Tag: Policies
What are the attendance requirements for graduating? I can’t find them anywhere on the site
A. You can find the district attendance policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16RkTOzfb6wmzRWLULae_uSObE3IvG42X534v3VXuUSc/view and regulation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cd8b4NfcXvaywqUFePr0gcP8dpAIyfzzSFnWdGj5ERo/view
why don’t we get school off on muslim holidays?
A. The current policy only calls for days off on certain holidays. That same policy also recognizes that students may choose to observe a variety of established religious day and that decision will be respected.
What is the point of having to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of every single school day? Also, why would students have to promise their loyalty (pledge allegiance) to this country?
A. By law, all public school students are required to recite the Pledge, facing the flag, hand over heart or saluting if in uniform. If a student or his parent or guardian objects, the student may sit silently or stand quietly.
Is it possible to refuse to go on a field trip? If so, how (not paying, etc.)?
A. A parent has a right to keep their child home if they do not approve of the trip. If they are unable to pay for the trip, that needs to be discussed with the building principal
My daughter was told she was going to get detention because she said to her friend Merry Christmas who celebrates Christmas. A staff member over heard and said it may offend the other children. How is this fair and right?
A. Without knowing the specific circumstances, there is no policy against saying Merry Christmas and students do not get detention for saying it.
Does the district any official guidelines on how a student who identifies with a different gender than they were born with should be referred to? It seems like at least one student is complaining that they are being called a she when they want to be called a he or vice versa. Does the student have to legally have their named changed or can they just announce to a teacher that they are now a different name/gender without any type of legal documents?
A. This information is taken out of the district’s DASA Regulation 7555R All students should be addressed by a name and pronoun corresponding to their gender identity that is exclusively and consistently asserted at school. Students are not required to obtain a court ordered name and/or gender change or to change their official records as […]
if you have a therapy animal, can you bring it to school?
A. Please see the district policy on this: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T9MfEXuHapX-tXnYlLk52O7Jn24BRL9posicVPmcrNw/view
Can you post the rules for Halloween costumes at school? Masks? No masks?, makeup?, etc. Hearing a lot of different versions
A. Each school does things a little differently. Please contact the main office of your child’s school.
If I religiously observe Rosh Hashanah and I stayed home from school, would it be a legal absence?
A. Religious observances are an excused absence.
Can non SHEN students play on Shen sports teams or join Shen extra curricular clubs if they attend private schools or are home schooled but live in the Shen district?
A. No, not allowable by law and/or policy. From NYSPHSAA Handbook: BONA FIDE STUDENTS: Regulation of the Commissioner of Education: A contestant must be a bona fide student of the high school represented and must be taking at least four subjects including Physical Education.
