|
Students who take trips with their parents may be excused no more than twice during a year for a combined maximum of five days. Visits by students to prospective colleges are excused up to four days per year. In unusual circumstances, a principal may allow additional visits with excused absences.
Absences other than those cited as lawful, including “playing hookey,” are presumed to be unlawful and may constitute truancy.
Parents will be notified on the fifth day of an unlawful absence. If the absence continues for more than five days, the student will fail all subjects for the term in which the absence occurred. Parents will also be notified on the tenth, fifteenth, and twentieth days of a student’s unlawful absence.
Students with more than five unlawful absences in any 9‑week grading period will automatically fail for that grading period. When a student has reached three days or classes of unlawful absences in any marking period, the principal will mail a letter to the parents or guardians alerting them to the impending failure.
Middle and high school students who are unlawfully absent more than 10 days for a semester course or more than 20 days for a year-long course and who do nothing to make up the lost time will lose credit regardless of grades earned. Students with excessive absences may be required to present a doctor’s verification for each day absent for illness for the remainder of the year.
High school students whose absences place them in danger of losing credit for the school year can reinstate themselves by attending Saturday School. Attendance at each 3 1/2-hour Saturday School session will earn the student a half-day credit. Saturday School is also used as an option in the disciplinary process for students. Individual schools have the option to participate in this program.
A student is counted present for a full day if the student is in attendance four hours or more of the school day. A student is counted present for 1/2 day if in attendance for at least two hours of the school day, but less than four hours.
A student scheduled for less than a full day is to be counted present based on the amount of time he/she is scheduled.
Example: A student scheduled for a two-hour block of time will be counted present for a full day if the student is in attendance for that entire block of time. If the student is absent for that entire block of time, the student will be counted absent for a full day. A student scheduled for a two hour block of time will be counted present for 1/2 day if the student is in attendance for one hour.
Students who have been subjected to bullying, intimidation or harassment may file a complaint with appropriate school officials as identified in Regulation 400-48, which is available by contacting the FCPS Legal Counsel’s Office, 301-696-6851.
The nature of the schooling experience demands the highest standards of integrity on the part of all involved. For this reason, the deliberate unauthorized use of another person’s work or talents (e.g., cheating, plagiarism) is considered a serious breach of appropriate behavior. Any grades or credit earned as a result of such action will be disallowed. In addition, any incident of such behavior will be subject to the guidelines of the disciplinary regulation as outlined under Disruptive Behavior.
Maryland law requires that every employee and volunteer of the local school system who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to physical abuse, sexual abuse, mental injury or neglect shall immediately report it to the local department of social services or appropriate law enforcement agency. The oral report must be made as soon as reasonably possible. At the same time, the employee shall also notify the school principal/designee, or immediate supervisor if the person is not school based.
Corporal punishment, defined as any intentional physical contact used in the act of disciplining a child, is prohibited.
Guidelines for distributing and posting materials in schools can be found at Regulation 400-30. Included are contact information, deadlines and the required disclaimer that must appear on the materials as well as responsibility for duplicating, bundling and delivering materials to schools. FCPS will not give "blanket" approvals for agencies wishing to distribute multiple items throughout the year; separate requests must be submitted for each item.
FCPS policy outlines the minimal acceptable standard for student dress. For example, it restricts students from wearing overly revealing clothing and apparel items that are offensive or derogatory and disruptive to the educational environment. Schools have the discretion to adopt their own dress requirements, which may be more stringent than the system’s, and principals have the authority to enforce them. Given sufficient agreement among staff, parents and students and in accordance with other provisions schools may adopt a voluntary or mandatory uniform policy. Check with your school for detailed dress code information.
The Board of Education desires to maintain a safe, healthy and productive environment free of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The possession, distribution, sale or use of alcohol, tobacco or any illegal or illicit drug, in any form, on school property at any time is prohibited. In addition, students may not possess tobacco in any form on school property at any time. This prohibition does not apply to individuals providing an educational unit on the effects of tobacco, alcohol or drugs.
- Provisions Applicable to Employees All individuals employed by the Board have the responsibility to work diligently to discourage and prevent the use of drugs, alcohol, steroids and tobacco by students. Any violation of Board policy may result in appropriate disciplinary action against an offender up to and including suspension or termination of employment. Any illegal activities may be referred to law enforcement officials. An employee may be required to satisfactorily participate in a drug or alcohol abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.
-
Provisions Applicable to Students The school system shall take appropriate disciplinary action against a student who violates these standards up to and including suspension and expulsion and referral for prosecution. The student may be required to complete an appropriate rehabilitation program. Students and parents will be informed about any drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation and re-entry programs that are available to students.
-
Teacher/Staff Responsibilities Teachers and other staff members who suspect a student of violating this policy must refer the student to the building administrator. Students seeking help should not be referred for disciplinary action. Administrators are to investigate possible violations in accordance with regulations issued by the Superintendent. Administrators must assure that any disciplinary action is taken in accordance with due process.
-
Provisions Applicable to All Persons/Groups A non-employee/non-student who violates the tobacco policy shall be subject to the following:
Maryland law requires an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to identify and control pest problems inside and outside schools. FCPS utilizes staff training, IPM inspection, and sanitation practices to minimize or eliminate the need for pesticide use.
The law requires that schools notify parents, guardians, and staff 24 hours before pesticides are to be applied inside the school building or on the grounds. At the elementary level, parents/guardians of all students must be notified. At the middle and high school levels, schools must notify only those parents, guardians, or staff who have requested notification. Individuals wishing to be notified can obtain a notification form at each middle or high school office. The form must be updated each school year.
The following materials are approved for IPM use: Avert prescription treatment 310 (abamectin B1), PT565plus XLO (piperonyl butoxide), PT515 Wasp Freeze (phenothrin), Maxforce-roach bait station (hydramethylnon), Maxforce-ant bait station (fipronil), Baygon 2% bait (propoxur), Talon-G rodenticide (brodifacoum), Drione (pyrethrins), Round-up (glyphosate), Total Vegetation Killer (prometon). Safety data sheets and labels for these materials are available at each school office. Other materials may be added as necessary.
Frederick County Public Schools conducts regular inspections of school facilities to determine the location and condition of any asbestos-containing building material which may be present. The purpose of the inspections is to identify asbestos-containing building materials so that measures can be undertaken to ensure that the health of all students and employees is protected.
A comprehensive asbestos-management plan for each building was developed to appropriately manage any identified asbestos hazards. Each building plan is available for review at the school or at the FCPS Hayward Complex, Building 3.
Questions about the IPM program or other environmental concerns, such as indoor air quality, pest control, hazardous materials, lead in water, radon, or asbestos management plans, should be addressed to Laura Olsen, Manager of Environmental Health and Safety, 301-644-5172. (See FCPS Regulation 200-3.)
Educational equity provides all students with equal opportunities to participate in all aspects of the educational process. FCPS strives to provide all students access to quality instruction, multicultural resources and challenging curricular programs. Some students require particular interventions to help them overcome barriers that prevent them from taking full advantage of educational opportunities.
FCPS expects all students and staff to exhibit behavior based on respect for the individual. Acts of discrimination related to race, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or national origin will not be tolerated and will be investigated and responded to according to FCPS regulation.
The Education That Is Multicultural program promotes understanding and respect among students and staff, provides training and resources, and promotes equity in educational programs and human resources practices. Activities encourage appreciation of various heritages and differences and endeavor to strengthen community linkages.
The Advisory Committee on Multicultural Education acts to ensure that issues of ethnic, racial, religious and social status affecting public school students are reviewed and addressed properly. The committee holds forums twice a year at which the public is invited to raise minority issues affecting education. In addition, the committee reviews harassment and discrimination issues in the FCPS. A school system regulation requires that all acts of harassment be reported immediately to a school administrator, the individuals involved be seen by a school counselor, the student’s parents be contacted by a school official, and a report be made to the Supervisor of Counseling and Student Support.
The Advisory Committee on Multicultural Education is comprised of a Board of Education member, a public school administrator, a teacher, one or more students, a minority parent, and a member of the community. The committee makes regular reports to the Board of Education. For additional information, contact the office of the Supervisor of Education That Is Multicultural.
Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act No qualified person with a disability shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that receives or benefits from federal financial assistance. The Section 504 coordinator for issues involving students is the Director of Special Education. The Section 504 coordinator for issues involving employees, community members or organizations is the FCPS Legal Counsel. For more information, see FCPS Regulation 400-66.
Discrimination The board prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender and is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from such conduct. This policy applies to conduct on and off school premises including sporting events and other extracurricular activities under the auspices of the Board of Education of Frederick County. For more information, see FCPS Policy 309 or contact the FCPS Office of Legal Counsel. |
