Embedded Files
Affirmative Action
Contracted Service Provider and Business Complaints
Janine Wechter 589-6644, Ext. 6501
District Anti-Bullying Coordinator
Joanne Henry 589-2626, Ext. 5503
Chief of Safety and Security
George Hilbert 589-8500, Ext. 7512
Sexual Harassment
Asbestos Management
Federal and State law mandate that each district prepare and maintain an asbestos management plan and a hazardous communication plan. The plans are on file at the Operations Building on Chapel Heights Road and at each school building for public review.
Child Abuse
All school employees are required by law to report suspected abuse/neglect. Any person who reports abuse or neglect pursuant to the law or testifies in a child abuse hearing resulting from such a report is immune from any criminal or civil liability as a result of such action. Reports will be made to the authorities whether or not substantial corroborative evidence is available.
It is the responsibility of each District staff member to report all cases of abuse, abandonment, cruelty, or neglect resulting in physical or mental injury by other than accidental means to the Department of Child Protection and Permanency and to the appropriate school administrator. The staff member has the responsibility to act to protect the health of the child. The procedures are delineated in the Board of Education policy manual.
Health Services
Communicable Disease
First Aid and Emergency Treatment
Illness
Parents should keep children at home when they show these symptoms: vomiting, enlarged glands, red or discharging eyes, fever, sore throat, chills, pain, stomach ache, diarrhea. In the event a student becomes ill while at school, parents will be notified to take the child home.
Medication
Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB)
Integrated Pest Management
Locker Searches
To foster an environment conducive to education, the Washington Township Board of Education assumes responsibility for the welfare of all students by maintaining discipline, order, and safety in all school locations. Student lockers are the property of the school district and remain under joint control of the District and the student.
The Board reserves the right to inspect students' school lockers. A reasonable search will be conducted when it is necessary to maintain safety, order, and discipline within the schools. The full procedures are listed in Board Policy and Administrative Procedure No. 5770. See also "Zero Tolerance for Drugs" below re: canine locker searches.
Student Right of Privacy
Playground Activities
Children are permitted to play softball and touch football, but not tackle football, on the elementary school playgrounds. These sports are played only during organized physical education classes. Equipment is provided by the school for these sports making it unnecessary for the child to bring equipment to school. Parents might caution children, especially at lunchtime, about rough physical contact that causes accidents and damages clothing. This period of play is supervised by aides, not teachers. Parents should stress good behavior.
Use of Electronic Communications and Recording Devices
Responsibility for Personal Property
Lost and Found - All valuable articles found at school are taken to the principal. Other articles are placed in the lost-and-found box. It is important that coats, hats, sweaters, and overshoes be marked with the child's name. Lost articles should be claimed within 30 days. After that time, they are donated to local charities.
Safety Drills
Safety Program
The Board of Education seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for everyone using the district's facilities. In addition to proper maintenance of buildings and grounds, safety includes an attitude of safety that must be cultivated and reinforced. To achieve this goal, the district has established a safety program involving all staff in monthly safety meetings and students through regular classroom instruction. Staff and students are responsible for obeying proper safety rules.
Student Accident Insurance
Substance Abuse/Alcohol Policy
Zero Tolerance for Drugs in School
The Board of Education and local police officials have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for drugs or other illegal substances in and Washington Township Public School. To combat this issue, our schools will continue to implement the D.A.R.E. Program and a coordinate this instruction with our health curriculum. In addition,
the Board of Education has implemented the following anti-drug procedures: school officials will post notices of locker searches in schools; bring in professional handlers with drug-sniffing canines; make greater use of surveillance cameras; conduct more frequent and unannounced locker searches; provide sensitivity training for professional and support staff; and conduct random drug testing of athletes.
Student Discipline
Zero Tolerance for Threats of Violence
Threats of violence by students will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Such behavior is a serious violation of school policy and will be met with swift and decisive action in accordance with New Jersey State Statutes as well as Board of Education Policy. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, disciplinary measures up to and including suspension or expulsion, as well as potential legal action and involvement of law enforcement. Our priority is to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff, and any behavior that jeopardizes that will be addressed with the utmost seriousness.
Student Dress and Grooming
Student Smoking
Use of School Grounds
The use of school grounds by unauthorized persons is prohibited. Furthermore, driving any motorized vehicle (including minibikes or motorbikes) onto school grounds for reasons other than official school business is forbidden. The Police Department is authorized to take action against violators.
Visitors
Voluntary Fingerprinting
Weapons in Schools
It is sad, but absolutely true, that tragic events taking place in some schools around the country in recent years have changed the climate and context in which we treat both threats and weapons. The presence of firearms, knives, look-alike firearms, other weapons or everyday objects used as weapons cannot be tolerated in our schools. Students who bring objects to school which are weapons, classified as weapons or which could potentially create fear, panic or a less-than-secure school environment, regardless of age or intent, will face consequences which could be most serious, up to and including removal from the regular school program. We ask parents to join us in emphasizing to their children, our students, that the possession of such items at school, on a school bus, or at any school function will not be tolerated and can literally, and in plain language, land them in “big trouble” with both the school and the law.
Reasonable Expectations in Challenging Situations
As in the Weapons items above, there are some other situations involving discipline or potential dangerous events that parents should keep in mind:
During HIB or discipline investigations, administrators
and/or other school staff might need to interview students in regard to what has taken place. There is no requirement that parents be present for such interviews, and as a general rule, it is neither encouraged nor permitted.
Please keep in mind, as in the HIB Policy, that the legal and policy definitions of what constitutes an act of HIB are very specific, and possibly not as broad as believed by the general public. We do, however, deal in some way with any and all incidents of inappropriate behavior or interaction.
We also will not discuss the personal situations of other students with you (as we will not discuss those of your child with others). We are also not at liberty to discuss the disciplinary consequences assigned to students other than your own child.
During emergency situations, such as lockdowns and evacuations, held for any reasons, our first priorities will be the safety of our students and staff, followed by our accountability for their whereabouts and condition. Bulletins or information concerning these events will follow as soon as possible, but not before the first two priorities are met.
In such situations, please remember that unless your child tells you they have been so directed to call or text you, the only official announcements come from the district communications venues, not from random social media sites or other unofficial media, despite their possible popularity.
Due to the possibilities of unscheduled dismissals due to extreme weather or emergency events, it is strongly advised that all families have one or two “back-up plans” ready for such situations. The more information you fully share with us in advance, the more we can cooperate with you in such situations.
In the event of lockdowns or evacuations, school staff and emergency responders will act, as prepared to, for the safety of your children. It is not advisable to come to the school site, but if you do, please be patient, and we ask you to treat with respect all of those working in the interest of such safety. All of us understand how such situations can worry parents, but in these cases we are trying to prevent chaos, and need to keep the well-being of all students first and foremost.
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