VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL
All visitors will be required to report to the Main Office upon arrival at school and state their business. Visitations to classrooms for any purpose require permission in advance from the building principal in order to allow teachers the opportunity to arrange their schedules to accommodate such requests.
When individual Board members visit the schools, they must abide by the regulations and procedures developed by the administration regarding school visits.
Education Law Section 2801
Penal Law Sections 140.10 and 240.35
SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
The Board recognizes that the use of volunteers strengthens school/community relations through positive participation, builds an understanding of school programs among interested citizens, and can assist District employees in providing more individualize and enriched opportunities in instruction.
Volunteers may be involved in many facets of school operations. Volunteers will not be used to provide transportation for school-sponsored activities. Parents transporting their own children for school-sponsored activities, such as athletic competitions, are not included in this policy.
Volunteers will be under the direct supervision of a District employee. The assigned teacher/advisor/coach will have responsibility to supervise the volunteer.
School personnel who are responsible for tasks or projects that involve the use of volunteers will identify appropriate tasks and time schedules for such volunteer activities, as well as providing adequate supervisions and evaluation.
Persons wishing to volunteer must contact the Superintendent, building principal. Director of Athletics, or other individual designated by the Superintendent, and must complete a volunteer application form. The application form will require the volunteer applicant to disclose any criminal convictions. The volunteer will also be required to certify that he or she is of good moral character. False or misleading statements will be considered justification for disqualification. Consideration will
ultimately rest with the Superintendent.
The District will make volunteers aware of their expected volunteer duties and obligations under school rules, relevant to District policies and regulations, and any applicable laws. All volunteers are required to act in accordance with District policies, regulations, and school rules.
Any staff member who supervises volunteers may ask any volunteer who violates District policies, regulations or school rules to leave school grounds, or any other educational setting.
Each building principal and athletic director will be responsible for maintaining a current and complete list of all active volunteers and their assignments. The following are examples of types of volunteers to whom this policy applies: chaperones, classroom volunteers, play/musical volunteers, sports volunteers, etc.
PINE BUSH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
A school volunteer is defined as a non-paid person who assists the instructional staff in curricular, cocurricular, or extra-curricular programs. A volunteer is a person who offers to provide assistance or service of his or her own free will without legal obligation. Non-paid coaches are not included in this
definition of school volunteers, and must meet the New York State Department of Education requirements for coaches.
1. Volunteers are expected to support the District’s instructional program and extra-curricular activities.
2. Volunteers may assist on an occasional or regularly scheduled basis.
3. The need for volunteers will be determined by the building principal or Athletic Director in cooperation with the faculty. Final decision concerning selection, placement and replacement is made by the appropriate administrator. Occasional volunteers will be screened by the principal in
a manner of his or her choosing. Regularly scheduled volunteers will, at a minimum, complete an application, and be approved by the appropriate administrator. By approving volunteers, the
District accepts the liability for their actions within the scope of their authority.
4. Orientation and in-service training may be provided when determined appropriate by the administrator.
5. Volunteers will work under the supervision and direction of appropriate staff and are expected to comply with all rules and regulations set forth by the District. Volunteers should be under the direct supervision of a District employee.
6. An accurate list of volunteers will be kept by each administrator or supervisor and forwarded to the Superintendent.
7. The District does not carry health/accident insurance or Worker Compensation on volunteers. They are covered for their actions within the scope of their approved authority under the liability section of the District’s umbrella policy. This is not the case for visitors.
8. Volunteers must sign in and out in the school office or alternate area designated for this purpose, unless determined otherwise by the administrator.
9. Appropriate identification as determined by the Superintendent or administrator will be worn for immediate recognition as a school volunteer.
10. Since volunteers are exposed to confidential information about students and their families, it is important that such information be treated in a confidential manner. Any information, including, but not limited to children’s learning/physical/athletic abilities, behavior, school records,
interactions between staff members and children, and other identifiable information are confidential.
11. Indications and/or suspicions of child abuse/neglect should be reported to the supervising staff member and kept confidential. All staff members are mandated by law to report child abuse/ neglect to the appropriate agency.
USE OF SERVICE ANIMALS
The Board allows the use of service animals on school grounds by individuals with disabilities, subject to restrictions permitted by federal and/or state law, and procedures established by the
Superintendent or designee.
For the purpose of this policy, a service animal is defined as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, will not be considered service animals.
The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.
Where reasonable, the Board also allows the use of miniature horses on school grounds by individuals with disabilities. Such use will only be permitted where a miniature horse has been
individually trained to do work or perform tasks to benefit an individual with a disability. The use of miniature horses by individuals with disabilities will be subject to the considerations and restrictions permitted by federal and/or state law.
The Superintendent or designee may create regulations and/or building-specific rules regarding the use of service animals and miniature horses on school grounds by individuals with disabilities.
28 CFR Sections 35.104, 35.136, 35.139
PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
Complaints by citizens regarding any facet of the school operation often can be handled more satisfactorily by the administrative officer in charge of the unit closest to the source of the complaint. In most instances, therefore, complaints will be made to the building principal and/or his or her assistant if
the matter cannot be resolved by the teacher, coach, or other school employee.
If the complaint and related concerns are not resolved at this level to the satisfaction of the complainant, the complaint may be carried to the Superintendent and/or one of his or her assistants. Unresolved complaints at the building level must be reported to the Superintendent by the building principal. The Superintendent may require the statement of the complainant in writing. If the complaint and related concerns are not resolved at the Superintendent level to the satisfaction
of the complainant, the complaint may be carried to the Board.
Unresolved complaints at the Superintendent level must be reported to the Board by the Superintendent. The Board reserves the right to require prior written reports from appropriate parties.
NOTE: Refer also to Policies #3420 — Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment in the School District
#8330 — Objection to Instructional Materials
#8331 — Controversial Issues
District Code of Conduct
STUDENT PARTICIPATION
Students provide an important channel of communication with parents and the entire community. Information concerning the schools may be properly disseminated through students. The District’s administrators will review all messages and materials prior to authorizing their dispersal through the student body.
PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION
The Board recognizes that the goals of the Circleville Elementary School PTA, E. J. Russell Elementary School PTA, Pakanasink Elementary School PTA, Pine Bush Elementary School PTA, Circleville Middle School PTA, Crispell Middle School PTA, and Pine Bush High School PTO are to develop a united effort between educators and the general public to secure for every child the highest achievement in physical, academic and social education. Therefore, staff members and parents are encouraged to join the Circleville Elementary School PTA, E. J. Russell Elementary School PTA, Pakanasink Elementary School PTA, Pine Bush Elementary School PTA, Circleville Middle School PTA, Crispell Middle School PTA, and/or the Pine Bush High School PTO and to participate actively in their programs.
SOLICITATION OF CHARITABLE DONATIONS
School Children
Direct solicitation of charitable donations from children in the District schools on school property during regular school hours will not be permitted. It will be a violation of District policy to ask District school children directly to contribute money or goods for the benefit of a charity during the hours in which District students are compelled to be on school premises.
However, this policy does not prevent the following types of fundraising activities:
a) Fundraising activities which take place off school premises, or outside of regular school hours during before-school or after-school extracurricular periods;
b) Arms-length transactions, where the purchaser receives a consideration for his or her donation. For example, the sale of goods or tickets for concerts or social events, where the
proceeds go to charity, will not be prohibited as the purchaser will receive consideration – the concert or social event – for the funds expended;
c) Indirect forms of charitable solicitation on school premises that do not involve coercion, such as placing a bin or collection box in a hallway or other common area for the donation of food,
clothing, other goods or money. However, collection of charitable contributions of food, clothing, other goods or funds from students in the classroom or homeroom is prohibited. The Board will ultimately decide which organizations, groups, etc. can solicit charitable donations and for what purposes, as long as the activities comply with the terms of this policy and the Rules of the Board of Regents.
Regulations will be developed by the administration to implement this policy.
School Personnel
Soliciting of funds from school personnel by persons or organizations representing public or private organizations will be prohibited. The Superintendent will have the authority to make exceptions to this policy in cases where such solicitation is considered to be in the District’s best interest. The Board
will be notified of these instances. Distribution of information about worthwhile area charities may be made through the Office of the Superintendent as a service to District personnel.
New York State Constitution Article 8, Section 1
Education Law Section 414
8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Section 19.6
NOTE: Refer also to Policy #7450 — Fund Raising by Students
ADVERTISING IN THE SCHOOLS
Neither the facilities, the staff, nor the students of the District will be employed in any manner for advertising or otherwise promoting the interests of any commercial, political, or other non-school agency, individual or organization, except that:
a) Schools may cooperate in furthering the work of any non-profit, community-wide, social service agency, provided that such cooperation does not restrict or impair the educational
program of the schools or conflict with the Rules of the Board of Regents Section 19.6 and provided that the school obtains approval of the Superintendent;
b) The schools may use films or other educational materials bearing only simple mention of the producing firm;
c) The Superintendent may, at his or her discretion, announce or authorize to be announced, any lecture or other community activity of particular educational merit;
d) The schools may, upon approval of the Superintendent, cooperate with any agency in promoting activities in the general public interest that are non-partisan and non-controversial, and that promote the education and other best interests of the students.
No materials of a commercial nature will be distributed through the children in attendance in the Pine Bush Central School District except as authorized by law or the Commissioner’s regulations.
New York State Constitution Article 8, Section 1
8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Section 19.6
USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
School Facilities
It will be the policy of the Board to encourage the greatest possible use of school facilities for community-wide activities. This is meant to include use by recognized civic, social and fraternal and religious organizations in accordance with law.
Groups wishing to use the school facilities must secure written permission in accordance with the requirements of the application process and abide by the rules and regulations established for such use including restrictions on alcohol, tobacco and drug use. The Superintendent, at his or her discretion, may consult with the Board. Monthly reports may be made to the Board regarding community use of the school facilities.
Materials and Equipment
Except when used in connection with or when rented under provisions of Education Law Section 414, school-owned materials or equipment may be used by District employees and/or students for school related purposes only. Private and/or personal use of school-owned materials and equipment is strictly prohibited.
The Board will permit school materials and equipment to be loaned to staff members when such use is directly or peripherally related to their employment and loaned to students when the material and equipment is to be used in connection with their studies or extracurricular activities. Administrative regulations will be developed to assure the lender’s responsibility for, and return of, all such materials and equipment in proper working condition. It is the responsibility of the lender to report any damage or loss of borrowed equipment immediately to the Director of Operations and Management.
Specific Requirements Relating to Boy Scouts and Other Title 36 Patriotic Youth Groups
The Boy Scouts Act applies to any local educational agency (LEA) that has a designated open forum or limited public forum and that receives funds made available through the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). It applies to any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America or any other youth group designated in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society.
This statute provides for the following:
a) No covered entity (elementary school, secondary school or LEA) will deny equal access or a fair opportunity to meet, or discriminate against any group affiliated with the Boy Scouts
of America or any other Title 36 patriotic youth group that requests to conduct a meeting within the covered entity’s designated open forum or limited public forum.
1. A designated open forum exists when the school designates a time and place for one or more outside youth community groups to meet on school premises or in school facilities, including during the hours in which attendance at the school is compulsory, for reasons other than to provide the school’s educational program.
2. A limited public forum exists when the school allows one or more outside youth or community groups to meet on school premises or in school facilities before or after the hours during which attendance at the school is compulsory.
b) No covered entity will deny access or opportunity or discriminate for reasons including the membership or leadership criteria or oath of allegiance to God and country of the Boy Scouts of America or of the Title 36 patriotic youth group.
c) Access to facilities and the ability to communicate using school-related means of communication must be provided to any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America or any other Title 36 patriotic youth group on terms that are no less favorable than the most favorable terms provided to other outside youth or community groups.
The statute applies regardless of the entity’s authority to make decisions about the use of its own school facilities. However, no entity is required to sponsor any group officially affiliated with Boy Scouts or any other Title 36 patriotic youth group.
The obligation to comply with the Boy Scouts Act is not obviated or alleviated by any State or local law or other requirement.
20 United States Code (USC) Section 7905
36 United States Code (USC) Subtitle II
34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 75, 76 and 108
Education Law Section 414
NOTE: Refer also to Policies #3410 — Code of Conduct on School Property
#5640 — Smoking/Tobacco Use
#7320 — Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and Other Substances (Students)
#7410 – Extracurricular Activities
District Code of Conduct on School Property
OPERATION OF MOTOR-DRIVEN VEHICLES ON DISTRICT PROPERTY
The use of motor-driven vehicles, including cars, snowmobiles, mini-bikes, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other such vehicles is prohibited on any school grounds or areas except for authorized school functions or purposes.
A school function will mean a school-sponsored or school-authorized extracurricular event or activity regardless of where such event or activity takes place, including any event or activity that may take place in another state.
All student vehicles are to be registered with the High School Principal and parked in authorized areas only.
Education Law Section 2801(1)
Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1670