Falmouth School Committee
- Falmouth School Committee
- Agendas and Minutes
- Watch School Committee Meetings
- Meeting Schedule
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Policy Manual
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SECTION A - Foundations and Basic Commitments
- AA School District Legal Status
- AB The People and Their School District
- AC Nondiscrimination
- ACA Harassment and Discrimination Prevention
- ACAA Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex
- ACAB Sexual Harassment
- ACE Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability
- AD Mission and Vision Statements
- ADA Core Values
- ADC Tobacco Products on School Premises
- ADDA Background Checks
- ADDA-R-1 DCJIS Model CORI Form
- ADDA-R-2 CORI Requirements - Administrative Guidelines for Volunteers
- ADF School District Wellness Policy
- AE Accountability/Commitment to Accomplishment
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SECTION B - Board Governance and Operations
- BA: School Committee Operational Goals
- BAA: Evaluation of School Committee Operational Procedures
- BB: School Committee Legal Status
- BBA: School Committee Powers and Duties
- BBAA: School Committee Member Authority and Duties
- BBBA/BBBB: School Committee Member Qualifications/Oath of Office
- BBBC: School Committee Member Resignation
- BBBE: Unexpired Term Fulfillment
- BCA: School Committee Member Ethics
- BCB: Conflict of Interest
- BCBA: Nepotism
- BDA: School Committee Organizational Meeting
- BDB: School Committee Officers
- BDD: School Committee – Superintendent Relationship
- BDE: Subcommittees of the School Committee
- BDE-R: Permanent Committees and Other Assignments
- BDF: Advisory Committees to the School Committee
- BDFA: School Councils
- BDFA-E-1: School Success Plans
- BDFA-E-2: Submission and Approval of the School Success Plan
- BDFA-E-3: Conduct of School Council Business
- BDFB: Student Advisory Board Participation at School Committee Meetings
- BDG: School Attorney
- BE: School Committee Meetings
- BEC: Executive Sessions
- BEDA: Notification of School Committee Meetings
- BEDB: Agenda Format
- BEDD: Rules of Order
- BEDF: Voting Method for School Committee Meetings
- BEDG: Minutes
- BEDH: Public Participation at School Committee Meetings
- BEE: Special Procedures for Conducting Hearings
- BG: School Committee Policy Development
- BGB: Policy Adoption
- BGC: Policy Revision and Review
- BGD: School Committee Review of Regulations
- BGE: Policy Dissemination
- BGF: Suspension of Policies
- BHC: School Committee-Staff Communications
- BHD: School Committee Public Relations
- BHE: Use of Electronic Messaging by School Committee Members
- BIA: New School Committee Member Orientation
- BIBA: School Committee Conference, Conventions, and Workshops
- BID: School Committee Member Compensation and Expenses
- BJ: School Committee Legislative Program
- BK: School Committee Memberships
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SECTION C - General School Administration
- CA: Administration Goals
- CB: School Superintendent
- CBE: Salary Increments for the Superintendent of Schools
- CBI: Evaluation of the Superintendent
- CBD: Superintendent’s Contract
- CCB: Line and Staff Relations
- CE: Administrative Councils, Cabinets, and Committees
- CH: Policy Implementation
- CHA: Development of Procedures
- CHC: Procedures Dissemination
- CHCA: Approval of Handbooks and Directives
- CHD: Administration in Policy Absence
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SECTION D - Fiscal Management
- DA: Fiscal Management Goals
- DB: Annual Budget
- DBC: Budget Deadlines and Schedules
- DBD: Budget Planning
- DBG: Budget Adoption Procedures
- DBJ: Budget Transfer Authority
- DD: Funding Proposals and Applications
- DEC: Appropriate use of Federal Grant Funds
- DGA: Authorized Signatures
- DH: Bonded Employees and Officers
- DI: Fiscal Accounting and Reporting
- DIE: Audits
- DJ: Purchasing
- DJA: Purchasing Authority
- DJE: Procurement Requirements (formerly Bidding Requirements)
- DK: Payment Procedures
- DKC: Expense Reimbursements
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SECTION E - Support Services
- EB: Safety Program
- EBAB: Integrated Pest Management
- EBB: First Aid
- EBC: Emergency Plans
- EBC Supplemental: General (Interim) Policy on COVID-19 Related Issues
- EBCA: Distribution of Potassium
- EBCD: Emergency Closings
- EBCFA: Face Coverings
- EC: Buildings and Grounds Management
- ECA: Buildings and Grounds Security
- ECABA: Identification Badges
- ECAC: Vandalism
- ECAF: School Cameras on School Property and Buses
- ECF: Energy Conservation and Management Policy
- EDC: Authorized Use of School Equipment
- EEA: Student Transportation Services
- EEAA: Walkers and Riders
- EEAE: School Bus Safety Program
- EEAEA: Bus Driver Examination and Training
- EEAEA-1: Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus and Commercial Vehicle Drivers
- EEAFA: Late Bus Service
- EEAG: Student Transportation in Private Vehicles
- EEAJ: Motor Vehicle Idling on School Grounds
- EFC: Free and Reduced Price Food Services
- EFD: Meal Charge Policy
- EGAD: Printing and Duplication Procedures (Copyrighted Materials)
- SECTION F - Facilities Development
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SECTION G - Personnel
- GBA: Affirmative Action Policy
- GBAA: Equal Employment Opportunity
- GBEA: Staff Ethics/Conflict of Interest
- GBEB: Staff Conduct
- GBEBC: Gifts to and Solicitations by Staff
- GBEBD: Online Fundraising and Solicitations – Crowdfunding
- GBEC: Drug-Free Workplace
- GBED: Tobacco Use on School Property by Staff Members Prohibited
- GBGB: Staff Personal Security and Safety
- GBGE: Domestic Violence Leave (Formerly coded as GCCD)
- GBGF: Family and Medical Leave
- GBI: Staff Participation in Political Activities
- GBJ: Personnel Records
- GBK: Staff Complaints and Grievances
- GCA: Professional Staff Positions
- GCBA: Professional Staff Salary Schedules
- GCBB: Employment of Principals
- GCBC: Professional Staff Supplementary Pay Plans
- GCCC: Professional Staff Family Medical Leave
- GCE: Professional Staff Recruiting/Posting of Vacancies
- GCF: Professional Staff Hiring
- GCG: Substitute Professional Staff Employment
- GCQF: Suspension and Dismissal of Professional Staff Members
- GCRD: Tutoring for Pay
- GDA: Support Staff Positions
- GDI: Support Staff Probation
- GDO: Evaluation of Support Staff
- GDQD: Suspension and Dismissal of Support Staff Members
- SECTION H - Negotiations
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SECTION I - Instruction
- IB: Academic Freedom
- IC/ICA: School Year/School Calendar
- ID: School Day
- IE: Organization of Instruction
- IGA: Curriculum Development
- IGB: Student Services Programs
- IGD: Curriculum Adoption
- IHAI: Occupational Education
- IHAMA: Parent/Guardian Notification Relative to Human Sexuality Curriculum
- IHAM: Health Education
- IHAM-R(2): Health Education (Exemption Procedure)
- IHAMB: Teaching about Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs
- IHB: Special Instructional Programs and Accommodations
- IHBAA: Observations of Special Education Programs
- IHBD: Compensatory Education
- IHBEA: English Learners
- IHBF: Homebound Education
- IHBG: Home Education Programs
- IHCA: Summer Schools
- IJ: Instructional Materials
- IJ-R: Reconsideration of Instruction Resources
- IJL: Library Materials Selection and Adoption
- IJNDB: Responsible Use Policy
- IJNDC: School and District Web Pages
- IJNDD: Policy on Social Media
- IJOA: Field Trip Policy
- IJOB: Community Resource Persons/Speakers
- IJOC: Volunteer Program
- IK: Academic Achievement
- IKE: Promotion and Retention of Students
- IKF: Conditions to Receive a Falmouth Diploma
- IKF-A: Graduation in Less than Four Years
- ILD: Student Submission to Educational Surveys and Research
- IMA: Teaching Activities/Presentations
- IMB: Teaching about Controversial Issues/Controversial Speakers
- IMD: School Ceremonies and Observances
- IMG: Animals in Schools
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SECTION J - Students
- JB: Equal Educational Opportunities
- JFABF: Educational Opportunities for Children in Foster Care
- JBB: Educational Equity
- JC: School Attendance Areas
- JCA: Assignments to Schools
- JEB: Entrance Age
- JF: School Admissions
- JFABC: Admission of Transfer Students
- JFABD: Homeless Students: Enrollment Rights and Services
- JFABE: Educational Opportunities for Military Children
- JFBB: School Choice
- JH: Student Absences and Excuses
- JHD: Exclusions and Exemptions from School Attendance
- JI: Student Rights and Responsibilities
- JIB: Student Involvement in Decision-Making
- JIC: Student Discipline
- JICA: Student Dress Code
- JICC: Student Conduct on School Buses and Bus Stops
- JICE: Student Publications
- JICFA: Prohibition of Hazing
- JICFA-E: Hazing
- JICH: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use by Students Prohibited
- JICI: Explosive Devices/Weapons
- JICFB: Bullying Prevention
- JIE: Pregnant Students
- JIH: Searches and Interrogations
- JII: Student Complaints and Grievances
- JIK: Free Speech, Petition, and Assembly
- JJ: Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities
- JJA: Student Organizations
- JJE: Student Fundraising Activities
- JJF: Student Activity Accounts
- JJG: Contests for Students
- JJH: Student Late Night or Overnight Travel
- JJH-R: Student Travel Procedures
- JJIB: Interscholastic Athletics
- JJIF: Athletic Concussion Management Policy
- JK: Student Conduct
- JKA: Corporal Punishment
- JKAA: Physical Restraint of Students
- JL: Student Welfare
- JLC: Student Health Services and Requirements
- JLCA: Physical Examinations of Students
- JLCB: Immunization of Student
- JLCC: Communicable Diseases
- JLCD: Administering Medicines to Students
- JLD: Guidance Program
- JP: Solicitation of Funds
- JQ: Student Fees, Fines, and Charges
- JRA: Student Records
- JRD: Student Photographs
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SECTION K - School-Community Relations
- KBA: School/Parent Relations Goals
- KBBA: Non-Custodial Parents’ Rights
- KBE: Relations with Parent/Booster Organizations
- KCD: Public Gifts to the Schools
- KDB: Public’s Right to Know
- KDD: News Media Relations/News Releases
- KE: Public Complaints
- KF: Community Use of School Facilities
- KF-R: Community Use of School Facilities
- KHA: Public Solicitations to the Schools
- KHB: Advertising in the Schools
- KLJ: Relations with Planning Authorities
- KLK: Relations with Local Government Authorities
- KI: Visitors to Schools
- KLG: Relations with Public Safety Authorities
- SECTION L - Education Agency Relations
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SECTION A - Foundations and Basic Commitments
- School Committee Goals 2020-2021
- Committee Roster
- Subcommittee Assignments
- Operating Protocols
- Communication and Involvement with the School Committee
- School Committee Meeting Information
- What is the function of the School Committee?
- How do I become a member of the School Committee?
- Other Frequently Asked Questions
- Falmouth Public Schools
- Policy Manual
- SECTION I - Instruction
- IKF: Conditions to Receive a Falmouth Diploma
IKF: Conditions to Receive a Falmouth Diploma
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The Falmouth Public Schools will grant differentiated diplomas to students in alignment with their levels of accomplishment. Students will only be granted a diploma if they meet the outlined graduation requirements of both the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Falmouth High School. The Falmouth Public Schools will grant differentiated certificates to students in alignment with their levels of accomplishments – levels that are different from those specified in the granting of a diploma. The various differentiated diplomas and certificates are outlined in the content of this policy.
Students being granted a Falmouth High School diploma must have been enrolled in the Falmouth Public Schools and remained in good standing for a minimum of one semester of their final year in order to be eligible to receive a Falmouth diploma or certificate. Credits may be applied to the Falmouth requirements from other school systems, from dual enrollment courses, from home schooling arrangements with appropriate correspondence and course verification, through pre-approved virtual opportunities, and from other experiences if structured through approved independent study. With the approval of the high school principal, students may graduate with three (3) or three and one half (3 1/2) years of high school experience if requirements have been met (refer to Policy IKFA, which immediately follows).
All students who meet the requirements for a diploma or certificate specified below are eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony.
Diplomas with Graduation
Being granted a Falmouth High School diploma with graduation means that a student has acquired a competency determination, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, in English language arts, mathematics, and science and technology/engineering and has met the local graduation requirements of Falmouth High School. Both the diploma and the student’s transcript will specify the differentiation according to levels of accomplishment outlined in items one through three.
- Diploma/Graduation with Honors: This diploma applies if the student has fulfilled all Falmouth credit requirements, the conditions for Massachusetts competency determination, and the criteria of the National Honor Society. (Fulfillment of requirements of subject-based honors organizations, approved by the principal and superintendent, will be acknowledged at graduation but not on the diploma or transcript.)
- Diploma/Graduation with Massachusetts Mastery: This diploma applies if the student has met all the requirements set by the State for the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award, which represents high academic achievement as measured by MCAS scores and other accomplishments. Full definition of state requirements will be available through the principal and guidance counselors.
- Diploma/Graduation with Massachusetts Competency Determination: This diploma applies if the student has fulfilled all criteria set by the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education for attendance, completed Falmouth High School graduation requirements, and met conditions for Massachusetts competency determination.
Certificates without Graduation
Being granted a Falmouth High School certificate without graduation means that a student has not acquired a competency determination, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, in English language arts, mathematics, and science and technology/engineering and may or may not have met Falmouth High School graduation requirements. Both the certificate and the student’s transcript will specify the differentiation according to levels of accomplishment outlined in items four through six.
- Certificate of Completion of Falmouth Local Standards: This Certificate, which signifies completion of Falmouth High School graduation requirements only, is available for special needs students with prior parental notification and consent through the individualized education program team process.
- Certificate of Attainment: This Certificate signifies that the student has met Falmouth School Committee minimum course credits listed below as well as other criteria set by the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education for attendance and participation in the standardized assessment process but has not achieved state established competency determinations. Full definition of state requirements will be available through the principal and guidance counselors.
- Honorary Certificate: This Certificate signifies that the student deserves acknowledgement in the graduation ceremony for conscientious effort and significant accomplishment but has not, because of unique conditions, met the levels of achievement that allow a Certificate of Attainment or a diploma signifying graduation from high school.
Students granted the Honorary Certificate have unique conditions that have been reviewed and approved by the Principal and by the Superintendent of Schools. Such students may participate in graduation ceremonies to acknowledge the completion of their prescribed programs even though they may not have fulfilled all graduation credit requirements or other Falmouth graduation standards. These students may include, at the discretion of the Principal and Superintendent, students who have demonstrated conscientious effort that meets or exceeds their classmates, students with severe disabilities who have conscientiously fulfilled their responsibilities without having achieved levels of performance that qualify them for one of the other diplomas or certificates (with prior parent/guardian notification and consent through the individualized education program process), and other students designated by the Principal and Superintendent.
In order to receive any but the honorary certificate, the student must have earned a minimum number of course credits as follows.
Minimum Course Requirements
Discipline
Number of Credits
Course Equivalent
English
16 Credits
4 year-long courses
Math
16 Credits
4 year-long courses
Science
12 Credits
3 year-long courses
Social Studies
12 Credits
3 year-long courses (including
U. S. History I and II)
Foreign Language
8 Credits
2 year-long courses in the same
language
Art & Design, Music, Business and/or Life Skills
4 Credits
1 year-long courses or 2 semester courses
Physical Education/Health
(Including First Aid)
8 Credits
1 semester course per year of
enrollment
Electives
20 Credits
TOTAL
96 Credits
The number of credits required in each discipline is aligned to the recommended college and career readiness guidelines issued by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the Massachusetts Recommended High School Core Program of Studies, also referred to as MassCore. Full definition of state requirements will be available through the principal and guidance counselors.
Additional Requirements:
- Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
- Online Course Experience
- Framework for 21st Century Learning prepared by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (21stcenturyskills.org)
- Senior Project
These additional requirements reflect the ideological shift occurring both in the global community as well as in our classrooms. Though the structure of each of these requirements is still evolving, it is imperative that they be recognized as vehicles of preparation for our students.