FFH1 - STUDENT WELFARE: WEEKENDS HOME        

RECOGNITION OF FAMILY

The Board recognizes the following Congressional findings contained in the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)

1. It is in the best interest of our Nation to preserve, strengthen, and maintain the family. 20 U.S.C. 1491(1).
2. Families are the greatest natural resource available to their children and are the major providers of support, care, and training of their children. 20 U.S.C. 1491(2).
3. Families of children with disabilities enrich the lives of all citizens through the contributions of such families to the economic, health, and social fabric of their community, State, and Nation. 20 U.S.C. 1491(3).
4. A growing number of families are searching for ways to empower themselves to raise their children with disabilities at home and in their communities. Supporting such families to enable them to care for their children with disabilities at home is efficient and can be cost-effective. 20 U.S.C. 1491(4).
5. Children, including children with disabilities, benefit from enduring family relationships in a nurturing home environment. 20 U.S.C. 1491(5).

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO RETURN HOME ON WEEKENDS

In consideration of the important role of family and community in the life of a student with a disability, the School shall provide appropriate opportunities for each student enrolled in the School to return to their homes and communities on selected weekends during the regular school year.

METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION

The School may use the following methods to transport students to their homes and back to the School on weekends:

1. Commercial air transportation
2. Commercial bus transportation
3. School-operated buses and vans
4. Transportation of the student by the student's parent, or parent representative

TRANSPORTATION COSTS

The School shall assume all costs for commercial air transportation, commercial bus transportation and school-operated buses and vans, including costs for chaperone travel, where an Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee has determined that the student requires a chaperone for travel.

Where, with School approval, the student's parent, or parent representative, provides any portion of the ground transportation of the student's trip between home and school, the parent, or parent representative, shall be reimbursed at a rate, determined by the Superintendent, to cover vehicle operating costs.

Where, with School approval, the student's parent, or parent representative, provides any portion of the ground transportation of the student's trip between home and school, the parent, or parent representative, shall be reimbursed at a rate, determined by the Superintendent, to cover vehicle operating costs.

FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION

The Board recognizes that, if the ARD Committee for any student determines that the provision of a free appropriate public education requests that the student be present, either at the School or at the student's home on identified weekends during the school year, then the ARD Committee's determination shall be implemented to the extent to which, if any, the ARD Committee determination conflicts with the parent's determination of how frequently the student will return home on weekends.

PROCEDURES

The Superintendent shall develop procedures to implement this policy.

Adopted:  5/21/98
Amended:     
Reviewed:      3/21/03

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