Policies

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY POLICIES

Safety and Emergency contains policies, regulations, and exhibits on non-instructional services and programs, particularly those on business management such as safety, building and grounds management, office services, transportation, and food services.

SAFETY PROGRAM

The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall maintain a Joint Loss Management Committee and a Crisis Management Plan that conforms to the national Incident Command System.

The practice of safety shall also be considered a facet of the instructional plan of the District schools by incorporating educational programs in transportation safety, driver education, fire prevention, emergency procedures, etc., appropriately geared to students at different grade levels. All teachers shall be required to know and implement the appropriate safety practices and procedures applicable to their assigned areas of responsibility.

Each principal and/or his/her designee shall be responsible for the supervision and implementation of a safety program for his/her school. General areas of emphasis shall include, but not be limited to: in-service training; accident recordkeeping; plant inspection; driver and vehicle safety programs; fire prevention; disaster planning; emergency procedures and traffic safety problems relevant to students and employees. The principal shall be responsible for developing student safety procedures to be used on school buses, school grounds, during authorized school activities such as field trips, and within school buildings. The building's safety plan shall be on file in the SAU office.

Statutory Reference:

RSA 281-A:64, III (Safety Provisions; Administrative Penalty)
RSA 200:40 (Emergency Care)
ED. 306.10 (a) (2) (d) (Safe Practices)
NHSBA Code EB
First Reading Coordination: 11/14/01
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 12/10/01

STUDENT SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION POLICY

BULLYING

I. General Statement of Policy

The Board is committed to providing all students a safe school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with respect.

This policy is intended to comply with RSA 193-F, which specifically identifies "bullying" as a form of student harassment. Conduct constituting bullying will not be tolerated, and is prohibited by this Policy, in accordance with RSA 193-F.

II. Bullying Defined

Bullying is conduct which subjects a student to insults, taunts, or challenges, whether verbal or physical in nature, which are likely to intimidate or provoke a violent or disorderly response from the student being treated in this manner.

The Superintendent may develop administrative regulations to implement this definition.

III. Reporting Procedures

Any school employee, or employee of a company under contract with a school in the District, or the District itself, who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student has been subjected to "bullying", as defined in II above, shall report such incident to the principal or his/her designee, who shall in turn report the incident to the Superintendent.

The Principal is initially responsible for receiving oral or written reports of violations of this Policy. The Principal may designate, in writing, an additional person to receive such reports.

After receiving any such report, the Principal shall report the incident to the Superintendent. If the Principal received the information verbally, he/she shall reduce the report he/she received to writing within twenty-four hours of receiving the information, and forward it to the Superintendent. If the Principal received the information in writing, he/she shall forward what he/she received to the Superintendent within twenty-four hours of receipt.

The District will make available forms for reporting incidents of bullying, and shall encourage the use of these forms. Such forms shall be available in the Principal's office in each building, and from the Superintendent's Office.

IV. Investigation

The Superintendent shall direct an investigation to be made of reports of bullying in accordance with the procedures specified in Policy (JBAA).

V. Training

The Superintendent may develop age-appropriate methods of discussing the meaning, substance, and application of this Policy with staff and students in order to minimize the occurrence of bullying, and for staff to effectively respond to any such incidents.

VI. Notice of Policy

The Superintendent shall provide notice to students and staff of this Policy through appropriate references in the student and employee handbooks, or through other reasonable means. The Superintendent shall also make all contractors contracting with the District aware of this Policy.

VII. Discipline

If it is determined, after investigation, that a student has engaged in bullying conduct prohibited by this Policy and implementing administrative regulations, that student shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include, but not be limited to, suspension and expulsion.

Any such disciplinary action shall be taken in accord with applicable school board policy and legal requirements.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

RSA-193-F (Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000)
NHSBA Code JICBB
First Reading Coordination: 01/23/01
Second Reading and Adoption BOSC: 02/12/01

ACCIDENT REPORTS

Reports of accidents on school property must be reported to the principal.

Any accident, no matter how slight, must be reported within 48 hours, on the forms provided for this purpose.

A notice must be posted in each school informing all employees of the above regulation. It is the principal's responsibility to provide teachers with the necessary forms for reporting any personal injury accident.

NHSBA Code EBBB
08/94 revised as follows:
First Reading Coordination: 11/14/01
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 12/10/01

FIRST AID

First aid or emergency treatment in case of sudden illness or injury to a student or staff member while on school grounds may be given by staff, in accordance with School Board policy. Further medical attention to students is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian, or the parent or legal guardian's designee. Each student shall have on file a current emergency treatment card, signed by both parents or a legal guardian, designating responsible persons to act on their behalf.

Each principal is charged with providing for the immediate care of ill or injured persons within his/her building. The school nurse or other qualified staff shall administer emergency aid.

In each school, procedures for the handling of such emergencies shall be established and made known to the staff. Emergency phone numbers, including fire, police, rescue squad and poison center shall be posted prominently in the school office.

Students who are too ill to remain in class shall report to the nurse or other designated person. In case of accidents, students are to be sent directly to the nurse's office. The nurse shall decide whether the student shall remain in school, be referred for emergency medical treatment, or be sent home. No student shall be released from school until the parent, guardian or designee has been contacted. The nurse shall keep a log of students receiving first aid and emergency care.

The principal must be notified at once of all accidents or illnesses. In order to ensure accuracy, a detailed accident report shall be completed immediately after first aid has been administered. The report shall include the name of the injured party, date, time of day, place, extent of injury, first aid given, and disposition of the case.

Transportation of the student to his/her home or to a medical facility is the responsibility of the parent; however, the School District shall call for an emergency vehicle if the parent is unavailable.

Statutory/Regulatory References:

RSA 200:40 (Emergency Care)
See Appendix: EBBC-R
NHSBA Code EBBC
First Reading Coordination: 11/14/01
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 12/10/01

FIRE DRILLS

Each school shall hold fire drills each month. One of these shall be supervised by a member of the Manchester Fire Department.

All teachers shall be familiar with the fire drill rules in his/her school. This should be cleared with the building principal. The principal and the teachers shall outline to all students, the procedures for conducting fire drills.

See appendix - EBCB-R - Fire Exit Drills In Educational Occupancies

NHSBA Code EBCB
08/94 revised as follows:
First Reading Coordination: 11/14/01
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 12/10/01

BOMB THREATS

In the event of a call or notice that a bomb has been placed in a school or any other District building, the following procedures shall be required:

1. Immediate evacuation of the school or buildings.
2. If a thorough search has been conducted and nothing has been found, the administrator of the building or his/her designee shall be notified by the senior member of the local protective department that re-entry shall be permitted.
3. Investigation of the incident should be made by the local police department, assisted by the State Police, if requested.

Any decision concerning the dismissal of students and subsequent action, after the above procedures have been followed, is the prerogative of the Superintendent and/or his/her designee.

Persons calling in "Bomb Scares" and/or false fire alarms shall be subject to conviction by the courts and suspension from school pending School Board action (expulsion).

1. Immediately after a call is received, the principal shall be notified. The person receiving the call shall make a detailed record of the call.
2. The principal shall record the time of the call.
3. After investigation, the decision regarding appropriate action shall be made by the principal, after consultation with the Superintendent and/or his/her designee.
4. In each case, the building should be evacuated as determined by the above-mentioned authorities. Evacuation plans shall be followed. Students shall get their coats and other belongings when circumstances permit.
5. The overall safety of all students shall be the basis for all decisions.

NHSBA Code EBCC
First Reading Coordination: 11/14/01 and 12/12/01
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 1/14/02

SCHOOL CLOSING AND CANCELLATIONS

The Superintendent is empowered to close the schools, to delay their opening, or to dismiss students early in the event of hazardous weather or other emergencies which threaten the health or safety of students and personnel.

Students, parents, and staff shall be informed at the beginning of each school year of the procedures which shall be used to notify them in case of emergency closing, whether action is taken before or during school hours. When schools are closed for emergency reasons, staff members shall comply with Board policy in reporting for work.

NHSBA Code EBCD
First Reading Coordination: 12/02/01 and 01/02/02
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/14/02

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS MANAGEMENT

The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall have the general responsibility for the care, custody and safekeeping of all school property, establishing such procedures and employing such means as may be necessary to discharge this responsibility.

At the building level, the principal shall be responsible for overseeing the school facility and for the proper care of school property by the staff and students.

NHSBA Code EC
08/94
First Reading Coordination: 11/14/01
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 12/10/01

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS SECURITY

TRESPASSING

It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to enter upon or remain in public school buildings, including appurtenant buildings, or public school grounds, including parking lots and recreational or athletic areas between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on any day when school is in session.

Authorized persons shall include teachers and other employees of the school, students of said school, their parents or guardians and those who are present with permission of the principal or person in charge. All others, including students, shall be deemed unauthorized persons unless they are involved in school-related business.

NHSBA Code ECA
08/94 revised as follows:
First Reading Coordination: 11/14/01
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 12/10/01

VANDALISM

All individuals are urged by the Board to report any incidents of vandalism to school property, including the name(s) of the person or persons believed to be responsible. Each employee of the District shall report to the principal of the school incidents of vandalism, and, if known, the names of those responsible. All reports shall be forwarded to the office of the Superintendent.

The Superintendent or his/her designee is authorized to sign a criminal complaint and to file a formal request to the court for restitution as part of any criminal action brought by the police.

NHSBA Code ECAC
First Reading Coordination: 11/14/01
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 12/10/01

STUDENT PARKING

The Superintendent and/or his/her designee is authorized to adopt rules and regulations governing the use of parking areas on public school premises. Signs shall be maintained designating the provisions of such parking rules and regulations in the affected area. Cards, tags or stickers shall be issued to facilitate enforcement as provided in the rules and regulations.

The parking lots at all schools are, by definition, City of Manchester parking lots and are subject to all City parking ordinances.

PARKING IN SCHOOL YARDS

Area residents shall be allowed to park their cars in the school yards during the nighttime hours of the winter months.

1. All school grounds are closed to parking from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the City's winter parking ban.
2. When the City's winter parking ban is not in effect, parking shall not be allowed at any time.
3. Principals shall monitor this policy and notify offending drivers who are not following the rules and regulations set forth.
4. Principals are authorized to take appropriate action to clear schoolyards whenever problems arise.

NHSBA Code ECE
First Reading Coordination: 12/12/01 and 01/02/02
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/14/02

AUTHORIZED USE OF SCHOOL-OWNED MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT

School equipment shall only be used for school, school-related, civic, or educational purposes.

The Board shall allow permit school equipment to be loaned to staff members when such use is related to their employment and to students when the equipment is to be used in connection with their studies or extracurricular activities. A written agreement shall be used, which specifies the borrower's responsibility to return the equipment in the condition in which it was received, and which specifies his/her financial responsibility for any loss or damage to the equipment.

NHSBA Code EDC
First Reading Coordination: 11/14/01
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 12/10/01

Also Instruction 142

INTRANET/INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

Intranet/Internet access is available to students and school personnel in the Manchester School District. To gain access to the Manchester School District Intranet/Internet computer network, all users must sign the appropriate Acceptable Use Policy form. Students in grades 6-12 under the age of 18 must obtain parental permission to gain access to the Manchester School District Intranet/Internet computer network. Students in grades K-5 shall use the Internet under close teacher supervision unless otherwise requested by a parent. The District recommends that parents read this policy carefully with their son/daughter and discuss it before giving their parental signature on any applicable form. Users 18 years of age and over may sign their own forms.

The internal Manchester School District Intranet/Internet computer network shall provide the gateway to connecting students and school personnel to the Internet. School personnel shall have access to universities, colleges, other schools, businesses, government agencies and to e-mail communication with people all over the world. Students shall have similar access except for e-mail usage, which may be granted for teacher initiated projects only.

The Manchester School District is committed to using the Internet as a global source of information within its educational programs. Our goal is to provide Internet service to promote educational excellence through communication, resource sharing, innovation, and research. It is our intention to provide an Internet environment that is safe and appropriate for the maturity level and needs of student users. Internet access by students shall be supervised by District personnel.

The Internet is a fluid environment where content is continually changing, and where the authenticity and validity of information sometimes can be questionable. Some material on the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people. The Manchester School District has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials by using an Internet filtering program. The District servers also create logs of activity on the network. These logs are stored for thirty (30) days. While our intent is to make Internet access available to further educational goals and objectives, it is impossible to filter all Internet access, and students may find ways to access controversial materials. It is the responsibility of the individual to use the Intranet/Internet in a legal, ethical, responsible, and considerate manner.

For these reasons, it is necessary to establish guidelines that are reflective of the District's educational objectives for all Intranet/Internet users. Therefore, all acceptable use of the Intranet/Internet must be in support of communication, research and education consistent with the purposes of the Manchester School District and must not violate school policies and standards of behavior.

User Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the user to familiarize him/herself with and abide by the rules of this Acceptable Use Policy and make appropriate use of the available resources. While it is not the intention of District personnel to be intrusive, users are advised that authorized District personnel shall be monitoring system activity and content of e-mail messages and files.

User responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Users are not to reveal their last name, personal home address, home phone number or phone numbers and addresses of any other individuals except when using the CX Bridges Portfolio feature.
• Students must notify a parent/guardian and teacher or system administrator immediately if any individual is trying to make contact for illicit or suspicious activities.
• Users must not interfere with the normal and proper operation of the Intranet/Internet.
• Student-produced material may be posted only after administrative review and parental permission. At that point, it shall be considered fair use and available to the public.
• Users agree to report any misuses of the District's computer network or Intranet/Internet services to the District's network administrator.

Unacceptable Uses

The use of the Intranet/Internet is a privilege, not a right, and unacceptable uses may result in restriction/revocation of those access privileges. Unacceptable uses may include, but are not limited to:

• sending, receiving or displaying offensive messages or pictures
• using obscene language
• harassing, insulting or attacking others
• violating copyright law or Manchester School District's copyright policy
• using another user's password or account
• damaging or altering computers, computer systems, or computer networks
• gaining access or attempting to modify others' folders, work or files
• using the network for personal, financial or commercial purposes
• misrepresenting oneself
• using the school's Intranet/Internet connection for any illegal or restricted activity
• developing intentionally or using invasive software, such as viruses, worms and other detrimental activities
• gaining unauthorized access to restricted resources or organizations
• using the school's external Internet connection for non-educational purposes
• posting any items produced by the students to the Internet without proper administrative review and parental permission
• using e-mail to reveal personal information
• accessing non-district issued e-mail accounts
• students' using e-mail for non-educational purposes
• using unauthorized services or mail lists, i.e. LISTSERVS, newsgroups, chat rooms, and instant messaging
• encrypting communications or files to avoid system security review

Disciplinary Actions

Depending on the severity of the offense, violation of this Acceptable Use Policy shall result in one or more of the following disciplinary actions:

• verbal warning
• written warning
• restriction or revocation of access privileges
• removal from a class activity
• removal from a course
• student detention, suspension or expulsion
• being reported to the appropriate legal authorities for possible criminal prosecution
• financial restitution for inappropriate use

The Manchester School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The Manchester School District shall not be responsible for any damages a user suffers. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, mid-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or the user's errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user's own risk. The Manchester School District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy and quality of information obtained through its services.

This Policy is adopted in accord with NH RSA 194:3-d and is intended to outline the appropriate and acceptable use of the School District's computer systems and networks, including, but not limited to, the internet. In accord with NH RSA 194:3-d any user of the School District's computer systems or networks who intentionally violates this Policy and who intentionally damages the computer system or network shall assume legal and financial liability for such damage.

References:

This Acceptable Use Policy has been written with the assistance of the following:

Exeter School District, Exeter, NH, Presentations at Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference and NHSTE Technology Coordinators' Meeting, 2000-2001

Classroom Connect Online Privacy - Parents' and Teachers' Guide

The Concerned Educator's Guide to Safety and Cyber-Ethics 

Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse - checklist for decision-making (http://www.safewiredschools.org )

NHEMA/NHSTE (New Hampshire Educational Media Association/New Hampshire Society for Technology in Education) Internet Policy Toolkit

Portsmouth, NH School Department Acceptable Use Policy

Auburn, ME School Department Acceptable Use Policy/Regulations

Windham, NH School District Acceptable Use Policy

With permission from Classroom Connect. Copyright 1996. Wentworth Worldwide Media, 1866 Colonial Village Lane, Lancaster, PA 17605.

See Appendix Instruction 142

Revised 05/01
First Reading Coordination: 06/13/01
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 07/09/01

COPYRIGHT COMPLIANCE

The District recognizes that federal law makes it illegal to duplicate copyrighted materials without authorization of the holder of the copyright, except for certain exempt purposes. Severe penalties may be imposed for unauthorized copying or use of audio, visual or printed materials and computer software, unless the copying or use conforms to the "fair use" doctrine.

Under the "fair use" doctrine, unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials is permissible for such purposes as criticism, comment, newsreporting, teaching, scholarship or research.

While the District encourages its staff to enrich the learning programs by making proper use of supplementary materials, it is the responsibility of District staff to abide by the District's copying procedures and obey the requirements of the law.

Under no circumstances shall it be necessary for District staff to violate copyright requirements in order to perform their duties properly. The District shall not be responsible for any violations of copyright law by its staff.

Any staff member who is uncertain as to whether reproducing or using copyrighted material complies with the District's procedures or is permissible under the law should contact the Superintendent and/or his/her designee. The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall assist staff in obtaining proper authorization to copy or use protected materials when such authorization is required.

Reference:

17 USC 101 to 1010 Federal Copyright Law of 1976.
NHSBA Code EGAD
10/91 revised as follows:
First Reading Coordination: 11/14/01 and 12/12/01
Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 1/14/02

WELLNESS AND NUTRITION

The Manchester School District is committed to creating a healthy school environment that enhances the development of lifelong wellness practices, promotes healthy eating and physical activities that support student achievement, and complies with federal mandates regulating school food and nutrition before, during, and after school.

Nutrition Education Goal
Nutrition education shall:

Nutrition Standards
The district shall ensure that:

Physical Education and Physical Activity Opportunities
The district shall offer physical education opportunities that:

Other School-Based Activities Designed To Promote Wellness

The district may implement other appropriate programs that help create school environments that promote wellness and are conducive to healthy eating and physical activity.

Implementation and Measurement

The building administration from each school shall implement this policy. The building administration shall evaluate the compliance of the policy annually (See Evaluation under Safety 127-R). The Consultant Dietitian and Director of School Food Services will assist. The building administration shall send an assessment form with an action plan to the Superintendent for review. The district shall develop and implement regulations consistent with the intention to offer healthy choices to students and to comply with this policy. Input from teachers (including specialists in health and special education), school nurses, parents/guardians, students, representatives of the school food service program, school board members, school administrators, and the public shall be considered before implementing such rules.

Reference:

Revised Policy March 2009