Ludlow High School

APPENDIX

Access to Student Work	Hazing	Student Records
Bullying	Sex Education	Technology Acceptable Use Policy
Directory Information Notice	Sexual Harassment	Title IX

ACCESS TO STUDENT WORK

During the course of the school year, personally identifiable student work may be seen and reviewed by third parties. For example, personally identifiable student work may be displayed on bulletin boards, at fairs/shows, during Open House and Parent/Teacher Conferences, via videotape and audiotape, and, thus will be seen and/or heard by many different people, not just the student, the parent and the teacher. In addition, as an instructional technique, students may be asked to edit, grade, review and/or comment on another student's work. All of this activity is part of a regular education process and serves to benefit students. By signing the Parent Signature Form acknowledging receipt and review of this Handbook, the student and/or the parent and/or the guardian is hereby agreeing to the videotaping, audio taping, and/or disclosure of student work as outlined in this Handbook and hereby waives the right to challenge this instructional technique under FERPA.

BULLYING

Bullying and harassment are major distractions from learning. Fear can lead to chronic absenteeism, poor grades, or even dropping out of school. Most bullying by students starts out verbally -teasing and put-downs -and may become progressively worse and assume physical dimensions. Bullying of any type has no place in the school setting. The Ludlow Public Schools will endeavor to maintain a learning and working environment free of bullying.

Bullying is defined as the act of one or more individuals intimidating one or more persons through verbal, physical, emotional, psychological or written interactions. Bullying can take many forms and can occur in virtually any setting. It can create unnecessary and unwarranted anxiety that may affect attending school, walking corridors, eating in cafeterias, playing in the school yard or recreation areas, participating in or attending special and extracurricular activities, or riding on the bus to and from school each day.

Examples of bullying include, but are not limited to:

Intimidation, either physical or psychological.
Threats of any kind stated or implied.
Assaults on students, including those that are verbal, physical, psychological and emotional.
Attacks on student property.

Bullying in the school building, on school grounds, on the bus or school sanctioned transportation, or at school-sponsored functions will not be tolerated and will be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion.

The district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment, including bullying. The principal of each building will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment, including bullying.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION NOTICE

The Ludlow Public Schools has designated certain information contained in the education records of its students as directory information for purposes of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Student Record Regulations at 603 CMR 23.0 et.seq.

The following information regarding students is considered directory information: (1) name, (2) address, (3) telephone number, (4) date and place of birth, (5) major field of study, (6) participation in officially recognized activities and sports, (7) weight and height of members of athletic teams, (8) dates of attendance, (9) degrees, honors and awards received, (10) post high school plans of the student.

Directory information may be disclosed for any purpose in the discretion of, the school system, without the consent of a parent or an eligible student. Parents of students and eligible students have the right, however, to refuse to permit the designation of any or all of the above information as directory information. In that case, this information will not be disclosed except with the consent of a parent or student, or as otherwise allowed by FERPA and 603 CMR 23.00 et.seq.

Any parent of a student refusing to have any or all of the designated directory information disclosed must file written notification to this effect with the principal on or before the 15th day of each September. Personally identifiable information from the student's education records may be released without students or parent consent in connection with a health or safety emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

In the event that a refusal is not filed, it is assumed that neither parent nor eligible student objects to the release of the directory information designated.

HAZING

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS IN THE YEAR ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHT AN ACT PROHIBITING THE PRACTICE OF HAZING.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Chapter 269 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following three sections:

Section 17. Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing as defined herein shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for no more than one hundred days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

The term "hazing" is a principal organizer in sections eighteen and nineteen; I shall mean a conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such students or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.

Section 18. Whoever knows that another person is a victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall. to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril himself, or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.

Section 19. Each secondary school and each public and private school or college shall issue to every group or organization under its authority or operating on or in conjunction with its campus or school, and to every member, plebe, pledges or applicant for membership in such group or organization, a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen. An officer of each such group or organization, and each individual receiving a copy of said sections seventeen and eighteen shall sign an acknowledgment stating that such group, organization or individual has received a copy of said sections seventeen and eighteen.

Each secondary school and each public or private school or college shall file, at least annually, a report with the regents of higher education and in the case of secondary schools, the board of education, certifying that such institution has complied with the provisions of this section and also certifying that said school has adopted a disciplinary policy with regards to the organizers and participants of hazing. The board of regents and in the case of secondary schools, the board of education shall promulgate regulations governing the content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney general any such institution which fails to make a report.

SEX EDUCATION

In accordance with General Laws Chapter 71, Section 32A. the Ludlow School Committee has adopted this policy on the rights of parents and guardians of our students in relation to curriculum that primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality issues.

At the beginning of each school year, all parents/guardians of students in our schools will be notified in writing of the courses and curriculum we offer that primarily involve human sexual education or human sexuality issues. The Superintendent of Schools will determine the administrator(s) responsible for sending the notice(s). Parent/guardians of students who enroll in school after the start of the school year will be given the written notice at the time of enrollment. If the planned curriculum changes during the school year, to the extent practicable, parents/guardians will be notified of this fact in a timely manner before implementation.

Each such notice to parents/guardians will include a brief description of the curriculum covered by this policy, and will inform parents/guardians that they may:

(1) exempt their child from any portion of the curriculum that primarily involved human sexual education or human sexuality issues, without penalty to the student, by sending a letter to the school principal requesting an exemption. Any student who is exempted by request of the parent/guardian under this policy may be given an alternative assignment.

(2) inspect and review program instruction materials for these curricula, which will be made reasonably accessible to parents/guardians and others to the extent practicable. Parents/guardians may arrange with the principal to review the materials at the school, and may also review them at other locations that may be determined by the Superintendent of Schools.

A parent/guardian who is dissatisfied with a decision of the principal concerning notice, access to instructional materials, or exemption for the student under this policy may send a written request to the Superintendent for review of the issue. The Superintendent or designee will review the issue and give the parent/guardian a timely written decision, preferable within two weeks of the request. A parent/guardian who is dissatisfied with the Superintendent's decision may send a written request to the School Committee for review of the issue. The School Committee will review the issue and give the parent/guardian a timely written decision, preferably within four weeks of the request. A parent/guardian who is still dissatisfied after this process may send a written request to the Commissioner of Education for review of the issue in dispute.

The Superintendent of Schools will distribute a copy of this policy to each principal by September 1 of each year.

Adopted: 7/15/97

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of the Ludlow Public Schools, as well as state and federal law, that sexual harassment of a student, present or prospective employee, or visitor shall not be tolerated. Violation of this policy and of the law, if proven, will result in disciplinary action. Any person who believes that he/she has been the victim of sexual harassment may seek redress through the school system's Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure.

Sexual harassment is defined as:

Unwelcome advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or success as a student;

2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or educational decisions affecting such individual;

3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work or educational performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment.

Considerations:

By definition, sexual harassment is not limited to prohibited conduct by a male toward a female, by a supervisor employee toward a non-supervisory employee or by a teacher toward a student. The school system's view of sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following considerations:

1. A man, as well as a woman, may be the victim of sexual harassment, and a woman, as well as a man, may be the harasser.

2. The harasser does not have to be the victim's supervisor. They may also be an agent of the employer, a supervisory employee who does not supervise the victim, a non-supervisor employee (co-worker), or, in some circumstances, even a non-employee (student, parent).

3. The victim may be the same or opposite sex as the harasser.

4. Sexual harassment includes any verbal or physical conduct of asexual nature which is considered offensive and directed toward another person. For example, inappropriate attempts of humor or the sexual harassment of one female (or male) employee may create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment for another female (or male) or may unreasonable interfere with an individual's work or educational performance.

5. Sexual harassment does not depend on the victim's having suffered a concrete economic injury as a result of the harasser's conduct. For example, improper sexual advances which do not result in the loss of a promotion by the victim or the discharge of the victim may, nonetheless, constitute sexual harassment where they unreasonably interfere with the victim's work or education, or create harmful or offensive work or educational environment.

All personnel will be responsible for implementing, monitoring and enforcing the above policy. All personnel are to strictly adhere to this policy and report any violations to their appropriate supervisor.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

Preface

A formal complaint may be filed at any time by a student, employee, administrator, and/or applicant who believes that his/her rights as outlined in the Sexual Harassment Policy have been violated. Each student, faculty member, administrator, or staff member has an obligation to make every effort to resolve problems informally as they arise. All members of the school community are urged to resolve problems fairly and informally. If a suitable solution cannot be reached informally through independent means, a formal investigation may be initiated an appropriate disciplinary action taken.

Definitions

A complaint shall be an accusation by an individual that there has been a violation of the Sexual Harassment Policy.

The individual should file a written statement of the complaint within thirty (30) days of the alleged harassment. The complaint should be filed with the principal, immediate supervisor, superintendent, or in the event that an administrator (supervisor) is the alleged harasser, with the Chairperson of the School Committee.
Once an administrator or Chairperson receives the complaint they shall conduct an appropriate investigation. At their discretion, the administrator or the Chairperson may designate some other individual to conduct the investigation.
Such investigation may consist of, but may not be limited to, the following actions:

Interview(s) with the individual;
Interview(s) with the person(s) alleged to be the harasser(s);
Interviews with other employees or witnesses;
Interviews with other individuals at the discretion of the administrator or Chairperson:

By statute and regulation, Ludlow High School is required to notify both parent and student that this school maintains records on the educational status of all students. This serves as proper notice.

Information Regarding Student Records

The Student Record Regulations adopted by the Massachusetts Board of Education are The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and regulations afford parents and students certain rights with respect to students' education records. The regulations are designed to insure parents' and students' rights of confidentiality, inspection, amendment, and destruction of student records, and to assist school authorities in carrying out their responsibilities under state and federal law. The following is a summary of the major provisions concerning the rights of parents and eligible students. Under the regulations, "eligible students" are at least 14 years old or have entered the ninth grade; they may exercise these rights just as their parents may.

Confidentiality and Access to Records

Except where the regulations specifically authorize access by third parties, no individuals or organizations other than the parent, eligible student and school personnel working directly with the student are allowed to have access to information in the student record without the specific, informed, written consent of the parent or eligible student.

A non-custodial parent has the right to access his/her child's school records unless the custodial parent provides court paperwork limiting or restricting the non-custodial parent's access.

In addition, the regulations permit the release the following directory information without the consent of the eligible student or parent: a student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, weight and height of members of athletic teams, class, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, degrees, honors and awards, and post-high school plans. Accordingly, pursuant to 603 CMR 23.07(g), notice is hereby given that the school may release this directory information unless eligible students and parents specifically request that this information not be released without their prior consent.

Inspection/Amendment of Records

A parent or an eligible student has the right to inspect all portions of the student record upon request. The record must be made available within ten days after the request, unless the parent or student consents to a delay. The parent and eligible student have the right to receive a copy of any part of the record, although the school may charge a reasonable fee for the cost of duplicating the materials. The parent and eligible student may request to have parts of the record interpreted by a qualified professional from the school, or may invite anyone else of their choice to inspect or interpret the record with them.

A parent and eligible student may also move to amend or delete material with the approval of the principal. The parent and eligible student may not, however, require a school to remove reports of disciplinary incidents involving suspension or violation of the school's code of conduct, including criminal acts with which the student was charged or conduct for which the student was suspended pursuant to Mass. General Laws Chapter 71 §§ 37H and 37 H1/2.

If the principal denies a request to amend or delete material, the reasons for the denial will be provided in writing. The principal's decision may then be appealed to the Superintendent, followed by the School Committee, should the Superintendent also deny the amendment or deletion to the student's records.

Transfer of Records

Pursuant to Mass. General Laws Chapter 71 §37L, any student transferring into the Ludlow Public Schools must provide the district with a complete school record. Such record shall include, but not be limited to, any incidents involving suspension or violation of criminal acts or any incident reports in which such student was charged with any suspended act. The student who is transferring may either get the records from the former school and present them to Ludlow, or may request that the former school send the records directly to Ludlow.

Pursuant to 603 CMR 23.07(g), notice is hereby given to parents and eligible students that the Ludlow Public Schools forwards the complete school records of a transferring student to the school in which the student seeks or intends to enroll. Such transfer of records takes place without consent of the parent or eligible student.

Additionally, under Mass. General Laws Chapter 71 §37H(e) when a student has been expelled for conduct resulting in serious bodily harm, possession of a dangerous weapon or a controlled substance, or assaulting school staff, and the student applies for admission to another school, Ludlow will notify the superintendent of the receiving school of the reasons for the student's expulsion.

Destruction of Records

Parents and eligible students are hereby notified that the student's transcript, a document containing the student's name, address, phone number, date of birth, course titles, grades, grade level completed and the year of completion, as well as the parent's name(s), address(es), and phone number(s) will be maintained for 60 years following the student's transfer, graduation or withdrawal from the system. Regulations require school authorities to destroy a student's temporary record no later than seven years after the student transfers, graduates or withdraws from the school system. School authorities are also allowed to destroy misleading, outdated, or irrelevant information in the record from time to time while the student is enrolled in the school system.

Provision of Transcripts

The Ludlow High School guidance department will furnish at no charge official transcripts for currently enrolled students. Requests by graduates for additional/duplicate transcripts will require a $5.00 charge for each entire transcript.

The above is only a summary of some of the regulations that relate to the rights of parents and eligible students. For more detailed information, please review the regulations at 603 CMR 23.00 (copies of which are available in every public school). The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may, pursuant to a request by an eligible student or parent or on its own initiative, conduct reviews to insure compliance with 603 CMR 23.00. Parents and eligible students also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of FERPA

TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

The Ludlow Public Schools (a/k/a the District) shall provide access for employees and students to the system/network, including access to external networks, for limited educational purposes. The purpose of the system/network is to assist in preparing students for success in life and work by providing access to a wide range of information and the ability to communicate with others. The system/network will be used to increase communication (staff. parent. and student), enhance productivity and assist staff in upgrading existing skills and acquiring new skills through a broader exchange of information.

The Internet, telecommunications, and other new technologies shift the ways that information may be accessed, communicated, and transferred by people. These changes may also alter instruction and student learning. Online electronic resources provide an exceptional opportunity for the promotion of intellectual inquiry, comprehensive information gathering, and awareness of global diversity through worldwide communication and exploration.

Telecommunications, electronic sources, and networked services significantly alter the information landscape for schools by opening classrooms to a broader array of resources. In the past, educators applying reasonable selection criteria could usually select appropriate instructional materials prior to using them. School Committee policy requires that all such materials be consistent with District-adopted guidelines, supporting and enriching the curriculum while taking into account the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities, and developmental levels of the students. Telecommunications, because they may lead to any publicly available file server in the world, will open classrooms to electronic information resources that have not been selected by educators for use by students of various ages.

Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees during the Information Age. The School Committee expects that staff will blend thoughtful use of such information throughout the curriculum and that the staff will provide guidance and instruction to students in the appropriate use of such resources. Staff will consult the guidelines for instructional materials contained therein.

Access to telecommunications will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with people throughout the world. Making the Internet available to students carries with it the potential that some students might encounter information that others have identified as controversial or potentially harmful. Because the Internet is globally accessible and changes daily; it is not always possible to predict what students my encounter in some areas of the Internet. Some students may locate information that they or others consider inappropriate.

The District does not condone the use of inappropriate materials nor does it encourage students to seek out inappropriate material. Concern about Internet information will be handled in the same manner as concerns about other educational materials are handled. The School Committee believes that the benefits to students from access in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. To that end, the Ludlow Public Schools support and respect each family's right to decide whether or not to apply for Internet access for its children.

Availability

Access to the system/network, including external networks, shall be made available to employees and students for instructional and administrative purposes and in accordance with administrative regulations and procedures.

Access to the system/network is a privilege, not a right. All users shall be required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of all administrative regulations and procedures governing use of the system and shall agree in writing to comply with such regulations and procedures. The Ludlow Public Schools administration reserves the right to change these rules at any time without notice. Noncompliance with applicable regulations and procedures may result in suspension or termination of user privileges and other disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employees, consistent with the policies of the Ludlow Public Schools. Violations of law may result in criminal prosecution as well as disciplinary action by the Ludlow Public Schools up to and including termination of employees.

Access to the system/network is authorized by each user's submission of a completed Ludlow Public School Acceptable Use Agreement. Users are required to submit a new Acceptable Use Agreement with each change of school within the District. Parents of students under 18 years of age may withdraw their permission at any time by notifying the school principal in writing.

In schools where ID's have been issued, users must present valid, current school ID's upon request in order to use the District's technology, system/ network.

A. Staff Access to Technology and Networked Information Resources With the spread of telecommunications throughout the modern work place, the School Committee recognizes that employees will shift the ways they share ideas, transmit information, and contact others. As staff members are connected to the global community, their use of new tools and systems brings new responsibilities as well as opportunities.

In general, employees are expected to communicate in a professional manner consistent with state laws governing the behavior of school employees and with federal laws governing copyrights. Electronic mail and telecommunications are not to be utilized to share confidential information about students or other employees or for personal or non-educational or non-business use.

B. Student Access to Technology and Networked Information Resources In order to match electronic resources as closely as possible to the approved District curriculum, District personnel are strongly encouraged to review and evaluate resources in order to offer menus of materials that comply with School Committee guidelines listed in School Committee policy governing the selection of instructional materials. In this manner, staff can provide developmentally appropriate guidance to students as they make use of telecommunications and electronic information resources to conduct research and other studies related to the District curriculum.

As much as possible, access to District information resources should be designed in ways that point students to those that have been reviewed and evaluated prior to use. While students may be able to move beyond those resources to others that have not been evaluated by staff, they should be provided with guidelines and lists of resources particularly suited to the learning objectives. Students may pursue electronic research only if they have been granted parental permission and have submitted all required forms. Permission is not transferable and may not be shared.

Monitored Use

Communication over networks should not be considered private. The District system cannot ensure the privacy of users' personal files.

As the system is routinely maintained and monitored, discoveries may arise that the user has violated or is violating the district Acceptable Use Policy, School Committee or building policies, or the law.

Use of the District's technology and system/network is considered consent to this policy and the District's right to engage in monitoring activities.

Electronic mail transmission will be stored in the computers back up files. Please be aware that the District's technology and system/network continuously stores records information transmitted via electronic mail, and that pressing the "delete" button will not affect this back up storage mechanism.

Electronic mail transmissions and other use of electronic resources by students and employees shall not be considered confidential or private and may be monitored at any time by designated staff to ensure appropriate use for instructional and administrative purposes.

No Liability

The Ludlow Public Schools shall not be liable for users' inappropriate use of electronic resources or violations of copyright restrictions, users' mistakes or negligence, costs or financial liabilities incurred by users, or damages sustained by users, including but no limited to service interruptions or data loss. The Ludlow Public Schools shall not be responsible for ensuring the accuracy or usability of any information found on external networks.

Technology, Network, and Internet Acceptable Use

The technology and system/network is the property of the Ludlow Public Schools and is intended exclusively for District business and educational use only.

Acceptable uses of technology and the system/network support the educational principles and purposes consistent with the content hereof.

As access entails responsibility, access to network services and technology will be provided to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. Students are responsible for good behavior on school computers and networks just as they are in a classroom or other school environment. Since communications on the network are often public in nature, general School Committee policies, codes, and school rules for behavior and communications apply.

Notification to an employee's immediate supervisor and to a student's teacher shall be made forth with by any employee or student who observes a violation of this policy.

Unacceptable uses of technology and the system/network include, but are not limited to the following:

A. Personal Safety (Restrictions are for students only) Users will not post personal pictures or contact information about themselves or other people without proper permission as contained herein. Personal contact information includes address, telephone, school address, work address, photographs, portraits, etc.

B. Illegal Activities Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the District system or to any other computer system throughout the District System, or go beyond their authorized access. This includes attempting to log in through another person's account or access another person's files. These actions are illegal even if only for the purposes of "browsing".

Users will not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system performance or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means. These actions are illegal.

Users will not use the District system to engage in any other illegal act, such as arranging for a drug sale or the purchase of alcohol, engaging in criminal gang activity, threatening the safety of a person. etc.

Unauthorized users will not manipulate, attempt to manipulate, or distribute the District's or Town of Ludlow's computer systems, programs, or data.

C. System Security

Users are responsible for the use of their individual account and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use their account. Under no conditions should a user provide his password to another person.

Users will immediately notify a supervisor or their teacher if they have identified a possible security problem. Users will not go looking for security problems because this may be construed as an illegal attempt to gain access. The supervisor or teacher will immediately inform the system/network administrator.

Users will avoid the inadvertent spread of computer viruses by following the District virus protection procedures if they download software or use floppy disks or other storage media potentially capable of harboring viruses.

Users will not remove computer equipment (hardware. software. data. etc.) I without authorization, nor will they damage computer hardware or software. This rule applies also to parts of computers, mice, keyboards, monitors, or any other peripherals, which are also Town of Ludlow property.

Users will not copy or attempt to copy data or software without authorization.

D. Inappropriate Language, Graphics, Video, Audio

Restrictions against inappropriate language, graphics, video, audio apply to public messages, private messages, screen savers and wallpaper, material posted on Web pages, and any use of the District's technology or system/network.

Users will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language, graphics, video or audio.

Users will not post information that, if acted upon, could cause damage or a danger of disruption.

Users will not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.

Users will not harass another person. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. If a user is told by a person to stop sending him messages or harassing him, the user must stop.

Users will not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.

E. Respect for Privacy

Users will not respect a message that was sent to them privately without permission of the person who sent them the message.

Users will not post private information about another person.

F. Respecting Resource Limits

Users will use the system only for educational and professional or career development activities.

Students will not download files, graphics, video, audio or music without the supervisor's permission. If necessary, users will download the file at a time when the system is not being heavily used and immediately remove the file from the system computer to their personal computer. Employees will obtain permission from the system/network administrator before downloading any large files, graphics, etc.

Users will not post chain letters or engage in "spamming". Spamming is sending an annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people.

Users will check their e-mail frequently, delete unwanted messages promptly, and stay within their e-mail quota.

Users will subscribe only to high quality discussion group mail lists that are relevant to their education or professional/career development. Students will subscribe only with the supervisor's and a parent's permission.

Users will not participate in "chat pages", which is considered an abuse of privileges in an educational setting.

Users will not install games or engage in unauthorized and time consuming recreational game playing. Games have become highly graphics oriented and therefore consume large amounts of disk space on computers and networks.

Users will not use computer accounts for work not authorized for that account.

Users may not use technology or the network for personal advertisements, solicitations of products or services, or for commercial purposes or financial gain. Clubs and school organizations may submit advertisements or solicitations to the Director of Technology for use on an Intranet or to be posted on the school's home page on the Internet. Submission does not guarantee posting.

G. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement

Users will not plagiarize works that they find on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were original to the user.

Users will respect the rights of copyright owners. While the District encourages its staff to enrich their learning programs by making proper use of supplementary materials, it is the responsibility of District staff to abide by the District's copying and Web publishing procedures and obey the requirements of the law. The District cannot be responsible for any violations of the copyright law by its staff or other persons. Copyright infringement occurs when an individual inappropriately reproduces a work that is protected by a copyright: If a work contains language that specifies acceptable use of that work, he should request permission from the copyright owner. Individuals who fail to adhere to copyright law and procedures may be held personally liable for copyright infringement.

H. Inappropriate Access to Material Users will not use the District system to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography), that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people (hate literature). For students, a special exception may be made for hat literature if both the teacher and the parent approve the purpose of such access to conduct research. District employees may access the above material only in the context of legitimate research.

If a user inadvertently accesses such information, he should immediately disclose in writing the inadvertent access to his supervisor or teacher. The use should complete the inappropriate Access Report that follows. This will protect ~ against an allegation that they have intentionally violated the Acceptable Use Policy. Adopted August 8, 2000

TITLE IX GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

I. Any student or employee who has a grievance under Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1971 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 should submit that grievance in writing to his/her building principal.

II. The principal shall respond in writing and if the matter is not resolved within 10 school days, the complainant may appeal in writing to (one of) the Ch. 622/Title IX coordinator(s).

III. The Ch. 622/Title IX coordinator shall respond in writing and if the matter is not resolved within 15 school days, the complainant may appeal in writing to the superintendent of schools.

IV. The superintendent shall respond in writing if the matter is not resolved within 20 school days.

A. If the matter is related to Ch. 622, the complainant has the right to involve the complaint procedure for Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1971. The complaint procedure for Ch. 622 has been excerpted in its entirety from the official Ch. 622 regulations as adopted by the Massachusetts Board of Education and follows immediately.

1. A parent/guardian or other person or group who believes that c. 76 s. 5 of the General Laws or these regulations has been or is being violated, may request a written statement of the reasons therefore from the responsible school committee through the superintendent and may submit a copy of such request at the Bureau of Equal Educational Opportunity of the Department of Education. If such request is made, a copy of such request shall be sent by the school committee to the Bureau of Equal Educational Opportunity.

2. The school committee shall respond promptly, but no later than 30 days, in writing to the complaining party. The school committee shall also send a copy of its response to a Bureau of Equal Educational Opportunity.

3. The Bureau of Equal Educational Opportunity shall act as the representative of the Board of Education for the purpose of receiving complaints pursuant to these regulations.

4. The Bureau of Equal Educational Opportunity shall, pursuant to a complaint received under section 9.01 or on its own initiative, conduct reviews to insure compliance with c. 76 s. 5 and these regulations. The school committee and the specific school(s) involved shall cooperate to the fullest extent with such review.

5. In the event of non-compliance with Chapter 76, s. 5 regulations, the Board of Education may take such action as it sees fit, including, but not limited to, withholding of funds or referral of the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for appropriate legal) action.

B. 1. If the matter relates to Title IX, the complainant may appeal in writing to the school committee. The school committee shall respond in writing within 20 school days.

2. If the matter relates to Title IX and remains unresolved, the complainant may appeal to the U.S. Office of Civil Rights.

V. Nothing in these procedures shall abridge or in any way limit the right of a parent, guardian or person affected to seek enforcement of Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1971 or Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 in any court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction.