Equal Opportunity
The Ledyard Board of Education does not knowingly condone unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origins, sex, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, creed, or mental or physical disability or any other legally recognized classification in the employment of its staff, or in the admission or access to its programs or activities. The Assistant Superintendent of Schools is the Title VI and Title IX Coordinator. The Director of Special Services is the Section 504 Coordinator and the ADA Coordinator. You can reach both coordinators at the Ledyard Board of Education, 4 Blonder Boulevard, Ledyard, CT 06339 or by phone at (860)464-9255. An individual who feels that he/she has been unlawfully discriminated against by the Board, its employees or its agents in their performance of duties for the Board shall notify an appropriate supervisor or staff member within thirty (30) calendar days of the alleged occurrence to discuss the nature of the complaint. The supervisor or staff member shall notify the district’s Civil Rights Coordinator of discrimination complaints.
Student Supports
The Ledyard Middle School recognizes that as students move from elementary to middle school they experience many changes and transitions. The goal of the school community is to support and address all concerns. This is related to all topics that confront students relating to family/custodial concerns, (gender) identity, peer relations, moving into or out of Ledyard for military or other reasons, experiencing racial inequity, and etc. The school administration uses the structures of the Bullying and Harassment policy and procedures to address such as their reporting system and timelines are strict and immediate. The levels of reporting and receiving support are progressive as the individual situation requires. Teachers, counselors, administration are all a part of the process and if there is ever a time you feel unheard, please bring the issue to the administration (building or district).
Bullying
Bullying of a student by another student is prohibited. Bullying is defined as any overt acts by a student or groups of students directed against another student with the intent to ridicule, harass, humiliate or intimidate the other student while on school grounds, at a school sponsored activity, or on a school bus which acts are committed more than once against any student during the school year. Bullying which occurs outside of the school setting may be addressed by school officials if it has a direct and negative impact on a student’s academic performance or safety in school. Such behavior will result in disciplinary action. Examples of bullying include, but are not limited to are actions that:
Cause physical or emotional harm to the student or damage to the student’s property;
Place the student in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself, or of damage to his or her property;
Create a hostile environment at school for the student;
Infringe on the rights of the student at school; or
Substantially disrupt the education process or the orderly operation of a school.
"Cyber bullying" includes but is not limited to the following misuses of technology: Harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, defaming another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful email messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings, including blogs. Also, sending sexually explicit pictures of minors is considered child pornography and anyone that takes, sends, forwards, or keeps these images may be prosecuted both in the State of CT and/or federally.
Bullying Reporting
In accordance with the Safe School Climate Plan, a student and/or their parent/guardian may file a written report of conduct they consider bullying. Students may also make an informal complaint of conduct that they consider to be bullying by verbal report to a teacher or administrator, who will promptly reduce the complaint to writing and forward it to the principal for review and action.
Students and parents/guardians are permitted to make anonymous reports of bullying. Parent written reports and student anonymous reports will be investigated by the school administration but no disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report.
Pupil services personnel and administrators are responsible for taking a bullying report and investigating the complaint. Parents of students involved in a verified act of bullying will be invited to attend a meeting at school. If acts of bullying are verified, prompt disciplinary action may be taken against the perpetrator, consistent with his/her rights of due process. Board policy and regulation #5131.911 set forth this prohibition and the related procedures in detail, and are available to students and their parents/guardians upon request.
Drug, Tobacco, & Alcohol Use
The use, possession, and/or sale of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tobacco products, and drugs are forbidden on school property. This prohibition applies to all students participating in all officially sanctioned school activities wherever they are conducted. This prohibition includes transportation to and from such activities on school buses and/or other officially sanctioned means of transportation. Misuse of any substance may be considered under this portion of the handbook. Discipline up to and including expulsion may be applied for a violation at the discretion of the Board of Education. Recognizing that drug use and abuse may be indicative of serious underlying problems, every effort will be made to offer a student help and assistance, including early identification, referral for treatment and aftercare support. Disciplinary procedures will be administered with the best interest of the student, school population, and community in mind.
Voluntary disclosure of drug/alcohol problem or self-referral: Students will be referred by the staff member to professional assistance (school counselor, school nurse, school psychologist, or an appropriate licensed agency). The student will be encouraged to seek help. Confidentiality will be maintained unless the safety of the student or others requires consultation with a school administrator. Involuntary disclosure of drug/alcohol problem: If a student demonstrates symptoms of possible drug overdose, the situation will be handled as a medical emergency. Parents/guardians will be notified. If drug use is confirmed, the police will be notified. The student and his/her family will be referred to a community-based agency with services for drug and alcohol education, prevention, and treatment.
The same procedures will be followed if a student is caught in possession of drugs/alcohol, using drugs/alcohol, or in possession of any type of paraphernalia normally associated with the use of drugs/alcohol. Any physical evidence must be turned over to the building administrator and law enforcement agency immediately.
Consequences Drug and Alcohol use and/or Abuse: The student may be referred to the Office of the Superintendent for possible expulsion or other appropriate action.
Violation: The student will receive five (5) to ten (10) days out-of-school suspension. The student may receive in-school counseling upon return.
Harassment
Sexual harassment or any other form of harassment based on protected class status (including, but not limited to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, or disability) will not be tolerated in the Ledyard School District. The Board of Education strictly forbids any form of harassment by students, personnel, individuals under contract, or volunteers subject to the control of the Board. Students who engage in harassment will be subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion.
Hate Speech
Ledyard Public Schools believes all students should be able to attend school free of harassment, humiliation, and intimidation. To that end, hate speech and its symbols- including swastika and the Confederate flag – are prohibited at Ledyard Middle School. Exceptions include representations of those symbols as a part of Board approved curricular instruction.
Sexual Harassment
It is the policy of the Board of Education to maintain learning and working environment that is free from sexual harassment.
No student, employee or school volunteer may harass a student, employee or school volunteer through conduct or communication of a sexual manner.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal or physical. This includes insulting or degrading sexual remarks or conduct. Threats are not allowed and neither is anything that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment. Sexual harassment will result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Any person who believes he/she has been a victim of sexual harassment is encouraged to report such complaints to the principal. Complaints will be investigated promptly and corrective action will be taken when allegations are verified. If the student is not satisfied with the resolution, he/she may file an appeal with the Superintendent. Confidentiality will be maintained and no retaliation will be allowed to occur as a result of the complaint. Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to
pressure for sexual activity
repeated remarks with sexual or sexually demeaning implications
unwelcome or inappropriate touching
suggesting or demanding sexual involvement accompanied by implied or explicit threats
concerning a student's grades or academic standing
Harassment- Protected Class
Harassment of a student based on protected class status other than sexual harassment consists of verbal or physical conduct when the harassing conduct is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it affects a student's ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity, or creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment; the harassing conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance; or the harassing conduct otherwise adversely affects an individual's work or academic performance.
Suicide Prevention
Any student may seek assistance for himself/herself or a friend through any staff member. When a student makes a statement of suicidal thinking, or when it appears that a suicide attempt is possible, staff members are required to report this information to the guidance counselor or school psychologist or building principal and/or designee who will, in turn, notify the student’s family and appropriate resource services. As a precaution, students will be closely supervised and students will be released only to the parents, guardians, or other responsible adults. If the parents/guardians cannot be reached, the case will be treated as a medical emergency and arrangements will be made to transport the student to a proper medical facility. As a follow up, the school guidance counselor will maintain contact with any outside resources to learn how the school can support the student.
Child Abuse & Neglect
All school personnel are required by law (C.G.S. 17a-101) to report suspected cases of child abuse/neglect to DCF (Department of Children and Families.) Specific procedures governing the reporting of abuse and neglect are in effect, and staff receives yearly training in their use. Reporting of child abuse and neglect is a responsibility which is taken seriously. If there is any doubt about reporting suspected abuse or neglect, a report will be made. The school will work with the parents and appropriate social agencies in all cases.
Child abuse is defined as any physical injury inflicted by other than accidental means or injuries which are not in keeping with the explanation given for their cause. Improper treatments such as malnutrition, sexual molestation, and deprivation of necessities, emotional abuse, cruel punishment or neglect are also considered child abuse.
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