J – STUDENTS JA JAA JAAA JB/JBD/JBDA JBA JBB · 1. Attendance at an authorized school activity...

J – STUDENTS

JA Student Policy Goals

JAA Equal Educational Opportunities

JAAA Title III, Part A, English Language Learners

JB/JBD/JBDA Student Attendance

JBA Compulsory Attendance – Absences

JBB Dropout Prevention Program

JBC School Admissions

JBCA Early Registration for Children of School Employees

JBCAA Residency Verification

JBCAB Admissions – Late Entrance

JBCAC Attendance of Married Students

JBCAD Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

JBCA Exchange Students

JBCB Nonresident Students

JBCBA Certification of Students from Added Territory

JBCCA/JBCD School Assignment – Attendance in Zone of Residence

JBCCC Enrollment of Official Transfer Students

JBCCCC Assignment of Twins or Higher Order Multiples

JBCD Student Transfers/Withdrawals/Disclosure of Student Records

JBCDA Home School/Transfer Student Testing

JBCDAA Enrollment Requirements for Participation

JBH/JBI Student Check-Out Policy, Grade-Levels K – 12

JC Students’ Rights

JCAA Due Process – Students’ Rights

JCAAA Placement of Children with Disabilities in an AlternativeEducation Setting

JCAAAA Students with Disabilities – Private School Placements

JCAB School Searches (Cf. LDAJA) Also see JTB/JTG/LDA

JCB Involvement of Students in Decision Making (Cf. BDBD, CMAA)

JCBF Reporting of Unlawful Acts or Violent Acts – Sexual Harassment

JCBH Gun-Free Schools

JCD Student Conduct – Safety – Weapons – Alcohol – Drugs – ElectronicDevices – Faculty Responses

JCDD Student Bullying

JCDAC/JCDACA Drug Use/Alcohol – Curriculum (Cf. IDBB)

JCDACB Transfer of Confiscated Drugs

JCDAF Fireworks

JCDAG Care of School Property

JCDB Dress Code

JCDC/GBBAAC/JG Student Conduct – Weapons – Youth Court Reports/Records –

Child Abuse – Expulsion – Sexual Harassment (Also see JCDE,JCBF, JGI)

JCDD Student Bullying

JCDE Uniform Policy

JCDF/EBAB Possession or Use of Tobacco (Also see GAXA)

JCDG Individual(s) Unlawful Activity or Association/Gangs/ProhibitedOrganizations

JCDH Student Behavior on Buses

JD Student Discipline

JDA Corporal Punishment/Reasonable Justifiable Restraint

JDB Habitually Disruptive Students – Expulsion

JDD/JCAA Suspension – Expulsion – Disciplinary Hearing – Due Process

JDE Expulsion – Alternative Placement (Also see IDDI.)

JE Guidance (Also IG)

JEE Comprehensive Counseling Services

JF Academic Achievement (Also IH)

JG Student Welfare – Locator Card/Child Abuse – Sexual Harassment (Also see JGI)

JGA/EGB Student Insurance

JGCB/KGCC Immunizations and Vaccinations – Communicable Diseases andInfections

JGCC Communicable Disease Control Policy

JGCD Student Medication/Self-Medication

JGCDD Concussion Management and Return to Play Policy

JGF/JGCD Student Safety

JGFA Unsafe School Choice Option

JGF/JGD Student Health Plan – Food Allergies

JGFAC Emergency Operations – Student Safety

JGFB School Day – Supervision of Students – Student Arrival and DepartureTime – see AF

JGFBB Bicycles

JGFC Student Supervision

JGFF Automobile Use (Cf. EBB)

JGFG Accidents/First-Aid/Medication

JGFGA Health/Physical Education Requirements

JGFGAA Student Welfare – Resuscitation Policy

JGFGAAA Choking Protocol

JGFI Restraint/Use of Force

JGFII Mississippi Student Safety Act – Restraint and Seclusion

JGFG Student Blood Donation

JGG Interference with School Buses

JGGA Student Transportation – Walkers and Riders – Parking

Regulations

JGGC Private Vehicle Usage – Liability Insurance

JGGG Student Safety Verification at the Conclusion of All Bus Routes

JGH Student – Suicide, Other Threat Intervention & Prevention

JGI School Policy and Procedures for Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect (Alsosee JG)

JGIII Prohibition of Sex Offenders on School Property

JH Student Activities

JHA Student Activities – Oath of Allegiance and Display of United States Flag

JHAA/IIB Scheduling of Extra-Curricular Activities DuringStatewide/District Nine– Week Tests

JHBA/JHE/KEBB Fund Raising

JHCA Clubs/Organizations

JHCAA Sororities, Fraternities, and Secret Organizations

JHCB Student Council, Officers, Class Officers, Campaigning, Counting Votes

JHCC Student Publications

JHD Student Social Events – Parties, Dances – K-12

JHE Student Performances (Cf. KEAA)

JHEA Exercises in Honor of Veterans Day

JHF Requirements for Cheerleaders Try-Outs and Eligibility for Continuationas Cheerleader (Grades 7 - 12)

JHG Requirements for Majorette, Dance/Drill Team and Flag Corps Try-Outsand Eligibility for Continuation as Majorette or Drill Team or Flag CorpsMembers

JHH Requirements for Drum Major Try-Outs and Eligibility for Continuationas a Drum Major

JI School Wellness Policy

JL Gifts by Students/Teachers

JM Contests for Students – Popularity Contest High School (Also KHB)

JO/KE Student/Community Relations (Also KE)

JQA/IDD Title I – ECIA Program – Parent Involvement Special Programs – AnomalousStudents (Also see IDDA)

JQM Attendance of Pregnant Students

JQP Education of Homeless Children and Youth

JQQ Child Find

JQQQ Intervention

JQR Discipline – Students with Disabilities

JQS Discipline Policy for Students Eligible Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation

Act of 1973

JR Student Records – Transcripts

JRA MSIS Data Collection and Reporting

JRAA Procedural Safeguards

JRAAA Blind Persons’ Literacy Rights

JRQQ Intervention Procedures for At-Risk Students

JRQQQ Dyslexia Screening Policy

JS Fee Policy – Waiver of Fees

JTG/LDAJA Interviews with Students by Persons Outside the Picayune School District(Also see LDAJA, KEC)

The Picayune School District Board of Trustees establishes the following student policy goals:

A. To provide appropriately for each student according to specific background, capabilities,learning style, interests, and aspirations;

B. To protect and preserve the legal rights of all students who attend school in the PicayuneSchool District;

C. To enhance the self-image of each student by helping him/her to feel respected andworthy and by maintaining a learning environment which provides positiveencouragement through frequent success;

D. To provide a realistic environment where students can learn personal and civicresponsibility through meaningful experiences as students;

E. To provide discipline which is fair and consistent;

F. To promote the safety, health, and welfare of students;

G. To promote good attendance and good work habits;

H. To assist each student in becoming self-sufficient in the utilization of the decision makingprocess; and

I. To make provisions for involving families in the educational program for each student.

STUDENT POLICY GOALS JA

Every pupil of the Picayune School District will have equal educational opportunities regardlessof race, color, creed, sex, disability, religion, or marital status.

No student shall be excluded on such basis from participating in or having access to any courseofferings, athletics, counseling, employment assistance, and extra-curricular activities.

Policies of the Board of Trustees shall follow federal laws relating to non-discriminatorypractices in the operation of the Picayune School District.

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES JAA

The Picayune School District will not deny enrollment or educational services to any student onthe basis of immigrant status and/or English-speaking status. (Plyler v. Doe, 1982)

LEGAL REFERENCE: Plyler v. Doe, 1982

TITLE III, PART A, ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS JAAA

Policies governing student attendance are adopted by the Board of Trustees and publishedannually in student handbooks as official policy statements of the Picayune School District.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE JB/JBD/JBDA

I. AGE/REQUIREMENTS

All children who have attained or will attain the age of six (6) years and who have not attainedthe age of seventeen (17) years on or before September 1 of the school year are “compulsory-school-age children” and shall include any child who has attained or will attain the age of five (5)years on or before September 1 and has enrolled in a full-day public school Kindergartenprogram. Provided, however, that the parent or legal guardian of any child enrolled in a full-daypublic Kindergarten program shall be allowed to disenroll the child from the program on a one-time basis, and such child shall not be deemed a compulsory-school-age child until the childattains the age of six (6) years. All children who have attained or will attain the age of six (6)years and who have not attained the age of seventeen (17) years on or before September 1 mustbe enrolled in school unless the child is:

1. Physically, mentally, or emotionally incapable of attending school as determined by theappropriate school official based upon sufficient medical documentation;

2. Enrolled in and pursuing a course of special education, remedial education, or educationfor handicapped or physically or mentally disadvantaged children; or

3. Being educated in a home instruction program approved by the State Department ofEducation.

II. REPORTS

If a compulsory-school-age child has not been enrolled in school within fifteen (15) calendardays after the first day of the school year or if a child has accumulated five (5) unlawful absencesduring the school year, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall, within two (2) school daysor within five (5) calendar days, whichever is less, report on the form provided by the StateDepartment of Education, the absences to the school attendance officer. The Superintendent, orhis/her designee, shall report any student suspensions or student expulsions to the schoolattendance officer when they occur.

School districts shall maintain accurate records documenting enrollment and attendance in amanner that allows the State Department of Education to make an assessment of changes inenrollment and attendance, including dropout rates.

School districts shall produce an annual report detailing statistical information in reference todropout rates and other attendance-related problems, and provide the report to the StateDepartment of Education.

COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE – ABSENCES JBA

III. DEFINITIONS

An “unlawful absence” which must be reported under this policy shall be defined by State lawand includes those absences which are not due to one (1) of the following valid excuses:

1. Attendance at an authorized school activity with the prior approval of the Superintendentof the Picayune School District or his/her designee;

2. Illness or injury which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school;

3. When isolation is ordered by the county health officer, by the State Board of Health, orappropriate school official;

4. Death or serious illness of a member of the immediate family, which includes childrenspouse, grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers and stepsisters;

5. A medical or dental appointment with prior approval of the Superintendent or his/herdesignee except in the case of emergency;

6. Attendance at the proceedings of a court or an administrative tribunal if the student is aparty to the action or under subpoena as a witness;

7. Observance of a religious event, with the prior approval of the Superintendent or his/herdesignee. (Approval should not be withheld unless, in the professional judgment of theSuperintendent or his/her designee, the extent of the absence would adversely affect thestudent’s education.);

8. Participation in a valid educational opportunity, such as travel including vacations orother family travel, with the prior approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee. (Approval shall be based on the professional judgment of the Superintendent or his/herdesignee but shall not be withheld unless the extent of the absence would adversely affectthe student’s education.); or

9. An absence is excused when it results from the attendance of a compulsory-school-agechild participating in official organized events sponsored by the 4-H or Future Farmers ofAmerica (FFA), official organized junior livestock shows, and official organized rodeoevents.. The excuse for the 4-H or FFA event must be provided in writing to theappropriate school Superintendent by the Extension Agent or High School AgriculturalInstructor/FFA Advisor.

10. An absence is excused when it results from the compulsory-school age child officiallybeing employed to serve as a page at the State Capitol for the Mississippi House ofRepresentatives or Senate.

11. An absence is excused when it results from the attendance of a compulsory-school-agechild participating in subject-matter field trips; athletic contests; student conventions; andany similar school-related activity designated by the State Board of Education.

12. Other conditions sufficient to warrant nonattendance, with prior approval of theSuperintendent or his/her designee. §37-13-91 (4)

No absence shall be excused when it is due to suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary action. §37-13-91 (4) (i)

IV. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER

The Superintendent and principals shall cooperate with the school attendance officer employedby the State Department of Education, pursuant to Section 5 of House Bill #1443 (1998 RegularSession).

Procedures for enforcement of Board Policy COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE –ABSENCES – JBA are approved annually by the Board of Trustees and published in studenthandbooks.

V. PROCEDURES:

Procedures for enforcement of Board Policy JBA – COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE– ABSENCES are approved annually by the Board of Trustees and published in studenthandbooks.

Student Attendance Procedures by Grade Level

The Picayune School District recognizes the direct relationship between school attendance,student participation, and academic progress. For this reason, parents are encouraged to see thattheir student(s) attend every day except in cases of contagious illness.

Absences will no longer be consider as “excused” or “un-excused.” The number of absences asdelineated above will be the key feature in determining whether or not a student meets therequired attendance standard. Students should use their absences with discretion for illness only. Notes from a doctor or a parent/legal guardian will be placed in the student’s file to be reviewedin the event of excessive absences.

After the 12th absence, days missed will be considered unacceptable except for the extraordinarycircumstances as stated in MS Code, Section §37-13-91 as outlined above.

Procedures for reporting absenteeism

An “unlawful absence” is an absence for an entire school day or during part of a school day by acompulsory-school-age child, which absence is not due to a valid excuse for temporary

nonattendance. For purposes of reporting absenteeism under subsection (6) of Mississippi HouseBill 1530; if a compulsory-school-age child has an absence that is more than thirty-seven percent(37%) of the instructional day, as fixed by the school board for the school at which thecompulsory-school-age child is enrolled, the child must be considered absent the entire schoolday. A student is considered present when they are in attendance for sixty-three percent (63%) ofthe instructional day.

Grades K-6 (Promotion/Retention)

Students in grades K-6 may miss up to twelve (12) days per year. Missed work must be made upfor these days of absence. Students will be allowed the equal number of days absent to make upwork.

1. A school representative, i.e., counselor, social worker, school-parent coordinator, or theprincipal’s designee will check each student’s absences daily by making contact withhis/her parent/legal guardian, or custodian.

2. A student’s teacher(s) will make contact with the parent/legal guardian, or custodian inaccordance with the following schedule to determine how the student can be assisted toachieve all course objectives and requirements.

Grades K-6 – 4th and 8th absences

3. A student’s absences will be reported to the Picayune School District attendance officeraccording to the following schedule:

Grades K-6 – 5th and 9th absences

4. Immediately after the 12th absence, a student’s parent/legal guardian will be notified bythe school administration that he/she has been designated as “not passing” and will beplaced on Academic Probation in a “retention” status. In order for a student to bepromoted to the next grade, he/she must demonstrate daily, consistent attendance andperform required work with passing grades.

Grades K-6 – 13th absences

5. Teachers will coordinate closely with the school counselor or the principal’s designee tomake certain that appropriate reports are forwarded to the Picayune School Districtattendance officer.

6. Teachers will make assignments available in a timely manner for any student who isabsent from class and will make every effort to provide adequate tutorial time to assistany student to master course objectives. Appropriate instructional modifications will beprovided, and final course grades will be determined solely upon required student masterylevel of state-mandated and Picayune School District curriculum objectives.

7. A parent conference, to include a student’s teacher(s), a counselor, social worker, orschool-parent coordinator, will be scheduled, and a plan of action will be developed toassist a student to meet course objectives or standards in cases of extensive absenteeism. A team approach will be utilized.

8. An Attendance Committee, composed of a student’s teacher(s), a counselor, socialworker, or social-parent coordinator, and a school administrator will be established tomonitor extreme cases of absenteeism, which cannot be resolved through any of theabove-mentioned means.

9. Each school administrator will submit a weekly report to the Office of the Superintendentdelineating by name those students who have exceeded the allowable number ofabsences.

10. It will be the responsibility of the school administration to make decisions concerningstudent promotion or retention recommendations to the Office of the Superintendentbased on verifiable documentation.

Grades 7-8 (Promotion/Retention/Academic Credit):

Students in grades 7-8 may miss up to eight (8) days by class period for a year-long course. Atotal of four (4) days of absence will be allowed for all other (semester) courses. Missed workmust be made up for these days of absence. Students will be allowed the equal number of daysabsent to make up work.

A student missing more than one-half (½) of a class period will be considered absent for thatperiod.

Beginning with the 9th day for a one credit course or on the 5th day for a semester course,absences will be considered unacceptable except for the extraordinary circumstances as stated inMS Code, Section §37-13-91 as outlined above.


2. A student’s teacher(s) will make contact with the parent, legal guardian, or custodian inaccordance with the following schedule to determine how the student can be assisted toachieve all course objectives and requirements.

Grades 7-8 – (one unit or credit) 4th absencesGrades 7-8 – (semester) 2nd and 4th absences

3. A student’s absentees will be reported to the Picayune School District attendance officeaccording to the following schedule:

Grades 7-8 – (one unit or credit) 5th and 9th absencesGrades 7-8 – (semester) 3rd and 5th absences

4. On the 9th day of absence for a one (1) credit course or on the 6th day of absence for asemester course, a student’s parent/legal guardian will be notified by the schooladministration that he/she has been designated as “not passing” and will be placed onAcademic Probation in a “no promotion/credit” status. In order for a student to receiveacademic credit, he/she must demonstrate daily, consistent attendance and completerequired work with passing grades.

Grades 7-8 – (one unit or credit) 9th absenceGrades 7-8 – (semester) 6th absence

5. Teachers will coordinate closely with the school counselor or the principal’s designee tomake certain that appropriate reports are forwarded to the Picayune School District attendance officer.

6. Teachers will make assignments available in a timely manner for any student who isabsent from class and will make every effort to provide adequate tutorial time to assistany student to master course objectives. Appropriate instructional modifications will beprovided, and final course grades will be determined solely upon required mastery levelof state-mandated and Picayune School District curriculum objectives.

7. A parent conference, including a student’s teacher(s), a counselor, social worker, orschool-parent coordinator, will be scheduled, and a plan of action will be developed toassist a student to meet course objectives or standards in cases of extensive absenteeism. A team approach will be utilized.

After the designated number of absences in a course and with the approval of the school principal, a student must attend Academic Recovery sessions after school or during aSaturday School to make up excessive absences. The fee for participation in AcademicRecovery or Saturday School will be $2.00 per hour.

8. An Attendance Committee, composed of a student’s teacher(s), a counselor, socialworker, or school-parent coordinator, and a school administrator will be established tomonitor extreme cases of absenteeism, which cannot be resolved through any of theabove-mentioned means.

9. Each school administrator will submit a weekly absentee report to the Office of theSuperintendent delineating by name those students who have exceeded the allowablenumber of absentees.


Grades 9-12 - (Academic Credit):

Students in grade 9-12 may miss up to sixteen (16) days by class period for a two (2) creditcourse (year-long course), eight (8) days by class period for a one (1) credit course (semestercourse) or four (4) days for a ½ credit course (nine weeks course). Missed work must be madeup for these days of absence. Students will be allowed the equal number of days absent to makeup work.

A student missing more than one-half (½) of a class period will be considered absent for thatperiod.

Absences beyond those specified will be considered unacceptable except for the extraordinarycircumstances as stated in MS Code, Section §37-13-91 as outlined above.


2. A student’s teacher(s) will make contact with the parent, legal guardian, or custodian inaccordance with the following schedule to determine how the student can be assisted toachieve all course objectives and requirements.

Grades 9-12 - (two units or credits) - 9th and 15th absencesGrades 9-12 - (one unit or credit) - 4th and 8th absencesGrades 9-12 - (½ unit or credit) - 2nd and 4th absences

3. A student’s absences will be reported to the Picayune School District attendance officeraccording to the following schedule:

Grades 9-12 - (two units or credits) - 10th and 16th absencesGrades 9-12 - (one unit or credit) 5th and 9th absencesGrades 9-12 - (½ unit or credit) - 3rd and 5th absences

4. On the 17th day of absence for a two (2) credit course, the 9th day of absence for a one (1)credit course and on the 5th day of absence for a one-half (½) credit course, a student’sparent/legal guardian will be notified by the school administration that he/she has beendesignated as “not passing” and will be placed on Academic Probation in a “no credit”status. In order for any student to receive academic credit, he/she must demonstrate daily,consistent attendance and complete required work with passing grades.

Grades 9-12 - (two units or credits) - 17th absenceGrades 9-12 - (one unit or credit) - 9th absenceGrades 9-12 - (½ unit or credit) - 5th absence

5. Teacher(s) will coordinate closely with the school counselor or the principal’s designee tomake certain that appropriate reports are forwarded to the Picayune School Districtattendance officer.

6. Teacher(s) will make assignments available in a timely manner for any student who isabsent from class and will make every effort to provide adequate tutorial time to assist astudent to meet course objectives or standards in cases of extensive absenteeism. A teamapproach will be utilized.

After the designated number of absences in a course and with the approval of the schoolprincipal, a student must attend Academic Recovery sessions after school or during aSaturday School to make up excessive absences. The fee for participation in AcademicRecovery or Saturday School will be $2.00 per hour.

8. An Attendance Committee, composed of a student’s teacher(s), a counselor, socialworker, or school-parent coordinator, and a school administrator will be established tomonitor extreme cases of absenteeism, which cannot be resolved through any of theabove mentioned means.

9. Each school administrator will submit a weekly absentee report to the Office of theSuperintendent delineating by name those students who have exceeded the allowablenumber of absences.


LEGAL REFERENCE: Section §37-13-9Section §37-13-91Section §37-13-91 (4)Section §37-13-91- (4) (i)House Bill #1443 (1998 Regular Session)House Bill #74 (2013 Regular Session)House Bill #1530 (2013 Regular Session)Senate Bill # 2571 (2014 Regular Session)

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy JBA – COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE –ABSENCES

Board Approved (Revision), May 28, 2013, Second Reading

Each school district shall implement a dropout prevention program approved by the Office ofDropout Prevention of the State Department of Education by the 2012/2013 school year, andannually thereafter.

Each local school district will be held responsible for reducing and/or eliminating dropouts in thedistrict. The local school district will be responsible for the implementation of dropout plansfocusing on issues such as, but not limited to:

(1) Dropout Prevention initiatives that focus on the needs of individual localeducation agencies;

(2) Establishing policies and procedures that meet the needs of the districts;

(3) Focusing on the student-centered goals and objectives that are measureable;

(4) Strong emphasis on reducing the retention rates in grades kindergarten, first, andsecond;

(5) Targeting subgroups that need additional assistance to meet graduationrequirements; and

(6) Dropout recovery initiatives that focus on students age seventeen (17) throughtwenty-one (21), who dropped out of school.

The Office of Dropout Prevention may provide technical assistance upon written request by thelocal school district. The Office of Dropout Prevention will collaborate with program officeswithin the Mississippi Department of Education to develop and implement policies andinitiatives to reduce the State’s dropout rate.

Each school district’s dropout prevention plan shall address how students will transition to thehome school district from the juvenile detention centers.

It is the intent of the Legislature that, through the statewide dropout prevention program and thedropout prevention programs implemented by each school district, the graduation rate for cohortclasses will be increased to not less that eighty-five percent (85%) by the 2018/2019 school year. The Office of Dropout Prevention shall establish graduation rate benchmarks for each two-yearperiod from the 2008/2009 school year through the 2018/2019 school year, which shall serve asguidelines for increasing the graduation rate for cohort classes on a systematic basis to eighty-five percent (85%) by the 2018/2019 school year.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Senate Bill No. 2454, Regular Session 2012Section §37-13-80, Mississippi code of 1972, As Amended

DROPOUT PREVENTION PROGRAM JBB

General Eligibility

1. The Picayune School District shall admit into its free public school all eligible residentand legally transferred minor children who are over five (5) and not over twenty (20)years of age on September 1 of the school year.

2. Each minor child shall attend school in the school district of his/her residence unlesslegally transferred to another school district by the Board of Trustees pursuant to MSCode Section §37-15-29 (1992)

3. Except for those students who have been legally transferred, each minor child seeking toenroll in the Picayune School District shall be a resident of the Picayune School District. All students shall register at the school they are assigned to attend.

4. All new students enrolling in the Picayune School District or any continuing studentwhose residence has changed shall be accompanied to enrollment by a parent, guardian,adult custodian, or adult agent of a social service agency of the Picayune School Districtwho shall register the minor child for admission, except students who have been legallytransferred. The accompanying adult shall be required to verify his/her residence asherein provided as part of the registration process.

5. The person in charge of each school shall require any child enrolling in Kindergarten or Grade 1 to present a certified birth certificate and valid immunization certificate uponenrollment. If the first prescribed evidence is not available (certified birth certificate), thenext evidence obtainable in the order set forth below shall be accepted:

(a) A certified birth certificate;

(b) A duly attested transcript of a certificate of baptism showing the date of birth andplace of baptism of the child, accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by a parent,grandparent, or custodian;

(c) An insurance policy on the child’s life which has been in force for at least two (2)years;

(d) A bona fide contemporary Bible record of the child’s birth accompanied by anaffidavit sworn to by the parent, grandparent, or custodian;

(e) A passport or certificate of arrival in the United States showing the age of thechild;

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS JBC

(f) A transcript of record of age shown in the child’s school record of at least four (4)years prior to application, stating date of birth; or

(g) If none of these evidences can be produced, an affidavit of age sworn to by aparent, grandparent, or custodian may be used. Any child in enrollingKindergarten or Grade 1 shall present the required evidence of age uponenrollment. Any child in Grades 2 through 12 not in compliance at the end ofsixty (60) days from enrollment shall be suspended until in compliance. Section§37-15-1 Mississippi Code of 1972 as Amended, (Senate Bill #2225)

Except as provided in paragraph six (6) below no child shall be admitted to anyschool in this school district during any school year unless such child will reachhis fifth birthday on or before September 1 of said school year for Kindergartenenrollment; or unless such child will reach his sixth birthday on or beforeSeptember 1 of said school year for first grade enrolment. No child will beallowed to enroll in or attend any school without a certified birth certificate orvalid immunization certificate.

6. Subject to the provisions of paragraph seven (7) below, any child who transfers from anout-of-state public or private school in which that State’s law provides for a first grade orKindergarten enrollment date subsequent to September 1 shall be allowed to enroll in thePicayune School District at the same grade level as his/her prior out-of-state enrollment,if:

(a) The parent, legal guardian, or custodian of such child was a legal resident of theState from which the child is transferring;

(b) The out-of-state school from which the child is transferring is duly accredited bythat State’s appropriate accrediting authority;

(c) Such child was legally enrolled in a public or private school for a minimum offour (4) weeks in the previous State; and

(d) The Superintendent of the Picayune School District has determined that the childwas making satisfactory educational progress in the previous State.

7. When any child applies for admission or enrollment in any public school in the State, theparent, guardian, or child, in the absence of an accompanying parent/legal guardian, shallindicate on the school registration form if the enrolling child has been expelled from anypublic or private school or is currently a party to an expulsion proceeding. If it isdetermined from the child’s cumulative record or application for admission or enrollmentthat the child has been expelled, the Picayune School District may deny the studentadmission and enrollment until the Superintendent of the Picayune School District orhis/her designee has reviewed the child’s cumulative record and determined that the childhas participated in successful rehabilitative efforts including, but not limited to, progress

in an alternative school or similar program. If the child is a party to an expulsionproceeding, the child may be admitted to a public school pending final disposition of theexpulsion proceeding. If the expulsion proceeding results in the expulsion of the child,the public school may revoke such admission to school. If the child was expelled or is aparty to an expulsion proceeding for an act involving violence, weapons, alcohol, illegaldrugs, or other activity that may result in expulsion, the Picayune School District shall notbe required to grant admission or enrollment to the child before one (1) calendar yearafter the date of the expulsion.

8. No child in Grades 2 through 12 shall be allowed to enroll in or attend any school withouta valid immunization certificate. Valid certificates include:

1. Form 121 – Certificate of Compliance2. Form 121-A – Medical Exemption Certificate3. Form 121-T – Temporary Compliance Certificate

The Temporary Compliance Certificate, Form 121-T, is not valid after the date shown. After that date, the principal shall deny school attendance by such child unless or until theprincipal is furnished another Temporary Compliance Certificate, Form 121-T, or aCertificate of Compliance, Form 121, or a Medical Exemption Certificate, Form 121-A.

10. Residence Verification Procedure

DEFINITION OF RESIDENCE FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE PURPOSES: The student physically resides full time week days/nights and weekends, at a place of abodelocated within the limits of the Picayune School District.

1. Except for those students who have been legally transferred, each studentidentified in paragraph four (4) above must establish his or her residency in thefollowing manner:

a. STUDENTS LIVING WITH PARENT(S) OR GUARDIAN(S)

The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of a student seeking to enroll mustprovide the Picayune School District with at least two (2) of the itemsnumbered (1) through (10) below as verification of their address, exceptthat a document with a post office box as an address will not be accepted.

(1) Filed Homestead Exemption Application form(2) Mortgage documents for property deed(3) Apartment or home lease(4) Utility bills(5) Driver’s license(6) Voter precinct identification(7) Automobile registration

(8) Affidavit and/or personal visit by a designated Picayune SchoolDistrict official

(9) Any other documentation that will objectively and unequivocallyestablish that the parent or guardian resides within the PicayuneSchool District.

(10) Certified copy of filed petition for guardianship if pending andfinal decree when granted.

b. HOMELESS CHILDREN

When a child is determined to be homeless as defined under Title VII-B,of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 USC 11431 et.seq.),(McKinney-Vento Act) as authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act of2001, the Picayune School District shall consider and take enrollmentaction that is in the best interest of the child pursuant to 42 USC 11432 (e)(3).

See Board Policy JQP – EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN

c. The requirements of Section II.1 (a) above are minimum requirements andthe Picayune School District may require additional documentation andverification at any time.

d. At the minimum, the Picayune School District shall maintain in a file awritten instrument identifying the types of documents used to verify eachstudent’s residency and copies of any relevant guardianship petition ordecree.

e. The provisions of this policy do not apply to students who reside outsidethe Picayune School District, but who have legally transferred into thePicayune School District.

3. Any court ordered procedure shall take precedent over any procedure containedherein.

Also see Board Policy JQP – EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN.

3. Transferring Students (See also Policy JBCD – TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALSOF STUDENTS, and Board Policy II – TESTING PROGRAMS.)

1. No student is to be enrolled in the Picayune School District until any and allquestions regarding residence or immunizations have been resolved.

2. Students suspended or expelled from another school or school district may not beallowed to enroll.

3. No pupil shall be permanently enrolled in a school in the Picayune School Districtwho formerly was enrolled in another school within the State or outside the Stateuntil the cumulative record of said pupil shall have been received from the schoolfrom which he/she transferred. Should such record have become lost ordestroyed, then it shall be the duty of the Superintendent or principal of the schoolwhere the pupil last attended school to initiate a new record.

4. Unless a transfer student is tested in the manner provided in paragraph five (5)below, the student will be permanently enrolled and placed in a grade or class onthe basis of an official transcript of credits from the last school attended.

5. All students seeking to transfer from any school, public or private, within oroutside of the boundaries of the State of Mississippi, to the Picayune SchoolDistrict shall be required to take a standardized test to determine the grade andclass to which the pupil shall be assigned at the time of pupil transfer.

The administrative head of the school shall administer the test or tests to suchpupil or pupils as shall apply for transfer to such public school. Such test or testsshall be administered within thirty (30) days after the filing of each suchapplication for transfer. Notice of the giving of such test shall be given theapplicant not less than five (5) days prior to the date of the administration of suchtest.

No transfer of a pupil shall be effected until the test has been given and the pupilis assigned to the grade and class for which the test shows he/she is best suited. No pupil shall be assigned to a grade and class more than three (3) grades aboveor below the grade or class that the pupil would have been assigned to had thepupil remained in the school from which the transfer is being made. Pending theadministration of the test herein provided for and its grading and an assignmentbased thereon the Superintendent of the Picayune School District or theattendance center principal to which the pupil seeks admission may assign thepupil temporarily or to a grade and class comparable to that in which the pupilwould have been had the pupil continued in the school from which the transferwas being made.

If any student is transferred or reassigned within the Picayune School District byan order of the Board of Trustees of the Picayune School District as designated bylaw of the State of Mississippi and not at his/her own request, the requirement ofthat pupil’s taking the standardized test shall be waived. Likewise, if a pupil shalltransfer from one school district to another school district in the manner providedand required by the laws of the State of Mississippi, the requirement of such pupiltaking the standardized test shall be waived.

6. Any legal guardianship formed for the purpose of establishing residency forschool district attendance purposes shall not be recognized by the PicayuneSchool District Board of Trustees.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Section §37-15-29 (1992)Section §37-15-1Senate Bill #2225Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42

USC 11431 et.seq.), (McKinney-Vento Act) as authorizedby the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

Section §37-15-3Section §37-15-9Section §37-15-11,Section §37-15-13Section §37-13-33Section & 41-23-3742 United States Code Sections 11431 – 11434State Board of Education: Residency Verification ProcessSenate Bill #2571 (2014 Regular Session)

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy JBCD – TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS OFSTUDENTSBoard Policy JBCB – NON-RESIDENT STUDENTSBoard Policy JBCDA – HOME SCHOOLINGBoard Policy JQP – EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDRENBoard Policy II – TESTING PROGRAMS

Picayune School District employees, both certified and classified, may register their child(ren)for the next school year after the last day of state test administration through the last day forteachers. This early registration will be conducted from 9:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. at eachschool.

Board Approved May 24, 2016, Second Reading

Board Approval Date: 5/24/2016, Second Reading

EARLY REGISTRATION FOR CHILDREN OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES JBCA

The Picayune School District shall be in compliance with all requirements of the State Board ofEducation policy on verification of residence of all students seeking to enroll or continuing toenroll in schools of the Picayune School District. The administration shall develop proceduresgoverning enrollment of students which provide for proper verification of residence throughacceptable documentation and for maintaining files identifying types of documents used to verifyeach student’s residency. See the student handbook for specific details.

RESIDENCY VERIFICATION JBCAA

The Picayune School District/Picayune Memorial High School may enroll up to three (3)exchange students per school year in compliance with the following guidelines:

1. The exchange student must have written approval of the Superintendent of Education orhis/her designee prior to enrollment.

2. Enrollment must be in compliance with all student enrollment requirements establishedby the Picayune School District Board of Trustees.

3. The exchange student must speak English fluently.

4. The exchange student host family must present complete documentation from anapproved exchange student agency to the Office of the Superintendent.

5. The exchange student shall be immediately eligible to participate in MHSAA sanctionedsports/activities in the Picayune School District. Eligibility is granted for one academicschool year provided there is no evidence of recruitment of the students.

6. The exchange student will qualify for all student rights as established by the PicayuneSchool District Board of Trustees.

Board Approved 8/14/2018

A student residing in the Picayune School District who enrolls after the first day of the schoolyear in the Picayune School District must make up all work missed because of late enrollment. Failure to make up such work will be cause for withholding credit for the term’s work forstudents receiving Carnegie units. All make-up work due to late enrollment must be completedas established under the make-up policy.

A student who transfers into the Picayune School District from a school within the continentalboundaries of the United States shall be allowed five (5) school days for travel which shall not becounted in his/her total absences.

EXCHANGE STUDENTS JBCA

ADMISSIONS – LATE ENTRANCE JBCAB

A student who transfers into the Picayune School District from a school outside the continentalboundaries of the United States shall be allowed ten (10) school days for travel which shall notbe counted in total absences.

Any child who transfers from an out-of-state accredited pubic or private school in which thatState’s law provided for first grade enrollment date subsequent to September 1 shall be allowedto be enrolled in the Picayune School District if (a) the parent or legal guardian of the child was alegal resident of the State from which the child is transferring; and (b) such child was legallyenrolled in a public or private school of that State for a minimum of four (4) weeks; and (c) theSuperintendent of the Picayune School District determines that the child was making satisfactoryprogress in the school from which he/she is transferring.

Married students shall be considered as any other students, subject to the rules and regulations ofthe Picayune School District. In areas where parental permission is required for field trips orexcuses for absences or tardiness, married students shall make special arrangements with theadministrative staff of the school.

ATTENDANCE OF MARRIED STUDENTS JBCAC

Interstate Compact on Educational

Opportunity for Military Children

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

SECTION 1. It is the purpose of this compact to remove barriers to educational successimposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of theirparents by:

INTERSTATE COMPACT ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR JBCAD

MILITARY CHILDREN

A. Facilitating the timely enrollment of children of military families and ensuring thatthey are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of education records fromthe previous school district(s) or variations in entrance/age requirements.

B. Facilitating the student placement process through which children of military familiesare not disadvantaged by variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading,course content or assessment.

C. Facilitating the qualification and eligibility for enrollment, educational programs, andparticipation in extracurricular academic, athletic, and social activities.

D. Facilitating the on-time graduation of children of military families.

E. Providing for the promulgation and enforcement of administrative rules implementingthe provisions of this compact.

F. Providing for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and amongmember states, schools, and military families under this compact.

G. Promoting coordination between this compact and other compacts affecting militarychildren.

H. Promoting flexibility and cooperation between the educational system, parents, andthe student in order to achieve educational success for the student.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 2. As used in this compact, unless the context clearly requires a differentconstruction:

A. “Active duty” means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of theUnited States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orderspursuant to 10 USC, Sections 1209 and 1211.

B. “Children of military families” means school-aged children, enrolled in Kindergartenthrough 12th Grade, in the household of an active duty member.

C. “Compact commissioner” means the voting representative of each compacting stateappointed pursuant to Article VIII of this compact.

D. “Deployment” means the period one (1) month prior to the service members’departure from their home station on military orders through six (6) months after return to theirhome station.

E. “Educational records” means those official records, files, and data directly related to astudent and maintained by the school or local education agency, including, but not limited to,records encompassing all the material kept in the student’s cumulative folder such as generalidentifying data, records of attendance and of academic work completed, records of achievementand results of evaluative tests, health data, disciplinary status, test protocols, and individualizededucation programs.

F. “Extracurricular activities” means a voluntary activity sponsored by the school or localeducation agency or an organization sanctioned by the local education agency. Extracurricularactivities include, but are not limited to, preparation for an involvement in public performances,contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays and club activities.

G. “Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children” means thecommission that is created under Article IX of this compact, which is generally referred to as theInterstate Commission.

H. “Local education agency” means a public authority legally constituted by the state asan administrative agency to provide control of and direction for Kindergarten through 12th Gradepublic educational institutions.

I. “Member state” means a state that has enacted this compact.

J. “Military installation” means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeportfacility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense,including any leased facility, which is located within any of the several states, the District ofColumbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa,the Northern Marianas Islands, and any other U.S. Territory such term does not include anyfacility used primarily for civil works, river and harbor projects, or flood control projects.

K. “Nonmember state” means a state that has not enacted this compact.

L. “Receiving state” means the state to which a child of a military family is sent, brought,or caused to be sent or brought.

M. “Rule” means a written statement by the Interstate Commission promulgated pursuantto Article XII of this compact that is of general applicability; implements, interprets, orprescribes a policy or provision of the compact, or an organizational, procedural, or practicerequirement of the Interstate Commission and has the force and effect of statutory law in amember state; and includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.

N. “Sending state” means the state from which a child of a military family is sent,

brought, or caused to be sent or brought.

O. “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, theCommonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the NorthernMarianas Islands, and any other U.S. Territory.

P. “Student” means the child of a military family for whom the local education agencyreceives public funding and who is formally enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th Grade.

Q. “Transition” means: (I) the formal and physical process of transferring from school toschool or (ii) the period of time in which a student moves from one school in the sending state toanother school in the receiving state.

R. “Uniformed services” means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard,as well as the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,and Public Health Services.

S. “Veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service andwho has discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

ARTICLE III

APPLICABILITY

SECTION 3. A. Except as otherwise provided in subsection B, this compact shall applyto the children of:

1. Active duty members of the uniformed services as defined in this compact,including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 USC,Sections 1209 and 1211;

2. Members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured andmedically discharged or retired for a period of one (1) year after medical discharge or retirement;and

3. Members of the uniformed services who die on active duty or as a result ofinjuries sustained on active duty for a period of one (1) year after death.

B. The provisions of this interstate compact shall only apply to local education agenciesas defined in this compact.

C. The provisions of this interstate compact shall not apply to the children of:

1. Inactive members of the National Guard and Military Reserves;

2. Members of the uniformed services now retired, except as provided in

subsection A;

3. Veterans of the uniformed services, except as provided in subsection A; and

4. Other U.S. Department of Defense personnel and other federal agency civilianand contract employees not defined as active duty members of the uniformed services.

ARTICLE IV

EDUCATIONAL RECORDS AND ENROLLMENT

SECTION 4.

A. Unofficial or “hand-carried” education records. In the event that official educationrecords cannot be released to the parents for the purpose of transfer, the custodian of the recordsin the sending state shall prepare and furnish to the parent a complete set of unofficialeducational records containing uniform information as determined by the Interstate Commission. Upon receipt of the unofficial education records by a school in the receiving state, the schoolshall enroll and appropriately place the student based on the information provided in theunofficial records pending validation by the official records, as quickly as possible,

B. Official education records/transcripts. Simultaneous with the enrollment andconditional placement of the student, the school in the receiving state shall request the student’sofficial education records from the school in the sending state. Upon receipt of this request, theschool in the sending state will process and furnish the official education records to the school inthe receiving state within ten (10) days or within such time as is reasonably determined under therules promulgated by the Interstate Commission.

C. Immunizations. Compacting states shall give thirty (30) days from the date ofenrollment or within such time as is reasonably determined under the rules promulgated by theInterstate Commission for students to obtain any immunization(s) required by the receiving state. For a series of immunizations, initial vaccinations must be obtained within thirty (30) days orwithin such time as is reasonably determined under the rules promulgated by the InterstateCommission.

D. Kindergarten and First Grade entrance age. Students shall be allowed to continuetheir enrollment at the grade level in the receiving state commensurate with their grade level(including Kindergarten) from a local education agency in the sending state at the time oftransition, regardless of age. A student who has satisfactorily completed the prerequisite gradelevel in the local education agency in the sending state shall be eligible for enrollment in the nexthighest grade level in the receiving state, regardless of age. A student transferring after the startof the school year in the receiving state shall enter the school in the receiving state on theirvalidated level from an accredited school in the sending state.

ARTICLE V

PLACEMENT AND ATTENDANCE

SECTION 5.

A. Course placement. When the student transfers before or during the school year, thereceiving state school shall initially honor placement of the student in educational courses basedon the student’s enrollment in the sending state school and/or educational assessments conductedat the school in the sending state if the courses are offered. Course placement includes, but is notlimited to, honors, International Baccalaureate, advanced placement, vocational, technical, andcareer pathway courses. Continuing the student’s academic program from the previous schooland promoting placement in academically and career challenging courses should be paramountwhen considering placement. This does not preclude the school in the receiving state fromperforming subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement and continued enrollment ofthe student in the course(s).

B. Educational program placement. The receiving state school shall initially honorplacement of the student in educational programs based on current educational assessmentsconducted at the school in the sending state or participation/placement in like programs in thesending state. Such programs include, but are not limited to, (i) gifted and talented programs,and (ii) English as a second language (ESL) . This does not preclude the school in the receivingstate from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student.

C. Special education services. In compliance with the federal requirements of theIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 USC, Section 1400 et seq., the receivingstate shall initially provide comparable services to a student with disabilities based on his/hercurrent Individualized Education Program (IEP) and in compliance with the requirements ofSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 USC, Section 794, and with Title II of the Americanswith Disabilities Act, 42 USC, Sections 12131–12165, and the receiving state shall makereasonable accommodations and modifications to address the needs of incoming students withdisabilities, subject to an existing 504 or Title II Plan, to provide the student with equal access to education. This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequentevaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student.

D. Placement flexibility. Local education agency administrative officials shall haveflexibility in waiving course/program prerequisites or other preconditions for placement incourses/programs offered under the jurisdiction of the local education agency.

E. Absence as related to deployment activities. A student whose parent or legal guardianis an active duty member of the uniformed services, as defined by the compact, and has beencalled to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combatzone or combat support posting, shall be granted additional excused absences at the discretion ofthe local education agency superintendent to visit with his or her parent or legal guardian relativeto such leave or deployment of the parent or guardian.

ARTICLE VI

ELIGIBILITY

SECTION 6.

A. Eligibility for enrollment.

1. Special power of attorney, relative to the guardianship of a child of a militaryfamily, and executed under applicable law, shall be sufficient for the purposes of enrollment andall other actions requiring parental participation and consent;

2. A local education agency shall be prohibited from charging local tuition to atransitioning military child placed in the care of a noncustodial parent or other person standing inloco parentis who lives in a jurisdiction other than that of the custodial parent; and

3. A transitioning military child, placed in the care of a noncustodial parent orother person standing in loco parentis who lives in a jurisdiction other than that of the custodialparent, may continue to attend the school in which he/she was enrolled while residing with thecustodial parent.

B. Eligibility for extracurricular participation. State and local education agencies shallfacilitate the opportunity for transitioning military children’s inclusion in extracurricularactivities, regardless of application deadlines, to the extend they are otherwise qualified.

ARTICLE VII

GRADUATION

SECTION 7. In order to facilitate the on-time graduation of children of militaryfamilies, state and local education agencies shall incorporate the following procedure:

A. Waiver requirements. Local education agency administrative officials shall waivespecific courses required for graduation if similar coursework has been satisfactorily completedin another local education agency or shall provide reasonable justification for denial. Should awaiver not be granted to a student who would qualify to graduate from the sending school, thelocal education agency shall provide an alternative means of acquiring required coursework sothat graduation may occur on time.

B. Exit exams. States shall accept: (i) exit or end-of-course exams required forgraduation from the sending state, (ii) national norm-referenced achievement tests, or (iii)alternative testing, in lieu of testing requirements for graduation in the receiving state. In theevent the above alternatives cannot be accommodated by the receiving state for a studenttransferring in his or her senior year, then the provisions of Article VII, Section C shall apply.

C. Transfers during senior year. Should a military student transferring at the beginningor during his or her senior year be ineligible to graduate from the receiving local educationagency after all alternatives have been considered, the sending and receiving local educationagencies shall ensure the receipt of a diploma from the sending local education agency, if thestudent meets the graduation requirements of the sending local education agency. In the eventthat one of the states in question is not a member of this compact, the member state shall use bestefforts to facilitate the on-time graduation of the student in accordance with subsections A and Bof this Article.

ARTICLE VIII

STATE COORDINATION

SECTION 8.

A. Each member state shall, through the creation of a State Council or use of an existingbody or board, provide for the coordination among its agencies of government, local educationagencies, and military installations concerning the state’s participation in, and compliance with,this compact and Interstate Commission activities. While each member state may determine themembership of its own State Council, its membership must include at least: (i) the StateSuperintendent of Education, (ii) the Superintendent of a school district with a high concentrationof military children, (iii) one (1) representative from a military installation, (iv) one (1)representative each from the legislative and executive branches of government, and other officesand stakeholder groups the State Council deems appropriate. A member state that does not havea school district deemed to contain a high concentration of military children may appoint aSuperintendent from another school district to represent local education agencies on the StateCouncil.

B. The State Council of each member state shall appoint or designate a military familyeducation liaison to assist military families and the state in facilitating the implementation of thiscompact.

C. The Governor of each member state shall appoint or designate a compactcommissioner responsible for the administration and management of the state’s participation inthe compact and who is empowered to establish statewide policy related to matters governed bythis compact.

D. The compact commissioner and the military family education liaison designatedherein shall be ex officio members of the State Council, unless either is already a full votingmember of the State Council.

ARTICLE IX

INTERSTATE COMMISSION ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

FOR MILITARY CHILDREN

SECTION 9. The member states hereby create the Interstate Commission onEducational Opportunity for Military Children. The activities of the Interstate Commission arethe formation of public policy and are a discretionary state function. The Interstate Commissionshall:

A. Be a body corporate and joint agency of the member states and shall have all theresponsibilities, powers, and duties set forth herein and such additional powers as may beconferred upon it by a subsequent concurrent action of the respective legislatures of the memberstates in accordance with the terms of this compact.

B. Consist of one (1) Interstate Commission voting representative from each memberstate who shall be that state’s compact commissioner and who is empowered to establishstatewide policy related to matters governed by this compact.

1. Each member state represented at a meeting of the Interstate Commission isentitled to one (1) vote;

2. A majority of the total member states shall constitute a quorum for thetransaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws of the InterstateCommission;

3. A representative shall not delegate a vote to another member state. In theevent the compact commissioner is unable to attend a meeting of the Interstate Commission, theGovernor or State Council may delegate voting authority to another person from the state for aspecified meeting; and

4. The bylaws may provide for meetings of the Interstate Commission to beconducted by telecommunication or electronic communication.

C. Consist of ex officio, nonvoting representatives who are members of interestedorganizations. Such ex officio members, as defined in the bylaws, may include, but not belimited to, members of the representative organizations of military family advocates, localeducation agency officials, parent and teacher groups, the U.S. Department of Defense, theEducation Commission of the States, the Interstate Agreement on the Qualification ofEducational Personnel, and other interstate compacts affecting the education of children ofmilitary members.

D. Meet at least once each calendar year. The chairperson may call additional meetings,and, upon the request of a simple majority of the member states, shall call additional meetings.

E. Establish an executive committee, whose members shall include the officers of theInterstate Commission and such other members of the Interstate Commission as determined bythe bylaws. Members of the executive committee shall serve a one-year term. Members of the

executive committee shall be entitled to one (1) vote each. The executive committee shall havethe power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission, with the exception of rule-making,during periods when the Interstate Commission is not in session. The executive committee shalloversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact, including enforcement andcompliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws and rules, and other such duties asdeemed necessary. The U.S. Department of Defense shall serve as an ex officio, nonvotingmember of the executive committee.

F. Establish bylaws and rules that provide for conditions and procedures under which theInterstate Commission shall make its information and official records available to the public forinspection or copying. The Interstate Commission may exempt from disclosure information orofficial records to the extent they would adversely affect personal privacy rights or proprietaryinterests.

G. Public notice shall be given by the Interstate Commission of all meetings, and allmeetings shall be open to the public, except as set forth in the rules or as otherwise provided inthe compact. The Interstate Commission and its committees may close a meeting, or portionthereof, when it determines by two-thirds (2/3) vote that an open meeting would be likely to:

1. Relate solely to the Interstate Commission’s internal personnel practices and procedures;

2. Disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal and state statute;

3. Disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential;

4. Involve accusing a person of a crime or formally censuring a person;

5. Disclose information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

6. Disclose investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; or

7. Specifically relate to the Interstate Commission’s participation in a civil action or other legal proceeding.

H. For a meeting, or portion of a meeting, closed pursuant to the provisions of subsectionG, the Interstate Commission’s legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may beclosed and shall reference each relevant exemptible provision. The Interstate Commission shallkeep minutes, which shall fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shallprovide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefor, including adescription of the views expressed and the record of a roll call vote. All documents considered inconnection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a

closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the InterstateCommission.

I. The Interstate Commission shall collect standardized data concerning the educationaltransition of the children of military families under this compact as directed through its rules,which shall specify the data to be collected, the means of collection and data exchange, andreporting requirements. Such methods of data collection, exchange, and reporting shall, insofaras is reasonably possible, conform to current technology and coordinate its information functionswith the appropriate custodian of records as identified in the bylaws and rules.

J. The Interstate Commission shall create a process that permits military officials,education officials, and parents to inform the Interstate Commission if and when there are allegedviolations of the compact or its rules or when issues subject to the jurisdiction of the compact orits rules are not addressed by the state or local education agency. This section shall not beconstrued to create a private right of action against the Interstate Commission or any memberstate.

ARTICLE X

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

SECTION 10. The Interstate Commission shall have the following powers:

A. To provide for dispute resolution among member states.

B. To promulgate rules and take all necessary actions to effect the goals, purposes, andobligations as enumerated in this compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of statutorylaw and shall be binding in the compact states to the extent and in the manner provided in thiscompact.

C. To issue, upon request of a member state, advisory opinions concerning the meaningor interpretation of the interstate compact, its bylaws, rules, and actions.

D. To enforce compliance with the compact provisions, the rules promulgated by theInterstate Commission, and the bylaws, using all necessary and proper means, including, but notlimited to, the use of judicial process.

E. To establish and maintain offices, which shall be located within one or more of themember states.

F. To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.

G. To borrow, accept, hire, or contract for services of personnel.

H. To establish and appoint committees, including, but not limited to, an executive

committee as required by Article IX, subsection E, which shall have the power to act on behalf ofthe Interstate Commission in carrying out its powers and duties hereunder.

I. To elect or appoint such officers, attorneys, employees, agents, or consultants, and tofix their compensation, define their duties, and determine their qualifications and to establish theInterstate Commission’s personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, rates ofcompensation, and qualifications of personnel.

J. To accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials,and services and to receive, utilize, and dispose of them.

K. To lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold,improve, or use any property, real, personal, or mixed.

L. To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose ofany property, real, personal, or mixed.

M. To establish a budget and make expenditures.

N. To adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the InterstateCommission.

O. To report annually to the legislatures, governors, judiciary, and state councils of themember states concerning the activities of the Interstate Commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall also include any recommendations that may have been adopted by theInterstate Commission.

P. To coordinate education, training, and public awareness regarding the compact, itsimplementation, and operation for officials and parents involved in such activity.

Q. To establish uniform standards for the reporting, collecting, and exchanging of data.

R. To maintain corporate books and records in accordance with the bylaws.

S. To perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposesof this compact.

T. To provide for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and amongmember states, schools, and miliary families under this compact.

ARTICLE XI

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

SECTION 11.

A. The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members present and voting,within twelve (12) months after the first Interstate Commission meeting, adopt bylaws to governits conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the compact,including, but not limited to:

1. Establishing the fiscal year of the Interstate Commission;

2. Establishing an executive committee and such other committees as may be necessary;

3. Providing for the establishment of committees and for governing any general or specific delegation of authority or function of the Interstate Commission;

4. Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the Interstate Commission and ensuring reasonable notice of each such meetings;

5. Establishing the titles and responsibilities of the officers and staff of the Interstate Commission;

6. Providing a mechanism for concluding the operations of the Interstate Commission and the return of surplus funds that may exist upon the termination of the compact after the payment and reserving all of its debts and obligations; and

7. Providing “start-up” rules for initial administration of the compact.

B. The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members, elect annually fromamong its members a chairperson, a vice chairperson and a treasurer, each of whom shall havethe authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson or, in thechairperson’s absence or disability, the vice chairperson shall preside at all meetings of theInterstate Commission. The officers so elected shall serve without compensation orremuneration from the Interstate Commission provided that, subject to the availability ofbudgeted funds, the officers shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary costs and expensesincurred by them in the performance of their responsibilities as officers of the InterstateCommission.

C. Executive Committee, officers, and personnel.

1. The executive committee shall have such authority and duties as may be setforth in the bylaws, including, but not limited to: (a) managing the affairs of the InterstateCommission in a manner consistent with the bylaws and purposes of the Interstate Commission;(b) overseeing an organizational structure within and appropriate procedures for the InterstateCommission to provide for the creation of rules, operating procedures, and administrative andtechnical support functions; and (c) planning, implementing, and coordinating communications

and activities with other state, federal, and local government organizations in order to advancethe goals of the Interstate Commission.

2. The executive committee may, subject to the approval of the InterstateCommission, appoint or retain an executive director for such period, upon such terms andconditions, and for such compensation as the Interstate Commission may deem appropriate. Theexecutive director shall serve as secretary to the Interstate Commission, but shall not be amember of the Interstate Commission. The executive director shall hire and supervise such otherpersons as may be authorized by the Interstate Commission.

D. The Interstate Commission’s executive director and its employees shall be immunefrom suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to orloss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of or relating to anactual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such person had a reasonable basisfor believing occurred, within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, orresponsibilities, provided that such person shall not be protected from suit or liability for damage,loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of suchperson.

1. The liability of the Interstate Commission’s executive director and employeesor the Interstate Commission representatives, acting within the scope of their employment orduties for acts, errors, or omissions occurring within such person’s state, may not exceed thelimits of liability set forth under the constitution and laws of that state for state officials,employees, and agents. The Interstate Commission is considered to be an instrumentality of thestates for the purposes of any such action. Nothing in this subsection D shall be construed toprotect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by theintentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

2. The Interstate Commission shall defend the executive director and itsemployees and, subject to the approval of the Attorney General or other appropriate legal counselof the member state represented by an Interstate Commission representative, shall defend suchInterstate Commission representative in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out ofan actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of InterstateCommission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the defendant had a reasonable basisfor believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, orresponsibilities provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result fromintentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such person.

3. To the extent not covered by the state involved, member state, or the InterstateCommission, the representatives or employees of the Interstate Commission shall be heldharmless in the amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorney’s fees and costs, obtainedagainst such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurredwithin the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that suchpersons had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commissionemployment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission

did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such persons.

ARTICLE XII

RULE-MAKING FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

SECTION 12.

A. Rule-making authority. The Interstate Commission shall promulgate reasonable rulesin order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of this compact. Notwithstanding theforegoing, in the event the Interstate Commission exercises its rule-making authority in a mannerthat is beyond the scope of the purposes of this act, or the powers granted hereunder, then such anaction by the Interstate Commission shall be invalid and have no force or effect.

B. Rule-making procedure. Rules shall be made pursuant to a rule-making process thatsubstantially conforms to the “Model State Administrative Procedures Act,” of 1981 Act,Uniform Laws Annotated, Vol. 15, p. 1 (2000) as amended, as may be appropriate to theoperations of the Interstate Commission.

C. Not later than thirty (30) days after a rule is promulgated, any person may file apetition for judicial review of the rule provided that the filing of such a petition shall not stay orotherwise prevent the rule from becoming effective unless the court finds that the petitioner has asubstantial likelihood of success. The court shall give deference to the actions of the InterstateCommission consistent with applicable law and shall not find the rule to be unlawful if the rulerepresents a reasonable exercise of the Interstate Commission’s authority.

D. If a majority of the Legislatures of the compacting states rejects a rule by enactment ofa statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact, then such rule shall have nofurther force and effect in any compacting state.

ARTICLE XIII

OVERSIGHT, ENFORCEMENT, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

SECTION 13.

A. Oversight.

1. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in eachmember state shall enforce this compact and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact’s purposes and intent. The provisions of this compact and the rulespromulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory law;

2. All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicialor administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact

which may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the Interstate Commission; and

3. The Interstate Commission shall be entitled to receive all service of process inany such proceeding and shall have standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the Interstate Commission shall render a judgment ororder void as to the Interstate Commission, this compact, or promulgated rules.

B. Default, technical assistance, suspension, and termination.

If the Interstate Commission determines that a member state has defaulted in theperformance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact, or the bylaws orpromulgated rules, the Interstate Commission shall:

1. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of thenature of the default, the means of curing the default, and any action taken by the InterstateCommission. The Interstate Commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaultingstate must cure its default;

2. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding thedefault;

3. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state shall beterminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states, and allrights, privileges, and benefits conferred by this compact shall be terminated from the effectivedate of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations orliabilities incurred during the period of the default;

4. Suspension or termination of membership in the compact shall be imposedonly after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent tosuspend or terminate shall be given by the Interstate Commission to the Governor, the majorityand minority leaders of the defaulting state’s Legislature, and each of the member states;

5. The state which has been suspended or terminated is responsible for allassessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of suspension ortermination, including obligations the performance of which extends beyond the effective date ofsuspension or termination;

6. The Interstate Commission shall not bear any costs relating to any state that hasbeen found to be in default or which has suspended or terminated from the compact, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the Interstate Commission and the defaultingstate; and

7. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Interstate Commission bypetitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal districtwhere the Interstate Commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded

all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney’s fees.

C. Dispute resolution.

1. The Interstate Commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state,to resolve disputes that are subject to the compact and that may arise among member states andbetween member and nonmember states.

2. The Interstate Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for bothmediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

D. Enforcement.

1. The Interstate Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shallenforce the provisions and rules of this compact.

2. The Interstate Commission may by majority vote of the members initiate legalaction in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or, at the discretion of theInterstate Commission, in the federal district where the Interstate Commission has its principaloffices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact, its promulgated rules andbylaws against a member state in default. The relief sought may include both injunctive reliefand damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall beawarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney’s fees.

3. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the InterstateCommission. The Interstate Commission may avail itself of any other remedies available understate law or the regulation of a profession.

ARTICLE XIV

FINANCING OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

SECTION 14.

A. The Interstate Commission shall pay or provide for the payment of the reasonableexpenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

B. The Interstate Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from eachmember state to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Interstate Commission andits staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover the Interstate Commission’s annualbudget as approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated basedupon a formula to be determined by the Interstate Commission, which shall promulgate a rulebinding upon all member states.

C. The Interstate Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the

funds adequate to meet the same nor shall the Interstate Commission pledge the credit of any ofthe member states, except by and with the authority of the member state.

D. The Interstate Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts anddisbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Interstate Commission shall be subject tothe audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts anddisbursements of funds handled by the Interstate Commission shall be audited yearly by acertified or licensed public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in and becomepart of the annual report of the Interstate Commission.

ARTICLE XV

MEMBER STATES, EFFECTIVE DATE, AND AMENDMENT

SECTION 15.

A. Any state is eligible to become a member state.

B. The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of thecompact into law by no less than ten (10) of the states. The effective date shall be no earlier thanDecember 1, 2008. Thereafter, it shall become effective and binding as to any other memberstate upon enactment of the compact into law by that state. The Governors of nonmember statesor their designees shall be invited to participate in the activities of the Interstate Commission on anonvoting basis prior to adoption of the compact by all states.

C. The Interstate Commission may propose amendments to the compact for enactment bythe member states. No amendment shall become effective and binding upon the Interstate

Commission and the member states unless and until it is enacted into law by unanimous consentof the member states.

ARTICLE XVI

WITHDRAWAL AND DISSOLUTION

SECTION 16.

A. Withdrawal.

1. Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and remain binding uponeach and every member state, provided that a member state may withdraw from the compactspecifically by repealing the statute which enacted the compact into law.

2. Withdrawal from this compact shall be by the enactment of a statute repealingthe same, but shall not take effect until one (1) year after the effective date of such statue and

until written notice of the withdrawal has been given by the withdrawing state to the Governor ofeach other member jurisdiction.

3. The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the chairperson of the InterstateCommission in writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing this compact in thewithdrawing state. The Interstate Commission shall notify the other member states of thewithdrawing state’s intent to withdraw within sixty (60) days of its receipt thereof.

4. The withdrawing state is responsible for all assessments, obligations, andliabilities incurred through the effective date of withdrawal, including obligations theperformance of which extends beyond the effective date of withdrawal.

5. Reinstatement following withdrawal of a member state shall occur upon thewithdrawing state reenacting the compact or upon such later date as determined by the InterstateCommission.

B. Dissolution of compact.

1. This compact shall dissolve effective upon the date of the withdrawal ordefault of the member state that reduces the membership in the compact to one (1) member state.

2. Upon the dissolution of this compact, the compact becomes null and void andshall be of no further force or effect and the business and affairs of the Interstate Commissionshall be concluded and surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance with the bylaws.

ARTICLE XVII

SEVERABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION

SECTION 17.

A. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence,or provision is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall beenforceable.

B. The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.

C. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prohibit the applicability of otherinterstate compacts to which the states are members.

ARTICLE XVIII

BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS

SECTION 18.

A. Other laws.

1. Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member statethat is not inconsistent with this compact.

2. All member states’ laws conflicting with this compact are superseded to theextent of the conflict.

B. Binding effect of the compact.

1. All lawful actions of the Interstate Commission, including all rules and bylawspromulgated by the Interstate Commission, are binding upon the member states.

2. All agreements between the Interstate Commission and the member states arebinding in accordance with their terms.

3. In the event any provision of this compact exceeds the constitutional limitsimposed on the Legislature of any member state, such provision shall be ineffective to the extentof the conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that member state.

SECTION 19. This act shall take effect and be in force when enacted into law by no lessthan ten (10) of the fifty (50) United States.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Senate Bill #266909/SS02/R930

1. ADMISSION OF CHILDREN OF NON-RESIDENT EMPLOYEES

Upon the written petition of any non-resident parent or legal guardian who is not aresident of Mississippi who is an employee (certified or classified) of the PicayuneSchool District, the Picayune School District Board of Trustees shall consent to theenrollment and attendance of the non-resident employee’s children with no tuition charge.

2. ADMISSION OF NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS

Upon the written petition of any non-resident parent/legal guardian of a school age child,the Picayune School District Board of Trustees may consent to the enrollment andattendance of the non-resident school age child on a tuition basis from the order ofplacement on a waiting list if classroom space is available and if such placement does notcause the Picayune School District to exceed mandatory class sizes or incur additionalcosts.

NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS JBCB

The Picayune School District Board of Trustees shall establish the amount of tuitioncharged any transfer student. The tuition rates will be reviewed periodically and adjustedas determined by the Board of Trustees. The terms of such student transfer, studentcontract, and the amounts of any tuition charged any transfer student shall be spread uponthe minutes of the Picayune School District Board of Trustees.

Full payment of tuition in the amount specified by the Board of Trustees must be madeprior to the enrollment of a non-resident student. Tuition rates are non-refundable.

Only residents of Mississippi will be considered for non-resident admission.

Upon the written petition of any non-resident parent/legal guardian of a school age childwho has lawfully transferred to the Picayune School District, the Picayune School DistrictBoard of Trustees may consent to the transfer of any school age brother or sister to thePicayune School District and shall spread same upon its minutes.

The following criteria will be considered in the acceptance or non-acceptance of a non-resident student:

• Satisfactory behavior in home school• Academic record of average grades or better in home school

A review committee whose members will be the Assistant Superintendent, Director ofExceptional Education, and Director of Federal Programs will convene to consider eachrequest and make a recommendation to accept or not to accept.

III. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ALL NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS

Non-resident students will be assigned to a school by the Superintendent. Schedules fornon-resident students will be made by the building level principal.

The consent to transfer any school age child to the Picayune School District shall bespread upon the minutes of the Picayune School District Board of Trustees.

The Picayune School District shall notify in writing the school district from which thestudent or students are transferring and the transferor school district shall spread the sameupon its minutes.

The responsibility for transporting all transfer students to the Picayune School Districtshall be that of the parent/legal guardian.

The Picayune School District will deny admission to any non-resident student who iscurrently serving a suspension or expulsion from another school district or who has arecord of severe disciplinary problems.

The Picayune School District will deny admission of any non-resident student whoseadmission would require expenditures in programs not currently provided by the PicayuneSchool District or whose placement would require additional staffing or costs. Studentswho meet the eligibility requirements of IDEA are guaranteed the right to a FreeAppropriate Public Education (FAPE). The responsibility for insuring the right to aFAPE is the responsibility of the student’s home district. (Individuals with DisabilitiesEducation Act Amendments of 1997, Section 602(8)A) At its discretion, the Board ofTrustees may deny admission to any non-resident student.

Any non-resident student who is identified as habitually disruptive as defined by BoardPolicy JDB – HABITUALLY DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS will be denied continuedenrollment in the Picayune School District and returned to the home school district.

A legal guardianship formed for the purpose of establishing residency for school districtattendance purposes shall not be recognized by the Picayune School District Board ofTrustees.

Legally transferred non-resident students enrolled in the Picayune School District shall becounted for teacher allotment and allotments for supportive services by the PicayuneSchool District including cost allotments prescribed by Sections §37-19-19 and §37-19-31 for school district administrative and clerical salaries and other expenses. ThePicayune School District Board of Trustees and the home school board of any non-resident student accepted for enrollment under the provisions of Sections §37-15-31 bythe Picayune School District shall enter into an agreement and contract for the payment ornon-payment of any portion of their local maintenance funds which they deem fair andequitable in support of any transferred students. The terms of any local maintenance fundpayment transfer contracts shall be spread upon the minutes of both the affected schooldistrict boards.

REQUIRED FORMS: Agreement for Non-Payment of Maintenance Funds forTransfer Students Request for Release

LEGAL REFERENCES: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997,Section 602 (8) §37-15-29

§37-15-9 §37-15-9 §37-6-3 §37-19-27

§37-19-19 §37-22-1

House Bill #413, 2001 Regular Session, Mississippi Legislature Section §37-15-31Section §37-19-19

Before September 1 of each year, the Picayune School District Board of Trustees shall certify tothe State Department of Education the number of students in the added territory of the PicayuneSchool District who are transferred to the adjacent school district under subsection (4) §37-15-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, As Amended, by House Bill #413, 2001 Regular Session,Mississippi Legislature. The Picayune School District also shall certify the total number ofstudents in the Picayune School District residing in the added territory plus the number of thosestudents who are transferred to the adjacent school district. Based upon these figures, the StateDepartment of Education shall calculate the percentage of the total number of students in theadded territory who are transferred to the adjacent school district and shall certify this percentageto the levying authority for the Municipal Separate School District. The levying authority shallremit proceeds of the ad valorem taxes collected for the support of the Municipal SeparateSchool District from the added territory of the Municipal Separate School District, and amountequal to the percentage of the total number of students in the added territory who are transferredto the adjacent school district.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Section §37-15-31

CERTIFICATION OF STUDENTS FROM ADDED TERRITORY JBCBA

House Bill #413, 2001 Regular Session, Mississippi Legislature

All students enrolled in the Picayune School District shall attend school in the zone in whichtheir parents/legal guardians reside. Attendance policies are adopted by the Board of Trusteesand published annually in student handbooks.

SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT – ATTENDANCE IN ZONE JBCCA/JBCD

OF RESIDENCE

The procedure for enrollment of transfer students who were enrolled in a non-accredited schoolor in a correspondence school or approved home school shall be as follows:

1. Upon completion of registration, the student will be temporarily assigned to a grade levelindicated on his/her report card, transfer papers, or other written documentation.

2. As soon as possible, the building principal will arrange for student testing to aid in gradelevel or subject (discipline) assignment.

3. Based on the student’s achievement level and other pertinent factors, the buildingprincipal will assign the student to a grade level or subject (discipline).

4. Students from non-accredited schools will not be accepted without examinations, usingdistrict tests and/or special subject area tests within thirty (30) days after transfer. Students shall not be permanently enrolled until the Mississippi cumulative folder or

ENROLLMENT OF OFFICIAL TRANSFER STUDENTS JBCCC

official transcript of credits is received from the school of transfer.

Section 1

§37-11-1.

(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, after a pupil has beenassigned to a particular public school, the principal, or anyone else vested with the authority ofassigning pupils to classes, knowingly shall not place such pupil in a class where the pupil’spresence would serve to adversely affect, hinder, or retard the academic development of the otherpupils in the class.

(2) (a) A parent or guardian of twins or higher order multiples, as defined in paragraph (d) of this subsection, may request that the children be placed in the same classroom or inseparate classrooms if the children are in the same grade level at the same school. The schoolmay recommend classroom placement and provide professional education advice to the parent orguardian to assist the parent or guardian in making the best decision for the children’s education. A school must provide the placement requested by the children’s parent or guardian unless:

ASSIGNMENT OF TWINS OR HIGHER ORDER MULTIPLES JBCCCC

(i) the parent or guardian has requested that the children, who are different sexes, be placed in thesame classroom and the students in the school have been assigned to different classroomaccording to sex, as authorized under Section §37-11-3; or (ii) the Board of Trustees of thePicayune School District makes a classroom placement determination following the schoolprincipal’s request according to this subsection.

(b) A parent or guardian making a request under this subsection must submit a writtenrequest for the classroom placement to the school principal no later than fourteen (14) calendardays after the first day of each school year or, if the children are enrolled in the school after theschool year commences, no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the children’s first day ofattendance in the school.

(c) At the end of the initial grading period during which children have been in the sameclassroom or separate classrooms pursuant to their parent or guardian’s request under thissubsection, if the principal, in consultation with the children’s classroom teacher or teachers,determines that the requested classroom placement is disruptive to the school, the principal mayrequest that the Board of Trustees determine the children’s classroom placement.

(d) For purposes of this section, the term “higher order multiples” means triplets,quadruplets, quintuplets or more.

Section 2

This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2009, and shall standrepealed on June 30, 2011.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Section §37-11-1Section §37-11-3

1.

a. Except as provided in subsection (2), (3), and (4) of this policy, upon the petition inwriting of a parent/legal guardian, resident of the school district of an individual student,filed or lodged with the president or secretary of the school board of a school district inwhich the pupil has been enrolled or is qualified to be enrolled as a student as a underSection §37-15-9, or upon the aforesaid petition or the initiative of the school board of aschool district as to the transfer of a grade or grades, individual students living in oneschool district or a grade or grades of a school within the districts may be legallytransferred to another school district, by the mutual consent of the school boards of allschool districts concerned, said consent to be given in writing and spread upon theminutes of such boards.

b. In the event such student transfer involves a school district in a county having an

STUDENT TRANSFERS/WITHDRAWALS/DISCLOSURE OF JBCD

STUDENT RECORDS

administrative superintendent as defined in Section §37-6-3, Mississippi Code of 1972,the transfer shall also require the approval in writing of the county board of education ofeach county. If such a transfer should be refused by the school board of either schooldistrict, then an appeal may be made to such county board of education. The countyboard of education to which appeal is taken shall act thereon not later than the date of itsnext regular meeting subsequent to the disapproval or failure to act by the school board ofsaid school district, or not later than the date of its next regular meeting subsequent to thefiling of such appeal.

c. The school board of the transferring school district to which such petition may beaddressed shall act thereon not later than its next regular meeting subsequent to the filingor lodging of said petition, and a failure to act within said time shall constitute a rejectionof such request. The school board of the other school district involved, the transferorboard, and the county board of education, if applicable under paragraph (b) of thissubsection, shall act on such request for transfer as soon as possible after the transferorboard shall have approved or rejected such transfer and no later than the next regularmeeting of the transferee board or county board of education, and a failure of suchtransferee board to act within such time shall constitute a rejection of such request. Ifsuch a transfer is approved by the transferor board, and the county board of education ifapplicable under paragraph (b) of this subsection, then such decision shall be final. Ifsuch a transfer should be refused by the school board of either school district or thecounty board of education, then such decision shall be final.

d. Any legal guardianship formed for the purpose of establishing residency for schooldistrict attendance purposes shall not be recognized by the affected school board.

2.

a. Upon the petition in writing of any parent/legal guardian who is a resident of Mississippiand is an instructional or certificated employee of a school district, but not a resident ofsuch district, the school board of the employer school district shall consent to the transferof such employee’s dependent school-age children to its district and shall spread the sameupon the minutes of the board. Upon the petition in writing of any parent or guardianwho is not a resident of and on January, 1, 1993, is an instructional or certificatedemployee of a school district in Mississippi, the school board of the employer schooldistrict shall consent to the transfer of such employee’s dependent school-age children toits district and shall spread the same upon the minutes of the board.

b. The school board of any school district may in its discretion adopt a uniform policy toallow the enrollment and attendance of the dependent children of non-instructional andnon-certificated employees, who are residents of Mississippi but are not resident of theirdistrict. Such policy shall be based upon the employment needs of the district,implemented according to job classification groups and renewed each school day.

c. The employer transferee school district shall notify in writing the school district fromwhich the pupil or pupils are transferring, and the school board of the transferor schooldistrict shall spread the same upon its minutes.

d. Any such agreement by school boards for the legal transfer of a student shall include aprovision providing for the transportation of the student. In the absence of such provisionthe responsibility for transporting the student to the transferee school district shall be thatof the parent or guardian.

e. Any school district which accepts a student under the provisions of this subsection shallnot assess any tuition fees upon such transferring student in accordance with theprovisions of Section §37-19-27, MS Code of 1972.

3. Upon the petition in writing of any parent/legal guardian of a school-age child who is aresident of an adjacent school district residing in the geographical situation described inSection §37-15-29(3), Mississippi Code of 1972, the school board of the school districtoperating in the school located in closer proximity to the residence of the child shallconsent to the transfer of the child to its district, and shall spread the same upon theminutes of the board. Any such agreement by school boards for the legal transfer of astudent under this subsection shall include a provision for the transportation of the studentby either the transferor of the transferee school district. In the event that either the schoolboard of the transferee or the transferor school district shall object to said transfer, it shallhave the right to appeal to the State Board of Education whose decision shall be final. However, if the school boards agreeing on the legal transfer of any student shall fail toagree on which district shall provide transportation, the responsibility for transporting thestudent to the transferee school district shall be that of the parent/legal guardian.

4. Upon the petition in writing of any parent/legal guardian of a school-aged child who waslawfully transferred to another school district prior to July 1, 1992, as described inSection §37-15-29(4), Mississippi Code of 1972, the school board of the transfereeschool district shall consent to the transfer of such child and the transfer of any school-age brother or sister of such child to its district, and shall spread the same upon theminutes of the Board. §37-15-31 (1994)

5. Legally transferred students going from one school district to another shall be counted forteacher allotment and allotments for supportive services by the school district wherein thepupils attend school, including cost allotments prescribed in Sections §37-19-19 and §37-19-31 for school district administrative and clerical salaries and other expenses, butshall be counted for transportation allotment purposes in the school district whichfurnishes or provides transportation. The school boards of the school districts whichapprove the transfer of a student under the provisions of Section §37-15-31, shall enterinto an agreement and contract for the payment or nonpayment of any portion of theirlocal maintenance funds which they deem fair and equitable in support of any transferredstudent. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, local maintenance fundsshall be transferred only to the extent specified in the agreement and contract entered into

by the affected school districts. The terms of any local maintenance fund paymenttransfer contract shall be spread upon the minutes of both the affected school districtschool boards. The school district accepting any transfer students shall be authorized toaccept tuition from such students under the provisions of Section §37-15-31 (1) and suchagreement may remain in effect for any length of time designated in the contract. Theterms of such transfer contracts and the amounts of any tuition charged any transferstudent shall be spread upon the minutes of both of the affected school boards. No schooldistrict accepting any transfer students under the provisions of Section §37-15-31(2),which provides for the transfer of certain school district employee dependents, shall beauthorized to charge such transfer students any tuition fees.

6. Local maintenance funds shall be paid by the home school district to the transferee schooldistrict for students granted transfers under the provisions of Sections §37-15-29(3) and §37-15-31(3), Mississippi Code of 1972, not to exceed the “individual studententitlement” as defined in Section §37-22-1(2)(d), Mississippi Code of 1972, multipliedby the number of such legally transferred students. §37-19-27 (1991)

Picayune School District procedures governing student transfers and withdrawals shall bepublished in student handbooks as official policy of the Picayune School District.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Section §37-15-9Section §37-6-3Section §37-19-27Section §37-15-29 (3)Section §37-15-29 (4)Section §37-15-31 (1994)Section §37-19-19Section §37-19-31Section §37-22-1 (2) (d)

Any transfer student from a school or program (correspondence, tutorial, or home study) notaccredited by a regional or State agency is given either a standardized achievement test(s) orteacher-made special subject test(s) to determine the appropriate classification of the student.{MS Code §37-15-33} Note: The administrative head of each public school shall ensure thateach pupil applying for transfer shall be tested within thirty (30) days after the filing of suchapplication for transfer. Notice of the administering of such test(s) shall be given to the applicantnot less than five (5) days prior to the date of the administration of such test.


CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy JBC – ADMISSIONSBoard Policy II – TESTING PROGRAMS

HOME SCHOOL/TRANSFER STUDENT TESTING JBCDA

All students seeking to transfer from any school, public, private or home school within or outsideof the boundaries of the State of Mississippi, to a public school within the state may be requiredto take a test to determine the grade and class to which the pupil shall be assigned at the time ofpupil transfer.

The administrative head of each public school shall administer the test or tests to such pupil orpupils as shall apply for transfer to such public school. Such test or tests shall be administeredwithin thirty (30) days after the filing of each such application for transfer. Notice of the givingof such test shall be given the applicant not less than five (5) days prior to the date of theadministration of such test.

No transfer of a pupil shall be effected until the test has been given and the pupil is assignedaccording to the grade and class for which the test shows he is best suited. No pupil shall beassigned to a grade and class more than three (3) grades above or below the grade or class thatthe pupil would have been assigned to had the pupil remained in the school from which thetransfer is being made. Pending the administration of the test herein provided for and its gradingand an assignment based thereon the superintendent of the school district or the attendance center

HOME SCHOOL/TRANSFER STUDENT TESTING JBCDA

principal to which the pupil seeks admission may assign the pupil temporarily to a grade andclass comparable to that in which the pupil would have been had the pupil continued in theschool from which the transfer was being made.

If any student is transferred or reassigned within the school district by order of the board oftrustees of that school district as designated by law of the State of Mississippi and not at his ownrequest, the requirement of that pupil’s taking the standardized test shall be waived. Likewise, ifa pupil shall transfer from one school district to another school district in the manner providedand required by the laws of the State of Mississippi, the requirement of such pupil taking thestandardized test shall be waived.

Legal Reference: Section §37-15-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, As AmendedHouse Bill No. 636 (Regular Session, 2012)

Cross Reference: Board Policy JBC – ADMISSIONSBoard Policy II – TESTING PROGRAMS

A student shall be a bona fide student of the Picayune School District in order to participate inextra-curricular activities.

A student in a home-schooled program shall not be considered a bona fide student.

Board Approved, Second Reading, March 13, 2018.

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION JBCDAA

Picayune School District policies governing student check-out, grades K-12, are adopted by theBoard of Trustees and published annually in student handbooks as official policy statements ofthe Picayune School District.

STUDENT CHECK-OUT POLICY, GRADE-LEVELS K-12 JBH/JBI

In meeting the responsibility to safeguard every student’s right to an educational opportunity andto assure an atmosphere conducive to learning while protecting the individual rights of allstudents, the Board of Trustees has adopted a procedure for those cases in which the misconductis of such a serious nature that it requires, or might result in, material and substantial disruptionof normal functions. The Board of Trustees believes that the procedures adopted meet thestandards of due process required by law and accepted standards of fundamental fairness. Theprocedure provides that in all disciplinary matters, a student will be accorded due process whichprovides for:

1. Adequate notice of the charge against the student and evidence to support the charge;

2. An opportunity for a hearing and to present evidence;

3. A decision supported by the evidence; and

4. The right to appeal.

STUDENTS’ RIGHTS JC

Thus, the Board of Trustees upholds the right of pupils to due process in all phases ofpupil/school relationships. Guidelines to ensure due process for all students shall be developedby the Superintendent. Due process shall be in the following order:

Due Process Procedure Levels:

1. Students and Parents/Legal Guardians;2. Teacher (if applicable);3. Building Administrator;4. District Administrator;5. District Hearing Committee;6. Superintendent; and7. Board of Trustees.

To ensure order and continuity in the educational program of the Picayune School District, it isessential that the rights and responsibilities of students be considered and protected.

It is the responsibility of every employee of the Picayune School District to encourage andpromote high standards of student conduct. Members of the school staff have a responsibility formaintaining control of student behavior and a concurrent right to expect the support of the Boardof Trustees in the acceptance of these responsibilities. The Board of Trustees desires to create alearning atmosphere in the schools which is free from disruption and disturbances. Parentalsupport and assistance are necessary in the establishment of such an atmosphere. It is the intentof the Board of Trustees to seek the active involvement of parents, guardians, and whennecessary, the courts in establishing an appropriate environment for learning.

In accordance with these objectives, legally acceptable and defensible principles should befollowed. The rights of individuals are to be protected at all times.

1. The student’s right to privacy and confidentiality should be protected at all times;

DUE PROCESS – STUDENTS’ RIGHTS JCAA

2. The student involved in disciplinary action shall be given an opportunity to state his/herversion of the incident under discussion. The student shall be informed of the nature ofhis/her offense, be given the opportunity to state his/her version of the incident underdiscussion, and be informed of the administration’s decision, all of which shall constitutea hearing on the matter;

3. In the event that discussion leads to a decision to bring charges against a student thatmight result in suspension or expulsion, such charges shall be given to the student and tothe parents/guardians in writing, with a written record of the charges to be retained at theschool;

4. A student having been charged with violation of rules or regulations or a form ofmisconduct shall comply with the directions and orders of school officials. When schoolofficials are faced with an emergency or riot, prior notice and hearing are not required butshall be provided as soon thereafter as set forth herein;

5. In regard to administrative actions, parents have a right of appeal through the PicayuneSchool District Central Office administration;

6. If a student is recommended for expulsion, a Picayune School District HearingCommittee will act on the recommendation;

7. A student who has been notified that he/she will be given a district hearing may arrangeto be represented by counsel and call witnesses at his/her own expense;

8. For the district hearing, which shall be closed, testimony may be presented, witnessesheard, and evidence received. Parties to the hearing may be represented by legal counselat their own expense. Formal rules of evidence and procedure shall not be followed;however, cross examination of witnesses shall be allowed. The Disciplinary HearingCommittee, by majority vote, shall concur in the principal’s recommendation, oppose theprincipal’s recommendation, or subject to the approval of the Superintendent, recommendsuspension or expulsion to the Board of Trustees;

9. Hearing officials shall state their findings to the Superintendent within five (5) schooldays after all evidence has been presented and the hearing has been concluded in itsentirety. All decisions of the District Hearing Committee are subject to review by theSuperintendent;

10. Decisions resulting from the District Disciplinary Hearing Committee and/orSuperintendent may be appealed to the Board of Trustees by the student if a writtenrequest is presented to the Superintendent no later than ten (10) school days after thedecision of the hearing officials has been given to the student and his/her parents. TheBoard of Trustees shall hear the appeal at a special meeting or at a regularly scheduledmeeting to be held as soon as practicable after the date of the written receipt of a requestfor such an appeal. The members of the Board of Trustees will be given a copy of the

hearing file, including the child’s cumulative record, a summary of the hearing, priordiscipline records and other information which may be relevant to the appeal. Thestudent, his/her parents or attorney may request a copy of the Board of Trustees’ packageand may request that the hearing be closed to the public. The decision of the Board ofTrustees shall be rendered within three (3) days after the appeal has been heard in itsentirety; and

11. The only time in which a student may testify at a disciplinary hearing on behalf of anotherstudent shall be when the student witness has provided the school officials with a writtenrelease from his/her parents prior to the hearing.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy JDD/JCAA – SUSPENSION – EXPULSION

Students with disabilities, as defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act(IDEA), Part B, are responsible for adhering to the same rules of conduct as non-disabledstudents. In accordance with the Federal requirements under the IDEA Amendments of 1997, theState statues and the Mississippi Department of Education’s policies and procedures, when astudent with a disability violates school rules, the principal or designated school officials mayorder the removal of a student with a disability from the student’s current educational placement.

Students with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education, even those who havebeen suspended or expelled from school as specified under the IDEA, Part B, State statues andthe Mississippi Department of Education’s policies and procedures. Whenever a student with adisability is removed from the student’s current educational setting for disciplinary reasons andplaced in an interim alternative setting, the setting must be one which enables the student tocontinue to participate in the general curriculum, to continue to receive those services andmodifications described in the student’s current IEP, and to receive services and modificationsdesigned to address the student’s behavior.

In accordance with requirements under the IDEA, Part B, when a student is removed from thestudent’s educational placement due to a violation of school rules and that removal constitutes a

PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN AN JCAAA

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL SETTING

change of placement, the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee willdetermine the student’s placement. Based on the time-lines and processes specified under theIDEA, Part B, the IEP Committee will meet to plan for a functional behavioral assessment to beconducted and to implement a behavioral intervention plan if a plan is not already in place. If thestudent already has a behavioral intervention plan and interventions addressed on his/her IEP, thecommittee must meet to review the plan and its implementation and revise as necessary.

The Picayune School District’s procedures for implementation of this policy are those containedin the State regulations issued by the Mississippi Department of Education.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part BIDEA Amendments of 1997

Each child with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B,who is placed in or referred to a private school by the Picayune School District, will be providedspecial education and related services in conformance with an Individualized EducationalProgram (IEP) and at no cost to the parents. The Picayune School District will place childrenwith disabilities in private schools or facilities only as a means of providing special educationand related services. The Picayune School District will determine, in consultation with thechild’s parent(s), that a free appropriate public education could not be provided in the localschool district and the appropriate placement, as determined by the IEP Committee, is in aprivate school or facility. Such placements will not be made for non-educational purposes.

To the extent consistent with the number and location of children with disabilities enrolled bytheir parents in private schools, provision will be made for their participation in activities assistedor carried out under Part B by providing them an opportunity to receive special education and/orrelated services in accordance with the policies and procedures under the IDEA, Part B, andthose issued by the Mississippi Department of Education. No private school child with adisability has an individual right to receive some or all of the special education and relatedservices that the child would receive if enrolled in this public school district. A Services Plan

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES – PRIVATE SCHOOL JCAAAA

PLACEMENTS

will be developed and implemented for each private school child with a disability who has beendesignated by the Picayune School District to receive special education and related services.

The Picayune School District’s procedures for implementation of this policy are those containedin the State regulations issued by the Mississippi Department of Education.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B

Board Reviewed 2/6/2018

It is the policy of the Board of Trustees that searches of students’ persons, possessions, lockers,automobiles driven to school by or for students, or desks, may be conducted if a Picayune SchoolDistrict employee has reasonable suspicion that a student has violated or is violating a PicayuneSchool District policy, school rules, or regulations, or the law and that the search will result indiscovery of evidence of such violation.

Amplifying Instructions and Guidelines

A. Definitions

The term “reasonable suspicion” refers to a flexible concept requiring the application ofexperience and common sense. Determination of whether reasonable suspicion tosupport a search exists shall be made on a case-by-case basis, with due consideration ofall circumstances. Factors to be considered in making this determination include, but arenot limited to, the following:

i. The reliability of the information indicating that evidence of a violation may be

SCHOOL SEARCHES JCAB

discovered;

ii. The existence of reasonable suspicion that such evidence will be discovered;

iii. The individualization of the suspicion toward the person to be the subject of thesearch;

iv. The prevalence or seriousness of the problem to which the search is directed;

v. The exigency of the circumstances; and

vi. In some circumstances, the student’s history and record in school.

B. Authority to Search

The Board of Trustees grants authority to conduct searches which are pre-approved byadministrators, including the principal, assistant principal, school security officers, oracting principal. If the destruction of evidence or use of contraband is an immediatepossibility, an emergency situation exists and a search may be conducted without prioradministrator approval. In such a case, an administrator must be notified immediately. However, if an emergency situation does not exist, Picayune School District employeesshould take steps to prevent the possible destruction of evidence or use of contraband while securingapproval for a search.

C. Presence of Witness

At least two (2) Picayune School District employees must be present while a search isconducted. If in the discretion of the administrator or employee conducting the searchthat the search is particularly intrusive, the person conducting the search and thewitnesses, or at least one of them, should be the same sex as the student.

No student other than the student who is the subject of the search may be present duringthe search.

D. Scope of the Search

The scope of the search must be reasonably related to the circumstances justifying it inthe first place; in other words, the degree of intrusion must be consistent with theobjective of the search. Factors to be considered in making this determination include,but are not limited to the following:

i. the student’s age, maturity, and sex;

ii. the nature or level of seriousness of the suspected violation; and

iii. the intrusiveness of the search, e.g., a locker search is less intrusive than abookbag search; a bookbag search is less intrusive than a “pat down,” etc.

E. Group Searches

Caution shall be exercised when a search involving a number of students is conducted. Inmost instances, in order to justify a search, the Picayune School District’s reasonablesuspicion must be particularized to an individual student. Exceptions to this requirementare appropriate only when the intrusiveness of the search is minimal, such as caninesearches of lockers, desks, or bookbags, or automobile searches, etc. No reasonablesuspicion, prior notice or consent is required to conduct general canine or automobilesearches.

F. Limitation on Strip Searches

The Picayune School District shall not subject any student to a strip search. A “stripsearch” includes any search that exposes any portion of a student’s torso by requiring theremoval of any article of clothing, i.e., shirt, pants, dress, which is one layer above theundergarments. However, the Picayune School District may require a student to removeany outer garments including but not limited to a coat, sweater, sweat shirt, shoes, socks,or a shirt layered over another shirt. No student shall be asked to remove any article ofclothing in the presence of a member of the opposite sex or of other students. In the eventthe Picayune School District has a reasonable suspicion that a student has violated or isviolating a law or presents an imminent danger and that a search beyond a “pat down” orremoval of outer clothing may be necessary, the Picayune School District shall detain thestudent and notify the appropriate law enforcement officials immediately and the parentsas soon as possible thereafter.

G. Locker/Desk Searches

Student lockers and desks are Picayune School District property and remain, at all time,under the control of the Picayune School District. However, students have a reasonableexpectation of privacy in their lockers. No prior approval is required to search a desk. Searchers of lockers and/or desks may be conducted without notice to or consent of thestudent when reasonable suspicion exists to suspect a violation.

H. Automobile Searches

Automobiles driven to school by or for students are subject to searches without notice toor consent of the student. No individualized suspicion is required for automobilesearches.

I. Canine Searches

The Picayune School District may utilize canines to perform searches on and about the

school premises, including but not limited to automobiles parked on or around schoolpremises, lockers, desks, bookbags, purses, etc. No individualized suspicion is necessaryfor such searches.

J. Police Searches

School officials are obligated to cooperate with law enforcement authorities who arevalidly carrying out their official duties. In such cases involving a student, the PicayuneSchool District shall make an immediate attempt to notify the student’s parent, guardian,or custodian. The principal or principal’s designee shall attend the search if conducted onor about the school premises and shall take any disciplinary action necessary as a result ofthe search.

The Board of Trustees believes that students should:

A. Be encouraged to participate in establishing course goals and planning classroomactivities and in improving courses of study;

B. Feel free to express, without any fear, their own opinions, recognizing that every privilegeand right has a corresponding responsibility;

C. Be involved in the planning of assembly programs and school-sponsored forms ofinterest;

D. Be encouraged to participate in student government organizations that provide studentswith a voice in school affairs; and

E. Be encouraged to participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities which are aimed atbroadening their educational experience.

INVOLVEMENT OF STUDENTS IN DECISION MAKING JCB

REPORTING OF UNLAWFUL OR VIOLENT ACTS

Picayune School District employees shall comply with all requirements imposed by law withregard to reporting unlawful or violent acts which have or may have occurred on school propertyor during school-related activities or for which students have been expelled.

The following reports shall be made in accordance with the law and with Procedure JCBF/KP.

I. Any Picayune School District employee shall notify his/her principal immediately uponobtaining knowledge that one of the following unlawful activities or a violent act has ormay have occurred on school property or during a school-related activity:

1. (a) Assault resulting in serious physical injury; or (b) Assault involving use of weapon;

II. Assault on a Picayune School District employee, simple or aggravated;

III. Indecent liberties with a minor;

REPORTING OF UNLAWFUL OR VIOLENT ACTS – JCBF

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

IV. Possession of a firearm or other weapon;

V. Possession, use, or sale of any controlled substance;

VI. Rape;

VII. Sexual battery;

VIII. Other sexual offense;

IX. Murder or other homicide;

X. Kidnaping; or

XI. Other violent act.

When an emergency situation exists and the principal is not available for immediate notification,the employee shall immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency and, as soon aspossible thereafter, shall notify the principal or other school administrator.

I. A principal receiving an employee’s report or having personal knowledge of such actsshall immediately notify the Superintendent.

II. A principal shall orally notify the appropriate law enforcement agency when he/she has areasonable belief that one of the above-stated acts has occurred and shall thereafter notifythe appropriate local law enforcement agency in writing.

III. The Superintendent shall notify the parents/legal guardians, the Youth Court andappropriate local law enforcement agency when a student is expelled because of unlawfulor violent activity.

IV. The Superintendent shall notify the parents/legal guardians, Youth Court and appropriatelaw enforcement agency when a crime has been committed by a student on schoolproperty or during a school-related event.

V. The Superintendent or principal shall notify the District Attorney of an accusation offondling or sexual involvement with a minor student (under 19) by a school employee (18or older) upon determination that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the accusationis true.

VI. DEFINITIONS

A. “School property” means any school building, bus, campus, grounds, recreationalarea, athletic field, or other property owned, used or operated by the PicayuneSchool District.

B. A “violent act” means any action which results in death or physical harm toanother or an attempt to cause death or physical harm to another.

C. The “appropriate law enforcement agency” is the agency with jurisdiction in theplace where the unlawful activity or violent act occurs.

D. The crimes which must be reported are defined by the applicable Mississippi law.

Also see Board Policy KMAB – REPORTING OF UNLAWFUL OR VIOLENT ACTS –PROCEDURES.

The reports of unlawful or violent acts required by Board Policy JCFB/KP shall be made inaccordance with the following procedures:

I. When any school employee, principal, or the Superintendent has knowledge that anunlawful or violent act has or may have occurred on school property or at a school-relatedevent:

1. Immediately upon receiving information of such act, the following oral reportsshall immediately be made:

a. The employee shall notify his/her principal.b. The principal shall notify the Superintendent.

2. Oral notice to law enforcement.

a. If an emergency (911– life threatening) situation exists and the principal isnot immediately available, the employee is authorized to immediatelycontact the appropriate law enforcement official and, as soon as possiblethereafter, to notify the principal or other school administrator.

b. If the principal has a reasonable belief that an unlawful or violent act hasbeen committed, the principal shall also orally notify law enforcementofficials immediately following receipt of the employee’s report.

3. As soon as possible, and in no event more than three (3) days after the oral report,the following written reports shall be made:

a. An employee making the oral report shall complete and submit to theprincipal a written report on a form provided by the Superintendent forsuch purposes.

b. If the principal has a reasonable belief that an unlawful or violent act hasbeen committed, he/she shall complete and submit to the appropriate locallaw enforcement agency and to the Superintendent a written report of a

form provided by the State Board of Education for such purposes.

c. If a crime was committed by a student, the Superintendent shall completeand submit to the Youth Court and the appropriate local law enforcementagency an affidavit in a form prescribed for such purposes. If expulsionresulted from a student’s unlawful activity act, the affidavit shall containsuch notice.

d. If the offense involved possession of a firearm in violation of Board PolicyJCD, the Superintendent shall also submit the written report to theappropriate division of the State Department of Education.

4. Copies of all written reports and notices shall be retained by the principal and theSuperintendent.

II. When there is an allegation against an employee of sexual misconduct with a student:

1. Within five (5) days of the occurrence or knowledge of such misconduct, astudent, parent, employee, or other person shall orally notify the principal, TitleIX Coordinator, or the Superintendent of all allegations against the employee.

2. Immediately upon receipt of such allegation(s), the principal or Title IXCoordinator shall orally notify the Superintendent.

3. Such allegation(s) shall be processed in advance with the grievance procedureestablished by the Picayune School District.

4. Upon conclusion of the Title IX grievance process, the Title IX Coordinator shallcomplete and submit a written report to the Superintendent.

5. Within two (2) days of receiving the Title IX grievance report, the Superintendentshall determine whether there exists a reasonable basis to believe that theaccusation is true and, if so, shall as soon as possible thereafter orally notify theDistrict Attorney of such accusation.

6. Copies of all written reports shall be retained by the Superintendent.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy JG – STUDENT WELFAREBoard Policy JGI – CHILD ABUSEBoard Policy JCBF – UNLAWFUL ACTSBoard Policy JCD – CONDUCT – WEAPONS – YOUTHCOURT REPORTS

Any student who possesses a knife, handgun, other firearm, or any other instrument considered tobe dangerous and capable of causing bodily harm or who commits a violent act on schoolproperty as defined in Section §97-37-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be subject to automaticexpulsion by the Superintendent or principal of the school in which the student is enrolled. Suchexpulsion shall take effect immediately subject to the constitutional rights of due process, whichshall include the student’s right to appeal to the local Board of Trustees.

I. Firearms Prohibited

No student is permitted to bring a firearm on school property.

The Picayune School District may use video camera equipment in classrooms for thepurposes of monitoring school disciplinary problems.

The Board of Trustees authorizes a reward of up to Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) toany person who provided information that leads to the confiscation by the PicayuneSchool District or by a law enforcement agency of any illegal firearm on school property. The name of any person who provides such information leading to the confiscation of anyillegal firearm shall remain confidential. The Superintendent is charged with theresponsibility of insuring that procedures are in place to maintain such confidentiality.

GUN-FREE SCHOOLS JCBH

House Bill #1236 (1997) §37-3-84 (1997)

II. Definitions

A “firearm” means any type of weapon, including a starter gun, which will or isdesignated to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by action of an explosive;the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; anydestructive device, including any explosive, incendiary, poison gas, bomb, grenade,rocket, missile, mine, or other similar device; and any type of weapon; any combinationof parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructivedevice described above and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled; oras otherwise defined by federal law.

“School property” includes any school building, bus, campus, grounds, recreational area,athletic field, or other property owned, used, or operated by the Picayune School District.

III. Disciplinary Action

The penalty for bringing a firearm on school property shall be expulsion from the schoolprogram and all of its activities for a minimum period of one calendar year.

Any student who is charged with bringing a firearm on school property shall beautomatically suspended for ten (10) days and recommended for expulsion for aminimum of one (1) calendar year by the principal. The suspension shall take effectimmediately following the provision of initial due process and pending the conclusion ofdue process on the recommendation of expulsion, all in accordance with Policies JCAA,JDD, and all others subsequently adopted by the Board of Trustees.

The Superintendent who receives a recommendation for expulsion may determine, basedupon the particular circumstances of a given case, that other disciplinary action oralternative placement is appropriate and may make such recommendation to the Board ofTrustees.

IV. Readmission

A student who is expelled for bringing a firearm on school property must apply forreadmission to the regular school program as provided by Board Policy JCAA and BoardPolicy JDD. Readmission may be granted by the Board of Trustees upon a documentedshowing that the student has participated in successful rehabilitative efforts including butnot limited to progress in an alternative school or similar program. (See Board PolicyJDD/JCAA for procedures.)

V. Reporting

Violations of the firearm prohibition stated in this policy shall be reported in accordance

with Board Policy JCBF.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Section §97-37-17House Bill #1236 (1997Section §37-3-84 (1997)

Section §37-11-18,Section §07-37-17

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy JCBF – UNLAWFUL OR VIOLENT ACTSBoard Policy IDDI – ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMBoard Policy JCD – STUDENT CONDUCT – SAFETY Board Policy JCAA – DUE PROCESSBoard Policy JDD – SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION

Picayune School District policies governing student conduct are adopted by the Board ofTrustees and published annually in student handbooks as official policy statements of thePicayune School District.

Although student conduct in the Picayune School District is considered in most cases to beexemplary and situations have not arisen to cause undue concern for student welfare and safety,the schools are required to establish policies and procedures that detail expectations of studentsand outline consequences of student misbehavior. The publication of these policies andprocedures in student handbooks will help to assure that there is a clear understanding amongstudents and parents concerning matters covered in the handbooks under Student Welfare.

The Board of Trustees wishes to establish an educational climate in which student behavior is atall times exemplary and in which the important processes of education can best be implemented. Recognizing the need to support the professional personnel of the schools in their instructionaland supervisory duties, the Board of Trustees encourages the development of harmonious andcooperative relationships between the students and faculty members based on mutual respect andunderstanding.

Significant interruptions of the educational process resulting from overt disrespect shown bystudents to faculty members, obstreperous student behavior, and vulgar or otherwise discourteousactions will not be permitted.

STUDENT CONDUCT – SAFETY – WEAPONS – ALCOHOL – JCD

DRUGS – ELECTRONIC DEVICES – FACULTY RESPONSES

A student must obey any and all instructions of the faculty and administrators, in the absence ofparental instructions to the contrary. If a student refuses to obey instructions because of contraryparent instructions, he/she may be suspended from school until a conference between theprincipal of the school and the student’s parents can be arranged. In cases of emergency, theprincipal, or in his/her absence, the official then in charge of the school may so inform thestudent and require his/her immediate cooperation.

Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary action which may result in corporal punishment, in-school suspension, or expulsionwill be taken as a result of the following misbehavior: (1) refusal to follow instructions fromfaculty members; (2) profane language; (3) failing to identify oneself when asked to do so by amember of the faculty; (4) insolent, contemptuous, or belligerent behavior or remarks; (5) otherjust cause.

Weapons

Any student who uses or threatens to use any object, regardless of its original purpose, for aweapon while he/she is in school, on school property, at a school function, or activity, on theschool bus, on the way to and from school, or any school functions, or activity will immediatelybe suspended and recommended for expulsion. Examples of such weapons include, but are notlimited to, knife, billy club, brass knuckles, ammunition, throwing stars, pipe club, brick, bat,chain, razors, box cutters, etc.

Possession by a student of any object, regardless of its original purpose, that may be considered aweapon while he/she is in school, on school property, at a school function or activity, on theschool bus, on the way to and from school or any school function or activity shall be consideredin violation of this policy. Suspension and/or other recommendation for expulsion for violationof this section of the policy shall be directed by the principal, who shall deal with each individualcase based on the circumstances.

Drugs/Alcohol

No pupil attending any school in the Picayune School District shall be permitted to use or tocarry upon his/her person or in any other manner or to consume and/or be under the influence ofor to have in his/her possession in any way alcoholic beverages, morphine, marijuana, cocaine,opium, heroin, or their derivatives or compounds, drugs, commonly called LSD, “pep” pills,tranquilizers, or any other narcotic drug, barbiturate, substance, ingredient, or compound which,when taken orally, intravenously, inhaled or in any other manner, may cause the person to beunder the influence of any of the same at any school in the Picayune School District. Theprovisions of this policy shall not apply to any pupil who is under the care of a licensed physicianand who is taking medication prescribed which is under the supervision and direction of suchphysician. All medication required to be taken at school must be reported to the school office.

Electronic Devices

No pupil attending any school in the Picayune School District shall be permitted to use or tocarry upon his/her person or in any other manner such items as beepers, portable telephones,radios, or other electronic devices that are not used in the instructional program.

The provisions of these policies shall apply to all pupils during all of the period of time that theyare under and subject to the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees of the Picayune School Districtas defined by the laws of the State of Mississippi, and/or while participating in or going to orfrom any school activity sponsored by the Picayune School District and/or while under thesupervision of any teacher, principal, or other authority of the Picayune School District.

Any pupil who, in the sole and absolute discretion of the principal of the school wherein suchoffense is committed, and the Superintendent or his/her designee, has violated any of theprovisions of these policies of the Board of Trustees, shall be suspended for a period to bedetermined by the school administrator and may be expelled.

Faculty Responses Required in Relation to Suspected Alcohol/Drug Possession or Use

I. Suspected Drug Use

A. Initial teacher response to suspected drug use should be a close observation of thestudent’s behavior for specific actions or conditions which MAY indicate druguse. The following may or may not indicate drug use:

1. red-rimmed, watery eyes2. dizziness3. slurred speech. 4. uncoordinated gait5. change in normal breathing rate6. perspiration7. other symptoms

B. If the student’s behavior appears to warrant investigation because of suspecteddrug use, the teacher shall contact the building administrator immediately.

C. The teacher must avoid any open confrontation with or open embarrassment of thestudent.

D. Each student must be dealt with on an individual and completely private basis.

E. Faculty members shall refrain from public or private discussions with individualsnot officially concerned with the problem regarding suspected cases of drug use.

II. Suspected Alcohol Use

A. Initial teacher response to suspected alcohol use should be a close observation ofthe student’s behavior for specific actions or conditions which MAY indicatealcohol use. The following may or may not indicate alcohol use:

1. flushed face2. talkative behavior3. animated actions – early stages4. drowsiness – later stages5. abusive language and/or actions

B. If the student’s behavior appears to warrant investigation because of suspectedalcohol possession or use, the teacher shall contact the building administratorimmediately.



E. Faculty members shall refrain from public or private discussions with individualsnot officially concerned with the problem regarding suspected alcohol use.

III. Suspected Marijuana Use

A. Initial teacher response to suspected marijuana use should be a close observationof the student’s behavior for specific actions or conditions which MAY indicatemarijuana use. The following may or may not indicate marijuana use:

1. reddened, tearing eyes2. slurring or slowed speech3. poor reasoning functions

B. If the student’s behavior appears to warrant investigation because of suspectedmarijuana use, the teacher shall contact the building administrator immediately.



E. Faculty members shall refrain from public or private discussions with individualsnot officially concerned with the problem regarding suspected marijuana use.

Possible Drug Overdose

A. Initial teacher response to possible drug overdose should be to determine immediately thephysical and mental condition of the student.

1. Is he/she conscious?2. Is he/she capable of understanding and rationally answering questions about

his/her condition?3. Does the student exhibit any violent tendencies?4. Is he/she capable of walking without assistance?5. What is the physical condition of the student? Vomiting? Color of skin?

Temperature? Eyes? Breathing? Other conditions?6. Can he/she be moved to an area where the nurse may help without first calling the

nurse to come to the assistance of the teacher?

B. If the student can move with assistance or be moved without injury, he/she should betaken to the principal’s office by the faculty member, who should ask that a staff membernearby help to supervise his/her class.

C. Under no circumstances is the student to be left alone.

D. In the principal’s office, the principal or a designated staff member will see to the welfareof the student insofar as possible.

E. The decision to contact the student’s parents, family physician, and/or emergency medicalpersonnel will be made by the principal or his/her designated assistant.

IV. General Procedures

A. In every case of suspected drug use, alcohol use, marijuana use, or overdose ofdrugs, the welfare of the student will be the concern of the staff.

B. In cases concerning drug or alcohol use when the student is required to haveprofessional assistance of any kind, the student’s parents will be notified as soonas possible.

C. Depending upon the circumstances surrounding each case, the principal may ormay not contact local law enforcement officers to report suspected drug abuse.

D. “Labeling” of students concerning possible drug use is to be avoided by everystaff member.

The Picayune School District does not condone and will not tolerate bullying or harassingbehavior. Bullying or harassing behavior is any pattern of gestures or written, electronic, orverbal communications, or any physical act or any threatening communication, or any actreasonably perceived as being motivated by any actual or perceived differentiating characteristicthat (a) places a student or school employee in actual and reasonable fear of harm to his/herperson or damage to his/her property, or (b) creates or is certain to create a hostile environmentby substantially interfering with or impairing a student’s educational performance, opportunities,or benefits. A “hostile environment” means that the victim subjectively views the conduct asbullying or harassing behavior and the conduct is objectively severe or pervasive enough that areasonable person would agree that it is bullying or harassing behavior. Bullying or harassingbehavior will not be condoned or tolerated when it takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, or on a school bus, or when it takes place off school property when suchconduct, in the determination of the school Superintendent or Principal, renders the offendingperson’s presence in the classroom a disruption to the educational environment of the school or adetriment to the best interest and welfare of the pupils and teacher of such class as a whole.

The Picayune School District will make every reasonable effort to ensure that no student orschool employee is subjected to bullying or harassing behavior by other school employees orstudents. Likewise, the Picayune School District will make every reasonable effort to ensure thatno person engages in any act of reprisal or retaliation against a victim, witness, or a person withreliable information about an act of bullying or harassing behavior. The Picayune School Districtencourages anyone who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or schoolemployee has been subject to any act of bullying or harassing behavior to report the incident to

STUDENT BULLYING JCDD

the appropriate school official.

Conduct is considered bullying if that conduct interferes with a student’s education orsubstantially disrupts the operation of a school.

The Picayune School District Board of Trustees directs the Superintendent or his/her designee todesign and implement procedures for reporting, investigating, and addressing bullying andharassing behaviors. The procedures will address such behavior, that:(a) Prohibit the bullying of a student;(b) Prohibit retaliation against any person, including a victim, a witness, or another person,

who in good faith provides information concerning an incident of bullying;(c) Establish a procedure for providing notice of an incident of bullying to a parent or

guardian of the victim and a parent or guardian of the bully within a reasonable amount oftime after the incident;

(d) Establish the actions a student should take to obtain assistance and intervention inresponse to bullying;

(e) Set out the available counseling options for a student who is a victim of or a witness tobullying or who engages in bullying;

(f) Establish procedures for reporting an incident of bullying, investigating a reportedincident of bullying and determining whether the reported incident of bullying occurred;

(g) Prohibit the imposition of a disciplinary measure on a student who, after an investigation,is found to be a victim of bullying, on the basis of that student’s use of reasonable self-defense in response to the bullying; and

(h) Require that discipline for bullying of a student with disabilities comply with applicablerequirements under federal law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act(20 USCS Section 1400 et seq.).

The procedures should be appropriately placed in Picayune School District personnel policyhandbooks, school handbooks that include discipline policies and procedures, and any otherpolicy or procedure that deals with student or employee behavior. The discipline policies andprocedures must recognize the fundamental right of every student to take “reasonable actions” asmay be necessary to defend himself/herself from an attack by another student who has evidencedmenacing or threatening behavior through bullying or harassing.

The procedure for reporting bullying must be posted on the district’s Internet website.

Furthermore, the Picayune School District defines “reasonable action” as promptly reporting thebehavior to a teacher, principal, counselor, or other school employee when subjected to bullyingor harassing behavior.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Senate Bill 2015; MS Code as Amended, §37-7-301(e)House Bill No. 263, Regular Session 2017

Board Approved (Revised) June 13, 2017

The Board of Trustees, in recognizing the potential for increased use of alcohol and drugs bystudents, approves the administrative inclusion of information in the school curriculum whichwill make students aware of the physical and psychological dangers incurred through theimproper use of alcohol and drugs.

The administration has authorization to make arrangements to cooperate with the local, State,and federal agencies in the detection, prevention, and prosecution of any and all possibleviolations.

DRUG USE/ALCOHOL – CURRICULUM JCDAC/JCDACA

When drugs or suspected drugs and/or related paraphernalia are found on any person on schoolproperty, the principal will immediately notify the police. All confiscated materials will besecured in a sealed envelope marked for identification purposes and immediately surrendered tothe responding officer. A written record of the date and manner of transfer must be retained inthe principal’s office with a copy of the written record sent to the Superintendent.

TRANSFER OF CONFISCATED DRUGS JCDACB

Fireworks of any kind are strictly forbidden on the school campus, in the school building, or nearthe campus. Failure to comply may result in suspension.

FIREWORKS JCDAF

The condition of the walls of the buildings, the furniture in the classrooms, auditorium, library,gym, and cafeteria should be a source of personal pride to each student. Every student should notonly refrain from defacing or destroying school property but should make every possible effort toinduce his/her fellow students to do likewise. He/She should help the custodian by placing allpaper and waste in the containers furnished for this purpose. Section §37-11-9 of the MississippiSchool Law Bulletin says, “If any pupil shall willfully destroy, cut, deface, damage, or injure anybuilding, equipment, or other school property he/she shall be liable to suspension or expulsionand his/her parents in loco parentis shall be liable for damages.” Parents/guardians will benotified in writing of a student’s destruction or defacement of school property.


CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY JCDAG

Picayune School District policies governing dress code/personal grooming are adopted by theBoard of Trustees and published annually in student handbooks as official policy statements ofthe Picayune School District.

DRESS CODE JCDB

The Picayune School District shall be in compliance with Senate Bill #2676, effective July 1,1994, which includes the following requirements of particular concern to school personnel:

1. The Youth Court shall be notified when a child is expelled from the public schools andthe reason for expulsion shall be stated.

2. Parents, guardians, or custodians of children under age thirteen (13) may be civilly liablefor any criminal acts of their children.

3. Added to the list of factors which shall be considered by the Youth Court in determiningthe reasonable prospects of rehabilitation within the juvenile system is the following:whether the alleged offense was committed on school property, public or private, or atany school-sponsored event, and constituted substantial danger to other students.

4. Jurisdiction shall be removed from the Youth Court for an offense involving the use orpossession of a firearm by a child who is fifteen (15) year of age or older if the sameoffense committed by an adult would be a felony.

5. School employees who receive law enforcement records of Youth Court children afterwritten request shall submit to the sender a signed statement acknowledging his/her dutyto maintain the confidentiality of the records. These records involving children who have

STUDENT CONDUCT – WEAPONS – YOUTH COURT JCDC/GBBAAC/JG

REPORTS/RECORDS – CHILD ABUSE – EXPULSION–

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

been taken into custody for an act which if committed by an adult would be considered afelony and/or offenses involving possession or use of a dangerous weapon may bereleased to school officials without a court order.

6. All records involving a child convicted as an adult shall be public and shall not be keptconfidential.

7. If any employee of a public or private school is accused of fondling or having any type ofsexual involvement with a child under eighteen (18) who is enrolled in the school, thenthe principal and the district Superintendent shall notify the District Attorney of theaccusation provided that the accusation is reported to the principal and the Superintendentand there is reasonable basis to believe the accusation is true.

8. Possession of a handgun by anyone under eighteen (18) is established as an act ofdelinquency, with exceptions listed in Section §97-37-14 of the law.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy JG – STUDENT WELFAREBoard Policy JGI – CHILD ABUSEBoard Policy JCBF – UNLAWFUL ACTS

UNIFORM P0LICY

Any student attending the Picayune School District who shall be required to wear or who shallchoose to wear a uniform or other type of dress because of his/her participation in a schoolactivity, which dress is clearly and readily identifiable with the Picayune School District, whetherthe uniform or other type of dress is provided to the student by the Picayune School District orwhether the student provides the uniform, shall be expected to conduct himself/herself while insuch uniform, at all time, in a manner acceptable to the Picayune School District.

This behavior is required whether or not the student is under the direct supervision of the schooland/or its personnel and whether or not the student is on school premises or at an official schoolfunction.

It is the intent of the administration to inform such student that his/her participation in activitiesmay be denied, terminated, or restricted as a result of behavior determined to be unbecoming orunacceptable to the school administration and/or Board of Trustees while the student is wearing auniform identifiable with the Picayune School District.

UNIFORM POLICY JCDE

Student possession or use of tobacco in any form is prohibited within the school buildings, on theschool campus, or in the general vicinity of the school campus. Students possessing or using inany form will be subject to discipline according to the procedures outlined in a Student/ParentHandbook. Further, the Picayune School District will adhere to all relevant local or Stateordinances/laws in regard to use of tobacco.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy EBAB – SMOKE FREE BUILDING

POSSESSION OR USE OF TOBACCO JCDF/EBAB

A student(s) will not be allowed to initiate or become involved in activities or conduct whichthreatens the safety and well-being of others or property on school premises or which disrupts orthreatens to disrupt the school environment. The use of words or symbols that tend to disrupt theschool environment or to encourage violations of school policy or which threaten the safety andwell-being of others on the school premises will not be allowed.

An individual or individuals who are initiating, advocating, or promoting activities whichthreaten the safety or well-being of persons or property on school grounds or which disrupt theschool environment are harmful to the educational process. The use of hand signals, graffiti, orthe presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, or manner of grooming which, by the virtue of itscolor, arrangement, trademark, symbol, or any other attribute which indicates or impliesmembership or affiliation with such a group, presents a clear and present danger. This is contraryto the school environment and educational objectives and creates an atmosphere where unlawfulacts or violations of school regulations may occur.

No student shall actively participate or wear clothing or other indications of membership in anorganization which advocates violence or hatred toward any group of students and otherindividuals, or an organization which either intends to or does disrupt the educational processthrough its purpose or actions.

Incidents involving initiations, hazing, intimidations, and/or related activities of such group

INDIVIDUAL(S) UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY OR ASSOCIATION/ JCDG

GANGS/PROHIBITED ORGANIZATIONS

affiliations which are likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation ordisgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to students are prohibited.

The Picayune School District shall enforce the above rule and attempt to ensure that any studentwearing, carrying, or displaying gang paraphernalia or exhibiting behavior or gestures whichsymbolize gang membership and/or participation in activities which intimidate or affect theattendance of another student shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, in accordancewith the discipline ladder.

(See Handbooks – Gang Activity or Association/Other Prohibited Organizations/Sororities,Fraternities, and Secret Organizations.)

See Picayune School District Discipline and Transportation Regulations Handbook.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR ON BUSES JCDH

Disciplinary rules and procedures are published annually in student handbooks adopted by theBoard of Trustees as official Picayune School District policy.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy EBCA – VANDALISM PROTECTIONBoard Policy EBCB – DESTRUCTION OF SCHOOLPROPERTY

STUDENT DISCIPLINE JD

It is the policy of the Board of Trustees that corporal punishment may be used by principals as astep in the disciplinary process, and that justifiable restraint may be used by any certifiedemployee as the situation so warrants.

Exceptions to Policy

Corporal punishment will not be administered to any student if the parent or guardian of thatstudent has specified in writing that he/shes opposed to its use for his/her child.


A. Definitions

1. The term “corporal punishment” is hereby defined as the use of physical force forthe purpose of punishing a pupil with a paddle.

2. The term “reasonable justifiable restraint” is hereby defined as the application ofphysical force – for example:

i. When such restrain is reasonably used to protect oneself from physical

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT/REASONABLE JUSTIFIABLE JDA

RESTRAINT

injury;ii. When such restraint is reasonably used to protect the student, another

pupil, Picayune School District employee, or any person from physicalinjury;

iii. When such restraint is reasonably used to protect the property of thePicayune School District or that of others; or

iv. When such restrain is reasonably used to restrain or remove a pupil whosebehavior is interfering with the orderly performance of Picayune SchoolDistrict functions and the student has refused to comply with a request torefrain from further disruptive acts.

B. Guidelines for Use of Corporal Punishment

1. The application of corporal punishment requires common sense as to degree andextent. Its application should neither shock the conscience of any adult bystandernor greatly exceed the force to be employed by a reasonable person in a likesituation. Corporal punishment may be administered by the principal, assistantprincipal, or designated teacher.

2. The Board of Trustees expects that a reasonable amount of force shall be applied. This amount of force shall take into account the age, size, sex, and body build ofthe student. As already noted, the application of physical force should nevershock the conscience of a reasonable bystander. The fact that some students maybruise more easily than others does not constitute excessive force. The guidingprinciple is that the person administering corporal punishment does not intend forsuch to cause injury.

3. A certified Picayune School District employee witness must be present during theadministering of any corporal punishment.

4. Any instrument used to administer corporal punishment shall not be more than1/4" thick nor may it have any form of metal or other foreign object attached towood. All such instruments must be pre-approved by the AssistantSuperintendent or Superintendent.

C. Guidelines for Use of Justifiable Restraint (Also see Board Policy JGFI.)

The Board of Trustees’ policy permits school employees to use justifiable restraint. It isthe Board of Trustees’ desire that such justifiable restraint involve only the necessarydegree of physical force. While each such incident is subjective, the Board of Trusteesasks certified staff members to:

(1) Apply only enough physical force to restrain the individual;(2) Take into account the age, size, and gender of the student;(3) Use physical force moderately and escalate the amount of force only as necessary

to prevent serious injury to the individual or to another person;(4) Immediately discontinue use of physical force when the student has stopped

resisting or is complying with the staff member’s request.

D. In situations where justifiable restraint is required, the student may be subject todisciplinary action including, but not limited to, suspension and/or recommendation forexpulsion. Such further action will be at the discretion of the building administrator.

Delegation of Authority

A. The Superintendent has the overall responsibility of enforcing this Board Policy bycommunicating it to all relevant parties and by providing necessary instruction andguidelines to building administrators.

B. Building principals are expected to discuss this policy at an annual meeting with allfaculty and staff. In particular, the section on justifiable restraint is to be clearlyunderstood by all staff.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy EBCA – VANDALISM PROTECTIONBoard Policy EBCB – DESTRUCTION OF SCHOOLPROPERTYBoard Policy JD – DISCIPLINE Board Policy JGFI – RESTRAINT/USE OF FORCE

The Picayune School District will be in full compliance with all sections of the MississippiSchool Safety Act of 2001, Senate Bill #2239, 2001 Regular Session. In accordance with theMississippi School Safety Act of 2001, the Board of Trustees shall adopt policies that provide forthe expulsion of “habitually disruptive” students. For the purposes of these policies:

1. (a) The term “disruptive behavior” means conduct of a student that is so unruly,disruptive or abusive that it seriously interferes with a school teacher’s or schooladministrator’s ability to communicate with the students in a classroom, with astudent’s ability to learn, or with the operation of a school or school-relatedactivity, and which is not covered by other law related to violence or possession ofweapons or controlled substances on school property, school vehicles or at school-related activities. Such behaviors include, but are not limited to: foul, profane,obscene, threatening, defiant or abusive language or action toward teachers orother school employees; defiance, ridicule or verbal attack of a teacher; andwillful, deliberate and overt acts of disobedience of the directions of a teacher;and

(b) The term “habitually disruptive” refers to such actions of a student which causedisruption in a classroom on school property or vehicles or at a school-relatedactivity on more than two (2) occasions during a school year, and to disruptivebehavior that was initiated, willful and overt on the part of the student and whichrequired the attention of school personnel to deal with the disruption. However,

HABITUALLY DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS – EXPULSION JDB

no student shall be considered to be habitually disruptive before the developmentand implementation of a behavior modification plan for the student in accordancewith the code of student conduct and discipline plans of the Picayune SchoolDistrict.

2. Every behavior modification plan written in terms of “habitually disruptive” must bedeveloped by utilizing evidence-based practices and positive behavioral interventionsupports. The plan must be implemented no later than two (2) weeks after the occurrenceof the disruptive behavior.

3. Any student who is thirteen (13) years of age or older for whom a behavior modificationplan is developed by the school principal, reporting teacher, and student’s parent/guardianand which student does not comply with the plan shall be deemed habitually disruptiveand subject to automatic expulsion on the occurrence of the third act of disruptivebehavior during a school year. After the second act of disruptive behavior during aschool year, a psychological evaluation shall be performed upon the child.

4. The Picayune School District Board of Trustees recognizes the teacher as the authority inclassroom matters and supports the teacher in any decision in compliance with the writtendiscipline code of conduct. Such recognition includes the right of the teacher to removefrom the classroom any student who, in the professional judgment of the teacher, isdisrupting the learning environment, to the office of the principal or assistant principal. The principal or assistant principal shall determine the proper placement for the student,who may not be returned to the classroom until a conference of some kind has been heldwith the parent, guardian or custodian during which the disrupting behavior is discussedand agreements are reached that no further disruption will be tolerated. If the principaldoes not approve of the determination of the teacher to remove the student from theclassroom, the student may not be removed from the classroom, and the principal, uponrequest from the teacher, must provide justification for his disapproval.

5. Procedures for the development of behavior modification plans shall be specified instudent handbooks reviewed and approved annually by the Picayune School DistrictBoard of Trustees. Procedures must include evidence-based practices and positivebehavioral intervention supports.

6. A copy of the Picayune School District’s discipline plan shall be distributed to eachstudent enrolled in the Picayune School District, and the parents, guardian or custodian ofsuch student shall sign a statement verifying that they have been given notice of thediscipline policies of the Picayune School District. The Board of Trustees shall have itsofficial discipline and code of student conduct legally audited on an annual basis to insurethat its policies and procedures are currently in compliance with applicable statutes, caselaw and State and federal constitutional provisions. As part of the first legal auditoccurring after July 1, 2001, the provisions of this Section §37-11-53 and Section 6 ofSenate Bill #2239, 2001 Regular Session, shall be fully incorporated into the PicayuneSchool District’s discipline plan and code of student conduct.

7. All discipline plans of the Picayune School District shall include, but not be limited to,the following:

a. A parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child enrolled in thePicayune School District shall be responsible financially for his/her minor child’sdestructive acts against school property or person(s);

b. A parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child enrolled in thePicayune School District may be requested to appear at school by the schoolattendance officer or an appropriate school official for a conference regarding actsof the child specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection, or for any otherdiscipline conference regarding the acts of the child;

c. Any parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child enrolled inthe Picayune School District who refuses or willfully fails to attend suchdiscipline conference specified in paragraph (b) of this section may be summonedby proper notification by the Superintendent or the school attendance officer andbe required to attend such discipline conference; and

d. A parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child enrolled in thePicayune School District shall be responsible for any criminal fines broughtagainst such student for unlawful activity occurring on school grounds or buses.

8. The Picayune School District shall be entitled to recover damages in an amount not toexceed Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), plus necessary court costs, from theparents of any minor under the age of eighteen (18) years and over the age of six (6)years, who maliciously and willfully damages or destroys property belonging to thePicayune School District. However, this section shall not apply to parents whose parentalcontrol of such child has been removed by court order or decree. The action authorized inthis section shall be in addition to all other actions which the Picayune School District isentitled to maintain and nothing in this section shall preclude recovery in greater amountfrom the minor or from a person, including the parents, for damages to which such minoror other person would otherwise be liable.

9. The Picayune School District’s discipline plan may provide that as an alternative tosuspension, a student may remain in school by having the parent, guardian or custodian,with the consent of the student’s teacher or teachers, attend class with the student for aperiod of time specifically agreed upon by the reporting teacher and school principal. Ifthe parent, legal guardian or custodian does not agree to attend class with the student orfails to attend class with the student, the student shall be suspended in accordance withthe code of student conduct and discipline policies of the Picayune School District.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Senate Bill #2239, 2001 Regular SessionSection §37-11-53, Mississippi Code of 1972 As AmendedSenate Bill #2324, 2007 Regular Session§37-11-18.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, As AmendedMississippi School Safety Act of 2001

The building principal or acting principal may suspend a student for a period of nine (9) days orless for just cause and in accordance with the student discipline ladder detailed in the studenthandbook which has been approved by the Board of Trustees.

The building principal or acting principal may recommend suspension or expulsion of a studentfor more than nine (9) days for just cause and in accordance with the student discipline ladderdetailed in the student handbook which has been approved by the Board of Trustees.

Every student who is recommended for expulsion must be afforded due process, including theright to testify in his or her own behalf and to present witnesses prior to the formal charge with arecommendation for expulsion. A completed copy of the “Due Process Checklist” and the“Notice of Disciplinary Hearing” must be sent to the Superintendent’s Office (Hearing Officer)with the recommendation for expulsion.

A student who is recommended for suspension or expulsion for more than nine (9) days shallhave the right to a due process hearing, be represented by legal counsel, to present evidence andcross-examine witnesses presented by the district. The student and the student’s parent, legalguardian or person in custody of the student may appeal suspension of more than nine (9) daysand expulsion to the school board. The standard of proof in all disciplinary proceedings shall besubstantial evidence.

Upon receipt of the “Due Process Checklist” and the “Notice of Disciplinary Hearing,” theHearing Officer shall establish the date, time, and location of the hearing and shall prepare a

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION – DISCIPLINARY HEARING – JDD/JCAA

DUE PROCESS

disciplinary packet containing pertinent information from the student’s permanent records,attendance records, behavior plan, a psychological evaluation if appropriate, disciplinary records,“Due Process Checklist,” and the “Notice of Disciplinary Hearing.” The Hearing Officer shall beresponsible for providing the following individuals with a copy of the disciplinary packet:

(1) Disciplinary Hearing Committee Members,(2) Principal making recommendation for expulsion, and(3) Parent/Legal Guardian of student. (Parent/Legal Guardian packet will be sent by mail.)

The Hearing Officer shall conduct a formal disciplinary hearing within the suspension perioddesignated by the principal or acting principal and shall render the recommendation(s) of theDisciplinary Committee in writing to the Superintendent, the principal or acting principal whohas made the recommendation for expulsion, and the parent/legal guardian of the student. Thenotification to the parent/legal guardian shall be made by mail. The parent/legal guardiannotification shall include notification of the right to appeal to the Board of Trustees, the properform for requesting an appeal, and the timeframe for submitting an appeal. Any request for anappeal must be received by the Superintendent no later than ten (10) school days after therecommendations have been made by the Disciplinary Committee.

The Superintendent shall forward all recommendations for expulsion to the Board of Trustees forconsideration. The recommendation for expulsion shall be placed on the agenda of the nextregularly scheduled Board Meeting exclusive of the timeframe for making a request for appeal. The Board of Trustees may approve, deny, or modify the recommendation(s) of the DisciplinaryCommittee and the Superintendent. No expulsion shall exceed one (1) calendar year.

If a parent/legal guardian has submitted an appeal, the appeal shall be heard by the Board ofTrustees in Executive Session prior to any formal action.

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall notify in writing the parent/legal guardian, theprincipal or acting principal who has made the recommendation, and other person(s) asappropriate.

The Board of Trustees’ decision for expulsion shall be final. The parent/legal guardian mayappeal to the courts. If the parent/legal guardian appeals to the courts, the Board of Trustees’decision shall stand until or unless overturned by the courts.

Any student who has been suspended or expelled from a school will not be permitted toparticipate in or attend any school-sponsored event during the period of exclusion, nor will thestudent be permitted on school grounds unless as otherwise directed by the administration.

The Picayune School District will comply with any applicable federal and State laws regardingthe discipline of special education students.

Process for Re-Entering Home School or Re-Entering Picayune School District

(1) A student who has been expelled and assigned to the Center for Alternative Educationmust meet the following requirements:

(a) successful completion of term of assignment to the Center for AlternativeEducation as certified in writing to the Superintendent by the Director of theCenter for Alternative Education, unless waived by the Superintendent;

(b) signed Statement of Assurances by the student and his/her parent/legal guardian ascertified by the Superintendent or his/her designee; and

(c) completion of registration requirements of the student’s home school.

(2) A student who has been expelled from the Picayune School District must meet thefollowing requirements:

(a) completion of expulsion time, (unless waived by the Superintendent uponrecommendation of the director);

(b) written request to the Superintendent for re-admission;

(c) written approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee for re-admission; and

(d) signed Statement of Assurances by the student and his/her parent/legal guardian ascertified by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

A student who has been expelled from another school district will not be considered forenrollment in the Picayune School District for the duration of the expulsion. Upon completion ofthe expulsion period, a student who has been expelled from another school district must meet thefollowing requirements prior to admission:

1. written request to the Superintendent for admission,

2. written approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee, and

3. signed Statement of Assurances by the student and his/her parent/legal guardian ascertified by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

A student who has been assigned to a correctional institution, residential facility, or special dayprogram and enrolls in the Picayune School District may be assigned to the Center forAlternative Education or other placement prior to re-entering the regular school program. Thisassignment must be made by one of the following:

(1) I.E.P. Committee(2) Section 504 Committee(3) Superintendent

No school district is required to place a child returning from out-of-home placement in themental health, juvenile justice, or foster care system in alternative school. Placement of a childin the alternative school shall be done consistently, and for students identified under theIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), shall adhere to the requirements of theIndividuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. If a school district chooses toplace a child in alternative school the district will make an individual assessment and evaluationof that child in the following time periods:

(i) Five (5) days for a child transitioning from a group home, mental health care system,and/or the custody of the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth and FamilyServices custody;

(ii) Ten (10) days for a child transitioning from a dispositional placement order by a youthcourt pursuant to Section §43-21-605; and

(iii) An individualized assessment for youth transitioning from out-of-home placement to thealternative school shall include:

1. A strength needs assessment2. A determination of the child’s academic strengths and deficiencies

3. A proposed plan for transitioning the child to a regular education placement at theearliest possible date.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy JCBH – GUN FREE SCHOOLSBoard Policy IDDI – ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION – GEDBoard Policy JCAA– DUE PROCESS – STUDENT RIGHTS House Bill No. 1178 (2011 Regular Session 2011)Section §3713-92, Mississippi Code of 1972, As AmendedSection §43-21-605House Bill No. 1413, Regular Session 2017


The Board of Trustees shall have authority to expel a pupil or to change placement to analternative school or a homebound program for misconduct in the school, on the road to and fromschool, or at any school related activity or event, or for misconduct on property other than schoolproperty or other than at a school related event when such conduct, in the determination of theSuperintendent or principal, renders the pupil’s presence in the classroom a disruption to theeducational environment of the school or a detriment to the best interest and welfare of the pupilsand teacher of such class as a whole.

A student may be referred for placement into the alternative school program of a school district ifthe student’s presence in the classroom, in the determination of the Superintendent or principal,is a disruption to the educational environment of the school or a detriment to the best interest andwelfare of the students and teacher of such class as a whole.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy IDDI – ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION – GED

EXPULSION – ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT JDE

Teachers are encouraged to make use of guidance services, to study the results of standardizedtests, and to use other cumulative record information to help students in the Picayune SchoolDistrict.

GUIDANCE JE

SECTION 1:

1. Beginning with the 2014/2015 school year, the assignment of K – 12 Professional SchoolCounselors to the particular schools within the district shall be at the discretion of thelocal school board with the following restrictions:(a) No individual shall be employed as a Professional School Counselor without a

minimum of a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling, or in an emergencysituation, an appropriate certification as determined by the Commission onTeacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure andDevelopment; and

(b) Professional School Counselors shall provide the following comprehensivecounseling services:(i) Academic and personal/social counseling;(ii) Use multiple student data sources to help students make informed

academic and career choices;(iii) Career and educational counseling;(iv) Individual and group counseling (large/small);(v) Crisis intervention and preventive counseling;(vi) Referrals to community agencies;(vii) Educational consultations and collaboration with teachers, administrators,

parents and community leaders;(viii) Educational and career placement services;(ix) Follow-up counseling services;(x) Conflict resolution; and

COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING SERVICES JEE

(xi) Professional School Counselors must spend a minimum of eighty percent(80%) of their contractual time to the delivery of services to students asoutlined by the American School Counselor Association. Delivery ofservices is the direct service provided to students, parents, school staff andthe community which are interaction between Professional SchoolCounselors and students. There direct services may include the delivery ofthe following:

1. School counseling core curriculum: This curriculum is designed tohelp students attain the desired competencies and to provide allstudents with the knowledge, attitudes and skills appropriate fortheir developmental level. The school counseling core curriculumis delivered throughout the school’s overall curriculum and may bepresented by Professional School Counselors in collaboration withother professional educators and other resources. Collaborativeefforts may be implemented to enhance the services provided.

2. Individual student planning: Professional School Counselorscoordinate ongoing systemic activities or individual/group sessionsdesigned to assist students in establishing personal/social goals anddeveloping future career plans.

3. Responsive services: Responsive services are designed to meetstudents’ immediate needs and concerns in regard tosocial/personal issues. Responsive services may includecounseling in individual, small-group settings, or crisis responses.

4. Indirect Student Services: Indirect services are provided on behalfof students as a result of the school counselors’ interactions withothers including referrals for additional assistance, consultation andcollaboration with parents, teachers, other educators andcommunity organizations.

2. Professional School Counselors shall abide by the American School CounselorAssociation Code of Ethics.

3. The State Department of Education may adopt regulations regarding the activities of theProfessional School Counselor as are not inconsistent with this section.

SECTION 2:

This shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Section §37-9-79, Mississippi Code of 1972, As Amended

Senate Bill No. 2423

The Board of Trustees of the Picayune School District recognizes the importance of rewardingthe academic and professional accomplishments of its students and staff and for providing asystem of recognition and rewards.

The administrative staff is charged with the development and implementation of a system ofrecognition and rewards and for providing information concerning said system to schoolpersonnel and students.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT JF

The Picayune School District recognizes the legal responsibility to provide appropriate studentsupervision at all times during the school day and at all student activities. All employees, bothcertified and classified, are expected to provide student supervision. A signed copy of BoardPolicy JGFC – STUDENT SUPERVISION must be a part of each active Personnel File.

PICAYUNE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Supervision of Students

1. Supervising adults are defined as administrators, counselors, teachers, para-professionals,coaches, custodians, cafeteria workers, and any other employees who are in the presenceof school children during the school day or at school activities. It is expected that theseadults will take appropriate action to monitor school children whether they are assignedspecific children or not.

2. Supervising adults are responsible for their actions and are expected to demonstrate thehighest degree of professionalism and courtesy.

3. The possession, use, and purchase of illegal drugs, weapons, inappropriate videos,reading materials, or other like objects by supervising adults is not permitted and willresult in disciplinary action which may include dismissal from employment with thePicayune School District.

STUDENT SUPERVISION JGFC

4. Supervising adults will, to the extent possible, avoid situations where they are alone witha minor. This includes transportation of the minor in the supervising adult’s automobile. At least two (2) adults should be present and is preferred when there is only one (1)minor. At least two (2) minors should be present when there is only one (1) adult. Having two (2) minors present with one (1) adult is not the preferred situation.

5. One-on-one meetings with a minor should be held with another adult present or in anarea such as an office with an interior window or an open door so that another adult canbe present outside the room as a witness. Private meetings with minors must be avoided,especially in a secluded or private location, whether during the school day or outside theschool.

6. Profanity, abusive language, or other inappropriate language by a supervising adult isnever acceptable.

Page 1 of 27. Use of text messaging or e-mail, giving or accepting invitations to personal social

networking sites/chat rooms, or calling/accepting calls from individual students is adangerous practice for the supervising adult, especially when these activities take placeoutside the normal school day or away from school activities. Inappropriate contact withstudents may lead to dismissal and/or criminal charges. Communicating with classmembers or teams must be arranged through a group communication process and duringappropriate hours of the day.

8. Supervising adults are always responsible for providing a safe environment where allminors can be sure that personal boundaries will not be violated. Adults will conductthemselves in a way that respects the rights of the minor and preserves their reputation. Supervising adults will never touch a minor in a sexual or other inappropriate manner.

9. Conduct of a sexual nature directed toward students shall be reported immediately aschild abuse to a direct supervisor. If a supervising adult is accused of fondling or havingany type of sexual involvement with any student who is enrolled in any Picayune SchoolDistrict school, the Principal and the Superintendent shall notify law enforcement withjurisdiction where the school is located of such accusation and that there is a reasonablebasis to believe that such accusation is true. (See Section §97-5-24.)

Signature shows receipt and understanding of this document and that a copy of this document hasbeen filed in my personnel file.

__________________________________________________ __________________(Signature) (Date)

__________________________________________________(Printed Name)


Page 2 of 2

A. Student Locator Card/Computer Data Base

A Student Locator Card will be kept on file in the school for each student and willinclude information necessary for the school to act under emergency conditions. Emergency telephone numbers must be provided by parents or guardians, and otherinformation must be recorded. Students and parents or guardians will be expected toindicate their wishes regarding information contained on the Student Locator Card at thetime of student registration or a time designated by school officials. Parents have aresponsibility to provide information to the school which would permit school officials tocontact a responsible adult at any and all times for emergency care or other situationsrequiring care of the child. In the event that this information is not available, schoolpersonnel will contact appropriate officials, including the police department or the ChildWelfare Department.

B. Child Abuse

In accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi regarding child abuse, any personwho has reasonable cause to suspect that child abuse or neglect is occurring shall reportsuch information to the director of social services in the county in which the child resides. (See Board Policy JCDC.)

STUDENT WELFARE – LOCATOR CARD/CHILD ABUSE/ JG

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Some Examples of Child Abuse

Child abuse shall be suspected when a student shows such physical signs as bruises, scars, burns,etc., and injuries which might have resulted from being maliciously beaten and shows otherindications of cruel and abusive treatment.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy JCDC – STUDENT CONDUCTBoard Policy JGI – RESTRAINT/USE OF FORCEBoard Policy JCBF – UNLAWFUL ACTS

Since the Board of Trustees has no funds or insurance that may be used legally to defray costs ofstudent injuries, the Board of Trustees shall not accept any financial liability for student injuriesoccurring on or off the school premises. However, the Board of Trustees shall arrange forinsurance policies which may be purchased by students and all employees of the Picayune SchoolDistrict. Whether a student participates in the insurance program is left entirely to the parents’discretion. The Board of Trustees has no pecuniary or other interest in this service other than tomake it available to those students who desire it.

STUDENT INSURANCE PROGRAM JGA/EGB

The Picayune School District will comply with all State laws and policies as established by theMississippi State Board of Health regarding the immunization and/or vaccination of children. These statues mandate that every student, grades K-12, have on file one of the following: (1) aCertificate of Compliance, (2) a Temporary Compliance Form, or (3) a combination of one ofthese with a Certificate of Medical Exemption.

Any student enrolling in Kindergarten and/or in a Mississippi school for the first time mustcomply. In addition, any student having an “incomplete” or “expired” Certificate of Compliancemust meet all compliance requirements.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND VACCINATIONS – COMMUNICABLE JGCB/JGCC

DISEASES AND INFECTIONS

The Picayune School District will work cooperatively with the Mississippi Health Department toprevent, control, and contain communicable disease in schools.

A. Students are expected to be in compliance with the required immunization schedule. Thebuilding principal is required under Section §41-23-37 to exclude students from schoolattendance who are out of compliance with the immunizations required by this act. School personnel will cooperate with public health personnel in completing andcoordinating all immunization data, waivers and exclusions, including the necessaryImmunization Assessment Program forms, to provide for preventable communicabledisease control.

B. The Superintendent or designee (school nurse) has the authority and obligation under theMississippi State Board of Health Rules and Regulations Governing Reportable Diseasesto exclude students or staff members from school when reliable evidence or informationfrom a qualified source confirms his/her having a communicable disease or infection thatis known to be spread by any form of casual contact and is considered a health threat tothe school population. Such a student or staff member shall be excluded unless his/herphysician approves school attendance or the condition is no longer considered contagious.

C. When reliable evidence or information from a qualified source confirms that astudent/staff member is known to have a communicable disease or infection that is known

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL POLICY JGCC

not to be spread by casual contact, i.e., HIV infection, Hepatitis B, and other like diseases,the decision as to whether the affected person will remain in the school setting will beaddressed on a case-by-case basis by a review panel to ensure due process.

D. Mandatory screening for communicable diseases that are known not to be spread bycasual contact is not warranted as a condition for any school entry or for employment orcontinued employment.

E. Regardless of disease presence, routine procedures shall be used, and adequate sanitationfacilities will be available for handling blood or other body fluids within the schoolsetting or on school buses. School personnel will be trained in proper procedures forhandling blood and body fluids, and these procedures will be strictly adhered to by allschool personnel. (For additional information refer to “Routine Procedures for Sanitationand Hygiene when Handling Body Fluids.” This additional information is not policy butroutine procedure.)

F. All persons having any medical information that pertains to students or staff membersshall be required to treat all proceedings, discussions, and documents as confidentialinformation. Before any medical information is shared with anyone in the school setting, a “Need to Know” review shall/should be made which includes the parent/guardian,student, if over eighteen (18), employee, or his/her representative.

G. Instruction on the principal modes by which communicable diseases, including, but notlimited to, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are spread and the best methods forthe restriction and prevention of these diseases shall/should be taught to students withinservice education provided to all staff members.

DISEASE EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL

Chicken Pox Seven (7) days after eruption appearsGerman Measles Four (4) days after onset of rashRed Measles Seven (7) to ten (10) days after onset of rashMumps Nine (9) days after glands swellHepatitis Clearance by physicianMononucleosis Clearance by physicianConjunctivitis (pink eye) Until under proper treatmentImpetigo Until under proper treatment*Pediculosis (Lice) Until nits are gone – three (3) school days

maximumRingworm Until under proper treatmentScabies Until under proper treatment

NOTE: The principal or school nurse may require a written note from the student’s familydoctor or public health department for a student returning to school after having acommunicable or infectious disease.

*Head Lice

The Picayune School District will be in compliance with House Bill #154. House Bill #154directs the principal or his/her designee to notify the Pearl River County Health Departmentwhen a student in any public elementary or secondary school has had head lice on three (3)consecutive occasions during one (1) school year while attending school, or if the parent of thestudent has been notified by school officials that the student has had head lice on three (3)consecutive occasions in one (1) school year.

When it becomes necessary to notify the County Health Department, the principal will use the“Health Department Referral Form.”

The school principal shall not allow the child to attend school until proof of treatment isobtained. LEGAL REFERENCE: Section §41-23-37

House Bill #154

Because of the hazards and unpredictability often associated with certain types of medications,parents are highly encouraged to work with the family physician to avoid the necessity of theirstudent(s) to take medications during the school day. In the event of any serious or extendedillness, parents are encouraged to come on site (check in at the office) and administer theirchild’s medication(s) personally.

Only designated school employees will store and allow students to take prescription medicationson campus, and written parental permission will be required by the office. Prescriptionmedications must be checked in the office. Such medications should be in the original container,and should be labeled by the pharmacist as to correct dosage and items of administration.

No medication(s) should be kept on the student’s person, at any time unless a medical doctor hasissued documentation that it is in the best interest of the student. House Bill #1072 addressesasthma and asthma medications specifically; however, other illnesses may require self-medication under the advisement of a physician.

The Picayune School District will be in compliance with Senate Bill No. 2393 and Section

§41-79-31 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 As Amended.

Section 1

STUDENT MEDICATION/SELF-MEDICATION JGCD

(1) The Picayune School District Board of Trustees shall permit the self-administration

of asthma and anaphylaxis medication pursuant to the requirements of this section.

(2) As used in this section:

(a) “Parent” means parent or legal guardian.

(b) “Asthma and anaphylaxis medication” means inhaled bronchodilator and

auto-injectable epinephrin.

(c) “Self-administration of prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication”

means a student’s discretionary use of prescription asthma and/or

anaphylaxis medication.

(3) A student with asthma and/or anaphylaxis is entitled to possess and self-administer

prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication while on school property, on

school provided transportation, or at a school-related event or activity if:

(a) The prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication has been prescribed

for that student as indicated by the prescription label on the medication;

(b) The self-administration is one in compliance with the prescription or written

instructions from the student’s physician or other licensed health care

provider; and

(c) A parent of the student provides to the school:

(i) Written authorization, signed by the parent, for the student to self-

administer prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication while

on school property or at a school-related event or activity;

(ii) A written statement, signed by the parent, in which the parent

releases the school district and its employees and agents from liability

for an injury arising from the student’s self-administration of

prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication while on school

property or at a school-related event or activity unless in cases of

wanton or willful misconduct;

(iii) A written statement from the student’s physician or other licensed

health care provider, signed by the physician or provider, that states:

1. That the student has asthma and/or anaphylaxis and is capable

of self-administering the prescription asthma and/or

anaphylaxis medication;

2. The name and purpose of the medication;

3. The prescribed dosage for the medication;

4. The times at which or circumstances under which the

medication may be administered; and

5. The period for which the medication is prescribed.

(4) The physician’s statement must be kept of file in the office of the school nurse of the

school the student attends or, if there is not a school nurse, in the office of the

principal of the school the student attends.

(5) If a student uses his/her medication in a manner other than prescribed, he/she may

be subject to disciplinary action under the school codes. The disciplinary action

shall not limit or restrict the student’s immediate access to the medication.

Section 2

(1) The State Department of Education shall require each public school district to take

the following actions relating to the management of asthma in the school setting:

(a) Recommend that each child with asthma have a current asthma action plan

(AAP) on file at the child’s school for the 2010/2011 school year, and require

that each child with asthma have a current AAP on file at the child’s school

for the 2011/2012 school year and each school year thereafter, for use by the

school nurse, teachers, and staff. Parents and guardians of a child with

asthma are to have the child’s AAP developed and signed by the child’s

health care provider. The AAP shall include the child’s asthma severity

classification, current asthma medication, and emergency contact

information. The AAP must be updated annually.

(b) Adopt an emergency protocol that includes instructions for all school staff to

follow in case of a major medical emergency for asthma and all other life-

threatening diseases.

(c) Fully implement Section §41-79-31, which authorizes the self-administration

of asthma medication at school by students.

(d) Provide comprehensive, in-service training on asthma for teachers, assistant

teachers, school nurses, administrators, and operations, maintenance, and

support staff. The training should include instruction on the use of AAPs,

the requirements of Section §41-79-31, emergency protocols for asthma and

policies in effect in that school relating to asthma.

(e) Require school nurses to attend certified asthma educators training. The

cost of the training required for school nurses shall be paid by the American

Lung Association.

(f) Require local school health councils to conduct a school health needs

assessment that addresses and supports the implementation of the following:

healthy school environment, physical activity, staff wellness,

counseling/psychological services, nutrition services, family/community

involvement, health education and health services. The results of the

assessment must be used in the development of long-range maintenance plans

that include specific indoor air quality components for each school building.

The long-range maintenance plans must be included in the local school

wellness policy. The long-range maintenance plans must be included in the

local school wellness policy. The long-range plans must be completed before

January 1, 2012.

(g) Require local school health councils to adopt and support the implementation

of a local school wellness policy that includes minimizing children’s exposure

to dust, gases, fumes, and other pollutants than can aggravate asthma in the

school setting. The policy must require air quality and ventilation systems of

schools to be assessed annually, which assessment may be accomplished with

the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tools for Schools Indoor Air Quality

Checklist. The policy also must prohibit the use of hazardous substances

such as, but not limited to, chemical cleaning products and pesticides in an

around school buildings during the hours that children are present at school.

The policy must require all school construction projects to implement

containment procedures not later than July 1, 2012, for dusts, gases, fumes,

and other pollutants that trigger asthma.

(h) Implement an integrated pest management program that includes procedural

guidelines for pesticide application, education of building occupants and

inspection and monitoring of pesticide applications. The integrated pest

management program may limit the frequency, duration, and volume of

pesticide application on school grounds.

(i) Require school bus operators to minimize the idling of school bus engines to

prevent exposure of children and adults to diesel exhaust fumes.

(j) Require coaches and physical education teachers to participate in the

American Lung Association Coaches Care/Asthma 101 training by the

2011/2012 school year, subject to funding by the school district.

A parental request for a student to self medicate must be accompanied by a written statementfrom the student’s physician indicating the student’s condition and that he/she has beeninstructed in self-medication. Only the Superintendent and/or the District School NursingSupervisor can grant permission for a student to self-medicate.

In addition, the student’s parent/guardian must sign a statement giving permission andacknowledging that the school shall incur no liability and hold the school and its employeesharmless against any claims relating to the self-administration of medications. This statementwill be kept on file in the student’s permanent record.

LEGAL REFERENCE: House Bill #1072

Section 41-79-31, Mississippi Legal Code of 1972, As Amended

Senate Bill #2392 (2010 Session)

Parents/guardians shall receive and sign a copy of the concussion policy before the start of theregular school athletic event session. “School athletic events” are those sanctioned by theMississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) or the Mississippi Association ofIndependent Schools (MAIS) and school-sponsored activities in Grade 7 through 12 of schoolsthat are not members of MHSAA or the MAIS which activities are organized and conducted in amanner substantially similar to activities that are sanctioned by the MHSAA or MAIS.

An athlete who reports or displays any symptoms or signs of a concussion in a practice or gamesetting shall be removed immediately from the practice or game. The athlete shall not be allowedto return to the practice or game for the remainder of the day regardless of whether the athleteappears or states that he or she is normal.

The athlete shall be evaluated by a health care provider working within the provider’s scope ofpractice. “Health care provider” means a licensed physician or a licensed nurse practitioner,licensed physician assistant or licensed health care professional working within the person’sscope of practice and under the direct supervision or written consultation of a physician. Allhealth care providers referred to also must be trained in the evaluation and management ofconcussions.

If an athlete has sustained a concussion, the athlete shall be referred to a licensed physician,preferable one with experience in managing sports concussion injuries.

CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT AND RETURN TO PLAY POLICY JGCDD

The athlete who has been diagnosed with a concussion shall be returned to play only after fullrecovery and clearance by a health care provider.

An athlete shall not return to a competitive game before demonstrating that he or she has nosymptoms in a full supervised practice.

Athletes shall not continue to practice or return to play while still having symptoms of aconcussion.

LEGAL REFERENCE: House Bill 48, Mississippi Youth Concussion Law

The Picayune School District Board of Trustees recognizes its duty to provide facilities that areclean, safe, equipped to meet the instructional needs of students and staff, and air-conditioned. Based on this public trust to protect the district’s students and staff, the Board of Trustees hasestablished the following guidelines for the Picayune School District’s students and employees. The Board of Trustees directs the Superintendent to take the necessary measures to providefacilities that are safe and orderly and that are conducive to students’ learning and to teachers’instructing.

School Building and Grounds

Each principal/director will have an updated disaster plan on file and will conduct regularlyscheduled safety drills. Provisions will be made for each of the following areas of student andstaff safety:

1. Fully charged, recently inspected fire extinguisher will be accessible every seventy five (75) feet and also within the cafeteria, hallways, heater/boiler room, science labs, and shops;

2. Each principal will develop an emergency contingency plan for his/her school. Such contingency plans will contain at a minimum procedures for dealing with routine and emergency situations, and ill or injured students or staff members. The fire and tornado contingency plans will be posted in a prominent, readily accessible location within each school; and

STUDENT SAFETY JGF/JGCD

3. All school activities taking place in the school building or on school grounds will be appropriately and adequately supervised.

Transportation of Students

Student vehicles shall be used only for personal transportation to and from school, for doctors’appointments and other emergencies as approved in advance by the parent/legal guardian and theschool principal. All student vehicles shall remain parked and locked until the end of the schoolday. Students will not be permitted to drive private vehicles to run errands for the school,transport other students to school-sponsored events, field trips, etc., unless special permission isgiven by the principal. This will be allowed only in emergency situations.

Students who are participants, players, or performers in any school-sponsored activity (club,team, group, etc.) shall be transported to said activity only in vehicles owned or leased by thePicayune School District. It shall be the expectation of the Picayune School District that studentstravel to and from school-sponsored activities as a group and in vehicles owned or leased by theschool district. Exception: Upon receipt by the principal of a written request from a parent orlegal guardian, however, a student may travel to a school-sponsored activity as a guest in theprivate vehicle of a teacher, competent chaperon, or school administrator. Students shall not beallowed to travel in private vehicles, alone or with other students, to or from any school-sponsored activity.

School-Sponsored Clubs and Extra-Curricular Activities

Each participant at any school-sponsored activity where there is a reasonable risk of injury ordeath shall be required to furnish the organization’s sponsor with the required form, signed byhis/her parent/legal guardian, prior to participation in any event. This form shall include (1) anotice to the parent/legal guardian of the risk of injury or death involved in the activity, (2) awaiver of liability in the event of injury or death, and (3) a statement of acceptance by theparent/legal guardian of total responsibility for all health care services required due to injury ordeath.

Stand-by medical assistance and an ambulance shall be required at all varsity football games, andeach coach or sponsor shall develop a contingency plan in the event of a student injury. Noschool principal or school personnel shall promote or offer any activity that is not age anddevelopmentally appropriate for those students involved. It shall be strictly prohibited forcoaches, teachers, or club sponsors of any extra-curricular activities to smoke, use tobacco in anyform, take drugs, or drink alcohol products while involved in any school-sponsored activities orwhile in transportation to or from such activities.

Participation by students or adults (school employees) in summer camps to include drill team,pep squad, and cheerleading, as sponsored or recommended through the Mississippi High SchoolActivities Association, shall be strictly voluntary, and any fees or expenses incurred as the resultof participation shall be the sole responsibility of each participant and his/her parent or legalguardian. Attendance at such activities shall not be required of school personnel, although, at the

approval of the high school principal and the Superintendent, transportation may be approvedand provided.

Where feasible, all practices and rehearsals for school-sponsored activities shall take place in aschool or on school property. All such activities shall be under the direction and supervision ofappropriate school personnel. Practices or rehearsals requiring an off-site location must have theapproval of the high school principal and Superintendent.

Safety equipment shall be required for all student participants at each practice, performance, orevent to ensure maximum, personal security and protection. Such safety equipment, as isgenerally accepted as necessary by the sport or activity, shall be provided by the Picayune SchoolDistrict.

Club members or athletes who have competed in school-sponsored activities for State or nationalhonors may elect to attend a final event with the approval of the high school principal. Attendance at such events, which usually take place after the regular school term, shall requirethat the participant be accompanied by an appropriate, competent adult. Such events will beconsidered as school-sponsored activities.

Supervision of Students K-12

It shall be the responsibility of each school principal/director to provide adequate supervisionbefore, during, and after school for all students while they are in the building or on schoolgrounds.

No classroom teacher, club sponsor, or sponsor/director of an extra-curricular activity shall everleave those students under their direction unsupervised or unattended. Students should beappropriately supervised at school, away from school, during school hours, and after schoolhours, and this supervision includes field trips, club trips, and sports events.

Supervision of students shall be conducted by a competent adult who is a regular staff memberexcept in the case where a competent adult chaperon has been selected and assigned by theschool principal. It shall be the responsibility of the school principal to determine the fitness ofany chaperon to supervise students.

Student Medical Care

It shall be the policy of Picayune School District that no school employee shall render medicalcare to students except for administering first aid. The student’s parent/guardian shall be notifiedimmediately by school authorities in the event that a student becomes ill or is injured at school orat a school-sponsored activity. In the event that a student becomes seriously ill or receives aninjury and the parent/guardian cannot be contacted, school authorities shall seek immediateprofessional medical care for the ill or injured student; however, such medical treatment shall beat the expense of the parent/legal guardian.

Student Medication

Because of the hazards and unpredictability often associated with certain types of medication,parents are highly encouraged to work with their family physicians to avoid the necessity for theirstudent(s) to take medications during the school day. In the event of any serious or extendedillness, parents are encouraged to come on site (check in at the office) and administer theirchild’s medication(s) personally.

Only designated school employees will store and allow students to take prescription medicationson campus, and written parental permission will be required by the office. Prescriptionmedications must be checked in the office. Such medications should be in the original container,and should be labeled by the pharmacist as to correct dosage and times of administration. Nonon-prescription medications will be administered by school staff unless specifically prescribedby a doctor and accompanied by a letter signed by the parent.

No medication(s) should be kept on the student’s person at any time unless a medical doctor hasissued documentation that it is in the best interest of the student. Only the Superintendent orhis/her designee (District School Nursing Supervisor) can grant permission for a student to self-medicate.

Release of Students

No student shall be suspended from school or from a school-sponsored activity prior toscheduled release time without notification of the parent/legal guardian.

No student shall be released to the custody of any individual other than the parent/legal guardianunless school authorities receive a written notice from the parent/legal guardian. Thisnotification shall identify by name the person to whom the student is to be released.

No student shall be allowed to withdraw from school or a school-sponsored activity prior to thescheduled release time unless a written request has been received by school authorities inadvance.

Students shall not be allowed to leave and return to school or to a school-sponsored activity torun personal errands, purchase supplies, parts, or food.

No student shall be released at the conclusion of any out-of-town school sponsored activity toreturn home through an alternative means except by a written request by the parent/legal guardianas received and approved by the principal.

Absolutely no student shall be abandoned by a sponsor, director, or chaperon at the completionof a school-sponsored activity to wait for a ride or to walk home.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Mississippi Public School Accountability StandardsHouse Bill #433 (1996)

The Picayune School District will make every effort to assist students diagnosed as food allergicto enjoy a safe and nurturing learning environment.

It shall be the policy of the Picayune School District that a Student Health Plan and an

Emergency Care Plan will be developed for each student with a medically diagnosed foodallergy. The school nurse will work in conjunction with the District School Nursing Supervisor,

a site administrator, and the student’s parent/legal guardian to devise a Student Health Plan and

an Emergency Care Plan for each student with a medically diagnosed food allergy.

Documentation provided by the student’s physician(s) as presented by his/her parent/legalguardian, in conjunction with information from the parent/legal guardian, and school personnelwho work with the student will determine a student’s specific needs for accommodations and/or

emergency care. A School Health Plan and an Emergency Care Plan will follow the “SchoolGuidelines for Managing Students with Food Allergies” published by the National Association ofSecondary School Principals.

All pertinent school personnel will be aware of the requirements of a Student Health Plan and

an Emergency Care Plan.

STUDENT HEALTH PLAN – FOOD ALLERGIES JGF/JGD

The Picayune School District shall be in compliance with Unsafe School Choice OptionRequirements as required in the Consolidated Plan for No Child Left Behind.

1. The following definitions apply to this policy:a. A “persistently dangerous school” is a public school other than a charter school in

which the conditions during the past two (2) school years continually exposed itsstudents to injury from violent criminal offenses and it is:(i) an elementary, middle, or secondary public school in which a total of

twenty (20) or more violent criminal offenses were committed per onethousand (1,000) students (2.0 or more per 100 students) in two (2)consecutive school years; or

(ii) an elementary, middle, or secondary public alternative school in which atotal of seventy five (75) or more violent criminal offenses werecommitted per one thousand (1,000) (7.5 or more 100 students) in two (2)consecutive school years; and

b. “Violent criminal offenses” are the following crimes reported in the MississippiStudent Information System (MSIS):

Simple or Aggravated Assault as defined in Section §97-3-7 of the Mississippi Code Annotated1972, as amended,

Homicide as defined in Sections §97-3-19, §97-3-27, §97-3-29, §97-3-31, §97-3-35, §97-3-37, §97-3-47 of the Mississippi Code Annotated 1972, as amended,

UNSAFE SCHOOL CHOICE OPTION JGFA

Kidnaping as defined in Section §97-5-53 of the Mississippi Code Annotated 1972, as amended,

Rape as defined in Sections §97-3-65 and §97-3-71 of the Mississippi Code 1972, as amended,

Robbery as defined in Sections §97-3-73, §97-3-77, and §97-3-79 of the Mississippi CodeAnnotated 1972, as amended,

Sexual Battery as defined in Section §97-3-95 of the Mississippi Code Annotated 1972, asamended,

Mayhem as defined in Section §97-3-59 of the Mississippi Code Annotated 1972, as amended,

Poisoning as defined in Section §97-3-61 of the Mississippi Code Annotated 1972, as amended,

Extortion as defined in Section §97-3-82 of the Mississippi Code Annotated 1972, as amended,

Stalking as defined in Section §97-3-107 of the Mississippi Code Annotated 1972, as amended,and

Seizure and Forfeiture of Firearms as defined in Section §97-3-110 of the Mississippi CodeAnnotated 1972, as amended.

2. Whenever the State Board of Education has information that a school meets the criteriadescribed in paragraph 1.a(1). or 1.a(ii)., the State Board of Education shall provide thelocal Board of Trustees the opportunity to report on conditions in the school. Afterconsideration of that report and consultation with a representative sample of localeducational agencies, the State Board of Education shall determine whether the school isa persistently dangerous school. Once a school has been designated a persistentlydangerous school, it retains that designation for at least one (1) school year.

3. Students assigned to a school which the State Board of Education has determined to bepersistently dangerous shall be allowed to attend another school in the LEA which is notdesignated a persistently dangerous school, provided there is such a school in the LEAwhich offers instruction at the student’s grade level.

4. Any student who is the victim of a violent criminal offense committed against him or herwhile he or she was in or on the grounds of the public school that he or she attends shallbe allowed to choose to attend another school in the LEA which is not designated apersistently dangerous school, provided there is such a school in the LEA which offersinstructions at the student’s grade level and provided the student requests transfer withinthirty (30) days of the violent criminal offense.

5. Local school systems shall establish a process for assuring any student who has the rightto transfer from a school under this policy is allowed to transfer to a school in the LEA,which is not persistently dangerous. The process must be included in the system’s Safe

School Plan.

6. The LEA shall report each student transfer effected pursuant to this policy to the StateBoard of Education in the Mississippi Student Information System (MSIS).

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB) – TITLE IX, SEC. 9532.

UNSAFE SCHOOL CHOICE OPTION

(A) UNSAFE SCHOOL CHOICE POLICY – Each State receiving funds under this Act shallestablish and implement a statewide policy requiring that a student attend a persistentlydangerous public elementary school or secondary school, as determined by the State inconsultation with a representative sample of local educational agencies, or who becomesa victim of a violent criminal offense, as determined by State law while in or on thegrounds of a public elementary school or secondary school that the student attends, beallowed to attend a safe public elementary or secondary school within the localeducational agency, including a public charter school.

(B) CERTIFICATION – As a condition of receiving funds under this Act, a State shall certifyin writing to the Secretary that the State is in compliance with this section.

LEGAL REFERENCE: No Child Left Behind Act of 2001Section §97-3-7Section §97-3-19Section §97-3-27Section §97-3-29Section §97-3-31Section §97-3-35Section §97-3-37Section §97-3-47Section §97-5-53Section §97-3-65Section §97-3-71Section §97-3-73Section §97-3-79Section §97-3-95Section §97-3-59Section §97-3-61Section §97-3-82Section §97-3-107Section §97-3-110

Schools are sometimes faced with emergencies which require the total cooperation of staffmembers and students. The Picayune School District has made detailed plans for operating theschools under emergency conditions such as fire, tornado, flood, severe weather, explosions, andother disasters.

Fire drills and other disaster preparedness measures are a regular part of each school’s program. Students are expected to learn the procedures to be followed under emergency conditions and tocooperate fully with the supervising teacher.

Detailed instructions for emergency operations will be outlined to all students at their respectiveschools. An Emergency Preparedness Plan and Safety Manual is available in every school.

Emergency Drills – Fire Drills

Fire drills shall be conducted in each school until all students are familiar with methods ofescape. Fire drills shall be held without warning, with emphasis being placed on order as well asspeed. Definite instructions shall be furnished to teachers and students as to the route and themanner of leaving the building during fire drills, and all teachers and students shall be instructedin the location of fire extinguishers and alarms. Every principal and custodian shall cooperatewith the local fire department in keeping all school buildings free from fire hazards.

Each school will establish its procedures for fire drills, including signals, and will carry out therequired drills throughout the year. Individual evacuation plans are included in the Emergency

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS – STUDENT SAFETY JGFAC

Operations Plans prepared by the Picayune School District and approved by the Board ofTrustees. In case of fire:

A. Evacuate the building as planned in fire drill procedure.

B. Call the Fire Department immediately.

C. Notify the Superintendent.

D. Return to the building only after the all-clear signal has been sounded.

E. If fire damage has resulted, the principal will decide in conjunction with the FireDepartment officials whether it is safe to return to the building.

Students are requested not to arrive on the school campus prior to thirty (30) minutes before thebeginning of the school day, when teachers report for duty. The school will not assumeresponsibility for any student arriving on school grounds prior to stated time unless he/she istransported by school bus. Students are to leave school at the end of the school day unless theyare participating in a supervised school activity.

SCHOOL DAY – SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS – STUDENT ARRIVAL JGFB

AND DEPARTURE TIME

Any student who is not eligible for bus transportation may ride a bicycle to school. Proceduresfor the elementary schools will be published annually in the Elementary Student Handbook.

BICYCLES JGFBB

Driving on school roads and parking on school property is a courtesy offered to students andothers by the Board of Trustees.

The parking facilities located at the various Picayune School District buildings are not publicparking areas and are to be used for school purposes only. School purposes include attendance atschool activities or other school authorized activities which occur before or after the regularschool day.

Violators may be charged with trespassing and/or vehicles may be towed at owners’ expense.

The administration, obtaining suggestions from the local police department, shall establish rulesand regulations to assure traffic safety. The Picayune School District shall not assume anyresponsibility for damage to vehicles.

Students shall not sit in or upon vehicles parked on the school campus.

Students shall be responsible for locking their vehicles upon arrival. The Picayune SchoolDistrict shall assume no responsibility for any loss or damage to vehicle.

Failure to abide by vehicle regulations may result in the loss of the right to bring a vehicle toschool or other disciplinary action.

AUTOMOBILE USE JGFF

Student automobiles are subject to administrative searches.

First Aid

The Picayune School District shall provide each school with written procedures (Safety andSecurity Handbook) for handling emergencies resulting in accident, illness, or sudden death ofstudents and/or staff. These procedures shall be approved by the Board of Trustees and shallindicate clearly stated directions for handling the various types of emergency situations involvingthe administering of first aid.

After a minor accident, first aid will be administered; however, no care beyond first aid, definedas the immediate, temporary care given in case of accident or sudden illness, will be given. Every effort will be made to contact the parent/legal guardian of the student(s) involved.

Accident Reporting

It shall be a requirement for each building supervisor to report any student or staff accident orinjury that occurs on the school campus. Individuals should refer to the district Safety andSecurity Handbook for complete instructions in handling the various types of emergencysituations, and the district Accident/Injury Reporting Form should be submitted to the Office ofthe Superintendent.

Medication

ACCIDENTS/FIRST-AID/MEDICATION JGFG

It shall be the policy of the Picayune School District to allow each building supervisor or his/herdesignee to administer prescription medications to students in an area designated for thatpurpose. Students should always leave their medications(s) in the office, and a written requestfrom the legal parent/guardian must accompany the prescribed medication. At no time shouldany school personnel attempt to diagnose a malady or administer over-the-counter medications toany student.

Illness at School

In the event that a student becomes ill at school, he/she shall be observed by a staff member, andif appropriate, the student’s parent/legal guardian will be notified. If, in the opinion of theDistrict School Health Nurse or the building supervisor, the illness is of a serious nature, thestudent will be transported to the hospital by ambulance.

The Board of Trustees establishes the following guidelines for Picayune School District physicaleducation, health education and physical activity and fitness classes:

(a) Kindergarten through Grade 8: One hundred fifty (150) minutes per week of physicalactivity-based instruction and forty-five (45) minutes per week of health educationinstruction, as defined by the State Board of Education.

(b) Grades 9 through 12: One-half (½) Carnegie unit requirement in physical education orphysical activity for graduation, which shall include an instructional component on theproper administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of anautomated external defibrillator (AED) as part of the physical education curriculum. Thecurriculum shall incorporate into the instruction the psychomotor skills necessary toperform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of an automated external defibrillator asfollows:

(i) An instructional program developed by the American Heart Association or theAmerican Red Cross;

(ii) An instructional program which is nationally recognized and is based on the mostcurrent national evidence-based Emergency Cardiovascular Care guidelines forcardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator;

HEALTH/PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS JGFGA

(iii) A licensed teacher shall not be required to be a certified trainer ofcardiopulmonary resuscitation, to facilitate, provide or oversee such instructionfor non-certification; and

(iv) Courses which result in a certification being earned must be taught by anauthorized CPR/AED instructor.

For purposes of this paragraph (b), the term “psychomotor skills” means the use of hands-onpracticing to support cognitive learning. Cognitive-only training does not qualify as“psychomotor skills.”

The requirements of this paragraph (b) shall be minimum requirements. Any local school districtshall be authorized to offer CPR and AED instruction for longer periods of time than requiredherein, and may enhance the curriculum and training components.

The State Department of Education shall establish a procedure for monitoring adherence byschool boards to the requirements set forth in this section

LEGAL REFERENCE: Section §37-13-134, Mississippi Code of 1972House Bill N. 432, Regular Session 2014

School staff members faced with an emergency affecting the life of a student shall exerciseextreme caution in moving a sick or injured child and in administering first aid. Emergencyroom personnel will be contacted as appropriate. The Picayune School District shall not honor“do not resuscitate” (DNR) requests from the families of severely disabled children except thoserequests that meet the following criteria:

A parent’s request must be submitted in writing and accompaniedby an order signed by the student’s primary physician;

AND

The parents provide the Picayune School District with documentation of a court ruling specifying a DNR request from a court with appropriatejustification;

AND

If the child is eligible for special education services, the request is a decision of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Committee anddocumented by the child’s IEP.

STUDENT WELFARE – RESUSCITATION POLICY JGFGAA

The establishment of these criteria, however, will not deter school personnel from seekingemergency medical assistance in the case of illness or injury.

When someone is choking, he or she can not speak or breathe, or cough. The choking victimmay put a hand to the throat, the universal sign that says, “I am choking!”

! Upon suspicion of choking: Perform the Heimlich maneuver. If the Heimlich maneuveris successful, keep person/student with you and contact family to pick up student. If itemis not expelled and breathing has not returned to victim, attempt Heimlich maneuver up toTWO more times.

! If Heimlich maneuver is not successful, have an adult call 911 and get the AED and beginLIFEVAC use:

1. Insert mask into the unit with a twisting motion while applying pressure. Makesure that you check mask to ensure it is attached to the unit.

2. Place mask over nose and mouth, holding chin upwards. MASK MUST BEHELD FIRMLY OVER NOSE AND MOUTH WITH HAND.

3. Holding mask in place with one hand and chin held upwards, push handle downwith other hand to compress unit.

CHOKING PROTOCOL JGFGAAA

4. Once handle is depressed, pull handle upward with a short, SWIFT tug whileholding mask firmly in place.

5. Roll person on side and sweep the mouth to clear any debris. Also, check unit fordebris. Repeat steps as necessary.

IF NO SPONTANEOUS RESPIRATION IS NOTED, THEN RETURN TO CURRENT

CHOKING PROTOCOL AND START CPR.


1. Introduction

At times, some students exhibit behaviors which place themselves and others in imminentdanger. Schools must implement proactive strategies and interventions to reduce thelikelihood of these situations, and they must have clearly identified responses to addresssuch situations when they occur. Additionally, schools shall have policies in place thataddress the responses needed to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

2. Restraint and Seclusion Policy

A Restraint and Seclusion Policy is defined through written local school board-approvedpolicies and procedures that define appropriate means of restraint and seclusion toprovide for a safe and orderly education. These policies and procedures shall apply to allstudents in the local school district and must not focus on one or more subgroups ofstudents.

In accordance with Miss. Code Ann. §37-9-69 and §37-11-57, it is recognized that staffmay intercede in situations wherein students are displaying physically violent behavior orare deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. State Board policy positively

RESTRAINT/USE OF FORCE JGFI

prohibits the use of excessive force, or cruel and unusual punishment regarding studentmanagement. Restraint and/or seclusion shall not be utilized as a punitive measure.

This policy in no way shall inhibit the right of staff to reasonable self-defense inaccordance with the provisions of the 5th and 14th amendments to the Constitution of theUnited States nor negate the obligation of the district to provide a safe work environment.

3. Definitions

a. Aversive behavioral interventions is defined as a physical or sensory interventionprogram intended to modify behavior that the implementer knows would causephysical trauma, emotional trauma, or both, to a student even when the substanceor stimulus appears to be pleasant or neutral to others and may include hitting,pinching, slapping, water spray, noxious fumes, extreme physical exercise, loudauditory stimuli, withholding of meals, or denial of reasonable access to toiletingfacilities.

b. Aversive procedure is defined as the use of a substance or stimulus, intended tomodify behavior, which the person administering it knows or should know islikely to cause physical and/or emotional trauma to a student, even when thesubstance or stimulus appears to be pleasant or neutral to others. Such substancesand stimuli include but are not limited to: infliction of bodily pain (e.g. hitting,

pinching slapping), water spray, noxious fumes, extreme physical exercise,costumes or signs.

c. Aversive technique is defined as physical, emotional or mental distress as amethod of redirecting or controlling behavior.

d. Behavioral intervention is defined as the implementation of strategies to addressbehavior that is dangerous or inappropriate, or otherwise impedes the learning ofstudents.

e. Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is defined as a plan of action for managing astudent’s behavior. The BIP includes a set of strategies and supports intended toincrease the occurrence of behaviors that school personnel encourage and todecrease behaviors that school personnel want to lessen or eliminate. The BIPmust include:i. Observable and measurable description of the problem behavior;ii. Identified purpose of the problem behavior as a result of the FBA;iii. General strategy or combination of strategies for changing the problem

behavior;iv. Written description of when, where, and how often the strategy will be

implemented; v. Consistent system of monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the

plan.

f. Chemical restraint is defined as “the administration of medication for the purposeof restraint.” Chemical restraint does not apply to medication prescribed by andadministered in accordance with the directions of a licensed physician. The use ofchemical restraint is prohibited in Mississippi Pubic Schools.

g. Dangerous behavior is defined as behavior that presents an imminent danger ofphysical harm to self or others but does not include inappropriate behaviors suchas disrespect, noncompliance, insubordination, or out of seat behaviors.

h. De-escalation techniques are defined as strategically employed verbal or non-verbal interventions used to reduce the intensity of threatening behavior before acrisis situation occurs.

i. Emergency situation is defined as spontaneous unpredictable events posing animminent threat of serious bodily injury.

j. Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is defined as a school-based,collaborative process that includes the parent and, as appropriate, the child, todetermine why a child engages in challenging behaviors and how the behaviorrelates to the child’s environment.

i. The term includes direct assessments, indirect assessments and dataanalysis designed to assist the team to identify and define the problembehavior in concrete terms.

ii. Contextual factors (include affective and cognitive factors) are identifiedthat contribute to the behavior, and a hypothesis if formulated regardingthe general conditions under which a behavior usually occurs and theprobable consequences that maintain the behavior

iii. Formal documentation of the assessment by appropriately qualifiedindividual become part of the child’s educational record.

iv. The FBA must include the following:a. Clear description of the problematic behavior;b. Identification of the antecedent events, times, and situations that

predict when the problem behavior will and will not occur;c. Identification of the consequences of the problem behavior;d. Development of hypotheses and summary statements that describes

the problem behavior and its function; ande. Collection of data from a variety of sources: interviews, direct

observation data, etc.

k Imminent danger is defined as a danger which is impending, close at hand,threatening, or about to happen.

l. Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is defined as a written statement for a childwith a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with §300.320 – §300.324.

m. Mechanical restraint is defined as “any device that attaches to a student’s bodythat restricts movement and cannot be removed by the student.” Examplesinclude: straps, tie downs, boards, and harnesses. Handcuffs are also consideredmechanical restraints, but may only be used by certified school resource officers,as defined in Miss. Code Ann. §37-7-321 and §37-7-323. The use of mechanicalrestraints is prohibited in Mississippi Public Schools, except as provided in §37-7-321 and §37-7-323.

Devices not considered mechanical restraints include: adaptive equipment,protective devices, or assistive technology devices documented in a student’sindividualized education plan (IEP), Section 504 plan, behavior intervention plan,or otherwise prescribed for the student by a medical or related service provider,seatbelts, and other safety equipment when used to secure students duringtransportation.

n. Physical escort is defined as the temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist,arm, shoulder or back for the purpose of inducing a student who is acting out(with minimal resistance) and able to respond to such physical prompt, to move toa safe location.

o. Physical prompt is defined as a teaching technique that involves physical contactwith the student and that enable the student to learn or model the physicalmovement necessary for the development of the desired competency.

p. Physical Restraint is defined as “the use of physical force, without the use of anydevice or material that restricts the free movement of all or a portion of a student’sbody.” Physical restraint does not include briefly holding a student’s hand or armto calm them or escort them to another area. A physical restraint shall be removedas soon as the student is calm. The term physical restraint does not include:i. Physical restraint that restraints the flow of air to the student’s lungs.ii. Prone restraint in which a student is placed face down on the floor or other

surface, and physical pressure is applied to the student’s body to keep thestudent in the prone position.

q. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is defined as a proactiveapproach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for allstudents in a school to achieve social, emotional and academic success. Attentionis focused on creating and sustaining primary (school-wide), secondary(classroom), and tertiary (individual) systems of support that improve lifestyleresults (personal, health, social, family, work, recreation) for all youth by makingtargeted misbehavior less effective, efficient, and relevant, and desired behaviormore functional.

r. Positive Behavior Support Plan is defined as the design, implementation, andevaluation of individual or group instructional and environmental modifications,including programs of behavioral instruction, to produce significantimprovements in behavior through skill acquisition and the reduction ofproblematic behavior.

s. Seclusion is defined as “the confinement of a student in an enclosure from whichthe student’s egress is restricted.” Seclusion does not include in-schoolsuspension, detention, or alternative school.

t. Section 504 Plan is defined as an individualized plan of accommodations andmodifications to provide a free appropriate public education to a student who hasa disability that substantially limits a major life activity. A 504 plan spells out themodifications and accommodations that will be needed for a student to have theopportunity to perform at the same level as their peers.

u. Written report is defined as printed paper filings and electronic filings that can beprinted.

4. General Procedures

Restraint

a. Physical restraint is considered to be an emergency response after all other verbalde-escalation measures have failed in effectiveness based on the followingcriteria:i. The student or other person is engaged in actions that would constitute a

danger to themselves or others;ii. The student or other person is engaged in actions that would constitute

potential or actual destruction of property;iii. To remove a non-compliant student or person from the scene of an

incident;iv. The restraint should be removed as soon as the student is no longer a

danger to themselves or others.

b. When using physical restraint for students who are a danger to themselves orothers, staff should take precautions necessary to ensure the safety of the studentand the staff members engaged in restraining the student. Physical restraints thatrestrict the flow of air are prohibited in all situations. When deemed it isnecessary to restrain a student who is a danger to themselves or others, thefollowing procedures shall be used:i. Restraint shall be conducted by staff who are trained in the restraint

procedures adopted by the school district;ii. Staff shall carefully observe the student throughout the restraint to observe

the student’s physical and emotional status;iii. Restraint shall be immediately terminated if the student appears to be, or

claims to be, in severe stress:iv. The restraint shall be removed as soon as the student is no longer a danger

to himself/herself or others;v. Within two school days after the restraint incident occurs, the staff should

conduct a debriefing of the circumstances leading to the restraint anddiscuss any alternative behaviors that could have been utilized;

vi. When the student is able, he/she should be returned to the instructionalactivity, or to a less restrictive environment;

vii. Parents must be notified on the same school day of the incident. At thetime the parent is notified, the school shall schedule a debriefing with theparent to discuss the incident.

viii. The school shall report the restraint and/or seclusion incident to the localschool district and the Mississippi Department of Education.

c. School districts that permit restraint and seclusion must ensure that staff membersare trained in the use of restraint. This training shall be provided as a part of aprogram which addresses a full continuum of positive behavioral interventionstrategies, crisis intervention, and de-escalation techniques.

Absent an imminent danger to health or safety, physical restraint shall only bepracticed by staff trained in the physical restraint approach adopted by the localschool district. The Mississippi Department of Education does not endorse aparticular training program. The local school district shall select programs whichare approved by the MDE and those that are founded on evidence-basedtechniques which focus on:i. Certification for school personnel and re-certification as required by the

training program;ii. Preventing the need for restraint;iii. Training in first aid;iv. Identification of antecedent behaviors;v. Use of positive behavior supports, de-escalation, and conflict

management; vi. Keeping staff and students safe during required restraints.

Local school district administrator shall monitor the use of physical restraint toensure fidelity of implementation. Additional and follow-up training should beprovided on an ongoing basis and any situations in which procedures are notfollowed should be immediately addressed.

d. The use of mechanical restraints is prohibited in Mississippi Public Schools,except by law enforcement. For a complete definition refer to letter “c” second

page of this policy.

e. The use of chemical restraints is prohibited in Mississippi Public Schools. For acomplete definition refer to letter “d” on second page of this policy.

Behavioral Interventions

a. Behavioral interventions must be consistent with the child’s right to be treated asan individual. Schools should implement an evidence-based system of positivebehavioral intervention strategies and support. Elements of the system of supportshould include universal screening to identify potential students, teaching school-wide expected behaviors and social skills, and a system to monitor theeffectiveness of the interventions and supports.

b. Behavioral strategies, in conjunction with the school-wide system of positivebehavioral interventions should be used to help identify the causes of dangerousbehavior and reduce the need for restraint or seclusion. Information on a studentthrough interviews, observation, and records help identify the causes of thedangerous behavior and should guide the development of a behavior plan for thestudent. A complete plan should include:i. Addressing the characteristics of the setting and the event;ii. If possible, removing the antecedents that triggered the event;

iii. Adding antecedents that promote appropriate behavior;iv. Teaching appropriate behaviors to replace the dangerous behavior.

Seclusion

a. The use of seclusion occurs in a specially designated room or space that isphysically isolated from common areas and from which the student is physicallyprevented from leaving. The room or space used for seclusion may not be lockedand staff shall be present to monitor the student. Seclusion shall cease once thestudent regains control of his or her behavior.

Only school personnel trained on the use of restraint and seclusion should be usedto observe and monitor these students. Staff engaged in monitoring studentsshould have knowledge of effective restraint and seclusion procedures, emergencyprocedures, and knowledge as how to effectively debrief students after the use ofrestraint or seclusion.

b. The room or space used for seclusion shall not contain any objects or fixtures withwhich a student could reasonably be harmed. Additionally, the room shallprovide adequate lighting and ventilation.

c. School personnel may use seclusion to address a student’s behavior:

i. If the student’s behavior constitutes an emergency and seclusion isnecessary to protect a student or other person from imminent, seriousphysical harm after other less intrusive, nonphysical interventions havefailed or been determined inappropriate;

ii. After less restrictive or alternative approaches have failed or have beendetermined to be inappropriate.

d. Each time a student is placed in restraint or seclusion, the incident must bedocumented in the student’s educational record. The documentation shall beavailable to the parent or guardian, and the parent or guardian must be notifiedverbally or in writing on the day of the restraint or seclusion. This documentationshould be provided using an incident report that is completed for each student ineach instance in which the student is restrained or placed in seclusion. This reportmust include the following:i. Date of incident and date submitted in MSIS;ii. Student’s name, age and grade level;iii. Ethnicity, sex, and non-disabled/disabled status;iv. Location of restraint;v. Precipitating behavior/antecedent;vi. De-escalation efforts used;vii. Type of restraint used;viii. The student’s behavior and physical status during the restraint/seclusion;

ix. Total time spent in restraint or seclusion. The student shall not be kept inseclusion for more than 20 minutes. If additional time is needed, schoolpersonnel must reassess the student and document why the extra time isneeded, or after this time, if the physical behavior is still manifested, thestudent should be assessed for transport to a medical facility for evaluationby a physician and the parent notified;

x. Injuries to student or staff;xi. Staff participating in the restraint/seclusion;xii. Staff signatures;xiii. Name of school employee that the parent can contact; andxiv. Date and time parent was contacted.

After an incident of restraint and/or seclusion, all school personnel involved in theincident and appropriate administrative staff shall participate in a debriefingsession for the purpose of planning to prevent or at least reduce the reoccurrenceof the event. The debriefing session shall occur no later than two school daysfollowing the imposition of physical restraint or seclusion.

e. If restraint and/or seclusion is used on a student who is not identified with adisability, the student shall be referred to the school’s intervention team within 10days of the incident. The team shall determine if the student shows a pattern ofbehavior that would indicate the need for an intervention plan.

5. Administrative Procedures

a. Local school districts that utilize physical restraint and seclusion for all studentsmust develop written policies and procedures that govern the use of restraintand/or seclusion. The written policies and procedures must be designed to ensurethe safety of all students, school personnel, and visitors and include the followingprovisions:i. Staff and faculty training on the use of physical restraint;ii. Parental notification when physical restraint is used to restrain their

student not to exceed one school day from the use of the restraint;iii. Documentation of the use of physical restraint or seclusion by staff or

faculty participating in or supervising the restraint or seclusion event;iv. Procedures for the periodic review of the use of restraint and seclusion

policies;v. Procedures by which a parent may submit a complaint regarding the

physical restraint or seclusion of their child;vi. Procedures for reporting the use of restraint or seclusion to the local board

of education and to the Mississippi Department of Education.

b. The policies and procedures shall be reviewed with all staff on an annual basis.

c. Teachers and other district personnel should be trained on how to collect andanalyze student data to determine the effectiveness of these procedures inincreasing appropriate behavior.

d. All parents should receive, at least annually, written information about thepolicies and procedures for restraint and seclusion issued by the local schooldistrict or school. The written policies are to be included in each local educationagency’s code of conduct, student handbook, or other appropriate schoolpublication.

e. A review of the use of a restraint and seclusion process shall be conducted by theschool to determine if a revision of behavior strategies is in place to addressdangerous behavior or if positive behavior strategies were not in place at the timeof the restraint of seclusion.

f. School districts should not only establish and disseminate policies and procedureson the use of seclusion and restraint, but also should periodically review andupdate them as appropriate. The school district or school shall maintain recordsof its review of seclusion and restraint data and any resulting decisions or actionsregarding the use of seclusion and restraint.

g. In any situation in which a student is in a danger to themselves or others, and itbecomes necessary to contact law enforcement or emergency medical personnel,

nothing in this policy guidance shall be construed to interfere with the duties oflaw enforcement or emergency medical personnel.

h. The school district shall report the restraint and/or seclusion incident to the localschool district and the Mississippi Department of Education.

6. Parental Notification

a. All parents shall receive, at least annually, written information about the policiesfor restraint and seclusion issued by the local school district or school.

b. All parents shall be notified when physical restraint is used to restrain theirstudent before the close of school on the day the restrain was used.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Miss. Code Ann. §37-1-3§37-9-69§37-11-57§37-7-321§37-7-323

Adopted 2/2016Board Approved, Second Reading, August 23, 2016

Use of Force

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for use-of-force by School ResourceOfficers.

II. POLICY

The Board of Trustees has authorized use of force to provide officers an option forgaining compliance of resistant or aggressive individuals in arrest or other enforcementsituation. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees that officers use force when warranted,but only to the extent needed to gain control or enforce compliance. Schoolsecurity/police officers are allowed to carry handguns on their person. (See Board PolicyGAZ.)

III. PROCEDURES

A. Authorization1. Only sworn, certified officers are authorized to carry out their duties under

the auspices of this policy.2. This policy is directed to those officers whose normal duties/assignments

may require them to make arrests, supervise arrests, or provide physicalsecurity for selected individuals.

B. Usage Criteria1. All use-of-force options utilized by officers employed by the Picayune

School District shall be in compliance with this policy.2. Use-of-force options are to be used as a last resort, following the use of

force continuum.a. Use of body languageb. Verbal Dialoguec. Use-of-Force

3. Use-of-force (except handcuffs) shall terminate immediately uponcompliance of the subject.

4. Use of body extremities (hand, arm, leg, etc.) to guide or restrictindividuals is not considered a use-of-force.

C. Procedural GuidelinesUse-of-force options are to be used after the following options have beenexhausted (time and situation permitting).

1. Use of verbal/body language has failed to gain compliance.2. Consequences of non-compliance have been explained.

a. Explain to individual what actions are desired.b. Ask for his/her compliance.c. Order compliance.d. Use appropriate force necessary for compliance.

D. The following use-of-force options are available to the officers:1. Handcuffs – All arrestees are to be handcuffed before transportation or at

the time of arrest if the officer deems their use necessary for control. At notime should a subject be handcuffed to an immobile object or left alone. Subjects should always be handcuffed behind the back. Handcuffs shouldbe key-locked as soon as possible to prevent undue discomfort to theindividual.

2. Use of restraining holds (wrist locks, half-nelson, arm locks).3. Use of OC spray – See OC spray policy.4. Pressure Point Applications – If possible, use pressure point applications

after OC spray and restraining holds have failed (time and situationpermitting).

5. Use of deadly force – Use of this force options dictated by State law.a. If individual is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or death to

other individuals or to the officer.b. To present escape of felons.

E. Use-of-Force and Officer Response1. At no time shall an officer use more than the minimum amount of force

he/she deems necessary to gain control/compliance.2. Officers are to monitor individuals who have been subjected to use-of-

force. If an individual has suffered more than superficial injury, medicalaide shall be summoned immediately.

Also see Board Policy JDA and Board Policy GAZ.

PEPPER AEROSOL RESTRAIN SPRAY

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the use of oleoresin capsicum(OC) aerosol restraint spray.

II. POLICY

The Board of Trustees has authorized use of OC aerosol restrain spray to provide officerswith additional use-of-force options for gaining compliance of resistant or aggressiveindividuals in arrest and other enforcement situations. It is the policy of this agency thatofficers use OC when warranted, but only in accordance with the guidelines andprocedures set forth here and in this agency’s use-of-force policy.

III. PROCEDURES

A. Authorization1. Only officers who have completed the prescribed course of instruction on

the use of OC are authorized to carry the device.2. Officers whose normal duties/assignments may require them to make

arrests or supervise arrestee shall be required to carry OC while on duty.

B. Usage Criteria1. OC spray is considered a use-of-force and shall be employed in a manner

consistent with this agency’s use-of-force policy. OC is a force optionfollowing verbal compliance tactics on the use-of-force continuum.

2. OC may be used when:a. Verbal dialogue has failed to bring about the subject’s compliance,

andb. The subject has signaled his/her intention to actively resist the

officer’s efforts to make the arrest.3. Whenever practical and reasonable, officers should issue a verbal warning

prior to using OC against a suspect.4. Once a suspect is incapacitated or restrained, use of OC is no longer

justified.

C. Usage Procedures1. Whenever possible, officers should be upwind from the suspect before

using OC and should avoid entering the spray area.2. An officer should maintain a safe distance from the suspect of between

two (2) and ten (10) feet.3. A single spray burst of between one (1) and three (3) seconds should be

directed at the suspect’s eyes, nose and mouth. Additional burst(s) may beused in the initial or subsequent burst proves ineffective.

4. Use of OC should be avoided, if possible, under conditions where it mayaffect innocent bystanders.

D. Effects of OC and Officer Response1. Within several seconds of being sprayed by OC, a suspect will normally

display symptoms of temporary blindness, have difficulty breathing,burning sensation in the throat, nausea, lung pain and/or impaired thoughtprocess.

2. The effects of OC vary among individuals. Therefore, all suspects shall behandcuffed as soon as possible after being sprayed. Officers should alsobe prepared to employ other means to control the suspect, to include, ifnecessary, other force options consistent with agency policy, if he/she doesnot respond sufficiently to the spray and cannot otherwise be subdued.

3. Immediately after spraying a suspect, officer shall be alert to anyindications that the individual needs medical care. This includes, but isnot necessarily limited to, breathing difficulties, gagging, profusesweating, and loss of consciousness. Upon observing these or othermedical problems or if the suspect requests medical assistance, the officershall immediately summon emergency medical aid.

4. Suspects that have been sprayed shall be monitored continuously forindications of medical problems and shall not be left alone while incustody.

5. Officers should provide assurance to suspects who have been sprayed thatthe effects are temporary and encourage them to relax.

6. Air will normally begin reducing the effects of OC spray within fifteen(15) minutes of exposure. However, once the suspect has been restrained,officers shall assist him/her by rinsing and drying the exposed area.

7. Assistance shall be offered to any individual accidently exposed to OCspray who feels the effects of the agent.

Also see Board Policy JDA.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy GAZ – POSSESSION OF WEAPONSBoard Policy JDA – CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Definitions:

(a) “Chemical restraint” means a drug or medication used on a student to control behavior orrestrict freedom of movement that is not:(i) Prescribed by a licensed physician, or other qualified health professional acting

under the scope of the professional’s authority under state law, for the standardtreatment of a student’s medical or psychiatric condition; and

(ii) Administered as prescribed by the licensed physician or other qualified healthprofessional acting under the scope of the professional’s authority under state law.

(b) “Elementary school” has the meaning given the term in Section 9101 (18) of theElementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 USC 7801 (18)).

(c) “Emergency situation” means spontaneous unpredictable events posing an imminentthreat of serious bodily injury.

(d) Free appropriate public education. For those students eligible for special education andrelated services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 USC 1400 etseq.), the term “free appropriate public education” or has the meaning given such term in

MISSISSIPPI STUDENT SAFETY ACT – RESTRAINT AND JGFII

SECLUSION

Section 602 of such act (20 USC 1401).

(e) “Local school district” means a Mississippi public school district governed by a localschool board or a nonpublic school governed by its board of trustees.

(f) “Mechanical restraint” has the meaning given the term in Section 595 (d) (1) of the PublicHealth Service Act [42 USC 149 290jj (d) (1)], except that the meaning shall be appliedby substituting “student’s” for “resident’s.” The term mechanical restraint does not meandevices implemented by trained school personnel, or utilized by a student, for the specificand approved therapeutic or safety purposes for which such devices were designed and, ifapplicable, prescribed, including:

(i) Restraints for medical immobilization;(ii) Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to achieve proper body position,

balance or alignment to allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possiblewithout the use of such devices or mechanical supports; or

(iii) Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a student ina moving vehicle.

(g) “Parent” has the meaning given the term in Section 9101 (31) of the Elementary andSecondary Education Act of 1965 (20 USC 7801 (31)).

(h) “Physical escort” means the temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm,shoulder or back for the purpose of inducing a student who is acting out, and able torespond to such physical prompt, to move to a safe location.

(i) “Physical restraint” means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability ofan individual to move the individual’s arms, legs, body or head freely. Such term doesnot include a physical escort.

(j) “Positive behavior supports” means a systemic approach to embed evidence-basedpractices and data-driven decision making to improve school climate and culture,including a range of systematic and individualized strategies to reinforce desiredbehaviors and diminish reoccurrence of problem behaviors, in order to achieve improvedacademic and social outcomes, and increase learning for all students, including those withthe most complex and intensive behavioral needs.

(k) “Program or activity” means all of the operations of:

(i) A local school district system of vocational education, or other school system;(ii) A department, agency, school, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of

a state or of a local government; or the entity of such state or local governmentthat distributes such assistance and each such department or agency (and eachother state or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in thecase of assistance to a state or local government;

(iii) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private organization, or an entire soleproprietorship:1. If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, private

organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or 2. Which is principally engaged in the business of providing education; or3. The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate facility to

which federal financial assistance is extended, in the case of any othercorporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship;

(iv) Any other entity which is established by two (2) or more of the entities describedin paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii) any part of which receives financing from the UnitedStates Department of Education.

(l) “Protection and advocacy system” means the Mississippi protection and advocacy systemestablished under subtitle C of Title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance andBill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 USC 15041 et seq.).

(m) “Restraint” means a chemical restraint, mechanical restraint or physical restraint asdefined in this act.

(n) “School” means an entity that:

(i) Is public or private:1. Day or residential elementary school or secondary school; or2. Early childhood, elementary school or secondary school program that is

under the jurisdiction of a school, local educational agency, educationalservice agency, or other educational instruction or program; and

(ii) Is a participant in any program or activity receiving financial assistant from theUnited States Department of Education.

(o) “School personnel” has the meaning:

(i) Given the term in Section 4151 (10) of the Elementary and Secondary EducationAct of 1965 (20 USC 7161 (10)); and

(ii) Given the term “school resource officer” in Section 4151 (11) of the Elementaryand Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 USC 7161 (11)).

(p) “Secondary school” has the meaning given the term in Section 9101 (38) of theElementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 USC 7801 (38)).

(q) “Seclusion” means the involuntary confinement of a student in a room, enclosure or spacewhich is locked or from which the student is physically prevented from leaving. Suchterm does not include time-out.

(r) “Board” means the State Board of Education acting through the State Superintendent ofEducation.

(s) The term “serious bodily injury” has the meaning given the term in Section 1365 (h) ofTitle 18, United States Code.

(t) “State-approved crisis intervention training program” means a training program approvedby the State Board of Education that, at a minimum, provides:

(i) Training in evidence-based practices shown to be effective in the prevention ofphysical restraint and seclusion;

(ii) Training in evidence-based practices shown to be effective in keeping both schoolpersonnel and students safe when imposing restraint or seclusion;

(iii) Evidence-based skills training related to positive behavior supports, safe physicalescort, conflict prevention, understanding antecedents, de-escalation, and conflictmanagement;

(iv) Training in first aid (which includes recognizing the signs of medical distress) andcardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(v) Information describing the dangers of physical restraint and seclusion, statepolicies and procedures that meet the minimum standards established by

regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 5 (1) and any applicable local schooldistrict or school safety plans; and

(vi) Certification for school personnel in the practices and skills described insubparagraphs (i) through (iv) of this paragraph, which shall be required to berenewed on a periodic basis.

(u) “Student” means an individual enrolled in a school defined in this section, except that inthe case of a private school or private program, such term means an individual enrolled insuch school or program who receives support in any form from any program supported, inwhole or in part, with funds appropriated to the Department of Education.

(v) “Time-out” means a behavior management technique that is part of an approved positiveprogram based on a comprehensive functional assessment and may involve the short termor temporary separation of the student from the group, in a nonlocked setting, for thepurpose of calming. Time-out is not seclusion.

MINIMUM STANDARDS; RULE OF CONSTRUCTION

Not later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of enactment of this act, in order toprotect each student from physical or mental abuse, aversive behavioral interventions thatcompromise student health and safety, or any restraint or seclusion imposed solely for purposesof discipline, convenience, or as a substitute for or in a manner otherwise inconsistent with thisact, the State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations establishing the followingminimum standards:

(a) School personnel shall be prohibited from imposing on any student the following:

(i) Seclusion;(ii) Mechanical restraints;(iii) Chemical restraints;(iv) Physical restraint or physical escort that restricts breathing;(v) Aversive behavioral interventions that compromise health and safety;(vi) Restraint when contraindicated based on the students’ disability, health care

needs, medical, or psychiatric condition as documented in a health caredirective/medical management plan, an Individualized Education Program or 504Plan, or other relevant record made available to the Local Education Agency.

(b) School personnel shall be prohibited from imposing physical restraint on a student unless:

(i) The student’s behavior poses an imminent danger of serious bodily injury to thestudent, school personnel, or others;

(ii) Less restrictive interventions have been ineffective in stopping the imminentdanger of serious bodily injury, or in the case of a rare and clearly unavoidableemergency circumstance posing imminent danger of serious bodily injury, wouldbe ineffective;

(iii) Such physical restraint is imposed by school personnel who:1. Continuously monitor the student face-to-face; or2. If school personnel safety is significantly compromised by such face-to-

face monitoring, are in continuous direct visual contact with the student;(iv) Such physical restraint is imposed by:

1. School personnel trained and certified by a state-approved crisisintervention training program (as defined in Section 4 (t)); or

2. Other school personnel in the case of a rare and clearly unavoidableemergency circumstance when school personnel trained and certified asdescribed in Section 4 (t) are not immediately available due to theunforeseeable nature of the emergency circumstance; and

(v) Such physical restraint shall end:1. When a medical condition occurs putting the students at risk of harm;2. When the student’s behavior no longer poses an imminent danger of

serious bodily injury to the student, school personnel or others; or 3. When less restrictive interventions would be effective in stopping such

imminent danger of serious bodily injury.(vi) The degree of force used and the duration of the physical restraint do not exceed

the degree and duration that are reasonable and necessary to resolve the risk. (vii) The physical restraint imposed upon the student shall not interfere with the

student’s ability to communicate in his or her primary language or mode ofcommunication. At all times during physical restraint or seclusion there shall beschool personnel present who can communicate with the student in the student’sprimary language or mode of communication for health or safety purposes.

(c) Local school districts and private school officials, shall ensure that a sufficient number ofschool and program personnel are trained and certified by a state-approved crisisintervention training program (as defined in Section 4 (t) to meet the needs of the specificstudent population in each school and program providing educational services to students.

(d) The use of physical restraint as a planned intervention shall not be written into a student’seducation plan, individual safety plan, behavioral plan, or Individualized EducationProgram (as defined in Section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20USC 1401)). Local school districts, schools or programs may establish policies andprocedures for use of physical restraint in school safety or crisis plans, provided that suchschool plans are consistent with the standards in this act and not specific to any individualstudent or group of students.

(e) Schools and other educational programs covered under this act shall establish proceduresto be followed after each incident involving the imposition of physical restraint orseclusion upon a student, including procedures to provide to the parent of the student,with respect to each such incident an immediate verbal or electronic communication onthe same day as each such incident;

(f) Within twenty-four (24) hours of each such incident, written notification; and after theimposition of physical restraint or seclusion upon a student, all school personnel involvedin the physical restraint or seclusion, appropriate supervisory and administrative staff;parents, appropriate IEP team members (for students eligible under IDEA), and whenappropriate the student, shall participate in a debriefing session.

(i) The debriefing session shall occur as soon as practicable, but not later than five(5) school days following the imposition of physical restraint or seclusion, unlessthe debriefing session is delayed at the request of a student’s parent so that theparent, and whenever appropriate the student, can attend, or unless it is delayed bywritten mutual agreement of the parents and the public agency;

(ii) The debriefing session shall include:1. Documentation of antecedents to the physical restraint;2. Consideration of relevant information in the student’s records, any teacher

or other professional observations and relevant information provided bythe parent or student;

3. Planning to prevent and reduce reoccurrence of the use of physicalrestraint, including considering the results of any Functional BehavioralAssessments, determination if existing positive behavior plans have beenimplemented with fidelity, and recommendation of appropriate positivebehavioral interventions and supports;

4. Personnel responsible for the student’s educational plan and the parent andwhenever appropriate, the student;a. For students deemed eligible under the Individuals with

Disabilities Education Act, to the IEP team for consideration forinclusion in the IEP; or

b. For students deemed eligible for accommodations under Section504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the persons responsible forconsidering reasonable accommodations, including the parent andwhenever appropriate, the student;

5. A plan to have a functional behavioral assessment conducted, reviewed orrevised by qualified professionals, the parent, and whenever appropriate,the student; and

6. Considering whether to refer the student for an evaluation under Section504 or the IDEA if the student has not been identified as eligible for adisability accommodation plan under Section 504 of the RehabilitationAct, or an Individualized Education Program under the Individuals withDisabilities Education Act, and promptly making the referral ordocumenting in the student’s records the basis for declining to refer thestudent.

7. When a student attends and participates in a debriefing session, nothingthe student says may be used against him or her in any ancillarydisciplinary, criminal or civil proceeding.

(g) In a case in which serious bodily injury or death of a student occurs from the use ofseclusion or physical, mechanical or chemical restraint, procedures to notify, in writing,within twenty-four (24) hours after such injury or death occurs:(i) The state educational agency and local educational agency;(ii) A protection and advocacy system, in the case of a student who is eligible for

services from the protection and advocacy system.

(h) Any other procedures the LEA determines appropriate.

(2) Standards for use of exclusion time-out.

(a) Time-out may only be used in conjunction with an array of positive behavior.(b) Intervention strategies and techniques based upon a comprehensive Functional

Behavioral Assessment (FBA) and must be included in the student’s BehavioralIntervention Plan (BIP) if it is utilized on a recurrent basis to increase or decreasea targeted behavior. Physical force or threat of physical force shall not be used toplace a student in time-out.

(c) Use of time-out shall not be implemented in a fashion that precludes the ability ofa student to be involved in and progress in the general curriculum and advanceappropriately toward attaining the annual goals specified in a student’s IEP.

(d) A student who is subject to time-out must be supervised at all times; the use oflocked doors is prohibited. Trained personnel must have a line of sight with thestudent at all times during the process, and must be in the room with the student.

(e) Time-out must end as soon as the supervisor can determine that the student issufficiently calm and under control such that the student can safely return to classwithout presenting a danger to himself, other students, or any others. No instanceof time-out may last longer than one (1) hour.

(f) A room used for time-out must be a minimum of ten (10) feet wide and ten (10)feet long, and it must be of normal height. The room must have adequate light,heat and ventilation and be free of all hazardous material and objects with which astudent could inflict self-injury.

(g) All time-out, regardless of duration, must be documented. Time must berecorded, consistent with the requirements of the documentation section of thisact.

(h) Time-out shall not be imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience orretaliation.

(3) Interaction with minimum safety standards.

(a) Any implementation of this act shall be subject to all rights, remedies andprocedures contained in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act andSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act forstudents covered thereunder. This includes, but is not limited to, identification,assessment, procedural safeguards, and provision of free appropriate publiceducation. Failure to meet the minimum student safety standards of this act asapplied to an individual child eligible under IDEA may constitute a denial of freeappropriate public education.

(b) If the local educational agency or school establishes policies and procedures foruse of physical restraint pursuant to Section 102 (a) (4), those policies andprocedures shall be applied so as not to discriminate against children and youthwith disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act forstudents covered thereunder.

State Plan and Report Requirements and Enforcement

(1) Local Plan. Not later than two (2) years after promulgation of regulations pursuant toSection 5 (1), and each year thereafter, each local school board and nonpublic schoolboard of trustees shall submit to the State Superintendent of education a plan thatprovides:

(a) Assurances that the school district or appropriate nonpublic school has in effect:(i) Policies and procedures that meet the minimum standards, including the

standards with respect to state-approved crisis intervention trainingprograms, established by regulations promulgated by the State Board ofEducation;

(ii) Mechanism to ensure the recording of any incident involving restraintimposed upon a student or use of time-out for longer than thirty (30)minutes. Incidents shall be recorded on a standardized incident reportdeveloped by the State Department of Education. Such reports shall becompleted no later than the school day following the incident; and

(iii) Mechanism to effectively monitor and enforce the minimum standards;(b) A description of the state policies and procedures, including a description of the

state-approved crisis intervention training programs in Mississippi; and(c) A description of the plans to ensure school personnel and parents, including

private school personnel and parents, are aware of the policies and procedures.

(2) Reporting. Reporting requirements. Each year each local school district and nonpublicschool shall (in compliance with the requirements of Section 444 of the GeneralEducation Provisions Act (commonly known as the “Family Educational Rights andPrivacy Act of 1974") (20 USC 123g)) prepare and submit to the State Board ofEducation and make available to the public, a report with respect to each local schooldistrict, and each nonpublic school that includes the information described in thissubsection (2).

(3) Information requirements. (a) General information requirements. The report described insubsection (2) shall include information on:

(a) The total number of incidents in the preceding full academic year in whichrestraint was imposed upon a student; and

(b) The total number of incidents in the preceding full academic year in whichseclusion was imposed upon a student.

(b) Disaggregation.(i) General disaggregation requirements. The information describe in

subsections (2) and (3) shall be disaggregated by:(ii) The total number of incidents in which restraint or seclusion was imposed

upon a student:1. That resulted in injury;2. That resulted in death; and3. In which the school personnel imposing physical restraint or

seclusion were not trained and certified as described in Section 5(1); and

(iii) The demographic characteristics of all students upon whom physicalrestraint or seclusion was imposed, including:1. The categories identified in Section 1111 (h) (1) (c) (i) of the

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [20 USC 6311(h) (1) (C) (i)];

2. Age; and3. Disability status (which has the meaning given the term “individual

with a disability” in Section 7 (20) of the Rehabilitation Act of1973 (29 USC 705 (20)).

(4) Unduplicated count; exception. The disaggregation required under paragraph (b) of thissubsection shall:(a) Be carried out in a manner to ensure an unduplicated count of the:

(i) Total number of incidents in the preceding full academic year in which

physical restraint was imposed upon a student; and(ii) Total number of incidents in the preceding full-academic year in which

seclusion was imposed upon a student; and(b) Not be required in a case in which the number of students in a category would

reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Senate Bill No. 2594, Regular Session 2014

Board Approved January 13, 2015, Second Reading

Section 1

§41-41-15.

(1) The legal disabilities of any minor aged sixteen (16) years or older are removed forpurposes of voluntarily donating blood, with or without remuneration therefor, to a licensedhospital, blood bank, community blood program, or other lawful activity engaged in processingand supplying human blood for transfusions and/or related medical purposes, as provided in thissection.

(2) Any person who is sixteen (16) years of age or older may consent to the donation ofhis/her blood and to the penetration of such tissue necessary to accomplish the donation, if theperson obtains written permission from the person’s parent or guardian. The consent shall not besubject to deferments because of the minority of the person.

(3) Any person who is seventeen (17) years of age or older may consent to the donation ofhis/her blood and to the penetration of such tissue necessary to accomplish the donation. Theconsent shall not be subject to deferments because of the minority of the person, and parentalauthorization shall not be required to authorize the donation and penetration of tissue.

STUDENT BLOOD DONATION JGFG

Section 2

This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2009.


It is unlawful for any individual, other than a student scheduled to be a passenger upon aparticular bus, a member of the public school administration or faculty, or a law enforcementofficial, to interfere in any way with the operation of a school bus. State law prohibitsunauthorized boarding of school buses or interference with passengers boarding or leaving, underpenalties of fine and/or imprisonment.

INTERFERENCE WITH SCHOOL BUSES JGG

Bicycles or motorized vehicles that are driven to school must be parked in the designated areaswhen the student arrives at school.

No student will loiter about, tamper with, or in any way damage any vehicle. A student who doesso will be held liable for damages. Students are not permitted to sit in cars during school hours.

Motorized vehicles that are driven to school must have proper tags, and student drivers musthave drivers’ licenses.

Also see Board Policy EDDB.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy EDDB – WALKERS AND RIDERS

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION – WALKERS AND RIDERS – JGGA

PARKING REGULATIONS

The use of private vehicles by school employees for school business and activities is allowed andcovered by liability insurance. Under most circumstances, students must be transported in schoolbuses meeting the state guidelines. The following criteria apply:

• Driver must be a school employee.

• Driver must have a valid driver’s license.

• Driver must have auto liability insurance.

• School checks the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) for driving history uponemployment, and may do so at any time during employment.

Also see Board Policy EDAE.

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy EDAE – PRIVATE VEHICLES

PRIVATE VEHICLE USAGE – LIABILITY INSURANCE JGGC

The Child Welfare Practice Manual, developed in 1985 and currently in use by the Pearl RiverCounty Department of Human Services, lists specific definitions for both CHILD ABUSE ANDCHILD NEGLECT. The authors categorize child neglect into eight (8) major classifications: (1)Inadequate Shelter, (2) Inadequate Clothing, (3) Inadequate Food, (4) Lack of Supervision, (5)Medical Neglect, (6) Mental Neglect, (7) Educational Neglect, and (8) Abandonment. Childabuse is then defined, and the three (3) major types are listed. These include (1) sexual abuse, (2)mental abuse, and (3) physical abuse.

The Mississippi Code of 1972, Section §43-21-353 states the obligation of professionals or caregivers to report any suspicion or indication of child abuse/neglect directly to the MississippiDepartment of Human Services.

Therefore, the Board of Trustees establishes the following policy:

The policy of the Board of Trustees is that in compliance with the Mississippi Code of 1972,Section §43-21-353, any employee of the Picayune School District who has reasonable cause tosuspect child abuse shall notify the person in charge, the principal, supervisor, or counselor, whoshall report or cause a report to be made to the Department of Human Services.

SCHOOL POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING JGI

ABUSE OR NEGLECT


A. Notification of such report shall also be made to the Superintendent by the principal orsupervisor making the report. The report shall contain the names and addresses of thechild and his/her parents or other persons responsible for his/her care, if known, thechild’s age, the nature and extent of the child’s injuries, including any evidence ofprevious injuries, and any other information that might be helpful in establishing thecause of the injury and the identity of the perpetrator.

B. It will not be the responsibility of the person reporting child abuse/neglect to prove thatthe child has been abused/neglected, or to determine the cause of suspected abuse/neglect,or to determine whether the child is in need of protection. The investigatory role shall bereserved for the Child Protective Agency and the police, or other appropriate agencies asrequired.

C. The protection of confidentiality and the child’s right to privacy shall be maintained, withdiscussion of the situation limited to school staff members who have need to know orauthorized personnel from appropriate agencies.

D. Those reporting child abuse/neglect will follow the guidelines for reporting, includingthose guidelines indicating such reports that are considered inappropriate as published bythe Department of Human Services.

Delegation of Authority

A. The Superintendent is directly responsible for enforcing this policy and communicatingits provisions to all appropriate parties.

B. Principals, supervisors, and counselors are directly responsible for periodic review of thispolicy with all Picayune School District employees.

C. Principals, supervisors, and counselors are expected to monitor the execution of thispolicy at the building level.

Reports

A written report on the prescribed forms shall be submitted to the Superintendent following anyreport of child abuse/neglect. The report shall contain the names and addresses of the child andhis/her parents or other persons responsible for his/her care, if known, and the child’s age, thenature and extend of the child’s injuries, including any evidence of previous injuries, and anyother information that might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injury and the identity ofthe perpetrator.

Also see Board Policy JCDC.


CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy JCDC – STUDENT CONDUCT

It is the policy of the Picayune School District Board of Trustees that at the conclusion of all busroutes the bus driver is required to conduct a search of the entire bus to verify no students havebeen left on the bus. This search is to be conducted at the conclusion of all regular bus routes aswell as all special trip routes.

Signature shows receipt and understanding of this document and that a copy of this document hasbeen filed in my personnel file.

________________________________________________ ________________________(Signature) (Date)

________________________________________________(Printed Name)

STUDENT SAFETY VERIFICATION AT THE CONCLUSION OF JGGG

ALL BUS ROUTES

The Picayune School District shall adopt a policy on student suicide prevention. The policiesshall be developed in consultation with school and community stakeholders, school-employedmental health professionals, and suicide prevention experts, and shall, at a minimum addressprocedures relating to suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. To assist districts indeveloping policies for student suicide prevention, the State Department of Education shallestablish a model policy in consultation with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health foruse by local school districts.

A. Suicide and Other Threat Intervention

It shall be the obligation of each staff member to report any student threat of potentialharm to himself/herself, commit suicide, or cause injury to another individualimmediately to his/her direct supervisor (principal). In the event that the buildingprincipal is not available, the report shall be made directly to the appropriate schoolcounselor or social worker, who, will in a timely manner, inform the building principal.

The building supervisor shall then assign the school counselor or appropriate socialworker to access the student threat through interviews with the individual student makingthe claim, teacher(s), and other student witnesses as deemed appropriate.

STUDENT – SUICIDE, OTHER THREAT INTERVENTION JGH

AND PREVENTION

If the assessment conducted by the school counselor/social worker reveals that the studentis at-risk of possibly harming himself/herself or of potentially committing suicide, thefollowing procedures shall be followed:

1. The student’s parent/legal guardian shall be notified by the counselor or socialworker. In the event that a legal guardian/parent is not available, the counselor orsocial worker will be empowered to inform one of the student’s emergencycontacts listed on the Enrollment Card.

2. The parent/legal guardian shall be required to pick up any student from the schoolsite who is clearly in imminent danger of engaging in self-harming, suicidal, orother harmful behaviors.

3. The counselor/social worker will inform the parent/guardian of availablecommunity services.

4. The counselor/social worker, under the advisement of the building supervisor, willreport directly to the Department of Human Services cases wherein theparent/legal guardian appears to neglect the child’s need for further services(threat of suicide, self-injurious behaviors).

5. In the event of a threat to harm another individual or a targeted group ofindividuals, it shall be the obligation of any school personnel, under the directionof the building supervisor, to notify a School Resource Officer.

6. Should the parent/legal guardian seek treatment for his/her child in a mentalhealth facility, the school counselor/social worker will act as a liaison in providingfollow up services upon notification and request.

7. It shall be the responsibility of the school counselor/social worker to document allactions pertaining to each case and to maintain confidentiality of student andfamily information.

B. Prevention Measures:

1. The Picayune School District Suicide Intervention and Prevention Committee willmeet at a minimum annually to review current policies, procedures, andprevention methods.

2. The Picayune School District will continue quality anti-violence preventionmeasures and programs such as peer mediation, conflict resolution, bullyingawareness and prevention, student mentoring, and group counseling on the topicsof anger management and positive self-esteem building.

LEGAL REFERENCE: House Bill 263, Regular Session 2017


Unless exempted in paragraph two (2), it is unlawful for a person required to register as a sexoffender under Section §45-33-25:

(1) To be present in any school building, on real property comprising any school, or in anyconveyance owned, leased, or contracted by a school to transport students to or fromschool or a school-related activity when persons under the age of eighteen (18) arepresent in the building, on the grounds, or in the conveyance; or to loiter within fivehundred (500) feet of a school building on real property comprising any school whilepersons under the age of eighteen (18) are present in the building or on the grounds.

(2) A person required to register as a sex offender who is a parent/legal guardian of a studentattending the school may be present on school property if the parent/legal guardian is:

PROHIBITION OF SEX OFFENDERS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY JGIII

(a) Attending a conference at the school with school personnel to discuss the progressof the sex offender’s child academically or socially;

(b) Participating in child review conferences in which evaluation and placementdecisions may be made with respect to the sex offender’s child regarding specialeducation services;

(c) Attending conferences to discuss other student issues concerning the sexoffender’s child such as retention and promotion;

(d) Transporting the sex offender’s child to and from school; or

(e) Present at the school because the presence of the sex offender has been requestedby the principal for any other reason relating to the welfare of the child.

(3) This shall not apply to a sex offender who is legally enrolled in a particular school or isparticipating in a school-sponsored educational program located at a particular schoolwhen the sex offender is present at that school.

(4) In order to exercise the exemption under paragraph two (2), a parent/legal guardian whois required to register as a sex offender must notify the principal of the school of the sexoffender’s presence at the school unless the offender:

(a) has permission to be present from the Superintendent or the Board of Trustees, or

(b) the principal has granted ongoing permission for regular visits of a routine nature.

(5) If permission is granted by the Superintendent or the Board of Trustees, theSuperintendent or President of the Board of Trustees must inform the principal of theschool where the sex offender will be present. Notification includes the nature of the sexoffender’s visit and the hours when the sex offender will be present in the school, and thesex offender is responsible for notifying the principal’s office upon arrival and upondeparture. If the sex offender is to be present in the vicinity of children, the sex offenderhas the duty to remain under the direct supervision of a school official.

(6) For the purpose of this policy, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribedunless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “School” means a public or private pre-school, elementary school, or secondaryschool.

(b) “Loiter” means standing or sitting idly, whether in or out of a vehicle, orremaining in or around school property without a legitimate reason.

(c) “School Official” means the principal, a teacher, any other certified employee of

the school, the Superintendent, or a member of the Board of Trustees.

(7) A sex offender who violates this policy is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a finenot to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) incarceration not to exceed six (6)months in jail, or both.

(8) It is a defense to prosecution under this policy that the sex offender did not know andcould not reasonably know that the property or conveyance fell within the proscription ofthis policy.

(9) Nothing in this policy shall be construed to infringe upon the constitutional right of a sexoffender to be present in a school building that is used as a polling place for the purposeof voting.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Senate Bill #2825Section §45-33-25

In addition to programs of classroom instruction, schools shall provide programs of studentactivities to meet educational needs to the extent that resources are available. Membership andparticipation in student activities shall be open to all students without restrictions as to race,religion, sex, national origin, or handicap (qualified). All student activities provided by thePicayune School District must be under the direct supervision of assigned school personnel andshall be subject to the regulations of the school administration.

School officials should cooperate with other community groups or agencies in programs ofeducational value for children and youth when such cooperation is deemed to be desirable andfeasible.

All student activity accounts shall be charged with all costs to the Picayune School Districtaccrued by the operation of that activity. No money shall be expended from the activity fund

STUDENT ACTIVITIES JH

without a requisition approved by principal. Principals will be held strictly accountable forspending all activity funds.

In conducting various student activities, the following should be observed in order not to infringeon the regular activities of the school program.

A. Practice sessions, performances, or other group activities shall not be held on Sundaywithout permission from the principal.

B. Evening practice shall be avoided unless approval is obtained from the principal.

C. The scheduling of competition in extracurricular activities (K-12) such as athletics, band,speech, debate, drama, choral groups, etc., is prohibited during days that tests included inthe Statewide Testing Program are administered.

D. No student should be removed from classroom activity for practice sessions,performances, or other scheduled activities unless prior approval comes from theprincipal.

E. Inter-school program must be scheduled for the regular activity period of the receivingschool.

School time and facilities shall be used only with concurrence of the Superintendent. Provisionsfor handling guests of Picayune School District students shall be at the discretion of theadministration. Proper care shall be taken in protecting school property and preventing personalinjury of participants at all time. Rules for conducting such activities shall be in accordance withschool policies established for the Picayune School District. Fund raising for such events shallnot be conducted during school hours.

Elementary schools may have two (2) homeroom parties per year at school.

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, AND ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

The Mississippi High School Activities Association shall be the athletic association of thePicayune School District. All school activities shall be planned and conducted with fullemphasis on character building and all such activities shall be aimed at providing learningexperiences that go beyond the regular academic program to meet the changing educational needsof youth. Sponsorship of all clubs and activities shall be assigned by the principal. All programsin athletics and health and physical education shall be under the supervision of the athleticdirector/coordinator, who shall schedule all sports events, subject to the approval of theSuperintendent, and shall be responsible for the supervision of such events. It shall be theresponsibility of the athletic director/coordinator to establish, subject to approval of theSuperintendent, a uniform system of awarding letters, trophies, and other awards used in theschool program. A student who is not eligible to compete in athletic events according to therules and regulations of the activities association shall not at any time be allowed to participate in

such events. It shall be the responsibility of the athletic director/coordinator, principal, coaches,and teachers to report the ineligibility of such students. (Co-curricular activities shall not bescheduled during semester examinations.)

STUDENT ACTIVITIES – EXTRA- AND CO-CURRICULAR

When required, students participating in extra- and co-curricular activities must have on file atthe school written parent consent and liability waiver forms.

On designated school days the school will operate on an activity period schedule. The activityperiod will be used for club, class, and homeroom meetings and for assemblies. Announcementof meetings at the activity period will be made in advance.

The flag of the United States shall be displayed in close proximity to the school building, on aproper staff, at all time during the hours of daylight when the school is in session when theweather will permit without damage to the flag. In addition, the flag of the United States shall bedisplayed in each classroom and in each principal room of the school building at all times whileschool is in session. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees to provide for the flags, properstaffs, and their proper display. The Picayune School District shall provide student instruction inthe proper etiquette toward, correct display of, respect for the flag and in patriotic exercises. Theinstruction shall be a part of the fifth grade social studies curriculum or history curriculum, withthe assistance of the State Department of Education.

From and after July 1, 2002, the Board of Trustees shall require teachers to have all pupils repeatthe oath of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America at the beginning of the first hour

STUDENT ACTIVITIES – OATH OF ALLEGIANCE AND DISPLAY JHA

OF UNITED STATES FLAG

of class each day school is in session, such Oath of Allegiance being as follows:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic forwhich it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.”

Any student or teacher who objects to reciting the Oath of Allegiance shall be excused fromparticipating without penalty.

The flag of the State of Mississippi and the flag of the United States shall be displayed in closeproximity to the school building at all times during the hours of daylight when the school is insession when the weather will permit without damage to the flag. It shall be the duty of theBoard of Trustees to provide for the flags and their display.

Whenever the flag of the United States is to be flown at half-staff by order or instructions of thePresident or pursuant to federal law, all schools shall lower the United States flag in accordancewith the executive order or instructions or federal law. The school shall announce the reason thatthe flag is being flown at half-staff to all students in assembly or by teachers in the variousclassrooms or by prominently displaying written notice throughout the school stating the reasonthat the flag has been lowered.

In all public schools there shall be given a course of study concerning the flag of the UnitedStates and the flag of the State of Mississippi. The course of study shall include the history ofeach flag, what they represent, and the proper respect therefor. There also shall be taught in thepubic schools the duties and obligations of citizenship, patriotism, Americanism, and respect forand obedience to law.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Section §37-13-6Senate Bill #2

Unless State playoff system games are involved, the scheduling of extra-curricular activities, i.e.,athletics, band, speech, debate, chorus, etc., will be prohibited the night before and during thedays on which State mandated assessments and district nine-week tests are administered. Examination make-up days, FLE Retest days, and final (last day) test days will be exempted fromthis regulation.

In addition, if a State Mississippi High School Athletics Association (MHSAA) playoff system isin effect during scheduled State mandated student assessments or district nine weeksexamination, all competitions must be scheduled to begin no later than 4:30 P.M.

SCHEDULING OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES JHAA/IIB

DURING STATEWIDE/DISTRICT NINE-WEEK TESTS

The Board of Trustees of the Picayune School District recognizes the need for limited studentfund-raising activities. The type of and extend of these activities, however, must be rigidlyrestricted and limited to activities that have recognized educational value.

Requests to raise funds of any kind must be submitted in writing to the Superintendent’s Office. These requests shall include the following:

A. Type of fund-raising activity;B. Specific purpose for raising funds;C. Educational value attributed to the activity;D. Participants (organization, sponsor, vendor);E. Length of activity (inclusive dates); andF. Projected fund-raising profits.

The Superintendent will grant approval or deny approval for the fund-raising activity, inaccordance with the provisions outlined in this policy. The Superintendent’s approval or denialshall be in writing. No fund-raising activity may be approved that is in direct conflict with thispolicy. The following rules/restrictions apply to all fund-raising activities.

1. Each school location principal/director shall compile a school year fund-raising activitycalendar, which shall include all school related fund-raising activities. The schoollocation calendar shall be compiled with the input of interested school club sponsors andshall include all school related fund-raising activities. Each fund-raising activity listedshall have a written request as required by the Picayune School District.

2. Each fund-raising activity shall be supervised by a regular classroom teacher/club sponsoror other certified staff member employed by the Picayune School District. This personshall be held personally responsible for the fund-raising activity and all profits incurred asa result of the activity. This person will be asked to sign the written request to theSuperintendent or the Superintendent’s designee. By affixing his/her signature, theperson is taking responsibility for the activity and resulting profits, assumingadministrative approval. This fund-raising activity supervisor shall be responsible forcompleting a post-activity profit reconciliation sheet, showing accountability forpurchases and sales of goods and resulting profits. The fund-raising activity supervisorshall be held personally responsible for any money missing from the activity, whethermissing by theft or missing through a lack of accountability.

3. The Board of Trustees prohibits fund-raising activity by Picayune School Districtemployees that promotes a game of chance.

4. No outside group, organization, social club, or person shall solicit on school premises atany time without the written permission of the Superintendent.

FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES JHBA/JHE/KEBB

5. The instructional integrity of each school day must be protected. Fund-raising activitiesshall not interfere with the regular instructional periods of any student. Students shall notbe asked to use instructional periods in order to participate in fund-raising activities. Nodoor-to-door classroom sales of fund-raising products may occur when the sales cause aninterruption in the regular instructional period, however brief the interruption may be. Noclass time shall be used to collect money for fund-raising activities.

6. No activity in the nature of or equivalent to a raffle shall be conducted as part of studentactivities.

7. Fund-raising activities of any type are expressly prohibited during school or office hoursexcept those approved by the Superintendent.

8. Students in elementary grades K-6 shall not be permitted to solicit sales in door-to-doorsolicitations under any circumstances.

9. No students in grades K-12 shall be required to participate in any fund-raising activityunder any penalty for failure to participate.

10. No solicitations for any outside group or organization shall be made during school oroffice hours by any student or Picayune School District employee without the express,written approval of the Superintendent.

11. A post-activity profit reconciliation form shall be prepared and signed by the individualaccepting responsibility for the fund-raising activity at the activity conclusion date. Thispost-activity profit reconciliation form shall be prescribed by the Central Officeadministration and shall be signed by the classroom teacher/sponsor/director responsiblefor the related activity and the school location principal/director. The form shall include:

a. fund-raising activity;b. actual length of activity (inclusive dates);c. students/sponsors who participated in the activity;d. reconciliation of actual profits to projected profits; ande. specific times (hours of day) money was collected for fund-raising project from

students.

The post-activity profit reconciliation form shall be completed within five (5) working days fromthe conclusion of the fund-raising activity. The form shall be approved by the school locationprincipal/director and forwarded to the Business Office of the Central Office.

This policy has no relationship to the school newspaper and yearbook. Neither does it have anyrelationship to such organizations as the Band Boosters and other parent organizations.

Fund-raising activities, as governed by the policy, do not include routine teaching assignmentssuch as collecting lunch money, fees, book fines, etc.

Every student is encouraged to participate in at least one (1) school club.

Charters for school clubs are issued by the Student Council for one (1) year. Application forcharter should be addressed to the principal via the Student Council, should state the purpose ofthe club, and should contain the sponsor’s signature and the signature of at least ten (10)prospective members who pledge themselves to participate actively in the activities of the club.

School clubs will meet at designated activity periods, before school in the morning, or afterschool in the evening with the club sponsor.

The secretary of each school club is required to write the minutes of each meeting (signed by thepresident and the faculty sponsor) in club minutes and to submit minutes to the principal asrequired.

Sponsorship of school clubs will be assigned by the principal.

CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS JHCA

State laws specifically prohibit the existence of any sorority, fraternity, or secret society as a partof any school in Mississippi. The Picayune School District expressly prohibits use of schoolnames as a part of the name of any of these groups, raising funds in the name of the schools,conducting any part of their initiation at school (including wearing of unusual dress, signs, anddirections or instructions given to initiates by members), and the use of any school facility –grounds or buildings – for the purpose of meeting or holding any type of program or exhibition.

The above regulations are not all inclusive; other conduct in connection with these groups isforbidden at or in the schools. Students who violate the position of the Picayune School Districtin this matter will be subject to suspension, with a parental conference required before studentreinstatement.

SORORITIES, FRATERNITIES, AND SECRET JHCAA

ORGANIZATIONS

Picayune School District policies governing election, membership, qualifications, duties,campaigning, and counting votes in regard to Student Council and Class Officers and Membersare adopted by the Board of Trustees and published annually in student handbooks as officialpolicy statements of the Picayune School District.

STUDENT COUNCIL, OFFICERS, CLASS OFFICERS, JHCB

CAMPAIGNING, COUNTING VOTES

Because student publications in the Picayune School District are centered in the instructionalprograms and are developed through classroom experiences, the professional staff memberdirecting student publications shall exercise proper control over the content, development, anddistribution of publications under his/her charge and shall be directly responsible to the buildingprincipal for the exercise of such control.

It is the intent of the Board of Trustees to support the continuing development of student learningthrough publications of high quality, to encourage the growth of student writers, to developrespect for the responsibilities that accompany the opportunity to prepare school publications,and to assist students in the development of their appreciation of the rights of others. The Boardof Trustees encourages students to exercise sound and reasonable judgment in the selection orcreation of materials for publication and further recommends that articles, letters, etc., whichappear to be objectionable be considered for revision to avoid problematic language, statements,or inferences without destroying the intent and point of view of the writer. Staff members shallbe directly responsible to the publication advisor/sponsor; all materials prepared, selected, andedited by staff members must be submitted to the advisor/sponsor for approval or disapproval. Disagreements among staff members over matters of taste, propriety, or form will be resolved bythe advisor/sponsor. Further disagreements must be submitted to the building principal forhis/her decision regarding publication.

The Board of Trustees specifically prohibits publication in school papers, magazines, yearbooks,and other school-sponsored publications of any item which may libel any person, materials whichare considered by teacher advisors/sponsors or by the principal to be obscene or in poor taste,materials which might result in any possibility of violence, or items which might damage or hurtany person.

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS JHCC

Elementary Schools

In elementary schools, K-6, two (2) parties per year are permitted.

Secondary Schools

No parties are permitted in the secondary schools, 7-12, during the school day.

All evening parties and dances shall be scheduled with the administration in accordance withPicayune School District policy. Parties and dances will not be held on an evening during theschool week. All junior high school parties or dances will be limited to events which do notrequire students to rent or wear formal attire.

Students who indulge in or have possession of alcoholic beverages or drugs will be subject todisciplinary action as required under policy of the Board of Trustees regarding use and/orpossession of alcohol or controlled substances on school grounds or school events.

When a student leaves a party or a dance, the student will not be allowed to return to the event.

Parties or dances are given only for members of the sponsoring student body unless writtenpermission is granted by the Office of the Superintendent.

There will be no spontaneous parties or dances. Plans must be made by the sponsor or eachactivity and submitted in writing to the principal at least ten (10) school days before the activity.

Chaperones for Parties, Field Trips, Etc. – This responsibility will be approved by theprincipal. Any student group making a field trip of any kind will be required to have approval asrequired under policy of the Board of Trustees and the sponsor of that group must accompany thestudents and be in conformance with Picayune School District policies.

Chaperones should not have younger children accompany them to parties or on field trips.

STUDENT SOCIAL EVENTS – PARTIES, DANCES – K-12 JHD

The Board of Trustees supports a program of student activities offering a wide range ofopportunities for exploratory experience, enrichment, independent learning, and publicperformances by various student groups. The Board of Trustees also recognizes that out-of-towntrips by groups of students may be required in connection with student performances. Becauseextended trips may sometimes interfere with the instructional program as a whole, the Board ofTrustees requires that all student activities be fully justified in terms of expenditures of time andresources and result in minimal interference with the overall instructional program. In addition,the Board of Trustees requires that all student activities be in compliance with accreditationstandards regarding student absence from class(es).

Clearly established procedures should be developed for the various student activities provided bythe Picayune School District, and appropriate field trip request forms must be submitted inaccordance with policies outlined in student handbooks. Procedures shall require that all studentactivities be properly and fully supervised, clearly connected with the instructional programs, andbased on sound objectives. Procedures shall be established to permit a limited program ofextended trips on a long-range schedule.

Student Performances – Procedures

A major trip in connection with all student organizations shall be defined as a trip to an out-of-state location requiring an overnight stay and financed by raising funds through solicitations andsales of various kinds.

Request for permission to participate in an event requiring a major trip must be made in writingto the principal; written approval must be given by the principal and the Superintendent prior tomaking a written request for approval by the Board of Trustees.

Prior to engaging in any activities related to a major trip, written approval for the trip must besecured from the Board of Trustees.

All fund-raising projects must receive prior approval in writing by the Superintendent.

A major trip shall not require funding by the Picayune School District.

All required funds must be raised prior to departure on the trip.

All student activities in connection with a major trip shall be properly and fully supervised; a listof chaperons for the trip must be submitted in writing prior to the day of departure, together witha list of possible alternate chaperons, and the list must be approved by the principal.

All parents/legal guardians must complete and sign an appropriate release form.

STUDENT PERFORMANCES JHE

The Superintendent of Schools of each public school district is authorized to provide for theappearance of uniformed military personnel, uniformed veterans or the families of fallen militarypersonnel/veterans at such public school exercises in honor of Veterans Day. TheSuperintendent of Schools is also authorized to permit the school band and its director(s) at anypublic school in the district to perform at Veterans Day exercises in the school district upon therequest of public officials or veterans associations without loss of any program credit byparticipating students and without loss of leave by participating school personnel.

Legal Reference: Section §3-3-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, As AmendedSenate Bill Nol 2659 (Regular Session 2011)

EXERCISES IN HONOR OF VETERANS DAY JHEA

Picayune School District policies governing cheerleader try-outs and eligibility for continuationas a cheerleader are adopted by the Board of Trustees and published annually in studenthandbooks and/or in guideline materials as official policy statements of the Picayune SchoolDistrict.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CHEERLEADER TRY-OUTS AND JHF

ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTINUATION AS A CHEERLEADER –

(Grades 7-12)

Picayune School District policies governing requirements for majorette, dance/drill team, andflag corps try-outs and eligibility for continuation as majorette or guard/dance team or flag corpsmembers are adopted by the Board of Trustees and published annually in student handbooksand/or in guideline materials as official policy statements of the Picayune School District.

Picayune School District policies governing requirements for drum major try-outs and eligibilityfor continuation as a drum major are adopted by the Board of Trustees and published annually instudent handbooks and/or in guideline materials as official policy statements of the PicayuneSchool District.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJORETTE, DANCE/DRILL TEAM, AND JGH

FLAG CORPS TRY-OUTS AND ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTINUATION

AS MAJORETTE OR DRILL TEAM OR FLAG CORPS MEMBERS

REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUM MAJOR TRY-OUTS AND JHH

ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTINUATION AS A DRUM MAJOR

RATIONALE:

The link between health of students and learning is well documented. If children are to besuccessful in school they cannot be tired, hungry, sick, suffering from drug abuse, or worried thatschool is an unsafe environment in which they can become a victim of a violent act. It hasbecome apparent that problems such as poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, substance abuse,depression, teen pregnancy, obesity, bullying, and more – can adversely affect not only a child’shealth, but also his or her ability to learn. That is precisely why a coordinated approach to schoolhealth can make a difference. A coordinated approach to school health improves children’shealth and their capacity to learn through the support of families, schools, and communitiesworking together. At its very core, a coordinated approach to school health is about keepingstudents healthy over time, reinforcing positive health behaviors throughout the school day, andmaking it clear that good health and learning go hand in hand.

GOAL:

All students in the Picayune School District shall possess the knowledge and skills necessary tomake healthy choices that promote healthy lifestyles. All staff members in the Picayune SchoolDistrict are encouraged to model a lifestyle of healthy eating patterns and moderate physicalactivity as a valuable part of their daily lives.

To meet this goal, the Picayune School District adopts this school wellness policy with thefollowing commitments to implementing a coordinated approach to school health. This policy isdesigned to effectively utilize school and community resources and to equitably serve the needs

SCHOOL WELLNESS POLICY JI

and interests of all students and staff, taking into consideration differences in culture.

NUTRITION ENVIRONMENT AND SERVICES

Minimum requirements:

The Picayune School District will:

! Offer a school lunch program with menus that meet the meal patterns and nutritionstandards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the MississippiDepartment of Education, Office of Child Nutrition Programs.

! Offer school breakfast and snack programs (where approved and applicable) with menusthat meet the meal patterns and nutrition standards established by the USDA and theMississippi Department of Education, Office of Child Nutrition Programs.

! Promote participation in school meal programs to families and staff.

! Operate all Child Nutrition Programs with school foodservice staff who are properlyqualified according to current professional standards (Mississippi Board of EducationPolicy, Code 2001).

! Follow State Board of Education policies on competitive foods and extra food sales(Mississippi Board of Education Policy, Code 2002).

! Include goals for nutrition promotion, nutrition education, physical activity and otherschool-based activities to promote student wellness.

! Implement Nutrition Standards as adopted by the State Board of Education in accordancewith the Mississippi Health Students Act (State Board of Education Policy 4011),

" Healthy food and beverage choices;" Healthy food preparation;" Marketing of healthy food choices to students, staff and parents;" Food preparation ingredients and products;" Minimum/maximum time allotted for students and staff lunch and breakfast;" Availability of food items during lunch and breakfast periods of the Child

Nutrition Breakfast and Lunch Programs;" Methods to increase participation in the Child Nutrition School Breakfast and

Lunch Programs.

! Establish guidelines in accordance with USDA Smart Snacks in Schools for all foodsavailable on the school campus during the school day with the objective of promotingstudent health and reducing childhood obesity. (See Nutrition Environment and Servicessection of the Tools That Work – Your Guide to Success for Building a Healthy School

Toolkit found on the Office of Heathy Schools website atwww.mde.k12.ms.us/ohs/home)

! Establish guidelines in accordance with USDA Smart Snacks in Schools for the sale offood items for fundraising.

! Use Smart Snacks Resources to educate the school community about the importance ofoffering healthy snacks for students and staff members.

" http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools-schools-focusing-smart-snacksSmart Snacks Product Calculator:

" The Alliance for a Healthier Generation Smart Snacks Product Calculator is aneffective online instrument that has been determined by the USDA, Food andNutrition Service to be accurate in assessing product compliance with the federalrequirements for Smart Snacks in Schools. The calculator can be used for foodand beverage products. https:healthiergeneration.org/take action/schools/snacksand beverages/smart snacks/alliance product calculator/

Food Safe Schools

The Picayune School District

! Implement a food safety program based on HACCP principles for all school meals, asrequired by the USDA and the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of ChildNutrition Programs and ensure that the food service permit is current for the school sites.HACCP Principles for K–12 school can be downloaded at:http://www.nfsmi.org/ResourcesOverview.aspx?ID=151

! Develop a food safety education plan for all staff and students, consistent with Fight Bac ® (www.fightbac.org) and other national standards for safe food handling at homeand in schools.

! Ensure that all staff has received instructions to support food safety on the school campus.Food Safety resources have been developed by the Office of Child Nutrition to assist withthe training of school staff members. These resource which include a training power-point presentation, food Safety Post Test and Food Safety Post Test Answer Key can befound on the Office of Healthy Schools website at www.mde.k12.ms.us/ohs/home.

! All school personnel (school board members, administrators, teachers, school nurses,instructional and health services para-professionals, foodservice staff, custodians andfacilities managers, and administrative support staff) will receive copies of the LocalSchool Wellness Policy that includes food safety policies and procedures and provides forrelevant professional development.

! Adequate access to hand-washing facilities and supplies will be available whenever and

wherever students, staff, and families prepare, handle, or consume food.

! The food safety assurance plan must address strategies that minimize risks for studentsand staff who have food allergies and intolerances.

Optional Policy Statements (adopt as appropriate for local school goals):

! Encourage students to make food choices based on the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of2010 (HHFKA) and the ChooseMyPlate resources, by emphasizing menu options thatfeature baked (rather than fried foods), whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, andreduced-fat dairy products. Read more about HHFKA athttp://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR -2013-06-28/pdf/2013-15249.pdf and ChooseMyPlateat http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

! Establish a cafeteria environment conducive to a positive dining experience, withsocializing among students and between students and adults; with supervision of eatingareas by adults who model proper conduct and voice level; and with adults who modelhealthy habits by eating with the students.

! Replace deep fat fryers with combination oven steamers.

! Schedule recess before lunch, in order to increase meal consumption and nutrient intakeat meals and to improve behavior in the dining area.

! Make school meals accessible to all students with a variety of delivery strategies, such asbreakfast in the classroom, grab-and-go lunches, or alternate eating sites.

! Provide nutrition information for parents, including nutrition analysis of school meals andresources to help parents improve food that they serve at home.

! Add nutritious and appealing options (such as fruits, vegetable, reduced-fat milk, reducedfat yogurt, reduced-fat cheese, 100% juice, and water) whenever foods/beverages are soldor otherwise offered at school, including vending machines, school stores, concessionstands at sporting and academic events, parties, celebrations, social events, and otherschool functions.

! Eliminate use of food as rewards for student accomplishment and the withholding of foodas punishment (e.g., restricting a child’s selection of flavored milk at mealtime due tobehavior problems). Also, do not use any type of physical activity as a means ofpunishment.

! Encourage all school-based organizations to use services, contests, non-food items,and/or healthy foods for fundraising programs. The sale of candy and other foods andbeverages that do not meet the Smart Snacks Standards are prohibited from being sold asfundraisers during the school day.

! Provide parents, caregivers, vendors, and any other community members who provide orare likely to provide foods prepared for consumption at school events with appropriatefood safety information.

Physical Education/Physical Activity



! Provide 150 minutes per week of activity-based instruction for all students in grades K-8(in accordance with Section 37-13-1334, Mississippi Code of 1972, ann., reference-2014Mississippi Public Schools Accountability Standards 27.1.

! Provide Physical Education/Activity in accordance with the Physical Education Rules andRegulations as approved by the State Board of Education in compliance with theMississippi Healthy Students Act (State Board of Education Policy 4012).

! Require fitness testing for all 5th grade students.

! Require fitness testing for high school students; during the year they acquire the ½Carnegie unit in physical education as required for graduation by the Mississippi HealthyStudents Act (State Board of Education Policy 4012).

! Offer a planned sequential program of physical education instruction incorporatingindividual and group activities, which are student centered and taught in a positiveenvironment.

! Instruction must be based on 2013-2014 Mississippi Physical Education Frameworks.

! Implement the requirements of the Mississippi Healthy Students Act of 2007 (Senate Bill2369).

! Graduation requirements for 9th through 12th grade students shall include ½ Carnegie unitin physical education.

! Beginning with 9th graders in school 2015/2016, provide instruction in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for students ingrades 9–12 in the school year they earn their ½ Carnegie Unit for physical education orhealth education. MS Code 37/13/134 (Senate Bill 2185)

! Address concussions by adopting and implementing a policy for students in grades 7-12who participate in activities sanctioned by the Mississippi High School ActivitiesAssociation (MHSAA). This policy will include a concussion recognition course that hasbeen endorsed by the Mississippi Department of Health. This course will provide

information on the nature and risk of concussions for students participating in athletics. Also included in the policy, parents/guardians will be provided with a concussion policybefore the start of regular school athletic season. (House Bill 48)

Links to resources to aid policy development and Office of Healthy Schools websitewww.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/high school.html#5http://www.misshsaa.com/GeneralInfor/SportsMedicine.aspxhttp://www.mde,k12.ms.us/ohs/home

Optional policy statements (adopt as appropriate for local school goals):

! Schedule recess (or physical education) before lunch times in order to increase foodconsumed, decrease plate waste, and improve cafeteria behavior.

! Incorporate 5 to 10 minute physical activity sessions in classrooms to teach subject areasand to make transitions between different lessons (Examples can be found atwww.movetolearnms.org)

! Participate in a yearly fitness test for all students. Examples are: Fitness Gram ® www.fitnessgram.net or Presidential Youth Fitness Programwww.presidentialyouthfitnessprogram.org.

! Establish or enhance physical activity opportunities (like walking clubs or fitnesschallenges) for staff and/or parents.

! Provide staff-monitored recreational activities that promote moderate physical activityduring all outdoor and indoor recess times.

! Encourage active transportation to/from schools by assessing the safest routes for studentsto walk or bike to school, and by installing bike racks at school buildings. Programdescriptions and assessment tools available at http://www.cdc.glv/Features/Safeschool/.

! Collaborate with local recreational departments and youth fitness programs to promoteparticipation in lifelong physical activities.

! Create opportunities for students to voluntarily participate in before-and after-schoolphysical activity programs like intramurals, clubs, and at the secondary level,interscholastic athletics.

Health Education



! Provide ½ Carnegie unit of health education for graduation (2012 Mississippi PublicSchool Accountability Standard 20, Appendix A).

! Instruction must be based on the Mississippi Contemporary Health for grades 9-12 (2012Mississippi Public School Accountability Standard 20, Appendix A).

! Implement the requirements of the Mississippi Healthy Students Act of 2007, whichrequires 45 minutes per week of health education instruction as defined by the StateBoard of Education for grades K through 8.

! Instruction must be based on the Mississippi Contemporary Health for grades K-8.

! Implement the requirements of MS Code 37-13-171, which requires the development of asex related education policy and instruction on medically accurate or evidence basedabstinence-only or abstinence-plus curricula.

! Beginning with 9th graders in school year 2015-2016, provide instruction inCardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and use of Automated External Defibillator(AED) for students in grades 9-12 in the school year they earn their ½ Carnegie Unit forhealth education or physical education. MS Code 37-13-134 (Senate Bill 2185)


! Emphasize the disease prevention strant in the 2012 Mississippi Contemporary HealthEducation Curriculum.

! Participate in USDA nutrition programs such as Team Nutrition Schools and HealthierU.S. School Challenge. The school will conduct nutrition education activities andpromotions that involve students, parents, and the community. The school teamresponsible for planning nutrition activities will include school foodservice staff, schoolnurses, health and PE teacher, coaches, and additional staff, as appropriate.

! Integrate Health Education into other subject areas(http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/ohs/home) (Click on Health in Action).

! Provide Universal Precautions training and Universal Precautions Kits for all teachers,superintendents and staff.

! Address the attendance of HIV infected students, uphold confidentiality and maintainprocedures to protect HIV-infected students and staff from discrimination.

! Research, select, and purchase disease prevention materials for grades K-8 and providetraining for teachers on the use of the materials.

! Attend local, state, and national conferences and workshops on HIV/AIDS education.

! Provide professional development for teachers on HIV/AIDS education.

! Provide students with quality disease prevention instruction based on the ContemporaryHealth Education Framework and other selected materials approved by the district.

! Host a School Health Fair for students.

Physical Environment



! Ensure that there are no pad locks or chains on exit doors; exits should never beobstructed (in accordance with Mississippi State Fire Code). Ensure that all exit signs areilluminated and clearly visible.

! Ensure that all chemicals are stored properly (in accordance with the Material Safety DataSheet www.msdssearch.com).

! Refer to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Handbook for PublicPlayground Safety (www.epsc.gov); for federal guidelines for playground safety.

! Ensure that fire extinguishers are inspected each year and properly tagged.

! Complete yearly maintenance of the heating and cooling system in your school; checkcoils, filters, belts, etc. in order to maintain safe operation and healthy air quality.

! Conduct at least one emergency evacuation drill per month.

! Every school will have an anti-bullying policy that outlines procedures for dealing withbullying situations in the school.

! Ensure that two means of egress are available in each classroom in case of an emergency;if there is only one door, designate a window (properly sized) as a means of egress.

! Never use extension cords as a permanent source of electricity anywhere on a schoolcampus.

! Comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the State Board of Education in theoperation of its transportation program (in accordance with the MS Code 37-41-53; StateBoard of Education Policies 7903,7904, and 7909; and Accreditation Standard #29).

! Inspect all buses on a quarterly basis and ensure that they are well maintained and clean.

! Require that all bus drivers have a valid bus driver’s certificate and a commercial driver’slicense and operates the bus according to all specified safety procedures. Maintain arecord of yearly motor vehicle reports on each bus driver and evidence that each driverhas received two hours of in-service training per semester. (SB Policy 7903)

! Ensure arrival of all buses at their designated school sites prior to the start of theinstructional day.

! Conduct bus evacuation drills at least two times each year. (SB Policy 7904)

Provide facilities that meet the criteria of: (MS Code 37-7-301 (c) (d) (j); 37-11-5, 49 and 45-11-101; and Accreditation Standard #29.

" Provide facilities that are clean." Provide facilities that are safe." Provide proper signage that explains tobacco, weapons, and drugs are prohibited

on the school campus and at school functions." Provide operational facilities that are equipped and functional to meet the

instructional needs of students and staff (in accordance with the MississippiSchool Design Guidelines at http://www.edi.msstate.edj/guideliknes/design.php)

" Provide air conditioning in all classrooms, Code §37-17-6(2) (2000).

Comply with the requirements for Safe and Healthy Schools:

" Maintain a comprehensive School Safety Plan on file that has been approvedannually by the local school board. (MS Code 37-3-81 and 37-3-82(2); andAccreditation Standard #37.1); see the School Safety Manual and the MDESchool Occupational Safety and Crisis Response Plan at:http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/safe-and-orderly-schools/school-safety.

" State Board Policy EBB (1990) prohibits the possession of pistols, firearms orweapons by any person on school premises or at school functions. Code §37-11-18 (1996) requires any student who possess a knife, a handgun, or other firearm orany other instrument considered to be dangerous and capable of causing bodilyharm or who commit a violent act on educational property be subject to automaticexpulsion for one calendar year. The superintendent of the school is authorized tomodify the period of time for expulsion on a case-by-case basis.

" Prohibits students from possessing tobacco on any educational property, CriminalCode §97-32-9 (2000). Code §97-32-29 (2000) further prohibits the use oftobacco on any educational property for adults who, if in violation, would besubject to a fine and issued a citation by a law enforcement officer. Educationalproperty is defined as any public school building or bus, campus, grounds, athleticfield, or other property used or operated during a school-related activity.


! Conduct self assessments of the school building(s) annually prior to school opening usingthe Bureau of Safe and Orderly Schools’ Process Standard #30 Monitoring Tool ashttp://www.mde.k12.ms.us/safe-and-orderly-schools/school-buildings-and-grounds.

! Conduct self-assessments of the school(s) bus transportation system annually prior toschool opening using the Bureau of Safe and Orderly Schools’ Process Standar #29Monitoring Tool at http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/safe-and-orderly-schools/pupil-transportation.

! Conduct self assessments of the school(s) safety and security annually prior to schoolopening using the Bureau of Safe and Orderly Schools’ Process Standard #30.1Monitoring Tool at http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/safe-and-orderly-schools/school-building-and grounds.

! Install exhaust fans in restrooms to eliminate odors.

! Install locks on classroom doors in order to create security from the inside.

! Complete a yearly comprehensive health and safety assessment of the school building andgrounds and report to the superintendent and school board; using the HealthySEATAssessment Tool http://www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/index.htmlor other applicableresources.

! Eliminate unnecessary school bus idling that causes pollution and creates health risk forchildren such as; asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems –http://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus.

! Hire a District Safety Officer or a School Resource Officer.

! Conduct random drug testing on students. (Testing solely depends on School Districtdecision).

! Develop and implement a local communicable diseasepolicy–http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/healthy-schools/health-education services - Click onHIV Prevention.

! Install security cameras on the school campus.

! Utilize regularly scheduled meetings with the School Health Council, school boardmembers, etc. to determine and discuss the current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,and challenges associated with implementing and maintaining your school’s healthy andsafe environment.

! Utilize the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools forSchools Program (www.epa.gov/iaq/schools) to obtain the information and skills neededto manage air quality in a low-cost, practical manner; the quality of indoor air affects thequality of education.

! Implement Green Cleaning to protect health by reducing chemicals and irritants. GreenCleaning products and HEPA filters found at: http://www.greenseal.ord.

! Utilize best practices for the use of pesticides and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) inschool buildings and on school grounds; IPM Institute of North America –www.ipminsstitute.org.

! Utilize incentives for integrating energy-efficient and money-saving technologies inschool construction – www.energystar.gov.

! Implement a school chemical cleanout campaign to reduce hazardous chemicals –http://www.epa.gov/schools/chemicals.html.

Health Services



! Ensure all school nurses are working under the guidelines of the 2013 Mississippi SchoolNurse Procedures and Standards of Care.

! Provide for teachers and staff training regarding signs and symptoms of asthma. (MSCode Sections 37-11-71 and 73-25-37).

! Every child who has been diagnosed with asthma must have an asthma action plan of filein the school office.

! Know the district anaphylaxis policy. Providing training by a healthcare professional,preferably a school nurse, for the individuals who will be responsible for implementingthe policy at the school site. (MS Code Sections 37-11-71 and 73-25-37).

Optional policy statements (adopted as appropriate for local school goals):

! The school nurse should attend at least one MDE sponsored training each school year.

! The school nurse should submit health services data on the 10th of each month for theprevious month.

! Offer comprehensive health services for students in grades K-12, through the employmentof school nurses, as a means to academic success.

! Optimize the provision of health services with a school nurse-to-student ration of 1:750for students in the general population.

! Collaborate with other school staff to provide health services as part of a CoordinatedSchool Health Program.

! Work with students, parents, and local healthcare providers to effectively manage andtreat chronic diseases.

! Promote healthy lifestyles through school and community events (PTA meetings, openhouses, health fairs, teacher in-services, and other events).

! Participate in administrative claiming for reimbursement of administrative cost associatedwith health and medical outreach.

! Schools may seek community support that provides auto-injector epinephrine to stockemergency medication needs.

Counseling, Psychological and Social Services/Social and Emotional Climate



! Adhere to the details outlined in the Licensure Guidelines (436 or 451) when hiringguidance counselors and psychologists. The state does not have a policy specificallyoutlining the requirements for a school social worker. For licensure as a social worker inthe state of Mississippi, a candidate must: provide verification of a baccalaureate degreein social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social WorkEducation (CSWE) or Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and scores a minimum of 70 on the ASWB basic exam.

! Abide by Mississippi Code 37-9-79 (Amended 2014) as the school provides forcounseling and guidance for students.

! Hire school guidance counselors with a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Guidance andCounseling, or in an emergency situation, an appropriate certification as determined bythe Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensureand Development. MS Code 37-9-79 – (Amended 2014-Senate Bill 2423.

! Hire school counselors who agree to abide by the American School Counselor

Association Code of Ethics.

! Ensure that all school guidance counselors provide comprehensive counseling servicessuch as:" Academic and personal/social counseling." Student assessment and assessment counseling." Career and educational counseling." Individual and group counseling." Crisis intervention and preventive counseling." Provide all licensed teachers and principals with in-service suicide prevention

training as directed by MS Code 37-3-101." Referrals to community agencies." Educational consultations and collaborations with teachers, administrators,

parents and community leaders." Education and career placement services." Follow-up counseling services." Conflict resolution." Professional school counselors must spend a minimum of eighty percent (80%) of

their contractual time to the delivery of services to students as outlined by theAmerican School Counselor Association.


! Provide additional services to improve students’ mental, emotional, and social health.

! Offer counseling, group assessments, interventions and other mental health services, aswell as referrals to community health professionals.

! Hire qualified counselors who will address the mental health, academic, and career needsof students in the school setting.

! Participate in administrative claiming for reimbursement of administrative cost associatedwith health and medical outreach.

Family Engagement and Community Involvement



! Invite parents and community members to participate in school health planning byserving on the local School Health Council.

Employee Wellness



! Make a Requirement that all staff are aware of the Mississippi State and SchoolEmployees’ Health Insurance Plan that has been enhanced to include My Active Health, awellness and health promotion program designed to help individuals live a healthylifestyle and increase their overall wellness benefit –http://www.MyActiveHealth.com/Mississippi.

! Promote health and reduce risk factors through professional and staff developmentprograms, providing information flyers and newsletters, introducing incentives forparticipating in health practices and activities, and offering an employee assistanceprogram.

! Provide health promotion programs for school staff to include opportunities for physicalactivity, health screenings, nutrition education, weight management, smoking cessation,and stress reduction and management.

Marketing a Healthy School Environment

Optional policy statements (must adopt a minimum of one policy as appropriate for local schoolgoals):


! Promote healthful eating, physical activity, and healthy lifestyles to students, parents,teachers, administrators, and the community at school events (e.g., school registration,parent-teacher conferences, PTA meetings, open houses, health fairs, teacher in-services,and other events).

Implementation



! Establish a plan for implementation of the school wellness policy.

! Designate one or more persons to insure that the school wellness policy is implementedas written.

! Establish and support a School Health Council (SHC) that addresses all aspects of acoordinated school health program, including a school wellness policy (Mississippi Code

of 1972 Annotated, Section 37-13-134).

! Conduct a review of the progress toward school wellness policy goals each year toidentify areas for improvement.

! Prepare and submit a yearly report to the school board regarding the progress towardimplementation of the school wellness policy and recommendations for any revisions tothe policy as necessary.


! Use monitoring instruments, developed by the Office of Healthy Schools, to conduct aself assessment that identifies strengths and weaknesses toward implementation of theminimum requirements. Monitoring instruments can be downloaded athttp://www.mde.k12.ms.us/ohs/home – Click on Resources.

School Health Council 2017/2018

PrincipalTeacherNurse PractitionerSchool NurseFood Service DirectorParents

Nutrition Guidelines


! Strongly encourage the sale or distribution of nutrient dense foods for all school functionsand activities. Nutrient dense foods are those foods that provide students with caloriesrich in the nutrient content needed to be healthy. In an effort to support the followingnutrition standards governing the sale of food, beverage, and candy on the schoolgrounds. Schools are encouraged to study these standards and develop building policyusing the following Nutrition Standards as minimal guidelines.

Food:

! Encourage the consumption of nutrient dense foods, i.e. whole grains, fresh fruits,vegetables, and reduced-fat dairy products.

! Any given food item for sale prior to the start of the school day and throughout theinstructional day, will have no more than 30% of its total calories derived from fat.

! Any given food item for sale prior to the start of the school day and throughout the

instructional day, will have no more than 10% of its total calories derived from saturatedfat.

! Nuts and seeds with minimal added fat in processing (no more than 3 grams of added fatper 1.75 ounce or less package size) and reduced fat dairy products are exempt from thesestandards because they are nutrient dense and contain high levels of monounsaturated fat.

Beverages:

! Only reduced-fat milks (including flavored milk), water, and beverages containing 50-100% fruit juices with no added artificial or natural sweeteners may be sold on schoolgrounds immediately prior to and throughout the instructional day in elementary, middle,and high schools, except in areas where students do not have access (e.g., teacher lounge).

Candy:

! Candy is defined as any processed food item that has: sugar (including brown sugar, cornsweetener, corn syrup, fructose, glucose (dextrose), high in fructose corn syrup, honeyinvert sugar, lactose, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, table sugar (sucrose syrup) is listed asone of the first two ingredients AND sugar is more than 25% of the item weight.

! Vending sales of candy will not be permitted on school grounds.

! Non-Vending sales of candy will be permitted only at the conclusion of the instructionalschool day.

Organizations operating concessions at school functions should include at least some healthyfood choices in their offerings. It is recommended that groups market these healthy options atthe lower profit margin to encourage selection by students.

Non-Rewards

Kids naturally enjoy eating nourishing foods and being physically active. Schools and teacherscan provide them with an environment that supports these healthy behaviors by using non-foodrewards. Here are effective alternatives–from outstanding educators across the country–tooffering food as a reward to individual students or the entire class.

Read a book. Sit by friends. Read outdoors. Teach the class. Have extra art time. Enjoy classoutdoors. Have an extra recess. Play a computer game. Read to a younger class. Get a nohomework pass. Sing a silly song together. Make deliveries to the office. Listen to music whileworking. Play a favorite game or puzzle. Walk with a teacher or principal. Eat lunch outdoorswith the class. Be a helper in another class. Eat lunch with a teacher or principal. Dance tofavorite music in the classroom. Get a “free choice” time at the end of the day. Listen with a

headset to a book on audiotape. Have a teacher perform special skills (i.e. sing). BE a first inline when the class leaves the room. Have a teacher read a special book to the class. Take a tripto the treasure box (filled with stickers, pencils, erasers, bookmarks, etc.)

Healthy Fundraising:

Funding rasing alternatives:

! Fresh and exotic fruit, like cases of citrus fruit.

! High quality potatoes, onions, or other produce items.

! Nuts and trail mix.

! Popcorn.

Schools are also selling an ever-expanding variety of non-food items such as:

! Gift wrap

! Magazine subscriptions

! Garden seeds

! Candles

! Discount coupon books

! Raffles of gift baskets

! Plants and flowers

! School spirit items

Schools are also utilizing a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional fundraising events suchas:

! Car washes

! Walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons, jog-a-thons, skate-a-thons, etc.

! Family game nights

! “Hire a student day” for odd jobs (with proceeds going to the school)

! Silent auctions

! Talent shows

Additional online resources for healthy funding ideas:

Connecticut Team Nutritionwww.state.ct,us/sde/deps/Student/NutritionED/HealthyFundingrailingColor.pdfMontana Office of Public Instructionwww.ope.state.mt.us/pdg/MBI/fundraising.pdfParents Advocating School Accountabilityhttp://passorg.tripod.com/nonfoodfundinraising.pdfAmerican Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dancehttp:www.ashperd.org/

The latest resources for health, physical activity, recreation, and dance professionals, includingpresentations from February 2005 conference on relationship of physical activity in relation toNo Child Left Behind.

LEGAL REFERENCES:

Mississippi Board of Education Policy, Code 2001Mississippi Board of Education Policy, Code 2002State Board of Education Policy 4011Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010Section §37-13-1334, Mississippi Code of 1972, ann., reference-2014Mississippi Public School Accountability Standard 27.1Mississippi Healthy Students Act (State Board of Education Policy 4012Mississippi Healthy Students Act of 2007 (Senate Bill #23692012 Mississippi Public School Accountability Standard 20, Appendix AMS Code §37-13-134 (Senate Bill #2185)Mississippi State Fire CodeMS Code §37-41-53State Board of Education Policies 7903, 7904, and 7909Accreditation Standard #29MS Code §37-7-301 (c) (d); §37-11-5, §49 and 45-11-101Code §37-17-6 (2) (2000)MS Code §37-3-81MS Code§37-8-82 (2)Accreditation Standard #37.1State Board Policy EBB (1990)Code §37-11-18 (1996)Criminal Code §97-32-9 (2000)Code §97-32-29 (2000)

Process Standard #30Process Standard #30.1MS Code Sections §37-11-71 and §73-25-37MS Code §37-9-79 (Amended 2014) (Senate Bill #2423)MS Code §37-3-101

The link between nutrition, physical activity, and learning is well documented. Healthy eatingand activity patterns are essential for students to achieve their full academic potential, fullphysical and mental growth, and lifelong health and well-being. Healthy eating and physicalactivity, essential for a healthy weight, are also linked to reduced risk for many chronic diseases,like Type 2 diabetes. Schools have a responsibility to help students learn, establish, and maintainlifelong, healthy eating and activity patterns. Well-planned and effectively implemented schoolnutrition and fitness programs have been shown to enhance students’ overall health, as well astheir behavior and academic achievement in school. Staff wellness also is an integral part of ahealthy school environment, since school staff can be daily role models for healthy behaviors.

GOAL:

All students in the Picayune School District shall possess the knowledge and skills necessary tomake nutritious food choices and enjoyable physical activity choices for a lifetime. All staff inthe Picayune School District are encouraged to model healthful eating and physical activity as avaluable part of daily life.

To meet this goal, the Picayune School District adopts this school wellness policy with thefollowing commitments to nutrition, physical activity, comprehensive health education,marketing, and implementation. This policy is designed to effectively utilize school andcommunity resources and to equitably serve the needs and interests of all students and staff,taking into consideration differences in culture.

COMMITMENT TO NUTRITION


! Offer a school lunch program with menus that meet the meal patterns and nutritionstandards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the MississippiDepartment of Education, Office of Child Nutrition Programs.

! Offer school breakfast and snack programs (where approved and applicable) with menusthat meet the meal patterns and nutrition standards established by the U.S. Department ofAgriculture and the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Child NutritionPrograms.

! Encourage school staff and families to participate in school meal programs.! Operate all Child Nutrition Programs with school food service staff who are properly

qualified according to current professional standards (Mississippi Board of EducationPolicy, Code EE-2E).

! Establish food safety as a key component of all school food operations and ensure that thefood service permit is current for the Food Service school site.

! Follow State Board of Education policies on competitive foods and extra food sales

(Mississippi Board of Education Policy, Code EEH).! Establish guidelines for all foods available on the school campus during the school day

with the objective of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity.

COMMITMENT TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY


! Provide physical education for all students (in accordance with Section §37-13-134,Mississippi Code of 1972, ann., reference 2004 Mississippi Public SchoolsAccountability Standards 32, Appendix B and 33).

! Offer a planned sequential program of physical education instruction incorporatingindividual and group activities, which are student centered and taught in a positiveenvironment.

! Implement the 2006 Mississippi Physical Education Framework.

COMMITMENT TO COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION


! Provide ½ Carnegie unit of comprehensive health education for graduation (2004Mississippi Public Schools Accountability Standard 20, Appendix A).

! Implement the 2006 Mississippi Comprehensive Health Framework for grades 9-12(2004 Mississippi Pubic Schools Accountability Standard 20, Appendix A).

COMMITMENT TO IMPLEMENTATION

! Establish a plan for implementation of the school wellness policy.! Designate one (1) or more persons to insure that the school wellness policy is

implemented as written.

APPENDIX A: NUTRITION GUIDELINES

GOAL: The goal of establishing guidelines for all foods and beverages served or sold during theschool day (outside of Child Nutrition Programs that follow USDA guidelines) is to improve thenutritional intake of Mississippi children. This can be done with a combination of two strategies.

1. Adding more nutrient-rich, appealing options whatever foods and beverages are sold(or otherwise offered), including vending machines, school stores, parties, celebrations,social events, concession stands at sporting and academic events, and other schoolfunctions. Possible options include fruits and vegetables (fresh, canned, and dried); nuts,seeds, and trail mix; beef jerky and peanut butter; reduced-fat dairy products (milk,cheese, yogurt, frozen yogurt, and smoothies); 100% juice, and water.

2. Limiting intake of discretionary calories (in the venues described above). These are

calories from fat and added sugar that provide few if any important nutrients (like protein,vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc.). As described in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for

Americans, discretionary calories include intrinsic fats in the basic food groups (like

butter and margarine), and all added sugars. Limiting intake of discretionary caloriescan be done both by limiting portion size of and access to regular soft drinks, sweetenedtea, candy, cookies, and high-fat snackes (regular potato chips, corn chips, crackers,sausage sticks, etc.).

MARKETING: The goal of improving nutritional intake can also be accomplished by applyingbasic marketing strategies to sales of healthful options. Schools can consider the four P’s whenestablishing guidelines for foods and beverages served or sold during the school day:

! Product: Vendors and companies have increasing numbers of products available – manywith a more healthful profile than traditional snack foods and beverages.

! Placement: The sales of more nutrient-rich foods and beverages can be increased byplacing them in “prime” locations – like at students’ eye level in a vending machine.

! Price: Another way to increase sales of healthful items is to offer them at a lower cost. For example, water can be sold for $.25 to $.50 less than regular soft drinks.

! Promotion: There are many creative ways to promote health options – like offeringsamples of new healthful products or giving discount coupons during the introductoryperiod.

For more information on these strategies and schools that have successfully increased healthful

food and beverage options, read: Making It Happen! School Nutrition Success Stories

www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/makingithappen.html

EXAMPLES: The following two (2) sets of guidelines are for discussion purposes only. Schools can use these guidelines and others from the sources listed below to begin the discussion

on what is appropriate for health of students, based on the community input mandated by PL

#108-265.

Colorado Department of Education:

www.cde.state.co.us/edenutritran/nutriSB04-103.htm

Philadelphia Public Schools:

www.philsch.k12.pa.us/offices/foodservices/bevpo104.pdf

South Carolina Department of Education:

www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Healthy/SC.report.pdf

Texas Department of Agriculture School Nutrition Policy:

www.squaremeals.org/

EXAMPLE OF NUTRITION STANDARDS FOR VENDING

Nutrition Standards Intent/Rationale:

The Picayune School District strongly encourages the sale or distribution of nutrient dense foodsfor all school functions and activities. Nutrient dense foods are those foods that provide studentswith calories rich in the nutrient content needed to be healthy. In an effort to support theconsumption of nutrient dense foods in the school setting, the school as adopted the followingnutrition standards governing the sale of food, beverage, and candy on school grounds. Schoolsare encouraged to study these standards and develop building policy using the followingNutrition Standards as minimal guidelines.

Food:

! Encourage the consumption of nutrient dense foods, i.e., WHOLE GRAINS,FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND REDUCED-FAT DAIRY PRODUCTS.

! Any given food items for sale prior to the start of the school day and throughoutthe instructional day, will have no more than 30% of its total calories derivedfrom fat.

! Any given food item for sale prior to the start of the school day and throughout theinstructional day, will have no more than 10% of its total calories from saturatedfat.

! Nuts and seeds with minimal added fat in processing (no more than 3 grams ofadded fat per 1.75 ounce or less package size) and reduced-fat dairy products areexempt from these standards because they are nutrient dense and contain highlevels of monounsaturated fat.

! It is recognized that there may be rare occasions when the school principal mayallow a school group to deviate from these Standards, but those special occasionsmust be recorded and included in the Nutrition & Physical Activity AdvisoryCouncil Annual Report.

Beverages:

! ONLY reduced-fat milks (including flavored milk, water, and beveragescontaining 50-100% fruit juices with no added artificial or natural sweeteners maybe sold on school grounds immediately prior to and throughout the instructionalday. This standard will be phased-in over the next three (3) school years in thefollowing way:

! 2005/2006 School Year: Add reduced-fat milks (including flavored milk), bottledwater, 50-100% fruit juices with no added artificial or natural sweeteners tobeverages on school grounds.

! 2006/2007 School Year: ONLY reduced-fat milks (including flavored milk),bottled water, and beverages containing 50-100% fruit juices with no addedartificial or natural sweeteners, may be sold or distributed on school grounds priorto and during the instructional day in elementary and middle schools, except inareas where students do not have access (e.g., teacher lounge).

! 2007/2008 School Year: ONLY reduced-fat milks (including flavored milk),bottled water, and beverages containing 50-100% fruit juices with no added

artificial or natural sweeteners, may be sold or distributed on school grounds priorto and during the instructional day in elementary, middle, and high schools, exceptin areas where students do not have access (e.g., teacher lounge).

Candy:

! Candy is defined as any processed food item that has:1. sugar (including brown sugar, corn syrup, honey, invert sugar,

lactose, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, table sugar (sucrose syrup) islisted as one (1) of the first two (2) ingredients

AND2. sugar is more than 25% of the item by weight.

! Vending sales of candy will not be permitted on school grounds.! Non-vending sales of candy will be permitted ONLY at the conclusion of the

instructional day.

Vending Regulations

for

Mississippi Pubic Schools

Beverage Regulations

Snack Regulations

Approved by State Board of Education

October 20, 2006

Beverage Regulations for Mississippi Schools

The Mississippi Board of Education recognizes the critical role that adequate hydration plays inhealthy weights, disease prevention, and dental health, as well as academic performance. Thefluid and nutrition needs of young people at school are best met through well-balanced, nutrient-rich school meals provided through Child Nutrition Programs, planned by nutrition professionalsfollowing US Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines.

Time of Day

The following beverage regulations apply to all Mississippi school campuses during the regularand extended school day defined as the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The extended schoolday includes activities such as clubs, yearbook, band and choir practice, student government,drama and childcare/latchkey programs.

This beverage policy does not apply to school-related events; such as interscholastic sportingevents, school plays, and band concerts; where parents and other adults constitute a significantportion of the audience or are selling beverages as boosters.

Implementation

As of the 2007/2008 school year, all full calorie, sugared cabonated soft drinks shall no longer besold to students in Mississippi schools during the school day.

As of the 2008/2009 school year, only the following options MAY be available for beveragevending:

Beverages

Elementary School

! Bottled water

! Low fat and non-fat regular and flavored milk* with up to 160 calories/8 ounces

! Up to 8 ounce serving of milk and 100% juice**

! 100% juice** with no added sweeteners and up to 120 calories/8 ounces

Middle School

! Same as elementary school, except juice and milk may be sold in 10 ounce servings***

High School

! Bottled water

! No or low calorie beverages with up to 10 calories/8 ounces

! Up to 12 ounce servings of milk, 100% juice**, light juice and sports drinks

! Low-fat and non-fat regular and flavored milk with up to 160 calories/8 ounces

! 100% juice** with no added sweeteners and up to 120 calories/8 ounces

! Light juices and sports drinks with no more than 66 calories/8 ounces

! At least 50% of beverages must be water and no or low calories options

*Milk includes nutritionally equivalent milk alternatives (per USDA), such as soymilk.

**100% juice that contains at least 10% of the recommended daily value for three (3) or more

vitamins and minerals.

***As a practical matter, if middle school and high school students have shared access to areas

on a common campus or in common buildings, then the school community has the option to

adopt the high school standard.

Snack Regulations for Mississippi Schools

The Mississippi Board of Education recognizes the critical roles that optimal nutrition play inhealthy weights, disease prevention, and dental health, as well as academic performance. Thenutrition need of young people at school are best met through well-balanced, nutrient-rich schoolmeals provided through Child Nutrition Programs, planned by nutrition professionals followingUS Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines.

The following regulations apply to all Mississippi school campuses during the school day definedas the hours between 7:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. To protect the integrity of the Child NutritionPrograms and to ensure that children do not have to choose between the School Lunch/Breakfastprograms and vended items, schools shall follow the competitive food policy as stated in theMississippi State Board of Education Policy Manual, Section EEH.

Food sales outside of Child Nutrition Programs, including vending machines, student stores,snack bars, and other fundraising programs, are available in Mississippi schools at the discretionof the school district. When schools decide to offer vending, they shall provide a selection ofhealthful food options to students, with the following overall goals:

1. Minimize excessive intake of calories, especially empty calories from fat and sugar.2. Increase intake of nutrients for optimal growth, development, and brain functioning,

especially from nutrient-rich, minimally processed foods like whole grains, fruits,vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean meats, and dairy foods.

3. Develop marketing and nutrition education strategies to provide healthful options to allstudents, families, and school staff.

The following regulations cover all foods through vending machines, students stores, snack bars,fundraisers, and other sales available to students. Research supports that proper nutritionimproves the health and performance of teachers, as well as students. Teachers also serve asimportant adult role models to children. With these factors in mind, at least 50 percent (50%) ofthe items vended in staff areas (those inaccessible to students) shall meet these regulations.

These regulations shall not be applicable to nor restrict the food items made available at school-related events (such as interscholastic sports, school plays, band concerts, or family events)where adults constitute a significant portion of the audience or are selling foods in boosterprograms.

FOR GRADES 7-12:

The following restrictions will govern food items that may be offered for sale. To assist schoolsin complying with these regulations, the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of ChildNutrition will maintain a list of products meeting the standards. Food vendors must submitnutrition information on food products in order to have them included on the list.

NOTE: Vending to elementary students (grades K-6) may be appropriate in districts where

school lunches are served early in the day (10:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.). In order to promoteoptimal learning in the afternoon, the Mississippi Board of Education recognizes that the foodsallowed in grades 7-12 may also be sold to children in grades K-6 at the discretion of the schooldistrict.

FOODS

Snacks, Bars, and Dessert Items

This category includes, but is not limited to chips, crackers, popcorn, cereal, trail mix, nuts,seeds, peanut butter and other nut butters, jerky, cookies, animal/graham crackers and cereal bars,granola bars, bakery items (e.g., pastries, toaster pastries, muffins, soft pretzels), frozen desserts,ice cream, cheese, yogurt and smoothies (made with low-fat yogurt or other low-fat dairyalternatives and/or fruit/juice).

Based on manufacturer’s nutritional data or Nutrition Facts labels, all foods must meet thefollowing criteria per package:

# Key Nutrients: At least 5% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for three (3) or morenutrients (fiber; vitamins A, C, D, E; thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, calcium, iron, and zinc). At least three (3) grams of protein per package may be substituted for one (1) of the listednutrients. Schools are encouraged to offer foods that:

" Are good sources (at least 10% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) ofone (1) or more nutrients listed above.

" Contain at least five 5 grams protein." List a whole grain as the first item on the ingredient list.

• Total Calories: No more than two hundred (200) calories per package.

• Fat: No more than thirty-five (35) percent of total calories from fat and seven (7) gramsmaximum (with the exception of nuts, seeds, peanut and other nut butters, and cheeses).

• Saturated Fat and Trans Fat: No more than ten percent (10%) of calories fromsaturated and/or trans fat and two (2) grams maximum (with the exception of nuts, seeds,peanut and other nut butters, and cheeses).

• Added Sugar: No more than thirty-five (35) percent added sugar by weight and fifteen(15) grams maximum (excludes sugars naturally occurring in fruits, vegetables, anddairy). For smoothies (made with low-fat yogurt or other low-fat dairy alternatives and/orfruit/juice)), yogurt and pudding, no more than five (5) grams total sugar (added andnaturally occurring) per ounce.

Fruits and Vegetables

Include quality* fruits and vegetables available anywhere snack items are sold. For example,dried fruit in vending machines, fresh fruit (e.g., pineapple slices or melon cubes), or freshvegetables (e.g., baby carrots) in snack bars and concessions.

Based on manufacturer’s nutritional data or Nutrition Facts labels, all foods must meet thefollowing criteria per package:

• Key Nutrients: At least five percent (5%) of the recommended Daily Value (DV) forthree (3) or more nutrients (fiber; vitamins A, C, D, E; thiamin, niacin, riboflavin,calcium, iron, and zinc). Schools are encouraged to offer foods with at least ten percent(10%) of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for one or more of these nutrients.

• Total Calories: No more than two hundred (200) total calories.

• Fat: No more than thirty-five percent (35%) of total calories from fat and seven (7) gramsmaximum.

• Saturated Fat and Trans Fat: No more than ten percent (10%) of calories fromsaturated fat and/or trans fat and two (2) grams maximum.

• Added Sugar: No more than thirty-five percent (35%) added sugar by weight and fifteen(15) grams maximum (excludes sugars naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables).

*”Quality” means fruits and vegetables prepared and packaged without added fat, sugar, orsodium.

Timeline

To allow for improved availability of food products, these regulations will be phased-in on thefollowing schedule:

School year 2006/07:

• For each vending location, at least fifty percent (50%) of all vended foods offered mustmeet the standards listed above.


• For each vending location, at least seventy-five percent (75%) of all vended foods offeredmust meet the standards listed above.


• All vended foods offered must meet the standards listed boved.


• All vended foods offered must meet the required standard of two hundred (200) caloriesor less.

Beverages

Elementary School

Bottled water only

Middle School

One hundred percent (100%) juice, bottled water

High School

Diet drinks, bottled water, powerade, 12 ounce V8 juice, one hundred percent (100%) fruit juice

Picayune School District Health Council

2009/2010 School Year

1. Assistant Superintendent2. Food Service Administrators3. Food Service Administrative Assistant4. School Nurse Director5. Elementary Principal6. Secondary Principal7. Secondary Parent8. Elementary Parent

APPENDIX B: NON-FOOD REWARDS

Kids naturally enjoy eating nourishing foods and being physically active. Schools and teacherscan provide them with an environment that supports these healthy behaviors by using non-foodrewards. Here are effective alternatives – from outstanding educators across the county – tooffering food as a reward to individual students or entire classes.

Read a book.Sit by friends.Read outdoors.Teach the class.Have extra art time.Enjoy class outdoors.Have an extra recess.Play a computer game.Read to a younger class.Get a no homework pass.Sing a silly song together.Make deliveries to the office.Listen to music while working.Play a favorite game or puzzle.Earn play money for privileges.Walk with a teacher or principal.Eat lunch outdoors with the class.

Be a helper in another class.Eat lunch with a teacher or principal.Start and maintain a vegetable garden.Dance to favorite music in the classroom.Get a “free choice” time at the end of the day.Listen with a headset to a book on audiotape.Have a teacher perform special skills (i.e. sing).Be first in line when the class leaves the room.Have a teacher read a special book to the class.Take a trip to the treasure box (filled with stickers, pencils, erasers, bookmarks, etc.).

APPENDIX C: HEALTHY FUNDRASING

Fundraising Alternatives

Many new school fundraising strategies are being developed with school financial needs andconcerns about student nutrition in mind. Instead of candy, schools are selling:

• Fresh and exotic fruit, like cases of citrus fruit• High quality potatoes, onions, or other produce items• Nuts and trail mix• Popcorn

Schools are also selling an ever-expanding variety of non-food items such as:

• Gift wrap• Magazine subscriptions• Garden seeds• Candles• Discount coupon books• Raffles of gift baskets• Plants and flowers• School spirit items

Schools are also utilizing a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional fundraising events suchas:• Car washes• Walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons, jog-a-thons, skate-a-thongs, etc.• Family game nights• “Hire a student day” for odd jobs (with proceeds going to the school)• Silent auctions• Talent shows

Additional online resources for healthy fundraising ideas:

Connecticut Team Nutrition

www.state.ct.ujs/sde/deps/Student/NutritionEd/Healthy FundraisingColor.pdf

Montana Office of Public Instruction

www.ope.state.mt.us/pdf/MBI/fundraiser.pdf

Parents Advocating School Accountability

http://passorg.tipod.com/nonfod fundraising.pdf

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

http://www.ashperd.org/

The latest resources for health, physical activity, recreation, and dance professionals,

including presentations from February 2005 conference on relationship of physical activity

in relationship to No Child Left Behind.

California Dept. Of Education: Academic Achievement and Physical Fitness

www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr02/yr02re137.asp

This study, released in December 2002, supports the connection between physical fitness

levels in students in grades 5, 7, and 10 – and student performance of CA Department of

Education Achievement Tests.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/

The CDE site is an essential resource for nutrition and activity issues. Search for

surveillance data (including maps of obesity prevalence); pediatric growth charts; and

several national activity campaigns.

APPENDIX D: Physical Activity Resources

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

http://www/aahperd.org/

The latest resources for health, physical activity, recreation, and dance professionals, includingpresentations from February 2005 conference on relationship of physical activity in relationshipto No Child Left Behind.

California Department of Education: Academic Achievement and Physical Fitness

www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr02/yr02rel37.asp

This study, released in December 2002, supports the connection between physical fitness levelsof students in grades 5, 7, and 9 – and student performance of CA Department of EducationAchievement Tests.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

www.edc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/

The CDC site is an essential resource for nutrition and activity issues. Search for surveillancedata (including maps of obesity prevalence); pediatric grown charts; and several national activity

campaigns, like Kids Walk-to-School and Turn Off Your TV.

Montana Team Nutrition Resources

www.opi.state.mt.us/

Search on-site for PDF of physical activity resources from Big Sky Country, including Mind and

Body: Activities for the Elementary Classroom, and Recess Before Lunch: A Guide for

Success.PE4life

http.//peflife.org/

This organization inspires active, healthy living by advancing the development of quality, dailyphysical education programs for all children. The site features a free newsletter and action kit, aswell as information about PEP grants and national PE Day.

President’s Challenge – You’re It. Get Fit!

www.presidnetschallenge.org/

Physical activity and awards program for Americans of ALL ages. Site offers activity logs forkids, teens, and adults (you can register your entire school), as well as cool online tools and waysto win awards for activity.

Take 10!

www.take10.net/

Take 10! is a classroom-based physical activity program for Kindergarten to fifth grade students,which is linked to academic learning objectives. The goal is to get American kids moving more– ten minutes at a time.

APPENDIX E: MARKETING

Promoting Health School Meals: Marketing strategies that work

There are many reasons to do promotions for school food and nutrition programs. First andforemost, the students, faculty, and staff are customers. They have choices to make in decidingwhat to purchase and what not to purchase. Promotions are powerful marketing tools that have adirect, meaningful impact on customers and their purchasing decisions.

Promotions do not necessarily have to promote one particular product or event. After all,nutrition is something to promote all the time. Some effects promotion might have:

• Show customers that the school food and nutrition department cares about them.

• Get customers excited or interested in the programs so that they keep participating.

• Highlight specific services or products.

• Introduce new items on a continual basis, for instance to highlight a new recipe on themenu. Perhaps one new item might be featured each month.

• Introduce or reinforce an identity or a marketing theme, such as National School LunchWeek or School Breakfast Week.

• Celebrate a nutrition and health awareness event, such as National 5 A Day Month orNational Diabetes Month.

• Establish a distinctive image or “brand” for the school food and nutrition department.

• Reinforce the school food and nutrition department’s role in the total school environmentthrough promotions around special school activities and events.

Keep in mind that promotions do not make a poorly run operation better. If promotions arepoorly planned or done at the wrong time, they may create problems or make problems worse.

Measure Your Promotion Success

Promotions are designed to cause action. Ultimately, a promotion is designed to change someattitude or belief and/or cause customers to buy something. For instance, a promotion may bedesigned to convince students that the fruits and vegetables on the school salad bar are good forthem or just that they want to eat breakfast at school. National School Lunch Week and SchoolBreakfast Week, for example, are designed around annual themes to promote the value of schoolmeals to the entire school community. A promotion may strive to influence students to buy thereimbursable meal in general or to try a new product in particular.

Because promotions are supposed to change attitudes or behaviors, the effect of promotionsshould be evaluated – that means that they need to be measured. How might a promotion bemeasured? That depends on what the goals of the promotion are. In general, the school nutritiondepartment might measure:

• Sales, overall or of a particular product

• Participation

• Customer satisfaction

• Customer attitudes or customer perceptions

Reference: www.asfsa.org/newsroom/sfnews/promotemeals.asp

Additional Marketing Resources

http://schoolmeals.nal.usda.gov/Training/lesson10.pdf

Annual Board Review, August 23, 2016

Gifts to teachers by pupils and gifts to pupils by teachers are discouraged. However, if such isdone, it shall be completely voluntary and on an individual basis.

GIFTS BY STUDENTS/TEACHERS JL

Picayune School District policies governing contests for students are adopted by the Board ofTrustees and published annually in student handbooks as official policy statements of thePicayune School District.

CONTESTS FOR STUDENTS – POPULARITY CONTEST JM

HIGH SCHOOL

While participating in or attending, as representatives of the Picayune School District, anyschool-related activity held on the school grounds or at some other location, students are subjectto the same rules and regulations concerning conduct which apply during the usual school day.

Visitors must sign in through the school office and wear appropriate pass.

Students should understand that their actions while members of the student body of the PicayuneSchool District may reflect upon the total school image held by the community and the public ingeneral. Therefore, the Board of Trustees encourages all pupil activities, both curricular andextra-curricular, to be conducted in such a manner as to foster good community relations both onand off the campus.

STUDENT/COMMUNITY RELATIONS JO/KE

The Picayune School District shall be in compliance with Title I regulations requiring parentalinvolvement in the planning and implementation of the Title I programs.

Parental involvement shall include, but not be limited to, conferences between parents andteachers and assisting parents with the development of parenting skills.

An annual meeting will be conducted at each Title I school. This annual meeting shall meet allfederal regulations related to parent participation.

Each Title I school shall provide proper information to parents concerning their children andshall keep parents adequately informed of their children’s progress.

TITLE I, ECIA PROGRAM – PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT JQA/IDD

SPECIAL PROGRAMS – ANOMALOUS STUDENTS

It shall be the responsibility of any pregnant student to notify the school. Absolutely no studentshall be denied admissions to or attendance at school due to pregnancy. In the event that alicensed physician deems it unsafe for a pregnant student to attend school, the Picayune SchoolDistrict will make every effort to assist the student in working out an appropriate program ofstudy.

ATTENDANCE OF PREGNANT STUDENTS JQM

The McKinney-Vento Act provides specific rights for homeless students. These rights includewaiving certain requirements, such as proof of residency, when students are enrolling andallowing categorical eligibility for certain services, such as free lunch. The Picayune SchoolDistrict will ensure that homeless students are not stigmatized nor segregated on the basis of theirstatus as homeless. A homeless student will be admitted to the Picayune School District in theattendance area in which the student is actually living or to the student’s school of origin asrequested by the parent and in accordance with the student’s best interest.

Transportation will be provided to and from the student’s school of origin at the request of theparent, or in the case of an unaccompanied student, the Picayune School District’s liaison forhomeless students. If this is not feasible and the child must attend a school other than the schoolof origin, the Picayune School District will coordinate with the other Local Education Agency(LEA) to determine the best interest of the student. Parents will receive written explanation ofthe decision and notification of their right to appeal.

The Act also states:

! Students who are homeless may attend their school of origin or the school where they aretemporarily residing.

! Parents or guardians of homeless students must be informed of educational and relatedopportunities.

! Students who are homeless may enroll without school, medical, or similar records.

EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH JQP

! Students who are homeless and their families receive referrals to health, dental, mentalhealth, substance abuse, housing, and other needed services.

! Students who are homeless have a right to transportation to school.

! Students must be provided a statement explaining why they are denied any service orenrollment.

! Students must be enrolled in school and receive services, such as transportation, whiledisputes are being settled.

! Students are automatically eligible for Title I services.

! School district must reserve a portion of Title IA funds to serve homeless students.

! School districts must review and revise policies that serve as barriers to homelessstudents.

! Schools must post information in the community regarding the rights of homelessstudents and unaccompanied youth in schools and other places where homeless familiesmay frequent and written in a language they can understand.

! School districts must identify a McKinney-Vento Liaison to assist students and theirfamilies.

FOSTER CARE

The Every Student Succeeds Act amended Section 725 of the McKinney-Vento HomelessAssistance Act, removing children “awaiting foster care placement” from the definition of“homeless children and youth” for purposes of the Education for Homeless Children and Youthprogram.

The Picayune School District will ensure that children in foster care remain in their schools oforigin unless it is determined to be in the student’s best interest to change schools. Should aschool transfer become necessary, the Picayune School District will coordinate with the receivingschool to ensure enrollment without delay.

The Every Student Succeeds Act emphasizes the importance of limiting educational disruption ofchildren placed in foster care who move due to entering care or changing placements bymandating that the child remain in their schools of origin unless it is determined by the LEA andstate child welfare agency that changing schools is in the child’s best interest. Mississippi statechild welfare agency is the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS).

In coordination with MDCPS, the Picayune School District will ensure the following Title Ieducational requirements for children in foster care are met:

! A child in foster care remains in his or her school of origin unless the LEA and MDCPSdetermine that remaining in the school of origin is not in that child’s best interest;

! If the LEA and MDCPS determine it is not in the child’s best interest to stay in his or herschool or origin, the child is immediately enrolled in the new school, even if the child isunable to produce records normally required for enrollment; and

! The new (enrolling) school immediately contacts the school of origin to obtain relevantacademic and other records.

Legal Reference: McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as Amended by Every StudentSucceeds Act


The Picayune School District will continue its efforts to search for children with disabilities, agethree to twenty-one, residing within the Picayune School District. Children with disabilities,including those who are homeless children or are wards of the State, and children withdisabilities attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disability are identified,located, and evaluated for special education and related services as defined by the Individualswith Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, Part B.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004,Part B


CHILD FIND JQQ

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the behavioral and academic needs of every studentare met through an instructional model that is designed to address student learning with qualityclassroom instruction and opportunities for intervention. The Picayune School District shallfollow the instructional model, which consists of three (3) tiers of instruction:

Tier 1: Quality classroom instruction based on Mississippi Curriculum Frameworks

Tier 2: Focused supplemental instruction

Tier 3: Intensive interventions specifically designed to meet the individual needs of students

If strategies at Tier 1 and Tier 2 are unsuccessful, students must be referred to the TeacherSupport Team (TST). The TST is the problem-solving unit responsible for interventionsdeveloped at Tier 3. Each school must have a Teacher Support Team (TST) implemented inaccordance with the process developed by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). Thechairperson of the TST shall be the school principal as the school’s instructional leader or theprincipal’s designee. The designee may not be an individual whose primary responsibility isspecial education. Interventions will be:

a. designed to address the deficit areas;

b. evidence based;

c. implemented as designed by the TST;

d. supported by data regarding the effectiveness of interventions.

INTERVENTION JQQQ

Teacher should use progress monitoring information to:

a. determine if students are making adequate progress;

b. identify sonn as they begin to fall behind; and

c. modify instruction early enough to ensure each and every student gains essential skills.

Monitoring of student progress in an ongoing process that may be measured through informalclassroom assessment, benchmark assessment instructions, and large scale assessments.

After a referral is made, the TST must develop and begin implementation of an intervention(s)within two weeks. No later than eight (8) weeks after implementation of the interventions(s) theTST must conduct a documented review of the intervention(s) to determine success of theintervention(s). No later than sixteen (16) weeks after implementation of the intervention(s), asecond review must be conducted to determine whether the intervention(s) is successful. If theintervention is determined to be unsuccessful, then the student will be referred for acomprehensive assessment.

In accordance with the Literacy Based Promotion Act of 2013, each public school student whoexhibits a substantial deficience in reading at any time as demonstrated through:

a. performance on a reading screener approved or developed by the MDE, or

b. locally determined assessments and teacher observations conducted in Kindergarten andGrades 1 through 3, or

c. statewide end-of-year assessments or approved alternate yearly assessments in Grade 3,must be given intensive reading instruction and intervention immediately following theidentification of the reading deficiency.

A student who was promoted from Grade 3 to Grade 4 under a good cause exemption of theLiteracy Based Promotion Act must be given intensive reading instruction and intervention. Theintensive intervention must include effective instructional strategies and appropriate teachingmethodologies necessary to assist the student in becoming a successful reader, able to read at orabove grade level, and ready for promotion to the next grade.

A dyslexia screener must be administered to all students during the spring of their Kindergartenyear and the fall of their first grade year. The screening must include the following components:

a. phonological awareness and phonemic awareness;

b. sound symbol recognition;

c. alphabet knowledge;

d. decoding skills;

e. encoding skills; and

f. rapid naming (quickly naming objects, pictures, colors, or symbols (letters or digits)aloud.

All students in Kindergarten and Grades 1 through 3 shall be administered a state approvedscreener within the first thirty (30) days of school and repeated at mid-year and at the end of theschool year to identify any deficiencies in reading. In addition to failure to make adequateprogress following Tier 1 and Tier 2, students will be referred to the TST for interventions asspecified in Response to Intervention guidelines developed by MDE if any of the followingevents occur:

a. Grades K-3: a student has failed one (1) grade;

b. Grades 4-12: a student has failed two (2) grades;

c. a student failed either of the preceding two (2) grades and has been suspended or expelledfor more than twenty (20) days in the current school year;

d. a student scores at the lowest level on any part of the Grade 3 or Grade 7 statewideaccountability assessment; or

e. a student is promoted from Grade 3 to Grade 4 under a good cause exemption of theLiteracy Based Promotion Act.

Referrals to the TST must be made within the first twenty (20) school days of a school year if thestudent meets any of the criteria a-e stated above.

School districts must complete, at a minimum, documentation as required for all students in Tier 2 or Tier 3. All Tier 3 documentation must accompany the student’s cumulative folder uponpromotion or transfer to a new school.

Legal Reference: Mississippi Code Ann. §37-177-1, et seq., (Act) (Revised 8/2016)


The Picayune School District shall discipline students with disabilities in accordance with Stateand federal guidelines and with the Individualized Education Program and/or Section 504Individual Accommodation Plan of said students.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Individuals with Disabilities Act, Section 504


DISCIPLINE – STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES JQR

Prior to taking disciplinary action against a qualified child with a disability (as defined by theregulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) which involved aremoval from educational services totaling a cumulative ten (10) days or more in a school year,the Picayune School District will adhere to the procedural requirements of the Section 504regulation regarding significant changes in placement. A significant change in placement refersto removals that constitute a pattern because they cumulate to more than ten (10) school days in aschool year and because of factors such as length of removal, amount of time removed, and theproximity of the removals to one another. Specifically, the process will include a determinationas to whether the behavior is related to the disability of the child and the appropriate placementrequired in order to address the child’s individual educational needs. If the child’s behavior isrelated to the disability, a team of knowledgeable people will meet to review/revise the child’s504 plan. At no time will a child with a disability (as defined by the Section 504 regulation) bedenied educational services as a disciplinary measure for more than a cumulative ten (10) days ina school year, regardless of whether his/her behavior is related to the disability. If a student witha disability has been removed from his current placement for less than ten (10) consecutiveschool days, school personnel, in consultation with the student’s teacher, shall determine theextent to which services are necessary to enable the student to appropriately progress in thegeneral curriculum and appropriately advance toward achieving the goals of his/her Section 504plan. In cases involving removals that constitute a significant change in placement, the child’sSection 504 team makes the service determination.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973


DISCIPLINE POLICY FOR STUDENTS ELIGIBLE UNDER JQS

SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

STUDENT RECORDS

It is the policy of the Board of Trustees that permanent records and cumulative folders forindividual students shall contain all required data and be collected, maintained, and disseminatedin compliance with State law, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, and theConfidentiality Section of P.L. 94-142.

A. CONTENTS OF CUMULATIVE RECORDS

Folders shall contain information concerning the pupil’s date of birth, as verified by acertified birth certificate, records of attendance, and grades. Such records shall alsocontain information pertaining to immunization and other such information as the StateBoard of Education may prescribe.

B. CONTENTS OF PERMANENT RECORDS

As designated by the Buckley Amendment (1974), the following is a list of schoolrecords which may be maintained on students:

1. Correspondence;2 Education records (including report cards and standardized tests);3. Health records;4. Occupational therapy reports;5. Physical therapy reports;6. Psychiatric summary;7. Psychological assessment;8. Social worker reports; and9. Speech/hearing reports.

C. DIRECTOR INFORMATION

STUDENT RECORDS – TRANSCRIPTS JR

The Board of Trustees designates the following information contained in a student’seducation record as “Directory Information” and it will disclose that information withoutprior consent:

1. The student’s name;2. The name of the student’s parent/legal guardians;3. The student’s address;4. The student’s date of birth;5. The student’s class designation (i.e., sophomore);6. The student’s extra-curricular participation;

7. The student’s achievement awards and honors; and8. The school or school district the student previously attended.

D. STORAGE OF RECORDS

1. At no time may a permanent record of a student be destroyed; but cumulativefolders may be destroyed not less than five (5) years after the permanent record hasbecome inactive and has been transferred to the central depository of the Picayune

School District. Provided, however, that where a Picayune School District

makes complete copies of inactive permanent records on photographic film,

microfilm, stored digitally, or any other acceptable form of medium for

storage which may be reproduced as needed, such permanent records may be

destroyed after the photographic film or microfilm copy has been stored in

the central depository of the Picayune School District.

2. While it is active, the permanent record shall be kept in a fire resistant container.3. The permanent record shall be considered active if the student is enrolled in the

school or if he/she has withdrawn and the students of the class of which he/she wasa member shall not have reached the time of graduation.

4. At the point of the student’s graduation or at the time when the student wouldnormally have graduated had he/she not withdrawn from school, the student’spermanent record shall become a part of the permanent binder in the central fire-resistant depository as designated and provided by the Board of Trustees.

5. Cumulative folders as are provided shall be kept in the school where the studentsare in attendance.

E. CLASSROOM TEACHER ANECDOTAL RECORDS

The classroom teacher may maintain anecdotal records for instructional purposes, withaccess limited to school personnel and parent/legal guardians. Parents/legal guardians mayrequest and receive data on tests and other measures that determine a student’s grade. Such access is limited to only those grades involving the parent’s/legal guardian’s child.

Any personally identifiable education material in education records, other than directoryinformation or as is permitted by the above, may not be released unless there is written

consent from the student’s parent/legal guardian specifying records to be released will beprovided to the student’s parent/legal guardian and the student if desired by theparent/legal guardian.

F. PERSONNEL HAVING ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS

The following employee classifications have access to student records:

1. Building principals and assistant principals;2. Classroom teacher working with identified child;3. Exceptional Education Committee members;4. District Disciplinary Hearing Officer;5. Disciplinary Hearing Committee Members;6. Director of Exceptional Education;7. Guidance Counselors;8. Occupational Therapist working with identified child;9. Physical Education Teacher working with identified child;10. Physical Therapist working with identified child;11. Records Clerk;12. School Nurse working with identified child;13. School Physician working with identified child;14. School Psychologist working with identified child;15. School Social Worker working with identified child;16. Speech Therapist working with identified child;17. State or federal officials for audit purposes or for reporting information required by

State statue;18. Financial aid officials in connection with a student’s application for aid;19. Educational agencies for developing, validating, and administering predictive tests

or studies if such information will not permit identification of individual students;20. Other schools to which a student is transferring;21. Director of Federal Programs;22. Assistant Superintendent; and23. Superintendent.

G. RECORDS AVAILABLE TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS, AGENCIES, ORORGANIZATIONS WITH OR WITHOUT PARENTAL OR STUDENT RELEASE

The Picayune School District may release education records and personally identifiableinformation contained within, without the written consent of the parent/legal guardian orstudent to the following:

1. Other school officials, including teachers within the Picayune School District, whohave been determined by such school to have legitimate educational interests;

2. Officials of other schools or school systems in which the student seeks or, intends

to enroll, upon condition that the student’s parent/legal guardian be notified of thetransfer, receive a copy of the record, if desired, and have an opportunity forhearing to challenge the content of the record;

3. Authorized representatives of:

a. The Comptroller General of the United States,b. The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare,c. Representatives of the Veterans’ Administration relative to financial aide

and veterans’ benefits,

d. An administrative head of an education agency,e. State education authorities,

4. In connection with a student’s application for, or receipt of, financial aid;5. State and local officials or authorities to whom such information is specifically

required to be reported or disclosed pursuant to State statute adopted prior toNovember 19, 1994,

6. Such information is furnished in compliance with judicial order, or pursuant to anylawfully issued subpoena, upon condition that parents/legal guardians and thestudents are notified of all such orders or subpoenas in advance of the compliancetherewith by the educational institution or agency, and

7. When the school district mails, delivers, circulates, publishes, distributes,transmits, or otherwise disseminates, in any form or manner, information ormaterial that contains the Social Security number of an individual, the district shalltake such steps as may be reasonably necessary to prevent the inadvertentdisclosure of the individual’s Social Security number to members of the generalpublic or to persons other than those persons who, in the performance of theirduties and responsibilities, have a lawful and legitimate need to know theindividual’s Social Security number (House Bill #251)

H. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

1. Parents/legal guardians and eligible students have the following rights under theFamily Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and his policy:

a. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational record;b. The right to exercise a limited control over other people’s access to

student’s educational records;c. The right to seek to correct the student’s educational record, in a hearing if

necessary;d. The right to report violations of the FERPA to the Department of Health,

Education, and Welfare;e. The right to be informed about FERPA rights.

2. All rights and protections given parents/legal guardians under the FERPA and thispolicy transfer to the student when he/she reaches the age of eighteen (18) orenrolls in a post-secondary school. The student then becomes an “eligiblestudent.”

I. DESIGNATION OF STUDENT RECORDS ACCESS OFFICER

For the purpose of implementing the important control features of this policy, the StudentRecords Access Officer shall be:

Assistant SuperintendentOffice of the Superintendent706 Goodyear Blvd.Picayune, MS 39466

J. REQUESTS FOR INSPECTION

Requests for inspection of student records shall be made by parents/legal guardians ofstudents under the age of eighteen (18) years or by students over the age of eighteen (18)years. Requests shall be made to either the building principal or to the Student RecordsAccess Officer. The term “parent/legal guardian” shall mean a natural parent, an adoptiveparent, or the legal or custodial guardian of a student.

K. TIME OF INSPECTION

Requests for inspection of student records may be made any time between the hours of8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. on any school day.

L. PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED IN A REQUEST FOR ACCESS TO STUDENTRECORDS

1. Requests for Access to Student Records

a. Requests shall be made preferably in writing, on the form prescribed by theSuperintendent, to either the building principal or the Student RecordsAccess Officer. Copies of this form are available at each school office andthe office of the Student Records Access Officer.

b. Upon receipt of the written request form, the principal or Student RecordsAccess Officer will make a determination and will advise the personmaking such a request within forty-five (45) days as to whether the recordsspecified in the request are available for inspection. If records areavailable, the principal or Student Records Access Officer will advise as tothe place and time that the records may be inspected. Where records

include information of more than one student, the parent/legal guardian orstudent shall examine only that part of said records as pertains to thestudent on whose behalf the inspection has been requested. The principalor Student Records Assess Officer shall delete from the records anyinformation which, in his/her judgment, would constitute an unwarrantedinvasion of personal privacy of any party, other than the student for whomthe inspection has been requested. If the record is not available forinspection, the principal or Student Records Access Officer will note thereason for unavailability of the request form and return to the personmaking said request.

c. Each principal and the Student Records Access Officer shall maintain arecord of requests for inspection containing the date, requested name,records requested, and ultimate disposition of the request.

d. This procedure shall apply where the parent/legal guardian or student overeighteen (18) makes the initial request for inspection. A teacher, pupilpersonnel worker, or administrator may voluntarily initiate a review of astudent’s record without a prior written request while in conference with aparent/legal guardian or student. In such case, no formal request need becompleted by the parent/legal guardian or student, but such teacher, pupilpersonnel worker or administrator shall note in the file that an inspection ofthe records was made.

e. If, during the course of a conference with a parent/legal guardian or student,said parent/legal guardian or student makes an oral request to reviewcertain records, the teacher, pupil personnel worker or administratorinvolved may produce such records and shall note in the file that recordswere reviewed and inspected upon an oral request from the parent/legalguardian or student.

f. If copies of records are desired, a charge of fifty cents ($.50) per page willbe made and will be payable at the time the request is made.

2. Requests for Correction of Records

After inspection of records by parents/legal guardians of a student or a studenthimself/herself over eighteen (18), a challenge to the content of such records maybe made by the examining party. A request for correction of the content of studentrecords shall be directed to the Superintendent, on the prescribed form, copies ofwhich are available in the Superintendent’s Office or the Student Records AccessOfficer.

a. All such requests shall be delivered to the Superintendent during businesshours.

b. All such requests shall identify, in writing, the record or records which theexamining party believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inviolation of the privacy or other rights of the student, with a statement ofthe reasons for the challenge to the record.

c. Through informal meetings with the parents/legal guardians or students, thesettlement of a dispute regarding content of student records is encouraged.

d. Within twenty (20) days after receipt of the request for correction by theSuperintendent, a written response shall be made to the requesting partyindicating that the Superintendent finds the challenged record to beinaccurate, misleading, or inappropriate and that such record will becorrected or that the Superintendent finds no basis for correcting or deletingthe record in question. If the Superintendent finds no basis for correction ordeletion of the records in question, he/she shall notify the requesting partyof the opportunity for a hearing and shall send this notice, a form prescribedfor the request for a hearing.

3. Request for Hearing

If requested correction or deletion of certain records is denied as prescribed inSection L.2(d) above, and the requesting party completes and returns the prescribedhearing request form within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the Superintendent’sresponse, a hearing before the Superintendent, or an impartial party, designated byhim/her shall be held. Notice of such hearing shall be mailed to the requestingparty informing him/her of the date, time, and place for such hearing. The hearingshall be conducted within ten (10) days of the receipt of the request for hearing. The requesting party shall have the right to present evidence in support of his/herbelief that the record in question is erroneous and to rebut any evidence submittedin support of the record. The requesting party shall be afforded the opportunity tobe represented by counsel at the hearing. A written decision shall be renderedstating the disposition of the challenge to the record and the reasons for thedetermination written seven (7) days after completion of the hearing.

M. LOCATIONS OF STUDENT RECORDS

Type of Record Location Custodian

1. Cumulative School Records Attendance Site Principal/Records Clerk

2. Psychological Records/SPED Exceptional Ed. SPED Director

3. School Transportation Records Transportation Dept. Transportation Director

N. SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS

Parents/legal guardians or eligible student may request, in writing within thirty (30) daysof the first official school day of each year, that identifiable information regarding thestudent be deleted from school publications.

O. DIRECTOR INFORMATION

The Picayune School District will release directory information concerning students,unless requested in writing not to do so by parents/legal guardians. Requests fromcolleges, military organizations, prospective employers, and other legitimate groups maybe honored.

Legal Reference: Section §37-15-3Section §37-15-1Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended,

20 USC Section 1232Senate Bill #2313PL 94-142Buckley Amendment 1974House Bill #251Senate Bill #2571 (2014 Regular Session)

The Picayune School District shall be in compliance with all requirements set forth by theMississippi Department of Education and the State Board of Education concerning MSIS datacollection and reporting. A Picayune School District Procedural Manual will specify district leveland school level procedures and guidelines for maintaining compliance with MSIS data collectionand reporting. The Picayune School District Board of Trustees will annually review and approvethe Picayune School District MSIS Procedural Manual.

MSIS DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING JRA

In compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Act and Section §37-23-137, MississippiCode of 1972, As Amended:

1. Consent shall be obtained:

(a) Prior to initial evaluation;(b) Prior to implementation of the initial individualized educational program for a

child with a disability;(c) Prior to reevaluation, except that such consent is not required, if the local

educational agency can demonstrate that it had taken reasonable measures to obtainsuch consent and the parent failed to respond; and

(d) Prior to the release of educational records as required under the Family EducationalRights and Privacy Act and IDEA.

2. If the parent of a child with a disability refuses consent for the evaluation, the localeducational agency may continue to pursue an evaluation by utilizing the due processhearing procedures under IDEA, except to the extent these are not in conflict withMississippi law relating to parental consent.

3. Written prior notice shall be provided to the parents the of child whenever a localeducational agency proposes to initiate or change or refuses to initiate or change theidentification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child, or the provision of a freeappropriate public education to the child.

4. Written prior notice shall be provided in the native language of the parents, unless itclearly is not feasible to do so.

5. Written prior notice shall include:

(a) A description of the action proposed or refused by the local educational agency;(b) An explanation of why the local educational agency proposes or refuses to take the

action;(c) A description of any other options that the local educational agency considered and

the reasons why those options were rejected;

PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS JRAA

(d) A description of any other factors that are relevant to the local educational agency’sproposal or refusal;

(e) A description of each evaluation procedure, test, record, or report the localeducational agency used as a basis for the proposed or refused action;

(f) A description of any factors that are relevant to the local educational agency’sproposal or refusal;

(g) A statement that the parents of a child with a disability have protection under theprocedural safeguards under IDEA and, if the notice is not an initial referral forevaluation, notification of an individualized educational program meeting or noticefor reevaluation, the means by which a copy of a description of proceduralsafeguards can be obtained; and

(h) Sources for parents to contact to obtain assistance in understanding the provisionsunder IDEA.

6. The following information relates to procedural safeguards that are parents/legal guardiansrights under Federal and Mississippi law to be informed about and involved in the specialeducation process.

Based on the passage of Senate Bill 2433 (2011), requirements for the distribution of theProcedural Safeguards document related to a child with a disability have been amended(Section §37-23-137 of the Mississippi Code of 1972) to read as follows:

A copy of this Procedural Safeguards Notice must be provided to parents/legal guardiansonly one (1) time each school year, except that a copy must also be given to you:

(a) Upon initial referral or when you request a formal evaluation for special educationservices for your child;

(b) The first time in a school year when the Mississippi Department of Education(MDE) receives a copy of a formal State complaint submitted by you;

(c) The first time in a school year when the MDE receives a request from you for a dueprocess hearing;

(d) On the date a decision is made to take a disciplinary action that constitutes achange of placement for your child;

(e) Upon your child’s initial IEP Committee meeting; and(f) Whenever you request a copy.

7. The State Department of Education and each local educational agency shall establishprocedures to ensure parents of children with disabilities have the opportunity toparticipate in meetings with respect to the identification, evaluation, and educationplacement of the child, and the provision of a free appropriate public education of suchchild. Local educational agencies shall provide parents of children with disabilities anopportunity to provide input in the development of the agencies’ application for funding,as required under IDEA.

The procedural safeguards shall include provisions which allow parents to be informed of

the parental right to record IEP meetings by means of an audio or visual recording deviceor written transcript at the parent’s own expense if they so desire a record of the meeting.

The parent or guardian or local educational agency shall have the right to audio record theproceedings of individualized education program team meetings. The parent or guardianor local education agency shall notify the members of the individualized educationprogram team of his, her, or its intent to audio record a meeting at least twenty-four (24)hours prior to the meeting.

8. In conducting the evaluation, the local educational agency shall:

(a) Use a variety of assessment tools and strategies to gather relevant functional anddevelopmental information, including information provided by the parent, that mayassist in determining whether the child is a child with a disability and the contentof the child’s individualized education program including information related toenabling the child to be involved in and progress in the general curriculum or, forpreschool children, to participate in appropriate activities.

(b) Not use any single procedure as the sole criterion for determining whether a childis a child with a disability or determining an appropriate educational program forthe child; and

(c) Use technically sound instruments that may assess the relative contribution ofcognitive and behavioral factors, in addition to physical or developmental factors.

9. Each local educational agency shall ensure that:

(a) Tests and other evaluation materials used to assess a child are:(i) Selected and administered so as not to be discriminatory on a racial or

cultural basis; and(ii) Provided and administered in the child’s native language or other mode of

communication, unless it is clearly not feasible to do so;(b) Any standardized tests that are given to the child:

(i) Have been validated for the specific purpose for which they are used;(ii) Are administered by trained and knowledgeable personnel; and(iii) Are administered in accordance with any instructions provided by the

producer of such tests;(c) The child is assessed in all areas of suspected disability; and(d) Assessment tools and strategies that provide relevant information that directly

assist persons in determining the educational needs of the child are provided.

10. Upon completion of administration of tests and other evaluation materials:

(a) The determination of whether the child is a child with a disability as defined underIDEA and state regulations established by the State Board of Education shall bemade by a team of qualified professionals and the parent of the child and certified

by a Screening Team as defined by the State Board of Education;(b) In making such a determination of eligibility, a child shall not be determined to be

a child with a disability if the determinant factor for such determination is lack ofinstruction in reading or math or limited English proficiency; and

(c) A copy of the evaluation report and the documentation of determination ofeligibility will be given to the parent.

11. Parents shall have an opportunity to obtain an independent educational evaluation of theirchild in accordance with the requirements under IDEA.

12. An outside individual or entity contracting with a local educational agency for the purposeof performing an observation in order to make recommendations of possible changes in achild’s IEP, or any outside individual or entity making an observation of a child whichresults in such recommendations, shall submit a report of the observation to the localeducational agency. The local educational agency shall notify the parent upon receipt ofthis report.

13. Parents and guardians shall have the right of review or to receive copies of all educationalrecords, as such records are defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act andthe Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, pertaining to their child. The localeducational agency shall be responsible for making the educational records available to theparent or guardian. The cost of providing a copy of any information contained in astudent’s educational record to the parents or guardians shall be established by the local school board in accordance with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights andPrivacy Act and the Individual with Disabilities Education Act.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Individuals with Disabilities ActSection §37-23-137, Mississippi Code of 1972, As AmendedFamily Educational Rights and Privacy Act and IDEASenate Bill 2433 (Regular Session 2011)House Bill No. 1405, Regular Session 2012

Section 1

The following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section unlessthe context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “Blind student means an individual who is eligible for special education services or 504services and who has an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affectsthe student’s educational performance. This includes a student who:

(i) Has a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses or hasa limited field of vision such that the widest diameter subtends an angular distanceof less than twenty-one (21) degrees;

(ii) Has a medically indicated expectation of visual deterioration; or

(iii) Is functionally blind due to visual problems affecting reading and writing skills.

(b) “Braille” means the system of reading and writing through touch and includes literacycode, designated commonly as the Unified English Braille Code or the Standard EnglishBraille Code, Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics and Science Notation, Music BrailleCode and Computer Braille Code.

(c) “Individualized education program” (IEP) means a statement developed for a studenteligible for special education services under Section 602 (a) (20) of Part B of theIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act.

(d) “Assistive technology service” means any service or provision of devices which directlyassists the functional capabilities of a blind or visually impaired student.

(e) “Compensatory skills” or “alternative techniques” means those skills or techniques neededby blind or visually impaired students to access all areas of the Mississippi CurriculumFrameworks. These skills include, but are not limited to: the use of Braille, large print,

BLIND PERSONS’ LITERACY RIGHTS JRAAA

optical devices, tactile symbols, calendar systems and abacus; study organizational skills;listening skills; concept development; the use of assistive technology and recordedmaterials; social interaction; independent living; recreation and leisure skills; and careereducation.

(f) “504 Plan” means a legal document under the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973which is designed to plan a program of instructional services to assist a student withspecialized needs who is in a general education setting.

Section 2

Contingent upon appropriated funding for teacher scholarships authorize under House Bill N.1032, 2012 Regular Session, students who are blind or visually impaired shall receive educationalservices from the following types of specialized professionals:(a) Certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI), who are trained professionals having

specialized knowledge and skills in the education of students with visual impairments. These teachers shall provide consultative services and instruction to blind or visuallyimpaired students in the areas of communication literacy, daily living, social andemotional skills, academic support and career education.

(b) Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialists, who are professionals trained and certified inorientation and mobility. O&M Specialists shall provide consultative services andinstruction to blind or visually impaired students in tools and techniques used by blind orvisually impaired individuals to orient themselves and move independently and safely intheir environments.

(c) Teachers of Visually Impaired (TVI), who are competent in reading and writing LiteracyBraille and Nemeth Code as certified by successful passage of the Mississippi Praxis IIBraille Competency Exam.

Section 3

(1) Each appropriate educational entity shall provide for the development of an IEP or 504Plan for each blind or visually impaired student eligible for educational services orequipment, or both, under Sections §37-23-1 through §37-23-157. In developing thewritten IEP or 504 Plan for each blind or visually impaired student, there shall be apresumption that proficiency in Braille reading and writing is essential for the student toachieve satisfactory educational progress.

(2) Each appropriate educational entity, in compliance with 20 USCS Section 1414 (d) (3) (B)(iii), the Individuals with Disability Education Act, as reauthorized in 2004, shall providefor instruction in Braille and the use of Braille unless the IEP Committee determines, afteran evaluation of the child’s reading and writing skills, needs, and appropriate reading and

writing media, including an evaluation of the child’s future needs for instruction in Brailleor the use of Braille, that instruction in Braille or the use of Braille is not appropriate forthe child.

(3) The assessment required for each student shall be conducted by a TVI and shall include, ata minimum, a research-based learning media assessment and functional vision assessment,and if necessary in the determination of the IEP Committee, a comprehensive assistivetechnology evaluation. The assessment shall include a statement of the student’s academicand functional strengths, deficits and future needs. If, in the course of developing astudent’s IEP or 504 Plan or in the review of the research-based assessment andconsideration of a student’s future needs, the majority of the members of the team concurthat the student’s visual impairment and future needs do not affect reading and writingperformance commensurate with ability, then Braille instruction and its use shall not berequired by this section for the student. Nothing in this section shall require the exclusiveuse of Braille when other specialized educational services and assistive technology devicesare determined more appropriate by the IEP Committee for the student’s educationalneeds.

(4) No student shall be denied the opportunity for instruction in Braille reading and writingonly because the student has some residual vision.

Section 4

(1) Each blind student, as determined by the IEP Committee, shall be eligible for instructionin Literacy and Nemeth Braille reading and writing codes which will sufficiently enablethat student to communicate effectively and efficiently with the same level of proficiencyexpected of the student’s peers of comparable ability and grade level.

(2) It shall be the standard procedure for the IEP or 504 Team under Section §37-23-195 thatBraille instruction or the use of Braille is required for the student, and the student’s IEP or504 Plan must be written in consultation with a Certified Teacher of the VisuallyImpaired.

(3) If the IEP or 504 team determines procedures other than the standard for the appropriatereading and writing media of a student are required, its decision must be based on thecurrent ability and needs as well as the future needs of the student considering thefollowing:

(a) For a student with some residual vision where the team decides that large print, orlarge print in combination with Braille, is the appropriate reading and writingmedia, then that decision must be supported by a statement from the TVI declaringthat the appropriate reading and writing media for that student is not Braille; and

(b) The reading and writing media of a student with some residual vision shall bedetermined after a TVI has administered and reviewed the results of a research-

based learning media assessment and reviewed a student’s current reading andwriting skill level in comparison to levels expected of the student’s sighted peers asdetermined by the IEP Committee.

Section 5

(1) All textbook publishers that sell textbooks published after December 2008 to schooldistrict within the state must furnish the State Department of Education with computerfiles for literary and nonliterary subjects in the National Instructional Media AccessStandard (NIMAS) from which Brialle, audio and large print version of the textbooks canbe produced. The publishers also shall furnish the department with NIMAS files,American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) or other electronicallyformatted files compatible with Braille conversion for all adopted textbooks andsupplementary materials, in both literary and nonliterary subjects, including naturalsciences, computer sciences, mathematics and music, published after December 2008. Allbooks purchased must have appropriate accompanying reproduction files.

(2) The State Board of Education shall promulgate and publish regulations, policies, andprocedures for the administrative operation of the Mississippi Instructional ResourcesCenter (MIRC) to further assure that blind and visually impaired students are annuallyidentified and registered in order that all materials and textbooks required by blind andvisually impaired students are received and distributed at the same time and in the samemanner as textbooks and materials for their sighted peers. The MIRC manual mustaddress, but is not limited to, addressing the following:

(a) The Federal Quota Program, established to promote the educational interests ofblind and visually impaired students, which qualifies the state for dunds fromAmerican Printing House for the Blind;

(b) The on-time delivery of textbooks and materials to blind and visually impairedstudents, so that the delivery of Braille and large print textbooks and all relatedsupplementary materials will be commensurate with the delivery of regular printtextbooks and materials for sighted students as outlined in the textbook policiesand procedures effective January 1, 2013; and

(c) Communication policies between MIRC, the department and local school districtsdesignating a timeline for book orders, confirmations of orders, status and trackingof orders, delivery dates of orders and the return of books at the end of use by adistrict.

(3) The board also shall develop and publish policies and procedures for support for districtlevel production of literary an nonliterary Braille textbooks and materials by August 1,2013, in order to better facilitate the on-time delivery of textbooks to blind and visuallyimpaired students.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Mississippi Legal Code Section §37-23-193, As AmendedMississippi Legal Code Section §37-23-194, As AmendedMississippi Legal Code Section §37-23-195, As AmendedMississippi Legal Code Section §37-23-197, As AmendedMississippi Legal Code Section §37-23-199, As AmendedMississippi Legal Code Section §37-23-201, As AmendedMississippi Legal Code Section §37-23-203, As AmendedHouse Bill No. 960, Regular Session 2012

The Picayune School District is committed to providing a safe learning environment for students. Picayune School District personnel strongly believe that actions must be taken to reduce thepossibility of occurrences of violent and aggressive acts. The intervention procedures proposedby the Picayune School District promote the early identification of students at risk for behavioralor social problems and provide for the evaluation and monitoring of students identified. Theprocedures for the early identification and monitoring follows:

1. Identification of students at risk for behavioral or social problems

Teacher referralPrincipal referralSelf referralParent referralReview of disciplinary referrals

2. Methods of data collection

Observation of behaviorsComments or actions of individualsPast disciplinary historyVerbal or written reportsInformation provided by family members

3. Evaluation

*When a student is seen repeatedly in a school office because of inappropriate behaviors and/or disciplinary action, the Director of Exceptional Education will be notified. Referrals to the Office of Exceptional Education are at the discretion of the principaland/or assistant principal.

*The Director of Exceptional Education shall have the option to arrange for evaluation

INTERVENTION PROCEDURES FOR AT RISK STUDENTS JRQQ

instruments to be completed. The instrument(s) completed may include but are not limitedto:

Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS)

Brief Inventory of Functioning (BIF)

The Instructional Environment System – II (TIES)

4. Management

Several options may be recommended as a result of evaluation findings:

• Conflict Resolution Training• Referral for possible mental health services (requires written parental permission)• Participation in a Mentoring Program• Referral to the Student Success Team for the development of behavior

interventions designed from information collected at the Evaluation stage• Functional Behavioral Assessment• Referral to school counselor• Referral to the Center for Alternative Education• Referral to district Behavior Modification Program• Conference with parent/guardian and selected school representatives

5. Follow-Up Monitoring

• School personnel should provide on-going communication to the Office ofExceptional Education regarding student progress

• Parent/guardian conferences• Recommendations for one or more new intervention strategies as listed in Section

4 will be made as needed.

6. Assurances of Parental Involvement

• When a child’s name is received by the Office of Exceptional Education due toexcessive disciplinary referrals, a conference for the purpose of completing theCAFAS may be scheduled. If the parent/guardian chooses not to attend theconference, a second conference may be scheduled. With the letter to schedule asecond conference, a copy of MS Code §37-11-53 will be sent to theparent/guardian.

MS Code §37-11-53 (3) states that:

“A parent, guardian, or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child who (a) fails to

attend a discipline conference to which such parent, guardian, or custodian has been

summoned under the provisions of this section, or (b) refuses or willfully fails to perform

any other duties imposed upon him or her under the provisions of this section, shall be

guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not to exceed Two Hundred

Fifty Dollars ($250.00)

If the parent again chooses not to attend the conference scheduled, a third conference maybe scheduled. The third letter will be signed by the Superintendent and will state that ifthe parent does not participate, an affidavit will be filed with the court of appropriatejurisdiction.


(1) (a) It is the policy of the Picayune School District that students will be screened by ascreener approved by the State Board of Education for dyslexia in the Spring ofKindergarten and the Fall of Grade 1. The component of the screening mustinclude:

(i) Phonological awareness and phonemic awareness;

(ii) Sound symbol recognition;

(iii) Alphabet knowledge;

DYSLEXIA SCREENING POLICY JRQQQ

(iv) Decoding skills;

(v) Encoding skills; and

(vi) Rapid naming.

(b) If a student fails the screener, the parent or legal guardian will be notified of theresults of the screener. Subsequent dyslexia evaluations may be administered bylicensed professionals, including:

(i) Psychologists, licensed under Chapter 31, Title 73 Mississippi Code of1972;

(ii) Psychometrists, licensed by the Mississippi Department of Education, and

in accordance with Chapter 31, Title 73, Section 27, Mississippi Code

of 1972, or

(iii) Speech Language Pathologists, licensed under Chapter 38, Title 73,Mississippi Code of 1972

(c) If a student fails the screener, the school district, in its discretion, may perform acomprehensive dyslexia evaluation, such evaluation must be administered by anyof the licensed professionals identified under paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(d) If a parent or legal guardian of a student who fails the dyslexia screener exercisesthe option to have a subsequent evaluation performed, such evaluation shall beadministered by any of the licensed professionals identified under paragraph (b) ofthis subsection, and the resulting diagnosis of the subsequent evaluation must beaccepted by the school district for purposes of determining eligibility for placementwithin a dyslexia therapy program within the current school or to receive a

Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for placement in a dyslexia program inanother public school or nonpublic special purpose school.

(2) The screening of all compulsory-school-age children enrolled in each local public schooldistrict for dyslexia required by subsection (1) (a) of this section shall in no manner nullifyor defeat the requirements of the pilot programs adopted by the State Department ofEducation to test certain students enrolled or enrolling in public schools for dyslexia underSection §37-23-15.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Mississippi Legal Code Section §37-23-15House Bill # 1031, Regular Session 2012House Bill #37, Regular Session 2016Mississippi Legal Code Section §37-173-1

House Bill No. 1046, Regular Session 2017

Board Approved June 28, 2016, Second ReadingBoard Approved (Revised) June 13, 2017

The Picayune School District may charge reasonable fees, but not more than the actual cost, forthe following:

(A) Supplemental instructional materials and supplies, excluding textbooks;(B) Any other fees designated by the Picayune School District Board of Trustees as

fees related to a valid curriculum educational objective, including transportation;and

(C) Extra-curricular activities and any other educational activities of the PicayuneSchool District that are not designed by the Picayune School District Board of

FEE POLICY – WAIVER OF FEES JS

Trustees as valid curriculum educational objectives, such as band trips and athleticevents.

Except those fees for extra-curricular activities and any other educational activities of thePicayune School District that are not designated by the Picayune School District Board ofTrustees as valid curriculum educational objectives, such as band trips and athletic events, afinancial hardship waiver shall be granted to any family who qualifies for the National SchoolLunch Program, as created by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42USCSSection 1751 et seq.)

The Picayune School District shall insure that a pupil eligible to have any such fees waived as aresult of an inability to pay for those fees, shall not be discriminated against nor shall there be anovert identification of any pupil who has received a financial hardship waiver by use of specialtokens or tickets, announcements, posting or publication of names, physical separation, choice ofmaterials or by any other means. In no case shall any Picayune School District procedures exposeany pupil receiving a hardship waiver to any type of stigma or ridicule by other pupils or PicayuneSchool District personnel.

The confidentiality of the financial hardship waiver policy adopted by the Picayune SchoolDistrict Board of Trustees shall apply to any students who have an inability to pay any feesauthorized by this policy.

In no case shall the inability to pay the assessment of fees authorized under the provisions of thissection result in a pupil being denied or deprived of any academic awards or standards, any classselection, grade, diploma, transcript or the right to participate in any activity related to educationalenhancement.

Board Policy IFA – REASONABLE FEES/FINANCIAL HARDSHIP WAIVER shall bepublished annually in student handbooks.

LEGAL REFERENCE: Richard B. Russell Nation School Lunch Act (42USCS Section1751 et seq.)Section §37-7-335House Bill #833

CROSS REFERENCE: Board Policy IFA – REASONABLE FEES/FINANCIALHARDSHIP WAIVER

No person other than officials of the Picayune School District and those authorized by statute shallbe allowed to interview students at the school except with the approval of the principal. Principals shall give such approval when convinced that the interview is in the best interest of thestudent or is in the interest of justice, and after reasonable effort has been made to contact theparent/legal guardian. When a police or court officer requests permission to interview a student,the principal or some member of the professional staff designated by the principal shall be presentat the interview. Certain exceptions to this policy may be allowed in cases of child abuse.

INTERVIEWS WITH STUDENTS BY PERSONS OUTSIDE JTG/LDAJA

THE PICAYUNE SCHOOL DISTRICT

J – STUDENTS JA JAA JAAA JB/JBD/JBDA JBA JBB · 1. Attendance at an authorized school activity...

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