District Policies
In this section:
The information contained in Greyhound Handbook summarizes the policies of Ocean Springs School District (OSSD) and should not be considered a substitute for the official policies of the district. All policies adopted by the Board of Trustees (BOT) for OSSD are maintained in the Office of the Superintendent and are available for inspection and review. Policies are subject to change by OSSD BOT action. Copies of OSSD BOT policies are available online on the district website, or by visiting oceansprings.msbapolicy.org.
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All policies of OSSD and the Greyhound Handbook apply to all school-sponsored events, including those activities that take place off-campus.
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The rules adopted by the OSSD BOT, as well as administrative regulations that pertain to student control and discipline, are found in the OSSD BOT Policies and Regulations which can be viewed online at oceansprings.msbapolicy.org. This handbook is not intended to be a complete review of all OSSD BOT policies and does not equate to an irrevocable contractual commitment to students and their parents/guardians, but only reflects the current status of the OSSD BOT policies and school rules.
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To provide continuing management of the asbestos in our schools, all asbestos-containing materials are inspected every six months by an engineering firm. Any changes in the asbestos-containing materials are being recorded in a surveillance report as part of the Asbestos Management Plan. A copy of the surveillance report along with the Asbestos Management Plan is located in the principal’s office at each school. Any interested party should feel free to review these reports.
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Based on OSSD BOT Policy II - Testing Program, student performance, and achievement are assessed periodically in each school. Assessment programs are based on local goals and objectives which are compatible with the state’s plan of education and which supplement the minimum performance standards approved by the State Board of Education (SBE). As required by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), elementary students participate in:
- Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (MKAS)
- 3rd Grade Reading Assessment MAAP (Mississippi Academic Assessment Program)
- 3rd MAAP English Language Arts and Mathematics
Dates for testing are shown on the school calendar.
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OSSD BOT Policy JB - Students Complaints of Sexual Discrimination/Harassment -- Title IX is to promote and ensure a work environment where students and employees are free from all forms of discrimination including sexual harassment. Conduct that is harassing toward students or employees will not be tolerated. Such conduct whether committed by supervisors, non-supervisory personnel, school contractors, volunteers, or students is prohibited and is grounds for severe disciplinary action.
OSSD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability in the provision of educational programs and services or employment opportunities and benefits. It is the intent of OSSD to ensure that students will not be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination, based on sex, in any course offerings, athletics, counseling, or school activity, as put forth under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Due process rights of students and their parents will be enforced as set forth in Title IX.
Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX may be directed to:
Joey Lee
Director of Human Resources / Title IX Coordinator
Phone: (228) 875-7707
Email: jlee@ossdms.org
Director of Human Resources / Title IX Coordinator
Phone: (228) 875-7707
Email: jlee@ossdms.org
Ocean Springs School District
2300 Government Street
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
P.O. Box 7002
2300 Government Street
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
P.O. Box 7002
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OSSD BOT Policy IDDH - Section 504 - Americans With Disabilities Act - Non-Discrimination provides guidelines to provide a free, appropriate public education to students with disabilities as defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It is the intent of the district to ensure that students with disabilities are identified, evaluated, and provided with appropriate educational services. Due process rights of the students with disabilities and their parents, as set forth under Section 504, ADA, and IDEA will be enforced.
The Director of Special Services has been designated as the Section 504/ADA Coordinator and will handle inquiries regarding OSSD non-discrimination policies, the filing of grievances, and requests for grievance procedures covering discrimination on the basis of disability:
Dr. Tricia Cox
Director of Special Services
Phone: (228) 875-5782
Fax: (228) 875-1775
Director of Special Services
Phone: (228) 875-5782
Fax: (228) 875-1775
Ocean Springs School District
2300 Government Street
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
P.O. Box 7002
2300 Government Street
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
P.O. Box 7002
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The public is invited to review the OSSD’s Federal Programs approved application and offer input into the upcoming school year’s Federal Programs planning. The period for public review and comment is April-May each school year.
Interested persons are invited to review these documents in OSSD’s Central Office, located at 2300 Government St., Ocean Springs, MS. Your suggestions are welcome. The Federal Programs Application for the current school year for public review is housed in the Office of Federal Programs.
The district contact for Federal Programs can be found below:
Tonya Bolton
Director of Federal Programs
Phone: (228) 875-7706
Fax: (228) 875-7708
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Students
It is outlined in OSSD BOT Policy JAA - Equal Educational Opportunities, every pupil will have equal educational opportunities regardless of race, color, creed, sex, handicap, religion, or marital status. No student shall be excluded on such basis from participating in or having access to any course offerings, athletics, counseling, employment assistance, and extracurricular activities.
As provided under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, no person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
HARASSMENT PROHIBITED: Further, OSSD prohibits sexual harassment of or by any student. OSSD BOT Policies JAA - Equal Educational Opportunities and JB - Student Complaints of Sexual Discrimination/Harassment – Title IX apply to conduct during and relating to school and school-sponsored activities. Sexual harassment is inappropriate behavior and offensive. Any student who engages in the sexual harassment of anyone in the school setting may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
Employees and Applicants for Employment
It is the policy of OSSD BOT not to discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, or physical or mental handicap. This policy shall apply to recruitment, transfers, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment.
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Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA), and other federal and state laws, parents have certain rights concerning information and records. In accordance with OSSD BOT Policy JR - Student Records, the following regulation shall govern the release of student records to students, members of the student’s family, legal custodian, or legal guardian. Parents and eligible students have the following rights under FERPA and this policy:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education record,
- The right to exercise a limited control over other people’s access to the student’s education record.
- The right to seek to correct the student’s education record in a hearing, if necessary,
- The right to report violations of the FERPA to the Department of Education
- The right to be informed about FERPA rights.
All rights and protections given to parents under FERPA can be obtained through OSSD BOT Policy JRAB - Compliance with FERPA.
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Under the Federal statute, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Section 1111 (g) (2)(J), all parents/guardians of students attending a school that receives funding through Title I have the right to request information about the professional qualifications of classroom teachers instructing their child. All K-3 elementary schools in OSSD do receive federal funding through Title I. Therefore, if you are interested in information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teachers, you may send a written request to the building principal who will provide a response.
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During the school year, students are often involved in activities that go beyond the confines of the classroom and the usual day-to-day instructional process. In most cases, these are routine events associated with learning and the culture of the schools. Such activities may include field trips, classroom events/parties which relate to cultural observances, plays or programs, individual and group pictures in the school yearbook, school academic and activity photographs in news articles in newspapers, and recognition in general interest and news television reports. Please realize that this list may not include all activities that could arise during the year. Understand also that the school will require specific permission for field trips or certain activities or programs. School officials recognize their responsibility to conduct a thorough program and to ensure that activities are planned using good taste and respect for the status and integrity of children.
The Buckley Amendment Regulations of 1980, called the Privacy Rights of Parents and Students, also known as the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 34 Code of Federal Regulations Part 99, permits school officials under certain conditions to disclose certain directory information about enrolled students. School officials have the right to release directory information unless the parent or eligible student informs the principal that any or all of the information designated below should not be released without prior consent. The following information is designated directory information:
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the student's name, address, telephone listing, and date and place of birth;
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parent or lawful custodian's name, address, and telephone listing;
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major field of study and grade level classification;
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student's participation in officially recognized activities or sports;
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dates of attendance, dates of enrollment, withdrawal, re-entry;
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certificates, awards, and honors received;
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most recent previous educational agency or institution attended.
When registering your student online, the guardian will agree/disagree to the following permissions:
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Internet use and access
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release of information & press releases (internet, newspaper, directories, rosters, school publications, etc.).
See OSSD Policy JRAB - Compliance with FERPA.
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OSSD hereby creates a limited public forum for student speakers at all school events at which a student is to publicly speak. For each speaker, OSSD shall set a maximum time limit reasonable and appropriate to the occasion. Student speakers at the elementary level shall introduce opening announcements and greetings for the school day. The forum shall be limited in the manner provided by law. Only those students approved by the administration are eligible to use the limited public forum.
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The primary purpose of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is to assess students’ needs and design instructional interventions and strategies for those students who demonstrate learning and/or behavior problems that interfere with their success in the classroom and in the school environment. The MTSS process is supported by the MDE SBE 41.1 Intervention.
An instructional model designed to meet the needs of every student is in place at all OSSD schools. The model consists of three tiers of instruction:
- Tier I: Quality classroom instruction of the Mississippi College & Career Readiness Standards (MCCRS)
- Tier II: Focused supplemental instruction, and
- Tier III: Intensive interventions specifically designed to meet the individual needs of students.
Teachers use progress monitoring information to determine if each student is making adequate progress, identify any student as soon as he/she is falling behind, and modify instruction early enough to ensure that every student gains essential skills. Monitoring of student progress is an on-going process that may be measured through informal classroom assessment, benchmark instrument assessment instruments, and large-scale assessments. The intervention process requires a broad range of competencies and shared responsibilities for educational planning so that all who have an interest in the student’s success (teacher, administrator, parent and/or guardian) can cooperate and continue their efforts. It increases the clarity of teacher, staff, and home communication. The TST process will be utilized throughout the school year to resolve issues, problems, or concerns related to the performance of students as identified by teachers, administrators, parents and/or guardians.
It is important to note that the referral of a student for a child study to begin the process for consideration of a student for special services under the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is considered only after all other appropriate instructional interventions and strategies have been implemented and the student continues to be “at risk” or if the student is obviously disabled.
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OSSD BOT Policy JBC - School Admission is based on the SBE Policy 68.1 Residency Verification. According to this policy, the definition of residence for school attendance purposes is: The student physically resides full-time, weekdays/nights and weekends, at a place of abode located within the limits of the school district. Any new student enrolling or entering OSSD or any continuing student whose residence has changed within the school year is required to verify through written documentation his/her residence immediately.
Students Living With Parents/Guardians
Parents/Guardians are required to provide TWO proofs of residency to enroll their student into OSSD. A list of acceptable documents can be found on the enrollment page of the district website.
Additionally, the parent/guardian must provide custody paperwork in the form of a divorce decree, guardianship document, and/or other legal documents establishing custody for student enrollment if such paperwork exists.
Student's Family Residing with a Third Party
If the student’s family is residing in the home or apartment of another individual, the following is necessary for enrollment:
- Complete your students registration.
- Contact your students' school to complete the Affidavit of Residency process.
NOTE: Two Proofs of Residency are required from the third party the student resides with.
NOTE: An Affidavit of Residency for a student will remain in effect for thirty (30) days. Use of an Affidavit of Residency may not be allowed for more than one time during the academic school year or more than once in the student’s tenure in OSSD. If any irregularity regarding the validity is discovered, the parent/guardian will not be allowed to utilize an Affidavit of Residency and the OSSD resident establishing residency for the parent/guardian will not be allowed to provide residency for any other parent/guardian through an Affidavit.
OSSD intends to enroll only those children who are qualified to be enrolled in the school district and to either deny enrollment or dismiss those students who have not qualified for failure to meet the conditions set out in the policy. In the event that good-faith questions are raised about any student's eligibility to attend OSSD, the principal or her designee shall attempt to establish the student's residency and shall request additional documentation as may be required to satisfy the questions raised. If the verification of residency, as set forth in the policy, is not established, a notice of noncompliance will be sent to the home of the student giving notice that the student will be dismissed from school after ten (10) days if proper verification of residency is not completed. Students who change residences within the district during the school year will need to attend the school for which their residence is zoned.
Any residency may be verified by the OSSD Police Department and/or school administration between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Out-of-District Students
OSSD BOT Policy JBC - School Admission pertaining to out-of-district students is as follows:
- Children of instructional employees who live out of the district are accepted as long as the employee receives a legal release from the school district in which they reside.
- No other student who lives out of district will be allowed to attend any OSSD schools. Students who move out of OSSD are no longer eligible to attend OSSD.
Any student found to be in violation of this policy will be removed from school immediately and will not receive school credit where in violation.
Non-Resident Students
OSSD BOT Policy JBCB - Non-Resident Students. OSSD will enroll non-resident students for Advanced Placement Capstone (Capstone) or International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs only to the extent that such admission does not adversely affect the education of resident students.
Non-resident students living with resident adults other than parents or legal guardians will be required to meet residency requirements as outlined in OSSD BOT Policy JBC - School Admission.
A non-resident AP Capstone or IB student will have a release from the Board of Trustees of the district of residence prior to applying for admission to the OSSD as a nonresident student. The application for admission of a nonresident student must be approved by the OSSD BOT prior to formal admission to a school in OSSD. However, in emergency situations, a nonresident student may be granted temporary admission by the Superintendent or designee subject to final approval by the BOT.
Tuition Enrollment Program (TEP)
The OSSD BOT has determined to admit to its high school on a tuition basis a defined number of qualified nonresident students interested in pursuing a rigorous course of study prerequisite to admission to the OSSD International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) or the Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Program. OSSD has established the following eligibility requirements or criteria in determining whether to admit a non-resident TEP student to be eligible to apply in a student’s freshman year (or sophomore year if openings are available) for admission to the OSSD's IB or AP Capstone programs. Please see OSSD BOT Policy JBCB - Non-Resident Students. Click here for the Tuition Enrollment Application.
Homeschooling & Transfer Student Testing
OSSD BOT Policy JBAB - Home Schooling/Transfer Student Testing pertaining to admission of students from any public, private, or homeschool within or outside the boundaries of the State of Mississippi to a public school within the state, may be required to take a test to determine the grade and class to which the pupil shall be assigned at the time of pupil transfer. The parent will be given advance notice for testing, and the counselor at the school will administer and score the test. The student will be assigned to a specific grade and class for which the test shows he/she is best suited only after the test has been given and scored. Pending the administration of the test, the principal may temporarily assign the student to a grade and class comparable to that in which the student would have been had the student continued in the school from which the transfer was being made.
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OSSD takes every reasonable precaution to ensure that the internet is safe, however, students may attempt to bypass the school filters or use home computers that expose your student to the following risks:
- Sharing offensive websites with other students
- Sending and receiving inappropriate email, blogs and other prohibited messages
- Sharing offensive material created at home
- Sending or receiving libelous electronic messages
- Engaging in the violation of criminal and civil laws
- Illegally uploading or downloading copyrighted material
- Using your child’s picture in a false light
- Violating your child’s privacy regarding health and other personal issues
The OSSD BOT provides internet access to students for educational purposes only. The use of the internet is necessary for many school research projects. Misuse of the Internet violates OSSD BOT Policy IFBGA - Internet and Email Safety and Acceptable Use Computer Policy and subjects your child to suspensions and other school disciplinary consequences. Additionally, your child may incur civil and criminal penalties under Mississippi and federal law for misuse of the internet. Some of the misuses are as follows:
- using proxy sites (sites that allow the user to bypass the district internet filter) to avoid the district filter
- sending and distributing offensive material on district computers or school grounds
- sending cyber-threats of death, bodily harm, damage to property to other students or staff
- creating offensive materials on home computers and distributing them on school grounds
- using their own portable devices to distribute offensive material on school grounds
General guidelines include, but are not limited to the following:
- The student should have no expectation of privacy at any time while using district resources, nor at home when it pertains to school business.
- The district is authorized to monitor email logs and internet histories of students and does so.
- Students should use the internet/network for appropriate educational purposes and research.
- Students should use the internet/network only with the permission of designated school staff.
- Students should be considerate of other users on the network.
- Students must use appropriate language for school situations and must not use vulgar or profane language or images, including those with implied vulgarity and/or profanity.
- Students should immediately report any security problems or breaches of these responsibilities to the supervising teacher.
- Students must adhere to copyright laws and plagiarism rules when using the internet.
- Students must not share user IDs and passwords required to access e-mail and other programs.
- Students must not give out personal information about themselves or where they live.
- Students must not fill out forms on the internet without parent/teacher permission.
- Students must not send pictures of themselves through email.
- Students may not have access to e-commerce or publicly-provided internet service providers.
- Students will receive district accounts upon teacher request and parent permission if the accounts are needed for educational projects.
- Students must not use proxy avoidance sites (sites that allow the user to bypass the district internet filter) or other sites indicated as blocked. Use of these sites violates this contract and could result in loss of Internet access and/or other disciplinary actions.
- Students must not intentionally degrade or disrupt internet network services or equipment. This includes but is not limited to tampering with computer hardware or software, vandalizing data, invoking computer viruses, attempting to gain access to restricted or unauthorized network services, unauthorized redirection of school web pages, or violating copyright laws.
- Students must not work directly on teacher, school, or district department webs without express written permission from the district web administrator and/or Chief of Instructional Technology.
- Students must not construct websites using content or links that violate state or federal laws.
- Students must not use the network in a fashion inconsistent with directions from teachers and other staff.
The parent/guardian of each elementary student will be expected to read OSSD BOT Policy IFBGA - Internet and Email Safety and Acceptable Use Computer Policy and to sign an Acceptable Use Agreement for Internet/Media Use. Parents/guardians are expected to properly supervise their child’s computer activity at home and to advise OSSD immediately if they discover any violation of the user agreement at home or at school. Additionally, parents/guardians are expected to notify OSSD immediately if they discover their child or their child’s fellow students are committing civil and criminal violations of the law. Failure to report this behavior is negligent supervision and relieves the school of any liability that flows from this behavior if the school could not have reasonably foreseen this type of behavior on the child’s home computer. Any conduct by a student that is in conflict with these responsibilities is inappropriate and such behavior may result in the termination of access and possible disciplinary action. No student will be given Internet access unless a completed and signed Acceptable Use Agreement for Internet/Media Use form is on file.
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As part of OSSD’s efforts to provide the tools and resources students need to be successful in today’s digital age; OSSD makes access to electronic devices (iPads, computers, laptops, hot spots, etc.) available to all students as necessary for instruction as long as funding is available.
Kindergarten - 6th Grade
Students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade will be provided access to devices at school. A record will be kept that details what specific device is used by each student. In the event that a device is damaged (i.e., cracked screen, broken keyboard, etc.), the student (parent/guardian in the case of a minor) assigned to that device will be responsible for repair/replacement costs. If a student repeatedly damages any OSSD electronic device, disciplinary action may be taken.
In the event a program of virtual learning is implemented, a district-owned device will be provided for home use. All parents and students must agree to OSSD BOT Policy IFBGA - Internet and Email Safety Revisions and Acceptable Use Computer Policy before they are issued a device. An OSSD Computer/Tablet Parent Agreement (CTPA) must be signed by the parent or guardian acknowledging receipt, responsibility, and terms associated with the acceptance of the device.
Use of Personal Laptops and Tablets
The goal of the 1:1 initiative is to provide every student with the same device. Therefore it is not recommended that a student utilize their personal devices for virtual learning. If a parent refuses a device for home use, the student will be required to check out a device at school for use each day in class. OSSD is not able to provide support or install software on personal devices; therefore, the use of personal devices (computers/tablets) is not a viable alternative to a district-provided device. As with other personally-owned items, the schools shall not be held liable for the loss, damage, misuse, or theft of personally-owned devices brought to school. Students who bring their own devices to use at OSSD do so at their own risk. OSSD is in no way responsible for:
- Personal devices that are broken while at school or during school-sponsored activities;
- Personal devices that are lost or stolen at school or during school-sponsored activities; or,
- Maintenance or upkeep of any device (keeping it charged, installing updates or upgrades, fixing any software or hardware issues, etc.)
See OSSD BOT Policy IJBA - Personal Electronic Devices - Laptops, Tablets, & Mobile Devices (BYOD).
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Students are not permitted to possess personal communication or electronic devices which could disrupt a class on school property during the school day. Noncompliance with this regulation will result in confiscation of the device. Recording and/or posting content that can lead to the disruption of the school environment will result in disciplinary action. When any item is confiscated by teachers or administrators, the device or item will only be returned to a parent in the principal's office.
DISCLAIMER: Students who bring their own devices/cell phones/smart watches to school do so at their own risk. As with other personally-owned items, OSSD is not liable for the loss, damage, misuse, or theft of personally-owned devices brought to school.
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The intent of OSSD is to provide a clean, safe, and orderly environment for the students, teachers, administrators, and others in order that conditions conducive to learning may be present at all times. As outlined in OSSD BOT Policy JCBD - Vandalism/Destruction of Property, any student who destroys or damages school property or the property of another student, teacher, administrator, or any employee of OSSD shall be suspended and/or expelled in accordance with law and other policies of OSSD BOT.
The parent, guardian, or custodians of a compulsory school-aged child enrolled in OSSD shall be financially responsible for the student’s destructive acts against school property as defined by policy, and OSSD is authorized to institute legal proceedings against the parents, guardians, or custodians of the student in an effort to recover damages in an amount not to exceed $20,000 plus necessary court costs in an effort to recover damages caused by the willful and malicious destruction of property.
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Parents/guardians play a key role in the education of their children. Your words of encouragement, a hug when the day has been rough, your interest in your child’s work, and your presence at school are all vital! You are encouraged to be actively involved because your involvement shows your children that you value their education. The partnership between school and parents is essential for student success, and parents/guardians are always welcome to visit the school. However, due to security concerns and the value of undisturbed academic time, all visitors must report to the school’s administrative office area upon entering the school building to sign in to our school’s visitor management system. A state or federal photo identification is required. Each visitor will be screened with a background check to maintain student safety, and customizable passes will be issued to the visitor once approved.
Please refrain from using your personal cell phone to have conversations while on campus. A parent who wishes to observe in his/her child’s classroom must contact the teacher at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance with teacher and administrator approval. Without such advance planning, the parent will not be permitted to go to the classroom. Due to student supervision and to protect the integrity of our instructional time, teachers will not be called to the office to speak to a parent during the regular school day. You may call and leave a message or email the teacher and he/she will return your call during his/her planning, before, or after school. Teachers are not authorized to release students to parents who come to the classroom. Students are not allowed to bring juvenile guests to school with them during regular school hours.
See OSSD BOT Policy KM - Visitors to the Schools.
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Emergency procedure information is to be provided online at the time of registration. This information provides the administrative staff with essential information about students in case of an emergency at school. It also gives the attendance office staff information necessary to permit a student to check out during the school day.
All individuals placed on the checkout list must be 21 years or older, unless they are an immediate family member who is not currently enrolled in OSSD. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by OSSD administration. Parents who wish to change/add an adult to a check-out form must do so in person unless there is an emergency in which the administration is notified.
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Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to, cheating, fabricating or falsifying information or sources, improper collaboration, submitting the same paper for different classes without permission, and plagiarism. Plagiarism is an act of literary theft and is therefore considered an act of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism is defined as the act or instance of using or closely imitating the language, work product, and/or thoughts of another author without authorization obtained or credit given. It involves the passing off or submission of another author’s work as one’s own. This includes the use of AI technology. This includes but is not limited to, submitting assignments digitally or via hard copy.
All of the following are considered plagiarism:
- Turning in someone else’s work as your own.
- Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit.
- Failing to put a direct quotation in quotation marks.
- Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation.
- Changing words by copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit.
- Copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up a majority of your work, whether you give credit or not.
- Submitting work generated by AI technology
A student who is found to be guilty of academic dishonesty or plagiarism may receive a grade of zero (0)/F on the assignment/test. Students guilty of multiple infractions involving academic dishonesty or plagiarism may be suspended or expelled.
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