Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
In accordance with The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974, and Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 119, the Morris School reports all cases of suspected child maltreatment to the Department of Social Services.
School and District Policies Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Acts of 1972, Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, and Chapter 622 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, the Lenox Public Schools affirm that no person shall, on the
basis of race, color, sex, age, creed, national origin, or sexual orientation,
be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination
in any educational program or activity it operates, including employment therein,
and admission thereto.
The Morris School will not tolerate verbal or physical harassment of any student
or school personnel under any circumstances.
Any complaints or inquiries concerning this policy should be directed as follows:
Robert H. Vaughan, Principal
Morris School
129 West Street
Lenox, MA 01240
Section 504
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Lenox Public Schools affirm that no qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored by the Lenox Public Schools.
Smoking on School Grounds
In accordance with state law and school policy, there is no smoking in or around school buildings or on school grounds.
Animals in School
There is a School Committee Policy regarding animals in the classrooms which must be followed before any animals are allowed in classrooms. Our guidelines are based on advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. If your son/daughter wishes to have an animal brought into school for instructional purposes, he/she should ask the classroom teacher several days in advance so that all procedures may be carried out in accordance with the policy.
Dress Code
We do not have a specific dress code policy. The school does not and will not deem a particular mode of dress inappropriate unless it is felt to be offensive to another child or adult at school (i.e. sexually suggestive images/messages on clothing; messages considered by law to be hateful or biased) or endangers the child's or some other person's health, welfare, or safety.
We ask that children come to school dressed appropriately for both the weather and in keeping with sensible standards for an educational building. A child's dress is essentially the responsibility of the parent and child. It is especially helpful if all outer clothing the children wear to school (e.g., jackets, hats, boots) is marked with the child's name.
Gifts
Gift exchanges between teachers and students are discouraged. There may be "grab bags" during the holiday season in some classrooms.
Party Invitations
We ask that children or parents do not distribute invitations to birthday or other parties at school in order to remain sensitive to children not invited to the party. Invitations brought to school for distribution will be returned to the child or parent by the class teacher.
Electronic Devices, Pokemon Cards, Money and Other Valuables Taken to School
When children bring money to school we ask that parents place the money in an envelope, include a note inside stating the reason for the money being sent, and include both the child's name and the teacher's name on the envelope.
We ask that children not bring large amounts of money or other valuable objects to school. We do not allow radios or expensive cameras without specific permission. We cannot assume responsibility for any damage or loss that may occur. Pokemon Cards, electronic equipment, and other objects identified by the Principal as inappropriate for school grounds will be confiscated and brought to the principal's office where parents may pick them up.
Outstanding Charges or Books
A child who has outstanding lunch charges, school or library books not returned, or other financial obligations unfulfilled shall not be issued his/her final report card until these obligations have been met.
School Insurance
The Lenox Public Schools make student insurance available through Lester Burdick Inc. of Boston. We distribute forms in early September and ask that they all be returned by the last week in September whether or not you desire coverage.
School Materials and Property
The School Committee through its professional staff has identified appropriate materials to achieve its educational objectives at each grade level. These materials are provided by the Lenox Public Schools. Since the books and supplies are provided at public expense, it is expected that the children will be responsible for replacement of any materials that are lost or damaged beyond the reasonable ability to use the book or material during another school year.
Reimbursement is also expected in the event of damage to buildings, furniture, or equipment caused by misconduct or an act which a given child would reasonably be expected to avoid.
Telephone Use
We discourage children from using the school phones for personal reasons. Arrangements for children to visit another child's house are expected to be made in advance of the school day.
Phone calls from students to parents or from parents directly to students are reserved for emergencies only and must be approved by the Principal or Head Teacher.
Visitors
Parents are always welcome to visit the school and their children’s classrooms; as a courtesy to the teacher and to be certain that your visit will coincide with an activity that you would like to see, we ask that you contact the teacher in advance.
All visitors to the school must enter through the main entrance and report to the main office to sign in and obtain a visitor’s badge.
From time to time, we receive requests to allow other visitors who may be Preschool age children, cousins, or friends from out of town to spend a day or even a week with us. We feel that this creates a tremendous responsibility for the elementary staff members and the administration. Therefore, we do not grant such requests.
Building Evacuation
From time to time the building is evacuated either for a practice drill or for an actual emergency. Students should become familiar with the evacuation instructions that are posted in every classroom. The signal for evacuating the building is a loud alarm that is used only for this purpose. When outside, students should stay with their class and teacher in a designated area. The teacher will take attendance. For reasons of safety and communication of instructions, it is very important to remain quiet and orderly.
Fund Raising
Community and parent groups, as well as school personnel wishing to raise funds
for school programs, are asked to consult with the elementary principal. There
is a School
Committee policy which must be followed to prevent undue solicitation of the
community.
Harassment
Morris School is committed to equal employment and educational opportunity for all employees, students and members of the school community without regard to appearance, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or handicap in all aspects of employment and education. The members of the school community include the School Committee, administration, staff, students, and volunteers working in the schools while they work and study subject to the school authorities.
Morris School is also committed to maintain a school and work environment free of harassment based on, but not limited to: appearance, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or handicap. Morris School expects all employees and members of the school community to conduct themselves in an appropriate and professional manner with concern for their fellow employees and students.
Harassment on the basis of appearance, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or handicap in any form will not be tolerated. Such harassment includes unsolicited remarks, gestures or physical contact, display or circulation of written materials or pictures derogatory to either gender or racial, ethnic, religious, age, sexual orientation or handicapped individuals or groups. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not necessarily limited to:
1. Abusing the dignity of an individual through insulting or degrading conduct
or remarks, including remarks made to others about the individual;
2. Suggestions, demands, or threats that are used as a basis for academic employment,
or other decisions affecting a student or employee;
3. Retaliation against an individual for complaining about the behavior described
above;
4. Conduct that has the effect of unreasonably interfering with the individual’s
work; or
5. Conduct that has the effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive
work or learning environment.
Sexual Harassment Policy
It is the policy of the Lenox Public Schools to provide a learning and working atmosphere for students, employees, and visitors free from sexual harassment. All persons associated with the Lenox Public Schools, including but not limited to the School Committee, the administration, staff and students, are expected to conduct themselves at all times so as to provide an atmosphere free from sexual harassment. All members of the school community must also understand that sexual harassment violates Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Chapter 151C of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Conduct that constitutes sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Any person who engages in sexual harassment while acting as a member of the school community will be in violation of this policy as well as state and federal laws.
Sexual harassment is defined as:
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other inappropriate verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature that takes place under any of the following circumstances:
1. When submission to such conduct is made, explicitly or implicitly, a term
or condition of employment, instruction,
or participation in school activities or programs:
2. When submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used
by the offender as the basis for making
personal or academic decisions affecting the individual subjected to sexual
advances:
3. When such conduct has the effect of unreasonably interfering with the individual’s
work: or
4. When such conduct has the effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or
offensive work or learning environment.
Violations of this policy are subject to corrective measures that may include disciplinary action. More information concerning sexual harassment is available to students, parents, and staff upon request in the office.
Reporting Harassment:
Any violation of this policy should be brought to the attention of the principal.
A student may also report violations of this policy to a teacher, nurse, or
counselor who will in turn report the violation to the principal. The principal
will conduct an investigation and take appropriate action. Both formal and informal
measures are available to resolve complaints of harassment.
Consequences:
Any student found to have engaged in harassment shall be subject to any or all
of the “Possible Responses to Major Infractions” listed in the Code
of Conduct. Any employee or other member of the school community found to have
engaged in harassment shall be subject to sanctions, including but not limited
to warning, suspension, or termination subject to applicable procedural requirements.
Under certain circumstances, sexual harassment may constitute child abuse under Massachusetts Law, G.L.c. 119-51A. Morris School shall comply with Massachusetts laws in reporting suspected cases of child abuse.
Human Sexuality Instruction
In accordance with General Laws Chapter 71, Section 32A, the Lenox School Committee has adopted a policy on the rights of parents and guardians of our students in relation to curriculum that primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality issues.
At the Morris School, prior to any instruction involving human sexual education, we will send home a notice to all parents of students in the relevant grade level indicating when instruction will take place and noting a parent or guardian’s right to review instructional materials.
Under Massachusetts law and School Committee policy, a parent may exempt his/her child from any portion of the curriculum that primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality issues. To receive an exemption, simply send a letter to the principal requesting an exemption for your child. No student who is exempted from this portion of the curriculum will be penalized. Teachers may provide an alternative assignment to students who are exempted. Parent resources are available in the library for those wishing to either augment or conduct the classes on their own with their children.
Homeless Students
In accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, the
Morris School will follow the following guidelines:
.. Homeless students have a right to either remain in their school of origin
or to attend school where they are temporarily residing;
.. Students who choose to remain in their school of origin have the right to
remain there until the end of the school year in which they get permanent housing;
.. Students who choose to enroll in school where they are temporarily residing
must be enrolled immediately, even if they do not bring the records usually
required for enrollment with them;
.. If a homeless student arrives without records, the school district’s
designated Homeless Education Liaison must assist the family and contact the
previously attended school system to obtain the required records;
.. If a homeless student continues to live in the area served by the district
in which the school of origin is located, that district must provide or arrange
transportation; and if the homeless student moves to an area served by another
district, though continuing his or her education at the school of origin, the
district of origin and the district in which the student resides must agree
upon a method to apportion responsibility and costs for transportation to the
school of origin.
No Child Left Behind - Notification to Parents of Teacher Qualifications
The Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires school districts that
receive federal Title I funding to notify parents of their right to know the
professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct their child.
As a recipient of these funds, the Lenox Public Schools will provide you with
this information in a timely manner if you request it. Specifically, you have
the right to request the following information about each of your child's classroom
teachers:
• Whether the teacher meets the state qualifications and licensing criteria
for the grades and subjects he or she teaches.
• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status
because of special circumstances.
• The teacher's college major, whether the teacher has any advanced degrees,
and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.
• Whether paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if so,
their qualifications.
The Morris School is committed to providing quality instruction for all students
and does so by employing the most qualified individuals to teach and support
each student in the classroom. If you would like to receive any of the information
listed above for you child's teacher, please contact Robert H. Vaughan at 637-5522
x8.
