2000 7110

Instruction

WFL/EB

The practice of safety will be considered an integral part of the instructional program through fire prevention, emergency procedures and drills, driver education, and traffic and pedestrian safety.

Each principal will be responsible for the supervision of a safety program for his/her school.

The safety program may include, but not be limited to, in-service training, plant inspection, fire prevention, accident recordkeeping, driver and vehicle safety programs, emergency procedures and drills, and traffic safety programs relevant to students, employees and the community.

It shall be the duty of the Board of Education to provide inspections and supervision of the health and safety aspects of the school facilities.

Eye safety devices are to be provided by the District for the protection of employees, students and visitors, and worn in the technology education classes and labs when activities present a potential eye hazard. The District Superintendent or his/her designee will ensure that these devices are properly repaired, cleaned and stored to prevent the spread of germs or diseases after individuals use them.

Each classroom teacher is responsible for the safe and proper use of all instructional materials and equipment by students in his/her classroom. Laser pointers are to be used by students only when such use is approved and supervised by the classroom instructor.

Students will be advised not to stare directly into the beam from a laser pointer or direct the beam at the eyes of another individual. Students are not to aim the pointer into the audience. Students are to be made aware of the hazards associated with the particular type of laser pointer used.

Education Law Sections 409, 409-a, 807-a, and 906

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations

(NYCRR) Part 136 and Section 141.10

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2000 7111

Instruction

WFL/EB

SUBJECT: FIRE DRILLS AND BOMB THREATS

The administration of each school building shall instruct and train students, through fire drills, in procedures for leaving the building in the shortest possible time and without confusion or panic.

Fire drills shall be held at least twelve (12) times in each school year; eight (8) of these shall be held between September 1 and December 1. At least one (1) of the twelve (12) drills shall be held during each of the regular lunch periods, or shall include special instruction on the procedures to be followed if a fire occurs during a student's lunch period.

At least two (2) additional drills shall be held during summer school in buildings where summer school is conducted and one of these drills shall be held during the first week of summer school.

The building principal or his/her designee shall require those in charge of after-school programs, attended by any individuals unfamiliar with the school building, to announce at the beginning of such programs the procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency.

Bomb Threats For BOCES Operated Facilities

A bomb threat, even if later determined to be a hoax, is a criminal action. No bomb threat should be treated as a hoax when it is first received. The school has an obligation and responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of the students and other occupants upon the receipt of any bomb threat. This obligation must take precedence over a search for a suspect object. Prudent action is dependent upon known information about the bomb threat - location, if any; time of detonation; etc. If the bomb threat is targeted at the school parking lot or the front of the school, building evacuation may not be an appropriate response. If the bomb threat indicates that a bomb is in the school, then building evacuation is necessary unless the building has been previously inspected and secured in accordance with State Education Department Guidelines and as incorporated in the School Emergency Management Plan and administrative regulations.

The decision to evacuate a building or to take shelter is dependent upon information about where the bomb is placed and how much time there is to reach a place of safety. Prudent action dictates that students and other occupants be moved from a place of danger to a place of safety. Routes of egress and evacuation or sheltering areas must be thoroughly searched for suspicious objects before ordering an evacuation. Failure to properly search evacuation routes before an evacuation takes place can expose students and staff to more danger than remaining in place until the search has taken place. Assistance is available from local police agencies and the New York State Police to train staff to check evacuation routes.

A bomb threat to a school is a criminal act, which is within the domain and responsibility of law enforcement officials. Appropriate State, county, and/or local law enforcement agencies must be notified of any bomb threat as soon as possible after the receipt of the threat. Law enforcement officials will contact, as the situation requires, fire and/or county emergency coordinators according to the county emergency plan.

Therefore, the building administrator or designee is to notify local law enforcement officials and follow established procedures to move all occupants out of harm’s way.

The Board of Education directs the Superintendent or his/her designee to develop administrative regulations to implement the terms of this policy. Additionally, such regulations are to be incorporated in the School Emergency Management Plan, with provisions for written notification by October 1 of each school year to all students and staff about emergency procedures, an annual emergency drill, and the annual updating of the School Emergency Management Plan as mandated pursuant to law and/or regulation.

Education Law Section 807 and 3623

Penal Law Sections 240.55, 240.60 and 240.61

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations

(NYCRR) Sections 155.13 and 1563(h)(2)

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2000 7112

Instruction

WFL/EB

SUBJECT: DISASTER PLANNING AND CIVIL PREPAREDNESS

BOCES shall maintain updated plans and operating procedures to be followed in the event of natural or manmade disasters or enemy attack. Students and staff shall be provided instruction to respond effectively in emergency situations.

New York State Office of Disaster Preparedness

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2000 7113

Instruction

The following will be offered during regularly scheduled classes to all those students who are enrolled in our full-time programs:

In compliance with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES will provide classroom instruction concerning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as part of a sequential and comprehensive health education program.

No student shall be required to receive instruction concerning the methods of prevention of AIDS if the parent or legal guardian has filed with the school principal or his/her designee a written request that the student not participate in such instruction, with an assurance that the student will receive this instruction at home.

The Board recognizes the need to educate students on the hazards of alcohol, tobacco and/or drug abuse. A prevention program will be developed to inform students of:

a) Causes for substance abuse;

b) Physical and psychological damage associated with substance abuse;

c) Avoidance of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

Instruction in courses in technology education, science, home and career skills, art and physical education, health, and safety, if any, shall include and emphasize safety and accident prevention.

Safety instruction shall precede the use of materials and equipment by students in applicable units of work in the courses listed above, and instructors shall teach and enforce all safety procedures relating to the particular courses. These shall include the wearing of protective eye devices and clothing in appropriate activities.

AIDS Instruction: 8 New York Code of Rules and

Regulations (NYCRR) Section 135.3(b)(2) and (c)(2)

Substance Abuse: Education Law Section 804

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations

(NYCRR) Section 135.3(a)

Student Safety: Education Law Section 808

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations

(NYCRR) Sections 107 and 155

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2000 7114

Instruction

To be prepared for an emergency or crisis in the District and to insure a prompt, thoughtful response, the District Superintendent will prepare guidelines for the development of a District Emergency Plan. The plan shall make provision for:

1. Shelter,
2. Evaluation,
3. Early dismissal,
4. Annual written notification to students and staff,
5. An annual drill, and
6. Coordination with local emergency preparedness coordinators.

An Emergency Planning Committee may be established to supervise the plan, and an Emergency Management Plan Coordinator may be appointed with responsibility for overall coordination and decision-making should an emergency occur.

The Board of Education may create and sustain a control center in anticipation of an emergency. Further, a survey shall indicate the location of potential emergency site on District property as well as within the community itself.

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR)

Section 155.13

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2000 7120

Instruction

The Wayne-Finger Lakes Board of Cooperative Educational Services recognizes the existence of individual differences in the intellectual, social, emotional and physical development of children attending school in the component districts. In recognizing these differences the Board supports a system of services offered to our component districts for student with disabilities.

The Board affirms its compliance with those sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 dealing with program accessibility.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in federally assisted programs or activities solely on the basis of disability. The BOCES shall make its programs and facilities accessible to all its students with disabilities.

The BOCES official responsible for coordination of activities relating to compliance with Section 504 is the BOCES’ Assistant Superintendent. He/she shall provide information, including complaint procedures, to any person who feels his or her rights under Section 504 have been violated by the BOCES or its officials.

All students with disabilities shall be provided with full access and opportunity to participate in BOCES programs and extracurricular activities which are available to all other students enrolled in the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES . Parents/guardians of students with disabilities shall receive timely notice of such programs and activities.

(Refer also to Policy #1440 -- Non-Discrimination.)

The Board will provide appropriate special education and related services to students with disabilities. For those students for whom an appropriate education requires that they be placed together for purposes of special education, the following guidelines shall apply:

20 United States Code (U.S.C.) Sections 1400-1485,

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Education Law Sections 4401-4407

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations

(NYCRR) Sections 100.5, 100.9, 200.2(b)(1) and

(b)(3), 200.2(c)(2)(v), and 200.6(a)(1) and (a)(3)

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2000 7121

Instruction

Generally, should a student with a disability infringe upon the established rules of BOCES, disciplinary action shall be in accordance with procedures set forth in the Student Conduct and Discipline Code and in conjunction with applicable law and the determination of the Committee on Special Education. In the case of suspension of a student who has been identified as having a disability, determination has to be made regarding whether or not the suspension is related to the disability; as such, a referral must be made to the Committee on Special Education for a consideration for change of placement. BOCES must ensure that no student with a disability is suspended in excess of ten (10) cumulative days, unless otherwise permitted by law, without a referral to the Committee on Special Education. Suspension includes both in-school and out-of-school suspension.

Education Law Section 3214

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations

(NYCRR) Section 100.2(1)

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2000 7122

Instruction

WFL/EB

The Board of Education acknowledges that behavior management practices for students may sometimes include the use of time out rooms. A time out room is an area for a student to safely de-escalate, regain control and prepare to meet expectations to return to the educational program. Time out rooms are to be used in conjunction with a written therapeutic behavior management plan in which a student is removed to a supervised area in order to facilitate self control or when a student may be harmful to himself/herself or others. A time out room shall only be used in conjunction with a behavior management program which teaches and reinforces acceptable behaviors.

Students whose behavior management plan permits the use of a time out room, may be assigned time out by the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES administration or instructional staff.

School administrators and staff will be provided inservice training on the policies and procedures related to the use of time out rooms, the differentiation between Alternative Learning Centers (ALC) and time out rooms and related behavior management practices.

NOTE: An Alternative Learning center is an area outside of the classroom where a student is sent when he or she needs to be away from the group until his or her behavior conforms to the standards of the classroom.

A time out room must include a means for continuous monitoring of the student, both visually and aurally. The time out room must be of an adequate size (width, length and height) to allow the student to move about and recline comfortably and designed to prevent injury. The ceiling height must be consistent with the ceiling height throughout the building. There should be adequate lighting and ventilation and the temperature of the room should be within the normal comfort range and consistent with the rest of the building. The room must be clean and free of objects and fixtures that could be potentially dangerous to a student and must meet all local fire and safety codes.

The time out room must be unlocked and the door must be able to be opened from the inside at all times. THE USE OF LOCKED ROOMS OR SPACES FOR THE PURPOSES OF TIME OUT IS PROHIBITED. To insure a student’s safety, staff assigned to monitor the time out room must be able to see and hear the student at all times. Ongoing individual decisions are necessary to assess a student’s need for direct adult intervention in the time out room to ensure prevention of injury to the student.

A time out log shall be maintained for each use of the time out room to monitor the effectiveness of the time out procedure to decrease specified behaviors. Pertinent information to consider includes, but is not limited to, the following: the times the student entered and exited the time out room; the student’s behavior during and upon exit of the time out room; and the name(s) of the staff member(s) who initiates the time out room placement, supervises the student during the time out procedure, and removes the student from the time out room.

When the behavior management plan for a student with a disability includes the use of a time out room, this must be specified in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Data on the use of the time out room by a student, as described in the physical and monitoring requirements noted above, must be included in the materials reviewed by the Committee on Special Education or the Committee on Preschool Special Education.

The amount of time a student will need to be in a time out room will vary with the student’s age, individual needs and behavior management plan. To insure that a time out room is not being used to the detriment of a student’s educational program, staff will be assigned to monitor the amount of time that a student is in a time out room. A student will not be in a time out room for more than 1 hour of the school day without administrative approval. The behavior management plan will specify the interval of time that a student is in a time out room before being given the opportunity to exit.

Parents/legal guardians shall be informed by the classroom teacher prior to the initiation of an approved behavioral management plan for their child which will incorporate the use of a time out room. Upon request, parents/legal guardians will be shown the physical space that will be used for time out. Parents/legal guardians will be provided a copy of the District’s policy on the use of time out rooms.

The Board of Education will review this policy on an annual basis and amend it when appropriate.

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2000 7130

Instruction

Any person sixteen (16) years of age or older may enroll in Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES continuing education courses. Students currently enrolled in an elementary or secondary school must present a written statement from a home school official indicating that the adult class will not interfere with their home school program. All courses are open to persons regardless of sex, race, age, national origin, or disability. Where it is necessary to limit class enrollment, preference will be given to residents of school districts who are members of Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES .

Refunds for adult education tuition shall only occur as indicated in the regulations identified in the Administrative Handbook.

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2000 7140

Instruction

WFL/EB

The Wayne-Finger Lakes Board of Cooperative Educational Services prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or disability in any occupational program or activity of this BOCES.

The career program and/or activities shall be readily accessible to students with disabilities.

Prior to the beginning of each school year or academic semester, the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES shall issue an appropriate public announcement which advises students, parents, employees and the general public that career education opportunities will be offered without regard to sex, race, color, national origin or disability. Included in such announcement will be the name, address, and telephone number of the person designated to coordinate Title IX/Section 504/ADA activities.

Grievance procedures for resolving complaints regarding discrimination based on sex and/or disability shall be disseminated to adequately inform students, parents and employees of the existence of these procedures.

The adopted mission of our BOCES Technical and Career program "is to provide educational programs in developing occupational interests, work attitudes, and skills for youths and for adults in the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES geographical area."

The Wayne-Finger Lakes Board of Cooperative Educational Services recognizes that the continuing needs of many adults for Technical and Career training are often not being met since, currently, adults must enroll in evening occupational education programs. Day programs in occupational education have not been open to adults.

The Board further recognizes that the enrollment patterns of high school students in our day occupational education programs often result in some day programs having space for more students.

Therefore, it shall be the policy of this BOCES to accept applications from adults for unfilled daytime occupational education program openings.

Guidelines for offering a reduced tuition to adults, on a space available basis, enroll in secondary vocational education programs will be established.

Education Law Article 93

Education Law Section 3202(1)

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations

(NYCRR) Sections 100.2(h) and 141 et seq.

NOTE: Refer also to Policy #1440 -- Non-Discrimination.

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2000 7150

Instruction

Evaluation may be concerned with the extent to which:

1. Each staff member performs at full potential;
2. Each student attending BOCES programs achieves in accordance with his/her ability;
3. The total learning environment, including institutional processes, physical facilities, and the students, contributes to the accomplishment of the goals of the BOCES.

The Board of Education expects staff members to maintain a continual program of evaluation at every level to determine the extent of progress toward the BOCES objectives. The Board of Education will periodically request the Superintendent to present factual information which it considers necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the BOCES instructional program.

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations

(NYCRR) Section 100.2(m)

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2000 7160

Instruction

The Board recognizes its responsibility to ensure that students of foreign birth or ancestry, who have limited English proficiency, are provided with an appropriate program of bilingual transitional education or a free-standing program of instruction composed of English as a Second Language component. Regulations and procedures shall be developed pursuant to the Regulations of the Commissioner to:

A student whose score on an English language assessment instrument as specified in Section 154.2(a) of the Commissioner’s Regulations is a result of a disability shall be provided special education programs and services in accordance with the individualized education program (IEP) developed for such student and shall also be eligible for services pursuant to Part 154 of the Commissioner’s Regulations when these services are recommended in the IEP.

The parent/guardian of a student identified as limited English proficient shall be informed in his/her native language, if necessary, of the student’s placement in an instructional program.

The District Superintendent shall ensure that all data required by the Commissioner’s Regulations is submitted to the State Education Department in a timely manner.

Education Law Section 3204(2)(2-a)

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations

(NYCRR) Sections 80.9, 100.2(g), 117, and 154

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2000 7170

Instruction

The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to further the District’s educational goals through the use of appropriate and high quality technological materials and equipment. For the purpose of this policy, technology refers to computers, interactive videodiscs, Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) devices, local area networks, satellite transmission and other telecommunications equipment.

Continuing advances in technology are bringing about changes that have an increasing impact on the way we obtain, process, evaluate and use information. Therefore, the District is committed to:

1. A comprehensive staff development program to ensure appropriate and effective use of technology.
2. The preparation of students to utilize multiple types of technology.
3. The integration of technology within and across all curriculum areas.
4. The equitable distribution and access to technological equipment and materials for all students.
5. The promotion of technology as an alternative to traditional methods of gathering, organizing and synthesizing information.
6. The provision of sufficient funds, within the budgetary constraints of the Board, for the implementation of technology instruction.

The Board directs the District Superintendent or his/her designee to assess the technological needs of the District’s instructional program, research and review current materials and make recommendations to the Board.

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2000 7180

Instruction

WFL

The Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Technical and Career students build houses or other structures for individuals or agencies upon request for instructional purposes.

It is the policy of this Board that individuals or agencies meet the conditions listed below when structures are constructed for them.

The opportunity and conditions for student built houses or other structures will be advertised by the Technical and Career Center Principal each spring.

Requests for a student built structure will be recorded by the Technical and Career Center Principals on a form prescribed by the Superintendent.

The contracts with the owners will be in the form approved by the Board’s Attorney and will be executed, and formally approved by the Board prior to signature by the Clerk.

The Board affirms the right of all persons to participate regardless of ethnicity, age, sex, handicaps, religion or national origin. Contracts are to be awarded on a first signed, first served basis.

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations

(NYCRR) Section 100.2(m)