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It
is the policy that the Region 15 Board of Education
recognizes that students have private rights of free
speech in the school setting. School is a place of
the business of learning, however, and such private
student speech may be restricted if it interferes with
the educational process. In addition, from time to
time students may request permission to distribute
private written materials to other students at
school. Such distribution raises special concerns (e.g.,
distracting students or causing littering). Given
these concerns, distribution of written materials
setting forth private speech by students is subject to
further restrictions as follows: |
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General Rules: |
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1. |
In general, private student speech will be permitted
except where school officials reasonably forecast that
such speech will materially disrupt or substantially
interfere with the educational process, will violate
the rights of others, is plainly offensive (e.g.,
vulgar), or presents a health or safety risk to
students. By contrast, school officials reserve the
right to regulate student speech that is
school-sponsored based on any legitimate pedagogical
concerns. |
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Written
Materials: |
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1. |
Given the special concerns related to the distribution
of private written materials, the following additional
restrictions apply. |
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a. |
General distribution of such private
written materials is limited to
non-instructional time in areas designated by
the Principal. This restriction shall not apply to
sharing written information between two students on a
personal basis. |
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b. |
In advance of such general distribution, a student
planning to distribute private written materials will
provide a courtesy copy to the Principal or his/her
designee so that the Principal or his/her designee may
monitor compliance with the restrictions set forth
above. |
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c. |
The student responsible for such private written
materials shall be identified in writing in such
materials. |
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d. |
Any student engaged in any such general distribution
of private written materials shall be responsible for
such materials, including cleaning up such materials
if such distribution results in littering and being
responsible for the content of such materials.
Pomperaug High School assumes no responsibility for
such private written student materials. |
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e. |
Students are not permitted to post private written
materials on the walls or in other locations in the
District. |
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f. |
Students are not permitted to distribute private
written materials to advertise commercial ventures. |
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g. |
The Principal or his/her designee reserves the right
to revoke consent for the distribution of private
written student materials if such distribution results
in disruption or interference with the educational
process. |
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h. |
Failure to comply with these provisions may result in
revocation of the privilege of distributing private
written materials, and violation of these provisions
may result in disciplinary action. |
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