Middletown Public Schools                                                                           No. 7030R

 

 

PROCEDURES FOR USE OF ALCOHOL SENSOR DEVICE

 

            The process for administering Breathalyzers is as follows:

 

• The School Department reserves the right to use an alcohol sensor device to deter the use and possession of alcohol in schools and at school activities.  Such students may be tested at the time of entry to the school event, during the school event, and when leaving an event.  Selected school personnel who have undergone the “Drug Recognition Technician Program” taught by a certified officer of the Middletown Police Department will assist in identifying these students.  This training program has been certified by the International Association of Police Chiefs and by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• At least one administrator will be present during the administering of the alcohol sensor device.  The police officer on detail will also be present, but will not participate in the testing.
• A student registering positive on the first alcohol sensor device test will be administered another test ten (10) minutes later to confirm the first reading.  If the student also registers positive on the second test, his/her parents will be telephoned to apprise them of the situation.  They will also be asked to come to the school event to pick up their child.  If we are unable to notify the parents by the end of the school event, the Middletown Police Department will be contacted for the student’s safekeeping until the parents are contacted and can pick up their child.  Ordinarily, no charges will be pressed in these instances.
• If a student refuses to take the alcohol sensor device, he/she will not be allowed into the school event and the procedures set forth above will be followed.  We will attempt to contact the parents to make them aware of our suspicions and the fact that the student was not allowed into the school event.
• Students who refuse to take a alcohol sensor device test are subject to disciplinary actions as determined by the Principal or his/her designee and school policy.
• A student who tested positive on the alcohol sensor device would see the Principal or designee on the next school day and is subject to disciplinary actions as determined by the Principal and school policy.  The student would also be referred to substance abuse counseling as a condition of his/her return to school.
• Notice will be sent to the parents of each Middletown High School student and Gaudet School student to make them aware of the use of alcohol sensor device, the procedures for such use, and their possible role in these instances.

 

 

 

NOTICE TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

 

            On August 16, 2001, the Middletown School Committee approved the use of alcohol sensor device machines at school events for all students.  The administration of Middletown High School enthusiastically supports this policy as a way to keep our students safe during school sponsored events, on and off our campus.

            Students who purchase tickets to any Middletown High School event will be notified that they and their guest are by purchasing or using, consenting to being administered an alcohol sensor device test if they appear to be under the influence of alcohol and we have reasonable cause to suspect they may have been drinking.  It takes approximately five seconds to administer the alcohol sensor device test.  School personnel who have undergone Middletown Police Department training to identify people under the influence of alcohol will assist administrators in identifying these students.  The process to be conducted at our events is as follows:

 

·         All students and guests will take an alcohol sensor device test at the time of entry to a school event or during the school event if not identified at the time of entry.  A school administrator will discretely direct any student or guest suspected of having been drinking to a private area for the administration of an alcohol sensor device test.  The Middletown Police Officer on security detail, or another municipal police officer, will also be present, but will not participate in the testing.  Only the Principal or Assistant Principal or trained staff will administer the alcohol sensor device test.

·         A student or guest registering positive on the first Breathalyzer test will be administered another test ten (10) minutes later to confirm the first reading.  If the student or guest also registers positive on the second test, his/her parents will be telephoned to apprise them of the situation.  They will also be asked to come to the event to pick up their child.  If we are unable to contact the parents by the end of the event, the Middletown Police Department will be contacted for the student’s safekeeping until the parents are contacted and can pick up their child.  Ordinarily, no charges will be pressed in these instances.

·         If a student refuses to take the alcohol sensor device, he/she will not be allowed into the school event and the procedures set forth above will be followed.  We will attempt to contact the parents to make them aware of our suspicions and the fact that the student was not allowed into the school event.

·         Students who refuse to take a alcohol sensor device test are subject to disciplinary actions as determined by the Principal or his/her designee and school policy.

·         Students who test positive on the alcohol sensor device will be required to see the Principal on the next school day and may be subject to disciplinary actions in accordance with school policies.  The student would also be referred to substance abuse counseling as a condition of his/her return to school.

·         If public safety or operation of a motor vehicle is involved, the police will be notified.

 

We hope you will agree that this policy is an attempt to protect our students from the dangers of alcohol.  Please call the Building Principal at 846-7250 if you have any questions or concerns about this matter.

 

 

ALCOHOL SENSOR DEVICE MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

 

1.      To be printed on each school event ticket:  As an ongoing condition of entry and attendance at the school event advertised on the front of this ticket, the bearer of this ticket and guest consent to undergo a Breathalyzer test at any time before entry or during the event.  Persons found to be under the influence of alcohol will be denied entrance to the school event, their parents/guardians notified to take them home and subject to the school disciplinary policies.

 

NOTE:  Signs will be posted at places of ticket sales stating those who purchase tickets are responsible to notify their guests about the alcohol sensor device policy and requirements.

 

2.      To be published in the “Daily News” and “Newport This Week” at the beginning of the school year:  NOTICE:  In accordance with Middletown School Committee policy designed to protect all Middletown School Department students and the community at large, all persons attending school sponsored events by Middletown High School and/or Gaudet School at any time or place during this school year must submit to a Breathalyzer test prior to entry and upon request.  Such persons’ parents/guardians will be called to take them home and these students will be subject to existing school disciplinary policies.

 

3.      Flyer to be mailed to parents/guardians at the beginning of the school year.

 

4.      To be included in the Student and Teacher Handbooks:  “Beginning in School Year 2012-2013, all persons who attend school events sponsored by a Middletown High School organization, and/or Gaudet School organization, must submit to an alcohol sensor device test upon request.  Students who are identified as under the influence of alcohol will be denied entry to or participation in the event, their parents/guardians notified to take them home, and will be disciplined under existing Substance Abuse rules as described elsewhere in this handbook.  This policy applies to all school events whether held at Middletown High School, Gaudet School or off the campus.”

 

5.      To be added to the teacher handbook only:  “Adult chaperones will also be requested to take the alcohol sensor device test to set the example at these alcohol free events.”

 

 

SCHOOL SUBSTANCE ABUSE

 

            Recognizing the existence of alcohol and other substance abuse among students and recognizing the need to discourage all forms of substance abuse, the Middletown Public Schools establishes this policy for dealing with instances of substance abuse.

 

The purpose of these regulations are:

 

1. To clearly state that substance abuse will not be tolerated in the school, on school property, or at school-sponsored activities.

 

2. To protect the academic environment for those student who wish to learn.

 

3. To deal compassionately and effectively with students who suffer from substance abuse.

 

4. To involve the total community in confronting the problem.

 

A.  General Procedures

 

1. Students in possession of or suspected of being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol will be referred to the Principal or his/her designee.

 

2. The Principal or designee will determine whether he/she has reasonable cause to believe that said student has consumed alcohol and/or drugs, and if such cause exists, may inform the school nurse who may make a medical judgment, when necessary, to determine the extent of drug/alcohol intoxication or any medical risk.  If it is determined that the student shows signs of possible overdose (incoherent, semi-conscious), the Middletown Rescue will be called immediately by the Principal or designee.

 

If reasonable cause exists to believe the student has consumed alcohol at any school related event, the Principal or his/her designee may request that said student take a Breathalyzer test with a device designed to measure blood alcohol concentration.

 

As to certain school sponsored events designated by the Principal, (e.g. school dances) attendees will be required to consent to a Breathalyzer test for admission to and participation in the event.

 

3.      The parent or guardian will be notified and asked to come to the school in each of the above instances.

 

a.      In cases at a school sponsored event, (e.g. school dance), where a student has been identified as under the influence of alcohol, the student’s parents/guardians will be called and asked to come to the event to pick up the student.  The student will face normal school disciplinary policies on the next school day.  In the event that the parents/guardians cannot be contacted and the school event is over, the Middletown Police will be contacted for the student’s safekeeping until the parents/guardians can be reached.  It is not expected that charges will be filed in these instances.  If a student is identified as under the influence of alcohol and refuses to remain at the dance, the parents/ guardians will be notified as to the situation.  They will be told that the Middletown Police Department will be notified in order to safeguard the students as well as the community at large, especially if the student is driving.

 

4.      Each school Principal shall delegate an individual in each school to act as a liaison to those students and parents in need of further assistance.  This individual will coordinate the student’s referral to education and/or treatment.

 

 

History:  5131.7R

 

 

First Reading – August 16, 2001

Approved – September 20, 2001

Amended – October 18, 2001

Updated – June 22, 2010

Updated - July 18, 2012

Revised and Approved – August 23, 2012