School Committee Approves Drug, Weapon Suspension Change In NMS Handbook

Suspension changed from five days to 10, despite some hesitance.

To keep aligned with the high school handbook and dissuade students from drug use and bringing weapons to school, Norton Middle School principal Michael O’Rourke sought approval from the school committee to issue 10 days of school suspension for the violation of those rules instead of five. The school committee approved the change, though there was some uncertainty.  “Ten days makes them think twice,” O’Rourke said, noting that it’s not as infrequent that middle school age kids are involved this type of behavior.  “My first impression is that the substance abuse one, that 10 days might be a little harsh,” said school committee member Andrew Mackie. He was concerned that kids would also lose too much learning time. Committee member Tom …

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From HS to HR

Is it Time to Update Your Employee Handbook?

Handbooks are important documents your company needs to keep up with.

By Brian Coughlin Does your company have a well written, easy to understand employee handbook? If the answer is no, or yes, but it was printed when Norton was 150 years old, now may be the time to update this important, often times used as legal document. A good, well written handbook will let managers and employees know what the rules and expectations are. In some cases, ignorance of the law is not a defense.  Things have changed, laws have changed. If your handbook is missing some of the items below, or has been copied more times than a high school hall pass, you may just want to update your handbook. A successful handbook should have: Take a look at your current employee handbook.  If some of these items listed are missing, suggest to …

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Hazing Policy Brought Before Norton School Committee

Though there was a section on hazing in the handbook, a policy had not been brought before the school committee before.

Norton School Committee formalized a hazing policy Tuesday night. Hazing, according to superintendent Dr. Patricia Ansay, is defined as any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include any brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation. The school has a section on hazing in the handbook, but a policy was never brought…

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