Bremerton School District

Student Handbook

student handbook

Attendance Requirements

Under Washington State Law, all children between the ages of 8 and 18 must attend school. A child must be five (5) before September 1st to enroll in Kindergarten and six (6) before September 1st to enroll in first grade.  Parents of children who have birthdays in September and October may choose to have their child tested for early entrance. A student, who is 16 years old, regularly employed and has parent permission /is emancipated, may be granted an exception. 

Student Attendance in School

Regular school attendance is necessary for mastery of the educational program provided to students in Bremerton. The district needs family and community support in meeting the state’s higher academic standards by making sure that students are in school on time every day.  Any period of time when a student in not in class is considered an absence.  State law requires schools to notify the court when a student has five or more unexcused absences during a month or ten during the current school year.  Students are tardy if they are not in their seats, ready to learn, when the bell rings for classes to begin.  Please help your child learn to be at school, on time. 

Discipline

The beginning of the school year is a great time to sit down together and review school rules that are provided in school handbooks and planners; building administrators are available to answer any questions. In general, students are expected to:

  1. conform to reasonable standards of behavior
  2. respect the rights, person and property of others
  3. preserve the degree of order necessary for a positive climate for learning ; and
  4. respect the authority of staff and respond accordingly.

Complete sets of district policies and procedures are maintained by every building administrator and in each school’s library.  Families are welcome to review them at any time. 

Harassment

Harassment, intimidation, bullying and retaliation are prohibited and will not be tolerated by students, volunteers or employees of the Bremerton School district. “ Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentional written, verbal or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or mental or physical disability or other distinguishing characteristics (whether the affected person actually has  the motivating characteristics or not), when the intentional written, verbal or physical act:

  • Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or
  • Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or
  • Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
  • Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Harassment, intimidation, bullying or retaliation can take many forms including: slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats or other written, oral or physical actions.
False reports about retaliation from harassment, intimidation or bullying complaints also constitute a violation of the District’s bullying policy.  No school employee, student or volunteer may engage in reprisal, retaliation or false accusation against a victim, witness, or one with reliable information about an act of harassment, intimidation or bullying.  Such behavior may result in disciplinary action.

Sexual Harassment

Bremerton School District prohibits sexual harassment of any student, staff member or volunteer and has procedures for filing a complaint posted in every building.  A complete policy will be given to every student. We encourage you to review this with your child. 

Non-Discrimination Disclosure

The Bremerton School District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color national origin, gender or disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in education programs and/or extracurricular school activities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX/RCW 28.A640 Officer and ADA Coordinator Denise Zaske, at (360) 473-1026 or the Section 504 Coordinator, Bob Hamilton at (360) 473-1008. Their address is 134  Marion Avenue North, Bremerton, Washington 98312-3542.

Weapons are Not Allowed

Weapons, or anything that looks like a weapon, are not allowed at school, on any District property, or at any event sponsored by any school or by the School District.  If a student brings a weapon to school, the police will be called and the student will be immediately expelled.  Depending on circumstances, the students could be expelled from all Washington state public schools for up to 180 days.

Student Data Transfer

Bremerton School District has converted to Skyward, a student data management system used throughout the State of Washington. Information is uploaded every month to the state, and revenues and reports are generated from this system.

Please note that there is a field to declare you child’s ethnicity. When you register your child, you will be asked to complete that field. The Skyward system is set up so that should you choose not to declare your child’s ethnicity, it will default to the majority ethnic group; in the case of the Bremerton School District, that would be Caucasian.

Parents of secondary students can review the information on the system for their child by using Family Access; please contact your school or the Personnel office (478-5107) to find out more about using this secure program.  We encourage all families to stay involved in their child’s education.

Acceptable Internet Use Summary

Every student who accesses the internet is assigned an account and is responsible for all parts of the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). If parents choose not to allow their student to have access to the internet on District equipment, they must complete the required forms (available in the school office).

All use of ht system must be in support of the education and research. The district reserves the right to review system use; all users waive any right to privacy which they might not otherwise have.  Any violation of the AUP may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion of the student. 

Teacher Qualifications

Parents of each student may request information on the professional qualifications of their child’s teacher at any time.  Bremerton School District will be distributing a profile of teacher qualifications in each building to the principal by December 1st. Parents are welcome to review this information.

Pictures & Video in Schools

Bremerton School District likes to celebrate our students’ achievements. We routinely include pictures of children in publications, broadcasts and on the web page. If you do not want your child’s picture taken, please write a note to the school principal.

Medication

If your child must be given any type of medication at school, the following conditions must be met. 

  1. All medication including over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, cough syrup, cough drops, etc., must be authorized by a physician.  Before school staff can allow your child to take any type of medication at school, a Medication Authorization Form signed by the parent/guardian and physician must be on file in the school office. These forms are available from the school secretary,
  2. The medication must be in the original bottle with (1) the student’s name, (2) the name of the medication, and (3) the directions for administering the medication.

All prescription and over-the-counter medications will be kept in a locked cabinet in the school’s office.   Students may not carry any medications (prescription or over-the-counter) on their person or in their backpacks. School staff are not allowed to administer ear drops, eye drops, or medications by injections. Students found with either prescription or over the counter medications will be disciplined. The discipline may lead to suspension from school.  Any student distributing any medication at school, prescription or over-the-counter, shall be immediately suspended or expelled. If you have any questions, please contact the school office for assistance.

Federal Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA)

Student Educational Records

Parents and eligible students have the right to student’s educational records according to FERPA.

  1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records.
  2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
  3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
  4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Student Information

In accordance with the FEDERAL PRIVACY ACT, unless the parent/guardian requests the District, in writing, to withhold such information, the following student information may be released to appropriate agencies (i.e., universities, military recruiters, etc.)

  1. Student name, address, and telephone number
  2. Date and place of birth
  3. Major field of study
  4. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  5. Weight and height of members of athletic teams
  6. Dates of attendance
  7. Degrees and awards received
  8. The most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student
  9. Photographs, videos and other similar information
  10. Any requests to withhold information should be directed to the principal of your child’s school