Calendar Handbook - Frederick County Public Schools

The Calendar Handbook for 2011–2012 40
Fees for Supplies and Activities
Schools may request that students provide specific school
supplies and may charge fees for materials, workbooks, newspapers
and other materials that will become the student’s personal
property when the course or project is completed. However, there
will be no penalty or other consequences for students who do
not purchase the supplies. Nor can students be denied admission
to programs based on inability to pay. Students will not be
denied access to any FCPS-sponsored course or activity or their
instructional program due to their financial situation. In the event
of financial or other restrictions, students and parents are encouraged
to work with the teacher, counselor or administrator to find
alternative ways to obtain essential equipment or supplies and for
waiving other fees that may prevent a student from participating.
See Regulation 500-33. ★
Field Trips
School-sponsored field trips to enhance the curriculum are permitted
at each grade level. Teachers may schedule additional trips
in accordance with Regulation 400-5. Parents must give permission
for students to participate; forms will be sent to parents prior to
each trip. Further information is available at school offices. ★
Firearms and Weapons
Possession of any firearm or other weapon by a student on
school property, including in vehicles parked on school property,
is strictly forbidden. The penalties for violation of this policy are
detailed in the Discipline section of this handbook.
It is a serious offense for employees, volunteers, substitutes
and visitors to possess any rifle, gun, knife or deadly weapon of
any kind on any school property in Maryland. Offenders face
criminal penalties and severe personnel consequences up to and
including termination. An exception is provided for persons who
display or engage in historical demonstrations using weapons or
replicas of weapons for educational purposes. Prior approval from
the Superintendent or designee is required.
The school system’s prohibition on carrying or possessing
a weapon on school property applies to loaded and unloaded
weapons. This prohibition applies to weapons contained within
automobiles.
Exemptions are provided for staff who use knives in the performance
of their duties or staff who elect to carry a pen knife or
a pocket knife. ★
Holidays
Maryland law requires that public schools be closed:
n Thanksgiving and the day after
n Christmas Eve Day through January 1
n Martin Luther King Jr. Day
n Presidents’ Day
Military Recruiter Access to
Student Information
Federal law requires school systems that receive assistance
under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to
provide military recruiters and institutions of higher education,
upon request, access to secondary students’ names, addresses and
telephone listings. The requirement may be waived under the following
conditions.
Secondary school students or their parents who do not wish
this information released to military recruiters must annually:
n Deny permission on the Student Information (Emergency)
Card and
n Return the completed and signed card to the school by
September 30 or within 30 days of enrollment at that high
school
FCPS also posts a Military Recruiters Opt-Out Form at www.
fcps.org/forms. Please direct questions to the high school administration.
★
Religious Expression
Religious expression in a public school environment is governed
by the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court decisions
relating to separation of church and state and freedom of expression.
Rights of students and staff members are specifically outlined
in Policy 427. ★
Searches on and off School
Property
At unannounced and randomly selected times, police canine
units may visit schools to inspect locker areas, other areas of the
buildings and cars in the school parking lot. In addition, a principal
or assistant principal may make a search of the physical plant
of the school including the lockers of students. The continuing
effort to keep Frederick County public schools drug free is not
directed against students, but against illegal substance abuse.
A principal or assistant principal may make a reasonable
search of a student on the school premises if there is a reasonable
belief that the student is in possession of an item, the possession of
which is a criminal offense under the laws of this state, or a violation
of any other state law or an FCPS rule or regulation.
In the absence of an administrator, teachers designated in
writing by the principal and trained to conduct searches may
make a reasonable search of a student on a school-sponsored trip
if they have reasonable belief that the student possesses an item in
violation of state law or an FCPS rule or regulation.
Strip searches by school personnel are prohibited. See
Regulation 400-59. ★
Sexual Harassment continued from page 41
Confidentiality
The school system will respect the confidentiality of the
complainant, witnesses and the individual against whom the
complaint is filed to the extent possible, consistent with the school
system’s legal obligation and the necessity to investigate allegations
based on harassment, and to take disciplinary action when
harassment has occurred. ★
Student Records and Information
Student records are accumulated and maintained by teachers
and other school officials who have a legitimate professional interest
in student educational records as determined by FCPS and in
accordance with federal regulation, state law and Board policy and
FCPS regulation. Confidentiality of free and reduced-price meals
eligibility information is strictly enforced, with access to information
provided strictly on a need-to-know basis for assessment and
evaluation purposes as required by designated federal programs.
Requests for access to records will be granted within 45 days
after a written request has been made and at the mutual convenience
of the parent or qualified student and the principal. Unless
otherwise prohibited by law or court order, parents have the right
to inspect and review all official school records of their children.
Eligible students 18 years of age or older may review their own
records.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
requires that public schools, with certain exceptions, obtain written
consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information
from a student’s education records. However, FCPS may
disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without
written consent, unless the parent has advised the school to the
contrary in accordance with FCPS procedures. The primary purpose
of directory information is to allow FCPS to include this type
of information from student records in certain school publications.
For example:
n a playbill, showing a student’s role in a drama production;
n the annual yearbook;
n honor roll or other recognition lists;
n graduation programs; and
n sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing
weight and height of team members.
Directory information, which is information that is generally
not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can
also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior
written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited
to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks.
In addition, federal law requires local educational agencies
(LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary