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IV. B. 2. Instructional Mandates
Elective Courses
The West Warwick School Department, at the discretion of the Superintendent of Schools and school administration, shall be allowed to grant academic credit for elective courses not regularly included in the school curriculum, provided said courses comply with state law regulating teacher certification and course length, meet the standards and objectives of the West Warwick School Department and can be integrated into the school program.
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Physical Education
The West Warwick School Committee recognizes the importance of a good physical education program for all pupils. Under the supervision of the directors of physical education, one such program shall become an integral part of the curriculum for all pupils in West Warwick.
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Health Services
The purpose of the health services in the school is to assist each child to develop a sound body and eager mind to grow in optimum health to adulthood.
With this purpose in mind, the West Warwick School Department shall conduct a health program to service pupils in all schools. The rules and regulations for school health programs as well as recommended practices are outlined in Appendix .
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Consumer Education
The West Warwick School Committee shall provide for pupils in the public schools in grades eight (8) through twelve (12) to be taught and be required to study courses which include instruction in consumer education, which may include, but not necessarily be limited to installment purchasing, budgeting, comparison of prices, credit and the law, employment, income, rights and responsibilities in the marketplace, money management and other personal finance or consumer economic topics of study approved the Rhode Island Department of Education.
References
Driver Education
The West Warwick School Committee recognizes the need to provide a Driver Education Program as part of its total secondary curriculum. To the extent required, the School Committee shall implement the 1986 amendment to the General Laws of Rhode Island 31-10-19. In addition, the Committee adopts the Administrative Procedures for the Driver Education Program for the Town of West Warwick as modeled on similar state procedures.
Each year in December, the Committee shall provide for a Driver Education Director for West Warwick and set a tuition fee for the program which allows the program to be self-sufficient.
References
Policy Adopted: January 12, 1987
Student Programs - High School
Each student enrolled at West Warwick High School shall select and engage in five (5) full periods of courses from academic course offerings plus Physical Education.
Should a student fail English at any level, 9-11, he or she shall not be granted permission to enroll in two basic English courses, i.e. double English, during the normal school day.
References
Policy adopted: 5/8/73
Program of Studies
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS
NON-TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL PLANS
Experimental/Innovative Programs
The continuous study of and experimentation in individual curriculum problems shall be encouraged at all levels in West Warwick Schools.
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Elective Courses
At the discretion of the superintendent and principal, students shall be allowed to participate in elective courses, but not necessarily limited to on-campus courses, which meet the criteria established by the West Warwick School Department policy, provided said courses can be accommodated by the school schedule and present no additional transportation, instructional or related cost to the West Warwick School Department.
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Travel and Exchange Programs
The West Warwick School Committee recognizes that teacher exchange programs provide an excellent means of bringing about cultural exchange and understanding. These programs are strongly supported by the West Warwick School Department but the decision to allow participation shall always be based on the major responsibility of providing the very best education possible for West Warwick students at all times and in accordance with any contractual agreements with the West Warwick Teachers' Alliance.
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
KINDERGARTEN ENTRANCE
Children who turn five on or before September 1 of the school year are eligible to enroll in kindergarten. However under two sets of special circumstances, special permission for early admission to kindergarten may be obtained from the Superintendent for children whose fifth birthday falls after September 1st of the proposed kindergarten school year: (1) students from out-of-state who transfer to the West Warwick Public Schools and have been in attendance in kindergarten in another state; (2) students from another school in Rhode Island who transfer to the West Warwick Public Schools and have been attending kindergarten.
With regard to all special circumstance cases, documentation must be provided. Final determination shall be based upon the documentation provided and any other tests, interviews, or other limiting standards as determined to be appropriate by the Superintendent.
Reference
R.I. General Laws 16-2-27
Policy Adopted: April 10, 2007
Grade One Entrance
Minimum Enrollment Age
Children who turn six on or before September 1 of the school year are eligible to enroll in grade one provided they have successfully completed a state recognized or accredited kindergarten program.
However, a child who has successfully completed kindergarten in another school in Rhode Island or in another state may be eligible to attend first grade even if the child has not yet attained six (6) years of age on or before September 1st of the school year in which first grade is sought.
In order to determine eligibility, documentation must be provided. Final determination shall be based upon the documentation provided and any other tests, interviews, or other limiting standards as determined to be appropriate by the Superintendent.
Reference
R.I. General Laws 16-2-28
Policy Adopted: April 10, 2007
Progress Reports
It shall be the duty of the teachers of home bound students to submit periodic written reports of the academic progress of the student to the building principal. These reports shall include minimally:
1. Student name
2. School
3. Grade level
4. Subject
5. Material covered
6. Grade achieved if more than two (2) weeks duration.
7. Problems encountered
8. Recommendations for promotion if the tutoring covered at least the last term of the school year.
References
Policy adopted: 6/9/80
Early Admissions/Concurrent Enrollment Programs
In an attempt to provide the best possible education for each student in terms of their educational or vocational goal, the West Warwick School Committee has authorized the Superintendent, upon recommendation of the principal, to allow individual seniors, on a limited and selective basis, to pursue an educational program at institutions of higher learning provided:
1. There is no cost to the Town of West Warwick.
2. The student's prospective program of studies receives administrative approval.
3. The student is clearly and firmly counseled that failing required course(s) at said institutions would result in denial of graduation.
4. The student meets all necessary requirements for graduation as set forth by West Warwick High School.
Upon successful completion of each individual program each student shall receive his or her diploma from West Warwick High School.
References
Policy adopted: 4/11/77
Special Education Services - General
The Director of Special Education, under the supervision of the superintendent of schools, shall develop in accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Education Regulations Governing the Education of the Handicapped, as amended, a Teacher's Manual describing the Referral Evaluation-Diagnostic Services (see Appendix H) which shall be offered by West Warwick Special Education.
In addition, this manual shall contain a description of the supportive services available to both students and staff by the following special education personnel and any additional supportive staff as may be added in the future:
1. School Psychologist
2. Diagnostic Prescriptive Teacher
3. Social Worker
4. Social Director
5. Resource Teacher
6. Speech and Language Pathologist
7. Vocational Education Teacher
This manual shall be reviewed and updated annually for approval by the West Warwick School Committee.
Manuals shall be available in each school through the building principal.
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Policy and Procedures Regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
The West Warwick School Department, by resolution dated April 27, 1992 adopts the following policy:
West Warwick School Committee affirms that no person shall, by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by the school department.
The West Warwick School Committee recognizes that the term disability means:
1. Any person with a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits that person from participating in her or his academic school program;
2. Any person with a record of such impairment or;
3. Any person regarded as having such an impairment;
The West Warwick School Committee is committed to the fair and equitable treatment of all disabled persons and shall provide reasonable accommodation to ensure that they are not excluded from school department programs or be discriminated against in the fulfillment of their program participation.
To assure non-discrimination, the West Warwick School Committee has established a 504 referral process and a 504 grievance procedure which is available in every school building. All questions and concerns should be addressed to the building administrator.
The West Warwick School Department also adopts the referral process and grievance procedure of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which referral procedure is attached hereto and made a part of this policy.
Policy Adopted: 04/27/92
West Warwick School Department504 REFERRAL PROCESS
The following represents the West Warwick School Department’s 504 Referral Process:
1. The principal receives a referral from parent, student professional, or outside agency;
2. The principal reviews the referral data and decides if it is necessary to convene a 504 committee. The committee determines which accommodations are necessary to meet the student’s needs;
3. The 504 committee, together with the principal, will determine which accommodations are necessary to meet the student’s needs;
4. The principal then implements and supervises those accommodations;
5. Should the principal on the committee determine the student is not eligible for 504 services, the principal will provide a letter to the referring person with an explanation for that decision and a copy of the procedural safeguards;
504 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
1. A grievance shall mean a complaint by a student, an employee, or the parent of a student in the elementary or secondary schools operated by the West Warwick School Department that there has been a violation of 504;
2. All grievances shall be submitted, in writing, and shall be signed by the complainant;
3. The complaint shall be initiated at the lowest possible level. Initial complaint shall be filed with the building principal. The principal shall communicate his or her written decision to the complainant within ten (10) school days after having received the complaint;
4. If the decision of the principal is not satisfactory, the complainant may appeal said decision with ten (10) school days to the Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent shall set a hearing within ten (10) school days from the date of receiving the appeal. The Superintendent shall render a decision within ten (10) school days of the hearing. Said decision shall be written;
5. In the event the decision of the Superintendent is not satisfactory, the complainant, within seven (7) school days, may request a hearing before the School Committee. The School Committee shall render a decision within 45 days of the appeal;
West Warwick School Department 504 Educational Student Service Process, Procedure and Plan
Date:
I. Referral
A. Originating Data
Student Parent
DOB________Gr_______Sex Address
School_____________HR
Referee
Role/Relation Tel.(home)
(work)
B. Statement of the Presenting Problem (be specific)
C. Supporting Reference
II. Administrative Review
A. 504 Eligibility _____Yes _____No
Rationale
B. Referral to 504 Committee ___/___ /___ _____Yes _____No
Rationale
C. Recommendations
Speech and Hearing
Speech and hearing therapists shall be available to pupils in the West Warwick Schools for evaluation and therapy. Consulting services shall be provided to teachers in the development of programs for speech and hearing disabled. This program shall be conducted under the supervision of the Director of Special Education.
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Individual and Remedial Services
The individual needs of every child are considered important to the West Warwick School Department. The school committee shall make efforts to provide such individual and remedial service necessary to insure the optimum development of each child.
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Instruction of Atypical Students - General
The West Warwick School Committee shall offer services that shall contribute to the instruction of physically and emotionally disabled children in accordance with the Rhode Island State Department Regulations on Education of disabled youth. This program shall be conducted under the supervision of the Director of Special Education.
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Home Instruction - Less than Thirty (30) Days
From time to time accidents, illness and/or special circumstances may require that a student remain confined to his or her home and/or other place of residence, i.e. a hospital, for a period of time not to exceed thirty (30) days. In such case, upon approval of the superintendent of schools, students may receive home bound instruction in accordance with the following:
1. Secondary Level - four (4) hours of instruction per week.
2. Elementary Level - Two (2) hours of instruction per week.
References
Policy adopted: 7/72
Home Instruction - More than Thirty (30) Days
In accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Education Regulations Governing the Education of the Disabled, an I.E.P. must be written for any student absent from class for thirty (30) or more consecutive days as prescribed by a physician in writing. To this end, the West Warwick Special Education Office has established the following procedure:
1. A physician's note and recommendation for tutors is received by the principal of the school in which the student attends stating that:
a. the student shall be confined more than thirty (30) days, and
b. the student is able to have home instruction.
2. The physician's note shall be sent by the principal to the superintendent of schools who then refers the case to the Special Education Office.
3. The Diagnostic Prescriptive Teacher meets with the school principal to discuss the impending I.E.P. conference, obtain the names of the student's teachers, and provide Teacher Report Forms to the principal who in writing the teacher's goals for that student. These goals shall then be included in the students I.E.P. for the tutor to follow.
4. The form distributed to the teachers are completed and then returned to the principal for his or her approval.
5. The principal shall then:
a. Obtain tutors for the student, and
b. Return the teacher forms to the Special Education Office.
6. The Diagnostic Prescriptive Teacher meets with the parents of the student to write the I.E.P.
7. The I.E.P. shall be sent to the parents via certified mail. Also, enclosed shall be a Parent Consent Form for program initiation. The parent signs and returns the form to the Special Education office, after which the tutorial program, may commence.
8. Copies of the I.E.P. are distributed to the principal, teacher(s) and tutor(s).
9. The principal should notify the Special Education Office regarding any tutorial program changes, time extensions, and termination.
References
RI Gen. Laws § 16-2-16 Rules and Regulations - Curriculum
Rhode Island Department of Education Governing the Education of the Disabled as amended.
Policy adopted: 9/25/79
Tutoring for Academic Credit
The West Warwick School Committee encourages students to actively seek remediation for any course they have failed. To accomplish this objective, students may attend summer school, enroll in courses at institutions of higher education, or receive private tutoring in accordance with the following regulations:
Institutions of High Education
1. Students may enroll in a substitute course offered at an institution of higher learning with prior administrative approval and be awarded high school credits for the successful completion of said course.
2. All costs and transportation for courses taken at institutions of higher education must be borne by the individual student.
Private Tutoring
1. Tutorial make-up work may only be done on subject matter for which a mark of 64 or below was received during the regular school year.
2. The tutor must hold a Rhode Island Teaching Certificate for the curriculum area in which make-up work is done.
3. If tutoring, other than instruction offered to home-bound students, occurs during the school year, no teacher may accept any fee or gift for the tutoring of any child regularly under his or her instruction. Students must:
a. Successfully pass a departmental make-up exam upon completion of the tutorial sessions to receive academic credit.
b. Obtain from the school an outline of work to be covered and books needed to complete the work.
c. Work with the tutor for a minimum of fifteen hours per semester course (2.5 credits) or thirty hours per full year course (5 credits)
d. Return all borrowed books and/or materials. Any loss or damage must be paid for prior to make-up exam.
e. Present written evidence from the tutor as to time spent and academic achievements.
4. All costs for private tutoring and the procurement of said tutors shall be the responsibility of the family and/or student, subject to administrative approval prior to the onset of tutoring. Any and all forms as may be required by the West Warwick School Department must be completed before approval for tutoring shall be given.
5. Academic credits shall be awarded to students who successfully complete the above requirements for private tutoring.
Policy adopted: 3/6/79
Tutoring - General
It is expected that every effort shall be made by the principal and teacher to help the child with his or her difficulties at school before recommending that parents engage a tutor. The West Warwick School Committee believes that by maintaining a high quality instructional staff and providing for a rich, varied curriculum the need for individual tutoring is minimized.
Should, however, individual tutoring be recommended in exceptional cases, the superintendent is directed to establish such rules as shall protect both the West Warwick School System and the teachers from charges of conflict of interest.
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Summer School
A summer school program shall be conducted for pupils in West Warwick on a tuition basis.
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Organization and Administration
The West Warwick School Committee has authorized the establishment of a summer school for secondary school students in accordance with the following provisions:
1. Calendar
a. Dates for the program shall be established each year by the Director of Summer School upon the approval of the Superintendent of schools.
b. Each course shall be offered for two (2) hours per day for fifteen (15) days or a total of thirty (30) hours per full year course.
2. Tuition
a. West Warwick residents -as per rates approved by the West Warwick School Committee.
b. Non-residents - as per rates approved by the West Warwick School Committee.
c. Payment is to be made at the time of registration.
Checks should be made payable to: West Warwick School Department.
d. There shall be a late registration fee as per the rate approved by the West Warwick School Committee.
3. Registration dates and time
a. Registration dates shall be established each year by the Director of Summer School upon the approval of the Superintendent of Schools.
b. Registration shall be held at: West Warwick High School Guidance Department Office, Webster Knight Drive, West Warwick, RI 02893
4. Class size
a. Minimum - 15 students
b. Maximum - 20 students
5. Course offerings - shall be established by student demand.
a. All course work shall be in accordance with and reflective of the basic objectives of the course outlined in the West Warwick curriculum guides. In addition, each student must achieve all of the basic requirements for a particular course.
b. All textbooks and/or materials should be approved in advance of the summer session by the Department Chairperson/Head or Principal.
c. A written outline of topics/materials/skills covered shall be submitted by each instructor at the end of each summer school course. The outline shall include the following:
i) Date(s),
ii) Objectives covered,
iii) Materials used,
iv) Copies of all tests/quizzes or other evaluative instruments used. These outlines shall be kept on file for future reference.
d. A final exam, approved by the Department Chairperson/ Head or Principal prior to its administration, shall be given in each course..
6. Eligibility
a. A student may pursue a course for credit if he or she:
i) failed the course during a regular school year or received a grade of NO CREDIT (NC).
ii) has been absent more than 20 days per semester course or 40 days per full year course shall not be eligible for summer school for credit toward graduation.
iii) receives permission from the Principal, who shall determine the student's eligibility for a summer school program for credit in West Warwick or any other district/school.
iv) has been registered as a full-time student during the past year.
b. A student may pursue a course for non-credit if (s)he:
i) was a full time student during the past school year.
ii) the course to be taken is appropriate to the student's grade level.
7. Awarding of Credit
Credit shall be awarded for Summer School courses provided that:
a. the student has successfully completed the course.
b. the student has returned all textbooks and materials loaned to him or her.
c. all other obligations are completed.
d. not more than two and one-half courses, i.e. 12.5 credits have been earned in West Warwick or any other summer school.
e. the student must attend every day of the summer school session. No absence for any reason shall be allotted. No refund shall be given for failure to comply with the attendance policy.
f. the average of the grade attained in summer school and the grade attained during the regular school year equal 65 or better.
g. for students receiving a grade of "NC" for a course during the regular year the grades received during each of the marking periods and the grade earned during the summer program average out to be 70 or above.
h. students shall receive a grade of "65" on their permanent record cards for successful completion of Summer School Courses.
8. Rules and Regulations
a. Students are restricted to the first floor of the building during the summer session.
b. Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times in accordance with the West Warwick High School Dress Policy (see section V.C.3. Student Dress Policy ).
c. All materials and textbooks borrowed must be returned in the same condition as when issued. Lost and/or damaged books and materials must be paid for before any grade shall be released and credit awarded.
d. Any student found vandalizing school property shall face immediate expulsion from Summer School and face the consequences of his or her action(s).
e. Tardiness
i) A student must be on time for all classes.
ii) Tardiness shall affect a student's grade for a given course.
iii) Any student who is tardy must report to the Director of Summer School in the guidance office permission slip to enter class. Teachers have been instructed not to admit a student to class without permission from the Summer School office.
f. Attendance - A student must:
i) Attend fifteen (15) class hours of the summer session for a semester course, and
ii) Attend thirty (30) class hours of the summer session for a full-year course.
g. Parking - Any student driving to school must park his or her car in the lot in the front of the school near the Athletic Complex.
h. Smoking is not permitted on school property.
i. Any student who is disruptive to the class environment and is sent from class may face expulsion from Summer School with no refund of money.
j. Any student who fails to obey the rules and regulations of the Summer School Program faces immediate expulsion from summer school with no refund of money.
k. The West Warwick Summer School and the West Warwick School Department assumes no responsibility for the loss of any student's personal property.
9. Waiver Provision
The principal may, upon demonstration of a hardship, waive certain eligibility requirements for attendance at the West Warwick Summer School.
Policy adopted: 4/24/78
Amended: 3/23/81 1/22/84 6/10/85
Adult Education
The adult evening school shall be open to all residents of West Warwick, over age 16 or older. The program shall offer a variety of worthwhile subjects to service civic, cultural, vocational and avocational needs and interests of the adult residents of the community. Course offerings shall be determined by response to course previously given and by newly arising needs and interests, subject to limitations of the plant, teaching personnel and equipment.
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Objectives of the Instructional Program
Adult education is becoming an integral part of our society. It is our aim to help adults recognize the importance of continuing their education. The opportunities made available shall be defined by the needs and interests of our citizens.
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Schedules
Schedules for adult education classes shall be made in accordance with existing state laws. Monday and Thursday evenings shall be available for such classes.
The superintendent of schools shall annually, on or before the first day of October, notify the department of education in writing of the number and location and hours of session of schools established and maintained by the West Warwick School Committee, and thereafter shall give immediate and similar notice of any school or schools subsequently established during the school year.
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Fees
Evening school classes shall be made available to West Warwick residents and non-residents for a fee established by the West Warwick School Committee.
The fees for the general program shall be such that the program shall be operated on a self-sustaining basis.
References
Policy adopted: 4/30/73