Westport Community

Schools

Student Policy Handbook

2025-2026

SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS

Students are our priority and we will work together to establish an environment conducive to learning and continuous improvement for all students by acting on the following goals regarding students:

• To individualize the learning program in order to provide appropriately for all students according to their specific needs, learning styles, aptitudes, and aspirations.
• To protect and observe the legal rights of students.
• To enhance the self-confidence of each student by creating a caring and respectful learning environment that provides positive encouragement through frequent, certified success.
• To provide an environment in which students can develop and apply personal responsibility, and good citizenship for their actions through meaningful experiences as student citizens of our community in their daily school life.
• To deal with students in matters of discipline in a fair and constructive manner.
• To provide for the safety, health, and welfare of all students.
• To encourage regular school attendance, quality work, and continuous progress.
• To achieve academic success.

The School Citizenship Handbook was adopted by the Westport School Committee on June 1, 1998 and revised on August 20, 2025, School Committee Members:

Christopher Thrasher

Evan Gendreau

Jason Pacheco

      Fred Melnyk

      Caitlin Sampers

NOTE: This publication contains the most important current School Committee policies. A complete School Committee Policy Manual is available for review on the district website at http://www.westportschools.org and at the Office of the Superintendent of Schools.

Also, please consult each school’s handbook for additional rules pertaining to that school.

All programs, activities, and employment of the Westport Community Schools are offered without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, marital status, homelessness, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, family care leave status, pregnancy or any condition related to pregnancy, or military/veteran status. Furthermore, School Committee policy includes prohibitions of harassment of students and employees, i.e., racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination.

For further information or to redress a grievance, contact the district’s Civil Rights Compliance Officer or the Superintendent of Schools, by phone at 508-636-1140, or in writing at 400 Old County Road, Westport, Massachusetts 02790.

1

Translations:

For a translation of this or any other school notice, please contact the Superintendent of Schools at 508-636-1140.

Portuguese:

Contate por favor o Superintendente das escolas pelo telephone 508-636-1140 para qualquer traducão relacionada com esta ou outras noticias da escola.

Spanish:

Contacta por favor al Superintendente de escuelas en 508-636-1140 para una traducción de esto o de cualquier otro aviso de la escuela.

French:

Veuillez contactez le surveillant des écoles a 508-636-1140 pour une traduction de ceci ou de n'importe quelle autre notification d'école.

German:

Treten Sie bitte mit dem Betriebsleiter der Schulen bei 508-636-1140 für eine Übersetzung von diesem oder von jedem möglichem anderen Schulebegriff in Verbindung.

2

  S T U D E N T R I G H T S AN D R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7

 VISION & MISSION STATEMENTS .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................8  

 SCHOOL CALENDAR ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9 

 SCHOOL DELAYS, CLOSINGS AND CANCELLATIONS ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

EARLY  DISMISSAL ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

 Freedom from Discrimination .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11 

 EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES   ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12

NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF PHYSICAL CHALLENGE ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................12

ADMISSION TO CLASSES AND COURSES OF STUDY ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................13

 STUDENT TO STUDENT HARASSMENT (Policy JBA) ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................13 

 PROHIBITION OF HAZING (Policy JICFA) ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................14 

 BULLYING PREVENTION (Policy JICFB) ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................14 

 FREEDOM FROM INTOLERANCE ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................17 

 FREEDOM FRO   M RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND SEXUAL SLURS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................17 

 School Admission .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................18

REMOTE LEAR NING (Policy   IHBHE) ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................19

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................21

 ENTRANCE AGE ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................21   

 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACCOMMODATIONS   ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................21

RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION (RTI) AND CURRICULUM ACCOMMODATION PLANS ..............................................................................................................................................................................................22

ADMISSION PROCEDURES .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................22   

•  RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT   ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................23

SCHOOL CHOICE ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................25

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE (Policy JFABF) ....................................................................................................................................................................................................25

 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MILITARY CHILDREN (Policy JFABE) ............................................................................................................................................................................................................25 

 ADMISSION OF EXCHANGE AND FOREIGN STUDENTS .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................25 

 STUDENT WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................26    

 STUDENT RE-ENTRY TO SCHOOL .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................26

Student   Records ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................27 

 REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO STUDENT RECORDS ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................28

 PARENT ACCESS TO RECORDS .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................28 

 STUDENTS OF LEGAL AGE (18 years of age) .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................28

INSPECTION OF STUDENT  RECORDS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................31

 CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................31

AMENDMENT OF  RECORDS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................31

 PRIVACY AND SECURITY OF STUDENT RECORDS ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................31

DESTRUCTION OF  RECORDS ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................31

 SOME QUESTIONS OFTEN ASKED ABOUT STUDENT RECORDS ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................32

STUDENT   PHOTOGRAPHS/FILMS/VIDEOS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................35

MEDIA INTERVIEWS AND  PHOTOGRAPHS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................35

 PROHIBITION AGAINST USING STUDENTS TO ADVANCE VIEWPOINTS ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................35

FILMING AND   VIDEOTAPING ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................35 

Staying Healthy ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................37

 3

 STUDENT SAFETY  ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................38

REPORTING CHILD ABUSE/CHILD PROTECTION ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................38

 STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES AND REQUIREMENTS ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................39 

 PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS OF STUDENTS .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................39

COMMUNICABLE  DISEASES ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................40

 ADMINISTERING MEDICINES TO STUDENTS .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................40

ROLE OF THE SCHOOL  PHYSICIAN ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................40

 ROLE OF SCHOOL NURSE ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 

 Student Attendance Regulations ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................43

ATTENDANCE  POLICY ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................44

 TARDINESS .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................46 

 EXCLUSIONS AND EXEMPTIONS FROM SCHOOL ATTENDANCE .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................46 

 Academic Regulations ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................47 

 ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO CLASSES AND GRADE LEVEL ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................48

WMHS Citizenship  Rubric .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................49

 Overall Score Range and Citizenship Grade*: ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................49 

 EVALUATING STUDENT PROGRESS .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................50 

 STANDARDIZED TESTS .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................50 

 MASSACHUSETTS COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (MCAS) ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................51 

 DUAL ENROLLMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................52 

 EXEMPTIONS FROM HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................52 

 DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (Policy IJKA) ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................53 

 CHROMEBOOKS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................58 

 WEBSITE ACCEPTABLE POSTING POLICY ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................61 

 STUDENT CELL PHONE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES (JICJ) ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................62 

STUDENT FEES, FINES, AND CHARGES .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................63

Conduct and Discipline .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................65

 STUDENT CONDUCT ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................66

STUDENT DISCIPLINE ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................66

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................66

WEAPONS IN SCHOOL ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................67

LOCKER SEARCHES ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................67

STUDENT AUTOMOBILE USE AND PARKING .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................68

MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT SEARCHES ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................68

ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY ON DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................68

SPECIAL DISCIPLINARY PROVISIONS FOR WEAPONS, ASSAULTS, AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE USE/POSSESSION ................................................................................................................................................69

ACTIONS AND CONSEQUENCES ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................70

STUDENT DUE PROCESS RIGHTS ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................72

STUDENT DRESS CODE ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................73

GANG ACTIVITY/SECRET SOCIETY OR ASSOCIATION ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................74

BREATHALYZER TESTING AT SCHOOL DANCES AND PROMS ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................75

STUDENT USE OF TOBACCO ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................75

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION (Policy EEA) .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................75

BUS SCHEDULING AND ROUTING ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................76

BUS SAFETY PROGRAM .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................76

 4

 STUDENT CONDUCT ON BUSES ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................77

STUDENT CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES (Policy JICC) ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................77

WALKING OR RIDING A BICYCLE TO SCHOOL ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................78

Student Activities .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................79

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION MAKING ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................80

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................80

STUDENT PROTESTS, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND STRIKES .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................80

STUDENT COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................80

CO CURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................81

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................82

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY ELIGIBILITY ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................82

Notification of Rights Under FERPA ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................83

Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) .......................................................................................................................................................................................................84

USE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS AFTER SCHOOL ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88

FIELD TRIPS (Policy IJOA) ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88

EMERGENCY PLANS (Policy EBC) ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................89

MEAL CHARGE POLICY (Policy EFD) ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................90

COLLECTION OF MONEY/FOOD TICKETS (Policy EFDA) ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................92 

5

We have read and are aware of the rules and regulations of the Westport Community Schools outlined in the Student Policy Handbook.

            ​​​

6

S T U D E N T R I G H T S AN D R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S

Education is a right of every student, but this right also comes with the responsibility to become a citizen of our community of Westport. We therefore proclaim that among these rights and responsibilities are the following:

• The right to equal educational opportunity, and freedom from discrimination
• The responsibility not to discriminate against others
• The right to attend free public schools
• The responsibility to attend school regularly and to observe school rules essential for permitting others to learn at school
• The right to due process of law with respect to suspension, expulsion, and decisions the student believes injure her/his rights
• The responsibility to respect the rights of others
• The right to free inquiry and expression
• The responsibility to observe reasonable rules regarding these rights
• The right to privacy, which includes privacy in respect to the student's school records
• The responsibility to respect the privacy rights of others

Further, the Westport Community Schools will act in good faith, to affirmatively recruit and consider for promotion individuals in protected categories.  It is the policy of the Westport Community Schools to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from harassment, violence or discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, marital status, homelessness, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, family care leave status, pregnancy or any condition related to pregnancy, or military/veteran status. For further information or to redress a grievance, contact the district’s Civil Rights Compliance Officer by phone at 508-636-1140, or in writing at 400 Old County Road, Westport, MA 02790.

7

WESTPORT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

VISION & MISSION STATEMENTS

Vision

Westport Community Schools is an exemplary 21^st Century learning community whose graduates are empowered through an engaging, inspiring and personalized curriculum to meet the challenges of a global, complex, and changing world.

Mission

Westport Community Schools’ mission is to ensure that our children achieve academic and personal excellence, become lifelong learners and responsible, productive and engaged citizens of the world.

8

SCHOOL CALENDAR

9

SCHOOL DELAYS, CLOSINGS AND CANCELLATIONS

Closing or delaying the opening of school by 60, 90, or 120 minutes because of weather conditions is occasionally necessary for the safety of students. The decision to delay or close school is made as early as circumstances permit. Usually the decision is made by 5:00 a.m., but changing weather conditions could result in a later decision. The fact that the decision must be made so early in the morning makes it difficult to make decisions with precision. Also, the expediency with which the Town and State get the snow plows and salt trucks out enters into the decision-making process. The Superintendent makes the final decision to cancel classes based on the best information available at the time and with student safety in mind. Once the decision is made, messages go out through the “School Brains'' system. We then contact the area radio and TV stations. However, your best option for prompt notification is to sign up for the “School Brains'' system. The timeliness of radio and TV station broadcasts is beyond our local control. Students and parents are asked to sign up for the “School Brains'' system at www.westportschools.org or listen to the radio and television on stormy days. We request that you do not call the schools or school personnel because business telephone lines must be kept clear. Participating stations are:

EARLY DISMISSAL

Early dismissal requires the most cooperation between parents and school. However, if weather and safety issues warrant early dismissal, notification will be made over the same radio and television stations listed above. In addition, through an automated phone call to any phone number and email you have made available to us. The notice will be followed by an email notification to your email address and will be posted on the website. Parents should take appropriate precautions and should listen to local radio and television stations for notification of a cancellation. It is critical that parents work with the school to prepare an emergency plan for various inclement weather contingencies.

10

Freedom from Discrimination

11

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

State and federal laws as well as School Committee policy guarantee that no person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town, or in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of a public school on account of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, marital status, homelessness, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, family care leave status, pregnancy or any condition related to pregnancy, or military/veteran status. Furthermore, School Committee policy includes prohibitions of harassment of students and employees, i.e., racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination.

This law makes it clear that all aspects of public school education must be fully open and available to all students, without discrimination. We may not exclude students from any course, activity, service or resource available on account of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, marital status, homelessness, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, family care leave status, pregnancy or any condition related to pregnancy, or military/veteran status. Furthermore, School Committee policy includes prohibitions of harassment of students and employees, i.e., racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination.

The Equal Educational Opportunity Regulations, adopted by the Massachusetts Board of Education in 1975, address five areas of school policy: school admissions, admission to courses of study, guidance services, course content, and extra-curricular and athletic activities.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this law and how it affects your children, please contact your school Principal, or the Superintendent of Schools, at 508-636-1140 x 4022, or the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Copies of the law and the regulations can be obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149, (781) 338-3000, and are also available on the Internet at http://https://www.doe.mass.edu/.

The Title IX Coordinator and the Civil Rights Coordinator, is the Special Education Coordinator. Direct any complaints regarding any found discrimination to the Superintendent of Schools, Westport Community Schools, 17 Main Road, Westport, MA 02790 or phone 508-636-1140.

NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF PHYSICAL CHALLENGE

The School Committee has designated the Student Services Supervisor as the responsible employee to coordinate school district compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and its administrative regulations. The Student Services Supervisor, as the district's Section 504 compliance officer, shall be responsible for continuing compliance with Section 504 and its administrative regulations.

Any student has a ready means of resolving any claim of discrimination on the basis of physical challenge in the educational programs or activities of the district. In the event a student believes that there has been a violation of Section 504, s/he shall deliver to the Student Services Supervisor a written statement setting out the alleged violations, describing the incident or activity involved, the individuals involved and the dates, times and locations involved. The Student Services Supervisor shall provide the individual filing the written statement an opportunity to discuss the matter personally, if requested. The Student Services Supervisor shall make such investigation as is necessary to determine the complete facts involved. The Superintendent shall then take action as appropriate to bring the district in compliance with all federal and state regulations or refer the matter to the School Committee for action as appropriate. If the student submitting the written statement of an alleged violation is not satisfied with the handling of the matter by the district, s/he may present the matter directly to the School Committee by contacting the Committee Chairperson.

12

ADMISSION TO CLASSES AND COURSES OF STUDY

Each and every course of study offered by a public school shall be open and available to students regardless of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, marital status, homelessness, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, family care leave status, pregnancy or any condition related to pregnancy, or military/veteran status. Furthermore, School Committee policy includes prohibitions of harassment of students and employees, i.e., racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination.

This does not prohibit the use of prerequisite requirements that have been demonstrated to be essential to success in a given program. However, if participation in a course or program is dependent upon completion of a prerequisite which was previously limited to students of one gender, or if scrutiny reveals that administrative arrangements have limited the opportunities of any class of students to participate in such prerequisites, then all members of the previously excluded group shall be given the opportunity to acquire the prerequisites or be allowed to enter the program without such prerequisites. If it cannot be shown that a prerequisite is essential for success in a given program, the prerequisite shall be abolished. The determination of what courses or units of study are to be required of any student shall also be made without regard to the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, marital status, homelessness, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, family care leave status, pregnancy or any condition related to pregnancy, or military/veteran status. Furthermore, School Committee policy includes prohibitions of harassment of students and employees, i.e., racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination.

This policy shall not be construed to prevent particular segments of a program of instruction from being offered separately to each gender when necessary in order to respect personal privacy.

STUDENT TO STUDENT HARASSMENT (Policy JBA)

Harassment of students by other students will not be tolerated in the Westport Community Schools. This policy is in effect while students are on school grounds, School District property or property within the jurisdiction of the School District, school buses, or attending or engaging in school activities.

Harassment prohibited by the District includes, but is not limited to, harassment on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, pregnancy and other pregnancy related conditions, religion, marital status or disability. Students whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion.

Harassment means conduct of a verbal or physical nature that is designed to embarrass, distress, agitate, disturb or trouble students when:

• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student’s education or of a student’s participation in school programs or activities;
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as the basis for decisions affecting the student, or;
• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s performance or creating an intimidating or hostile learning environment.

       Harassment as described above may include, but is not limited to:

• Verbal, physical or written (including texting, blogging, or other technological methods) harassment or abuse;
• Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature;
• Implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades, achievements, or other school matter.
• Demeaning jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student.

13

The District will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment. The Principal of each building will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment.

Retaliation against a student, because a student has filed a harassment complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding, is also prohibited. A student who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion.

The Superintendent will develop administrative guidelines and procedures for the implementation of this policy.

PROHIBITION OF HAZING (Policy JICFA)

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, the School Committee hereby deems that no student, employee or school organization under the control of the School Committee shall engage in the activity of hazing a student while on or off school property, or at a school sponsored event regardless of the location. No organization that uses the facilities or grounds under the control of the School Committee shall engage in the activity of hazing any person while on school property.

Any student who observes what appears to them to be the activity of hazing another student or person should report such information to the Principal including the time, date, location, names of identifiable participants and the types of behavior exhibited. Students and employees of the District are obligated by law to report incidents of hazing to the police department.

Any student who is present at a hazing has the obligation to report such an incident. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action by the school against that student and could involve suspension from school for up to three days.

Any student who participates in the hazing of another student or other person may, upon the approval of the Superintendent of Schools, be suspended from school for up to ten (10) school days.

Any student determined by the Principal to be the organizer of a hazing activity may be recommended for expulsion from school but will receive no less disciplinary action than that of a participant.

In all cases relating to hazing, students will receive procedural due process.

BULLYING PREVENTION (Policy JICFB)

The School Committee is committed to providing a safe, positive and productive educational environment where students can achieve the highest academic standards. No student shall be subjected to harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying.

“Bullying” is the repeated use by one or more students or school staff members of a written, verbal, or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at a target that:

• causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property;
• places the target in reasonable fear of harm to him/herself, or of damage to his/her property;
• creates a hostile environment at school for the target;
• infringes on the rights of the target at school; or
• materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

“Cyber-bullying” means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a:

• wire
• radio
• electromagnetic

14

• photo-electronic or photo-optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications.

Cyber-bullying shall also include the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or knowingly impersonates another person as author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying.

Cyber-bullying shall also include the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying.

Bullying and cyber-bullying may occur in and out of school, during and after school hours, at home and in locations outside of the home. When bullying and cyber-bullying are alleged, the full cooperation and assistance of parents and families are expected.

For the purpose of this policy, whenever the term bullying is used it is to denote either bullying, or cyber-bullying.

Bullying is prohibited:

• On school grounds;
• On property immediately adjacent to school grounds;
• At school-sponsored or school-related activities;
• At functions or programs whether on or off school grounds
• At school bus stops;
• On school buses or other vehicles owned, leased or used by the school district; or,
• Through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased or used by the school district;

Bullying and cyber-bullying are prohibited at a location, activity, function or program that is not school-related or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased or used by the school district if the act or acts in question:

• create a hostile environment at school for the target;
• infringe on the rights of the target at school; and/or
• materially and substantially disrupt the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

Prevention and Intervention Plan

The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall oversee the development of a prevention and intervention plan, in consultation with all district stakeholders, which may include teachers, school staff, professional support personnel, school volunteers, administrators, community representatives, local law enforcement agencies, students, parents and guardians, consistent with the requirements of this policy, as well as state and federal laws. The bullying prevention and intervention plan shall be reviewed and updated at least biennially.

The Principal is responsible for the implementation and oversight of the bullying prevention and implementation plan within his or her school.

Reporting

Students, who believe that they are a target of bullying, observe an act of bullying, or who have reasonable grounds to believe that these behaviors are taking place, are obligated to report incidents to a member of the school staff. The target shall, however, not be subject to discipline for failing to report bullying.

Each school shall have a means for anonymous reporting by students of incidents of bullying. No formal disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

Any student who knowingly makes a false accusation of bullying shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Parents or guardians, or members of the community, are encouraged to report an incident of bullying as soon as possible.

15

A member of a school staff shall immediately report any instance of bullying the staff member has witnessed or become aware of to the school principal or their designee.
 

Investigation Procedures

The Principal or their designee, upon receipt of a viable report, shall promptly contact the parents or guardians of a student who has been the alleged target or alleged perpetrator of bullying. The actions being taken to prevent further acts of bullying shall be discussed.

The school Principal or a designee shall promptly investigate the report of bullying, using a Bullying/Cyber-bullying Report Form which may include interviewing the alleged target, alleged perpetrator, staff members, students and/or witnesses.

Support staff shall assess an alleged target’s needs for protection and create and implement a safety plan that shall restore a sense of safety for that student.

Confidentiality shall be used to protect a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or is witness to or has reliable information about an act of bullying.

If the school Principal or a designee determines that bullying has occurred he/she shall take appropriate disciplinary action and if it is believed that criminal charges may be pursued against the perpetrator, the principal shall consult with the school’s resource officer and the Superintendent to determine if criminal charges are warranted. If it is determined that criminal charges are warranted, the local law enforcement agency shall be notified.

The investigation shall be completed within fourteen school days from the date of the report. The parents or guardians shall be contacted upon completion of the investigation and informed of the results, including whether the allegations were found to be factual, whether a violation of this policy was found, and whether disciplinary action has or shall be taken. At a minimum the Principal or his/her designee shall contact the parents or guardians as to the status of the investigation on a weekly basis.

Disciplinary actions for students who have committed an act of bullying or retaliation shall be in accordance with district disciplinary policies.

Each school shall document any incident of bullying that is reported per this policy and a file shall be maintained by the Principal or designee. A monthly report shall be provided to the Superintendent.

Confidentiality shall be maintained to the extent consistent with the school's obligations under law.

Retaliation

Retaliation against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying, shall be prohibited.

Target Assistance

The school district shall provide counseling or referral to appropriate services, including guidance, academic intervention, and protection to students, both targets and perpetrators, affected by bullying, as necessary.

Training and Assessment

Annual training shall be provided for school employees and volunteers who have significant contact with students in preventing, identifying, responding to, and reporting incidents of bullying.

Age-appropriate, evidence-based instruction on bullying prevention shall be incorporated into the curriculum for all K to 12 students.

Publication and Notice

Annual written notice of the relevant sections of the bullying prevention and intervention plan shall be provided to students and their parents or guardians, in age-appropriate terms.

16

Annual written notice of the bullying prevention and intervention plan shall be provided to all school staff. The faculty and staff at each school shall be trained annually on the bullying prevention and intervention plan applicable to the school.

Relevant sections of the bullying prevention and intervention plan relating to the duties of faculty and staff shall be included in the school employee handbook.

The bullying prevention and intervention plan shall be posted on the school district website.

FREEDOM FROM INTOLERANCE

Acts of racial, religious, ethnic bigotry, and prejudice will not be tolerated at any level of the Westport School System. Bigotry, in any form, undermines the basic philosophy upon which our country was founded. Not only does it destroy human relationships so vital to the success of our society, but it also inflicts personal pain on those who are its victims. The School Committee strongly enjoins its administrators, staff and students to adopt a constant and continual vigil so that any type of bigotry and prejudice can be detected, reported, and properly addressed. All acts of bigotry and prejudice are to be reported without delay and dealt with expeditiously. Contact the Superintendent of Schools at (508) 636-1140 for further information or to seek resolution of a claim of discrimination.

FREEDOM FROM RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND SEXUAL SLURS

A racial, ethnic or sexual slur is defined as any derogatory remark, word, phrase, act, picture or gesture referencing or directed at or to any individual or group(s) which is of a racial, ethnic or sexual nature. The district recognizes that regardless of intent, such slurs substantially harm both the individuals to whom slurs are addressed and the educational community as a whole.

Harassment or discriminatory behavior that denies civil rights or equal educational opportunities includes comments, name-calling, physical conduct or other expressive behavior directed at an individual or group that intentionally demeans actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, marital status, homelessness, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, family care leave status, pregnancy or any condition related to pregnancy, or military/veteran status. Furthermore, School Committee policy includes prohibitions of harassment of students and employees, i.e., racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination.

Students may file a complaint regarding such discrimination with the school Principal or directly to the Superintendent. The district will thoroughly investigate the complaint and will protect the rights of all parties to the complaint.

17

School Admission

18

REMOTE LEARNING (Policy IHBHE)

In the event of a district-specific emergency requiring the use of remote learning, the superintendent of schools may declare such an emergency and shall, as soon as possible, obtain the approval of the school committee. The remote learning plan below will be applicable in cases of disease, weather emergencies, destruction or damage to schools rendering them inaccessible, or other extraordinary circumstances, including emergencies declared by government officials, the school committee, or the superintendent.

When it becomes necessary for the school district to provide support to students who are unable to attend classes or access appropriate services due to an extended closure, the superintendent shall establish a plan and procedures to ensure that such services are provided. The provision of educational services may include the use of technology and devices, and strategies designed to support student learning away from school.

The remote learning plan will, to the extent possible:

• Ensure the safety of all students and faculty in coordination with appropriate local and state departments and agencies;
• Provide support for student social and emotional wellbeing and address the implications of trauma experienced by students or faculty as a result of the emergency;
• Identify goals and strategies for maintaining standards of student achievement and school improvement plans;
• Ensure instruction and services are delivered by district educators and personnel as much as practicable;
• Utilize the most effective tools and resources available for students and faculty, including the skills and talents of district personnel, in the delivery of instruction and services and share resources as needed;
• Provide resources and services equitably to meet the needs and circumstances of all students;
• Identify remedial strategies necessary after the emergency to advance student achievement (i.e. after-school, extended day, summer school, and contingency scheduling to cancel vacations.)
• Gather information both during and after the period of emergency regarding the most effective means of remote learning to implement as appropriate.

In developing a remote learning plan, the superintendent will:

• Identify and prepare effective means for communicating with faculty, students, parents and community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with municipal agencies that support the schools and community.
• Consult with the school committee to identify any extraordinary actions necessary or authority required to administer emergency and remote learning plans. This includes any changes to district policies on the school calendar, grading, promotions and retentions, local graduation requirements, testing, and standards and accountability.
• Consult with administrators and principals to ensure the continuing education of students at all levels, including:

o use of the most appropriate resources, tools and strategies to deliver the curricula given local circumstances and conditions;

o equitable access to appropriate content for all students;

o specific accommodations for students at high risk, including clients of special education, students with disabilities, English learners, students at economic disadvantage, homeless students, students in foster care and students of military families.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Utilize available technological resources suitable for serving students at all levels. This inventory will be prepared in advance in anticipation of an emergency.
• Ensure the privacy rights of students, faculty and families are protected, including assessing the security of district technology.

19

• Consult with bargaining units to determine if modifications to collective bargaining agreements need to be established for the period of the emergency.
• Identify the financial implications of the emergency plan and recommend transfer of funds as may be necessary.

20

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

In keeping with our policy on Special Instructional Programs, the school district will provide special instruction services for three and four year olds within the district. Outside placements for these young children will be recommended only when there is no feasible way to offer the program in-house.

In order to provide quality services and a low student-teacher ratio, Westport will offer at least two preschool classroom programs staffed by teachers certified in Communication Disorders (all), Special Needs (pre K-9), and/or Young Children with Special Needs (Preschool 3-7 years old). These classes will provide a fully integrated setting in which to offer our special instruction programs. Additional support staff will be hired so as to maintain an adult-student ratio of no greater than 1:8 in pre-school classes.

The special instruction, integrated preschool program for three and four year olds will be offered in a half day format from two to five days per week unless the Individual Education Program (IEP) states otherwise. A tuition fee per half session will be charged to all students not on an IEP to help offset some of the program expenses. Arrangements will be made to provide public or private grant or state government financial assistance to low-income families who want to participate and need such assistance. All revenues will be placed in a revolving account to be expended at the discretion of the School Committee and without further appropriation, subject to state statutes.

Since it is the Committee’s intention that all eligible Westport students as well as the eligible children of school department employees should be able to take advantage of the integrated preschool program, additional support staff will be employed as needed to remain within Department of Education teacher/student ratio and student/student ratio guidelines and NAEYC requirements for accreditation. No waiting list or deferment will be required.

In special circumstances, the Superintendent will have discretion to approve a full day option for preschoolers not on an IEP.

ENTRANCE AGE

Admission into school involves consideration of both chronological age and readiness to approach the challenge of a school program. The School Committee has established the following chronological minimum age requirement for entry into school:

• Children who will be three years of age on or before September 1 of the school year during which they wish to enroll will be eligible to enter the preschool program.
• Children who will be five years of age on or before September 1 of the school year during which they wish to enroll will be eligible to enter kindergarten in September.
• Children who will be six years of age before January 1 of the school year are eligible for initial entry in grade one.

Transfer students from private and/or public kindergarten programs who have completed less than three months in a kindergarten setting will be required to follow the same entrance criteria.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

The goals of this school system’s special education program are to allow each child to grow and achieve at his/her own level, to gain independence and self-reliance, and to participate in the mainstream of school society to the fullest extent possible.

The requirements of Chapter 71B and the Massachusetts General Laws (known as Chapter 766 of the Acts of 1972) and accompanying state regulations will be followed in the identification of children with special needs, in referrals for their evaluation, in prescribing for them suitable programs and in assessing their educational progress. In keeping with state requirements, all children with special needs between the ages of three through 21 who have not attained a high school diploma or its equivalent will be eligible for special education.

21

The School Committee believes that most children with special needs can be educated in the regular school program if they are given special instruction, accommodations, and the support they need. These children should also be given the opportunity to participate in the school system’s non-academic and extracurricular activities.

The Committee recognizes that the needs of certain children are so great that special programs, special classes or special schools may be necessary. When appropriate programs, services, or facilities are not available with the public schools, the Committee will provide these children with access to schools where such instruction and accommodations are available.

It is the desire of the Committee that the schools work closely with parents in designing and providing programs and services to children with special needs. Parents will be informed, and conferred with, whenever a child is referred for evaluation. In event of any disagreement concerning diagnosis, program plan, special placement, or evaluation, the parents will be accorded the right of due process.

The Committee will secure properly trained personnel to work with the children with special needs. Since the financial commitment necessary to meet the needs of all of these children is extensive, the Committee will make every effort to obtain financial assistance from all sources.

RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION (RTI) AND CURRICULUM ACCOMMODATION PLANS

The Principal of each school will utilize the district’s RTI process or curriculum accommodation plan to remain in compliance with Chapter 766 Regulations, Section 310, regarding referrals and retention that states:

“The Principal, or his/her designee, of the school attended by such child shall determine whether RTI efforts pursuant to Sections 309 or a referral for evaluation should be made if any of the following conditions exist and shall promptly and in writing notify the parents which conditions exist if a referral is being made, and of their right to make such referral.

1. Any child who at mid-year presents a substantial risk of non-promotion. For the purpose of this paragraph, a substantial risk of non-promotion shall be considered to exist if a child is failing two or more non-elective subjects.
2. Any child who fails to be promoted at the end of the year.
3. Any child who has been suspended for more than five (5) school days in any quarter or excluded from school.
4. Any child who has been absent without medical excuse for more than fifteen (15) school days in any quarter.
5. Any child ages sixteen through twenty-one who is planning to leave school without a high school diploma.”

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Parents of all students being admitted to the Westport Schools must provide:

1. Certified proof of age;
2. Certified proof of residency in the Town of Westport;
3. Certified proof of required immunizations (Pre-kindergarten-12) and evidence of lead testing and a tuberculosis risk screening (Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten);
4. Transfer form from previous school (if applicable);
5. Copy of Individual Education Program (if applicable);
6. Evidence of a physical examination within the past six months (for initial entry into Kindergarten or first grade);
7. Authorization to release complete academic and discipline record from the previous school; and
8. Statement as to any criminal record.

22

Any student transferring into the Westport School district must provide a complete school record including but not limited to any incidents involving violation or criminal acts or any incident reports in which the student was charged with a suspended act. This responsibility to transfer records rests with the student who is transferring; the student may either get the records from the former school and present them to the new school, or may request that the former school send the records directly to the new school.

Notwithstanding the privacy provisions relative to student records, state law provides that in a case where a student is expelled from one school district, the Superintendent of the receiving district may request and receive from the Superintendent of the district from which the student was expelled, a written statement of the reasons of the expulsion. A student’s admission to the district’s school may also be withheld due to the issuance of a pending criminal complaint charging a student with a felony or the issuance of a felony delinquent complaint or conviction against a student. In such cases, the student is entitled to due process and appeal rights and will receive written notification of the reasons for refusal to admit the student to school.

Readmission to a public school following an expulsion may be denied under state law. However, the Superintendent of Schools has discretion to re-admit students and will base decisions on such factors as the type of offense for which the student was expelled, the age of the student, the period of time the student was out of school, what the student has done in the interim, the recommendation of knowledgeable individuals, and other relevant factors.

For the general safety and welfare of staff and students, the Superintendent is authorized to refuse admission to the schools if any of these requirements are not met.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

The Town of Westport offers students an excellent education at their four public schools, beginning with pre-kindergarten and continuing through high school. To attend Westport Community Schools, students must be full-time residents of the Town of Westport.

Before students can be enrolled in any Westport public school, parents or legal guardians must provide the following information (our staff will photocopy these documents for you):

1. The student’s birth certificate with seal (original, no photocopy)
2. Proof of health insurance coverage or health insurance ID card
3. Three forms establishing proof of residency (please refer to the acceptable proof of residency chart)

Additional documents that may be required:

• Proof of legal guardianship, if appropriate
• Copies of current custody agreements, if custody is shared by adults living at different addresses
• Copies of current restraining orders
• Any additional court documents that currently apply to the student
• Massachusetts Department of Education Transfer Card
• Health immunization records from the school nurse and/or physician
• Academic records, including coursework, grades and credits to date of withdrawal
• Attendance records
• Discipline records, including in-school suspensions, out-of-school suspensions and expulsions
• Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan

If you have any questions about the enrollment process, please contact the school that your child plans to attend. During the school year, our offices are open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. During the summer and holiday vacations, our offices are open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

23

The following documents needed for registration can be downloaded and brought in or copies will be provided as part of the registration process. Homeless students or families are asked to contact the Homeless Education Coordinator and SPED Director at Westport Community Schools, 400 Old County Road, Westport, MA 02790, phone 508-636-1140 x 4022

24

SCHOOL CHOICE

It is the policy of this school district to admit non-resident students under the terms and conditions of the Inter-district School Choice Law (MGL c76, §12) and under the following local conditions:

1. That by May of every school year, the administration will determine the number of spaces in each school available to choice students.
2. That by June 1 of every school year, if consideration is being given to withdraw from the provisions of the School Choice Law, a public meeting will be held to review this decision. For the 2025-2026 school year the School Committee has voted to offer school choice in our schools for grades 4, 9 and 10.
3. That resident students be given priority placement in any classes or programs within the district.
4. That the selection of nonresident students for admission when the number of requests exceeds the number of available spaces be in the form of a random drawing. There will be two drawings for this purpose. The first will take place during the last week of the current school year but no later than July 1st. The second will be conducted during the week immediately preceding the opening of the next school year and will be based on the possibility of unexpected additional openings.
5. Any student who is accepted for admission under the provisions of this policy is entitled to remain in the district until graduation from high school except if there is a lack of funding of the program.
6. The School Committee affirms its position that it shall not discriminate in the admission of any child on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, marital status, homelessness, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, family care leave status, pregnancy or any condition related to pregnancy, or military/veteran status.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE (Policy JFABF)

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the educational stability of students in foster care and their equal access to the same free and appropriate public education through high school graduation as provided to other students as required by law. Educational stability has a lasting impact on students' academic achievement and wellbeing, and the School Committee is committed to supporting district and community effort to ensure that students in foster care have access to high-quality, stable educational experiences. (See complete policy).

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MILITARY CHILDREN (Policy JFABE)

In an effort to facilitate the placement, enrollment, graduation, data collection and provision of special services for students transferring into or out of the District because of their parents being on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services, the District supports and will implement its responsibilities as outlined in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportiunity for Military Children. The School Committee believes it is appropriate to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of their parents' frequent moves and deployment. (See complete policy).

ADMISSION OF EXCHANGE AND FOREIGN STUDENTS

Qualified international students with prior approval of the high school Principal may be enrolled and attend school without charge, if they are recommended by the American Field Service or a nationally recognized organization and reside within the boundaries of the district. Proper I-20 forms and other required papers must be processed by the district, the student, and the sponsoring organization before an international student can be formally admitted to school.

25

A certificate of attendance will be awarded to any foreign student attending Westport High School. The certificate, including the student’s name and dates of attendance, will be signed by the Superintendent and the high school Principal.

A record of the academic course of study will be completed and issued with the certificate. This will include subjects taken, grades, units of credit, length of class periods, number of periods per week, and the student’s performance as evaluated by the teacher. This dated record will also include a definition of grades on an official high school transcript.

STUDENT WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL

Transfer to Another District

Students who are withdrawing from the Westport schools to attend a school in another district should complete transfer of student file forms.

Permanent Withdrawal

Students are required to attend school until the age of 16 unless exempted. Students over the age of 16 who wish to permanently withdraw from the school program must inform the Principal, complete required “Students Leaving School” forms, and participate in an exit interview with the school guidance counselor.

The School Committee encourages parents to be very involved in the student’s decision to withdraw from school since that decision is of such consequence. The school staff will do everything appropriate to encourage students to remain in school or to find an alternative school program.

STUDENT RE-ENTRY TO SCHOOL

If a high school student chooses to withdraw from school and then decides to return to school, the following readmission rules shall apply:

• A student may be readmitted to the High School within two calendar weeks from the date of withdrawal.
• If s/he returns within that time frame, s/he is responsible for all work missed, and, while teachers are available to assist the student, it is the student’s sole responsibility to seek that assistance.
• The time missed will be assessed under the absence policy, and credit may be withdrawn where appropriate
• If a student does not return within the two-week time frame, s/he may not be re-admitted until the following September. Any evening or summer school course taken in the meantime can be given credit at the discretion of the high school Principal. However, credit may not be given unless the administration has prior knowledge of the plan

26

Student Records

27

REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO STUDENT RECORDS

Westport’s student records procedures comply with the Student Record Regulations adopted by the Board of Education. Our regulations are designed to insure parent and student rights of confidentiality, and proper inspection, amendment, and destruction of student records, as well as to assist us in carrying out our responsibilities under state and federal law.

The regulations apply to all information kept by the Westport school district about a student in a way that the student may be individually identified. A student record consists of two parts: the transcript and the temporary record. The transcript includes only the minimum information necessary to reflect the student’s educational progress. This information includes name, address, course titles, grades, credits, and grade level completed. The transcript is kept by the school district for at least sixty years after the student leaves the system.

The temporary record contains the majority of the information maintained by the school about the student. This may include such things as standardized test results; class rank, school-sponsored extracurricular activities; evaluations and comments by teachers, counselors, and other persons; disciplinary records; and other information. The temporary record is destroyed within five years after the student leaves the school system.

PARENT ACCESS TO RECORDS

Copies of Massachusetts General Law 603 CMR 23.00 are available on request from the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. State law and school district policy insures parent and student rights of confidentiality, inspection, amendment, and destruction of student records.

1. These rights are also the rights of a student upon reaching 14 years of age or upon entering the ninth grade, whichever comes first. If a student is under the age of 14 and has not yet entered the ninth grade, these rights shall belong to the student’s parent.
2. If a student is from 14 through 17 years of age or has entered the ninth grade, both the student and his/her parent, or either one acting alone, may exercise these rights.
3. If a student is 18 years of age or older, s/he alone shall exercise these rights, subject to the following. The parent may continue to exercise the rights until expressly limited by such student. Such student may limit the rights which extend to his/her parent, except the right to inspect the student record, by making such request in writing to the school Principal or Superintendent of schools who shall honor such request and retain a copy of it in the student record. The parent of a student may inspect the student record regardless of the student’s age.

STUDENTS OF LEGAL AGE (18 years of age)

Every student upon reaching the age of majority (18 years of age) will be deemed to be an adult of legal age and will have legal capacity to act as such. Such students, like all other students, will comply with the all established rules, pursue the prescribed course of study, and submit to the authority of teachers and others in authority over them.

Exceptions

• If the parent has sought and received guardianship from a court of competent jurisdiction, then the parent retains full decision-making authority. The parent shall not have authority to override any decision or lack of decision made by the student who has reached the age of majority unless the parent has sought or received guardianship or other legal authority from a court of competent jurisdiction.
• The student, upon reaching the age of majority and in the absence of any court actions to the contrary, may choose to share decision-making with his or her parent (or other willing adult), including allowing the parent to co-sign the Individual Education Program. (Such choice shall be made in the presence of the Team and shall be documented in written form.) The student’s choice shall prevail at any time that a disagreement.

28

occurs between the adult student and the parent or other adult with whom the student has shared decision-making.

• The student, upon reaching the age of majority and in the absence of any court actions to the contrary, may choose to delegate continued decision-making to his or her parent, or other willing adult. Such a choice shall be made in the presence of at least one representative of the school district and one other witness and shall be documented in written form and maintained in the student record.

Residency: The residency location of a student of legal age, 18 years, who is not residing with his/her parents or guardian, will be considered his/her residency for school purposes. The regulations pertaining to residency requirements will pertain to students of legal age.

Field Trips/Athletic Programs: Approved forms for participation will be required of all students. The form should indicate that the signature is that of the parent or of the adult student. Sponsors and/or coaches will be required to confirm the ages of those students signing their own forms.

Absence-Lateness-Truancy: Absence notes, normally signed by parents or guardians, may be signed by students who are of legal age. School attendance data will be reported to the parent or guardian on the regular report card.

Medical Absence: In order for an absence to be considered a medically excused absence, the note from the doctor must include the date the student was seen, the reason for the visit to the doctor and a prognosis or date of return to the school.

Suspension/Expulsion: All suspension and/or expulsion proceedings will conform to the requirements of state statute. Students of legal age are permitted to represent themselves upon reinstatement to school following a suspension. However, notification will continue to be sent to parents or guardians of all such suspensions or expulsions.

Withdrawal from School: Students of legal age may withdraw from school under their own cognizance. Counselors will continue to guide and counsel potential school dropouts and encourage their continued attendance. Parents will continue to be notified of impending dropouts by the school Principal (or designee).

Permission to Inspect Student Records: Students of legal age may request permission to inspect their personal school records. Parents of a student of legal age are entitled to exercise all rights provided by law regarding the student’s records, unless the student expressly limits the parents’ exercise of those rights by submitting a written request to the school Principal or Superintendent. In no case shall the parents’ right to inspect the student’s records be limited.

Report Cards: Failure letters and progress reports will continue to be sent home. At WMHS, report cards can be viewed on the Community Portal.

Medical Decisions and Consent Forms: Students at age 18 have the right to make their own educational and medical decisions and must sign all consent forms.

Financial Responsibility: Students of legal age can be held financially responsible for damage to school property.

Special Education: When the student reaches age eighteen, s/he has the right to make all decisions in relation to special education programs, services, and medical decisions, and must sign all consent forms.

The school district has the obligation to obtain consent from the student to continue the student’s special education program. The parent will continue to receive written notices and information but will no longer have decision-making authority unless there is a court appointed guardian or the student chooses to share decision making with his or her parent.

29

Transfer of Parental Rights: Parents and students must be notified about the transfer of parental rights to the student at least one (1) year before the student turns 18 years of age.

30

INSPECTION OF STUDENT RECORDS

A parent or an eligible student has the right to inspect all portions of the student record upon request. The record will be made available within two days after the request, unless the parent or student consents to a delay. The parent and eligible student have the right to receive a copy of any part of the record. The parent and eligible student may request to have parts of the record interpreted by a qualified professional from the school, or may invite anyone else of their choice to inspect or interpret the record with them.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS

Except where state regulations specifically authorize access by third parties, no individuals or organizations other than the parent, eligible student, and school personnel working directly with the student are allowed to have access to information in the student record without the specific, informed, written consent of the parent or eligible student.

AMENDMENT OF RECORDS

The parent and eligible student have the right to add relevant comments, information, or other written material to the student record. In addition, the parent and eligible student have a right to request that information in the record be amended or deleted. They are entitled to meet with the Principal (or the Principal’s designee) to discuss their objection to information that is in the record, and to receive a written decision. A parent or eligible student who is not satisfied with the Principal’s decision may appeal to the Superintendent.

PRIVACY AND SECURITY OF STUDENT RECORDS

1. The Principal or his/her designee is responsible for the privacy and security of all student records maintained in the school.
2. The Superintendent is responsible for the privacy and security of all student records that are not under the supervision of the Principal, for example, former students’ transcripts stored in the school department’s central administrative offices or student records of children with special needs who have not been enrolled in a public school
3. The Principal and Superintendent will ensure that student records under their supervision are kept physically secure, that authorized school personnel are informed of the provisions of 603 CMR 23.00 and are educated as to the importance of information privacy and confidentiality; and that any computerized systems employed are electronically secure.

DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS

A student’s temporary record is destroyed within five years after the student transfers, graduates or withdraws from the school system. School authorities are also allowed to destroy misleading, outdated, or irrelevant information in the record from time to time while the student is enrolled in the school system. In each case, the school must first notify the parent and eligible student and give them the opportunity to receive a copy of any of the information before it is destroyed.

31

SOME QUESTIONS OFTEN ASKED ABOUT STUDENT RECORDS

ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS

Divorced/Separated Parents

1. Do guardians or divorced/separated, foster, or unmarried parents have access to the student record?

Yes, unless a contrary written agreement between parents or a court order governing the rights of such parents is brought to the attention of the Principal.

Withholding Report Cards

2. May a school withhold a report card or diploma from a student who has outstanding school fees or unreturned property?

No. Any information that identifies a student individually - including a report card or a diploma - is considered part of the student record. The eligible student or parent is entitled to have access to the student record (including receiving a copy of it) within two consecutive days.

ACCESS OF THIRD PARTIES

3. What “directory” information will the school release to third parties without prior consent?

The school will not release any information to third parties who are not expressly included by state law.

4. May a school release student names and addresses to regional vocational schools, county agricultural schools, or other school or organizations?

Yes. The school will release student names and addresses only to the following unless a parent objects:

• Diman Regional Vocational School 
• Bristol County Agricultural School
• Post-secondary schools, colleges and universities to which a student has applied
•  School alumni organizations

Parents may request that this information not be released by calling the individual school Principal.

5. Are lists of students in a particular class released to a third party?

No. The school does not release the names of students in a particular class, etc. Parents who wish to be included in activities related to a parent organization may give their permission to have their child’s name or the parent’s name included in PTO lists.

6. May the School Committee’s attorney have access to student records?

Yes. A school district’s attorney, acting as an authorized agent of the school district, may obtain access to student records without parental consent when access is necessary in connection with the enforcement of federal and state education laws or programs (for example, in relation to legal proceedings in which the school district and the student are parties). The attorney must protect the confidentiality of any information that personally identifies students or their parents, and destroy it when no longer needed.

7. May independent auditors conducting audits pursuant to the Single Audit Act obtain access to student records?

Yes. The district may designate independent auditors, conducting audits under the Federal Single Audit Act, as their authorized agents in connection with the audit or enforcement of federal and state education laws or

32

programs. Any data collected will be protected in a manner that does not permit personal identification of individuals by anyone except those designated, and must be destroyed when no longer needed.

8.) May a school release student record information to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in cases of suspected child abuse?

Massachusetts’ law requires mandated reporters (including teachers and other school personnel) to report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect to DCF. Mandated reporters must disclose to DCF, upon request, any information that may be relevant to an investigation of a case of suspected abuse or neglect.

9. May school officials notify the police if a student brings a gun or other dangerous weapon to school?

Yes. In fact, Massachusetts’ law requires school department personnel to report any incidents involving a dangerous weapon to the Chief of Police and the Department of Children and Families allowing school officials to disclose information about a student to appropriate parties without consent, in connection with a health or safety emergency.

10. What will school officials do when student records are subpoenaed?

School officials will make a reasonable effort to notify the eligible student or parent before they comply with a lawfully issued subpoena or court order to produce a student record.

11. What information may a school provide to the Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Special Investigations (Bureau) in cases of welfare fraud investigations?

The Bureau may inspect enrollment and attendance records of any student who is being investigated for welfare fraud. The law prohibits the Bureau from obtaining access to academic, medical, and evaluative records.

12. What should school officials do when they are notified by the police that a former student has been reported missing?

The student record of the missing student will be flagged to indicate that the student has been reported missing, and the school will notify the police whenever there is an inquiry regarding the records.

AMENDING OR DESTROYING THE STUDENT RECORD

13. May a student or parent request that an individual course grade or grades be withheld when the student’s transcript is released to a third party?

Yes. The eligible student or parent may make such a request, but the school is not required to honor it, if the third party receiving the transcript would reasonably assume that the transcript is complete. On the other hand, the school should honor a request to release or withhold a certain category or categories of courses or grades if the third party would not reasonably assume that the transcript is complete. For example, the eligible student or parent may request that only the student’s math and science grades, or only the student’s grades since ninth or tenth grade, be released.

14. How long should the school keep the records of students who graduated many years before the Student Record Regulations went into effect?

The records of students enrolled before February 1975 are not subject to the regulations.

Therefore, it is in the school district’s discretion to decide how long to keep such records.

The time limit for destruction of the record is not less than sixty years for a transcript and not more than five years for the temporary record.

15. May the school district “destroy” a student’s temporary record within five years of the student’s graduation, transfer or withdrawal by handing over the only copy to the eligible student and/or parent?

Yes, as long as the eligible student or parent is notified in writing that this is the only copy and that this is the school’s method of disposing of the record.

33

16. Are there any situations in which a school should maintain copies of a student’s temporary record for more than five years after the student has left the school system? Yes. The School Finance Regulations require school districts to maintain school registers, pupil census, IEPs, and other documentation to support data reported to the Department of Education on the annual End of Year Pupil and Financial Report for seven years after its submission. Any records that are the subject of an audit or investigation should be maintained until the audit or investigation is complete. In addition, where school health personnel administer immunizations to students, federal law requires that documentation of immunizations be retained for at least 10 years following the end of the calendar year in which the vaccine was administered.

CONFIDENTIALITY

17. Is the process of determining selections for the National Honor Society and other awards subject to the confidentiality requirements of the Student Records Regulations? Authorized school personnel may obtain access to student records without consent when they need access to perform their duties. Any written material produced or introduced (even from the personal files of school employees) during the selection process becomes part of the student record if it individually identifies the student and is kept by the school. The material is then subject to the regulations, including the right of an eligible student and parent to obtain access and the prohibition against releasing the information to third parties without consent.

TEST AND TEST SCORES

18. Are tests completed by a student and containing his/her name, protected under these regulations?

Yes. Any information that is organized on the basis of the student’s name or in a way that such student may be individually identified, and this is kept by the public schools of the Commonwealth, is part of the student record.

19. Will the schools release anonymous S.A.T. scores?

Yes. Anonymous statistical information or anonymous data that do not individually identify students are not considered part of the student record and may be released under the Student Records Regulation.

STUDENT HEALTH RECORDS

b n

20. What record keeping procedures should be followed by school nurses with respect to student health records?

Student health records are part of a student’s temporary record and as such are protected from disclosure to third parties without the written consent of the eligible student or parent.

These records are accessible to the eligible student, the student’s parents or guardians and authorized school personnel. Massachusetts public health laws provide special confidentiality protections for certain health records. For example, under G.L. c.111, s.70F, a health care provider cannot disclose information about an individual’s AIDS/HIV status without specific, informed, written consent of the individual.

21. Should special record keeping procedures be followed with respect to student health records that are maintained by the school physician, or in a health clinic that is affiliated with or based in a school?

A physician’s records, including a school physician’s records, regarding treatment are confidential and may not be released to anyone without either the written consent of the parent (or the student in instances where the student consents to treatment), or a proper judicial order. Records kept by a school-based health clinic, such as a mobile health van, operating as a satellite health center are considered medical records of that health center and are subject to medical records regulations, not Student Record Regulation.

TRANSFER OF RECORDS

22. Must the school obtain consent from the eligible student or parent before forwarding a student’s record to a new school?

34

No. It is the practice of the Westport Community Schools that authorized school personnel of the school to which a student seeks or intends to transfer may have access to such student's record without the consent of the eligible student or parent, provided that the school the student is leaving, or has left, gives notice that it forwards student records to schools in which the student seeks or intends to enroll. Such notice may be included in the routine information letter required under 603 CMR 23.10.

23. When a student transfers from one school to another, what records must be provided to the new school?

Under Massachusetts law, any student transferring into a new district must provide the new district with “a complete school record,” including but not limited to, “any incidents involving suspension or violation of criminal acts or any incident reports in which such student was charged with any suspended act.” A school district may release the entire student record of a transferring student to the new school without prior consent. This district forwards student records to another school in which the student seeks or intends to transfer.

24. May a student who is eighteen years of age limit his/her parents’ rights under these regulations?

Yes, except that a parent always retains the right to inspect the student records. The student’s parent may continue to exercise the rights, until expressly limited by the adult student. (See Students of Legal Age)

STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHS/FILMS/VIDEOS

To provide a service to parents and students, individual and/or class group pictures may be taken at school during the regular school day hours. The pictures are made available for purchase by students and/or parents on a voluntary basis. The building Principal or her/his designee shall have final authority in authorizing the picture-taking program and will be responsible for overseeing the process.

Students may be required to have an individual picture taken for the cumulative file or identification purposes; however, no student shall be pressured or required to purchase photographs. The purpose of this practice is to enhance the safety of students through visual identification in an emergency situation.

MEDIA INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

Members of the public news media wishing to interview or photograph students at school need the prior permission of the school Principal. Additionally, each year parents/guardians will be given the option to withhold permission for public news media interviews or photographs of their child at school. Additional specific parental/guardian permission must be obtained if the story or photograph covers topics of a sensitive nature.

PROHIBITION AGAINST USING STUDENTS TO ADVANCE VIEWPOINTS

Partisan, sectarian, or denominational doctrines may not be advocated in a public school during the hours the school is in session. This includes filming of campaign advertisements or other spots which advocate a certain position or opinion or are used for other commercial purposes. This policy is not intended to limit the use of debates for instructional purposes.

FILMING AND VIDEOTAPING

If any student is to be filmed or videotaped and will be identified or be a primary subject of the filming or videotaping, prior written consent/release/waiver will be obtained from the student’s lawful guardian.

• The exclusive rights for any videotape or film and the soundtrack thereof produced by the school district will be its exclusive property unless other prior written agreements are made.
• Signed consent forms must be obtained from the building Principal and participating employees before videotaping or filming is begun. Signed consent/release/waiver forms must be obtained from the lawful

35

custodian of each handicapped or exceptional student who is identifiable and from the lawful custodian of all students who are identified or made a primary subject on camera.

• Student’s lawful custodian signs consent/release/waiver form for student to be filmed or videotaped without broadcast or dissemination outside the school.
• School district productions will not be duplicated without the approval of the Director of Technology
• Commercial distribution of videotapes or films produced by the school district is not permitted without appropriate signed consent/release/waiver forms and the approval of the Superintendent.
• The policy does not apply to students who are filmed or videotaped during voluntary appearances in public or for use in their own classroom.

36

Staying Healthy

37

STUDENT SAFETY

The School Committee expects that proper attention will be paid to the safety of students on school property during the normal school day, during their participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities on school grounds, and at school functions scheduled away from school property.

It is the responsibility of the Principal and teachers to arrange for adequate supervision of students on school property during the normal school day, as well as at extracurricular activities sponsored by the school district on school property, and school sponsored functions held off campus. Special attention should be given to the prevention of accidents and to the development of habits of good citizenship. Students shall be taught safe practices in such areas as physical education, health, and laboratory courses in science as well as in extracurricular athletic activities.

School personnel are authorized to take appropriate action when they believe students or other staff may be in jeopardy or in any emergency situation which requires immediate action. The Principal must be notified of the action taken as soon as practicable.

REPORTING CHILD ABUSE/CHILD PROTECTION

The policy of the Westport Community Schools is to provide a healthy and safe environment in which students can learn and participate in all programs offered. This protocol for the Westport Community Schools Crisis Intervention Team supports the school policy. This protocol describes procedures for staff to follow when a child’s safety or health is considered at risk. This protocol ensures that essential information, relating to the suspicion that abuse or neglect has occurred, is correctly documented and, if necessary, reported to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) as mandated by MGL c. 119, § 51A.

Crisis Intervention Team Members may include:

Principal

Assistant Principal

Guidance Counselor/School Adjustment Counselor

School Nurse

School Resource Officer

Protocol

If a child is identified in crisis or at risk of abuse or neglect by a faculty member or staff:

1. The faculty member or staff contacts and communicates concern to one of the members of the school’s Crisis Intervention Team.
2. The Crisis Intervention Team holds an emergency meeting to document and assess the concern (reporting individuals may attend the meeting).

3. The Principal chairs the meeting in a confidential setting and the guidance counselor/school adjustment counselor logs all information

If the Team determines that a child is at risk, the guidance counselor will:

1. Complete a Crisis Intervention Team Report.
2. Obtain pertinent information necessary to begin the DCF report.
3. Contact the DCF office by phone and report.
4. If determined appropriate by Team and DCF Intake Worker, contact the parent/guardian to report concerns and inform them of filing.
5. Inform Superintendent and submit a copy of Crisis Intervention Report.
6. Inform reporting individual of the team’s decision.
7. Complete and mail DCF Abuse/Neglect Report (51A) within 48 hours.
8. All copies of the Crisis Intervention Log and 51A report will be kept confidential and filed in the guidance counselor’s office.

If the Team determines that the child is not in crisis or not at risk, a designated Crisis Team member (guidance counselor) will:

1. Complete Crisis Intervention Report and forward to Superintendent.

38

2. Inform reporting individual of decision.

3. Provide documentation to support decision.

4. Provide or offer follow-up services as recommended by the Team.

5. Contact parent/guardian if determined appropriate by Team.

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES AND REQUIREMENTS

The School Committee recognizes that parents have the primary responsibility for the health of their children. The school will cooperate with appropriate professional organizations associated with maintaining individual and community health and safety and the district shall provide the services of a medical consultant who shall render medical and administrative consultative services for personnel responsible for school health and athletics.

Procedures for Emergency at School

School personnel shall give only emergency first-aid care to students who become ill or injured on school property, buses, or while under school supervision. Each year parents shall supply information indicating where the student is to be taken in case of an emergency; the name, address, and phone number of an emergency contact in case the parent is not available; and any allergies or diseases the student might have. The district shall maintain an Emergency Procedures Handbook which shall be utilized by district personnel for handling emergencies.

Situations requiring care beyond first aid, that is, requiring care by the family or its physician or the Emergency Medical Unit of the Westport Fire Department, shall be handled as follows:

• In instances where the Emergency Medical Unit is called, the school nurse shall provide the Unit with the student’s Emergency Form and information about allergies or diseases the student might have.
• Requests made by parents or guardians for administration of any type of medication must be made in writing as described in Policy JLCD, Administering Medicines to Students.

Student Illness or Injury

In case of illness or injury, the parents or guardian will be contacted and asked to call for the student or provide the transportation.

Transportation of an ill or injured student is not normally to be provided by the school. If the parents cannot provide transportation and the student is ill or injured, an ambulance may be called. Expense incurred as a result of emergency ambulance use will not be borne by the district.

Transportation of a student by school personnel will be done only in an emergency and by an individual designated by the school administrator.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS OF STUDENTS

Every student will be examined once in each school year for screening in sight, hearing, and for other physical problems as required by Massachusetts’s law. A record of the results will be kept by the school nurse. In addition, postural and scoliosis screening is provided at grade levels designated by the state (currently grades 5-9).

Every student must show evidence of a general physical examination by a physician four times: upon entering school and upon admittance to the third, sixth, and ninth grades. The results of these or more frequent examinations will be a basis for determining what corrective measures or modifications of school activities, if any, should be recommended. A record of all examinations and recommendations will be kept.

If the parents do not have a physician, the school physician, with signed permission of the parent, will make a prompt examination of all children referred to her/him by the school nurse. Except in an emergency, the school physician will not prescribe for or treat any student.

Annually, every candidate for a school athletic team will present the signed consent of parent or guardian as well as a physician’s certification in order to participate in the extracurricular athletic program

39

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

The district is required to provide educational services to all school age children who reside within its boundaries. By law, however, admission to school may be denied to any child diagnosed as having a disease whereby attendance could be harmful to the welfare of other students and staff, subject to the district's responsibilities to handicapped children under the law.

Management of common communicable diseases shall be in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines. A student who exhibits symptoms of a communicable disease may be temporarily excluded from school attendance. The district reserves the right to require a physician's statement authorizing the student's return to school.

In the event a student with a life-threatening communicable disease qualifies for services as a handicapped child under state and federal law, the procedures for determining the appropriate educational placement in the least restrictive environment shall be used in place of the procedures designated above.

Neither this policy nor the placement of a student in any particular program shall preclude the administration from taking any temporary actions including removal of a student from the classroom as deemed necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the student, staff, and others.

ADMINISTERING MEDICINES TO STUDENTS

Medication, including prescription and/or over-the-counter drugs may not be administered while at school unless such medicine is given to them under specific written request of the parent or guardian and under the written directive of a licensed prescriber. Only the registered school nurse may administer medication to a student. However, in age-appropriate circumstances, the registered school nurse may authorize self-administration of such medications as inhalers but only with the written order of the licensed prescriber and with parent authorization.

During field trips and short-term special school events, the registered school nurse may delegate the administration of medication to unlicensed school personnel with parent permission pursuant to “limited delegation” authorization under 105 CMR 210.000. A licensed practical nurse may administer medication functioning under the general supervision of the registered school nurse.

Procedure to be followed:

Consistent with state law, it shall be the responsibility of the school nurse to manage the total medication administration program. State law requires that the following forms must be on file in the student’s health record:

• A signed consent by the parent or legal guardian to give the medication.
• A signed medication order from a licensed prescriber which is renewed as necessary, including the beginning of each academic year.
• A medication administration care plan completed and signed by the school nurse and parent for each medication to be administered in school.
• A medication administration log for each medication.

Medications should be delivered to the school in a pharmacy or manufacturer-labeled container by a parent/guardian or designated responsible adult. No over-the-counter medication, including aspirin or Tylenol, will be given in school without the required signed medication forms.

ROLE OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN

• Serves as consultant to school personnel on medical matters regarding school health programs, including Health Education.
• Serves with others in developing written policies for the total school health program.
• Advises about the development of written instructions for handling health emergencies.
• Assists in coordination of school health services with the school health education program.
• Serves as liaison between community physicians and the school.
• Advises on the control of communicable diseases in the school.
• Carries out health appraisals in accordance with established regulations.

40

• Makes medical referrals to family physicians.
• Renders first aid only when immediately available.
• Assists in planning and participation in health education programs for school personnel and parents.
• Does not provide medical treatment.

41

ROLE OF SCHOOL NURSE

• Serves as health resource consultant to students, teachers, and parents.
• Administers Prescription medications and treatments according to MDPH Regulations.
• Supervises others (health aid technicians, etc.).
• Renders services relating to health service programs.
• Complies with and interprets health regulations.
• Conducts hearing and vision screenings for all students.
• Maintains up-to-date cumulative health records for all students.
• Assists in identifying students with physical, social, and emotional problems.
• Completes follow-up on all students identified as having health problems.
• Provides school personnel with up-to-date information about student health status.
• Confers with teachers about students with health handicaps for educational placement.
• Provides student health counseling.
• Renders first aid when immediately available.
• Assists with development of written school policies.
• Contributes to development of written emergency procedures.
• Serves with school personnel in developing health education curriculum.

42

Student Attendance Regulations

43

ATTENDANCE POLICY

An understanding of the importance of day to day school work is an important factor in developing personal responsibility for success in the school instructional program. Parents can help their children by developing good school attendance habits. Parents must provide a written explanation for the absence and/or tardiness of a child. This will be required in advance for types of absences where advance notice is possible.

The School Committee recognizes that regular school attendance is not only required by law but is vital for meeting the educational needs of all pupils. The Committee also believes that the responsibility for such attendance is shared by parents, students, and school personnel. The Superintendent is charged with the task of developing attendance procedures which encourage students to come to school regularly and on time, prepared to participate actively in their classes. While attendance procedures at each school will be compatible, but not necessarily identical, this policy will be administered consistently at all levels.

It is not the purpose of this attendance policy to use attendance requirements to raise or lower grades or to promote the notion that seat-time alone has value. We define good attendance as in-class, on-time behavior. The purpose of promoting good attendance is to provide sequential, continuous learning opportunities for personal interaction and to develop personal responsibility for being punctual. A large percentage of instruction consists of oral discourse. Therefore, oral communication in class can influence a student’s mastery of a subject. Participation in classroom instruction is impossible to make up.

Legitimate Absences

According to state law, schools must be in session for a minimum of 180 days each school year. Furthermore, every elementary school student’s program must consist of 900 hours of instructional time. Middle school students and high school students must complete 990 hours. This regulation implies that every student must attend school except when absent with parental consent for legitimate reasons. For the purposes of state and local regulations, legitimate absence will include the following:

1. student’s illness;
2. a death in the immediate family;
3. observance of family religious holidays;
4. appearance in court;
5. temporary relocation due to extreme emergencies such as fire, flood, or hospitalization of parent;
6. business which cannot be reasonably transacted when school is not in session; and
7. medical and dental appointments which cannot possibly be scheduled outside school hours.

The Principals have the right to question all excuses for absence. The parent shall be notified in writing when the Principal finds that an unexcused absence has occurred. Although students will not be punished by receiving a failing grade on material covered during an excused absence, a student will receive an Incomplete for any make up work not completed as a result of an excused absence. Unexcused absences may result in a grade of Incomplete or loss of credit at the high school level. Makeup work cannot really replace classroom instruction.

Family Vacations

Absences for independent family vacations taken during school time may not be approved by the school Principal and will be considered as unexcused absences for the purpose of the state law.

Unexcused Absences

Extremely late arrivals (more than half the school day) and extremely early dismissals (more than half the school day) are considered absences under state attendance regulations. Excessive absence is a serious matter. Consequences of excessive or unexcused student absence include but are not limited to:

1. Notification to state authorities of a parent’s failure to educate their children in the case of absences of more than seven (7) days within a six (6) month period (state law).
2. Request for physician’s certification of illness.
3. A grade of incomplete and/or possible loss of credit at the high school level.
4. Conference with the Principal.
5. Completion of school work or coursework during extended school year instructional programs

44​​​

Calling Parents

School Principals are responsible for maintaining accurate school attendance records and for investigating and acting on cases involving excessive student absenteeism. Principals are also expected to promote good student attendance through positive reinforcement and parent conferences.

The following procedures apply to all schools:

1. The Principal will check all absences daily.
2. A written note from the parent or guardian explaining the absence or tardiness is required. Such notes will be kept on file in the office of the school nurse for a period of one year.
3. Parents of absent students will be contacted by telephone if they have not notified the school of their child’s absence and the reasons for it. A log of telephone contacts will be kept in the school office. This type of absence notification program is required by Massachusetts Law, Ch. 76, S.1A.
4. Principals will ask parents of students who have been truant or suspected truants to call the school on any day that the student is absent with parental consent. If this call is not received promptly at the start of school, the absence will be investigated immediately.

Excessive Absences

When absences persist after the above steps have been taken, the Principal will report the facts of the case to the Superintendent, and the Principal and Superintendent may take any or all of the following actions:

1. The parent will be required to have a conference with the Principal.
2. Medical documentation of illness may be requested.
3. A 51A, child abuse report may be filed with the Massachusetts Department of Social Services.
4. Court action may be instituted.
5. Parents of students who have been absent more than seven days in any one school year will receive a written notice from the Principal. The Principal will advise the parent of any action taken or recommendations for improving attendance.
6. Absences of more than fifteen days in any one school year must be reported by the Principal to the Department of Children and Family (DCF) Services, regardless of the individual attendance.
7. Court action may result following an investigation that suggests that parents may not have met their responsibilities relative to the care and protection of their children.

45

TARDINESS

The term “tardy” is defined as being late to school, class or an activity, with or without permission of parents/guardians or school personnel. The building administrator, in consultation with the School Council, will establish a specific building definition of what constitutes “being late to school, class or an activity.” All teachers will inform their respective classes of the School Council’s definition of “being late to school, class or an activity.” The teacher will counsel those students who are developing a pattern of being tardy. The teacher will refer to a school administrator those students who in the teacher’s judgment are not making progress towards correcting the problem.

Upon the referral by a teacher, the Principal will attempt to determine the nature of the problem, inform the student of the tardy policy, and will notify the parent or legal guardian.

EXCLUSIONS AND EXEMPTIONS FROM SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Exclusion from school means the withholding of the privilege of enrolling in a school of the district. The following shall be the grounds for denial of admission to Westport schools:

• Graduation from the twelfth grade of any school or receipt of any document evidencing completion of the equivalent of a secondary curriculum;
• Failure to meet the age six requirement for first grade attendance before January 1^st of a given school year.
• Not being a resident of the district unless attending under School Choice.
• Failure to comply with the provisions of the Massachusetts School Entry Immunization Law or to provide adequate school transfer information.
• Discipline action by another Massachusetts school for possession of a dangerous weapon, controlled substance, or felony charges or conviction.

Exemptions from school attendance for students over the age of fourteen will be approved by the Superintendent when such cases meet the terms and definitions set forth in Chapter 76, Section 1 of the Massachusetts, General Laws.

46

Academic Regulations

47

ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO CLASSES AND GRADE LEVEL

Students are assigned to a grade level based on their chronological age. However, the Committee also recognizes that not all students learn at the same rate and children have varied learning styles and intelligences.

Grades K-8

Research on retention shows that students retained in grades K-8 are more likely to drop out of school. Therefore, it is preferable for students to progress through the grades with their chronological peers. However, students who have failed to master the basic skills in one level will have difficulty dealing successfully with the school program at the next grade level. Retention of students will be determined on a case-by-case basis in collaboration with building administration, guidance, appropriate staff, and families.

High School Diploma

In order to be eligible for a diploma, students must successfully complete the prescribed credits in both required and elective courses. Students may repeat coursework to achieve a passing grade and the required number of credits. Only coursework approved by the Principal and Superintendent can be used as valid transfer credits to the Westport program. Students who have not received sufficient credits to move to the next grade level by October 1st will remain at that grade level until the following September.

REPORT CARDS

Regularly issued report cards, combined with progress reports and parent-teacher conferences, serve to promote a process of continuous evaluation of student performance. This process informs students and their parents and provides a basis for bringing about continuous improvement of a student’s academic performance.

Parents will be informed at regular intervals of the academic progress of their children. To receive written reports and notification of conferences, a non-custodial parent must make such a request through the office of the individual school Principal keeping with Department of Education regulations.

  Citizenship:

48

WMHS Citizenship Rubric

Overall Score Range and Citizenship Grade*: 

11-12 points = Outstanding; 7-10 points = Satisfactory; 4-6 points = Needs Improvement; 0-3 = Unsatisfactory 

*If a student received a U in either Classroom Behavior orAttendance and Punctuality, 

they will automatically earn a U for the term.

49

The Citizenship rubric is utilized in all WMHS classes each Quarter.  All students receive a Citizenship grade each Quarter. Citizenship marks will not be shown on the student’s transcript or other permanent records.  However, students receiving two or more Unsatisfactory Citizenship grades will not be eligible for school events such as homecoming, semi-formal, and prom, but may be conditionally eligible for extracurricular clubs and athletics participation with the development of a personalized student eligibility contract.

The other WMHS school-wide rubrics are utilized for course assignments at teacher discretion; they can be found in the Program of Studies. In some instances, teachers may use parts of different school-wide rubrics to create an assignment rubric for a particular assignment in their class. 
 

Conduct and effort:

Conduct is defined as participating in creating a positive school climate by treating others with the respect they deserve as individuals and as members of the school community.  Effort is defined as taking responsibility for one’s own success in school by completing homework assignments and by making decisions that will lead to improved performance in school.

Pre-K & K

D = Developed

E = Emerging

N = Not Developed

NA = Not Yet Assessed

Grade 1 & 2 

C = Consistently

I = Inconsistently

R = Rarely

Grades 3 & 4

1 = Outstanding

2 = Satisfactory

3 = Needs Improvement

EVALUATING STUDENT PROGRESS

It is the position of the Westport Community Schools that a close working relationship between home and school is essential. Regular communication with parents or guardians about the scholastic progress of their student is a basic component of this working relationship. Utilization will be made of a variety of strategies including telephone conference, personal conference, and/or written report to communicate student progress. It is the responsibility of the Principal to keep parents well informed.

Progress reports may be issued at any time. However, no grade of Incomplete (I) or Failure (F) will be issued without a written mid-term progress report having been sent home with a plan for student improvement.

Progress reports may also be issued for student commendation purposes. Positive reinforcement contributes to development of the student’s confidence and sense of self-worth.

STANDARDIZED TESTS

The Westport Community Schools will conduct standardized achievement testing on an annual basis using national norms for students in Kindergarten through grade 10.

Validated standardized tests will be utilized to test Westport students in the basic skill areas of Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science, and Civics. Since the tests are designed to measure achievement in

50

specific curriculum areas, time spent in this type of assessment may be included in the school’s total instructional hours.

All students in grades Kindergarten through grade 10 will participate in the testing program unless formally exempted as follows:

1. A statement of alternative assessment to replace standardized tests has been placed in the student’s Special Education IEP.

2. A formal, written request for alternative assessment to replace standardized testing has been submitted by the parent as per previously established School Committee Policy.

MASSACHUSETTS COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (MCAS)

As mandated by the Education Reform Law of 1993, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) testing program will require students in certain grades to be tested in the various school subjects. The subject areas for the test are those included in the Curriculum Frameworks. English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Technology, and History and Social Science. All students, even those with special educational needs, are required to participate in the MCAS testing process. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) administers the tests and passing scores as well as retaking tests is determined by that agency. Call your school Principal for further information.