Parent Handbook - Harford County Public Schools

Rights And Responsibilities Of Students
Use Of School Facilities
The Board of Education of Harford County encourages the use of Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) facilities by the school
community in accordance with Section 7-108 of the Education Article of the Maryland Annotated Code and the HCPS Use of
Public School Facilities Procedure. Students and parents who are part of a school-affiliated group may be allowed to use HCPS
facilities for any curricular or co-curricular program or activity that is directly affiliated with the programs of the school system
and under the supervision of a particular school within HCPS. School-affiliated groups may be allowed to use HCPS facilities
to sponsor programs or activities that are directly affiliated with the school’s educational program and sponsored by the Parent-
Teacher-Student Association, the Harford County Council of PTSA (HCPTA), and officially recognized employee organizations.
Requests for school-sponsored activities must be submitted and processed, and once approved must be conducted, in
accordance with Board policy and the HCPS Use of Facilities Procedure. Local schools must document the intended use by the
school-affiliated group by completing the Use of Facilities Form B. The Use of Facilities Form B must be forwarded to the Office of
Operations prior to the scheduled program or activity.
Any group that intends to use an HCPS facility for a non-school related program or activity that is not school sponsored or school
affiliated must be granted approval for the intended use by completing and submitting, to the school administration, a Use of
Facilities Form A.
All facility use by groups, both affiliated or non-affiliated with HCPS, must adhere to HCPS policy, procedure, rules, and
regulations as they relate to approval for use, responsibilities during use, requirements and conditions of use, safety and security
requirements, as well as care and condition of facility requirements. The HCPS Use of Facilities Procedures can be found on the
HCPS website, www.hcps.org.
Religion
• Students have the right to practice their own religious beliefs provided they neither violate the rights of others nor disrupt or
interfere with school operations.
• Students have the right to study, examine, discuss, and analyze religious ideas and institutions just as they might study any
other subject.
• Schools shall neither conduct religious exercises nor encourage or support any religious beliefs or practices.
Patriotic Exercises
Schools are to encourage the devotion to their flag and their country by displaying and properly caring for the American flag on the
school site and in each classroom.
Students shall have the right to participate in or observe patriotic exercises in their schools. They shall not, however, be required
to take part in such exercises nor may they interrupt the participation of other students in such exercises. Students shall not be
penalized in any way for exercising such rights.
*Students have a variety of other rights that are outlined by school board and additional policies can be found on our website.
Dress Code
Students have the responsibility to choose their attire and to arrange their personal appearance in a manner that is safe, healthy,
inoffensive, and not disruptive to the educational process. The student dress code is intended to create and preserve a positive
climate for teaching and learning, reduce the possibility of discipline problems, and preserve school order and safety. The intention
of the policy is to seek compliance from students and to avoid disciplinary action unless there are repeated offenses or serious
aggravating circumstances. Students’ style of dress or grooming must meet the reasonable requirements of a course or activity.
Accordingly, students are prohibited from wearing clothing, headwear, jewelry, tattoos, sunglasses, bookbags, or other articles of
personal appearance that:
• Depict profanity, obscenity, the use of weapons, or violence.
• Promote the use of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or other illegal or harmful products.
• Contain sexually suggestive messages.
• Unduly expose or reveal skin or undergarments such as tank tops*, tube tops, haltertops, mesh tops, bare midriff tops,
spaghetti straps, pants worn below the hips, short-shorts, miniskirts, or
bedtime attire.
• Contain language or symbols that offend or demean an identifiable
person or group or otherwise infringe on the rights of others in violation
of the Board harassment or discrimination policies.
• Cause, or is likely to cause, a substantial or material disruption to
school activities or the orderly operation of the school, including but not
limited to swastikas and gang-related attire.
• Contain profane, disrespectful, or discourteous expressions
inconsistent with civil discourse and behavior.
• Endanger health or safety.
*A tank top is a sleeveless garment with wide shoulder straps that dips well
below the neckline. The top is typically “U” or “V” shaped, exposing a broad
area of the shoulder, upper chest, and neck. Tank top straps are typically two
to four inches wide. Tank tops, especially those with thinner straps, do not
sufficiently conceal components of the undergarments and or body parts.
Exceptions under this policy shall be given consideration in the following
instances:
• When a reasonable accommodation is made if a student wears an
article of dress or other item which is a lawful exercise of his/her
right to freedom of expression or freedom of religion.
• When a reasonable accommodation is necessary due to a
documented medical or health reason, but only as authorized by
the school principal.
• When an authorized activity, such as athletics or band, requires
different attire, but only upon the direction of the coach or faculty
sponsor of the activity.
Special Provisions and Restrictions
The following examples are provided for guidance in implementing the policy
and are not intended to list every possible violation or circumstance.
Physical Education
• Proper physical education apparel and shoes are to be worn. For
secondary students, the appropriate school physical education uniform
should be worn.
• The following jewelry items will not be worn in physical education
classes: earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces.
• Pierced ear studs are permitted to be worn by elementary students only.
• Jewelry which needs to be removed for physical education class shall
be the responsibility of the student.
Clothing
• Clothing worn in such a manner so as to reveal undergarments or bare
skin between the upper chest and mid-thigh is not permitted.
• Skirts, dresses, and shorts must be no shorter than the student’s longest
fingertip when the student’s hands are held at his/her side.
• Pants shall be secured at the waist; must not touch or drag on the
ground; must not reveal undergarments or bare skin while sitting or
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