This manual contains the official policies of the Ralph C. Mahar Regional, Orange Elementary and Petersham Center School Committees; the major procedures intended to implement policy; and certain reference or "exhibit" documents that relate to policies and/or procedures. Policy development in a modern, forward-looking school system is a dynamic, ongoing process.  New laws, issues, and needs give rise to the continuing need to develop new policies or to revise existing ones. 

The Code of Conduct for Orange Elementary, Petersham Center School and Ralph C. Mahar Regional Schools is based upon the laws, rules, regulations, and policies that seek to allow access to education for all while protecting the due process rights of the individual. Discipline, as defined by the Code, must have the qualities of understanding, fairness, flexibility and consistency. It is the responsibility...

The school district and/or individual schools within the district will create, strengthen, or work within existing school health councils to develop, implement, monitor, review, and, as necessary, revise school nutrition and physical activity policies. The councils also will serve as resources to school sites for implementing those policies. (A school health council consists of a group of individuals representing the school and community, and should include parents, students, representatives of the school food authority...

The Orange Elementary Public School district is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals within the school district to work and learn in an environment that is free of harassment. Harassment on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation or disability in any form will not be tolerated. Such harassment includes unsolicited remarks, gestures, physical contact and the display or circulation...

To ensure that all children have equal and uninterrupted access to all education, programs and services, regardless of their housing situation. The Orange Elementary School Committee adheres to the guidelines and regulations of the McKinney-Vento Act and the Massachusetts Department of Education in the identification and services provided to...