Policies and Procedures

ACCIDENTS

For your own safety, any accident in the school building, on school grounds, at practice sessions or at events sponsored by the school must be reported immediately to the staff person in charge of the class or activity and the School Office.  An accident or injury report form should be completed immediately for all occurrences and submitted to the School Nurse.

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EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Safety and Security Code

Emergency conditions may at some time necessitate one of three safety procedures to be employed.  Each of the three situations requires a unique response on the part of students, faculty, and staff.  Regardless of the emergency situation, it is paramount that the safety of all is of the utmost concern and importance.

The three emergency conditions referred to above are:

FIRE:

In the event of a fire, the fire alarm system will activate.  Students and staff are to evacuate the building using the nearest means of exiting the building.  Upon leaving the classroom, windows should be closed, doors closed (left unlocked) and lights turned off.

• All Staff and students follow FIRE EXIT INSTRUCTIONS posted in each academic and technical area.
• Staff members and students should assemble at a safe distance from the building and far enough away from the path that emergency vehicles or personnel may travel.
• Teachers are to assemble their class as a group and take attendance, assuring that all are safely accounted for. 
• Students and staff are not allowed to re-enter until the "all clear" signal has been given by the Superintendent or Principal who will be so advised by the fire department official in charge.

BOMB, EXPLOSIVE DEVICE, GAS LEAK: (CODE RED)

• In the event that an explosion from an incendiary device or gas, etc. is a possibility, an announcement will be made to evacuate the building.  This announcement will be made as a CODE RED EMERGENCY.  (The fire alarm will not be sounded as it triggers fire doors throughout the building.)
• In a CODE RED emergency, students and staff will exit the building using a minimal number of exits.
• All staff and students follor FIRE EXIT INSTRUCTIONS posted in each academic and technical area.
• Staff members, upon leaving their rooms, will open all windows, leave classroom doors open and turn off lights.
• At the area where assembled, staff members will take attendance, assuring that all are accounted for.
• Students and staff are not allowed to re-enter until the "all clear" signal has been given by the Superintendent or Principal.

LOCK DOWN

In the event that an emergency situation necessitates all personnel and students to remain in their classrooms until restored, a LOCK DOWN announcement will be made. 

• Under a LOCK DOWN, staff should secure their rooms by closing doors and prohibiting anyone from leaving until the emergency situation is resolved.  Since classroom doors lock only from the outside, locking the door would be in order providing that the staff member is assured that students who might have left the room have returned or can safely gain access if necessary. All staff and students must remain out of sight of doors and windows.
• All staff and students are to remain in place until the "all clear" announcement is given by school administration.  It is possible that in this situation passing bells may sound.  Staff should not allow students to pass until the official "all clear" notice is received.
• Unattached students will report to the nearest claassroom or shop. Teachers will note any student additions and relay the information to the administrative team.

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SEVERE WEATHER

In the event of excessive snow or other hazardous weather conditions, tune in to one of the following stations for school closing information.  PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL as the switchboard needs to be clear for emergency calls. Emergency closing announcements will also be posted on the Upper Cape Tech homepage (www.uppercapetech.com).

RADIO

TELEVISION

Channel 4 / Channel 5 / Channel 7   BOSTON

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STUDENT VEHICLES ANDPARKING

PARKING AND TRAFFIC CONTROL POLICY

1. The following Rules and Regulations pertain to the use of motor vehicles on the grounds of Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School. They are designed to:

1. provide orderly and safe movement of all vehicles;
2. provide for pedestrian safety; and
3. assure free and continuing access to all areas of the school.

OPERATION OF VEHICLES - Speed Limit/Operation

• All vehicles shall be operated at all times at a speed that is reasonable and proper.
• At no time shall a speed on any Upper Cape Tech roadway be in excess of fifteen (15) miles per hour.
• At no time shall any vehicle exceed five (5) miles per hour in any Upper Cape Tech parking lot area.
• At no time shall any vehicle be operated upon land or ways not specifically designed or designated for vehicular traffic.
• All motor vehicles, including motocycles, which are creating a noise or disturbance while parked in the proximity of the school, must be turned off. This includes excessive noise from radios, tapes, CDs.
• At no time shall any vehicle be operated with passengers sitting, lying, or standing on the exterior part of the vehicle.
• All vehicles shall be operated in accordance with all posted signs, signals, and markings.
• Upon arriving to school, students must leave their vehicles immediately and go directly into the building.,
• Stop when school buses stop. Passing a school bus will result in immediate loss of parking privilege and possible fine/citation from the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
• Never pass any vehicle on the hill when leaving or arriving at the school. This will result in immediate loss of parking permit..
• Students shall request authorization from the Assistant Principal for use of a temporary vehicle.
• ALWAYS BE A COURTEOUS DRIVER!

SEAT BELT USE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

All operators and passengers of motor vehicles are required to properly fasten safety belts while on school property, and are strongly urged to utilize them at all other times. Any operator of a vehicle in which the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety belt will receive the following sanctions:

• First time offender will lose parking privilege for one week and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified.
• Second and/or any subsequent offense will result in further disciplinary action up to and including revocation of parking permit.

SCHOOL BUILDINGS

No motor vehicles, including motorcycles, shall be parked so as to obstruct an entrance or egress to or from any school exit, loading dock, or building.

OPERATING CONDITIONS ON VEHICLES

Motor vehicles parked on school property shall be kept in such condition of mechanical repair so they can be removed at any time under their own power. Vehicles must have a valid Massachusetts Inspection Sticker.

REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

Decal requirements

• All users (students and employees) of Upper Cape Tech parking are required to have a valid parking permit affixed in the proper location on their vehicles. Parking Permits are obtained from the Assistant Principal's Office.
• Failure of a student to register a motor vehicle and display an authorized parking permit within the three (3) days of driving to school will subject that student to revocation of parking privileges. Deliberately circumventing this policy also subjects a student to this penalty.
• A valid parking permit will be affixed to the vehicle by the School Security Office. Registration is not complete until the permit is visibly affixed to the vehicle. Operators of motorcycles will retain permit on their person. The school assumes no liability for damage to windows by affixing the permit.
• Any vehicle bearing a parking permit that has been mutilated or damaged shall be treated as improperly registered. Altering or forging a parking permit is an offense punishable by loss of parking privileges for one (1) calendar year.
• The price of a student parking permit is as follows: $5.00 per school year; $2.00 allocated to parking fund; $3.00 allocated to the Student Benefit Fund.
• If a student no longer has possession of the vehicle for which he/she initially purchased a permit and needs one for another vehicle, he/she may purchase a new permit for $2.00. He/she may show proof of new vehicle registration and return the old permit. Parking Permits are NON-TRANSFERABLE. You may NOT remove a parking permit and place it on a different vehicle.
• All drivers must have a valid driver's license.

EXPIRATION OF PARKING PERMITS.

Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School parking permits are non-transferable. They expire annually on June 30, and under the following conditions:

• All permits - Upon revocation, replacement of vehicle, or change of the License plate registration number.
• Students - Upon termination of status as a student at Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School.

AUTHORIZED STUDENT PARKING AREA

The only student parking area authorized by the Superintendent is the student area defined as that on the northeast side of the school, from the center of said lot, by overhead lighting, toward the athletic field. Students are not to utilize the front row. Students with disabilities are to park in the front of the school in the authorized disability parking places.

LIABILITY INSURANCE

No vehicle shall be registered for operation on the school property unless the person requesting a parking permit has met the motor vehicle liability policy requirements for operation and use of motor vehicles on the ways of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Each person requesting a parking permit must have liability insurance coverage at least in the amount of limits required in a motor vehicle liability policy as defined in Chapter 90, Section 34A of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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SEARCH AND SEIZURE

School officials maintain the right to seize items in a student's possession and to search school property (lockers, desks, etc.) assigned to a student under the following guidelines.

• There is a reasonable cause to believe that the items in possession are illegal or in violation of school rules, or constitute a hazard to health and safety of the students or others.
• Lockers in their entirety remain the property of Upper Cape Cod Regional Vocational-Technical School District, and we maintain the right to open any locker at any time for inspection purposes.  This may be done with or without the presence of the student and shall be done under the direction of the Principal or designee.
• Upper Cape Tech and law enforcement agencies will work cooperatively re: K-9 search of property.  Upper Cape Tech assures that no individual rights will be violated in conjunction with searches.

Students who, in the opinion of the Principal, Assistant Principal, administrator, or school nurse, may be in possession of, or under the influence of any controlled substance or may be in possession of any materials dangerous to the student or other students, may be asked to empty their pockets and/or possessions and may be subject to a pat search..  Examples of items subject to this regulation include, but are not limited to: drugs, alcohol, weapons, pornography, stolen goods, fireworks, explosives, and/or tobacco products.

It is not the intent of the School District to violate individual liberties; however, the obligation of the school is to provide a safe environment conducive to learning for all students.

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BUS RULES AND REGULATIONS  

• Riding the bus is a privilege and pupils riding buses must obey all rules and regulations
• The driver is in charge of the bus and students shall render the driver the respect and courtesy given a teacher and/or an administrator.
• Bus drivers have the authority to assign seats to individual students if they feel it is in the interest of safety and/or good conduct.  It is essential that each student cooperate with the bus driver for the safety of all.  Misconduct may result in loss of transportation.
• While on the bus:

• Remain seated until the bus stops at your destination.
• Keep feet and articles out of the aisles.
• Keep all body parts inside the bus.
• Never throw items out of the windows or on the bus.
• Help keep the bus clean.
• Show respect for your driver and fellow students.
• Talk in normal tones, as loud and/or vulgar language is disrespectful and will not be tolerated.
• Do not shout, whistle or gesture to strangers from the bus window.
• Students must move over to make room for others.
• Use of tobacco is never permitted.
• Never touch the emergency door unless an emergency occurs.
• Any student witnessing an unsafe act, emergency, or altercation on the bus should immediately notify the bus driver.

• All students will be picked up and returned to their designated bus stops.  Any exception to this will require written permission from parent/guardian and authorization from the School Office.  A bus pass must be presented to the bus driver.

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VISITORS

All visitors must report to the School Office, sign in and receive a temporary visitor pass. Visitors may be required to present valid identification.  Parents and other persons who have reason to visit the school relative to the educational programs are welcome.  Parents wishing to meet with individual teachers are asked to schedule these meetings through Student Services in advance.  Visitors are not to interfere with the learning process while observing the designated educational program(s).  Those individuals who do not observe the above policy may be subject to arrest.

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