For Your information / Names and Numbers

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
123 Cambridge Street
Burlington, MA
(781) 270-1800
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Eric Conti
Asst. Superintendent of Curriculum
Mrs. Cindy Marchand
Director of Business & Operations
Mr. Craig Robinson
Director of Pupil Services
Dr. Cath Estep

BURLINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Thomas F. Murphy, Jr.
Chairperson
3 Lexington Street
781-273-0204
Christine M. Monaco
18 Corcoran Road
781-272-8922
Stephen A. Nelson
25 Fairfax Street
781-221-5802
Michael F. DeSimone
5 Gloria Circle
781-272-1464
John J. Vanella
8 Pearson Circle
781-273-0423

FOR YOUR INFORMATION…NAMES AND NUMBERS (continued)
PINE GLEN SCHOOL
Pine Glen Way
Burlington, MA 01803
Mrs. T. Jane Graham-Dwyer, Principal: 781-270-1710
Pine Glen School General Number: 781-270-1712
Pine Glen School Fax: 781-229-5793
Pine Glen School Nurse: 781-270-1713
Pine Glen School Guidance Office: 781-270-1715
Pine Glen School Cafeteria: 781-270-1714

PINE GLEN SCHOOL PTO OFFICERS: 2008-2009
Co-Presidents
Katherine Swan
Maria Woods

Treasurer
Jolene Fogarty

Co-Vice Presidents
Joanna DeFrancesco
T. Jane Graham-Dwyer

Teacher Representatives
Will alternate monthly

Secretary
Michelle Grossman

PINE GLEN STAFF-2008-2009
PRINCIPAL-T. Jane Graham-Dwyer
SECRETARY- Julie Gosselin

KINDERGARTEN
101 Karen Potts
102 Erin Guanci
107 Elaine Babajtis
112 Melissa Parnell

INST. ASSISTANTS
103 Stacey Gordon
102 Michelle Bridges
101 Laura Prince
112 Karen Hoyt

GRADE 1
104 Heather Gearin
105 Karen Redfern
106 Amy Gonzalez
107 Kimberly Kalinowsky

GRADE 2
201 Jacklyn McLaughlin
203 Krystel Anderson
211 Alison Varrell
212 Denise Keough-Lane

GRADE 3
204 Valerie Doherty/Kerrin Gover
205 Jane Lynch
210 Kelly Glass Floyd

GRADE 4
206 Anna Lisa Comunale
207 Sarah Hayes
213 Sarah Visocchi
214 Aimee Coutu

GRADE 5
109 Allison Theirrien
208 Carla Beaulieu
209 Diana Marcus
215 Dianne Fitzpatrick

ART Courtney Fallon
COMPUTER Andrea Canfield
MUSIC Susan LaVoie/Jennifer Agati
PHYSICAL ED Christie Govoni/Carol Carol Nicholas
MEDIA/LIBRARY Helen Downes
LIBRARY ASST. Rose Magliozzi
ESL TUTOR Nancy Todd
MATH TUTOR Erica Mansky
READING SPEC. Deidre Salvador
READING TUTORS Stephanie Smith/Alexis Carlson
LEARNING CTR. Katie Roofe/Jill Cunha
SPEECH Judith Havens
SPEECH ASST Danielle St. Amand

GUIDANCE Jessica Whitney
NURSE Joanne Ferrick
ITALIAN Maria Stuto/Tiffany Bistocchi/Mary Guerriero
INST. MUSIC Mark Napierkowski
PERMANENT SUBS Alison O’Loughlin/Stacey Ioakimidis
CAFETERIA Carol Keene/Mary Reynolds/Donna Lozier/Patty Griffin
CUSTODIANS Kenny Ramsdell/Barbara Nunes/Brian Hayes
DARE OFFICER Keith Sheppard

Pine Glen School Policies

ABSENCES
Regular attendance at school is important for your child’s continuing progress. However, if your child is going to be absent, you MUST call the School Absentee Line at 781 273 7644 BEFORE 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. An answering machine will record your message. Please leave your child’s name, grade level, and teacher’s name.

Unreported absences will generate a phone call to your home/workplace as a safety check on your child. Therefore, it is imperative that the school office has updated names and telephone numbers to contact.

Please send a note to the school with your child upon his/her return, explaining the reason for the absence or tardiness.
If your child is out of school due to an illness for ten days or more, state law for readmission to school requires a physician’s note.

BUS REGULATIONS
It is important for the safety of all, that children display appropriate behavior on the bus. Parents will be notified if their child’s behavior jeopardizes the safe transport of children. Repeated offenses may result in a loss of bus privileges.
Rules for Children Riding School Buses:
1. Children will remain seated at all times on the bus. Standing up and changing seats is prohibited.
2. Disruptive and violent behavior, such as fighting and pushing, is prohibited.
3. Throwing any objects on the bus is prohibited.
4. Children will not extend their hands, arms, or heads through the bus window.
5. Children will talk in conversational tones: loud, vulgar, and disrespectful language is prohibited.
6. Children who refuse to follow the directions of the bus driver, may forfeit their privilege to ride the bus.

Problems with the Bus Company
If you have a problem with the bus driver, the route, etc., please notify either Mrs. Dwyer or the bus company, A & F, 781-229-0111. If your child has lost an item on the bus, please inform the bus company.

Requests to Take a Different Bus
Occasionally, parents ask permission for their child to take a friend’s bus home. These requests are usually granted. However, if a bus were to become overcrowded due to too many requests on a given day, the bus company does not have to approve these requests.

CANCELLATIONS
If classes are cancelled due to inclement weather, you will be notified by:
---A call from the Superintendents office through the Connected System
---announcements over radio stations WBZ (1030 AM) and WRKO (680 AM);
---announcement on screen on Burlington Cable Access Television (BCAT),

Please do not call the fire, police, or school departments.

CLASS/BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Classroom holiday parties and holiday grabs are held at the individual teacher’s discretion. If you would like your child to share a treat with the class in honor of his/her birthday, please write to the teacher for permission. If you are planning a birthday party for your child, please do not send invitations to be distributed in school. The children who do not receive an invitation feel left out.

CODE OF CONDUCT
Children are expected to behave appropriately at all times. Classroom teachers handle most disciplinary actions. Mrd Dwyer handles serious infractions and bus problems. Parents will be notified of all serious infractions. Classroom teachers will notify parents when they deem it necessary.
It is important to be kind and helpful to everyone in our learning community
To accomplish this:

Respond politely to all requests or questions
Do not use put-downs or disrespectful language
Use polite conversational terms such as “Please”, “Thank you”, and “Excuse me”
Do not physically interfere with others (e.g. pushing, tripping, hitting.)
Use common courtesies such as taking your hat off when entering a building
Respect the right to privacy
Be truthful at all times
Hold the door for others
Never bring a dangerous weapon to school
Maintain a calm atmosphere that supports learning in our school

CORI CHECKS
The Burlington Public Schools have been certified by the Criminal Systems Board for access to all criminal case data including convictions, non-convictions and pending criminal case information. All prospective employees including volunteers, chaperones, as well as contractors, working on school property are subject to a CORI check by the school department. The Burlington School Department maintains a zero tolerance policy and any information on the CORI report, other than no information found, will result in the individual being denied employment, volunteering, chaperoning school activities, or working on school property.

DELAYED OPENING
In some cases of inclement weather, the opening of school for the day may be delayed for two hours. In the event of a two-hour delayed opening, buses will pick up children two hours later than the usual time. Families will be notified of delayed openings through the same process as cancellation days.

DISMISSALS
Emergency Dismissal
If, due to circumstances beyond our control (snowstorm, fire, etc.), it becomes necessary to send students home from school on their bus before the normal dismissal time, it is imperative that you work out a plan with your child to cover this possibility. Each child should know where to go and what to do in the event that this should happen and you are not at home. Please feel free to call Mrs. Dwyer if this creates a problem for you. It is a good idea to be prepared even if this plan is never used.

Please be certain to keep your emergency numbers filed in the office up to date.

It is possible that kindergarten children could be held at school and sent home on the regular school busses during a snow emergency.

Routine Dismissal
It is important that your child is in school during all instructional time. For this reason, we ask that you do not ask to have your child dismissed from school before the end of the school day. On the rare occasion that you must interrupt your child’s schooling, please send a note to your child’s teacher on the day that you would like your child dismissed, indicating the time that you would like your child dismissed. Before you child is dismissed, we request that you come into the office and sign your child out. Also, if somebody other than you is picking up your child, please let us know.

DRESS CODE
There is no specific dress code. Parents should be aware that children go outside for recess everyday, weather permitting. Sneakers are required in the gym. Hats are to be worn outdoors only. Wearing clothes that contain messages that are disrespectful and promote violence is in direct contradiction to the principles that we are trying to emphasize with your children. Clothing of this type is not allowed at the Pine Glen School.

FIELD TRIPS
Trips to area attractions and events will be planned as an important part of your child’s overall classroom learning experience. For all field trips, students will be transported by school busses. A signed permission slip is required before your child will be allowed to go on the field trip. If you wish volunteer at a chaperone you MUST have an up dated CORI. The necessary forms are available in the Superintendent’s office.

HEALTH SERVICES
The school is staffed by a full-time registered nurse, Joanne Ferrick. She welcomes any information about your children that will assist her in giving them the best medical care during school time.

The nurse should be informed of any serious allergies, abnormalities, and vision or hearing problems. This information will be kept confidential and should be current.

Before entering school, either kindergarten or grade 1, and prior to grade 4, a physician’s report and health record are required to be completed.

If your child becomes ill or injured in school, you will be notified. For this reason, the school must have the following information:
1. Home telephone number;
2. Name and telephone of family physician;
3. Places of employment of parents and telephone numbers; and
4. Names and telephone numbers of at least two local persons who may be contacted if the parents are not at home. You are responsible for providing transportation home for your child.

Students entering grade 4 are required to have a physical examination.

Immunizations are required before starting school and include DPT (five doses, unless the fourth dose was given after the child’s fourth birthday); polio (four doses, unless the third dose was given after the child’s fourth birthday); measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); a second dose of measles vaccine; a lead test; three doses of Hepatitis B; and one dose of Varicella vaccine (or a physician-certified reliable history of chicken pox).
Vision and hearing are checked annually on all children. In grade 5 postural screening is done.

Please notify your child’s teacher and school nurse if your child is taking any medications for illness, infections, or allergies.

If your child needs medication to be given during the school day, the Burlington Public Schools require:
1. a signed consent by the parent or guardian to allow the nurse to give the medication;
2. a signed medication order by your child’s licensed prescriber; and
3. the medication be delivered in a pharmacy container by a responsible adult. Please ask the pharmacy to provide separate bottles for both home and school.
The mentioned consent forms are available through the Pine Glen School nurse at 781-270-1713.

HOMEWORK
Homework assignments vary depending on the child’s grade level. Generally, homework is estimated at 10 minutes/night/grade (e.g., Grade 2=20 minutes; grade 5=50 minutes, etc.). An overview of each teacher’s expectations regarding homework is usually offered at the Open House Night held in September. It is the school’s expectation that all assignments will be completed and passed in when the assignment is due.

LABELS/LOST AND FOUND
Parents are urged to discretely label all of their child’s belongings such as lunch boxes, coats, and jackets. If your child’s belongings have labels, these items can be easily returned to the owner. There is a Lost and Found box in the lobby of the school. Please feel free to check it for any of your child’s lost or missing items.

OPEN HOUSE—PARENT ORIENTATION
At the end of September, the Pine Glen staff invites all parents to visit the school and their children’s classrooms. At that time the teachers discuss their expectations for the year, the curriculum to be studied, homework policies, and answer questions.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled for all parents of students in grades 1-5 in November. This is an important opportunity for communication between home and school. All parents are urged to attend a conference. Additional conferences are scheduled as needed by the teachers. Parents may also request a conference by contacting their child’s teacher.
The kindergarten staff will notify parents when their conferences will be scheduled.

PARKING
Please do not park in front of the building when visiting the school. This area is reserved for the school buses. Please park in the lot near the kindergarten rooms. Please be advised that, during the winter months, parking is not allowed in the lot near the kindergarten rooms (from 10:30-1:30) as it is used for the outside recess area. When you are dropping off your child in the morning, please follow the arrows in the parking lot, utilizing the horseshoe by the stairwell (do not block the entrance to the parking lot). When you pick your child up in the afternoon, please use the parking lot to wait for your child and not the circle or horseshoe so the traffic flow is not impeded.

PERMISSION FOR WALKERS/BICYCLES
If your child will be walking home from school each day, will be picked up on a daily basis, or will be riding a bike to and from school, please let the school know by writing a note indicating your intentions and send it to Mrs. Dwyer. In addition, if your child changes from walking to taking the bus or vice versa, please notify us.

PICK-UP AND DROP OFF POLICY
Safety Officer Schipelliti is insisting that parents use the lot by the Kindergarten wing to drop off children in the morning. The children can walk into school from this area safely, without interfering with bus traffic. Officer Schipelliti does not want cars passing school buses while they are discharging students. By State Law, buses may never be passed if their lights are flashing.

PICTURES
School pictures are taken every year by a professional studio. Pictures are scheduled for Friday, November 3, this year and will be available before December vacation. Notices will be sent home with the students.

PINE GLEN SCHOOL COUNCIL
The Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993 mandates the formation of a school council for every public school. The council consists of elected parents and teachers and appointed community members, chaired by the principal. The goals of the council are to assist the principal in:
1. adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards;
2. identifying the educational needs of students attending the school;
3. reviewing the annual school building budget; and
4. formulating a school improvement plan.
The School Council meets on a monthly basis at 3:00 in the office. Minutes of these meetings will be shared with parents.

PLACEMENT POLICY
The decision about your child’s placement for the following year is made by the school administration after review of all pertinent information concerning his/her learning style, academic, social, and emotional development, individual strengths and weaknesses, and school history. Input is received by all those professionals working with your child. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s placement, please contact Mrs. Dwyer.

PINE GLEN STUDENT DIRECTORY
Our PTO provides a directory listing student names by class. This includes addresses and telephone numbers.
The purpose of the directory is to be a support and resource for parents when planning play dates or other communication purposes. If you DO NOT want this information to be included in the directory, it is important that you put this request in writing and send it to the main office by Sept 29.

REPORT CARDS
Report cards are issued three times during the school year for students in grades K-5. Report cards will be issued in November, March, and June.

RESPECT FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
The Burlington School System recognizes and supports the respect for the dignity of all individuals. Any defamatory or derogatory statements aimed at any racial, religious, ethnic, or minority groups by students and/or staff members is totally unacceptable. Individuals guilty of this behavior will be subject to verbal reprimand and disciplinary action.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Burlington Public Schools provides Equal Educational Opportunities without regard to religion, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, handicap or sexual orientation in compliance with Title VI and Title IX, Chapter 622, or handicap, in compliance with section 504.
If a student, staff member, or parent seeks information or wishes to file a complaint under Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, or Chapter 622, he/she should contact Cathleen Estep, Director of Pupil Services, at 781-270-1822

ROOM PARENTS
Room parents work with classroom teachers to coordinate/organize various events and activities for the classroom. At the beginning of the year we will ask for volunteers and two parents per room will be assigned.

SCHOOL LUNCH
The cost for a school lunch is $2.50, which includes the main meal, milk, fruit, and a vegetable. Milk can be purchased separately. Lunches are paid for daily at the cafeteria, or tickets can be purchased for the week. If your child should forget or lose lunch money, lunch will still be served, and a note will be sent home to you with the amount due. NO more than two charges are allowed, and the cafeteria would like to be reimbursed the next day. Ice cream and a variety of chips are also available. Forms for free or reduced fee lunch are sent home at the beginning of each school year.
A lunch menu will be sent home with your child each week, outlining the lunches planned for the week.
The lunch period is supervised by teachers. This period lasts 50 minutes. 25 minutes for lunch and 25 minutes for recess. Children play in the area behind the school and out front when there is snow on the playground. During inclement weather, children will be supervised in their classrooms by teachers.

The schedules for lunch is as follows:
Kindergarten: 11:10 a.m. – 12:10 a.m.
Grade 1: 10:55 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Grades 2 and 3: 11:45 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
Grades 4 and 5: 12:25 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

SCHOOL AND PTO NOTICES
A weekly newsletter is sent home every Friday. This newsletter contains information that is important to our school community. If you have any information that you would like to share with other parents, please send it to Mrs. Dwyer by Wednesday morning. The minutes of PTO meetings are sent home on a monthly basis.

SCHOOL HOURS
The school day begins at 8:35 a.m. and ends at 2:40 p.m. for children in grades 1-5. Kindergarten begins at 8:35 a.m. and ends at 1:10 p.m. On early release days, students are released at 11:30 a.m. For safety reasons it is important that children are never dropped off before 8:15. Before 8:15 teachers are not on duty and are not available to supervise students.

SCHOOL RECORDS
Parents have a right to inspect their child’s school records. Please contact Mrs. Dwyer for additional information on requests.

SNACKS
Some classroom teachers may allow time during morning recess for a snack brought from home. A nutritious item is recommended. Please check with your child’s teacher.

TARDINESS
Children arriving to school after 8:35 a.m. are tardy.

Please note: This is a change from previous years.  This change has been made in order to comply with district policy around time on learning.  A parent must escort the child to the office and sign him/her in before the child will be allowed to go to class.  Timely attendance is vital, as the beginning of the day is a most important time for children to get organized and begin their daily schedules.  Please support your child’s education by helping them to be in school on time.

TESTING PROGRAMS
Individual academic, diagnostic, intellectual, and psychological testing is available with parental permission, when specific information about a child is necessary.

In addition, observation and evaluation of children’s progress and mastery levels occur continuously in each classroom.

Parents will be notified of specific dates on which standardized testing will be conducted. It is important that children get a good night’s sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast in preparation for these tests.

VISITORS
Pine Glen welcomes visitors to the school, however, for the safety of everyone concerned, it is mandatory that all visitors report to the main office and sign in upon arrival. Also, we request that you sign out when you depart.

WALKERS
For the safety of the children who are walking to and from school, there is a crossing guard available 10 minutes before the opening and 10 minutes after the closing of school.

Pine Glen School Special Programs

ADOPT-A-CLASS
This program encourages employee groups within industries and businesses in the Burlington area to support a continuing scholarship effort. The group or business would “adopt” a particular year and build a money source for their education beyond high school, through planned fund raising events. Sponsored by the Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation (BCSF), the program provides an opportunity to support a continuing scholarship effort for the class selected. Money raised would be allocated to that class, invested, and made available in scholarship aid in the spring of the year of graduation from high school.

ART
Our children receive one hour of art instruction weekly. Samples of the children’s work are on display in our corridors in a regular basis.

B.E.E.P. (BURLINGTON ELEMENTARY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM)
This program sponsors many cultural events for the students and programs on a variety of themes.

BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
There are several programs that provide before/after school experiences for students. They include: The Burlington Extended Day Program – 781-272-7750; Before/After School Program – 781-270-1708; TLC – 781-272-9250; and Inch-by-Inch – 781-271-0800.

PINE GLEN ENRICHMENT AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Special after school enrichment programs may be offered by Pine Glen teachers during the school year. Notices will be sent home when these programs are scheduled.

BEFORE SCHOOL PROGRAM
This program offers before school supervision at a reasonable price. The program is held at Pine Glen and is supervised by a teacher. Call Laura Driscoll at 781-270-1708 for further information.

COMPUTERS
All children work on computers on a weekly basis. A certified computer teacher is assigned to the elementary schools. The Burlington Public Schools has adopted an acceptable use policy for electronic and internet network access. Parents will sign a document indicating their understanding and acceptance of this policy before their children access the internet.

The Computer Lab is equipped with IBM computers and printers. Our goal is for each elementary school child to be able to effectively use computers and related technologies as a lifelong tool for learning.

DARE (DRUG AWARENESS RESISTANCE EDUCATION)
DARE has been a very successful program in the Burlington Public Schools. As an integral part of the program, a Burlington Police Officer visits classrooms on a regular basis to discuss the dangers of drugs and alcohol and other safety issues.

Upon completion of the DARE program, students in grade 5 are acknowledged with a graduation ceremony to emphasize their understanding of the program’s principles.

MEDIA CENTER
The media center houses books and supplementary materials for children and teachers. The materials provide for curriculum needs for each child. The Media Specialists helps children and teachers find appropriate material, and provides library skills instruction to each grade level.

MOVING-ON – GRADE 5
Sponsored by the PTO, a reception is held at the end of June for students completing grade 5. This event recognizes their achievements and celebrates the ending of their elementary school years and the beginning of their middle school experience.

MUSIC
Grades 1-5 have music instruction twice a week with two 30-minute classes. Students in grades 4 and 5 have the added opportunity to participate in lessons on a variety of instruments. All children in grades 4 and 5 participate in chorus. Through chorus our school provides musical performances, plays, and concerts several times a year. These performances are conducted by the music teachers.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Children in grades 1-5 receive 90-minutes of instruction in physical education per week; the two 45-minute classes are supervised by our Physical Education Teachers. Kindergarten students have gym classes supervised by their teachers.
Your child must have a pair of sneakers to wear for gym class. A pair may be kept at the school if desired.
The physical education program includes coordination skills such as basic movements, throwing and catching, kicking and dribbling, and sports skills such as those that lead to team sports, gymnastics skills, rhythms and dance.
An adaptive physical education program is available for students who have special needs in this area.

PTO MEMBERSHIP
Our PTO sponsors many excellent programs for our students during the school year and is instrumental in funding many other activities, programs, and equipment for the school. Please join this very worthwhile organization. The funds go directly to benefit the students.

PAC-PARENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Massachusetts Special Education Law, Chapter 766, mandates that a Parent Advisory Council be formed. The purpose is to develop community support for families of children with special needs and to promote better understanding and communication between parents of children with special needs and the Burlington Schools.

Any parent who currently has a child on an Individual Education Plan is automatically a member. The group also welcomes inquiries from parents who may have concerns or questions regarding their child or anyone interested in special education in the Town of Burlington.

For more information contact Dennis McCarron at 781-273-5663 or by email at dandmmccarron@hotmail.com.

PRESCHOOL STORY HOUR
Our preschool story welcomes four-year olds to the Pine Glen School. Children, in the company of their parents, take part in a rich literacy experience using stories, poems, chants, songs and crafts. Families are notified by mail when these events take place.

READING CORPS
The Pine Glen Reading Corps is a voluntary program designed to encourage children to spend a few minutes of their own time reading. In order for this program to be effective, parents must help. Your child will bring home a reading record chart. Each block on the chart represents a 15-minute time period. When your child completes 15 minutes of reading at home, please write the date and your initials in one block on the chart. NO more than two blocks are recommended per night (30 minutes). Parents of non-readers may read to their children to participate in the program. For each completed reading record returned to school, your child will advance through the 14 ranks to a Five-Star General. Each child may earn one award per year.

SAFETY
A Burlington Police Officer visits the classrooms frequently to discuss safety issues with the students, including winter safety, school bus safety, strangers, and bike riding safety.

SPECIAL EDUCATION
Some children with disabilities require specialized instruction and/or supportive services to help them succeed in school. These services can include, but are not limited to, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or placement in a special classroom. Parents or teachers may refer students they are concerned about to the school guidance counselor. Within (5) school days of such a referral, a consent form authorizing an evaluation of the child will be forwarded to the parent(s). Upon receipt of the parent(s)’ consent, an evaluation will be conducted and a Team meeting will be held to determine if the child is eligible for special education. If the child is found eligible for special education services, the Team will develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) identifying the necessary services.

In some cases, evaluation Teams determine that a child with a disability may require only individualized accommodations, as opposed to specialized instruction and/or services. Such children will be referred for an evaluation of their eligibility for an individual accommodation plan in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. For more information regarding the services available to students with disabilities please contact the school guidance counselor or Cathleen Estep, Director of Pupil Services, at: 781-270-1822.

M.G.L. c.76 §18
No student sixteen years of age or older shall be considered to have permanently left public school unless an administrator of the school which such student last attended has sent notice within a period of ten days from the student's fifteenth consecutive absence to the parent or guardian of such student in both the primary language of such parent or guardian and English, stating that such student and his parent or guardian may meet with the school committee or its designated representatives prior to the student permanently leaving school, within ten days after the sending of the notice. The time for meeting may be extended at the request of the parent or guardian and with consent of the school committee or its designated representatives, provided no extension shall be for longer than fourteen days. Such meeting shall be for the purpose of discussing the reasons for the student permanently leaving school and alternative educational or other placements.

The superintendent of every city, town or regional school district shall annually report to the department of education the number of students sixteen years of age or older who have permanently left school, the reasons for such leaving and any alternative educational or other placement which each such student has taken.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to a student who has completed the regular course of education, or apply to a student whose absences have been excused, nor shall this section be construed to permanently exclude a student who wishes to resume his education.

DISCIPLINARY DUE PROCESS
1. Short Term Disciplinary Sanctions: Prior to the imposition of any disciplinary sanction that might result in a student’s suspension from school for ten (10) consecutive school days or less, the student will be given oral notice of the offense with which he/she is charged and an opportunity to respond. In the event that the principal determines that the student will be suspended from school, the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified by telephone and in writing.

2. Long Term Disciplinary Sanctions: Prior to the imposition of any disciplinary sanction that might result in the student’s suspension for more than ten (10) consecutive school days or expulsion, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will be given written notice of a hearing at which they may be represented by an attorney at their expense and may examine and present witnesses and documentary evidence. Following this hearing, the decision maker (principal/school committee) will issue a written decision. The parent(s)/guardian(s) will have the right to appeal any decision imposing a long-term exclusion from school. Where the student is excluded in accordance with M.G.L. c. 71 §37H, the student shall have ten (10) days from the effective date of the exclusion to file a written appeal with the superintendent of schools. For exclusions imposed pursuant to M.G.L. c.71 §37H1/2, the student shall have five (5) days from the effective date of the exclusion to file a written appeal with the superintendent. For exclusions imposed by the school committee in accordance with M.G.L. c.76 §17, the student shall have the right to file a written request for reconsideration by the committee within ten (10) days of the effective date of the exclusion. Pending the outcome of any such appeal, the disciplinary sanction imposed shall remain in effect. M.G.L. c. 76 §17, M.G.L. c. 71 §37H, M.G.L. c. 71 §37H1/2.

3. Students with Disabilities: Students who have been identified as students with disabilities in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or who the school has reason to believe might be eligible for special education services are entitled to additional procedural protections when a disciplinary exclusion is considered. Prior to the imposition of any disciplinary sanction that would result in a change in placement, the student’s Team will meet to determine whether the student’s conduct was a manifestation of the student’s disability. If the Team determines that the conduct was a manifestation of the student’s disability, shall review any existing behavior plan or, if no such behavior plan exists, conduct a functional behavioral assessment. In many cases, a student with a disability will be entitled to services identified by the student’s Team as necessary to provide the student with a free appropriate public education during periods of disciplinary exclusion exceeding ten (10) school days in a given year. For additional information regarding the rights of students with disabilities in the context of school discipline please contact the Burlington Public Schools’ Director of Special Education or the building principal.

DISCIPLINE AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
All students are expected to meet the requirements for behavior as set forth in this handbook. In addition to those due process protections afforded to all students, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and related regulations require that additional provisions be made for students who have been found eligible for special education services or who the school district knows or has reason to know might be eligible for such services. Students who have been found to have a disability that impacts upon a major life activity, as defined under §504 of the Rehabilitation Act, are, generally, also entitled to increased procedural protections prior to imposing discipline that will result in the student’s removal for more than ten (10) consecutive school days or where there is a pattern of short term removals exceeding ten (10) school days in a given year. The following additional requirements apply to the discipline of students with disabilities:

(1) The IEP for every student eligible for special education or related services shall indicate whether the student can be expected to meet the regular discipline code of the school or whether the code should be modified to address the student’s individual needs.

(2) Students with disabilities may be excluded from their programs for up to ten (10) school days to the extent that such sanctions would be applied to all students. Before a student with a disability can be excluded from his/her program for more than ten (10) consecutive school days in a given school year or subjected to a pattern of removal constituting a “change of placement”, building administrators, the parent(s)/guardian(s) and relevant members of the student’s IEP or 504 Team will meet to determine the relationship between the student’s disability and behavior (Manifestation Determination). In most instances, during disciplinary exclusions exceeding ten (10) school days in a single school year, the student shall have the right to the receive services identified as necessary by the Team to provide him/her with a free appropriate public education during the period of exclusion.

(3) If building administrators, the parent(s)/guardian(s) and relevant members of the student’s IEP or 504 Team determine that the student’s conduct was not a manifestation of the student’s disability, the school may discipline the student in accordance with the procedures and penalties applicable to all students but will continue to provide a free appropriate public education to those students with IEPs. The student’s IEP or 504 Team will identify the services necessary to provide a free appropriate public education during the period of exclusion, review any existing behavior intervention plan or, where appropriate, conduct a functional behavioral assessment.

(4) If building administrators, the parent(s)/guardian(s), and relevant members of the student’s IEP or 504 Team determine that the conduct giving rise to disciplinary action was a manifestation of the student’s disability, the student will not be subjected to further removal or exclusion from the student’s current educational program based on that conduct (except for conduct involving weapons, drugs, or resulting in serious bodily injury to others) until the IEP or 504 Team develops, and the parent(s)/guardian(s) consent to, a new placement or unless the District obtains an order from a court or from the Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) authorizing a change in the student’s placement. The Student’s Team shall also review, and modify as appropriate, any existing behavior intervention plan or arrange for a functional behavioral assessment.

(5) If a student with a disability possesses or uses illegal drugs, sells or solicits a controlled substance, possesses a weapon, or causes serious bodily injury to another on school grounds or at a school function, the District may place the student in an interim alternative educational setting (IAES) for up to forty-five (45) school days. A court or BSEA Hearing Officer may also order the placement of a student who presents a substantial likelihood of injury to self or others in an appropriate interim setting for up to forty-five (45) school days.

HARASSMENT
The Burlington Public Schools is committed to the principle of diversity and to maintaining an environment in which all people can thrive. Students, staff, administration, parents, and other members of the community have the responsibility to treat each other with respect, tolerance, and sensitivity. It is essential that all individuals recognize certain guidelines for appropriate behavior -- that which allows each person the freedom to learn and work without fear of intimidation or humiliation. Behavior that disregards the rights of others and/or violates the District’s Non-Discrimination Policy is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action. In addition, anyone who retaliates against an individual who has brought a complaint of harassment to the attention of the school or against anyone who has cooperated in an investigation of a complaint of harassment will also be subject to disciplinary action.

An individual who believes he/she has been harassed or who has witnessed or learned of the harassment of another person in violation of the District’s Non-Discrimination Policy, should inform the school principal or other administrator as soon as possible. If the individual does not wish to speak to the principal or if the principal or the administrator does not address the problem in an effective manner, the individual should inform the Director of Special Education (phone number) or the Superintendent (phone number) of the Burlington Public Schools.
The Burlington Public Schools will promptly investigate complaints of harassment. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent consistent with the school district’s obligations under law and under applicable collective bargaining agreements. The school district will comply with legal requirements governing the reporting of suspected cases of child abuse and will report suspected criminal activity to the appropriate authorities.

When an investigation has been completed, school personnel will inform the complainant of the results and will file a report with the district’s appropriate compliance officer.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT (By an Adult)
Any sexual behavior or inappropriate sexual comments from an adult towards a student is unethical and is considered sexual harassment. The adult is fully responsible for the behavior/comments. If a student believes that she/he has been sexually harassed by an adult, she/he should report the incident to a trusted teacher, guidance counselor, parent/guardian, assistant principal, or principal.

Teachers, guidance counselors, and/or the assistant principal will report the incident to the principal who will conduct an investigation, notify the appropriate authorities, and file a written report with the Superintendent of Schools. If it is determined that the adult has sexually harassed the student, referral will be made to the Superintendent of Schools for disciplinary action.

Reprisals, threats, or intimidation of the reporting victim by the accused adult will not be tolerated and must be reported to the assistant principal or principal.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT (By a Student)
Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual attention from anyone with whom the victim may interact in the course of receiving her/his education in school or at school sponsored activities. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following conduct:
Staring or leering with sexual overtones
Spreading sexual gossip
Unwanted sexual comments
Pressure for sexual activity
Unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature
If a student believes that she/he has been sexually harassed by another student, she/he should report it to a trusted teacher, guidance counselor, parent/guardian, assistant principal, or the principal. Any accusation of sexual harassment will be investigated by the assistant principal or principal and a written report of the investigation will be filed with the principal.

If it is determined that a student has sexually harassed another student, the consequences will be as follows:
a) A parent-student conference will be held with the assistant principal or principal.
b) The student will be required to apologize to the victim.
c) Depending on the severity of the incident, a student will be assigned office sessions, receive an out of school suspension, or possible exclusion.
d) In cases of repeated harassment by a student, recommendation will be made to the Superintendent of Schools for further disciplinary action.
e) Depending on the severity of the incident, a referral will be made to the local police.
Reprisals, threats, or intimidation of a victim who reports incidents of sexual harassment will be treated as a serious offense and will result in an out of school suspension and/or expulsion from school.

In accordance with student record information, the Burlington Public Schools will be forwarding the student name, address, date of birth, school and grade of each child enrolled to the Town Clerk’s Office so that the Town Clerk may verify the accuracy of the town census. Parents and eligible students have the right to request this information not be released without prior consent. If you need further information, call the Office of Pupil Services at (781) 238-5694.

The School District complies with all applicable State and Federal laws, including but not limited to Titles VI, VII, IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Massachusetts General Laws, c.151B, c.151C, c.76, Section 5, and c.71B. For compliance issues regarding educational activities, contact Dr. Catherine Estep, Director of Pupil Services, Burlington Public Schools, 123 Cambridge St., Burlington, MA 01803. For employment issues, contact Ms. Katie Spinos, Assistant Superintendent, Burlington Public Schools, 123 Cambridge St., Burlington, MA 01803. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against can file a grievance with the appropriate officer, Dr. Estep or Ms. Spinos

The Burlington Public Schools have been certified by the Criminal History Systems Board for access to all criminal case data including convictions, non-convictions and pending criminal case information. All prospective employees including volunteers, chaperones, as well as contractors, working on school property are subject to a CORI check by the school department. The Burlington School Department maintains a zero tolerance policy and any information on the CORI report, other than no record found, will result in the individual being denied employment, volunteering, chaperoning school activities, or working on school property.