Student/Parent Handbook - Braintree Public Schools

Student’s Rights
1. As guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States,
students have the right to freedom of expression, petition, and assembly
through speech, the use of symbols, and the dissemination of written
viewpoints as well as the right to assemble peaceably on school property
provided that no disruption or disorder is caused within the school or its
program. (Any expression made by the student(s) will not be deemed to be the
expression of school policy, and school personnel will not be held responsible.
2. Chapter 76, Section 5 of the Massachusetts General Laws provides that “Every
person shall have the right to attend the public schools of the town where
she/he actually resides, subject to the following section. No person shall be
excluded from or discriminated against in admission to a public school of any
town, or in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of such
public school on account of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or sexual
orientation.” Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1974 also prohibits discrimination
on the basis of race and national origin. Title IX of the Education Amendments
of 1972 also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. The Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. It is the policy of the Braintree
Public Schools to abide by all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination.
3. Any student who believes he/she may have been the victim of discrimination
will be informed by the Headmaster/Principal of the school’s grievance
procedures and will, upon request, receive a copy of these procedures.
4. No student shall be discriminated against because of marriage, pregnancy, or
parenthood. The school may require a physician's certificate and/or
supervision of a pregnant student.
5. All students have the right to attend school without fear of harassment, threats,
or reprisals. Any student violating these or any other civil rights of students will
be dealt with by administration and, depending on the nature and severity of
the violation, may be suspended from school for up to 10 days, expelled, and/or
reported to the police department.
Search and Seizure
The school administration reserves the right to search automobiles on school property,
lockers, desks, gym bags, and/or other clothing of students when a determination has
been made that such a search would be in the interest of safety and/or the health of that
student or other students.
Such searches and subsequent seizure of substances and/or contraband will be
conducted based on reasonable suspicion as a result of reliable reports from credible
sources, personal observations of students engaging in prohibited conduct, and
observations of suspicious behavior. Such searches will not be performed in an
arbitrary or capricious manner.
Student Information and Military Recruiters
As part of the recently enacted “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001,” Armed Forces
recruiters are entitled access to secondary school students’ names, addresses, and
telephone numbers. If you or your parent does not want this information released,
please notify the Guidance Office in writing by September 15. After that date, in
accordance with federal law, if requested, we will release to authorized military sources,
lists of students’ names, addresses, and phone numbers.
Harassment/Sexual Harassment
No forms of harassment will be tolerated.
Whenever ANY person or persons interfere by threats, intimidation or coercion, or
attempt to interfere by threats, intimidation or coercion, with the exercise or enjoyment
by any other person or persons of rights guaranteed under the law, it shall be
considered HARASSMENT. Students should inform their parent(s) and school
administrators immediately if they feel they have been the victims of such actions.
43