The School Committee believes that the District is an integral part of the community and that community support is necessary for the District's operation and achievement of excellence. The School Committee and District staff members recognize that community support is based on a mutual exchange, a dynamic process in which the District contributes to the community's success and, in turn, benefits from the community's resources.

In order to maintain productive relationships with the community, the District is committed to sustaining:

Effective, accurate, and meaningful communications that facilitate dialogue, encourage involvement in District programs, and create community advocacy for its public schools. 

Volunteer programs that provide mutually enriching experiences for our students, staff, and community volunteers.

Recognition programs that publicly honor the contributions of our students, employees, and community partners and express pride in our individual and collective accomplishments.

Community service efforts which enable the District's staff and students to express their commitment to the community.

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

It is the general goal of the District to foster relationships with parents, which encourage cooperation between the home and school in establishing and achieving common educational goals for students. 

While parents are individually responsible for their children, the District provides direct services of education and indirect services of childcare for students during the time when they are within the supervision of school personnel. Consistent with these shared responsibilities and as appropriate to the maturity of the student, members of the school staff will consult with parents regarding student progress and achievement, methods to enhance student development, and matters of remediation.

Additionally, parental involvement in the schools is encouraged through regular communication with the school principal and staff, the parent/teacher organizations, the school volunteer program, and other opportunities for participation in school activities and District programs.

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

As required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71, Section 34H, a non-custodial parent may have access to the student record in accordance with law and Department of Education Regulations. The school district will follow the law and the regulations developed by the Massachusetts Department of
Education to standardize the process by which public schools provide student records to parents who do not have physical custody of their children ("non-custodial parents").

As required by M.G.L. c. 71, § 34H, a non-custodial parent may have access to the student record in accordance with the following provisions.

1. A non-custodial parent is eligible to obtain access to the student record unless the school or district has been given documentation that: 
   1. The parent has been denied legal custody or has been ordered to supervised visitation, based on a threat to the safety of the student and the threat is specifically noted in the order pertaining to custody or supervised visitation, or
   2. The parent has been denied visitation, or 
   3. The parent's access to the student has been restricted by a temporary or permanent protective order, unless the protective order (or any subsequent order modifying the protective order) specifically allows access to the information contained in the student record, or
   4. There is an order of a probate and family court judge which prohibits the distribution of student records to the parent.
2. The school shall place in the student's record documents indicating that a non-custodial parent's access to the student's record is limited or restricted pursuant to 603 CMR 23.07(5)(a).
3. In order to obtain access, the non-custodial parent must submit a written request for the student record to the school Principal.
4. Upon receipt of the request the school must immediately notify the custodial parent by certified and first class mail, in English and the primary language of the custodial parent, that it will provide the non-custodial parent with access after 21 days, unless the custodial parent provides the Principal with documentation that the non-custodial parent is not eligible to obtain access as set forth in 603 CMR 23.07 (5)(a).
5. The school must delete all electronic and postal address and telephone number information relating to either work or home locations of the custodial parent from student records provided to non-custodial parents. In addition, such records must be marked to indicate that they shall not be used to enroll the student in another school.
6. Upon receipt of a court order which prohibits the distribution of information pursuant to G.L. c. 71, §34H, the school shall notify the non-custodial parent that it shall cease to provide access to the student record to the non-custodial parent.

Legal references

M.G.L. 71:34D; 71:34H

603 CMR 23.07 (5) Access Procedures for Non-Custodial Parents

20 U.S.C. §1232g Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

The Monomoy School Committee recognizes the Parents' Council/PTSA and their mission to:

• support and speak on behalf of the children and youth in the schools, the community and before governmental agencies and other organizations that make decisions affecting our children;
• assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children; and 
• encourage parent and public involvement in schools.

Further, the School Committee understands the objectives of the Parents’ Council/PTSA are to: 

• establish a working, trusting relationship between and with the parents, students, teachers, administrators and the school committee of the Monomoy Public Schools and the community at large;
• open and maintain lines of communication between all concerned;
• afford an opportunity for the schools to acquaint parents with the objectives, programs, methods, achievements and plans of the school system;
• acknowledge and identify problem areas;
• present programs that will further understanding of the continuing educational process; and
• permit all parties to voice their concerns, as well as to assist in the implementation of agreed changes.

To this end the School Committee encourages the active participation of the Parents' Council/PTSA in advocating for the needs of our children.

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

File KC

Monomoy Regional School District

Community Involvement

The School Committee recognizes that community members and organizations have a wide range of expertise and resources that can positively support our students and our schools. The strength of our local school system is greatly enhanced by the degree to which these resources are accessed in an advisory way and to the degree to which these resources are involved in supporting the local educational program.

 The School Committee shall encourage the involvement of citizens both as individuals and as groups to act as advisors and resources in the following ways:

1. Participation in and membership on School Councils.
2. Participation in the development of long-term strategic plans.
3. In those instances where the specific talents or experiences of an individual or group complement and extend the instructional services of the classroom teacher.
4. In solving specific problems.
5. In serving as advisory support on curriculum development projects.

The School Committee and school staff will give consideration to the input they receive from individuals and community groups interested in the schools, particularly from those individuals and groups they have invited to advise them regarding specific issues, but will use their best judgment in arriving at decisions.

 

Cross references:

BDF, Advisory Committees to the School Committee

 

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised: 5/14/2020

 File KCD

Monomoy Regional School Committee
Public Gifts to the Schools 

The Superintendent will have authority to accept gifts and offers of equipment for the schools in the name of the Committee when the gift is of educational value. In the case of gifts from industry, business, or special interest groups, no extensive advertising or promotion may be involved in any donation to the schools. No organization affiliated with Monomoy Regional School District who serves anyone under the age of 21 should take support/donations from tobacco (including vape products), alcohol or marijuana companies. The code of ethics of the Association of Fundraising Professionals includes this: Adhere to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Gifts that would involve changes in school plants or sites will be subject to School Committee approval.

Gifts will automatically become the property of the school system. Any gift of cash, whether or not intended by the donor for a specific purpose, will be handled as a separate account and expended at the discretion of the Committee, as provided by law.

The Committee directs the Superintendent to assure that an appropriate expression of thanks is given all donors.

Legal references: M.G.L. 71:37A
Adopted: March 13, 2017
Revised: November 7, 2019

The School Committee is a public servant, and its meetings and records will be a matter of public information except as such meetings and records pertain to individual personnel and other classified matters.

The School Committee supports the right of the people to know about the programs and services of their schools and will make every effort to disseminate information. All requests for information will be acted on fairly, completely and expeditiously.

The official minutes of the Committee, its written policies and regulations, and its financial records will be open for inspection at the office of the Superintendent by any citizen desiring to examine them during hours when the office is open. No records pertaining to individual students or staff members will be released for inspection by the public or any unauthorized persons by the Superintendent or other persons responsible for the custody of confidential files. The exception to this will be information about an individual employee (or student) that has been authorized in writing for release by the employee (or
student, or student's parent).

Each building administrator is authorized to use all means available to keep parents and others in the particular school's community informed about the school's program and activities.

Legal references:

M.G.L. 4:7; 66:10; 30A:18-25

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

Every effort will be made to assist the press and other communications media to obtain complete and adequate coverage of the programs, challenges, planning, and activities of the school system. 

All representatives of the media will be given equal access to information about the schools. General releases of interest to the entire community will be made available to all the media simultaneously.

There will be no exclusive releases except as media representatives request information on particular programs, plans or concerns.

In order that school system publicity is given wide coverage and is coordinated into a common effort and purpose, the following procedures will be followed in giving official information to the news media:

1. The School Committee chairman will be the official spokesman for the Committee, except as this duty is delegated to the Superintendent.
2. News releases that are of a system-wide or a sensitive nature or pertain to established Committee policy are the responsibility of the Superintendent.
3. News releases that are of concern to only one school, or to an organization of one school, are the responsibility of the Principal of that particular school.

All statements made to the press by other staff members of the particular school must be cleared with the Principal. 

While it is impossible to know how news releases will be treated by the press, every possible effort should be made to obtain coverage of school activities that will create and maintain a dignified and professionally responsible image for the school system.

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

Although no member of the community will be denied the right to bring their complaints to the Committee, they will be referred through the proper administrative channels for solution before investigation or action by the Committee. Exceptions will be made when the complaints concern Committee actions or Committee operations only.

The Committee believes that complaints are best handled and resolved as close to their origin as possible, and that the professional staff should be given every opportunity to consider the issues and attempt to resolve the problem prior to involvement by the Committee. Therefore, the proper channeling of complaints involving instruction, discipline or learning materials will be as follows:

1. Teacher
2. School building administrator
3. Superintendent
4. School Committee

If a complaint, which was presented to the Committee and referred back through the proper channels, is adjusted before it comes back to the School Committee, a report of the disposition of the matter will be made to the Committee and then placed in the official files.

Matters referred to the Superintendent and/or School Committee must be in writing and should be specific in terms of the action desired.

Complaints about school personnel will be investigated fully and fairly. However, before any such complaint is investigated, the complainant must submit his/her complaint in writing. Anonymous com- plaints will be disregarded.

The Committee expects the professional staff to receive complaints courteously and to make a proper reply to the complainant.

SOURCE:

MASC

Legal references:

MG.L. 30A:18-25; 76:5 603 CMR 26:09 and 26.10

Cross references:

BEC, Executive Sessions

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

The School Committee, though it is ultimately responsible for all curriculum and instructional materials (including library books), recognizes the need and right of students to free access to many different types of books and materials. It also recognizes the right of the professional staff to select books and
other materials supportive of the school system's educational philosophy and goals.

Criticism of a book or other materials used in the schools may be expected from time to time. In such instances:

1. If a parent requests that his/her own child not read a given book, the teacher and/or school administrator should resolve the situation, perhaps by arranging for use of alternative material meeting essentially the same instructional purpose. This does not apply, however, to basic program texts and materials that the Committee has adopted.
2. The Committee will not permit any individual or group to exercise censorship over instructional materials and library collections, but recognizes that at times a reevaluation of certain material may be desirable. Should an individual or group ask to have any book or other material withdrawn from school use:
   1. The person who objects to the book or other material will be asked to sign a complaint on a standard form on which he/she will document his criticism.
   2. Following receipt of the formal complaint, the Superintendent will provide for a reevaluation of the material in question, he/she will arrange for the appointment of a review committee from among the faculty to consider the complaint.
   3. The Superintendent will review the complaint and the committee's reevaluation and will render a decision in the matter. Should the decision be unsatisfactory to the complainant, he/she may appeal it to the Committee.

In summary, the Committee assumes final responsibility for all books and instructional materials it makes available to students; it holds its professional staff accountable for their proper selection. It recognizes rights of individual parents with respect to controversial materials used by their own children; it will provide for the reevaluation of materials in library collections upon formal request. On the other hand, students' right to learn and the freedom of teachers to teach will be respected.

Legal references:

M.G.L. 76:5

Cross references:

IJ, Instructional Materials

IJL, Selection and Adoption of Library Materials

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

The School Committee supports the philosophy that facilities provided with public funds for educational purposes should be made available to community groups whose activities are educational, cultural, civic, or charitable in nature. The School Committee, therefore, shall permit use of the school facilities for these purposes when such use does not interfere with the school program.

Persons or organizations requesting to use school facilities shall be granted permission at the discretion of the Superintendent. Fees for such use will be charged according to the existing fee schedule.

The Superintendent or his/her designees are authorized to approve and schedule the use of school facilities in accordance with the above statements and in line with the following conditions and exceptions:

Use of school facilities for school purposes and by school-related organizations shall take precedent over all other uses. The priority given requests for use of school facilities will be as follows:

1. School activities
2. Town meetings and elections over other community activities
3. Non-profit organizations

1. School facilities on a pre-approved basis will be available for the following:
   1. Public School and School Committee activities
   2. Parent-teacher activities
   3. Official Town public hearings and Town political activities
   4. Recreation Department activities
   5. Non-profit service organizations
   6. Cultural Groups
   7. Local education, social, recreational and religious organizations' activities if a substantial portion of the members are residents of Chatham.
   8. Other activities when approved by the Superintendent.
2. Organizations using school facilities shall be made responsible for the proper conduct of all persons attending the event, for providing police protection if needed and, for immediate restoration of school property in the event of any damage. All such terms, including any fees shall be set forth and
   signed in a contract. Failure to meet terms may result in exclusion from further use.
3. Any fees to be charged shall be established at the time of the request. Fees shall be in accordance with the existing fee schedule.
4. When activities require custodial coverage, organizations will be required to have one or more custodians present and will be charged for such services in accordance with the current custodial contract. The principal of each building will determine the custodial personnel needed to assist in the event.
5. If cafeteria/kitchen facilities or equipment is used by organizations, one or more cafeteria workers must be present and the organization will be charged for the services in accordance with the current service employees' contract.
6. If special lighting and/or sound equipment is required with use of the auditorium, the organization will pay the lighting/sound effects person at a rate established at the time of the request. 
7. Users of school facilities are required to carry liability insurance and provide a Certificate of Insurance in an amount of two hundred and fifty thousand ($250,000.00) dollars.
8. Organizations wishing to use school facilities shall submit a form to the Superintendent's office at least two weeks in advance of the proposed function.
9. All rentals are for after regular school hours.

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

The School Committee will place limits on commercial activities and fund-raising activities in the schools for the following reasons:

1. The school system should provide students, parents, and employees some measure of protection from exploitation by commercial and charitable fund-raising organizations.
2. The school system should not give the public the impression of generally endorsing or sanctioning commercial and fund-raising activities.
3. Commercial and fund-raising activities may disrupt school routine and cause loss of instructional time.

Groups or individuals wishing to distribute materials must submit the material to the Superintendent for approval a minimum of two business days before the proposed distribution. The Superintendent will approve or disapprove the distribution on the basis of the acceptability of the material.

Following these guiding statements, the Superintendent and principals may permit occasional commercial or fund-raising activities related to the objectives of the schools with the following exceptions:

1. No direct solicitation of students or employees may take place without School Committee permission.
2. No general or class distribution of commercial or fund-raising literature may take place without School Committee permission.

For the purposes of this policy, local PTA and PTO groups and groups representing school system employees will be considered "school groups" and will be governed by the Committee's policy on staff solicitations.

Legal references:

M.G.L. 44:53A

Cross references:

GBEBC, Staff Gifts and Solicitations

JJE, Student Fund-Raising Activities

JP, Student Gifts and Solicitations

KHB, Advertising in the Schools

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

File: KHB-2

Monomoy Regional School District
Advertisement Signs on Athletic Field Fences

The school district allows advertising on athletic field fences if they meet the established signage requirements. The signs must be laminated or finished in a way to be water-repellent. Advertisements must conform to the district’s advertisement sign criteria (below) and must be approved for display by the Athletics Director, with consultation of the Superintendent.

Cape businesses will have preference to advertise, exceptions must be approved by the school committee. Advertisements are sold by, rates set by, and proceeds collected by the district’s All Sports Boosters. The All Sports Boosters may determine in-kind donations to be put towards the lease of a sign. 

Signs are furnished by the advertiser and are put up and removed by the districts Buildings and Grounds Department. Signs may be reused year to year by the advertiser if the fees are paid for each subsequent year. Signs no longer in quality condition , as determined by the Athletic Director, must be remade and the cost borne by the advertiser or the signs will be removed from the fences. If a sign previously made or posted generates adverse public attention, the sign is subject to removal. Signs that generate adverse public attention will also be removed. No signs will be sold for placement within any school gymnasium. 

Advertisement Signage Criteria

The following criteria must be adhered to for an athletic field sign to be approved.
● The advertisement must not conflict with District policies.
● The advertisement must not adversely affect the District’s reputation or image.
● The advertisement must not directly target the District’s students.
● The advertisement must not promote the engagement of illegal activity, goods, or services.
● The advertisement must not run contrary to the ethical principles of the District.
● The advertisement must not be false, misleading, deceptive, fraudulent, antisocial or disrespectful.
● The advertisement must not be obscene, profane, vulgar, or reasonably determined not to be in good taste.
● The advertisement must not endorse a political cause, political activity, or candidate for political office.
● The advertisement must not be religious or controversial in nature.
● The advertisement must not exploit or demean a person in any way.
● The advertisement must not promote the use of drugs, tobacco, gambling or alcohol.
● The advertisement must not promote the sale or use of products designed for use in connection with sexual
   activity or glamorize sexual conduct.
● The advertisement must not conflict with the mission of the District’s curriculum, instructional program,
   priorities, and educational objectives.
● The advertisement must have a neutral or positive effect on the District, its students, employees, and the
   greater community.
● The advertisement must not put financial limitations or costs on the District.
● The advertisements will focus upon local Cape Cod businesses, unless approved by the Superintendent.

Adopted: Jume 27, 2018
Revised

File KHB

Monomoy Regional School Committee
Advertising in the Schools 

Advertising of commercial products or services will be permitted in school buildings or on school grounds or properties upon approval of the Committee.
Publications of the school system will not contain any advertising. However, this will not prevent advertising in student publications that are published by student organizations, subject to administration controls, or the use of commercially sponsored, free teaching aids if the content is approved by the administration.

Solicitation of sales or use of the name of the school system to promote any product will not be permitted by the Committee. No organization affiliated with Monomoy Regional School District who serves anyone under the age of 21 should take support/donations from tobacco (including vape products), alcohol or marijuana companies. The code of ethics of the Association of Fundraising Professionals includes this: Adhere to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Cross references: JP, Student Gifts and Solicitations; KHA, Public Solicitations in the Schools

Adopted: March 13, 2017
Revised: November 7, 2019

The School Committee welcomes visitors to our schools. We feel strongly about protecting the safety and security of our students and staff, and therefore we establish the following procedures:

1. All visitors and outside school personnel must enter the building through the main entrance.
2. All visitors must report to the main office and sign the visitor's log book.
3. All school staff will report the presence of any unidentified person to the main office.
4. All school staff will keep exterior doors closed if exiting the building for recess, outside physical education, or general exiting.
5. All school staff will report the presence of any unidentified person on school grounds as observed, to the main office.
6. Service and delivery to the building cafeteria will be made via the door in the kitchen area. 
7. Guidelines for unsupervised students' movement in the building are suggested for teacher implementation as follows:
   1. encourage all students to immediately report the presence of an unidentified person in the school building to his/her teachers and/or the main office.
   2. encourage all students to report any encounter with unidentified persons which occur going to and from school.
8. The following guidelines to classroom and school visits should be followed:
   1. Parental requests for classroom visitations will be welcomed as long as the educational process is not disrupted. To this end we request that such requests be made at least forty- eight hours in advance to allow for proper arrangements to be made.
   2. The building principal has the authority to determine the number, times, and dates of observations by visitors. This will be done in consultation with staff members so as to give adequate notice to the staff members of the impending visits.
   3. For security purposes it is requested that all visitors report to the principal's office upon entering and leaving the building and sign a guest log showing arrival and departure times. Teachers are encouraged to ask visitors if they have registered in the Principal's office.
   4. Under ordinary circumstances classroom observations will be strongly discouraged during the first three weeks of school in September and during the month of June.
   5. Any student who wishes to have a guest in school MUST ask permission of one of the administrative staff 24 HOURS in advance of the proposed visit. If permission is granted, the guest is expected to follow the standards of behavior expected of all students. Upon arrival the guest must register in the office. Any guest who fails to comply with student regulations will be asked to leave the school building and grounds immediately. 

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised: