June 7, 2018 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Policy Committee Meeting

Rationale: 

Dr. Brooks organized a committee of teachers and administrators to research effective homework practices and make suggested recommendations to district policy.  The committee work included: 

• Literature review of effective practices for homework.  
• Development of surveys for stakeholder (parents, teachers, students) to get input on current practice (see attached summary).  
• Review of other district policies regarding homework.
• Revising BPS district policy and regulations.  

Because the changes from our original policy were so significant, it was too confusing to track change.  We have included the old policy for your information.  

Went to Board for 1^st reading April 12th.

Rationale:  The Board of Education currently does not have a policy regarding New Media Relationships.  In the attached packet are several sample policies from CABE to consider and a version from Waterbury Public Schools.   All sample policies address access to the schools and guidelines or expectations for the media.  Although on the agenda at our last Policy meeting, we did not hae an opportunity to discuss in depth.   The adminstration recommends selecting one policy as a model to revise for the needs of the Bethel Public Schools. 

Rationale:  We have periodically used the Therapy Dogs in our schools.  We have found the programs to be extremely beneficial to our students, causing in an increased  demand.   We feel that developing a policy and regulation would help to formulate guidelines for use of Therapy Dogs within the schools.  Two of our employees, Lois Brockmann (Physical Therapist) and Danielle Egan (Media Specialist) are certified handlers for Therapy Dogs and have participated in the development of this policy.  We used the policy from Manchester Public Schools as a basis for revision. This is the first reading of the policy within the committee structure.  

Rationale:  While developing the policy for Therapy Dogs, we recognized that we also need a policy for Service Dogs.  Service Dogs fall under a different category than Therapy Dogs as they are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA.  The model policy attached was provided to us by Shipman and and Goodwin.  We currently have an employee who requires a Service Dog.   There are many school districts whose students also require Service Dogs.  We felt it critical to develop policies for both.  This is the first reading for the policy.