ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTERS & THE INTERNET

The Board of Education is committed to optimizing student learning and teaching. The Board considers access to a computer network, including the Internet, to be a powerful and valuable educational, research, and business tool, and encourages the use of computers and computer-related technology in district classrooms and offices for the purpose of advancing and promoting learning and teaching.

All users of the district’s computer network and the Internet must understand that use is a privilege, not a right, and that use entails responsibility. The district reserves the right to control access to the Internet for all users of its computers and network. The district may either allow or prohibit certain kinds of online activity, or access to specific websites.

All users of the district’s computer network and equipment shall comply with this policy and regulation. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action as well as suspension and/or revocation of computer access privileges.

No Privacy Guarantee

Individuals using the district’s computer network should not expect, nor does the district guarantee privacy for electronic mail (e-mail) or any use of the district’s computer network. The district reserves the right to access and view any material stored on district equipment or any material used in conjunction with the district’s computer network.

Applicable Board Policies:
Board Policy #7315: Student Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and Guidelines

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ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF STUDENTS

We will offer an early morning drop-off starting at 7:30 AM at the cafeteria. The main doors will be locked in the morning so all elementary students arriving between 7:30-8:00 may only enter and sign in at the cafeteria door where we will have school monitors.

All students should be in their class and in their seats by 8:05 AM in the morning.

NO students in grades PreK-6 are to leave the school building or grounds between 8:00 AM and 3:02 PM without written consent from parent/guardian and the approval by the principal, nurse or superintendent.

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ATTENDANCE POLICY

The Board of Education recognizes that consistent attendance is a critical factor in a student’s ability to achieve their fullest academic potential. Students have a right and responsibility to attend school on a daily basis. Consistent attendance contributes to a positive school climate while inconsistent attendance diminishes the student’s ability to effectively use school resources, as well as having a negative effect on the entire school community.

Expectations

The District’s expectation is that parents/legal guardians will notify the main office of the appropriate school when the student is expected to be absent from school for the day or for an extended period of time during the school day.

In cases where the school is not contacted by the parent/legal guardian regarding the student’s absence, the school will notify the parent/legal guardian when the student is absent from school (unless it is determined that it will be a long absence), usually within the first two hours of the school day. It is the parent’s/legal guardian’s responsibility to ensure that the school has all up-to-date addresses, phone numbers and any other contact information.

Recognizing that there are times when students need to leave school for various reasons, written requests from the parent/legal guardian for the release of students generally will be honored. The appropriate time and reason for absence shall be recorded on the attendance record and reported pursuant to state requirements and district record keeping procedures. The Building Principal and/or designee shall assume this responsibility or shall designate an individual to review and approve all requests.

When notification has not been provided, a written excuse will be required upon the student’s return. An absence, tardiness, or early departure shall be assumed to be unexcused until the designated school attendance personnel has received written notification. Failure to produce a written excuse within two school days upon return shall result in the absence being permanently designated as unexcused.

Excused Absences

The reasons and applicable documentation deemed acceptable for an excused absence when school is in session, include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Personal illness;
2. Illness or death in the family;
3. Impassable roads or weather;
4. Required court appearances;
5. Quarantine;
6. Attendance at health clinics;
7. Approved college visits;
8. Military obligations;
9. Religious observance;
10. Disciplinary detention of incarcerated youth.

All other absences for any other reasons will be deemed unexcused absences.

Applicable Board Policies:
Board Policy #7110: Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy

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ATTENDANCE:  FAMILY VACATIONS

Vacations during other than school breaks will be recorded as unexcused and are strongly discouraged. Despite the best efforts of teachers and parents/legal guardians, it is impossible to make up for missing the teacher-directed instruction and class discussion. Make-up work may be provided.

Applicable Board Policies:
Board Policy #7110: Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy

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BREAKFAST & LUNCH PROGRAM

To promote good nutritional habits, Middleburgh Central School participates in the Child Nutrition’s Community Eligibility Provision which allows one daily free breakfast and one daily free lunch for all students for the 2025-2026 school year. Breakfast is served in the classroom. Students purchasing snacks or an additional breakfast/lunch will be charged according to the MCS cafeteria rates.

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BUS RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Middleburgh Central District furnishes transportation to those students whose disability or distance from the school make the service essential. Except as otherwise mandated in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), riding these buses is a privilege and may be withdrawn if the student does not comply with the rules and regulations set forth in this District.

Bus drivers shall be held responsible for reasonable and acceptable behavior of students while riding the school bus. Students riding school buses are expected to conform to the rules of conduct in order to permit the bus driver to transport his/her passengers safely.

The Board of Education, the Superintendent and/or his/her designee has the authority to suspend the transportation privileges of children who are disorderly and insubordinate on buses.

Applicable Board Policies:
Board Policy #7340: Bus Rules and Regulations

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CODE OF CONDUCT

The Board of Education of the Middleburgh Central School District is proud of the students and the seriousness with which they approach their education. The Board is committed to providing a safe and orderly school environment where students may receive, and district personnel may deliver, quality educational services without undue disruption or interference.

The student Code of Conduct’s purpose is to identify positive behavioral interventions, define a tiered approach to addressing misbehavior, and to address specifically defined behaviors and their consequences.

The Code of Conduct is updated on a yearly basis and is provided to students in an abridged format that will be provided to each student at the start of the school year. The full un-abridged version can be obtained from the main office or on the school’s website at https://www.middleburghcsd.org/

Applicable Board Policies:
Board Policy: District Code of Conduct

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DANCES

In an effort to provide safe, social activities for our students, the procedures below shall be followed for the approval of dances.

1. Dances will be for Middleburgh School students, grades 5-12 only.
2. Middleburgh Junior-Senior High School students may invite one guest with prior approval and a completed approval form.
3. Students removed from school for disciplinary reasons will not be allowed in any of the school dances.
4. No refreshments are to be served in the gym unless approved by an Administrator.
5. A list of chaperones is to be submitted to the administration one week prior to the dance.
6. Decorations must be removed from the gym immediately after the dance.
7. Once a student enters the dance, he/she is not to leave. Students who leave the dance will be denied re-admission.
8. No one will be admitted after the first hour, unless returning from a school activity or prior permission is granted.
9. Students who are suspended in-school or out of school will be considered to have violated the conditions of a good school citizen. Students who violate these conditions will not be able to attend school dances for two school weeks.
10. Students must sign in at regular school dances.
11. Students who have not attended school the day of the dance or the day before if it is on a Saturday, may not attend without special permission from the Principal or the Superintendent.

Invited Guests

1. Middleburgh Junior-Senior High School students may invite one guest with prior approval.
2. Approval forms must be completed and turned into the Main Office by 3:00 p.m., two days prior to the dance.
3. Approval forms may be obtained from the Main Office.
4. Middleburgh Junior-Senior High School students’ guests must be attending an accredited Junior-Senior High School program in grades 7 -12 with the exception of Prom and Winter Ball.

Students’ guests must be in grades 7-12 and not older than twenty years of age to attend the Prom and Winter Ball.

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DISMISSAL PRECAUTIONS

In order to ensure students’ safety, students may only be released from school into the custody of authorized individuals. The main office maintains a list of authorized individuals. No student may be released to the custody of any individual who is not the parent or guardian of the student, unless the individual’s name appears upon the list. Parents or guardians may submit the names of individuals authorized to obtain the release of their children from school at the time of the child’s enrollment.

A parent or guardian may amend a list submitted pursuant to this regulation at any time, in writing, with a signature of the parent or guardian. Certified copies of any court orders or divorce decrees provided by the custodial parent, which restrict a parent’s ability to seek the release of his/her child, shall be maintained in district offices.

If anyone seeks the release from school of a student, he/she must report to the main office and present satisfactory identification. If the person seeking the release of a child exhibits to the school official an out-of-state custody order, the superintendent will be called.

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DRUG & ALCOHOL USE

No person may use, possess, sell or distribute alcohol or other substances, nor may any person use or possess drug paraphernalia on school grounds or at school-sponsored events, except those prescribed by a physician.

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EMERGENCY CLOSINGS

The Superintendent of Schools may delay, close, or dismiss students/staff early when hazardous weather or other emergencies threaten health or safety.

CLOSURES AND DELAYS:

The Superintendent will coordinate with the Director of Facilities to determine if there is a need to delay or close school based on information gathered from local and town sources. The Superintendent will begin procedures to post information on the school website and to make robocalls to staff and families. For full-day closures, the superintendent will initiate robocalls through ParentSquare and information will be posted to local TV stations and websites no later than 6AM.

TV Stations: WNYT | WTEN |WRGB (Albany)

Websites:              http://wnyt.com/closings/

                                     http://www.schoolclosingsnetwork.com

 EARLY CLOSINGS:

The decision to close school early will be made in coordination with the Director of Facilities. The decision to close early requires several hours of planning. In most cases, we will attempt to serve all lunches before closing.

Notifications will be sent through ParentSquare if an early closing is to occur.   Parents are requested to avoid calling schools on days of poor weather as it is important to keep school phone lines open.

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ENTERING & EXITING THE BUILDING

All entrances are locked at all times. Entrance to the building after 8:00 AM shall be through the main entrance only. Students are not to open any other doors for anyone seeking entrance into the building.  At the end of the school day, students may exit through the main entrance, cafeteria, or doors by the Maze Craze.

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FEES, FINES AND CHARGES

Students are expected to exercise reasonable care in the use of school equipment and any damage done to library books, textbooks or other school equipment including athletic and musical equipment due to misuse or negligence must be paid for by the student. Lost or damaged textbooks will be immediately reported to the office for payment. Other school equipment which is damaged should be reported to the building principal, who will determine if negligence on the part of the student was the cause of the damage. If so, the student and the student’s parents will be expected to pay for such damage.

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FIRE DRILLS

The principal is responsible for conducting fire drills in order to instruct students and staff in exiting the school building in an emergency in the shortest time possible and without confusion and panic. Fire drills shall include instruction on fire drill exits and fire alarm boxes, as well as fire drill procedures.

All students are expected to cooperate with staff members during fire drills, and to leave the building in a quiet and orderly manner. The exit route is posted in each room. Students must stay with their teacher.

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