CSD File: JICA
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
STUDENT DRESS CODE

The responsibility for the appearance of the students rests with the parents and the students themselves.

Parents have the right to determine each student’s dress, providing that such attire complies with the health code of the State of New Hampshire, and does not interfere nor disrupt the educational process of the school.

The Principal is authorized to issue regulations to implement this policy, provided that such regulations are approved by the Superintendent.

Adopted: April 5, 2001

CSD File: JIC
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
STUDENT CONDUCT

All student behavior must be based on respect and consideration for the rights of others.

Students shall receive annually, at the opening of school, a publication listing the rules and regulations to which they are subject.

Students have a responsibility to know and respect the rules and regulations of the school. Students have the further responsibility to behave in a manner appropriate to good citizenship everywhere. This includes treating all students and staff with courtesy, consideration, and respect. Insults, force, or sarcasm shall not be used.

Statutory References: RSA 189:1-c, RSA 194:23 (f)

Legal References:
RSA 193:13, Suspension and Expulsion of Pupils
RSA 193-D:4, Written Report Required
RSA 631:2-a, Simple Assault
NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed. 306.04(f)(4), Student Discipline
NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed. 306.06, Culture and Climate
NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed. 317.04(b, Disciplinary Procedures

Statutory References: RSA 189:1-c, RSA 194:23 (f)

CSD File: JIBA
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
STUDENT GOVERNMENT

The Board sanctions and recommends the organization of student government bodies at the
middle school level.

Members to the student council shall be elected democratically. The rights and responsibilities of
the student council shall be clearly set forth. A staff advisor for the student council shall be
chosen by the Principal.

Adopted: April 5, 2001

CSD File: JIB
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION-MAKING

The role of the school is to create a stimulating learning climate which develops active involvement of students in their education and develops a spirit of inquiry. The Board believes that a student should be involved in academic decision-making consistent with their developmental stage and should include the following:
1. Be encouraged to participate in planning classroom activities and in improving courses of studies.
2. Feel free to express, without fear, their own opinions, recognizing that every privilege and right has a corresponding responsibility.
3. Be involved in the planning of assembly programs and school-sponsored forums of interest.
4. Be encouraged to participate in student government organizations that provide students with a voice in school affairs.
5. Be encouraged to participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities to broaden their educational experiences.
6. The Board may choose to add a nonvoting student member from a high school in the district to the Board.

Students have a responsibility to know and respect the rules and regulations of the school. Students have the further responsibility to behave in a manner appropriate to good citizenship everywhere. This includes treating all students and staff with courtesy, consideration, and respect. Insults, force, or sarcasm shall not be used.

Statutory References: RSA 189:1-c, RSA 194:23 (f)

Adopted: April 5, 2001

CSD File: JIA
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
STUDENT DUE PROCESS RIGHTS

Students facing discipline will be afforded all due process rights given by law. The Superintendent or his/her written designee is authorized to suspend any student for up to ten days for violations of school rules or policies. Should the Superintendent desire to suspend a student for more than ten days, such student will be afforded a hearing before the school board. In addition to the provisions of this policy, the Board recognizes the application of all pertinent provisions of RSA 193:13 and associated Department of Education rules.

Student due process rights shall be printed in the Parent-Student Handbook and will be made available in another language or presented orally upon request.

Legal References:
RSA 189:15, Regulations, NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed 306.04(a)(3), Policy Development, Discipline, NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed 306.04(f), Student Discipline, NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed 317.04(b), Disciplinary Procedures

Adopted: April 5, 2001
Revised: June 6, 2019
Revised: December 5, 2019

CSD File: JI
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Student rights and responsibilities shall be published in the Parent-Student Handbook, and will be made available in another language or presented orally upon request. Student disciplinary procedures will be implemented pursuant to the provisions of Board Policies JIA and JICD.

Legal References:
RSA 189:15, Regulations, NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed 306.04(a)(3), Student Discipline, NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed 306.04(f), Student Discipline, NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed 317.04(b), Disciplinary Procedures

Adopted: April 5, 2001
Revised: June 6, 2019

CSD File: JHC
(cross reference EBBC)
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
STUDENT RELEASE PRECAUTIONS

All school personnel are to refuse requests for children to leave the school grounds once they have come to the school or have been deposited there from the school buses or other vehicles. Children shall remain on school grounds from the time they arrive until the time of their departure for home except as follows:
1. No school or grade shall be dismissed before the regular hour for dismissal except with the approval of the Office of the Superintendent of Schools.
2. No staff member shall permit any individual student to leave school prior to the regular hour of dismissal except by permission of the Principal or his/her designee.
3. No student may be permitted to leave school prior to the dismissal hour for any reason unless permission of the parent or guardian has been first secured, nor sent home unless a responsible adult is at the home. Any student being released during the school day must be released through the school office when he/she leaves and must report to the office when he/she returns, except that students who are ill may also be released through the Nurse’s office*(refer to EBBC). Students will be released only when legally authorized by the parent or guardian. Students traveling on school buses to school-sponsored activities will return from the activity on the bus unless released to their parents only.

Adopted: April 5, 2001
Revised: June 5, 2008

CSD File: JH
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
ATTENDANCE, ABSENTEEISM AND TRUANCY

Absences
The Board requires that school-aged children enrolled in the District attend school in accordance with all applicable state laws and Board policies. The educational program offered by the District is predicated upon the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation in order for students to achieve academic standards and consistent educational progress.

Attendance shall be required of all students enrolled in the District during the days and hours that school is in session, except that the Principal may excuse a student for temporary absences when receiving satisfactory evidence of conditions or reasons that may reasonably cause the student’s absence.

The Board considers the following to be excused absences:
1. Illness
2. Recovery from an accident
3. Required court attendance
4. Medical and dental appointments
5. Death in the immediate family
6. Observation or celebration of a bona fide religious holiday
7. Such other good cause as may be acceptable to the Principal or permitted by law

Any absence that has not been excused for any of these reasons will be considered an unexcused absence.

In the event of an illness, parents must call the school and inform the District of the student’s illness and absence. For other absences, parents must provide written notice or a written excuse that states one of these reasons for non-attendance. The Principal has the authority to request that parents provide documentation supporting the stated reason for non-attendance, and to render the absence unexcused if such documentation is insufficient.

If parents wish for their child to be absent for a reason not listed above, the parent must provide a written explanation of the reason for such absence, including why the student will be absent and for how long the student will be absent. The Principal will make a determination as to whether the stated reason for the student’s absence constitutes good cause and will notify the parents via telephone and writing of his/her decision. If the Principal determines that good cause does not exist, the parents may request a conference with the Principal to again explain the reasons for non-attendance. The Principal may then reconsider his initial determination. However, at this juncture, the Principal’s decision shall be final.

Family Vacations/Educational Opportunities
Generally, absences other than for illness during the school year are discouraged. The school Principal or his/her designee may, however, grant special approval of absence for family vacations, provided written approval is given in advance. Parents are asked to write a note to the Principal at least two weeks before the trip. The Principal will notify the child’s teacher if the request is approved. This advance planning will allow the teacher enough time to work with parents and the student regarding homework completion.

Truancy
Truancy is defined as any unexcused absence from class or school. Any absence that has not been excused for any of the reasons listed above will be considered an unexcused absence.

Ten half-days of unexcused absence during a school year constitutes habitual truancy.

A half-day absence is defined as a student missing more than two hours of instructional time and less than three and one-half hours of instructional time.

Any absence of more than three and one-half hours of instructional time shall be considered a full-day absence.

The Principal or his/her designee is hereby designated as the District employee responsible for overseeing truancy issues.

Intervention Process to Address Truancy
The Principal shall ensure that the administrative guidelines on attendance properly address the matter of truancy by including a process that identifies students who are habitually truant, as defined above.

When the Principal identifies a student who is habitually truant or who is in danger of becoming habitually truant, he/she shall commence an intervention with the student, the student’s parents, and other staff members as may be deemed necessary. The intervention shall include processes including, but not limited to:
1. Investigates the cause(s) of the student’s truant behavior;
2. Considers, when appropriate, modification of his/her educational program to meet particular needs that may be causing the truancy;
3. Involves the parents in the development of a plan designed to reduce the truancy;
4. Seeks alternative disciplinary measures, but still retains the right to impose discipline in accordance with the District’s policies and administrative guidelines on student discipline.

Parental Involvement in Truancy Intervention
When a student reaches habitual truancy status or is in danger of reaching habitual truancy status, the Principal will send the student’s parent a letter which includes:
1. A statement that the student has become or is in danger of becoming habitually truant;
2. A statement of the parent’s responsibility to ensure that the student attends school; and
3. A request for a meeting between the parents and the Principal to discuss the student’s truancy and to develop a plan for reducing the student’s truancy.

Developing and Coordinating Strategies for Truancy Reduction
The Board encourages the administration to seek truancy-prevention and truancy-reduction strategies along with the recommendations listed below. However, these guidelines shall be advisory only. The Superintendent is authorized to develop and utilize other means, guidelines and programs aimed at preventing and reducing truancy.
1. Coordinate truancy-prevention strategies based on the early identification of truancy, such as prompt notification of absences to parents.
2. Assist school staff to develop site attendance plans by providing development strategies, resources, and referral procedures.
3. Encourage and coordinate the adoption of attendance-incentive programs at school sites and in individual classrooms that reward and celebrate good attendance and significant improvements in attendance.

Parental Notification of Truancy Policy
Prior to adopting this policy, the Board will place the item on the agenda of a public school board meeting and will allow two weeks for public input as to the policy’s provisions. Any public input shall be advisory only and final adoption as to the policy’s provisions will remain solely with the Board.

Additionally, the Superintendent shall also ensure that this policy is included in or referenced in the student handbook and is sent to parents annually at the beginning of each school year.

Legal References: RSA 189:34, RSA 189:35-a, RSA 193:1, RSA 193:7, RSA 193:8, RSA 193:16, NH Admin Rules, Sec. Ed 306.04 (a)(1)
NH Admin Rules, Sec. Ed 306.04 (c)

Proposed: January 14, 1986
Adopted: April 11, 1989
Revised: April 5, 2001
Revised: October 2, 2008
Revised: May 5, 2011

CSD File: JGG
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PHYSICAL RESTRAINT

The Candia School Board believes that school attendance should be a positive experience. Students should be safe, secure and free from fear, and to that end the school board establishes the following physical restraint policy. To maintain safety and to protect students, reasonable restraint may be used only in the following circumstances:
1. A crisis situation involving physical aggression towards staff or students;
2. A crisis situation which endangers the student or others;
3. To obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects on the person or within the control of a pupil;
4. For the purpose of self-defense;
5. As provided for in a student’s individualized education plan or a Section 504 plan.

Physical restraint is immobilization through direct, temporary contact with a resisting student in a controlled manner for the purpose of preventing the student from injuring him/herself, others or property. The intent of physical restraint is to stop unsafe behavior. Physical restraint is not to be used as punishment. Any incident of physical restraint will be reported to the Principal and/or designee by the end of that school day. The parent/guardian will be notified within 24 hours.

Documentation of any situation requiring the use of physical restraint shall be provided to the parent/guardian within three (3) school days.

All certified staff and instructional assistants will be trained in physical restraint techniques and be required to keep their training current.

Adopted: October 2, 2003

CSD FILE: JG
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO CLASSES AND GRADE LEVELS

Students will be enrolled in grades and classes in which they can be expected to master established district instructional and learning objectives. All students who are included under the compulsory attendance law must be enrolled and required to attend all classes prescribed by the state and the district unless exempt by the school authorities.

Students will be placed in the grade level and class that best meets the student’s academic needs, after consultation between the building principal and the student’s parent/guardian.

Students transferring into the school district will be placed in the grade level and class that best meets the student’s needs, after review of the records from the student’s prior school, and after consultation between the building principal and the student’s parents.

Students receiving special education services will be placed in accordance with applicable law.

Legal Reference: NH Ed Rule Section Ed.302.92(1), 306.14(e)

Adopted: June 5, 2008