IRS Student Handbook 2019-20

c) Interferes with a pupil’s educational opportunities;
d) Creates a hostile educational environment; or
e) Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school.
Bullying shall also include actions motivated by an imbalance of power based on a pupil’s actual
or perceived personal characteristics, behaviors, or beliefs, or motivated by the pupil’s
association with another person and based on the other person’s characteristics, behaviors, or
beliefs.
2. Cyber bullying is defined as any conduct defined as “bullying” in this policy that is
undertaken through the use of electronic devices. For purposes of this policy, any references to
the term bullying shall include cyber bullying.
3. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, telephones, cellular phones, computers,
pagers, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, and websites.
4. School property means all real property and all physical plant and equipment used for school
purposes, including public or private school buses or vans.
Any reference in this policy to “parent” shall include parents or legal guardians.

II. Statement Prohibiting Bullying or Cyber Bullying of a Pupil (RSA 193-F:4 II)

The Mascoma Valley Regional School Board is committed to providing all pupils a safe and
secure school environment. This policy is intended to comply with RSA 193-F. Conduct
constituting bullying and/or cyber bullying will not be tolerated and is hereby prohibited.
The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented.

III. Statement Prohibiting Retaliation or False Accusations (RSA 193-F: 4II b)

False Reporting
A student found to have wrongfully and intentionally accused another of bullying may face
discipline or other consequences, ranging from positive behavioral interventions up to and
including suspension or expulsion. A school employee found to have wrongfully and
intentionally accused a student of bullying shall face discipline or other consequences to be
determined in accordance with applicable law, District policies, procedures, and collective
bargaining agreements.

Reprisal or Retaliation
The Mascoma Valley Regional School District will discipline and take appropriate action against
any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, or other employee who retaliates against any
person who makes a good faith report of alleged bullying or against any person who testifies,
assists, or participates in a proceeding or hearing relating to such bullying.
1. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a student, teacher, school administrator
or school volunteer who engages in reprisal or retaliation shall be determined by the Principal
after consideration of the nature, severity, and circumstances of the act, in accordance with law,
Board policies, and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
2. Any student found to have engaged in reprisal or retaliation in violation of this policy shall be
subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion.
3. Any teacher or school administrator found to have engaged in reprisal or retaliation in

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violation of this policy shall be subject to discipline up to and including termination of
employment.
4. Any school volunteer found to have engaged in reprisal or retaliation in violation of this policy
shall be subject to measures up to and including exclusion from school grounds.

Process to Protect Pupils from Retaliation
If the alleged victim or any witness expresses to the Principal or other staff member that he/she
believes that he/she may be retaliated against, the Principal shall develop a process or plan to
protect that student from possible retaliation.
Each process or plan may be developed on a case-by-case basis. Suggestions include, but are not
limited to, rearranging student class schedules to minimize their contact, stern warnings to
alleged perpetrators, temporary removal of privileges, or other means necessary to be protected
against possible retaliation.

IV. Protection of All Pupils (RSA 193-F: 4 IIc)
This policy shall apply to all pupils within the Mascoma Valley Regional School District
regardless of their status under the law.

V. Disciplinary Consequences for Violations of this Policy (RSA 193-F: 4 IId)
The Mascoma Valley Regional School District reserves the right to impose disciplinary measures
against any student who commits an act of bullying, falsely accuses another student of bullying,
or who retaliates against any student or witness who provides information about an act of
bullying.

VI. Distribution and Notice of this Policy (RSA 193-F: 4 IIe)

Staff and Volunteers
All staff will be provided with a copy of this policy. The Superintendent may determine the
method of providing the policy (employee handbook, hard copy, etc.).

Students
All students will be provided with a copy of this policy. The Superintendent may determine the
method of providing the policy (student handbook, mailing, hard copy, etc.).

Parents
All parents will be provided with a copy of this policy. The Superintendent may determine the
method of providing the policy (parent handbook, mailing, etc.).

VII. Procedure for Reporting Bullying (RSA 193-F: 4 IIf)
At each school, the Principal or their designee shall be responsible for receiving complaints of
alleged violations of this policy.

Student Reporting
1. Any student who believes he or she has been the victim of bullying should report the alleged
incident immediately to the Principal. If the student is more comfortable reporting the alleged act

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to a person other than the Principal, the student may tell any school district employee or
volunteer about the alleged bullying.
2. Any school employee or volunteer who witnesses, receives a report of, or has knowledge or
belief that bullying may have occurred shall inform the Principal as soon as possible, but no later
than the end of that school day.
3. The school shall develop a form to facilitate reporting bullying.
4. Upon receipt of a report of bullying, the Principal shall commence an investigation consistent
with the provisions of Section XI of this policy.

Staff Reporting
1. An important duty of the staff is to report acts or behaviors that they witness which appear to
constitute bullying.
2. Any school employee or volunteer who witnesses, receives a report of, or has knowledge or
belief that bullying may have occurred shall inform the Principal as soon as possible, but no later
than the end of that school day.
3. The school shall develop a form to facilitate reporting bullying.
4. Upon receipt of a report of bullying, the Principal shall commence an investigation consistent
with the provisions of Section XI of this policy.

VIII. Procedure for Internal Reporting Requirements (RSA 193-F: 4 IIg)
In order to satisfy the reporting requirements of RSA 193-F: 4, the Principal or designee shall be
responsible for completing all New Hampshire Department of Education forms and reporting
documents of substantiated incidents of bullying.

IX. Notifying Parents of Alleged Bullying (RSA 193-F: 4 IIh)
The Principal shall report to the parents of a student who has been reported as a victim of
bullying and to the parents of a student who has been reported as a perpetrator of bullying within
48 hours of receiving the report. All notifications shall be consistent with the student privacy
rights under the applicable provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
(FERPA)

X. Waiver of Notification Requirement (RSA 193-F: 4 IIi)
The Superintendent may, within a 48 hour time period, grant the Principal a waiver from the
requirement that the parents of the alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator be notified of the
filing of a report. A waiver may only be granted if the Superintendent deems such a waiver to be
in the best interest of the victim or perpetrator. Any waiver granted shall be in writing.

XI. Investigative Procedures (RSA 193-F: 4 IIj)
Upon receipt of a report of bullying, the Principal shall, within five (5) school days, initiate an
investigation into the alleged act.

XII. Response to Remediate Substantiated Instances of Bullying (RSA 193-F: 4 IIk)
Consequences and appropriate remedial actions for a student or staff member who commits one
or more acts of bullying or retaliation may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and
including suspension or expulsion of students and dismissal from employment for staff members.

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Consequences for a student who commits an act of bullying or retaliation shall be varied and
graded according to the nature of the behavior, the development age of the student, and the
student’s history of problem behaviors and performance. Remedial measures shall be designed to
correct the problem behavior, prevent another occurrence of the problem, protect and provide
support for the victim, and take corrective action for documented systemic problems related to
bullying.

XIII. Reporting of Substantiated Incidents to the Superintendent (RSA 193-F: 4 II l)
The Principal shall forward all substantiated reports of bullying to the Superintendent upon
completion of the Principal’s investigation.

XIV. Communication with Parents Upon Completion of Investigation (RSA 193-F: 4 IIm)
Within five (5) school days of completing an investigation, the Principal will notify the students
involved in person of his/her findings and the result of the investigation.

XV. School Officials (RSA 193-F: 4 IIn)
The Superintendent of schools is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented.

Adopted: 12/28/10

JLCJ - CONCUSSIONS AND HEAD INJURIES

The Mascoma Valley Regional School Board recognizes that concussions and head injuries are
commonly reported injuries in children and adolescents who participate in sports and other
recreational activities. We acknowledge that the risk of catastrophic injuries or death is
significant when a concussion or head injury is not properly evaluated and managed. The Board
recognizes that the majority of concussions will occur in “contact” or “collisions” sports.
However, in order to ensure the safety of all District student-athletes, this policy will apply to all
competitive athletic activities as identified by the administration. Consistent with the National
Federation of High School (NFHS) and the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association
(NHIAA), the District will utilize recommended guidelines, procedures and other pertinent
information to inform and educate coaches, youth athletes, and parents/guardians of the nature
and risk of concussions or head injuries, including the dangers associated with continuing to play
after a concussion or head injury. Annually, the District will distribute a head injury and
concussion information sheet to all parents/guardians of students. All coaches, including
volunteers, will complete training as recommended and/or provided by NHIAA, New Hampshire
Department of Education and/or other pertinent organizations. Additionally, all coaches
of competitive sport activities will comply with NHIAA recommended procedures for the
management of head injuries and concussions.

Each spring, the athletic director or designee shall review any changes that have been made in
procedures required for concussion and head injury management or other serious injury by
consulting with the NHIAA or the District’s on-call physician, if applicable. If there are any
updated procedures, they will be adopted and used for the upcoming school year.

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Identified Sports: Identified sports include all NHIAA-sanctioned activities, including
cheer/dance squads, and any other District-sponsored sports or activities as determined by the
District.

Coach Training: All coaches shall undergo training in head injury and concussion management
at least once every two years by one of the following means: (1) through viewing the NHIAA
sport-specific rules clinic; or (2) through viewing the NHIAA concussion clinic found on the
MHSA Sports Medicine page at www.mhsa.org.

Parent Information Sheet: On a yearly basis, an additional concussion and head injury
information sheet shall be distributed to the student-athlete and the athlete’s parent/guardian
prior to the student-athlete’s initial practice or competition. This information sheet may be
incorporated into the parent permission sheet that allows students to participate in extracurricular
athletics.

Coach’s Responsibility: A student-athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head
injury or other serious injury in a practice or game shall be immediately removed from play.

Administrative Responsibilities: The Superintendent or his/her designee will keep abreast of
changes in standards regarding concussion, explore staff professional development programs
relative to concussions, and will explore other areas of education, training and programs.

Removal From Play and Protocol for Return to Play: Any coach, official, licensed athletic
trainer, or health care provider who suspects that a student-athlete has sustained a concussion or
head injury in a practice or game shall immediately remove the student- athlete from play. A
student-athlete who has been removed from play shall not return to practice or play on the same
day. Any athlete removed from practice or play because of a suspected concussion must be
evaluated by a healthcare provider and receives medical clearance and written authorization from
that health care provider to return to practice or play. The student-athlete shall also present
written permission from a parent/guardian to return to practice or play. The District may limit a
student-athlete’s participation as determined by the student’s treating health care provider or
other medical professional.

Concussion Awareness and Education: To the extent possible, the Board encourages the
administration to implement concussion awareness and education into the District’s physical
education and/or health education curriculum. The administrative decision will take into account
all relevant considerations, including time, resources, access to materials, and other pertinent
factors. Academic Issues in Concussed Students In the event a student is concussed, regardless of
whether the concussion was a result of a school-related or non-school-related activity, School
District staff should be mindful that the concussion may affect the student’s ability to learn. In
the event a student has a concussion, that student’s teachers will be notified. Teachers should
report to the school nurse if the student appears to have any difficulty with academic tasks that
the teacher believes may be related to the concussion. The school nurse will notify the student’s

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parents and treating physician. Administrators and District staff will work to establish a protocol
and course of action to ensure the student is able to maintain his/her academic responsibilities
while recovering from the concussion. Section 504 accommodations may be developed in
accordance with applicable law and Board policies.
Adopted: May 28, 2013

JRA - STUDENT RECORDS AND ACCESS
Category: Recommended
See also EHB

ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS - FERPA

General Statement It is the policy of the Mascoma Valley Regional School Board that all
Mascoma Valley Regional School District personnel will follow the procedures outlined herein
as they pertain to the maintenance of student records. Furthermore, it is the policy of the
Mascoma Valley Regional School Board that all Mascoma Valley Regional School District
personnel will follow the provisions of the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) and
its corresponding regulations. Education Record For the purposes of this policy and in
accordance with FERPA, the term “educational record” is defined as all records, files, documents
and other material containing information directly related to a student; and maintained by the
Mascoma Valley Regional School District; or by such other agents as may be acting for the
Mascoma Valley Regional School District. Such records include, but are not limited to,
handwriting, videotape, audiotape, electronic or computer files, film, print, microfilm and/or
microfiche.

Directory Information For the purposes of this policy, and in accordance with the provisions of
FERPA and New Hampshire RSA 189:1-e, the term “directory information” means:

● Students’ name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, dates of enrollment
● Parents’/guardians’ name and address
● Students’ grade level, enrollment status and dates of attendance
● Students’ photograph
● Students’ participation in recognized school activities and sports
● Weight and height of members of athletic teams
● Students’ diplomas, certificates, awards and honors received

The Mascoma Valley Regional School District may release or disclose student directory
information without prior consent of the student’s parents/eligible students. Parents/eligible
students will be given until date of enrollment to notify the Mascoma Valley Regional School
District in writing of any or all directory information items that they refuse to permit the
Mascoma Valley Regional School District to release or disclose. Within the first three weeks of
each school year, the Mascoma Valley Regional School District will provide notice to
parents/eligible students that the Mascoma Valley Regional School District may publish
directory information without their prior consent. Notice from a parent/eligible student that any
or all direction information shall not be released will only be valid for that school year

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and must be re-issued each school year.

Personally Identifiable Information “Personally identifiable information” is defined as data or
information which makes the subject of a record known, including a student’s name the student’s
or student’s family’s address; the name of the student’s parent or other family members; a
personal identifier such as a student’s Social Security number; the student’s date of birth, place
of birth, or mother’s maiden name; or other information that, alone or in combination, is linked
or linkable to a specific student that would allow a reasonable person in the school community,
who does not have personal knowledge of the relevant circumstances, to identify the student with
a reasonable certainty or information requested by a person who the Mascoma Valley Regional
School District reasonably believes knows the identity of the student to whom the education
record relates. Annual Notification/Rights of Parents and Eligible Students Within the first 4
weeks of each school year, the Mascoma Valley Regional School District will publish notice to
parents and eligible students of their rights under State and Federal law and this policy. The
Mascoma Valley Regional School District will send home with each student a notice listing these
rights. The notice will include:
(1) The rights of parents or eligible students to inspect and review the student’s education
records;
(2) The intent of the Mascoma Valley School District to limit the disclosure of information in a
student’s record, except: (a) by the prior written consent of the parent or eligible student; (b) as
directory information; or (c) under certain, limited circumstance, as permitted by law;
(3) The right of a student’s parents or an eligible student to seek to correct parts of the student’s
educational records which he/she believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of student
rights; this includes a hearing to present evidence that the records should be changed if the
Mascoma Valley Regional School District decides not to alter them according to the parent’s or
eligible student’s request;
(4) The right of any person to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education if
the Mascoma Valley Regional School District violates FERPA; and
(5) The procedure that a student’s parents or an eligible student should follow to obtain copies
of this policy.

Procedure To Inspect Education Records
Parents or eligible students may inspect and review education records which they are entitled to.
In some circumstances, it may be more convenient for the record custodian to provide copies of
records. Since a student’s records may be maintained in several locations, the Building Principal
may offer to collect copies of records or the records themselves from locations other than a
student’s school, so that they may be inspected at one site. If parents and eligible students wish
to inspect records where they are maintained, Building Principals will determine if a review at
that site is reasonable. Parents/eligible students should submit to the Building Principal a written
request that identifies as precisely as possible the record or records that he/she wishes to inspect.
The Building Principal will contact the parents or the eligible student to discuss how access is
best arranged for their inspection or review of the records (copies, records brought to a single
site, etc.). The Building Principal will make the needed arrangements as soon as possible and
notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
This procedure must be completed within 14 days or earlier after the Building Principal’s receipt

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of the request for access. If for any valid reason such as working hours, distance between record
location sites or health, a parentor eligible student cannot personally inspect and review a
student’s education records, the principal may arrange for the parent or eligible student to obtain
copies of the records. When records contain information about students other than a parent’s
child or the eligible student, the parent or eligible student may not inspect and review the records
of the other students. If such records do contain the names of other students, the Building
Principal will seek consultation with the Superintendent of Schools and/or the Mascoma Valley
Regional School District’s attorney to determine how best to proceed.

Procedures To Seek To Correction of Education Records
Parents of students or eligible students have a right to seek to change any part of the student’s
records which they believe is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of student rights. To establish
an orderly process to review and correct theeducation records for a requester, following
processes are established.

1. First-level decision.​ When a parent or eligible student finds an item in the student’s education
records that he/she believes is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of student rights, he/she
should submit a written request asking the Building Principal to correct it. If the records are
incorrect because of clear error and it is a simple matter to make the change, the Building
Principal should make the correction. If the records are changed to the parent’s/eligible student’s
satisfaction, both parties shall sign a document/form stating the date the records were changed
and that the parent/eligible student is satisfied with the correction.
If the Building Principal believes that the record should not be changed, he/she shall:
1. Provide the requester a copy of the questioned records at no cost;
2. Ask the parent/eligible student to initiate a written request for the change, which will be
forwarded to the Superintendent of Schools;
3. Forward the written request to the Superintendent of Schools; and
4. Inform the parents/eligible student that the matter has been forwarded to the
Superintendent of Schools for subsequent processing.

2. Second-level decision.​ If the parent/eligible student wishes to challenge the Building
Principal’s decision to not change the student record, he/she may appeal the matter to the
Superintendent of Schools. The parent/eligible student shall submit a written request to the
Building Principal asking that the matter be appealed to the Superintendent of Schools. The
Building Principal will forward to the Superintendent of Schools the request.
The Superintendent of Schools shall, within ten business days after receiving notification of the
request:
1. Review the request;
2. Discuss the request with other school officials;
3. Make a decision to comply or decline to comply with the request;
4. Schedule a meeting with the parents/eligible student if the Superintendent of Schools
believes such a meeting would be necessary; and
5. Contact the parents/eligible student of his/her decision concern the request for
amendment.

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If the Superintendent of Schools determines the records should be amended, he/she will make the
change and notify the parents/eligible student in writing that the change has been made. The
letter stating the change has been made will include an invitation for the parent/eligible student
to inspect and review the records to verify that the records have been amended and the correction
is satisfactory. If the records are changed to the parent’s/eligible student’s satisfaction, both
parties shall sign a document/form stating the date the records were changed and that the
parent/eligible student is satisfied with the correction.

If the Superintendent of Schools determines the records are will not be amended, he/she will
notify the parents/eligible student in writing of his/her decision. Such letter will also notify the
parents/eligible student of their right to an appeal hearing before the school board.

3. Third-level decision​. If the parents or eligible student are not satisfied with the
Superintendent of School’s decision, they may submit a written request for a hearing before the
Mascoma Valley Regional School Board. The parents/eligible student shall submit the request
for a hearing with the Superintendent of Schools within ten (10) business days of the
Superintendent of School’s written decision in level-two. The Superintendent of Schools will
inform the Mascoma Valley Regional School Board of the request for a hearing and will work
with the Mascoma Valley Regional School Board to schedule a hearing within 45 days of receipt
of the request. Once the meeting is scheduled, the Superintendent of Schools will inform the
parents in writing of the date, time and place of the hearing.

The hearing will be held in non-public session consistent with the provisions of RSA 91-A:3,
unless the parent/eligible student requests that the hearing be held in public session, The
Mascoma Valley Regional School Board will give the parent/eligible student a full and fair
opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised under their request/complaint.
Parents/eligible students may be assisted or represented by one or more individuals of their own
choice, including an attorney.

The Mascoma Valley Regional School Board will issue its final decision in writing within 30
days of the hearing, and will notify the parents/eligible student thereof via certified mail, return
receipt requested. The Mascoma Valley Regional School Board will base its decision solely on
the evidence presented at the hearing. The Mascoma Valley Regional School Board’s written
decision will include a summary of the evidence and the reasons for its decision. If the Mascoma
Valley Regional School Board determines that the student record should be changed or amended,
it will direct the Superintendent of Schools to do so as soon as possible. The Superintendent of
Schools will then contact the parents/eligible student for a meeting so they can review and
inspect the records to verify that they have been changed or amended. At this meeting, both
parties shall sign a document/form stating the date the records were changed and that the
parent/eligible student is satisfied with the correction. The Mascoma Valley Regional School
Board’s decision will be final.

Disclosure of Student Records and Student Information

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In addition to directory information, theMascoma Valley Regional School District may disclose
student records and student information without consent to the following parties or under the
following conditions.
1. School Officials with a Legitimate Educational Interest. School officials with a legitimate
educational interest may access student records. “Legitimate education interest” refers to school
officials or employees who need to know information in a student’s education record in order to
perform the employee’s employment responsibilities and duties.
2. Other schools into which a student is transferring or enrolling.
3. Officials for audit or evaluation purposes.
4. Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid.
5. Organizations conducting certain studies for, or on behalf of the Mascoma Valley Regional
School District. Student records or student information will only be provided pursuant to this
paragraph if the study is for the purpose of: developing, validating or administering predictive
tests; administering student aid programs; or improving instruction.
6. Accrediting organizations.
7. Judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas.
8. Health and safety emergencies.

Maintenance of Student Records and Data
The Building Principal of each building is responsible for record maintenance, access and
destruction of all student records. All Mascoma Valley Regional School District personnel
having access to records shall place great emphasis upon privacy rights of students and parents.
All entries into student records must be dated and signed by the person who accesses such
records. The Building Principal will ensure that all records are maintained in accordance with
application retention schedules as may be established by law.

Disclosures Made from Education Records
The Mascoma Valley Regional School District will maintain an accurate record of all requests
for it to disclose information from, or to permit access to, a student’s education records and of
information it discloses and access it permits, with some exceptions listed below. This record is
kept with, but is not a part of, each student’s cumulative school records. It is available only to
the record custodian, the eligible student, and the parent of the student or to federal, state or local
officials for the purpose of auditing or enforcing federally supported educational programs.
The record includes:
1. The name of the person who or agency which made the request;
2. The interest which the person or agency has in the information;
3. The date on which the person or agency made the request;
4. Whether the request was granted and, if it was, the date access was permitted or the disclosure
was made and
5. In the event of a health and safety emergency, the articulable and significant threat to the
health or safety of a student or other individuals that formed the basis for the disclosure; and the
parties to whom the agency or institution disclosed the information.

The Mascoma Valley Regional School District will maintain this record as long as it maintains
the student’s education record. The records do not include requests for access or information

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relative to access which has been granted to parent(s) of the student or to an eligible student,
requests for access or access granted to officials of the Mascoma Valley Regional School District
who have a legitimate educational interest in the student; requests for, or disclosures of,
information contained in the student’s education records if the request is accompanied by the
prior written consent of a parent(s) or eligible student or if the disclosure is authorized by such
prior consent or for requests for, or disclosures of, directory information designated for that
student.
Adopted: 8/26/03
Revised and First Reading: 8/25/15; Second Reading and Approval: 9/8/15

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