In order to assure that the above policy is fully implemented, employees must follow Administrative
Regulation 5140.1 and the District requires that:
1. All personnel fully comply with all requirements of the General Statutes and with regulations
promulgated by the Commissioner of Children and Families with respect to the reporting of any
incident where there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect of a child in accordance with
the administrative procedures of the District;
2. All personnel fully comply with all the requirements of the General Statutes and Regulations
promulgated by the Director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for persons with
disabilities with respect to the reporting of incidents where there is reasonable cause to suspect
abuse or neglect of mentally retarded students between the ages of 18 and 21 in accordance with
the administrative procedures of the District;
3. All personnel cooperate fully with the investigation of suspected abuse and neglect by the
Department of Children and Families (DCF), a law enforcement agency, and/or the Office of
Protection and Advocacy for persons with disabilities, and with all court proceedings involving
suspected abuse and neglect;
4. Such mandated reporting requirements of the general statutes and the administrative regulations
regarding reporting be appropriately reviewed with all professional and paraprofessional
personnel who are mandated reporters, and with school personnel who are not mandated reporters
(e.g., secretaries, maintenance, cafeteria, and transportation staff) at periodic intervals;
5. Any student suspected of having been abused or neglected who is in need of health care attention
shall be provided such health care to the same extent it would be provided to any other child in
need of such care and;
6. All personnel treat all cases of suspected abuse and neglect with full consideration of the privacy
of students and families, and will maintain appropriate confidentiality within the limitations of
federal and state laws and local policy.
SCIENCE CLASSROOM DISSECTION (Excerpt)
“The Enfield Board of Education endorses the dissection experience as a valuable method of instruction for
learning the relation of anatomy to function in the study of organisms; however, the educational needs of
the student who is determined to have a conscientious objection to dissection will be addressed on an
individual basis through alternative assignments.” (See Board Policy 6144).
BACKPACK GUIDELINES
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children should never carry backpacks that
weigh more than 20% of their body weight. Students who do carry backpacks should distribute the load by
putting the heaviest items such as books and binders closest to their backs. The AAP also recommends that
students use backpacks with padded straps and wear both straps tightened so that the backpack is close to
the body. Care should be taken not to carry the backpack on one shoulder as this uneven, heavy lead can
distort posture, causing muscle strain and fatigue.
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