Wattsburg area school district mission statement

WATTSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT WEAPONS POLICY 218.1

A safe school environment is important to the educational process. Possession of weapons in the school setting is a threat to the safety of students and staff and is prohibited by law.

A weapon is defined as a knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nunchaku, knuckles, chains, clubs, throwing star, explosive device, firearm, shotgun, rifle, replica of a weapon, and/or any other tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury. A student is in possession of a weapon when the weapon is found on the person of the student; in the student's locker; under the student's control while on school property, on property being used by the school, at any school function or activity, at any school event held away from the school, or while the student is coming to or from school.
Students are prohibited from possessing and bringing weapons and replicas of weapons into any school district buildings, onto school property, to any school sponsored activity, and onto any public vehicle providing transportation to school or a school sponsored activity. The school district shall expel for a period of not less than one (1) year any student who violates this weapons policy. Such expulsion shall be given in conformance with formal due process proceedings required by law.

UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT POLICY 248

All Wattsburg Area School District students have a responsibility for maintaining high standards of conduct and ethical behavior. Student conduct, which violates these standards, is prohibited.

Harassment shall consist of verbal, written, graphic or physical conduct relating to an individual's race, color, national origin/ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion when such conduct:

1. 
   Is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it affects an individual's ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity or creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment.
   
2. 
   Has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic performance.
   
3. 
   Otherwise adversely affects an individual's learning opportunities.
   

Sexual harassment shall consist of unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; and other inappropriate verbal, written, graphic or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. 
   Submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student's academic status.
   
2. 
   Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for academic or work decisions affecting the individual.
   
3. 
   Such conduct deprives a student of educational aid, benefits, services or treatment.
   
4. 
   Such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with the student's school performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment.
   

Examples of conduct that may constitute sexual harassment include but are not limited to sexual flirtations, advances, touching or propositions; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; graphic or suggestive comments about an individual's dress or body; sexually degrading words to describe an individual; jokes; pin-ups; calendars; objects; graffiti; vulgar statements; abusive language; innuendoes; references to sexual activities; overt sexual conduct; or any conduct that has the effect of unreasonably interfering with a student's ability to work or learn or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning or working environment.
A student who harasses or sexually harasses another student will be subject to disciplinary action (see also: Discipline). Students are encouraged to report immediately any instances of harassment. There will be no penalty for filing a complaint unless said complaint is shown to be false or unjust. Such complaints should be directed to the administration. The complaints will be examined and resolved promptly, impartially and confidentially.

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY TOBACCO POLICY 222

Tobacco/nicotine products include cigarettes, cigars, blunts, bidis, pipes, chewing tobacco, spit tobacco, snuff, and other items containing nicotine or reasonably resembling tobacco or tobacco products. Tobacco/nicotine use includes smoking, chewing, dipping, or any other use of tobacco products and/or nicotine containing products including, but not limited to, nicotine water and nicotine hand gel.

No student is permitted to possess or use any tobacco product at any time, including non-school hours: in any building, facility, or vehicle owned, leased, rented or chartered by the school/school district on any school grounds and property including athletic fields and parking lots owned, leased, rented or chartered by the school/school district; or at any school-sponsored or school-related events on campus or off campus.
The school/school district may initiate prosecution of a student who possesses or uses tobacco in violation of this policy. A student convicted of possessing or using tobacco in violation of this policy may be fined up to $50 plus court costs or admitted to alternative adjudication in lieu of imposition of a fine.
Any student found in possession of tobacco [including use of tobacco] may be prosecuted under Act 145 of 1996.
The building principal may take into account the following factors: student’s age, grade level, disciplinary record, diagnosed disabilities and other pertinent information when assigning discipline. There will be no tobacco advertising, promotions or sponsorships allowed in school buildings, on school grounds, at school functions and in any school publications.

PUBLIC ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL EVENTS POLICY 904
(Tobacco Use by Visitors)
The Board prohibits tobacco use by any persons in its school buildings and on any property, buses, vans and vehicles that are owned, leased or controlled by the school district.
Posted notices shall be used to inform spectators and visitors of the tobacco free schools policy. In addition, announcement of the policy shall be made via the public address system at all events. The policy shall also be published annually in a district newsletter or in the local press. Spectators or visitors who use tobacco on school property shall be reminded by the principal, supervisor, or designee of the tobacco free school policy. If someone refuses to stop using tobacco, they shall be asked by the principal, supervisor, or designee to leave school property. Violators may be referred to the police or fire department.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES/PARAPHERNALIA POLICY 227

The Board of School Directors recognizes the illegality and disease process of chemical use and abuse by students. Therefore, in order to protect the school community from undue harm or exposure to drugs and alcohol, possession, use, and distribution of controlled substances and other similar substances as defined in this policy are prohibited on school district property and at any school-sponsored activities and/or events at all times (see also: Discipline).

For purposes of this policy, school property shall be interpreted as applying to both real property and those items of transportation that would be utilized in traveling to and from school. Due consideration has been given to the legal rights and responsibilities of the school administration, staff, students and parents/guardians. Section 1317 of the Pennsylvania School Code specifies that: Every teacher, vice-principal and principal in the public school shall have the right to exercise the same authority as to conduct and behavior over the pupils attending his school, during the time they are in attendance, including the time required in going to and from their homes, as the parents, guardian, or persons in parental relation to such pupils may exercise over them.
For the purposes of administering this policy, the following definitions shall apply:

1. 
   Controlled Substance: Any substance listed as illegal or controlled under current applicable state laws.
   
2. 
   Non-prescription Drugs: Substances commercially packaged and sold over-the-counter in retail stores or distributed by mail, which either contain drugs of any type or purport to produce drug-like effects.
   
3. 
   Prescription Drugs: Substances obtainable by prescription from a physician.
   
4. 
   Paraphernalia: Tools or equipment whose function is to aid a drug user in consuming or selling any type of drug.
   
5. 
   Possession: Keeping or carrying in hands, pockets, wallets, purses or anywhere about the body, in locker or automobile, or in books, papers, or any other medium or container which a student may carry or transport.
   
6. 
   Distribution: Giving, selling, or passing to another person on school property, on school buses, on the way to or from school, or during school sponsored events.
   
7. 
   Possession with Intent to Distribute: Possession of any quantity of an unauthorized substance that could not reasonably or safely be consumed within the school day. Example: Possession of more than four (4) tablets of a non-prescription drug, for which the recommended dosage is “two (2) tablets every four (4) hours”.
   
8. 
   Misrepresented Substance: Any attempt to distribute a substance which has been inaccurately described or implied to the receiver as a controlled substance, or has been implied to have a value other than its actual value (i.e. "look-a-likes").
   
9. 
   Use (of an unauthorized substance): The actual use during school or being under the influence during school hours, at school-sponsored activities, or use prior to arrival at school or any school sponsored activity which evidences itself by a strong odor and/or unusual behavior.
   
10. 
    Off-Campus Activities: This policy shall also apply to student conduct that occurs off school property and would violate the Code of Student Conduct/Discipline Procedures if:
    

1. 
   There is a nexus between the proximity or timing of the conduct in relation to the student's attendance at school or school-sponsored activities.
   
2. 
   The student is a member of an extracurricular activity and has been notified that particular off-campus conduct could result in exclusion from such activities.
   
1. 
   Student expression or conduct materially and substantially disrupts the operations of the school, or the administration reasonably anticipates that the expression or conduct is likely to materially and substantially disrupt the operations of the school.
   
2. 
   The conduct has a direct nexus to attendance at school or a school sponsored activity, such as an agreement to complete a transaction outside of school that would violate the Code of Student Conduct/Discipline Procedures.
   
3. 
   The conduct involves the theft or vandalism of school property.
   

Reasonable Suspicion/Testing
If based on the student's behavior, medical symptoms, vital signs or other observable factors, the building principal has reasonable suspicion that the student is under the influence of a controlled substance, the student may be required to submit to drug or alcohol testing. The testing may include but is not limited to the analysis of blood, urine, saliva, or the administration of a Breathalyzer test.
BULLYING POLICY 249

All forms of bullying are unacceptable and, to the extent that such actions are disruptive of the educational process of the School District, offenders shall be subject to appropriate staff intervention, which may result in administrative discipline. Bullying incidents that occur outside the school setting may be subject to the provisions of this policy if such incidents interfere with the bullied students’ education, or disrupt the educational process of the school.

Bullying shall mean unwelcome verbal, written or physical conduct directed at a student by another student that has the effect of:

1. 
   Physically, emotionally or mentally harming a student;
   
2. 
   Damaging, extorting or taking a student’s personal property;
   
3. 
   Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical, emotional or mental harm;
   
4. 
   Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to or loss of personal property; or
   
5. 
   Creating an intimidating or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities.
   

Cyber bullying includes, but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology; harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another student or staff member by way of any technological tool, such as sending or posting inappropriate or derogatory email messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images or website postings (including blogs) which has the effect of:

1. 
   Physically, emotionally or mentally harming a student;
   
2. 
   Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical, emotional or mental harm;
   
3. 
   Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to or loss of personal property; or creating an intimidating or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities.
   

Consequences for Violations
A student who violates this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with the Code of Student Conduct, which may include:

1. 
   Counseling within the school.
   
2. 
   Parental conference.
   
3. 
   Loss of school privileges.
   
4. 
   Transfer to another school building, classroom or school bus.
   
5. 
   Exclusion from school-sponsored activities.
   
6. 
   Detention.
   
7. 
   Suspension.
   
8. 
   Expulsion.
   
9. 
   Counseling/Therapy outside of school.
   
10. 
    Referral to law enforcement officials.
    

916. VOLUNTEERS

1. Purpose

The Board encourages the use of volunteers to perform appropriate tasks within district schools. The purpose of volunteers in the school is to augment the educational and support resources available to students through the use of the diverse talents and skills of community members. The Board recognizes that community volunteers can make valuable contributions to the educational and extra- curricular programs. The use of community volunteers is endorsed by the Board, subject to legal requirements and administrative procedures.

2. Definitions Volunteer – A Volunteer is an adult serving in an unpaid position in which they are responsible for the welfare of a child or have “direct contact with children” (care, supervision, guidance or control of children, or routing interaction with children through any program, activity or service sponsored by the district).

Mandated Reporter – Volunteers who, on the basis of the individual’s role as an integral part of a regularly scheduled program, activity, or service, accept responsibility for a child are considered Mandated Reporters as per the Child Protective Services law and any other applicable laws or regulations.

Visitor – An adult whose presence with children does not rise to the level of a Volunteer. Visitors include, but are not limited to:

1. A parent, grandparent, guardian or other family member who visits the District to participate in a celebration or District sponsored family time;

2. Adults who attend District sponsored community events, athletic events or extra-curricular events; or

3. Vendors guest speakers, guest readers or other adults invited to the District on an occasional basis.

Visitors are governed by Policy 907.

3. Authority The Board authorizes the selection and use of parents/guardians, community members, and others as volunteers to assist and supplement regular district staff.

4. Delegation of Responsibility The building principal or designee shall be responsible to oversee the selection and assignment of volunteers.

5. Guidelines

Under no circumstances shall a volunteer be considered an employee of the district. A volunteer shall receive no wages or other valuable consideration for the performance of volunteer services. The volunteer position is not a right, but rather a privilege that is conferred by the Board and the administration. As such, any volunteer position or volunteer may be eliminated at any time for any reason or no reason.

Although not required by the Board, all volunteers are encouraged to undergo Mandated Reporter Training. The district will provide information regarding state approved training programs during the application process.

This policy shall be liberally construed to protect school district students and staff. Consistent with this policy, the administration and/or the solicitor are authorized and directed to pursue any appropriate investigative procedure deemed necessary.

Required Clearances

Volunteers shall, prior to approval by the Board, submit to the District for review and verification original:

1. Federal criminal history report (finger prints);

2. Criminal history report from the Pennsylvania State Police;

3. Child abuse history clearance from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

All required criminal history reports and child abuse clearances shall be provided in the form and manner prescribed by Act 34 and Act 114 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code, and Act 151 (Child Protective Services Law), and must not be dated more than one (1) year prior to the date of approval by the Board.

1. New volunteers must have clearances in order to be approved for their positions.

2. Existing volunteers who do not already have clearances must get them by July 1, 2015, and those with clearances that will be more than three years old on July 1, 2015, must get new ones before July 1, 2015.

Clearance Procedures

1. Volunteers shall supply at their own expense satisfactory Act 34 (PA Criminal History) and Act 151 (PA Child Abuse) clearance reports and an FBI Federal Criminal History Record and be cleared by the school Superintendent or designee before any contact with school students can be allowed.

2. Original copies of clearances must be submitted for verification by the principal or designee. Copies of these clearances will be maintained in the respective building principal’s office and kept on file in the school district office.

3. If under the law the volunteer’s Act 34, Act 151, or FBI report would preclude the volunteer from being hired as an employee, then the person shall not be a volunteer.

4. Required clearances must be resubmitted every 36 months. If all clearances are submitted at one time, the date of the oldest clearance establishes the renewal date.

Self-Reporting - All Volunteers must provide the District written notice of any arrest, conviction or naming in a report of child abuse. If an arrest or conviction, the notice must be made on PDE From 6004. Failure to accurately report within 72 hours may subject the Volunteer to criminal prosecution.

Volunteer Status

Approved volunteer status is considered valid and active as long as:

1. The volunteer has children enrolled in the Wattsburg Area School District or there has not been a break in volunteer service of over one (1) calendar year.

2. The volunteer is not removed from volunteer status by the Board or administration;

3. State or federal law does not require action by the district.

It shall be the policy of the Board that a volunteer, whether directly or indirectly involved in education or in an extracurricular activity, will not have contact with students during school or school-related activities if s/he has any record of violence or abuse.

Volunteers must adhere to the following rules, regulations, and policies of the district, including those concerning confidentiality of student information:

1. As applicable, volunteers shall meet any standards which may be mandated by federal, state or local government, or by the Board or administration, from time to time. The volunteer must agree to be bound by all applicable privacy laws and regulations. The volunteer shall adhere to all rules and regulations and administrative guidelines governing the conduct of District employees.

2. Volunteers will not be permitted to directly administer student discipline.

3. Volunteers will not be permitted to administer first aid, unless certificated or licensed to do so and only in the case of an emergency.

4. Volunteers shall not be asked to assume the professional responsibilities of the school staff, but may, under the direction of a staff member who has been granted administrative permission, provide assistance in an identified activity that is supportive, reinforcing or enriching in nature.

5. Except as specifically authorized, volunteers shall not be permitted to operate any District vehicles, and volunteers shall not be permitted to transport students in personal vehicles in support of any school program. Volunteers who transport students in personal vehicles are not covered by

automobile liability insurance provided by the District. Insurance coverage in this situation is through the volunteer’s own insurance carrier.

6. No volunteer shall be permitted to access, review, disclose, or use confidential student information, or participate in conversations in which confidential student information is discussed and shall follow all regulations of FERPA and HIPPA, unless specific consent is obtained as required by law. Examples of such information include, but are not limited to: grades, class standing, standardized or other test scores, attendance records, disciplinary records, other educational records, individualized educational plans, health data, family and background information, and any other verified or unverified information contained in a student’s file maintained by teachers, administrators, or the District. Each volunteer shall keep strictly confidential all information he or she may learn during the course of performing services about the students enrolled in the District.

References:

School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 111, 510, 1418

State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 8.1 et seq. State Department of Health Regulations – 28 PA Code Sec.23.44 Child Protective Services Law – 23 Pa. C.S.A. Sec. 6301 et seq.

Judiciary Code – 42 Pa. C.S.A. Sec. 8337.1

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act – 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Regulations – 34 C.F.R. Sec. 99.30, 99.31













WASD ANNUAL CHILD FIND NOTICE
The Wattsburg Area School District hereby notifies parents and guardians of children with disabilities age 3-21 of the availability of Special Education Services, under the requirements of Chapter 14 of the School Code, to meet these children's unique educational needs.
Every school has a screening and evaluation process to identify students who may require Special Education Services.  If parents or guardians think their child might need Special Education Services or that the child may have a developmental delay, they can refer their child by contacting the principal of the school which the child attends, the District Administration Office. Screenings and evaluations occur throughout the year and also during registration for Kindergarten.
Available programs and services, at no costs to parents, include:
Early Intervention - For children ages 3-5 with **developmental delays and disabilities.

Learning Support - For students with Learning Disabilities or mild Mental Retardation.

Emotional Support - For students with emotional problems and/or mental health disorders.

Sensory Support - For students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, or Visually Impaired.

Physical Support - For students with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and other physical disabilities.

Autistic Support - For students with Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder.

Multiple Disabilities Support -   For students with two or more disabilities, one of which is Mental Retardation.

Life Skills Support -   For students with moderate Mental Retardation who require instruction in daily living skills.

Speech and Language Support - For students with speech or language disorders.
** IDEA 2004 states that early intervention services must be provided to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or established risk conditions the following is information related to Developmental Delay and potential risk areas:

• 
  Developmental delays are significant delays or atypical patterns of development that make children eligible for early intervention services.  The following are potential risk areas:
  

• 
  Established risk conditions include a diagnosed physical or medical condition that almost always result in developmental delay or disability. Examples of this category are, Down syndrome, Fragile-X syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, other conditions associated with mental retardation, brain or spinal cord damage, and sensory impairments.
  
• 
  Biological risk conditions include pediatric histories or current biological conditions that result in a greater-than usual probability of developmental delay or disability.  Examples of this category are: low birth weight and significant premature birth.
  
• 
  Environmental risk conditions include factors such as extreme poverty, parental substance abuse, homeless, abuse or neglect, and parental intellectual impairment which are associated with higher than normal probability with of developmental delay. (Heward, 2006, pgs.563-564)
  

Parents are also advised that in Pennsylvania, children with disabilities, who do not require special education, are protected by the regulations of Chapter 15 of the School Code.  Parents who feel their child may be a child with a "protected handicapped" should contact the principal of the school their child attends for more information.

Parents are further advised that in Pennsylvania, children who are mentally gifted are protected by the regulations of Chapter 16 of the School Code.  Parents who feel their child may be gifted should contact the principal of the school their child attends for more information.
If you have any questions or for learning more about your child's rights for a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) call or write:
Special Education Supervisor

Wattsburg Area School District

10770 Wattsburg Road, Erie, PA 16509-6499

Phone:  [phone]

Parents may also contact:
Special Education Department

Notice is also given regarding the Confidentiality requirements school districts and Intermediate Units must follow in the evaluation, identification, and programming of children who may require Chapter 14, Chapter 15, or Chapter 16 services.  Records generated by this process, as well as records sought from non-school agencies, are confidential and protected by both Federal and State Legislation.  Information to and from outside sources cannot be requested or released without the parent’s written consent.  All records are kept under lock and are mechanically destroyed when they no longer have educational relevance.  WASD does not disclose personally identifiable information.

Information about confidentiality will be provided to parents or guardians at the time of the evaluation referral. 


WASD Annual Gifted Notice
The Wattsburg Area School District has established these procedures regarding identification of gifted children. The focus of the law, called Chapter 16, is to ensure that students are not identified as mentally gifted based on a single test score.
The district conducts ongoing screening activities to nominate potential candidates. Children may be referred by parents or teachers. Parents who feel strongly that their child may be gifted should contact the school guidance counselor to initiate gifted screening on behalf of their son or daughter. The gifted screening process will include a review of the student's record, past test scores, report card grades, and input from those familiar with the student's learning strengths and needs.
Identification of a student eligible for gifted services is based on:

1. 
   Full scale or composite IQ score of 130 or higher on an individually administered IQ test.
   

or any combination of the following criteria:

2. 
   A year or more above grade achievement level for the normal age group in one or more subjects as measured by nationally normed and validated achievement tests able to accurately reflect gifted performance. Subject results shall yield academic instruction levels in all academic subject areas.
   
3. 
   As observed or measured rate of acquisition/retention of new academic content or skills that reflect gifted ability.
   
4. 
   Demonstrated achievement, performance or expertise in one or more academic areas as evidenced by excellence of products, portfolio or research, as well as criterion-referenced team judgment.
   
5. 
   Early and measured use of high level thinking skills, academic creativity, leadership skills, intense academic interest areas, communication skills, foreign language aptitude or technology expertise.
   
6. 
   Documented, observed, validated or assessed evidence that intervening factors such as English as a Second Language, disabilities defined in 34 CFR 300.8 (relating to child with a disability), gender or race bias, or socio/cultural deprivation are masking gifted abilities.
   

Wattsburg Area School District offers a variety of programs to meet the needs of students who are identified as gifted. Gifted programming at Wattsburg Area Elementary Center and Middle School includes enrichment activities within and outside of the regular education classroom and a Discovery program coordinated by the gifted teacher. Gifted programming at Seneca High School includes the opportunity for students to enroll in advanced placement courses, cyber courses, and to earn college credits through participation in the Regional Choice Initiative (dual enrollment).
Wattsburg Area School District will provide PDE with all required gifted information and/or reports related to students, personnel, and program elements.

APPENDIX

Wattsburg Area School District

Wattsburg Area Elementary Center

10780 Wattsburg Road Erie, PA 16509-6422 814 / 824-3400 Fax 814 / 825-0302

Mrs. Audrey A. Coletta Mrs. Hillary R. Barboni

Principal Assistant Principal

Date


Parents Name

Address
Dear Parents names,
This letter is being sent to inform you that today your child, child’s name, was seen today by the principal regarding her bus behavior.
The safety of your children is of the utmost importance to us just as it is to you. We do our best to stress to the children why rules, especially bus rules, need to be followed. We have explained to him/her that a bus driver’s job is to get students to and from school safely and that the student’s job is to not distract the bus driver from doing their job. If another incident occurs, your child was informed that parents would be notified and the consequence would be a bus suspension.
Please discuss this matter with your child and reinforce the appropriate bus behavior. We sincerely appreciate your support in an effort to ensure the safety of all the students that ride the bus.
Respectfully,

Mrs. Audrey A. Coletta, Principal