Rules and Policies

ARRIVAL

The learners arrive at 7:10 A.M. and classes begin at 7:35 A.M. Learners report to their homerooms upon arrival. If a learner arrives after 7:30 A.M., he/she is marked tardy. Please be aware that there is no supervision of learners prior to 7:10 A.M. and learners should not arrive before this time.

Sixth grade learners who walk or ride to school in a car should enter the building at the lower lobby entrance (cafeteria entrance). Seventh grade and eighth grade learners who walk or ride to school should enter in the upper lobby (gymnasium entrance).

DISMISSAL

Dismissal begins at 2:28 P.M. Buses exit the bus lot as soon as they have loaded. Learners who walk or travel home by car are dismissed from the lower lobby after all buses have departed. Learners are not permitted to be in the school building after school hours without supervision.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Any learner who needs to be dismissed early for an appointment should present a note from his/her parents to the office in the morning and receive an early dismissal slip. Early dismissals are recorded when a learner leaves school after 11:05 A.M. The learner should report to the office at the time listed on the dismissal slip. Parents are required to come to the office to sign out their children. No learner is permitted to leave the building before dismissal time unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or person designated in a note signed by a parent or guardian.

Any change to a learner’s regular dismissal routine must be put in writing and submitted to office personnel by 11:00 A.M. Office personnel must have ample time to record and verify changes, and notify the staff members who supervise learners at dismissal. It is understood that emergency situations occur and will be considered for approval.

LATE TO SCHOOL OR ABSENT

Learners who are late to school or are returning from an absence must report directly to the office to obtain a pass. When absent or tardy, learners are required to present a written excuse from their parents, stating the date of and the reason for the learner's tardiness or absence. If an excuse for a day of absence is not turned in to the office within 3 school days, the absence will be considered unexcused. NO CREDIT will be given for work made up from an unexcused day of absence. The only excused tardies are for illness, late bus, and hazardous weather conditions. Detentions and/or suspensions will be assigned to learners upon three unexcused tardies to school.

Athletes who are not in attendance at school by 8:00 A.M. are not permitted to participate in extracurricular or cocurricular athletics after school on that day. If a learner comes to school after 8:00 A.M. and brings a medical excuse, signed by a physician, stating the reason for the learner's tardiness, an exception may be made. Exceptions are subject to the approval of the principal.

Learners are not permitted to leave school grounds at any time during the school day without permission from the school administration and permission from the parents or guardian. Learners will only be released to their parents or guardians as identified on the emergency card.

Arrival between 7:30 A.M. and 11:05 A.M. is recorded as tardy to school. Arrival after 11:05 A.M. is recorded as a half-day present.

LATE TO CLASS

Learners who are late to class 3 times or more will be assigned detention by the teacher of that class.

ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL FUNCTIONS

During the year, there will be many school functions including sports events, dances, field trips, and assemblies. These events require the time and effort of many people within and outside of the school. Unless otherwise stated, these functions are limited to learners enrolled in the school, and on some occasions, in particular grades.

Learners may not attend these functions if they have been absent on that day or if they have detention or suspension obligations to meet. Learners who behave inappropriately at these functions may lose the privilege of participating in future school activities. An excessive amount of disciplinary infractions may also result in a learner being excluded from certain activities.

PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS AND ATHLETIC TEAMS

All learners are strongly encouraged to participate in school organizations and athletic teams, according to their own interests, but learners must remember that such participation is a privilege, not a right. These organizations and teams are part of the total school program, and learners may be suspended or dismissed from participation in them for violations of the Learners Rights and Responsibilities policy, the General Rules for Learners Athletes, and/or the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Drug and Alcohol Use Any learner athlete who is found in possession of or using alcohol, drugs, or drug paraphernalia during the inclusive dates of the officially defined sports season, including any pre- or post-season activity will immediately be dismissed from the activity for the remainder of the season, including any post-season activity, and will be referred to the school’s Learners Assistance Team. A drug or alcohol assessment must be completed and all recommendations of the assessment must be followed by the learner-athlete before the learner may participate in any subsequent athletic activity. The learner and his/her parents or guardian are responsible for securing the assessment from a certified drug/alcohol counselor or treatment facility and are responsible for all expenses incurred for the assessment. The building principal will have the authority to verify the legitimacy of the assessment and the learner’s compliance with all recommendations from the assessment.

School district policy also prohibits the use of anabolic steroids, including Human Growth Hormone (HGH), by learners involved in school-related athletics, except for a valid medical purpose. Bodybuilding and muscle enhancement of athletic ability are not valid medical purposes. The following minimum penalties apply to any learner-athlete found in violation of the prohibited use of anabolic steroids

1. For a first violation, suspension from school athletics for the remainder of the season.

2. For a second violation, suspension from school athletics for the remainder of the season and for the following season.

3. For a third violation, permanent suspension from school

All coaches are required to report as soon as possible to the athletic director or principal any information regarding any possible violations of the drug and alcohol guidelines by our learner athletes.

Academic Eligibility Academic eligibility guidelines adopted by the Ligonier Valley School Board specify that any learner reported as failing in two or more subjects will be ineligible the following week (Monday through Sunday). Eligibility shall be accumulative from the beginning of a grading period. This includes both practice sessions and games/matches/meets. Any athlete who is found to be ineligible three times within a season will be ineligible for all sports for the remainder of that season.

A grace period of one week will be given at the beginning of each sport’s season when academic ineligibility is not in effect.

Ligonier Valley School District permits home school learners to participate in extracurricular activities, as required by Pennsylvania law. Schools publish eligibility criteria for extracurricular activities in learner handbooks. Home school parents can contact the office of the school their child(ren) would attend if enrolled for a handbook and other information about specific extracurricular activities, including a schedule of planned meetings and events for extracurricular activities and interscholastic athletics, dates for applications, try-outs, and physical examinations and medical tests.

A learner enrolled in a charter or cyber charter school may participate in extracurricular activities and interscholastic athletic programs if all conditions are met as set forth in District Policy 140.1.

Equipment According to Policy 224, “The board charges each learner in the schools of this district with responsibility for the proper care of school property and the school supplies and equipment entrusted to his/her use.” This includes athletic uniforms, cheerleading uniforms, and other related equipment.

It is expected that a uniform and other gear that is loaned to a learner during the course of a season is returned to the coach or sponsor in satisfactory condition upon the completion of that season. Learners who do not return equipment or return equipment that is damaged beyond normal wear must make restitution for those items. Coaches determine the date, time, and place that uniforms and gear will be collected.

Transportation Learners are required to ride to and from athletic events on the bus provided by the school district for their transportation. Parents or guardians who wish to transport their own child home from an event must present themselves to the coach and inform him or her of that intention. Unless prior arrangements have been made, the coach may release the athlete only to that learner’s parent or legal guardian. A parent or guardian may request, in writing and prior to the event, that another adult transport the child. Exceptions to these provisions must be made by the athletes’ parent, in advance, with approval of the building principal or with the coach.

Only athletes, coaches, and recognized volunteer assistants are permitted to ride district transportation to and from athletic events.

Detentions and Suspensions Learners who have been assigned detention may participate in school sponsored athletic activities immediately following the completion of all assigned detentions. Learners who have received in-school or out-of-school suspensions may not attend nor participate in school sponsored athletic activities until the day following the completion of the suspension.

Attendance Learners who are not in attendance at school by 8:00 A.M. of that day are not permitted to participate in extracurricular or cocurricular practices or competitions after school. Exceptions are subject to the approval of the principal. A learrner must be in attendance by 8:00 A.M. on Friday in order to participate in any school related activities on the following Saturday or Sunday. Coaches will check daily attendance bulletins to monitor attendance of their athletes.

Activity Fee An annual activity fee shall be applied to all learners in grades 7 through 12. The payment of the fee permits each learner to seek the opportunity to participate in any or all of the extracurricular, club or athletic programs offered by the School District. For programs that require competitive processes among learners for final selection, payment of this fee only guarantees a learner the opportunity to participate in the selection process.

The non-refundable annual fee is $75 per participant in grades 9-12 and $50 per participant in grades 7 and 8. Payment of the fee allows the learner to enroll in as many activities as they desire. For families with multiple children participating in activities in these grades, there is a cap of $150 per family. This annual fee must be paid by the date established by the building principal. Learners enrolling in the school district after the beginning of the school year but before March 15th will be assessed the fee at the time of enrollment. The fee must be paid prior to the first competition (scrimmage or game) for an athlete to be permitted to participate. Payments not received within the previously defined time frame will make the learner ineligible to participate. Payment can be made via check or money order and made payable to the “Ligonier Valley School District.” The name and grade for each learner enrolled should be written on the check or money order. Failure to pay this annual fee by the stated deadline will prevent a learner from participating in any extracurricular, club or athletic program until such fee has been paid.

There will be no refunds of the fee regardless of the level or length of learner participation except for learners who do not pass required physical examinations or learners who are cut from sports by coaches prior to the first game and that sport is the only activity in which the learner is participating.

BACKPACKS OR BOOK BAGS

Backpacks or similar items must be placed in the learner’s locker upon arrival at school. Learners will not be permitted to carry backpacks, etc. from class to class.

BULLYING/CYBERBULLYING

Bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for learning and may lead to more serious violence. Therefore, the Board prohibits bullying by district learners. Bullying, including cyberbullying, means an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act or series of acts directed at another learner or learners, which occurs in a school setting that is severe, persistent or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

Substantial interference with a learner’s education
Creation of a threatening environment
Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.

Each learner shall be responsible to respect the rights of others and to ensure an atmosphere free from bullying. Violations of this policy may include suspension, expulsion, and reporting to law enforcement officials.

A complete copy of Policy 249 Bullying/Cyberbullying can be reviewed in the school library or office.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Learners must ride their assigned buses unless prior arrangements have been made in the office. When on the bus, learners must remain seated and quiet at all times. They must obey all the driver's rules, including rules about eating and drinking on the bus. The learners must follow all directions given by the driver.

On the first report that a learner is not behaving appropriately on the bus, the learner may receive a warning or lose bus privileges. On the second offense, the learner will lose bus privileges for one or more days. Each ensuing offense will result in longer-term loss of bus riding privileges.

DANCES

Dances are held as an extension of the school’s physical education and HALT! program. The purpose is to promote physical activity and positive socialization. Dances are held for seventh grade andeighth grade learners only. Guests may not attend. The dances are sponsored by school organizations and run from 7:00 – 9:30 P.M. There are safety rules in place that govern all dances.

No learner is permitted to leave a dance early unless one of his/her parents comes to the door and requests for him/her to be released.
If a learner is riding home with another parent or sibling, a note should be written and given to one of the chaperones.
Learners should not walk home after dances. There is limited lighting in areas on Bell Street that make it difficult for motorists to see learners who may be walking.
Chaperones may refuse entry to or remove any person from a dance at their discretion.

Learners with outstanding detentions may not attend dances until their obligations are met.

DETENTION

The following information describes the different types of detention used at the middle school.

Detention: The teacher or administration assigns school detention. A detention must be served on the date it is assigned (learners are permitted to serve detention early, that is, “before” the date assigned with parent and principal approval.) Absence from school and/or a medical/dental appointment are reasons for which a detention will be rescheduled. To reschedule a detention, a parent must contact the principal. All other "missed" detentions will, without exception, be doubled. Detention will start at 6:50 A.M. and end at 7:30 A.M. for all learners. To be late for detention may be considered absent and the detention will double.

The learner will be given a detention slip that indicates the time and place of the detention. The detention slip must be returned, signed by the parent. If the learner fails to return the slip to school, additional detention time may result. All parents of learners serving detention are responsible for making transportation arrangements.

Activity Suspension: Extracurricular activities such as clubs, dances, athletic events, and trips are privileges that can be removed if discipline problems become habitual. This does not require 24 hour notice.

Saturday Detention: The Saturday Detention Program is a disciplinary option for learners who have been assigned, typically, two or more regular detentions. The purpose is to hold learners accountable for their conduct and as a deterrent to continuing misbehavior. Saturday detentions are assigned by the principal.

DRESS CODE

Learners are expected to dress in accordance with good taste and personal pride. Learners have the responsibility to keep themselves, their clothes, and their hair clean. The principal reserves the right to question any mode of dress that is beyond current school accepted standards, or in any manner jeopardizes the health, welfare, or safety of the learner or other learners. The following items are not acceptable:

Excessively baggy pants or clothing that can conceal items or pose a safety hazard.
Undergarments that are exposed.
Clothing judged to be a disruptive influence in class or interfere with the educational rights of others.
Bare midriffs and bare backs.
Tops that allow midriff, cleavage or undergarments to be exposed. Tank tops/muscle shirts and see-through blouses or shirts
Pants, shorts, skirts worn lower than the hip.
Pajamas and/or undergarments worn as outerwear
Dresses skirts, and/or shorts shorter than mid-thigh when in a normal standing position
Torn, tattered or ragged clothing
Spiked jewelry or any jewelry that could cause injury or constitute a hazard; chains and/or other dress paraphernalia that may be disruptive
Hats, caps, sunglasses, visors, sweatbands and bandanas (including those worn as headbands)
Apparel judged to be unsanitary (dirty or gives off a foul odor)
Clothing, patches, buttons, jewelry containing sexually suggestive writing/pictures; advocate violence; advertise or promote the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs; double meaning wording or obscene language; or slogans or symbols designed to be provocative or offensive to others
Tattoo (permanent or temporary) that has sexually suggestive writing/pictures; advocates violence; advertises or promotes the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs; has double meaning wording or obscene language; or has slogans or symbols designed to be provocative or offensive to others.

EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL

The following offenses may result in exclusion from school and pertain to incidents occurring on school property, at school activities, or at any location away from school when under school sponsorship or on the way to and from school under Section 1317 of the School Law of Pennsylvania

· Serious or persistent disruption of classes

· Violence

· Assault

· Disruption on school buses or at school activities

· Vandalism

· Dangerous or illegal acts

· Violation of the rights of others

· Possession of a dangerous weapon

· Stealing

· Sexual misconduct

· Creating or participating in a disturbance

· Defianceof school authority

· Possession, use, or involvement with alcohol or other illegal substances

· Possession of tobacco

GRADING SCALE

A+ 98 – 100% A 95 – 97% A- 93 – 94%

B+ 90 – 92% B 87 – 89% B- 85 – 86%

C+ 82 – 84% C 78 – 81% C- 75 – 77%

D+ 72 – 74% D 68 – 71% D- 65 – 67%

F 0 – 64%

GUIDANCE SERVICES

The guidance counselor serves in a helping capacity promoting a cooperative effort among all persons involved in meeting individual learner needs. Learners having personal or any school related problems are encouraged to consult with the guidance counselor.

GUM, CANDY AND BEVERAGES

Since carpets and porous surfaces are subject to stain and are difficult to clean, food products including gum, candy and beverages are prohibited in halls, classrooms, labs or other instructional areas as designated by the staff. Learners violating this policy will serve a minimum of one detention. In the event damage occurs, the learner(s) will make restitution for the cleaning or damage to the area involved. Learners may not bring “open containers” of drink into the school.

HALL PASSES

Learners asking to leave class to go to the office, the nurse's office, the restroom, etc., must get a pass from the teacher and sign the time of exit and return on the class log. Learners must go directly to the place stated on the class log. Learners who abuse the pass privilege will lose the right to use the hall pass.

HEALTH SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

Learners may go to the nurse’s office if they have a pass issued by a teacher. If a teacher is unavailable, learners may go to the office.

SCREENINGS:

Health screenings are required at the middle school for height, weight, BMI, and vision. All learners in sixth grade are required to have physical examinations. Seventh grade learners are required to have scoliosis screenings and dental exams.

IMMUNIZATIONS:

Pennsylvania State Law requires learners to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, mumps, measles, hepatitis, rubella, meningitis (7th grade) and varicella. Proper verification must be provided and recorded in the school medical records.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION:

Definition – Medication shall include all medicines prescribed by a licensed prescriber and any over-the-counter medicines. Emergency medication includes short-acting inhalers, Epinephrine, and physician’s order for self-administration of insulin.

The Ligonier Valley School District Board of Education shall not be responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of learner illness. The administration of prescribed medication to a learner during school hours in accordance with the direction of a parent/guardian and licensed prescriber will be permitted only when failure to take such medicine would jeopardize the health of the learner or the learner would not be able to attend school if the medicine were not available.

Authority:

Before any medication may be administered to or by any learner during school hours, the written request of the parent/guardian, giving permission for such administration, and the written order of the prescribing physician, which shall include the purpose of the medication, dosage, time at which or special circumstances under which the medication shall be administered, length of period for which medication is prescribed, and possible side effects of medication.

Responsibility:

All medications shall be administered by the school nurse or, in the absence of the school nurse, by other licensed school health staff.

Guidelines:

All standing medication orders and parental consents shall be renewed at the beginning of each school year.

Learners may possess and use asthma inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors when permitted in accordance with state law and Board policy.

All medication shall be brought to the nurse’s office by the parent/guardian or by another adult designated by the parent/guardian. All medication shall be stored in the original pharmacy-labeled container and kept in a locked cabinet/refrigerator. The district shall not store more than a thirty-day supply of an individual learner’s medication.

Nonprescription medication must be delivered in its original packaging and labeled with the learner’s name.

Prescription medication must be delivered in its original packaging and labeled with:

1. Name, address, telephone and federal DEA number of the pharmacy;

2. Learner’s name

3. Directions for use

4. Name and registration number of the licensed prescriber

5. Prescription serial number

6. Date originally filled

7. Name of medication and amount dispensed

8. Controlled substance statement, if applicable

All medication shall be accompanied by a completed Medication Administration Consent and Licensed Prescriber’s Medication Order Form, or other written communication from the licensed prescriber.

Self-Administration of Emergency Medications:

Prior to allowing a learner to self-administer emergency medication, the district shall require the following:

1. An order from the licensed prescriber for the medication, including a statement that it is necessary for the learner to carry the medication and that the learner is capable of self-administration.

2. Written parent/guardian consent

3. An Individual Health Plan including an Emergency Care Plan.

4. The nurse shall conduct a baseline assessment of the learner’s health status.

5. The learner shall demonstrate administration skills to the nurse and responsible behavior.

The learner shall notify the school nurse immediately following each occurrence of self-administration of medication.

The learner shall demonstrate a cooperative attitude in all aspects of self-administration of medication. Privileges for self-administration of medication will be revoked if school policies regarding self-administration are violated.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Although teachers establish their own homework policies, learners who do not complete homework can expect to have points deducted from their grades and/or be assigned detention. Learners who are going to be absent for more than two consecutive days should call the school and arrange to get homework assignments. Teachers may need a 24-hour notice to prepare assignments.

After an excused absence, learners will be given at least two school days to make up schoolwork including tests missed during the absence. In the event of absence of more than two days, a minimum of days equal to the number of days absent shall be allowed for the completion of make-up work.

HONOR ROLL

Eligibility for the Honor Roll is as follows:

Distinguished Honors will be assigned learners having a 4.00 or higher grade point average.
High Honors will be assigned learners having a grade point average of 3.75 to 3.99 and no more than one ‘C’ grade.
Honors will be assigned learners having a grade point average of 3.25 to 3.74 and no more than one ‘C’ grade.

To qualify for Honor Roll, a learner may have no ‘D’ ‘F’, or ‘I’ for the grading period. This includes an ‘F’ if a learner drops band or chorus. Once compiled and submitted to the newspapers, no corrections to the honor roll will be published.

INTERNET, TECHNOLOGY AND NETWORK

Technology at the middle school is used for educational purposes. Unauthorized use of district technology is prohibited. Users are responsible for damages to the provider’s equipment systems, software, and files resulting from deliberate or willful acts. In compliance with federal law and Policy 815, the district uses a filtering system to attempt to block learners from accessing undesirable Internet sites. Neither the Internet, district computers, nor networks may be used for unauthorized, inappropriate, and/or illegal purposes. Failure to comply with district Internet regulations will result in the suspension of computer privileges and other appropriate disciplinary actions, including notification of law enforcement, if appropriate.

LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERVENTION

The Ligonier Valley School District reserves the right to notify and request intervention by law enforcement personnel in serious disciplinary situations. The building administrator will utilize this right when safety of our learners is being threatened.

LOCKERS

The locker is school property and is loaned to the learner for legitimate use. A learner's locker will be searched if there is reasonable suspicion to do so. All learners should be aware that random searches of all learner lockers might at times be warranted. Search dogs may be used in accordance with district Policy 226. Additionally, the School Board reserves the right to authorize its employees to inspect a learner’s locker at any time for the purpose of determining whether the locker is being improperly used for the storage of contraband, an illegal substance or object, or any materials that pose a hazard to the safety and good order of the school. Learners are expected to keep a tidy locker. No decorations may be affixed to the outside of the locker without the approval of the principal. Decorations on the inside of the locker are subject to the principal’s approval as well.

The principal shall open a learner’s locker for inspection on the request of a law enforcement officer only on the presentation of a duly authorized search warrant or with the consent of the learner.

Locks are permissible if a duplicate key or the combination is registered in the office. It is suggested that learners NOT bring expensive personal items and/or money to school, as the school will not be responsible for loss or theft of such items. Locker sharing, unless so assigned, is not permitted.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

Ligonier Valley School District provides equal opportunity for all learners to achieve their maximum potential through the programs offered in the schools without discrimination on any basis prohibited by federal and State law, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin or handicap/disability. The district shall provide to all learners, without discrimination, course offerings, counseling, assistance, employment, athletics, and extracurricular activities. The complaint procedure is detailed in the Ligonier Valley School District Policy Manual, Policy No. 103, available in the school office, library, and central office.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION GUIDELINES

Seventh grade and eighth grade learners must dress for phys ed class in appropriate clothes, including gym shoes and socks, shorts or sweat pants, and a top or tee shirt. Jewelry and earrings are NOT permitted. Sixth grade learners must have proper shoes to participate in gym.

An excused absence from school constitutes an excused absence from phys ed class, but excused absences must be made up to prevent a drop in grade. Absences that do not require make-up assignments include absences due to school-sponsored activities, health reasons verified by a physician, or absences due to chronic illnesses verified by a physician. Adaptive physical education is provided for those learners who are unable to participate in the regular phys ed classes. Refer to the Learner Rights and Responsibilities Policy for more detailed information.

SAFE AND POSITIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

Schools are charged with the responsibility of maintaining a safe environment in which learners can learn and grow. Any behavior that threatens or jeopardizes the safety of the learners will not be tolerated. Because the school is a community of individuals, it is inevitable that conflicts will occur. We strive to resolve these conflicts in a non-aggressive and productive manner that results in a positive learning experience. However, learners who fight in school, on school grounds, on the way to and from school, on the bus, or at school activities, face the possibility of having charges filed with the local magistrate in addition to a school disciplinary assignment.

Unlawful harassment is not tolerated. The term harassment includes but is not limited to slurs, jokes, or other verbal, graphic or physical conduct relating to an individual’s race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, age or handicap/disability. The complaint procedures for unlawful harassment are detailed in the Ligonier Valley School District Policy Manual, Policy No. 248, available in the school office, library, or central office.

The middle school staff makes every effort to keep our school a bully-free environment. Learners participate in bullying prevention activities through the LVMS HALT! Program.

In December of 1995, the Ligonier Valley School Board enacted a weapons policy for district schools. All learners are reminded that at no time are they permitted to bring onto the school premises any firearm, knife, cutting instrument, nun-chuck sticks, or any other item that could be used to cause bodily harm.

Any learner found in possession of a weapon, including possessing a weapon in the learner's locker or back pack, will be dealt with according to the guidelines set forth in the policy and procedures established by the school board. Learners who bring a weapon onto school grounds or are found to be in possession of a weapon may face out of school suspensions, a one-year expulsion from school, and notification of the police for criminal prosecution. Parents are also reminded that it is unlawful to possess or transport firearms on school grounds. This also applies to weapons covered by permits.

STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Ligonier Valley Middle School has a Student Assistance Program (SAP). The members of this team are trained to help learners who are experiencing various difficulties ranging from academic problems to social and emotional problems. If a learner is having difficulties, or if a learner suspects that a friend is experiencing difficulties and needs help or guidance, the learner should seek the help of a SAP member. The same applies to any parent suspecting a learner's difficulties. Problems are kept confidential unless a child's life is at risk. Members of the SAP team include: Mrs. Bayus (SAP Coordinator), Mr. Bakewell, Mr. Podlucky, Mr. Henderson, Mrs. McGee, and Mr. Steimer.

RECORDS

The Ligonier Valley School District recognizes the right of parents, guardians, and adult learners to inspect and review education records, amend education records, consent to disclose personally identifiable information in education records, and file a complaint as provided by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Under FERPA, the district may disclose directory information when public notice is given to parents/guardians and adult learners of what information has been designated as directory information and when and how parents/guardians and adult learners may opt-out of allowing the district to disclose directory data. Military recruiters may be given directory information unless parents opt out.

TEXTBOOKS AND SCHOOL EQUIPMENT

According to Policy 224, the Board charges each learner with the responsibility for the proper care of school property, supplies, and equipment entrusted to his/her use. Learners are responsible for the care and return of all schoolbooks and equipment assigned or checked out to them. Damages or loss are the personal and financial responsibility of the learner. This obligation will not be eradicated from your child’s file. It will carry through to graduation.

TOBACCO

Any learner found to be in possession of tobacco products while in school, on school property, at school sponsored functions, or in route to or from school will face a three day out of school suspension. In addition, charges may be filed with the district magistrate and a fine plus court costs and/or “Smokeless Saturdays” attendance may be levied against the learner. Possession/use of electronic cigarettes is prohibited.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Electronic devices shall include all devices that can take photographs; record audio or video data; store, transmit or receive messages or images; or provide a wireless, unfiltered connection to the Internet. Examples of these electronic devices include, but shall not be limited to, radios, walkmans, CD players, iPods, MP3 players, DVD players, handheld game consoles, PDAs, cellular telephones, BlackBerries, laptop computers, as well as any new technology developed with similar capabilities.

The Board prohibits the use of nondistrict issued electronic devices during the school day in district buildings; on district property; on district buses and vehicles; during the time learners are under the supervision of the district; and in locker rooms, bathrooms, health suites and other changing areas at any time.

The Board prohibits possession of laser pointers and attachments and telephone paging devices/beepers by learners in district buildings; on district property; on district buses and vehicles; and at school-sponsored activities. The district shall not be liable for the loss, damage or misuse of any electronic device.

The board prohibits the taking, storing, disseminating, transferring, viewing or sharing obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or photographs, whether by electronic data transfer or other means, including but not limited to texting and e-mailing. Because such violations may constitute a crime under state and/or federal law, the district may report such conduct to state and/or federal law enforcement agencies.

Off-Campus Activities:

Such prohibited activity shall also apply to learners' conduct that occurs off school property if: there is otherwise a nexus between the proximity or timing of the conduct in relation to the learner's attendance at school or school-sponsored activities; the learner is a member of an extracurricular activity and has been notified that particular off-campus conduct could result in exclusion from such activities; the conduct has a direct nexus to attendance at school or school-sponsored activity, such as an agreement made on school property to complete a transaction outside of school that would violate the Code of Student Conduct; the conduct occurs during the time the learner is traveling to and from school or traveling to and from school-sponsored activities, whether or not via school district furnished transportation; learner 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; the conduct involves the theft or vandalism of school property.

Exceptions to the prohibitions set forth in this policy may be made for health, safety or emergency reasons with prior approval of the building principal or designee, or when use is provided for in a learner’s individual Education program.

Violations of this policy by a learner shall result in disciplinary action and shall result in confiscation of the electronic device. The confiscated item shall not be returned until a conference has been held with a parent/guardian.

The building administrator may grant approval for possession and use of an electronic device by a learner for the following reasons: health, safety or emergency reasons; an individual education program; classroom or instructional-related activities; other reasons determined appropriate by the building principal.

The building administrator may grant approval for possession and use of a telephone paging device/beeper by a learner for the following reasons: learner is a member of a volunteer fire company, ambulance or rescue squad; learner has a need due to the medical condition of an immediate family member; other reasons determined appropriate by the building principal.

USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

Learners must be supervised at all times and are not permitted to remain alone after school or times when school is not in session. Learners may not use school property after hours without approval. This includes weekends, evenings, and holidays. Parents may request approval via a “Building Use” form (available in the school office). Fees, certificate of liability, etc., may be required.