Student Rights Committee (SRC) Overview and Description Perkins School for the Blind 2017

Student Rights Students at Perkins have the right to: Certain goods and services including those rights enumerated in state regulations A positive and healthy school and residential experience Be recognized as unique individuals with special strengths, areas of need, and personal goals Be treated with dignity and respect at all times

What are student rights? Examples of Student Rights and issues that SRC has addressed: Access to daily recreation Flu shots Access to social contact Right to privacy and sexuality When appropriate - participate in making rules When appropriate - participate in design of own behavior support plan Use of technology, telephones, communication devices, etc. Student routines being interrupted by another student’s behavioral issues

What is the purpose of the SRC Committee? To help ensure student rights are adhered to by: Informing staff about student rights Addressing issues that may be negatively impacting: Student safety Student’s access to education, the school environment or community The care students receive at school Student’s overall well-being Promoting the use of positive behavior support

Who is on the SRC Committee? Staff from all across educational programs: Zachary Bird – DB Behavior Analyst Andrea Covelli – DB Teacher Grace Fulton – S Teacher Adria Hodas – Director of Health Services Mike McDonald – S Assistant Education Director Brett McNeil – Staff Trainer Elizabeth Porter – LS Social Worker Kathleen Power – DB Coordinator of Residential Living Justine Rines – Evaluations Coordinator (SRC Facilitator) Jennifer Siff – S O&M Teacher Mary Talbot-Fox – LS/ELC School Psychologist Jim Witmer – DB Social Worker

Who are the Student Rights Advocates? Jim Witmer Deafblind X 7255 Betsey Porter Lower School & ELC X 7287 Grace Fulton Secondary X7408

What is a Students’ Rights Advocate? They act as a liaison between staff in an educational program (Deafblind, Lower School/ELC, and Secondary) and the SRC They are the contact person for staff who are concerned about a student not having his/her rights met Advocates are expected to: Attend monthly SRC meetings Receive staff concerns related to student rights Address concerns in a timely manner by speaking with supervisors, administration and/or SRC Report student right concerns and outcomes to the SRC

What should I do if I have a concern regarding Student Rights? Speak to your supervisor Speak to your program Student Rights Advocate Speak to anyone on SRC Submit a Student Rights Form (available on AskHowe or from any committee member) The process should be easy and non-threatening All supervisors are aware that staff may go to a Student Right Advocate with a concern

Student Rights Form