be used as weapons, can cause injuries to passengers or can be used to deface the interior of a school bus.

Wearing cleats aboard a school bus is also prohibited. Cleats can damage the interior of the bus and they also create an unsafe condition for our student athletes (i.e., they can be slippery on wet surfaces).

Lost articlesArticles left on the bus are normally kept on the bus so that students can reclaim them the next day. If not claimed, articles are returned to the

bus garage. Students should label their clothes and other possessions. Articles not claimed within five working days are donated to local churches or charity organizations.

Transporting service animals (guide dogs or companion dogs/animals)Several state and federal laws govern the accommodation of service animals and require that such animals be allowed access everywhere. The school district is obligated to allow these animals on school buses. If this situation ever occurs, the best place for the animal while on the bus is between the student and the wall of the bus where practical. Common sense must prevail with respect to the safety of all students and the animal in question. Accommodations must be made for students who may be allergic to animal dander.

SecurityNew York State law strictly forbids any person from boarding a school bus without the express consent of the bus driver. This includes parents. If any time a student tells a bus driver that his or her safety is being threatened by another student(s) or by another person, the driver will immediately notify his or her supervisor(s) and ask the supervisor(s) to meet immediately after the route is done. School principal(s) will be notified immediately about any incident that threatens the safety of students or the bus driver.

Bus & Pedestrian SafetyChildren are to follow rules of safety outlined by the district. Children who have a continuous problem practicing safety rules on the bus might need to find an alternate way of getting to and from school.

Proper Crossing ProceduresPlease review these procedures with your children; if they must cross the road in front of the bus, knowledge of safe crossing procedures is vital.

■ Crossers get off the bus first. When dischargingpassengers, the school bus driver will dischargethe crossers first. Once they have safely crossedto the other side of the street, the bus driver willdischarge non-crossers.

■ Waiting for the signal to cross. A student gettingoff the bus should walk to the front of the bus toa place where he/she can see the bus driver andthe bus driver can see him/her. When all is clear,the driver will signal to the student that it is OKto cross, but as a precaution, the student should

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always look both ways before crossing.

■ The horn warns of danger. If the driver blowsthe bus horn, the student should immediatelyreturn to the starting point.

■ When parents meet the bus. Parents meetingthe bus should wait on the side of the roadwhere the child will be getting off and thenfollow the above procedures for crossing.Parents need to discourage their children fromrunning across the road to greet them.

Parents’ Safety ResponsibilitiesAs parents, you should carefully review these policies with all members of your family. You should pay special attention to the following bus routes and safety information:

■ Carefully review your child’s bus route todetermine if the bus will pick up your child onthe home side of the street or on the other sideof the street.

■ Children should not cross the street to boardthe school bus if not required to do so.

■ If the designated bus stop requires your child tocross the street, follow the crossing proceduresoutlined here. Remember, your child shouldremain on the home side of the street until thebus stops completely. Your child should nevercross the street until the bus driver gives thesignal that it is safe to cross.

■ Students should arrive at the stop at least fiveminutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

Drivers’ Responsibilities■ STOP—from either direction, even on divided

highways—when encountering a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. The bus is either picking up or discharging riders. Proceed only when the red lights are turned off and the bus is moving again, unless waved on by the bus driver or a police officer.

■ Flashing yellow lights warn that the bus isabout to stop, so slow down and prepare to stop.Children may be coming from any direction.

■ Be aware that school buses may not turn righton red.

■ Any vehicle that passes a school bus that has itsflashing red lights activated will be reported tothe police and/or New York State DMV.

Bus Riders’ ResponsibilitiesBefore the ride—■ Carry loose articles—homework, books, pens

and pencils—in a backpack.

■ Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutesbefore the bus is scheduled to arrive. DO NOTwait inside your home and then run out to thebus.

■ Do not rough house at the stop.

■ Wait until the bus has stopped completely andits door is open before approaching it.

■ If you need to transport an item too large to fiton your lap, make other arrangements to get toschool that day.

During the ride—■ Listen to any instructions from the bus driver.

He/she is there to prevent injury to you and others.

■ No skateboards, animals, flammable materialsof any kind, or medications that containcontrolled substances may be transported ona school bus. The driver will not allow any ofthese items on the bus. Please call 439-3830with any questions about specific items.

■ Weapons of any kind and threatening gesturesand/or comments will NOT be tolerated onthe bus. A violation may result in a five-daysuspension and a Superintendent’s Hearing withthe possibility of more serious consequences. Inaccordance with the Gun Free Schools Act (1994),possession of guns on buses or school propertycould result in at least a one-year suspension.

■ Behave on the bus as you are expected tobehave in class. Be courteous; don’t use profanelanguage.

■ Eating, drinking and smoking on the bus willNOT be tolerated.

■ Keep the bus clean; whatever you bring on thebus must leave with you.

■ Don’t damage the bus—it’s school property,owned by the residents of the district.

■ Cooperate with the bus driver, who isauthorized to assign seats.

■ Fighting, pushing and shoving will NOT betolerated.

■ Keep head, hands and feet inside the bus at all



times. ■ STAY IN YOUR SEAT, especially when the bus is moving.■ All BC buses are equipped with seat belts. All students are encouraged to use them.

Exiting the bus—■ Wait for the bus to stop completely and bus doors to open before leaving your seat.■ Get off in single file. No pushing■ Take all your possession and trash with you.■ Wait for the driver’s signal to cross. Never cross behind the bus or crawl under the bus.■ Do not run.Pedestrians■ Look all ways before crossing the street. Be sure the way is clear.■ Watch for turning cars from both the left and right.■ Walk—do not run into the street.■ Cross only at corners.■ Never cross or enter the roadway from between parked cars.■ Where there are NO sidewalks, walk on the left side of the roadway, facing traffic.■ If there is a sidewalk, use it.

District Code of ConductTABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ........................................................................................................ 24Definitions ........................................................................................................... 24Essential Partners ............................................................................................... 25Students’ Rights and Responsibilities................................................................ 25Prohibited Student Conduct .............................................................................. 26Academic Integrity.............................................................................................. 28Standards for Student Conduct .......................................................................... 29Computer and Internet Acceptable Use ............................................................. 31Student Dress Code............................................................................................. 31Prohibition of Gants, Gang Activity, Fraternities/Sorrorities ........................... 31Transportation Code ........................................................................................... 32Athletic Policies and Training Rules ................................................................. 32Parking ................................................................................................................ 32Extracurricular and Clubs .................................................................................. 33Dance Guidelines ................................................................................................ 33Procedures for Addressing Student Misconduct and Violations

of the Code of Student Conduct .................................................................. 34Consequences and Sanctions ............................................................................. 36Discipline of Students with Disabilities ............................................................. 41Prohibition of Corporal Punishment ................................................................. 41Visitors to the Schools ........................................................................................ 41Public Conduct on School Property .................................................................. 42Dissemination and Review ................................................................................. 42Code Adoption and Revision Dates .................................................................... 42

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I. INTRODUCTIONA. The Bethlehem Central Code of Student

Conduct was developed in consultation with teachers, parents, students, administrators and other school/community representatives. It was adopted by the Board of Education with the expectation of full compliance by all students on school property or participating in or attending school functions. For the purpose of this code of conduct, “school property” means in or within any building structure, athletic playing field, playground, parking lot or land contained within the real property boundary line of the district’s elementary and secondary schools or any property owned and operated by the school district, in or on a school bus, and “school function” means any school-sponsored extracurricular event or activity, whether on- or off-campus.

B. This Code of Student Conduct is in compliance with the Schools Against Violence (SAVE) legislation, which took effect on July 1, 2001, for all school districts in New York State. The code includes high standards for student conduct, outlines clear consequences for students who break the rules and serves as a standard for consistency and fairness that protects students’ rights while promoting their responsibility.

C. Students at school-sponsored off-campus events shall be governed by all the rules and regulations of the school and are subject to the authority of the school district officials.

D. If you have any questions about the material contained in this document, please contact the building principal or the superintendent of schools. A complete copy of the Bethlehem Central Code of Conduct is available in the main office of each school in the district and on the district’s official Web site at http://bcsd.k12.ny.us.

II. DEFINITIONS:For purposes of this code, the following

definitions apply:

A. “Student” refers to a child enrolled as a K-12 registrant, in any of the Bethlehem Central school district’s academic programs.

B. “Parent” means parent, guardian or person in parental relation to a student.

C. “School property” means in or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, parking lot or land contained within the real property boundary line of a public

elementary or secondary school, or any property owned and operated by the school district, or in or on a school bus, as defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law §142.

D. “School function” means any school-sponsored extracurricular event or activity, on the campus or off school grounds.

E. “Disruptive student” means an elementary or secondary student under the age of 21 who is substantially disruptive of the educational process or substantially interferes with the teacher’s authority over the classroom, or with the authority of other school district employees.

F. “Violent student” means a student under the age of 21 who:

1. Commits an act of violence upon aschool employee, or attempts to do so.

2. Commits an act of violence upon anotherstudent or any other person on schoolproperty or at the school function, orattempts to do so.

3. Possesses, while on school property or at aschool function, a weapon.

4. Displays, while on school property or at aschool function, what appears to be a weapon.

5. Threatens, while on school property orat a school function, to use a weapon.

6. Threatens to bring or use a weapon on schoolproperty or at a school function.

7. Knowingly and intentionally damagesor destroys the personal property of anyschool employee or any person on schoolproperty or at a school function.

8. Knowingly and intentionally damagesor destroys school district property.

G. “Weapon” means a firearm as defined in USC §921, for purposes of the Gun-Free Schools Act.It also means any other gun, BB gun, pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, disguised gun, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, switchblade knife, gravity knife, brass knuckles, sling shot, metal knuckle knife, box cutter, cane sword, electronic dart gun, Kung Fu star, electronic stun gun, pepper spray or other noxious spray, explosive or incendiary bomb, or other device, instrument, material or substance that can cause physical injury or death when used to cause physical injury or death.



III. ESSENTIAL PARTNERSA. All students are expected to:

1. Know the policies and regulations of theschool district and abide by them.

B. All parents are expected to:

1. Know school rules and help theirchildren understand them.

C. All district teachers are expected to:

1. Know school policies and rules, and enforcethem in a fair and consistent manner.

2. Communicate to students and parents aclassroom discipline plan.

D. All district counselors are expected to:

1. Initiate teacher/student/counselorconferences and parent/teacher/ student/counselor conferences, as necessary, as a wayto resolve problems.

E. All district principals are expected to:

1. Promote a safe and orderly schoolenvironment.

2. Be responsible for enforcing the code ofconduct and ensuring that all cases areresolved promptly and fairly.

F. The superintendent is expected to:

1. Promote a safe and orderly schoolenvironment.

2. Review with district administrators the policies ofthe Board of Education and state and federal lawsrelating to school operations and management.

3. Work with district administrators in enforcingthe code of conduct and ensuring that allcases are resolved promptly and fairly.

G. Members of the Board of Education are expected to:

1. Collaborate with student, teacher,administrator, parent organizations, schoolsafety personnel and other school personnelto develop a code of conduct that clearlydefines expectations for the conduct ofstudents, district personnel and visitors onschool property and at school functions.

2. Adopt and review at least annually thedistrict’s code of conduct to evaluate thecode’s effectiveness and the fairness andconsistency of its implementation

IV. STUDENTS’ RIGHTS ANDRESPONSIBILITIES

A. Basic Student Rights

1. Each student under the age of 21 has theright to an education regardless of race, color,gender, religion, ethnic origin, economicstatus, sexual orientation or disability andalso the responsibility not to interfere with orthreaten the education of others.

2. Bethlehem Central students are expected toabide by the policies and regulations of theschool district.

3. Bethlehem Central students have the rightto access rules, receive an explanation ofthose rules and seek changes in districtpolicies and regulations in an orderly fashionthrough discussions with the administrativestaff.

4. All policy decisions and amendmentsare made by the Board of Education.

5. Bethlehem Central students will be affordeda due process hearing where they willhave the right to present their version ofrelevant events to school personnel andto question and review any witnesses orevidence brought against them by the schooladministration before imposition of penalty.

6. Under the Family Educational Rights andPrivacy Act (FERPA), parents and studentswho are over 18 years of age have the right toinspect and review the student’s educationalrecords and have the right to request theamendment of the student’s education recordsbelieved to be inaccurate or misleading. Theyalso have the right to consent to disclosureof personally identifiable information in astudent’s education record, except to the extentthat FERPA authorizes disclosure withoutconsent. More information regarding FERPArights and procedures is described on theDistrict Web Site, in the Board of EducationPolicy 5500 and in back-to-school mailings.Note: The Board of Education policy booksmay be reviewed at the District Offices ofthe Bethlehem Central School District, theBethlehem Town Library, and online at http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/district_policy_manual.html.

7. As a general rule, information received byteachers and other school officials is notprivileged (except for provisions of theFamily Educational Rights and Privacy Act of1974), and may be revealed by the recipientof such knowledge whenever he or she feels

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that it is appropriate to do so. However, some communications made in connection with drug or alcohol abuse prevention programs may be kept confidential. A student who is concerned about the confidentiality of communications he/she makes to staff members should ask the staff member in advance whether the information could be kept confidential.

B. Basic Student Responsibilities: all district students have the responsibility to:

1. Abide by the policies and regulations of theschool district.

2. Contribute to maintaining a safe and orderlyschool environment that is conducive tolearning.

3. Show respect to other persons and toproperty.

4. Refrain from interfering with or threateningthe education or rights of others.

5. Attend school every day unless they are legallyexcused and be in class, on time and preparedto learn.

6. Work to the best of their ability in allacademic and extracurricular pursuitsand strive toward their highest level ofachievement possible.

7. React to direction given by teachers,administrators and other school personnel ina respectful, positive manner.

8. Ask questions when they do not understand.

9. Seek help in solving problems that mightlead to discipline.

10. Dress appropriately for school and schoolfunctions, as defined in the Student DressCode. (See Section IX of this Code)

11. Accept responsibility for their actions.

12. Conduct themselves appropriately asrepresentatives of the district whenparticipating in or attending school functions.

V. PROHIBITED STUDENT CONDUCT

A. Introduction:

1. The Board of Education expects all studentsto conduct themselves in an appropriateand civil manner, with proper regard forthe rights and welfare of other students,district personnel and other members of theschool community and for the care of school

facilities and equipment.

2. The best discipline is self-imposed, andstudents must learn to assume and acceptresponsibility for their own behavior, as wellas the consequences of their misbehavior.District personnel who interact withstudents are expected to use disciplinaryaction only when necessary and to placeemphasis on the student’s ability to grow inself-discipline.

3. The Board recognizes the need to makeits expectations for student conduct whileon school property or engaged in a schoolfunction specific and clear. The rules ofconduct that follow are intended to do that andfocus on safety and respect for the rights andproperty of others. Students who do not acceptresponsibility for their own behavior and whoviolate these school rules will be required toaccept the penalties for their conduct.

B. Students may be subject to disciplinary action when they:

1. Engage in conduct that is disorderly.Examples of disorderly conduct include, butare not limited to:

a. Running in hallways.

b. Making unreasonable noise.

c. Using language or gestures that areprofane, lewd, vulgar or abusive.

d. Obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

e. Engaging in any willful act that disrupts thenormal operation of the school community.

f. Trespassing. Students are not permitted inany school office or school building, otherthan the one they regularly attend, withoutpermission from the faculty member incharge.

g. Entering a building/facility after regularhours or using any facility for anythingother than its intended purpose.

h. Misusing computer/electroniccommunications, including anyunauthorized use of computers, softwareor Internet/intranet account; accessinginappropriate Web sites; or any otherviolation of the school district’s Computerand Internet Acceptable Use P (see Policy(See Policy #4526.2).

i. Engaging in conduct that is insubordinate.Examples of insubordinate conduct includebut are not limited to:



1) Failing to comply with the reasonabledirections of teachers, schooladministrators or other schoolemployees in charge of students orotherwise demonstrating disrespect.

2) Arriving late for, missing or leavingschool without permission.

3) Skipping detention.

j. Engage in conduct that is disruptive tostudent learning or teacher instruction.

k. Engage in conduct that is violent orthreatening. Examples of violent orthreatening conduct include but are notlimited to:

1) Committing or threatening an actof violence (such as hitting, kicking,punching, spitting, and scratching)against a teacher, administrator, otherschool employee or against anotherstudent or any other person on schoolproperty or at a school function, orattempting to do so.

2) Possessing a weapon. Authorized lawenforcement officials are the onlypersons permitted to have a weaponin their possession while on schoolproperty or at a school function.

3) Displaying what appears to be a weapon.

4) Threatening to use any weapon, or anyobject as a weapon.

5) Intentionally damaging or destroyingthe personal property of a student,teacher, administrator, other districtemployee or any person.

6) Intentionally damaging or destroyingschool district property.

C. Engage in any conduct that endangers the safety, morals, health or welfare of others. Examples of such conduct include but are not limited to:

1. Lying to school district personnel.

2. Stealing the property of other students,school personnel or any other person onschool property or while attending a schoolfunction.

3. Defamation, which includes making false orunprivileged statements or representationsabout an individual or identifiable group ofindividuals that harm the reputation of theperson or the identifiable group by demeaningthem.

4. Discrimination, which includes the use of race,

color, gender, religion, ethnic origin, economic status, sexual orientation or disability as a basis for treating another in a negative manner.

5. Intimidation, which includes engaging inactions or statements that put an individualin fear of bodily harm.

6. Cyberbullying or cyberthreats (see Policy#5810), and other inappropriate acts usingtechnology.

7. Hazing, this includes any intentional orreckless act directed against another for thepurpose of initiation into, affiliating withor maintaining membership in any school-sponsored activity, organization, club or team.

8. Physically detaining or restraining any otherperson.

9. Selling, using or possessing obscenematerial.

10. Using vulgar or abusive language, cursing orswearing.

11. Smoking a cigarette, cigar, pipe or usingchewing or smokeless tobacco.

12. Possessing, consuming, selling, distributingor exchanging alcoholic beverages or illegalsubstances or being under the influenceof either. “Illegal substances” include, butare not limited to, inhalants, marijuana,cocaine, LSD, PCP, amphetamines, heroin,steroids, look-alike drugs and any substancescommonly referred to as “designer drugs.”

13. Inappropriately possessing, consuming,selling, distributing or exchangingprescription and over-the-counter drugs.

14. Gambling.

15. Indecent exposure, that is, exposure to sightof the private parts of the body in a lewd orindecent manner.

16. Initiating a report warning of fire, bombthreat or other catastrophe without validcause, misuse of 911 or discharging a fireextinguisher.

D. Harassment

1. General Harassment: severe action or apersistent, pervasive pattern of actionsor statements directed at an identifiableindividual or group that is intended to be, orthat a reasonable person would perceive, asridiculing or demeaning.

2. Intimidation, which includes engaging inactions or statements that put an individualin fear of bodily harm.

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3. Cyberbullying or cyberthreats(see #5810),and other inappropriate acts usingtechnology.

4. Hazing (see #0115), which includes anyintentional or reckless act directed againstanother for the purpose of initiation into,affiliating with or maintaining membership inany school-sponsored activity, organization, clubor team.

5. Sexual Harassment:

a. Sexual Harassment: a severe action or apersistent, pervasive pattern of actionsor statements directed at an identifiableindividual or group that is intended to beor that a reasonable person would perceiveas ridiculing or demeaning based ongender and sexual orientation.

b. Intimidation, which includes engagingin actions or statements that put anindividual in fear of bodily harm.

The Board of Education affirms its commitment to non-discrimination and recognizes its responsibility to provide all district students an environment that is free of sexual harassment and intimidation. Sexual harassment is a violation of law and stands in direct opposition to the district’s philosophy and policies.

Therefore, the Board prohibits all forms of sexual harassment by employees and students. Board of Education Policies #0100 and #0110 indicate the procedures for resolving sexual harassment complaints by students.

6. Racial Harassment

a. Racial Harassment: a severe action or apersistent, pervasive pattern of actionsor statements directed at an identifiableindividual or group that is intended to beor that a reasonable person would perceiveas ridiculing or demeaning based on raceand/or ethnicity.

b. Intimidation, which includes engagingin actions or statements that put anindividual in fear of bodily harm.

The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to provide all district students with an environment free of racial harassment and intimidation. Racial harassment is a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and stands in direct opposition to the district’s philosophy and policy.

c. Therefore, the Board prohibits all forms

of racial harassment by employees and students. Board of Education Policy indicates the procedures for resolving racial harassment complaints by students.

VI. ACADEMIC INTEGRITYA. Definitions:

1. Academic integrity governs the way in which astudent writes, performs research, and fulfillsthe responsibilities of learning in a positive andconstructive manner at Bethlehem Central.It is founded on the principles of respect forknowledge, truth, scholarship and acting withhonesty. These principles and values are thefoundation of learning. The purpose of thissection of the Code of Conduct is to outlinethe school district’s expectations regardingacademic integrity.

2. Academic dishonesty includes but is notlimited to: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism,and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriatesanctions may be imposed on any student whohas committed an act of academic dishonesty.

a. Academic dishonesty is the attempt tosecure unfair advantage for oneself oranother in any academic exercise.

b. The following is an extensive, thoughnot exhaustive, list of actions that areconsidered to be academically dishonest.

3. Cheating is the use or attempted use ofdeception, fraud and/or misrepresentationof one’s academic work. This includes, but isnot limited to:

a. copying answers from another student

b. using books, notes, conversations with others,

c. calculators, cell phones and otherelectronic devices or any other type ofexternal assistance during an examinationor other academic exercise without thepermission of the instructor

d. collaborating with others on homework,lab reports, computer programs, orother academic assignments without thepermission of the instructor

e. obtaining the answers to or a copy of anexamination prior to its administration

4. Fabrication is the falsification or invention ofany information or citation in any academicexercise. This includes includes, but is notlimited to:

a. using “invented” information in any



laboratory experiment or other academic exercise of research without permission of the teacher;

b. altering and resubmitting returned academicwork without permission of the teacher;

c. misrepresenting the actual source fromwhich information is cited (such as citinga quote from a book review as though itcame from the original work);

5. Plagiarism is the representation of the wordsor ideas of another as one’s own work in anyacademic exercise. This includes, but is notlimited to:

a. failing to properly identify direct quotationsby quotation marks or appropriateindentation and formal citation;

b. failing to acknowledge and properly citeparaphrasing or summarizing materialfrom another source;

c. failing to acknowledge and properly citeinformation obtained from the Internetor other electronic media as well as othersources;

d. submitting term papers written by another,including those obtained from commercialterm paper companies or the internet;

6. Facilitating dishonesty is knowingly helpingor attempting to help another commit anyact of academic dishonesty. This includes,but is not limited to::

a. substituting for another person in anexamination

b. allowing another to copy one’s work in anexamination or other academic exercise

7. Other prohibited actions:

a. submitting all or substantial portions ofthe same work to fulfill the requirementsfor more than one course without the priorpermission of the instructor(s),

b. self-plagiarism, forging or otherwise alteringgrades, transcripts, course withdrawal forms,or other academic document

c. illegally accessing a computer drive,network folder, etc.

d. stealing or destroying the academic work ofanother, such as a computer disk, externalstorage drive, term paper, or notebook.

B. Consequences and Sanction for Violations of Academic Integrity

1. A student implicated in any of the above will

be given a grade of zero on the assignment. A school administrator will notify parents, and the student will be placed on formal academic probation for the remainder of his/her school career. A second incident of cheating will result in a note being placed in the student’s academic file.

2. If teachers or staff members observe any formof cheating for any reason during a quiz, testor exam, they will immediately pick up thetest. No student may leave the examinationroom prior to the stated exam release time.Violation of these or any other testingprocedures or rules announced by the proctorat the start of the examination will result ina grade of zero on the exam. Appeals must bemade through the school principal.

VII. STANDARDS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT

A. Attendance

1. Regular attendance and punctuality areexpected of students from the first day ofschool. Children should understand thatregular school attendance is essential to theireducational development and well-being. Withsome exceptions, every child enrolled in schoolis expected to be present. State law specifiesthat certain legal absences are permitted, ofwhich personal illness is most common.

2. Absences, tardiness and early departures(ATED) from class or school are excusedif they are due to personal illness, illnessor death in the family, impassable roads orweather, religious observance, quarantine ormedical appointments. All other ATEDs areconsidered unexcused absences.

3. All ATEDs must be accounted for. It is theparent’s responsibility to notify the school officeon the day of the ATED and to provide a writtenexcuse upon the student’s return to school.

4. Upon returning to school after an absence,each student must present to his/herhomeroom teacher a written excuse thatincludes the date of excuse or dates of absence,reason for absence and parent signature. Theschool must have this information in order tocomply with legal requirements. Please do notwrite one excuse to cover more than one child.

5. Unexcused ATEDs will result in disciplinaryaction consistent with the code of conduct.Students may also be denied the privilege ofparticipating in or attending extracurricular

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events. In addition, the building principal or designee will contact the student’s parents and the student’s school counselor. The building principal shall remind parents of the attendance policy, explain the ramifications of unexcused ATEDs, stress the importance of class attendance and discuss appropriate intervention strategies to correct the situation.

6. In grades 6-12, students may lose theopportunity to take further exams and quizzesin a course if the total number of excused andunexcused absences in that course exceeds 30,for a full-year course, and 15, for a semestercourse.

B. Student Inquiry and Expression

1. Students are entitled to express theirpersonal opinions verbally or in writing orby symbolic speech. The expression of suchopinions, however, shall not interfere withthe freedom of others to express themselves.Libel, slander, the use of obscenity andcomments that disparage an individual’srace, color, gender, religion, ethnic origin,economic status, sexual orientation ordisability are prohibited.

2. All persons are prohibited from distributingany printed or written materials on schoolproperty or in the immediate vicinitywithout the prior permission of the buildingprincipal. To obtain such permission, theperson wishing to distribute the materialshall provide a copy to the building principalwith a written request that the buildingprincipal give permission for its distribution.This written request shall contain a briefstatement of when, where and how thematerial is to be distributed.

3. Student publications, whether or not theyare officially recognized, should observe thenormal rules of responsible journalism andmust comply with Paragraph 1 above. Withinthese limits, students are free to report thenews and to editorialize. Student publicationsshould reflect the policy and judgment ofthe student editors. The district has noresponsibility to assist in the production ofstudent publications, other than those thathave been officially recognized. Students maybe held responsible for libelous or obscenematerials contained in student publications.Student publications may be distributedonly after permission is granted pursuant toParagraph 2 above.

C. Search and Seizure

1. Student lockers and desks are purchased andmaintained by the school district and remainthe property of the school district. However,the school district is not responsible forbooks, clothing or valuables left in lockersor in desks. A student shall not place, keepor maintain in a school-owned locker ordesk any article or material of a non-schoolnature that may cause or tend to cause thedisruption of the lawful mission of the school.

2. The following rules shall apply to the search ofany student, student property or school propertyand the seizure of any illegal items found therein.

a. School district officials have the rightand responsibility to search studentlockers and/or desks at any time.

b. In addition, the Board authorizes thesuperintendent, building principalsand their designees to conductsearches of students, their belongingsand their automobiles that are parkedon the school campus if the authorizedschool official has reasonable suspicionto believe that the search will result inevidence that the student violated thelaw or the code of conduct.

c. Items that are prohibited on schoolproperty or are used to disruptor interfere with the educationalprocess may be removed from studentlockers, desks and/or automobile orother personal property by schoolauthorities.

d. School district officials are committedto cooperating with police officials andother law enforcement authorities tomaintain a safe school environment.Police officials, however, have limitedauthority to interview or search studentsin schools or at school functions or touse school facilities in connection withpolice work. Police officials may enterschool property or a school functionto question or search a student or toconduct a formal investigation involvingstudents only if they have:

1) A search or arrest warrant; or

2) Probable cause to believe a crime hasbeen committed on school property orat a school function; or

3) Been invited by school district officials.

e. The principal or designee will be presentduring any police questioning or search of



a student on school property or at a school function. Students who are questioned by police officials on school property or at a school function will be afforded the same rights they have outside the school.

VIII. COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE

A. Bethlehem Central School District provides students with access to district computers and to the Internet. Students’ use of computers and access to the Internet while at school are privileges and are intended to be for educational purposes only.

B. All parents and students are required to review and sign the Bethlehem Central School District’s Computer and Internet Acceptable Use Agreement. By signing the agreement, parents and students agree to comply with the regulations set forth therein.

C. Failure to comply with the regulations may result in disciplinary action.

D. The agreement is for educational use, and the school district’s regulations are not necessarily all-inclusive due to this rapidly changing field. Please refer to a copy of the Computer and Internet Acceptable Use Agreement, which can be obtained at any school main office, for details contained therein.

IX. STUDENT DRESS CODEA. All students are expected to give proper attention

to personal cleanliness and to dress appropriately for school and school functions. Students and their parents have the primary responsibility for acceptable student dress and appearance.

B. Teachers and all other district personnel should exemplify and reinforce acceptable student dress and help students develop an understanding of appropriate appearance in the school setting.

C. A student’s dress, grooming and appearance, including hair, jewelry, make-up and nails, shall:

1. Be safe and appropriate and not disrupt orinterfere with the educational process.

2. Not include extremely brief, revealing or see-through garments or garments that exposeundergarments and/or midriffs, includingspaghetti string straps, halter-tops, etc.

3. Not include pajama pants, or other sleep attire.

4. Include footwear at all times. Footwear thatis a safety hazard will not be allowed.

5. Not include the wearing of hats/headgearinside the school during the school dayexcept for a medical or religious purpose, orfor approved activities.

6. Not include items that are vulgar, obscene orlibelous or that denigrate others on accountof race, color, gender, religion, ethnicorigin, sexual orientation or disability in anexpressed or implied manner.

7. Not promote or endorse the use of alcohol,tobacco or illegal drugs or encourage otherillegal or violent activities.

8. Not denote or represent gang affiliation suchas bandanas, beads, jewelry or other indicatorsand/or symbols intended expressly so.

D. Students who violate the student dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering or removing the offending item and, if necessary or practical, replacing it with an acceptable item.

E. Any student who refuses to do so shall be subject to discipline, up to and including in-school suspension for the day.

F. Any student who repeatedly fails to comply with the dress code shall be subject to further discipline, up to and including suspension.

G. Each building principal or designee shall be responsible for informing all teachers, students and their parents of the student dress code at the beginning of the school year and any revisions to the dress code made during the school year.

X. PROHIBITION OF GANGS, GANG ACTIVITY, FRATERNITIES/ SORORITIES

A. No student shall commit any act that furthers exclusionary groups such as fraternities/sororities, gangs or gang-related activities. Conduct prohibited by this policy includes:

1. Wearing, possessing, using, distributing,displaying, or selling any clothing, jewelry,emblems, badges, or symbols, signs or otheritems which may be evidence of membershipor affiliation in any gang or fraternity.

2. Communicating either verbally or non-verbally (gestures, slogans, drawing, etc.) toconvey membership or affiliation in a gangor fraternity.

3. Tagging, otherwise defacing school propertywith fraternity, gang, or gang-relatedsymbols or slogans.

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4. Requiring payment of protection, insurance,or otherwise intimidating or threatening anyperson related to gang activity.

5. Inciting other students to intimidate or toact with physical violence upon other personrelated to fraternity or gang activity.

6. Soliciting others to fraternity or gangmembership.

7. Committing any other illegal act or otherviolation of school policies that relates tofraternity or gang activity.

XI. TRANSPORTATION CODEA. The safety of all students is our primary concern.

All school buses are “school property” and are subject to all rules set forth in the Bethlehem Central code of conduct. Each student has an individual responsibility to help ensure the safety of all students on the bus by following the rules. Coming to school, going home and riding buses for extracurricular events or field trips, a student is expected to listen to and obey all instructions from transportation personnel.

B. Examples of bus misconduct include but are not limited to:

1. Roughhousing at a bus stop.

2. Bringing prohibited items onto a school bus.Prohibited items include, but are not limitedto, skateboards, animals, flammable materialsof any kind, medications that containcontrolled substances and weapons of anykind.

3. Making threatening gestures and/orcomments.

4. Disregarding the instructions of the busdriver.

5. Swearing or using inappropriate language.

6. Eating, drinking or smoking on a school bus.

7. Damaging or vandalizing any part of a schoolbus.

8. Fighting, pushing or shoving.

9. Standing while the bus is moving.

10. Failing to keep head, hands and feet insidethe bus at all times.

11. Use of flash photography

XII. ATHLETIC POLICIES ANDTRAINING RULES

A. Participation in interscholastic athletics at Bethlehem Central is a privilege. This participation should elicit great pride among all school community members. Part of the responsibility that goes with the participation in school sports is the need to maintain satisfactory standards of behavior.

B. Each student-athlete receives an Interscholastic Athletic Handbook, which clearly defines the standards for student athlete behavior. It is the responsibility of each student athlete and his/her parent(s) to be familiar with the contents of this handbook.

C. Before a student is permitted to participate on an athletic team, both the student and parent must sign an Interscholastic Athletics Participation form and return it to either the athletic director or the school nurse. The signatures of both the student athlete and the parent indicate that each agrees to respect and abide by these rules and behavior expectations in order to participate in interscholastic athletics at Bethlehem Central. This form is included in the handbook and may be obtained from a coach or the athletic director.

D. Student athletes will be disciplined by school district administrators for infractions using the guidelines set forth in the Interscholastic Athletic Handbook and this Code of Conduct.

XIII. PARKINGA. High School students with a valid driver’s license

may be eligible to drive to school and park on school grounds in the parking area designated for students. All student vehicles parking on campus must be registered with the school and must display a current BCHS permit sticker. Students are expected to have a valid driver’s license, not a driver’s permit, on the day of registration.

B. Students should be aware that student parking is a privilege, not a right, and requires adherence to school regulations. Students who continuously violate school policies and/or parking regulations may forfeit future parking privileges. Students who use the parking area without authorization may have their car towed at the owner’s expense.

C. Furthermore, seniors are to be in good standing academically and behaviorally the fourth quarter of their junior year to be eligible for this privilege. Students with three disciplinary



referrals in the fourth quarter of their junior year will be ineligible for parking privileges in the fall.

D. Upon payment of a non-refundable fee, an eligible senior driver is guaranteed one parking spot for the school year.

E. Any remaining parking spots may be assigned to juniors via a lottery system each quarter.

F. Juniors must also be in good academic and behavioral standing to be eligible. Upon payment of a non-refundable fee, selected juniors are guaranteed one parking spot for the quarter. Juniors must turn in their parking tags at the end of each quarter. A new lottery will be held every quarter.

G. The school is not responsible for damage to personal vehicles. Safe driving techniques, including reduced speed, are in effect at all times particularly in the vicinity of pedestrians and school buses.

H. Students must use the proper entrance and exit to all school parking lots.

XIV. EXTRACURRICULAR AND CLUBS

A. Student organizations cannot restrict membership on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, ethnic origin, economic status, sexual orientation or disability.

B. Students may not be denied participation in any activity for any reason other than those established by state, county or school eligibility requirements and those requirements legitimately related to the purpose of the activity.

C. The school district requires student organizations to register with the school in order to obtain available school funds and the use of school facilities.

D. All student meetings in the school buildings or on school grounds may function only as part of the formal education process or as authorized by the building principal.

E. No student group may meet without the direct supervision of a school district employee.

F. Student organizations have the responsibility to make clear to the public that their programs do not necessarily reflect the view of the institution as a whole. Use of the school or district name when participating in a public demonstration is improper unless the building principal or his/her designee has granted permission.

G. Student organizations also have the responsibility to recognize that persons who disagree with their view and programs have the right to choose for themselves whether to listen to the groups’ points of view and must not be coerced or harassed into doing so.

XV. DANCE GUIDELINESA. It is the expectation of the school district that all

students will behave in an appropriate manner at all school events, as outlined in this Code of Conduct. The participation of students at school dances is also governed by the rules and regulations of this code.

B. In order to attend school dances, students must be in good standing behaviorally.

C. Students attending High School dances must be enrolled in grades 9 through 12 at Bethlehem Central High School. Guests attending High School dances can be no older than 19 years of age and must be approved in advance by the building principal.

D. Students attending Middle School dances must be enrolled in grades 6 through 8 at Bethlehem Central Middle School. Guests are not permitted at Middle School dances.

E. Students and guests under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be subject to the penalties of the school district as outlined in this Code of Student Conduct. Guests of students under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be required to leave (note: Code of Student Conduct does not apply to non-students)

F. Chaperones may use passive alcohol sensors prior to and/or during the dances to more accurately determine whether or not a student has consumed alcohol. The passive alcohol sensor is a screening device and is not a Breathalyzer. This device will be used to check all students when they enter the dance and periodically during the event.

G. If it is determined that the student has been drinking, parents will be called and disciplinary consequences will follow in accordance with the District Code of Conduct.

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XVI. PROCEDURES FORADDRESSING STUDENT MISCONDUCT AND VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

A. Discipline is most effective when it deals directly with the problem at the time and place it occurs and in a way that students view as fair and impartial.

B. In determining the appropriate disciplinary action, school personnel authorized to impose disciplinary penalties will consider the following:

1. The student’s age.

2. The nature of the offense and thecircumstances that led to the offense.

3. The student’s prior disciplinary record.

4. The appropriateness of other forms ofdiscipline.

5. Information from parents, teachers, staffand/or others, as appropriate.

6. Other extenuating circumstances.

C. As a general rule, discipline will be progressive, meaning that a student’s first violation will usually merit a lighter penalty than subsequent violations. However, school personnel may impose a more severe penalty for a first violation depending on the specific facts and circumstances of the incident.

D. Any weapon, alcohol or illegal substance found shall be confiscated immediately, if possible, followed by notification to the parent of the student involved and the appropriate disciplinary sanction if warranted, which may include permanent suspension and referral for prosecution.

E. The building principal or designee will consult with the appropriate local law enforcement agency regarding violations that constitute a crime. Notification may be made by telephone, followed by a letter mailed on the same day as the telephone call is made. The notification must identify the student and explain the conduct that violated the code of conduct and constituted a crime.

F. If the conduct of a student is related to a disability or suspected disability, the students shall be referred to the Committee on Special Education. Discipline, if warranted, shall be administered consistent with the separate requirements of this code of conduct for disciplining students with a disability or presumed to have a disability. A student

identified as having a disability shall not be disciplined for behavior related to his/her disability.

G. Reporting Violations

1. All students are expected to promptly reportviolations of the code of conduct to any staffmember or administrator.

2. Any student observing another studentpossessing a weapon, alcohol or illegalsubstance on school property or at a schoolfunction shall report this informationimmediately to any staff member oradministrator.

3. All school district personnel who areauthorized to impose disciplinary sanctionsare expected to do so in a prompt, fair andlawful manner. School district personnelwho are not authorized to imposedisciplinary sanctions are expected topromptly report violations of the code ofconduct to their supervisor, who shall inturn impose an appropriate disciplinarysanction, if so authorized, or refer thematter to a staff member who is authorizedto impose an appropriate sanction.

H. Removal of a Disruptive Student from the Classroom

1. A student’s behavior can affect a teacher’sability to teach and can make it difficult forother students in the classroom to learn. Inmost instances, the classroom teacher cancontrol a student’s behavior and maintain orrestore control over the classroom by usinggood classroom management techniques.These techniques may include practices thatinvolve the teacher directing a student tobriefly leave the classroom, to give the studentan opportunity to regain his or her composureand self-control in an alternative setting.

2. Time honored classroom managementpractices may include, but are not limitedto:

a. Short-term “time-out” in an elementaryclassroom or in a school administrator’soffice;

b. Sending a student into the hallway briefly;

c. Sending a student to the buildingprincipal’s office for the remainder of theclass time only;

d. Sending a student to a school counselor orother district staff member for counseling.

3. Note: If a time frame in this section would



expire on a day that is not a school day, the time period will be extended to the corresponding time on the next school day.

4. On occasion, a student’s behavior may becomedisruptive. For purposes of this code ofconduct, a disruptive student is a student whois substantially disruptive of the educationalprocess or substantially interferes with theteacher’s authority over the classroom.

5. A substantial disruption of the educationalprocess or substantial interference with ateacher’s authority occurs when a studentdemonstrates a persistent unwillingness tocomply with the teacher’s instructions orrepeatedly violates the teacher’s classroombehavior rules.

6. A removal of a student from class at thesecondary level will be for up to three days.The removal from class applies to the class ofthe removing teacher only. A removal at theelementary level will be for up to two days.The removal from class applies to the specificinstructional setting of the removing teacheronly.

7. If the disruptive student does not pose adanger or ongoing threat of disruption to theacademic process, the teacher must providethe student with an explanation for why heor she is being removed and an opportunityto explain his or her version of the relevantevents before the student is removed. Onlyafter the informal discussion may a teacherremove a student from class.

8. If the student poses a danger or ongoingthreat of disruption, the teacher may orderthe student to be removed immediately.The teacher must, however, explain to thestudent why he or she was removed fromthe classroom and give the student a chanceto present his or her version of the relevantevents within 24 hours. (If the 24-hourperiod does not end on a school day, the timeperiod will be extended to the correspondingtime on the next school day.)

9. The teacher must complete a disciplinaryremoval form and meet with the buildingprincipal or designee as soon as possible,but no later than the end of the schoolday, to explain the circumstances of theremoval and to present the removal form.If the building principal or designee is notavailable by the end of the same school day,the teacher must leave the form with thesecretary and meet with the principal or

designee prior to the beginning of classes on the next school day.

10. Within 24 hours after the student’s removal,the building principal or designee mustnotify the student’s parents, in writing, thatthe student has been removed from the classand why. The notice must also inform theparent that he or she and the student havethe right, upon request, to meet informallywith the principal or designee to discussthe reasons for the removal. (If the 24-hourperiod does not end on a school day, the timeperiod will be extended to the correspondingtime on the next school day.)

11. The written notice must be provided bypersonal delivery, express mail deliveryor some other means that is reasonablycalculated to ensure receipt of the notice atthe last known address for the parents within24 hours of the student’s removal. Wherepossible, notice should also be provided bytelephone if the school has been providedwith a telephone number (s) for the purposeof contacting parents. (If the 24-hour perioddoes not end on a school day, the time periodwill be extended to the corresponding timeon the next school day.)

12. The informal meeting, if requested by theparents/guardians, must be held within 48hours of the student’s removal. The timingof the informal meeting may be extended bymutual agreement of the parent and buildingprincipal. The building principal will require theteacher who ordered the removal to attend theinformal conference. If at the informal meetingthe student denies the charges, the buildingprincipal or the assistant principal must explainwhy the student was removed and give thestudent and the student’s parents a chance topresent the student’s version of relevant events.

13. The building principal or the assistantprincipal, if designated by the buildingprincipal, may overturn the removal of thestudent from class if the building principalfinds any of the following:

a. The charges against the student are notsupported by substantial evidence.

b. The student’s removal is otherwise in violationof law, including the code of conduct.

14. The conduct warrants suspension fromschool pursuant to Education Law Section3214 and a suspension will be imposed.

15. The building principal or designee may

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overturn a removal at any point between receiving the referral form issued by the teacher and the close of business on the day following the 48-hour period for the informal conference, if a conference is requested. No student removed from the classroom by the classroom teacher will be permitted to return to the classroom until the building principal makes a final determination or the period of removal expires, whichever is less.

16. Any disruptive student removed from theclassroom by the classroom teacher shall beoffered continued educational programmingand activities until he or she is permitted toreturn to the classroom.

17. Each teacher must keep a complete log (ona district-established form) for all cases ofremoval of students from his or her class.The building principal must keep a log of allremovals of students from class.

18. Removal of a student with a disability, undercertain circumstances, may constitutea change in the student’s placement.Accordingly, no teacher may remove astudent with a disability from his or her classuntil he or she has verified with the buildingprincipal that the removal will not violatethe student’s rights under state or federallaw or regulation.

XVII. CONSEQUENCES ANDSANCTIONS

A. Level I: Any misbehavior that represents an infraction of the established procedures that regulate the operation of the school and its educational process is considered a Level I infraction.

1. Examples of Level I Infractions

a. Dress code violations;

b. Failure to complete homework/coursework;

c. Unprepared for physical education;

d. Inappropriate behavior in school, includingon the bus and during lunch, recess, schoolassemblies, and other school sponsoredevents or activities;

e. Swearing/inappropriate language;

f. Use of unapproved electronic devices (thosewith no educational purpose) such as radios,CD players, mp3 players, cell phones, videogames, pagers or laser pointers;

g. Buying/selling items without priorapproval of school district official;

h. Abuse of student privileges ;

i. Minor class disruptions;

j. Failure of student leader (such asnot limited to safety patrol, studentgovernment representative, athletic teamleaders, class officer) to exemplify positivestudent behavior;

k. Tardiness;

l. Class cutting/leaving class without permission;

m. Unexcused absence/truancy ;

n. Cheating/plagiarism;

o. Insubordination.

2. Level I Consequences: Building principalor designee may choose one or more of thefollowing consequences.

a. Loss of privileges (such as, but not limitedto, parking, participation in studentactivities and events);

b. Counseling;

c. Detention;

d. Parent contact/conference;

e. Verbal reprimand;

f. Confiscation of electronic devices;

g. Removal, replacement or covering of itemthat violates dress code;

h. Loss of student leadership position;

i. Internal School Suspension

j. Restricted Study Hall.

B. Level II: Any misbehavior whose frequency and/or seriousness disrupts the educational process or poses a threat to the health and safety of others is considered a Level II infraction. These infractions may be reported to the NYS Education Department as violent and disruptive incidents.

1. Examples of Level II Infractions

a. Recurring or serious Level I infractions;

b. Harassing/bullying/cyberbullying andcyberthreats/menacing;

c. Physically aggressive behavior;

d. Cutting detention;

e. Physical altercation;

f. Inappropriate use of computer or Internetaccess;

g. Vandalism totaling less than $100;



h. Possession, use, sale or distribution oftobacco products or alcohol ;

i. Gambling.

2. Level II Consequences: Building principalor designee may choose one or more of thefollowing consequences.

a. Continuation of Level I consequences;

b. In-school suspension;

c. Suspension from recess;

d. Suspension from lunch;

e. Removal from class;

f. Off-Campus Intervention Program;

g. External suspension;

h. Suspension from transportation;

i. Loss of computer or Internet privileges;

j. Restitution;

k. Principal’s hearing;

l. Filing of a Person in Need of Supervision(PINS) Petition.

C. Level III: Any misbehavior that poses an immediate threat to the health and safety of self or others in school and may require police intervention is considered a Level III infraction. These infractions are reported to the NYS Education Department as violent and disruptive incidents.

1. Examples of Level III Infractions

a. Recurring or serious Level I or II infractions;

b. Assault resulting in physical injury/seriousphysical injury;

c. Vandalism totaling more than $100;

d. Possession, use or threatened use of a weapon;

e. Possession, use, sale or distribution ofillegal drugs or unauthorized prescriptiondrugs;

f. Burglary;

g. Arson;

h. Bomb threat/false fire alarm/false 911 call;

i. Homicide;

j. Sexual offenses (forcible and other);

k. Robbery;

l. Kidnapping;

m. Reckless endangerment;

n. Larceny;

o. Rioting;

p. Possession of fireworks;

q. Extortion;

r. Hazing;

s. Trespassing.

2. Level III Consequence: Building principalor designee may choose one or more of thefollowing consequences.

a. Continuation of Level I or II consequences;

b. External suspension;

c. Superintendent’s hearing;

d. Exclusion from school.

D. Guidelines for Student Suspensions

1. The Board of Education of the Bethlehem CentralSchool District retains the authority to suspendstudents but places primary responsibility for thesuspension of students with the Superintendentand the building Principals.

2. The Superintendent, Principals, or theirdesignees are assigned responsibility tofollowing the procedures appropriate forstudent suspension as follows:

a. Keep careful records of all violations ofschool regulations. This should includenames, dates, circumstances, investigationand disposition.

b. Utilize support personnel to find waysof helping the student and/or parents/person(s) in parental relation to solve theproblem (teachers, guidance, psychologists,social worker, attendance officer, etc.).

c. Utilize school and community agenciesthat might prove helpful.

d. Record all attempts to deal with problems,including conferences with parents/person(s) in parental relation, teacherobservations, record of referrals to otherpersonnel and agencies and their reports.

e. When the building principal has exhaustedall available alternatives and resourcesand feels that the student’s continuedpresence in school would constitute athreat or danger to himself/herself or otherstudents or that the student is “violentand/or disruptive” as defined in accordancewith law and Commissioner’s Regulations,the matter should also be referred to thesuperintendent of schools.

f. Teachers are required to immediately reportand refer violent students to the buildingprincipal or superintendent for a violationof the code of conduct and a minimumsuspension period pursuant to Education

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Law Section 2801. However, the suspending authority may reduce such period on a case-by-case basis to be consistent with any other state and federal law.

g. A “disruptive student” is defined inEducation Law as an elementary orsecondary student under 21 years ofage who is substantially disruptive ofthe educational process or substantiallyinterferes with the teacher’s authority overthe classroom.

h. As further enumerated in theCommissioner’s Regulations, “repeatedly issubstantially disruptive of the educationalprocess or substantially interferes with theteacher’s authority over the classroom” shallmean engaging in conduct that results in theremoval of the student from the classroomby the teacher(s) pursuant to EducationLaw and the provisions set forth in the codeof conduct on four (4) or more occasionsduring a semester, or three (3) or moreoccasions during a trimester, as applicable.

i. Pursuant to the code of conduct, a minimumsuspension period shall be established for students who repeatedly are substantially disruptive of the educational process or substantially interfere with the teacher’s authority over the classroom. However, the suspending authority may reduce such period on a case-by-case basis to be consistent with any other state and federal law.

j. When a student is removed from class bya teacher or has been suspended and is ofcompulsory attendance age, immediatesteps shall be taken to provide alternativeinstruction that is of an equivalent natureto that provided in the student’s regularlyscheduled classes. “Immediate” does notmean instantaneously, but it does meanthat the school administrator should actpromptly, with due regard for the natureand circumstances of the particular case.

1) Suspension: Five School Days or Less

i. Students who bring a weaponto school. Any student, foundguilty of bringing a weapon ontoschool property will be subject tosuspension from school for at leastone calendar year.

ii. Before being suspended, thestudent will have an opportunityfor a hearing pursuant to

Education Law §3214.

iii. The superintendent has theauthority to modify the penalty.The superintendent may considerthe following:

1. The student’s age;

2. The student’s grade in school;

3. The student’s prior disciplinaryrecord;

4. The superintendent’s beliefthat other forms of disciplinemay be more effective;

5. Input from parents, teachersand/or others;

6. Other extenuatingcircumstances.

k. Students who commit violent acts otherthan bringing a weapon to school.

l. Any student who is found to havecommitted a violent act, other thanbringing a weapon onto school property,shall be subject to suspension fromschool for at least five days. If theproposed penalty is the minimum five-daysuspension, the student and the student’sparents will be given the same notice andopportunity for an informal conferencegiven to all students subject to a short-term suspension.

m. If the proposed penalty exceeds the minimumfive-day suspension, the student and thestudent’s parents will be given the same noticeand opportunity for a hearing given to allstudents subject to a long-term suspension.

n. The superintendent has the authority tomodify the minimum five-day suspensionon a case-by-case basis. In decidingwhether to modify the penalty, thesuperintendent may consider the samefactors considered in modifying a one-yearsuspension for possessing a weapon.

o. Students who are repeatedly substantiallydisruptive of the educational process orrepeatedly substantially interfere with theteacher’s authority over the classroom.

p. Any student who repeatedly is substantiallydisruptive of the educational process orsubstantially interferes with the teacher’sauthority over the classroom, will besuspended from school for at least three days.

1) For purposes of this code of conduct,



“repeatedly is substantially disruptive” means engaging in conduct that results in the student being removed from the classroom by teacher(s) pursuant to Education Law §3214 (3-a) and this code on four or more occasions during a semester, or three or more occasions during a trimester.

q. The student and the student’s parent will begiven the same notice and opportunity foran informal conference given to all studentssubject to a short-term suspension.

1) If the proposed penalty exceeds theminimum five-day suspension, thestudent and the student’s parentwill be given the same notice andopportunity for an informal conferencegiven to all students and subject to along-term suspension.

2) The superintendent has the authorityto modify the minimum suspensionon a case-by-case basis. In decidingwhether to modify the penalty, thesuperintendent may consider the samefactors considered in modifying a one-year suspension for possessing a weapon.

r. When a student may be suspended fromschool for a period of five (5) school daysor less, the suspending authority shallimmediately provide the student with noticeof the charged misconduct. If the studentdenies the misconduct, the suspendingauthority shall provide an explanation of thebasis for the proposed suspension.

1) Administration shall also immediatelynotify the legal guardians in writingthat the student may be suspendedfrom school.

2) Written notice shall be provided bypersonal delivery, express mail delivery,or equivalent means reasonablycalculated to assure receipt of suchnotice within 24 hours of the decisionto propose suspension at the lastknown address of addresses of theparents/persons in parental relation.

3) Where possible, notification shallalso be provided by telephone if theschool has been provided with atelephone number(s) for the purpose ofcontacting parents/or legal guardians.

4) Such notice shall provide a descriptionof the charges for which suspension is

proposed and shall inform the student and the parent/legal guardian of their right to request an immediate informal conference with the building principal that will include the right of the student to confront complaining witness(es) in accordance with the provisions of Education Law §3214(3)(b).

5) Both the notice and the informalconference shall be in the dominantlanguage or mode of communicationused by the parent/legal guardian.The notice and opportunity for aninformal conference shall take placebefore the student is suspended unlessthe student’s presence in schoolposes a continuing danger to personsor property or an ongoing threat ofdisruption to the academic process.

6) If the student’s presence does posesuch a danger or threat of disruption,the notice and opportunity for aninformal hearing shall take placeas soon after the suspension as isreasonably practicable.

7) After the hearing, the principal shalladvise the parents that if they are notsatisfied with the decision and wishto pursue the matter, they must file awritten appeal to the superintendentwithin five business days, unless theycan show extraordinary circumstancespreventing them from doing so.

8) The superintendent shall issue awritten decision regarding the appealwithin 10 business days of receivingthe appeal. If the parents are notsatisfied with the superintendent’sdecision, they must file a writtenappeal to the Board of Educationvia the district clerk within 10business days of the date of thesuperintendent’s decision, unless theycan show extraordinary circumstancesprecluding them from doing so.

9) Only final decision of the Board may beappealed to the Commissioner within30 days of the decision. Written appealsmust be addressed/delivered to:

President, Board of Education Bethlehem Central School District District Offices Delmar, New York 12054

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3. Suspension: More than five school days

a. When the superintendent determinesthat a suspension for more than fivedays may be warranted, he or she shallgive reasonable notice to the studentand the student’s parents of theirright to a fair hearing. At the hearingthe student shall have the right to berepresented by counsel, the right toquestion witnesses against him or herand the right to present witnesses andother evidence on his or her behalf.

b. The superintendent shall personallyhear and determine the proceeding ormay, in his or her discretion, designatea hearing officer to conduct thehearing. The hearing officer shall beauthorized to administer oaths and toissue subpoenas in conjunction withthe proceeding before him or her.

c. A record of the hearing shall bemaintained, but no stenographictranscript shall be required. Atape recording shall be deemed asatisfactory record.

d. The hearing officer shall makefindings of fact and recommendationsas to the appropriate measure ofdiscipline to the superintendent. Thereport of the hearing officer shall beadvisory only, and the superintendentmay accept all or any part thereof.

e. An appeal of the decision of thesuperintendent may be made tothe Board of Education which willmake its decision based solely uponthe record before it. All appeals tothe Board must be in writing andsubmitted to the district clerk within10 business days of the date of thesuperintendent’s decision, unless theparents can show that extraordinarycircumstances precluded them fromdoing so. The Board may adopt, inwhole or part, the decision of thesuperintendent. Final decisions ofthe Board may be appealed to theCommissioner within 30 days of thedecision.

f. Where the basis for a suspension is,in whole or in part, the possession onschool grounds or school propertyby the student of any firearm, rifle,shotgun, dagger, dangerous knife,

dirk, razor, stiletto, or any of the weapons, instruments or appliances specified in Penal Law §265.01, the hearing officer or the superintendent shall not be barred from considering the admissibility of such weapon, instrument or appliance as evidence, notwithstanding a determination by a court in a criminal or juvenile delinquency proceeding that the recovery of such weapon, instrument or appliance was the result of an unlawful search or seizure.

g. A record of the hearing shall bemaintained, but no stenographictranscript shall be required anda tape recording shall be deemeda satisfactory record. When astudent has been suspended andis of compulsory attendance age,immediate steps shall be taken toprovide alternative instruction thatis of an equivalent nature to thatprovided in the student’s regularlyscheduled classes. Althoughthe alternative instruction neednot match in every respect theinstructional program previouslyoffered to the student, it must beadequate enough so that the studentmay complete his/her course work.

h. In the case of a potential long termsuspension and/or disciplinary changein educational placement of a studentclassified as having a disability or astudent presumed to have a disabilityfor discipline purposes as definedpursuant to law and regulation, areferral to the District Committeeon Special Education will be made todetermine if the behavior giving riseto the suspension is directly relatedto the disability. Suspension and/ordisciplinary change in educationalplacement of students withdisabilities and students presumedto have a disability for disciplinepurposes shall be in accordance withfederal and state law and due processrequirements.

4. Referral to Juvenile Justice System

a. PINS Petitions: The district may file a PINS(person in need of supervision) petitionin Family Court on any student under the



age of 18 who demonstrates that he or she requires supervision and treatment by:

1) Being habitually truant and notattending school as required by partone of Article 65 of the Education Law.

2) Engaging in an ongoing or continualcourse of conduct that makes thestudent ungovernable, or habituallydisobedient and beyond the lawfulcontrol of the school.

3) Knowingly and unlawfully possessescontrolled substances in violation ofpenal Law §221.05. A single violationof §221.05 will be a sufficient basis forfiling a PINS petition.

4) Juvenile Delinquents and JuvenileOffenders: The superintendent isrequired to refer the following studentsto the County Attorney for a juveniledelinquency proceeding before theFamily Court:

i. Any student under the age of 16who is found to have brought aweapon to school; or

ii. Any student 14 or 15 years oldwho qualifies for juvenile offenderstatus under the CriminalProcedure Law §1.20 (42).

iii. The superintendent is requiredto refer students age 16 and olderor any student 14 or 15 years oldwho qualify for juvenile offenderstatus to the appropriate lawenforcement authorities.

XVIII. DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTSWITH DISABILITIES

A. The Board recognizes that it may be necessary to suspend, remove or otherwise discipline students with disabilities to address disruptive or problem behavior.

B. The Board also recognizes that for students with disabilities there are prescribed procedures whenever school authorities intend to impose discipline upon them.

C. The Board is committed to ensuring that the procedures followed for suspending, removing or otherwise disciplining students with disabilities are consistent with §3214 of the Education Law and Part 201 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

D. While the school has the authority to suspend or remove a child for violating the school’s code of

conduct, the parent and child have certain rights throughout the process.

XIX. PROHIBITION OF CORPORALPUNISHMENT

A. No teacher, administrator, officer, employee or agent of a school district in this state, shall use corporal punishment against a student. As used in this section, corporal punishment means any act of physical force upon a student for the purpose of punishing that student, except as otherwise provided in the next sub section. In situations in which alternative procedures and methods not involving the use of physical force cannot reasonably be employed, nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit the use of reasonable physical force for the following purposes:

1. to protect oneself from physical injury;

2. to protect another student or teacher or anyperson from physical injury;

3. to protect the property of the school orothers; or

4. to restrain or remove a student whosebehavior is interfering with the orderlyexercise and performance of school districtfunctions, powers and duties, if that studenthas refused to comply with a request torefrain from further disruptive acts.

XX. VISITORS TO THE SCHOOLSA. The building principal or designee is responsible

for all persons in the building and on the grounds. For these reasons, the following rules apply to visitors to the schools:

1. Anyone who is not a regular staff member orstudent of the school is considered a visitor.

2. All visitors to the school during the schoolday must report to the school’s visitor sign-in desk or the main office upon arrival atthe school. There they will be required tosign the visitor’s register and will be issued avisitor’s identification badge, which must beworn at all times while in the school or onschool grounds. The visitor must return theidentification badge to the main office beforeleaving the building.

3. Visitors attending school functions that areopen to the public, such as parent-teacherorganization meetings or public gatheringsare not required to register.

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to be provided to all students at the beginning of each school year at a general assembly.

2. Copies of the code of conduct are to be availableto parents at the start of the school year.

3. A summary of the code of conduct “in plainlanguage” is to be mailed to all parents beforethe beginning of the school year.

4. All teachers and staff are to receive a copy ofthe code of conduct after its adoption andany revisions.

5. All new employees are to receive a copy of thecode of conduct when first hired.

6. Further, the Board of Education will requirereview, provide in-service training of faculty andstaff and communicate to constituents about thecode of conduct.

7. Review the code of conduct annually.

8. Sponsor an in-service education program forall faculty and staff members to ensure theimplementation of the code of conduct.

9. Hold at least one public hearing before approvingan updated or revised code of conduct and;

10. File its Code of Student Conduct and anyamendments to it with the Commissioner ofEducation within 30 days of adoption.

CODE OF CONDUCT ADOPTION & REVISION DATES

Adoption Date: June 20, 2001

Revised: September 1, 2004

Revised: July 11, 2006

Reapproved: July 11, 2007



Amended and Reapproved: July 7, 2010

Amended and Reapproved: September 1, 2010

Amended and Reapproved: November 3, 2010



Reaproved: July 2, 2013




4. Visitors are not to interfere with classroominstruction.

5. Any unauthorized person on school propertywill be reported to the building principalor designee. Unauthorized persons will beasked to leave. The police may be called if thesituation warrants.

6. All visitors are expected to abide by therules for public conduct on school propertycontained in this code of conduct.

XXI. PUBLIC CONDUCT ONSCHOOL PROPERTY

A. The purpose of this code of conduct is to maintain public order and prevent abuse of the rights of others.

B. All persons on school property or attending a school function shall conduct themselves in a respectful and orderly manner.

C. In addition, all persons on school property or attending a school function are expected to be properly attired for the purpose they are on school property. When the building principal or designee sees an individual engaged in disruptive or disorderly conduct, which in his or her judgment does not pose any immediate threat of injury to persons or property, the building principal or designee shall tell the individual that the conduct is prohibited and attempt to persuade the individual to stop.

D. If the person’s conduct poses an immediate threat of injury to persons or property, the building principal or designee shall have the individual removed immediately from school property or the school function.

E. If necessary, local law enforcement authorities will be contacted to assist in removing the person.

F. The district shall initiate disciplinary action against any student or staff member, as appropriate, who violates the code of conduct.

G. In addition, the district reserves its right to pursue a civil or criminal legal action against any person violating the code of conduct.

XXII. DISSEMINATION ANDREVIEW

A. The Board of Education will ensure that the community, faculty, students, staff and parents are aware of the code of conduct.

1. Copies of a summary of the code of conduct are



District Phone NumbersBethlehem Central Middle School Main Office ......... 439-7460

To reach the principal, assistant principal, house leader, guidance and counseling department and school resource officer.

School Nurse (to report absences) ........................... 439-7705

Bethlehem Central School District Office ................. 439-7481

Superintendent and Board of Education ....................... 439-7098

Office of Educational Programs & Instruction ................ 439-3102

Registrar ................................................................... 439-7481, x31960

District Clerk ............................................................. 439-7481, x31922

Communications ........................................................ 439-3650

Special Education & Student Support Services......... 439-8886

Transportation/Bus Garage ........................................ 439-3830

Operations & Maintenance ......................................... 439-2123

Food Services .............................................................. 439-8885

Athletic Director .......................................................... 439-4921, x22113

Eagle Elementary School ............................................ 694-8825

Elsmere Elementary School ........................................ 439-4996

Glenmont Elementary School ..................................... 439-1154

Hamagrael Elementary School ................................... 439-4905

Slingerlands Elementary School ................................ 439-7681

Bethlehem Central High School ................................. 439-4921

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2016-2017 HANDBOOK for Students

and Parents

new bethlehem · 2019. 10. 22. · 2. ohak aoon. bethlehem. middle school handboo....

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