Important Madison Back to School Forms and Information

The following information was written by Madison Superintendent of Schools Thomas R. Scarice.

We’re sharing the information because it contains important links and information for parents.

Dear Parents / Guardians:

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! It seems like only yesterday we congregated on the Town Green bidding farewell to the Class of 2015. And in the blink of an eye, staff once again welcomed students back today.

I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with the following important information which can also be accessed on the Madison Public Schools website.

Students & Media Coverage

We are very proud of the impressive accomplishments of our Madison Public Schools’ students and enjoy sharing our pride in the media and on our website. If you do not want your child photographed or videotaped for public relations and/or promotional reasons, please complete the Media Coverage Refusal electronic form on the Madison Public Schools website in the Back to School Information section by October 1, 2015.

Student Directory Information

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) this serves to notify parents and eligible students that directory information about students may be released upon request to parent/teacher organizations for student directories and news media for awards/recognitions. “Directory” information may include a student’s name, address, telephone number, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. If you request that directory information not be disclosed for your child/children, please fill out the Student Directory Opt-out form on the Madison Public Schools website in the Back to School Information section by October 1, 2015.

Pest Management / Pesticide Application

Board of Education Policy #7120 on the use of pesticides in school buildings and on school grounds is a common sense approach rather than routine application. Personnel licensed by the State of Connecticut will apply all pesticides and no pesticides will be applied when school is in session except in emergency situations. Any parent, guardian, or school staff member may register for notice of pesticide application by completing the Pesticide Notification Registration electronic form by October 1. The Central Office, Facilities Department and each school maintains a registry of persons requesting notification. Such notice will include the name of the active ingredient of the applied pesticide, the date of the application on the school property, and the name of the person who may be contacted for further information. Notification will be made by either telephone or by e-mail. A record of each pesticide application will be kept in the Facilities Department and the custodian’s office.

Asbestos Management Program

An Asbestos Management Program exists to guarantee that asbestos-containing materials are maintained in a condition in which they do not pose a health hazard. As part of this program, these materials are periodically inspected. Anyone wishing to know more about the Asbestos Management Program or the asbestos-containing materials found in the Madison Public Schools may request to read the Asbestos Management Plan which is on file in the School Facilities Office (203-245-6470).

Green Cleaning Program in Schools

The State of Connecticut requires that each local and regional Board of Education implement a green cleaning program for all school buildings and facilities in its district. Madison Public Schools is committed to the implemention of this law by providing staff, and upon request, the parents and guardians of each child enrolled in each school with a written statement of the school district’s green cleaning program, as well as make it available on its website annually. Please visit our website to read about the Green Cleaning Program at Madison Public Schools.

Release of Directory Information to Military Recruiters (DHHS Students Only)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the National Defense Authorization Act of 2002 require the Madison Public Schools to provide, upon a request made by military recruiters or an institution of higher education, access to secondary school students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings. However, a parent or guardian of a secondary school student or the student him/herself, if he /she has reached the age of majority (“eligible student”) may object to the release this information. Parents, guardians and students who have reached the age of majority who do not want the student’s name, address, and telephone number released to military recruiters have the right to request in writing that this information not be released. If you do not want this information released, please complete the Military Recruiter Refusal electronic form on the Madison Public Schools website in the Back to School Information section, by October 1, 2015.

Code of Conduct

The Madison Public Schools’ Student Code of Conduct is approved annually by the Board of Education. The Code of Conduct can be accessed on the Madison Public Schools website in the Back to School Information section, on individual school webpages and inside the parent and student Finalsite portal. We ask that you review this information with your child(ren).

Safe School Climate Plan

The Madison Board of Education policy on bullying is in accordance with Public Act No. 11-232 – An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws. In addition to revising the policy on bullying (Policy #5131.911), the school district developed, implemented, and submitted to the State Department of Education a safe school climate plan in December 2011. In response to Public Act No 11-232, the Madison Public Schools has engaged in the important process of codifying the many programs and practices that have been in place in our schools into an official district safe schools climate plan. This legislation supports and reinforces our school district and community commitment to provide our students with a safe, caring, and successful school experience. The Safe School Climate Awareness Day occurs annually on the first Wednesday in October.

Board of Education Policies

As required by law, I am informing you that the following policies from the Board of Education Policy Manual are accessible on the Madison Public Schools website, Board of Education section.

Madison Public Schools Board of Education Policies

Required Due Process Notifications

#3541.5 Transportation Safety Complaints

#4010 Prohibition on Recommendations for Psychotropic Drugs

#4112.1 Certification

#5020 Equal Educational Opportunity

#5020.1 Nondiscrimination

#5070 Promotion / Acceleration / Retention

#5080.1 Tardiness

#5080.2 Truancy

#5090.1.4 Student Misconduct in Schools

#5090.3 General Rules of Student Conduct

#5090.3.3 Student Conduct on School Buses

#5090.3.4 Out of School Misconduct

#5090.4.2.1 Pledge of Allegiance

#5090.7 Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco, Inhalants, and Performance-Enhancing Substances

#5090.8 Weapons and Dangerous Instruments

#5090.11 Concerns / Issues Procedures

#5100.9.1 Student Recruitment

#5110 Student Discipline

#5110.4 Suspension / Expulsion / Exclusion from School / School Activities

#5113 Student Attendance

#5120.3 Health Services

#5120.3.1. Communicable and Infectious Diseases

#5120.3.2 HIV Infection

#5120.3.3 Administering Medications

#5120.4.2.1 Suicide Prevention

#5120.4.2.5 Child Abuse

#5120.3.4 Managing Student Food Allergies

#5120.9 Homeless Students

#5128 Rank in Class

#5131.911 Bullying

#5180.1 Records / Confidentiality

#5180.1.1 Directory Information

#5180.4 Using Schools or Students for Publicity Purposes

#6080.21.1 English as a Second Language

#6080.24.2 Magnet Schools

#6100.15.2 Use of Internet / Online Services

In closing, we are poised for another outstanding year of teaching and learning in the Madison Public Schools. We thank you for your enthusiasm and continued support of public education. As always, if I can ever be of assistance to your family, please don’t hesitate to call me at 203-245-6300.

Regards,

Thomas R. Scarice

Superintendent of Schools