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| Section 29.1 | Curriculum Requirements For All District Students |
| Section 29.2 | Elementary School Curriculum; Minimum Requirements |
| Section 29.3 | Middle School Curriculum; Minimum Requirements |
| Section 29.4 | High School Curriculum; Minimum Requirements |
| Section 29.5 | Regents Courses Diploma |
| Section 29.6 | Career Technical Education and Arts Curriculum |
| Section 29.7 | Driver Education |
| Section 29.8 | Classroom Instruction Standards |
| Section 29.9 | Guidance Programs |
| Section 29.10 | Instructional Materials |
| Section 29.11 | Selection of Library, Resource Audio-Visual Materials |
| Section 29.12 | Enriched Advanced Placement Courses |
| Section 29.13 | Field Trips |
| Section 29.14 | Curriculum Areas In Conflict With Religious Beliefs |
| Section 29.15 | Home Instruction |
| Section 29.16 | Independent Study |
| Section 29.17 | Volunteers |
Article 29
Adopted 12/18/02
Section 29.1 Curriculum Requirements For All District Students
All students shall be provided with instruction in:
(A) Patriotism and citizenship, as required by Education Law 801;
(B) The flag and certain legal holidays, as required by Education Law 802;
(C) Health education regarding alcohol, drugs, tobacco abuse and the prevention and detection of certain cancers, as required by Education Law 804;
(D) Highway safety and traffic regulation, as required by Education Law 806;
(E) Fire drills plus fire and arson prevention, as required by Education Law '807 and '808, including materials to educate children on the dangers of falsely reporting a criminal incident or impending explosion or fire emergency involving danger to life or property or impending catastrophe;
(F) The humane treatment of animals and birds, as required by Education Law 809; and
(G) The conservation of the natural resources of the State, as required by Education Law 810;
(H) Language other than English in accordance with the following:
(1) students shall complete at least two units of study in a language other than English at some time during grades kindergarten through nine, subject to the following provisions:
(a) such requirements may be in more than one language, provided that at least one half of the required units of study shall be in a single language;
(b) such requirements shall be offered in segments of not less than a half unit of study per school year;
(c) a student may be exempted from these requirements
(i) if the student is identified as having a disability which adversely affects the ability to learn a language and the student's IEP states that such requirements are not appropriate, or
(ii) by passing an approved second language proficiency examination when such an examination is available; and
(2) high school students shall earn at least one unit of credit in a language other than English in order to complete the language other than English requirement for a high school diploma by passing:
(a) the State second language proficiency assessment, or
(b) a locally developed test in a language for which no State proficiency assessment available, which test is determined to be equivalent to the State proficiency assessment and approved by the Commissioner pursuant to 8 NYCRR 101.1(f).
(I) The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) as part of the sequential health education program, designed to
(1) provide accurate, age-appropriate, information to pupils concerning the nature of the disease, methods of transmission, and methods of prevention;
(2) stressing abstinence as the most appropriate and effective premarital protection against AIDS, and shall be age appropriate and consistent with community values.
No pupil shall be required to receive instruction concerning the methods of prevention of AIDS if the parent or legal guardian of such pupil has filed with the building principal a written request that the pupil not participate in such instruction, with an assurance that the pupil will receive such instruction at home. Appropriate training and curriculum materials shall be furnished by the District to the parents who request such materials. An advisory council shall be established by the Board for the purpose of making recommendations concerning the content, implementation, and evaluation of an AIDS instruction program, with such advisory council to consist of parents, school board members, appropriate school personnel, and community representatives, including representatives from religious organizations. The Board of Education shall determine the content of the curriculum and approve its implementation, and shall be responsible for the evaluation of the District's AIDS instruction program.
(J) Physical education, designed to:
(1) promote physical activity and the attainment of physical fitness, and a desire to maintain physical fitness throughout life;
(2) attain competency in the management of the body and useful physical skills;
(3) emphasize safety practices;
(4) motivate expression and communication;
(5) promote individual and group understanding;
(6) provide knowledge and appreciation of physical education activities;
(7) make each individual aware of the effect of physical activity upon the body;
(8) provide opportunities for the exercise of pupil initiative, leadership and responsibility; and
(9) reinforce basic learnings of other areas of the total school curriculum.
(10) providing experiences of sufficient variety in each of the following:
(a) basic and creative movement;
(b) rhythm and dance;
(c) games;
(d) perceptual‑motor skills;
(e) individual and team sports;
(f) gymnastics;
(g) aquatics, where possible;
(h) lifetime sports activities;
(i) outdoor living skills; and
(j) other appropriate activities which promote the development of boys and girls.
(11) providing opportunity for participation in appropriate extra‑class activities; and
(12) providing activities, taught by a certified physical education teacher, adapted to meet the needs of pupils who are temporarily or permanently unable to participate in the regular program of physical education.
Section 29.2 Elementary School Curriculum; Minimum Requirements
In addition to the requirements of Section 29.1 of this Article, all students in the elementary schools shall receive instruction in
(A) New York State history and civics as required by section Education Law 3204(3).
(B) Prevention of child abduction as required by Education Law 803-a, the same to be age appropriate and developed according to the needs and abilities of students at successive grade levels in order to provide awareness, skills, information, self-confidence and support to aid in such prevention.
(C) Sequential health education, taught by the regular classroom teacher and providing for pupil participation in planned activities, for
(1) developing attitudes, knowledge and behavior that contribute to their own sense of self‑worth, respect for their bodies and ability to make constructive decisions regarding their social, emotional, and physical health,
(2) personal health guidance according to the individual needs of pupils, including the development of specific habits necessary to maintain good individual and community health;
(3) continued health guidance for students in grades 4‑6 for planned units of teaching which shall include health instruction through which pupils may become increasingly self‑reliant in solving their own health problems and those of the group.
(D) Physical education, in accordance with the following:
(1) all pupils in grades K‑3 shall participate in the physical education program on a daily basis; and
(2) all pupils in grades 4‑5 shall participate in the physical education program not less than three times each week, with the minimum time devoted to such programs shall be at least 120 minutes in each calendar week, exclusive of any time that may be required for dressing and showering.
Section 29.3 Middle School Curriculum; Minimum Requirements
In addition to the requirements of Section 29.1 of this Article, all students in the middle school shall receive instruction in:
(A) New York State history and civics as required by section Education Law 3204(3).
(B) Prevention of child abduction as required by Education Law 803-a, the same to be age appropriate and developed according to the needs and abilities of students at successive grade levels in order to provide awareness, skills, information, self-confidence and support to aid in such prevention.
(C) Continued health guidance, as well as a separate one‑half year (2 unit of study) health education course, to be taught by teachers holding a certificate to teach health.
(D) Physical education, in accordance with the following:
(1) all pupils in grade 6 shall participate in the physical education program not less than three times each week, with the minimum time devoted to such programs shall be at least 120 minutes in each calendar week, exclusive of any time that may be required for dressing and showering; and
(2) all students in grades 7 and 8 shall participate in the physical education program not less than three times per week in one semester and two times per week in the other semester, taught by a certified physical education teacher, or a comparable time each semester if the school is organized in other patterns.
(E) the following subjects so as to enable students to achieve, by the end of grade eight, State intermediate learning standards:
(1) two units of study in each of the following: English language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics;
(2) one unit of study in technology education;
(3) three quarters of a unit of study in home and career skills;
(4) the arts, including one half unit of study in the visual arts, and one half unit of study in music;
(5) library and information skills, the equivalent of one period per week in grades seven and eight;
(6) career development and occupational studies.
(F) The requirements for technology education, home and career skills, and library and information skills may be met by the integration of the State learning standards of such subjects into other courses provided that:
(1) the unit of study requirements for each course are met;
(2) the subjects of technology education and home and career skills are taught by persons certified to teach those subjects; and
(3) library and information skills are taught by library media specialists and classroom teachers to ensure coordination and integration of library instruction with classroom instruction.
(G) The unit of study requirements for technology education and/or home and career skills may be initiated in grade six, provided that such subjects shall be taught by teachers certified in those areas.
(H) For all students in the eighth grade, as required by Education Law 801:
(1) the history, meaning, significance and effect of the provisions of
(a) the Constitution of the United States and the amendments thereto,
(b) the Declaration of Independence,
(c) the Constitution of the State of New York and the amendments thereto.
(I) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section, students who have been determined to need academic intervention services may have the unit of study requirements for one or more of their subjects reduced as provided in 8 NYCRR 100.4(b)(4).
(J) Students in grade eight shall have the opportunity to take high school courses in mathematics and in at least one of the following areas: English, social studies, languages other than English, art, music, career and technical education subjects, or science courses. The Superintendent, or his/her designee, shall determine whether a student has demonstrated readiness in each subject in which the student asks to begin high school courses in the eighth grade leading to a diploma. Credit may be awarded only when the student passes the course and the associated State proficiency exam or Regents exam, and in such event such courses may be substituted for the appropriate requirements of this section.
Section 29.4 High School Curriculum; Minimum Requirements
In addition to the requirements of Section 29.1 of this Article, all students in the high school shall receive instruction in:
(A) As required by Education Law 801, the history, meaning, significance and effect of the provisions of
(1) the Constitution of the United States and the amendments thereto,
(2) the Declaration of Independence,
(3) the Constitution of the State of New York and the amendments thereto.
(B) Continued health guidance, as well as a separate one‑half year health education course, to be taught by teachers holding a certificate to teach health.
(C) Physical education in accordance with the following:
(1) all students in grade 9 shall participate in the physical education program not less than three times per week in one semester and two times per week in the other semester, taught by a certified physical education teacher, or a comparable time each semester if the school is organized in other patterns; and
(2) for pupils in grades 10 through 12 only, a comparable time each semester in extra-class programs or out-of-school activities, approved by the physical education staff and the Superintendent, for those pupils who have demonstrated acceptable levels of physical fitness, physical skills, and knowledge of physical education activities.
(D) Students first entering grade nine prior to the 2001-2002 school year, shall earn at least 18 1/2 units of credit or their equivalent, as determined by the commissioner, in order to receive either a Regents or local high school diploma, such units to include:
(1) four units of English;
(2) four units of social studies;
(3) two units of mathematics;
(4) two units of science;
(5) one unit of art and/or music.
(E) Students first entering grade nine in the 2001-2002 school year and thereafter shall earn at least 22 units of credit including to receive a Regents diploma, such units to incorporate the commencement level of the State learning standards and include:
(1) four units of English;
(2) four units of social studies;
(3) three units of commencement level science, at least one course being life sciences and one in the physical sciences, with the third being either life sciences or physical sciences;
(4) three units of mathematics, which shall be at a more advanced level than grade eight;
(5) one unit of visual arts and/or music, dance, or theatre;
(6) two units of physical education; and
(7) parenting, as required by the learning standards, to be attained through either the health or family and consumer sciences programs or a separate course.
Section 29.5 Regents Courses & Diploma
(A) Students shall have the opportunity to take Regents courses in grades 9 through 12; and, when appropriate, in grade eight.
(B) The District shall offer students the opportunity to meet all of the requirements entitling them to qualify for and receive a Regents high school diploma.
Section 29.6 Career & Technical Education and Arts Curriculum
(A) Students in the ninth grade shall be offered the opportunity to complete a three‑ or five‑unit sequence in career and technical education and/or in the arts.
(B) For students choosing a sequence in career and technical education:
(1) approved sequences of three units of credit shall be so organized that they may be extended into approved sequences of five units of credit or more without loss of credit; and
(2) approved sequences of five units of credit or more shall prepare students for both employment and post-secondary education and shall be satisfactory to the commissioner.
The District shall furnish instruction in driver education pursuant to Education Law '806-a, including but not limited to components of driver safety and alcohol and drug education.
Section 29.8 Classroom Instruction Standards
The number of daily periods of classroom instruction for a teacher shall not exceed five, and no teacher shall be required to have a daily teaching load of more than 150 pupils. No deviation from this policy shall occur without justification and approval of the Commissioner.
Section 29.9 Guidance Programs
(A) The District shall furnish a guidance program for all students as follows:
(1) in grades K‑6, the program shall be designed in coordination with the teaching staff to
(a) prepare students to participate effectively in their current and future educational programs,
(b) help students who exhibit any attendance, academic, behavioral or adjustment problems,
(c) educate students concerning avoidance of child sexual abuse, and
(d) encourage parental involvement; and
(2) in grades 7‑12, the guidance program shall include the following activities or services:
(a) an annual review of each student's educational progress and career plans, with such reviews to be conducted with each student individually or with small groups by personnel certified or licensed as school counselors,
(b) instruction at each grade level to help students learn about various careers and about career planning skills conducted by personnel certified or licensed as school counselors, or by classroom teachers in cooperation with school counselors, and
(c) other advisory and individual or group counseling assistance to enable students to benefit from the curriculum, to help students develop and implement post secondary education and career plans, to help students who exhibit any attendance, academic, behavioral or adjustment problems and to encourage parental involvement.
(B) Advisory assistance shall be provided by teachers or counselors, or by certified teaching assistants under the supervision of counselors or teachers.
(C) Individual or group counseling assistance shall be provided by certified
or licensed school counselors or by certified or licensed school psychologists or certified or licensed school social workers in cooperation with school counselors.
(D) The Superintendent shall develop a District plan, to be approved, annually reviewed, and revised as necessary by the Board of Education, and filed in the District offices and available for review by any individual, setting forth the following:
(1) program objectives describing expectations of what students will learn from the program;
(2) activities to accomplish the objectives;
(3) specification of staff members and other resources assigned to accomplish the objectives; and
(4) provisions for the annual assessment of program results.
Section 29.10 Instructional Materials
(A) The Board shall provide the faculty and students with instructional materials which:
(1) are educationally needed and financially feasible to make the District's educational programs meaningful to students of all levels of ability;
(2) will implement, enrich, and support the educational program of the school; and
(3) will contribute to the development of positive social and intellectual values of the students.
(B) Instructional materials shall be selected for use in the District in accordance with the following:
(1) textbooks shall be selected based upon:
(a) a copyright date within the past five years,
(b) the qualifications of the author(s) on the subject,
(c) adaptability to existing instructional program(s), and
(d) the accuracy of the information presented;
(2) other materials (print and nonprint) shall be chosen for values of interest and enlightenment of all students in the community;
(2) materials shall not be excluded because of the race, nationality, or the political or religious views of the writer;
(3) every effort shall be made to provide material that presents all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times, international, national and local; and
(4) books or other reading matter of sound factual authority shall not be prescribed or removed from library shelves or classrooms because of partisan doctrinal approval or disapproval.
(C) In order to maintain the District's responsibility to provide unbiased information and enlightenment, censorship of instructional materials shall be prohibited except to the extent the Board on recommendation of the Superintendent authorizes the same in whole or in part.
(D) Teachers shall be responsible for:
(1) keeping an accurate inventory of District instructional materials used in their respective classes, in accordance with an inventory control system approved by the Superintendent;
(2) conducting book inspections at the end of the school year; and
(3) reporting to the building principal those students who fail to comply with District policy regarding the loss or abuse of materials.
(E) Every book purchased, acquired and/or issued by the District shall bear the stamp of the Saranac Lake Central School District.
(F) The acquisition of new textbooks shall be approved by the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, according to the following procedure and using the Textbook Adoption Form attached to this Article as Appendix 1:
(1) the teacher(s) proposing to have the District acquire a new textbook for use by such teacher(s), or an administrator, will furnish the Superintendent with a written request explaining
(a) why a new textbook should be considered or is needed for a particular subject and/or grade level,
(b) how a change will benefit the educational program for the students involved, and
(c) the process intended to gain a consensus of all teachers who would use a new textbook;
(2) the Superintendent shall authorize the teacher or administrator to begin the instructional material review process;
(3) the teacher(s) or administrator shall seek involve all other teacher(s) who use the existing textbook and/or might be interested in using a new textbook;
(4) the teacher(s) or administrator shall indicate the various textbooks considered for use, as well as the name of the final textbook selected for consideration and approval by the Board of Education;
(5) at least 75% of the teachers who will use the new textbook must sign the Textbook Adoption Form indicating their approval of the proposed new textbook;
(6) the Superintendent shall indicate his/her approval and recommendation of the new textbook by signing the form;
(7) the Superintendent shall deliver a copy of the executed form and a copy of the proposed new textbook to the Board Clerk, who shall
(a) make the textbook available to the Board during normal office hours, and
(b) include the approval of the new textbook on the agenda of the next meeting of the Board and include a copy of the completed form in the Board packet.
Section 29.11 Selection of Library, Resource & Audio-Visual Materials
(A) The Board of Education affirms the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association and agrees that the responsibility of the school library is to:
(1) provide materials that will
(a) enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities and maturity levels of the pupils served;
(b) stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards;
(c) present opposing sides of controversial issues so that young citizens may develop, under guidance, the practice of critical reading and thinking;
(d) be representative of the many religious, ethnic, and cultural groups and their contribution to our American heritage;
(e) supply a background of information which will enable pupils to make intelligent judgments in their daily life; and
(2) place principle above personal opinion, and reason above prejudice, in the selection of materials of the highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users of the library.
(B) In complying with the foregoing principles, the librarian and the audio-visual specialist shall:
(1) systematically develop broad and varied collections based upon recommendations of the professional staff and suggestions of students and parents, with final approval being made by the building principal;
(2) apply qualitative standards of selection involving factual accuracy, authoritativeness, artistic quality and appeal before purchases are made;
(3) insure that materials will not be excluded because of the race, nationality, political opinions or religious views of the author; and
(4) continuously re-evaluate materials in relation to changing curriculum and instructional needs, with worn out and/or out-dated materials being discarded.
Section 29.12 Enriched & Advanced Placement Courses
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the District shall provide enriched and advanced placement course offerings to students determined to be eligible and qualified therefore by the principal.