BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, JULY 19, 2004
Members of the Board Curriculum Committee met on Monday, July 19, 2004, at 6:00 p.m. in SuperintendentÕs Conference Room A of the Education Center. Present were Board Members Joseph Craig, Rosario Amato, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, Diane Rowe, Julie Venanzi, and Margaret Williams. Also in attendance were Dr. Joseph Lewis, superintendent of schools, Michele Kostem, associate superintendent, Monty Perfetti, director of operations, planning, and special programs, Dr. William Nelson, director of student services, and representatives of the press.
OPEN FORUM
Mr. Craig discussed information he received from the Education Policy and Leadership Center regarding the Pennsylvania Education Policy Fellowship Program. He noted that he would leave the brochure and application form with Dr. Lewis if anyone was interested in attending this program.
CODE OF CONDUCT PRESENTATION
Mr. Perfetti presented the following update on modifications to the Code of Conduct for the 2004-2005 school year:
Each year the Bethlehem Area School District analyzes statistical data as well as reports from schools to determine the overall effectiveness of the districtÕs Student Code of Conduct in promoting a safe and orderly learning environment as well as decreasing the level of inappropriate and disruptive student behavior. Based upon information received, modifications to the Student Code of Conduct are considered each year.
For the 2004-2005 school year, proposed modifications address the following components of the Student Code of Conduct:
n Attendance Policy Regulations
n Cellular Telephones
n Dangerous Objects
n Threats/Harassment
n Drug/Alcohol Violations
n Parent Notification Procedures
ATTENDANCE POLICY REGULATIONS
The Board of School Directors previously endorsed modifications to the districtÕs Attendance Policy. The modifications decreased the number of days of absence permitted without a physicianÕs excuse from fourteen (14) to ten (10) days at the elementary level and from ten (10) to seven (7) days at the secondary level. The modifications also reduced the number of days of absence permitted for family vacations during the school year. The maximum now permitted is five (5) days per school year. During elementary school (grades 1-5), students will be permitted fifteen (15) total days. During middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12), students will be permitted ten (10) total days. Previously, students in all grades were permitted five (5) vacation days each school year.
The Student Code of Conduct has been modified to encompass these changes to the districtÕs Attendance Policy.
CELLULAR TELEPHONES
During the 2003Š2004 school year, the Student Code of Conduct was modified to permit students to possess cellular telephones during school, provided they are deactivated and not utilized during regular school hours. The modification was endorsed in acknowledgement of the benefits of students being able to readily communicate with parents, employers, and other essential contacts at the conclusion of the regular school day.
For the 2004-2005 school year, it is proposed that students be permitted to possess cellular telephones but that all cellular telephones will be deactivated and stored in student lockers or designated areas during the regular school day. This change will eliminate the potential inappropriate use of varied cellular telephone features while continuing to accomplish the original goal of communication availability for students at the conclusion of the regular school day.
In addition, the restriction of cellular telephone availability will also address a concern expressed by emergency management personnel in limiting communication in order to avoid potential confusion or interference with emergency procedures.
DANGEROUS OBJECTS/WEAPONS
While the number of incidents of dangerous objects/weapons in schools has remained consistent over the past three years, the number of incidents involving elementary and middle school students has increased. This increase has occurred although, in almost every case, students had no intention of using the dangerous object or threatening anyone with harm resulting from the dangerous object.
In order to further discourage the possession of dangerous objects, the minimal Student Code of Conduct consequence for possession of a dangerous object/weapon has been increased from a three (3) to five (5) day suspension to a five (5) to ten (10) day suspension.
In addition, the possession of a firearm, explosive, knife, or unauthorized cutting instrument will result in an expulsion hearing before the Board of School Directors in addition to criminal charges filed with the appropriate police department.
In an effort to discourage the possession of dangerous objects/weapons on school property, administrators in all schools will express specific concerns to all students during the Student Code of Conduct orientation held in September.
THREATS/HARASSMENT
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has recently advised all school districts of the need to implement policies related to harassment and bullying. The Bethlehem Area School DistrictÕs Student Code of Conduct includes a component addressing threats/harassment. In response to the Department of EducationÕs advisory, a separate ŅHarassment and Bullying PolicyÓ has been added to the Student Code of Conduct, further defining misconduct categorized as harassment and bullying, as well as the procedure to be followed for filing a complaint of such misconduct.
DRUG/ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS
The Student Assistance Program is a Pennsylvania Department of Education endorsed intervention designed to identify students found to be involved in the use of drugs and alcohol and refer such students to appropriate health professionals.
The Bethlehem Area School DistrictÕs Student Assistance Program guidelines include appropriate Student Code of Conduct consequences dependent upon the level of student involvement in the use of drugs and alcohol as well as the degree of cooperation demonstrated by the student in seeking assistance to address concerns related to drug and alcohol use. The Student Assistance Program guidelines precede the districtÕs current Student Code of Conduct.
For the 2004-2005 school year, consequences outlined in the Student Assistance Program guidelines will be adjusted to be consistent with the districtÕs more stringent Student Code of Conduct consequences.
PARENT NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
Each year, as a component of the Student Code of Conduct orientation process, students and parents are requested to sign a written verification indicating an awareness of the Student Code of Conduct expectations.
For the 2004-2005 school year, a notice has been added to the verification reminding students and parents of serious code of conduct violations resulting in possible expulsion from school. In addition, administrative procedural options have been added to the verification to address the need to assure parent awareness of the Student Code of Conduct although parents fail to return signed verification as requested.
COPS ŌN KIDS PRESENTATION
Dr. Lewis introduced Mrs. Beverly Bradley and Mr. Jack Burke, who have donated many hours of their retirement to organize and launch the ŅCops ŌN KidsÓ Program. Mrs. Bradley explained that more than 30,000 books have been collected throughout the Lehigh Valley. She noted that the program was supported by Bethlehem Area School District students and staff, retired teachers, municipal leaders, business, and other local organizations. She is looking forward to another successful year, as well as expanding the program throughout the Lehigh Valley.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Minutes Prepared By:
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Charlotte L. Zimmerman
Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction