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M T W Th
F -- -- 29 30 -- 1st day for teachers -- 4 5 6 7 School Opens 10 11 12 13 14 Kindergarten Opens 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 |
M T W Th
F 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 Mother and Son Dance 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 February Vacation 25 26 27 28 29 |
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M T W Th
F 1 2 3 4 5 -- 9 10 11 12 Columbus Day 15 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 29 30 31 |
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Th F 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 Good Friday 24 25 26 27 28 31 |
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M T W Th
F 1 2 5 -- 7 8 9 Professional Day 11/6 26 27 28 29 30 |
M T W
Th F 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 April Vacation 28 29 30 |
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M T W Th
F 3 4 5 6 -- Professional Day 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 -- -- -- -- -- Christmas Break --- |
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Th F 1 2 5 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 15 16 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 28 29 30 Memorial Day Observed |
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F -- 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 --- 22 23 24 25 Martin Luther King 28 29 30 31 |
M T W
Th F 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 180th Day 23 24 25 26 27 185th Day 30 |
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| 9/12 (sundown)- 9/14 -Rosh Hashanah | 12/4 -(sundown) Hanukah |
| 9/21 (sundown)- 9/22 Yom Kippur | April |
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4/19 -(sundown) -4/21-Passover |
| 10/13 Eid al-Fitr |
June 6/8 - (sundown) - Shavuot |
| Grades K-8* | Grades 9-12 * |
| Nov. 2 | Nov. 2 |
| Jan. 25 | Jan. 25 |
| April 4 | April 4 |
| Last Day of School |
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ADMINISTRATION
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Superintendent of Schools, Ext. 1203
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Assistant Superintendent for Personnel & Student
Services, Ext. 1215
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Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Administration,
Ext. 1179
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Assistant Superintendent for Administration & Finance, Ext. 1216 |
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THS - Matthew Mattos, Headmaster -821-1101 |
Leddy - Jill Wright - 821-1275 |
Barnum - Mary Jane Webster -821-1282 |
Martin - Christopher Baratta -821-1250 |
Bennett - Robert Dirks - 821-1245 |
Maxham - Christy Mello - 1265 |
Chamberlain - Sheila Kukstis -821-3216 |
Mulcahey - Christel Torres -1255 |
East Taunton - Dr. Sheilah Reardon -821-1330 |
Parker - Manuel Fernandez- 821-1111 |
Friedman - John Cabral -821-1493 |
Pole - Barbara McGuire -821-1260 |
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Elementary pupils in grades 1-4 who live more than one and
one-quarter (1-1/4) miles from their school, middle school pupils
in grades 5 and 6 who live more than one and one-half (1-1/2)
miles, and pupils in grades 7 thru 12 who live more than who (2)
miles from their school are eligible for transportation.
After the beginning of the school year, it may be necessary to
change some bus stops. Parents will be notified if a change affects
their children. Behavior of children on buses is a safety concern
and will be enforced. Improper conduct may cause the termination
of this transportation privilege.
Kindergarten students will be picked up in close proximity to
their home. All preschool students who have a special education
Individualized Education Plan will be provided transportation
which will include a pickup in close proximity to their home.
Parents of pre-school and kindergarten children will receive a
notice indicating where their children's bus stops will be.
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Massachusetts Department of Education Regulations, parents, and students who have reached the age of fourteen (14), or entered grade nine (9) or above, are afforded certain rights with respect to the student's educational records. These rights include:
1.) The right to inspect and review the student's
educational records within ten (10) days after an initial request
for access is made to the Principal of the school. The request
should be made in writing. The school Principal will notify the
parent or student of the time and place where the records may
be inspected. A professionally qualified staff person shall be
available, upon request, to interpret the contents of the record.
In addition, the parent or eligible student may have the student
record inspected or interpreted by a third party of his/her choice
upon due written consent of the parent or eligible student.
By decision of the Taunton School Committee, copies of the record
shall be furnished upon request for a fee of $.20 per page. This
rate is equivalent to the cost of reproduction.
2.) The right to request the amendment of the
student's education records that the parent or eligible student
believes are inaccurate. The parent or eligible student should
clearly identify in writing the part(s) of the record that he/she
wants changed, and, specify why it is inaccurate. Other changes
may be made to the student record through the addition of information,
comments, data, or any other relevant written material.
If the school decides not to amend a record as requested by the
parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent
or eligible student of the decision and advise him/her of his/her
right to a hearing with the school Principal regarding the request
for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures
will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified
to the right of a hearing.
In the event the decision made by the Principal at the appeal
is not satisfactory, the parent or eligible student may then appeal
to the Superintendent, in writing, for a review of the objections.
If the Superintendent's response is not satisfactory to the parent
or eligible student, the decision may be appealed to the School
Committee. The School Committee shall conduct a hearing within
four weeks after receipt of a written notice of an appeal. The
parent or eligible student may be represented by an advocate of
his or her choosing to cross-examine witnesses and to present
evidence. Written notice of the decision by the School Committee
will be furnished to the parent or eligible student.
3.) The right to consent to disclosures of
personally identifiable information contained in the student's
educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes
disclosure without consent.
One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure
to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school
official is a person employed by the school as an administrator,
supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health
or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person
serving on the School Committee; a person or company with whom
the school has contracted with to perform a special task (such
as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or
a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as
a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school
official in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the
official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill
his or her professional responsibility.
Both federal and state law permit a school to release "directory"
information about students without consent unless the school is
informed in writing by the parent or eligible student that such
information should not be released. This would include a student's
name, address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, photograph,
date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance,
weight and height of members of athletic teams, grade level, participation
in officially recognized activities and sports, degrees, honors
and awards, and post high school plans. This would also include
requests for student information by military or college recruiters.
Otherwise, no information in a student record shall be given to
a third party without the specific written consent of the parent
or eligible student, except in the receipt of a court order or
lawfully issued subpoena, or when given anonymously in statistical
form to the Massachusetts Department of Education acting for the
Commissioner in connection with the enforcement of federal and
state education laws, or when forwarded to the school to which
a student is transferring unless the parent or eligible student
requests that such information not be transferred.
All information kept in student records shall be of importance to the educational process and limited to information relevant to the educational needs of the student. The school principal is responsible for the privacy and security of all student records maintained in the school.
Permanent Record/ Transcript - shall contain the minimum data necessary to reflect the student's educational progress and be limited to the name, address, phone number and birth date of the student and the name, address, and phone number of the parent or guardian, course titles and grades, course credit, grade level completed, and the year completed. The transcript is maintained for sixty (60) years following graduation, transfer or withdrawal.
Temporary Record - shall contain all information not contained in the transcript such as standardized test results, class rank, extra-curricular activities, and evaluations by teachers, counselors, and other school staff. The Temporary Record is destroyed no later than five (5) years after graduation, transfer or withdrawal of the student from the school system. The student and/or parent will receive prior written notice of the approximate date of destruction of the record and of their right to receive a copy of the information contained therein.
Parents and eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The address is listed below:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Office of Education
400 Maryland Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Massachusetts Student Record Regulations may
be obtained through your school principal, who can also help you
with any questions regarding student records.
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71, Section 34H
There has been a recent change in Massachusetts law regarding access to student records by non-custodial parents. In essence, this law requires that, for a parent who does not have physical custody of his/her child, that parent does not have access to his/her records until certain documents are provided by the parent to the principal of the child's school. Please consult your child's principal should this legal requirement pertain to you.
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. 1232(h), requires the Taunton Public School System to notify you and to obtain consent, or, allow you to opt out of participating in certain school activities that are sponsored in part or in full by the U.S. Department of Education. These activities include a student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns one or more of the following eight areas ("protected information surveys"):
1.) Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student's parent(s);
2.) Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student's family;
3.) Sex behavior or attitudes;
4.) Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
5.) Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6.) Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
7.) Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or
8.) Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.
At this time there are no protected surveys
planned for the Taunton Public School System for the 2006-2007
school year. Parents and eligible students (ages 14 and older)
will be notified, by U.S. mail, at least three (3) weeks prior
to the administration of a protected survey. Within that three-week
period, the parent or eligible student may choose to either consent
or opt out of taking part in the survey.
PPRA also provides parents and eligible students with certain rights. These include the right to:
A.) Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of -
1.) Any other protected information survey;
2.) Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of attendance,
administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a
student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any other physical exam or screening permitted
or required by Massachusetts law; and
3.) Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing
or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.B.) Inspect, upon request, and before administration or use -
1.) Protected information surveys of students;
2.) Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other
distribution purposes; and
3.) Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.
The Taunton Public Schools will develop policies, in consultation with parents, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. The district will then notify parents of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes are made in said policies. At the beginning of each school year, using this Calendar and Information Packet, the Taunton Public Schools will publish a list of any and all planned administrations of surveys for that school year. The approximate date of administration of the survey will also be included.
Any parent who believes that their rights have been violated with respect to the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment may file a complaint with:
Family Policy Compliance Office
United States Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5901
It is the policy of the Taunton School Department not to discriminate in the educational programs or activities that it operates.
No person shall be excluded from or discriminated
against in admission to
a public school of any town, or in obtaining the advantages, privileges
and
courses of study of such public school on account of race, color,
sex,
religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.
The School Department is required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and the implementing regulation not to discriminate on the basis of sex. This requirement not to discriminate extends to employment by the School Department. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX regarding activities relating to insuring nondiscrimination in the admission and treatment of students, curriculum and discrimination in employment policies and practices may be directed to:
Steven Leonard Ed.D
Assistant Superintendent for
Curriculum & Administration
50 Williams Street
Taunton, MA 02780
(508) 821-1180
Any school employee, parent, student or interested party may file a grievance if that person feels discriminated against, denied a benefit or excluded from participation in any educational program or activity on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.
Section 1. Definitions
(a) "Days" means working days for grievances filed by employees; and school attendance days for grievances filed by students.
(b) "School Department" means the Taunton School Department.
(c) "Employee" means a person who is on a permanent basis as opposed to a temporary basis on the payroll of the School Department.
(d) A "grievance" is a complaint alleging action by the School Department in violation of Title IX or the implementing regulations.
(e) "Responsible Official" means the employee designated by the School Department to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX and the implementing regulations.
(f) "Student" means a person enrolled in one of the schools operated by the School Department.
(g) "Superintendent" means the Superintendent of Schools or his designee.
Section 2. Procedure
All grievances brought by students or employees shall be handled in the following manner:
Step One - Informal
Within twenty (20) days of the time that the grievant knew, or reasonably should have known of the grievance, or within twenty (20) days of the publication of this grievance procedure, whichever is later, the grievant shall present the grievance orally to the building principal (if the grievant is a student) or to the immediate supervisor (if the grievant is an employee). Within five (5) days after the presentation of the grievance, the principal or immediate supervisor shall orally answer the grievance.
Step Two - The "Responsible Official"
(a) Within five (5) days of the oral answer, if the grievance is not resolved it shall be stated in writing, signed by the grievant, and submitted to the "responsible official."
(b) The grievance shall (1) name the employee or student involved; (2) state the facts giving rise to the grievance; (3) identify the specific provisions of Title IX or the implementing regulations alleged to be violated; and (4) indicate the specific relief requested.
(c) Within five (5) days after receiving the written grievance, the "responsible official" shall give an answer in writing to the grievant.
Step Three - The Superintendent
(a) If the grievance is not resolved in Step Two, the grievant may, within five (5) days of receipt of the "responsible official's" answer, appeal to the Superintendent by filing the grievance and the "responsible official's" answer, along with any written response of the grievant to the answer of the "responsible official" with the Office of the Superintendent, which shall receipt therefore.
(b) The Superintendent shall hear the grievance within ten (10) days after receipt of any written grievance properly filed with the Superintendent's office and shall render a decision in writing within ten (10) days after such hearing.
(c) The grievant shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the facts and to the issues raised by the grievance and may be represented by counsel at the hearing of a grievance by the Superintendent.
(d) The grievant shall be furnished a copy of the decision of the Superintendent.
(e) The decision of the Superintendent shall be final within the school corporation.
Section 3. Failure to Observe Time Limits
In the event the grievant fails to exhaust his/her remedies under grievance procedure provided above, or to abide by the time limits with respect to each step, the grievance shall be presumed to be all settled in accordance with the School Department's last answer thereto. In the event the School Department fails to give its answer at any step within the time limits prescribed, the grievant shall have the right to proceed immediately to the next step. Any time limit may be extended by written mutual agreement of the grievant and the School Department.
Section 4. Effect of Settlement
Any settlement of a grievance shall be applicable to the grievance only and shall not be the binding authority for the disposition of any other grievance. Any grievance initiated under this procedure shall be brought by and for the student or employee alleging action in violation of Title IX and the implementing regulations by the School Department affecting the student or employee initiating the grievance.
ARTHUR W. STELLAR Ph.D
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Chapter 622 applies to equal education opportunities for all students of public schools. Every course taught must present fairly the culture, history and contributions of people from different races, nationalities, sexes, religions, and colors. The content and objectives of all courses, the books used, and the materials and teaching methods used, should show people from all backgrounds in a variety of positive roles. All academic courses, as well as vocational, are now open to all students regardless of sex (example: Industrial Technology, Drafting, Family & Consumer Science, Cosmetology).
In addition to academic courses, physical education classes must also meet these standards. This means that gym classes will have to be integrated, except for bodily contact sports. Schools must provide equal practice schedules, locker rooms, travel and publicity. If enough girls express interest in any contact sports provided for boys, then a women's team must be provided. Schools must insure that physical education classes and activities, which are separate, are comparable for members of each sex.
Occupational information shall include representatives
of both sexes and of minority group members in a broad variety
of occupational roles. Schools shall not permit materials to be
used to recruit students for employment, including training, that
contain a preference for individuals of a particular race, color,
sex, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
The Taunton Public School System recognizes that harassment on the basis of sex is a violation of both Federal and State Discrimination Laws. The School System's Policy Manual has specific policies for employees (File ACAB) and for student conduct (File JICK).
The following notice reiterates these policies and meets the requirement to notify individuals within the organization at least annually.
Any individual with a complaint of sexual harassment should:
1. Employees: Notify his/her immediate supervisor, the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel &
Student Services, and/or the Superintendent.2. Students: Notify his/her teacher(s), counselor(s), and /or administrator(s).
Once an Administrator/Supervisor becomes aware of any allegations of sexual harassment, he/she will immediately report such allegations to the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel & Student Services and/or the Superintendent of Schools. All complaints of sexual harassment will be investigated and properly resolved.
1. Sexual Harassment consists of unwelcome
sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature
when:
a. submission to such conduct is made a term or condition of an individual's employment;
b. submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for employment decisions affecting such individual;
c. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
2. Forms of sexual harassment include the following:
a. verbal harassment, such as derogatory comments, jokes, or slurs;
b. physical harassment, such as unnecessary or offensive touching or impeding or blocking movement;
c. visual harassment, such as derogatory or offensive posters, cards, cartoons, graffiti, drawings, or gestures.
3. Complaint Procedures:
a. If an employee or student perceives comments or actions to be "Sexual Harassment" by an individual associated with the organization, the employee/student should notify an appropriate individual. The Superintendent and/or his designee will be notified of the allegations as soon as possible.
b. The Superintendent or his designee will select an Administrator who will promptly investigate the complaint(s) of sexual harassment and will take immediate action to resolve any complaints.
c. No individual will suffer reprisals for reporting any incidents of sexual harassment.
In compliance with Massachusetts Law (Chapter 69, Section 1B; Chapter 71, Section 37G), the Taunton Public Schools have adopted a policy concerning the physical restraint of students. This policy requires that professional staff members be trained in methods of restraint and trained in determining situations where restraint would be an appropriate response to student behavior. All restraints must be administered by trained personnel, reported in writing to administration, and provided to the Massachusetts Department of Education upon request. Any restraint that last 20 or more minutes or any restraint that results in any injury to a student or staff member must be reported to the Department.
In compliance with Chapter 71 of the General Laws, Section 32A, parents are being provided with the following list of courses which have lessons which may involve human sexuality education or human sexuality issues:
1. Wellness Curriculum - Health Grades 5-10
2. Family & Consumer Science Department Courses Grades 9-12 - Introduction to Child Development and Nutrition and Family Health
3. Science Department Courses - Human Biology and Health, grade 6; Life Sciences, grade 7; Biology, Anatomy, Human Body and Current Issues, grades 9-12
4. To be determined - School assemblies or guest speakers on such topics as AIDS, Adolescent Health Issues, Dating Violence, etc.
This state statute affords parents or guardians
the flexibility to exempt their children from the portion of the
curriculum that addresses sexuality issues.
Since each curriculum is reviewed and approved by educators, a community advisory committee and the school committee, we strongly recommend that all students participate in the age appropriate lessons scheduled for the child's grade level. However, if you do not want your child to participate, you have the right to exempt your child from the "human sexuality lessons" by submitting a request, in writing, to the child's principal. Parents are encouraged to submit this request at the beginning of the school year. This written request for exemption should be made annually. The principal will then forward this exemption request to the appropriate staff members. It should be noted, that whenever a student is exempt from specific lessons, he or she will be given an alternative assignment which will be used to allow the student to earn "marking credit" for the curriculum materials missed.
Should parents want additional information about various curriculum guides or wish to review curriculum materials, contact should be made with the building principal who will coordinate a time and place for the review.
The 1993 Education Reform Act put into place the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to provide schools and parents with the means to determine how students are performing and where teaching and curriculum need to improve. There are several unique features of the MCAS that, when combined with other state initiatives, are part of a plan to provide greater consistency in education across the Commonwealth. This includes the following:
1. The MCAS is administered to all public school students in various grades. Presently students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 are administered components of the MCAS testing program.
2. The MCAS is designed to measure academic performance in the English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Technology, and History/Social Science areas of the state curriculum frameworks.
3. MCAS results report the performance of individual students, schools, and districts.
4. Students must earn a passing score in English/Language Arts and Mathematics to be eligible for a high school diploma.
5. The Federal government has set a standard of universal proficiency in English/Language Arts and Mathematics for all students by 2014.
The Taunton Public School System recognizes the many challenges presented by the testing system but we clearly recognize the benefits to our students. In order to assist students who are having difficulty with these tests, the school system will offer a number of after school, Saturday, and summer programs. Parents and students are urged to participate in these academic support programs. The Taunton School System urges parents and students to support the statewide effort to raise academic standards for all students.
It should be noted that the above is subject to change based upon new rulings by the Department of Education.
State regulations 603CMR 28.00 govern special education and related services in the public schools. The purpose of these regulations is to insure that eligible Massachusetts students receive special education services designed to develop the student's individual educational potential in the least restrictive environment in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. The laws also provide for a TEAM evaluation for any student who is unable to progress effectively in a regular school program. The TEAM is usually comprised of parents, a nurse, school counselor, psychologist, principal, special educator, and a classroom teacher. The TEAM is convened to evaluate the student and to recommend an educational plan that is centered upon the student's individual special needs. Regulations also require that each school district should have a Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). For additional information about our community's PAC, or any other special education issue, please contact the Director of Special Education at 508-821-1210.
Meetings will be held the 3rd Tuesday of each month (2nd Tuesday in February & April) at the Friedman School Parent Leadership Center. Nomination of officers will be held at the September meeting and election of officers will be held at the October meeting.
Bus Radio operates on all school buses in the Taunton Public Schools. Music, contests, commercials, and public service announcements make up the age appropriate content. Comments, suggestions, complaints, or concerns about Bus Radio programming should be forwarded to:
Julie Hackett, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Personnel & Student Services
50 Williams Street
Taunton, MA 02780
Parents wishing to serve as a member of a committee to monitor and evaluate Bus Radio should also contact Dr. Julie Hackett at the address listed above.
The Taunton Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
This school calendar and list of regulations
packet is provided to each student and staff member at the beginning
of the school year. Parents are encouraged to carefully review
the material contained herein and, if they have any questions,
are asked to contact their child's building principal.
Sincerely,
Best wishes to staff, parents and to all our students for a very
rewarding school year.
Arthur Stellar, Ph.D
Superintendent of Schools
