CONCEPTS AND ROLES

The School Board believes that the district and community must work together to ensure that educational goals and objectives are relevant to the lives and future of our students. The Board shall adopt policies which define district philosophy and goals. The Superintendent or designee shall provide for the development of district-wide instructional objectives.

(cf. 0100 ‑ Philosophy)

(cf. 0200 ‑ Goals for the School District)

The Board recognizes the importance of planning, implementing and evaluating the instructional program and shall provide the resources necessary for ongoing review and improvement of the district curriculum.

(cf. 0500 - Review and Evaluation)

(cf. 6141 - Curriculum Development and Evaluation)

In order to keep abreast  of educational trends and changing student needs, the Board supports a continuing program of in-service education for certificated staff, the administration, and Board members.

(cf. 4331 ‑ Staff Development)

(cf. 9240 ‑ Board Development)

The district shall provide comparable educational opportunities for all students. The Superintendent shall schedule teachers and classes so that there is a minimum variation in the student‑teacher ratio from school to school at the beginning of each school year. He/she shall further ensure that the amount and quality of textbooks, instructional supplies and equipment are closely comparable in every district school and at each level.

(cf. 0410 ‑ Nondiscrimination)

(cf. 6171 – Title  I Programs)

Instruction in the core curriculum shall not be diminished when students receive supplementary services funded by special governmental programs.

CONCEPTS AND ROLES (continued) BP 6000(b)

The School Board

1.       Articulates the district's educational philosophy and goals, through Board policy and approves district-wide instructional objectives which reinforce the district's philosophy and goals.

2.       Adopts course of study and graduation requirements.

3.       Selects the educational programs to be offered to the district's students.

4.       Approves instructional materials and resources to be used in the district's curriculum.

5.       Reviews the instructional program and evaluates the education received by students.

The Superintendent or Designee

1.       Establishes procedures for the ongoing review, evaluation, and development of the district's curriculum.

2.       Ensures the articulation of the district curriculum between educational levels.

3.       Administers the district's educational program and reports to the Board on the accomplishment of district goals and objectives through testing and other types of appraisal.

4.       Decides the general methods of instruction to be used.

5.       Assigns instructors and schedules classes for all curricular offerings.

CONCEPTS AND ROLES (continued) BP 6000(c)

Legal References:

ALASKA STATUTES

14.03.060 Elementary, junior high, and secondary schools

14.03.090 Sectarian or denominational doctrines prohibited

14.08.111 Duties (regional school boards)

14.14.090 Additional duties

14.14.110 Cooperation with other districts

ALASKA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

4 AAC 05.070 Program planning and evaluation

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20

2728(c) Fiscal requirements/comparability of services

2971(b) Federal funds supplementary

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 34

200.43 Comparability of services requirements, Chapter I

298.23 Comparability of services requirements, Chapter 2

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Student Achievement

The Board recognizes that the key work of school boards is to establish and promote a clear vision of student achievement as the top priority of the District.  Student achievement will be defined by the District and include but not be limited to, assessment results, student attendance and drop-out rates, percentages of students earning certificates of completion and diplomas based on the high school graduation qualifying examination.

The Superintendent will ensure development and implementation of a comprehensive, collaborative planning process that engages the school community in the District’s continuous student achievement improvement program efforts.

The District’s program will be consistent with the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development requirements for content standards and high school graduation.

The Board will, in striving for continuous improvement of student achievement, annually review District and individual school data on student achievement, prioritize, allocate and realign resources as necessary.

The Superintendent will develop administrative regulations as needed to implement this policy.

(cf. 0100 – Philosophy)

(cf. 0210 – Goals for Student Learning)

(cf. 0500 – Review and Evaluation)

(cf. 5000 – Concepts and Roles)

(cf. 6000 -  Concepts and Roles)

(cf. 9000 – Role of Board and Members)

Added 9/99

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Instruction

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

The School Board recognizes that parents/guardians are their children's first and most influential teachers and that continued parental involvement in the education of children contributes greatly to student achievement and conduct. Parents/guardians can directly affect academic success by reinforcing their children's motivation and commitment to education. The district shall include parent involvement strategies as a component of instructional planning.

Teachers and parents/guardians can better understand and meet student needs if they work together. All of our schools have a duty to communicate frequently with the home and to help parents/guardians develop skills and family management techniques which support classroom learning. Administrators and teachers should keep parents/guardians well informed about school expectations and tell them when and how they can assist their children in support of classroom learning activities. The Board encourages staff training in effective communication with the home.

The Board encourages parents/guardians to serve as volunteers in the schools and to attend student performances and school meetings.

(cf. 1240 ‑ Volunteer Assistance)

(cf. 1250 ‑ Visits to the Schools)

(cf. 5124 ‑ Reporting to Parents)

(cf. 6154 – Homework/Make‑Up Work)

(cf. 6171 – Title  I Programs)

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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SCHOOL CALENDAR

The Superintendent or designee shall recommend to the School Board a school calendar that will meet the requirements of the law as well as the needs of the community, students and the work year as negotiated for district personnel.

The school calendar shall show the beginning and ending of school dates, legal and local holidays, orientation and teacher inservice days, number of teaching days, vacation periods and other pertinent dates.

(cf. 6115 ‑ Ceremonies and Observances)

Legal Reference:

ALASKA STATUTE

14.03.030 School term

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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SCHOOL DAY

The School Board shall fix the length of the school day subject to the provisions of law.

The school day shall be arranged and scheduled by the administration so as to offer the greatest return educationally for the time spent, within the limitations of school facilities and requirements of state law, and regulations.

Legal Reference:

ALASKA STATUTE

14.03.040 Day in session

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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EMERGENCIES AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN

All district staff and students must be prepared to respond quickly and responsibly to emergencies, disasters, and events, which threaten to result in a disaster. The Superintendent or designee shall develop and maintain a disaster preparedness plan for handling all foreseeable emergencies and disasters. This plan shall be reviewed and updated at least annually.

Principals shall augment the district plan with working plans and procedures specific to each school building. All students and employees shall receive instruction regarding these plans.

The Superintendent or designee shall consult with city and/or borough officials so that district and site plans may provide the best possible way of handling each situation and also provide for emergency communications systems between these officials and each district school.

District and site plans shall address at least the following situations:

1.       Fire in a building.

2.       Fire from an external source, such as tundra, brush or grass.

3.       Bomb threat or actual detonation.

4.       Natural disasters, i.e., floods, heavy snows, blizzards, torrential rains, earthquakes, heavy winds.

5.       Tsunamis, volcano eruption.

(cf. 3514 ‑ Safety)

(cf. 3515 ‑ Security

(cf. 5142 ‑ Student Safety)

EMERGENCIES AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN (continued)BP 6114(b)

The School Board shall grant the use of school buildings, grounds and equipment to public agencies, including the American Red Cross, for mass care and welfare shelters during disasters or other emergencies affecting the public health and welfare. The Board shall cooperate with such agencies in furnishing and maintaining whatever services it deems necessary to meet the community's needs.

Legal References:

ALASKA STATUTES

14.03.030 - School term

14.03.140 - Emergency drills

18.70.080 – 180.70.300 Fire protection

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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EMERGENCIES AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN

Principals and site administrators shall hold emergency drills at least once a month, weather permitting. (AS 14.03.140)

The district disaster preparedness plan shall be available to staff, students and the public in the office of the Superintendent or designee and in the office of each Principal. Individual building disaster plans shall be provided to each teacher and shall be available for public inspection at the Principal's office. The Principal shall make certain that students and staff are familiar with the plan and shall periodically conduct preparedness drills to ensure effective behavior in the event of an actual emergency or disaster.

The Superintendent or designee may appoint a committee each year to review the disaster preparedness plan and recommend changes and/or improvements.

1.       Principal

The Principal or designee may assume overall direction of disaster procedures. Each Principal shall prepare written disaster plans for his/her school and present a copy to the Superintendent or designee.  The Principal shall:

a.       Direct evacuation of buildings, using fire signals and procedures as required for fire, threatened explosion, or following cessation of earthquake tremors, and using a manual bell for signals in case of power failure.

b.       Arrange for transfer of students when their safety is threatened by floods or approaching fires.

c.       Issue orders to teachers if children are to assemble in pre-selected safer areas within the school.

d.       Schedule monthly/periodical fire drills and keep appropriate records.

e.       Use discretionary judgment in emergencies which do not permit execution of prearranged plans.

EMERGENCIES AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN (continued) AR 6114(b)

f.       Inform the Superintendent or designee of all emergency actions taken as soon as possible.

g.       Post directions for fire drills and civil defense drills in classrooms, multipurpose rooms, etc.

2.       Teachers

Teachers shall be responsible for supervision of students in their charge. Teachers shall:

a.       Direct evacuation of students in their charge to inside or outside assembly areas in accordance with signals, warning written notification, or intercom orders.

b.       Give the DROP command during an earthquake.

c.       Take roll when the class is relocated in an outside or inside assembly area or at another location.

d.       Report missing students to the Principal or designee.

e.       Send students in need of first aid to the school nurse or person trained in first aid.

3.       Custodian/Maintenance Personnel

Custodians/maintenance personnel are responsible for the use of emergency equipment, the handling of supplies and the use of available utilities. Custodians/maintenance personnel shall:

a.       Survey and report damage to the Principal.

b.       Direct rescue operations as required.

c.       Direct fire fighting efforts until regular fire fighting personnel take over.

EMERGENCIES AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN (continued) AR 6114(c)

d.       Control main shutoff valves for gas, water and electricity and ascertain that no hazard results from broken gas, water mains or fallen electrical lines.

e.       Disburse supplies and equipment as needed.

f.       Conserve usable water supplies.

4.       The school secretary shall:

a.       Report a fire or disaster to the appropriate authorities.

b.       Assist the Principal as needed.

c.       Provide for the safety of essential school records and documents.

5.       The secretarial staff shall man telephones, monitor radio emergency broadcasts, assist the school nurse as needed, and act as messengers and carriers when so directed.

6.       The school nurse shall:

a.       Administer first aid.

b.       Supervise the administration of first aid.

c.       Organize first aid and medical supplies.

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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FIRE DRILLS AND FIRES

All students, teachers, and other employees shall be instructed as to leaving the school building in an orderly and rapid manner.

Principals and teachers shall recognize that it is essential in any emergency to prevent panic by giving students clear direction and supervision. Teachers shall be prepared to select alternate exits and direct their classes to these exits in the event the designated escape route is blocked.

(cf. 6114 – Crisis Response)

A record shall be kept in the Principal's office of each fire drill conducted. A copy of the record shall also be filed in the office of the Superintendent or designee.

In the event that fire is discovered in any part of the school, the fire department shall be called immediately after the signal is given to evacuate the building. Students and adults evacuate the building to outside assembly areas. Teachers shall ascertain that no student remains in the building. In outside assembly areas, teachers shall take roll, report missing students, and provide assistance to injured students.

If the fire is serious, students may be taken to an alternate location for protective custody until parents/guardians can pick them up or until they can be safely transported to their homes.

Legal Reference:

ALASKA STATUTE

14.33.100 Emergency drills

14.33.100 Required School Crisis Response Planning

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

4 /93

BOMB THREATS

Receiving Threats

Anyone answering a telephoned bomb threat shall try to keep the caller on the line and get answers to the following questions:

1.       When is the bomb scheduled to go off?

2.       Where is the bomb located?

3.       What kind of bomb is it?

4.       Who placed the bomb?

5.       How do you know about the bomb?

6.       What is your name and address?

The person who receives the call should also try to determine the caller's sex, age, and distinctive features of voice or speech and should take note of background noises such as music, traffic, machinery or other voices.

Anyone who receives a written bomb threat shall place it in an envelope and note where and by whom it was found.

Any employee or student who receives a bomb threat shall immediately report the threat to the Principal or designee.

Procedures

Upon perceiving that a danger may exist, the Principal or designee shall:

1.       Immediately implement School Crisis Response plan for evacuation.

a.       Students and staff shall follow the School Crisis Response plan procedures.

b.       Teachers shall take roll at their assigned areas and   immediately report any absences to the Principal or designee.

c.       Teachers shall remain with their classes, well away from the school buildings, until relieved.

BOMB THREATS (continued) AR 6114.2(b)

2.       Immediately turn off any two‑way radio equipment, which is located in a threatened building.

3.       Immediately inform law enforcement authorities, the fire department, and the Superintendent or designee.

Law enforcement and/or fire department staff shall conduct the bomb search. School staff shall not search for or handle any explosive or incendiary device.

No staff or students shall reenter the threatened building(s) until the law enforcement and/or fire department staff advises the Principal or designee that reentry is safe.

No staff or students shall reenter the threatened building(s) until the law enforcement and/or fire department staff advises the Principal or designee that reentry is safe.

Within 24 hours, the Principal or designee shall send the Superintendent or designee a complete report of the incident, identifying the person who received the threat and the grounds for believing the danger to be real.

The Superintendent or designee shall make every effort to identify individuals who make bomb threats and have them prosecuted. Students who make such threats shall be disciplined accordingly.

(cf. 5144.1 ‑ Suspension and Expulsion)

(cf. 6114 – Crisis Response Plan)

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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