School Policies

allergic reactions; to ensure a rapid and effective response in the case of a severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reaction; and to protect the rights of food-allergic students to participate in all school activities.

Our focus is prevention, education, awareness, communication, and emergency response. Revolution School is not a nut-free school. We are committed to careful labeling, open disclosure, and teaching students the life-long skills required to make safe and healthy food choices. Rather than offer a false sense of security, we focus instead on open communication regarding potential allergens and food safety. Where there are students with known food allergies, the school will take special care related to food safety. The school will communicate with families to coordinate safety measures through the Emergency Care Plan (ECP) and will facilitate communication throughout the school year to foster food safety. Families of students with food allergies will be contacted directly before the start of school to initiate communication, review expectations, create safety plans, and to provide more detailed information. Direct communication between home and the school is the proper channel of communication for allergy updates, concerns, or changes in protocols; this will ensure that the information is disseminated in a way that allows the school to effectively care for all students in its care. When excursions include dining at a restaurant or other food establishment, Revolution School cannot vouch for the allergen safety of the food provided. The School encourages (and will facilitate) family communication directly with the restaurant or providing alternate food for their child(ren), as needed.

Medical Leave Policy

In the case that a student’s absence will extend beyond 5 days, the student and/or parent/guardian should promptly notify Revolution School of a medical leave so that the school may work with the student/parents/guardian to arrange for completion of coursework during the student’s absence, if possible. If necessary, the school will modify the student’s Individualized Learning Plan to accommodate the student’s absence.

Mandated Reporting/Child Abuse & Neglect

School employees are mandatory reporters for child abuse and neglect and are required by Pennsylvania law to report any suspicion of child abuse and neglect to school officials and the appropriate authorities.

Every school needs to have policies in place to ensure that members of the community are safe and supported.

The commitment of Revolution School is to support the individuality of the students, and the school demands that students treat each other and the school community with dignity, respect, and compassion. Certain actions that would interfere with those goals are prohibited, taken seriously, and promptly addressed. Any concerns that any actions of a student, group of students, or any member of the school community (or a third party that interfaces with a member of the school community) have violated the policies below should be promptly reported to the school so that appropriate action may be taken, including investigations, counseling, corrective action, and discipline, if necessary.

Revolution School is aware that students may be cautious to report inappropriate behavior of other students or in school settings for fear that tensions may increase as a result. School personnel will be mindful of the social dynamics involved for the reporting party and will address issues raised in the best manner to achieve the desired result of increasing compassion and satisfaction, including

ensuring anonymity for the reporting individual(s), if possible. No issue is too small to be raised to the school if it is inappropriate and/or makes a student uncomfortable. The school will support students in working through challenges and potential mistakes. The school will address all issues raised in a thoughtful manner that will include consideration of the students and the school community. Contact the Head of School or Director of Student Life to address any questions, concerns, or complaints.

The student and parent/guardian acknowledge that the school, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether conduct of the student or any guardian is grounds to terminate enrollment of the student at any time. The student and guardian acknowledge that Revolution School has the right to suspend or dismiss the student as a result of his or her behavior or level of academic achievement or if, in the opinion of school administration, the interests of the student or school would be best served by such action.

Open-Door Policy

Students and parents/guardians should communicate with the school – often initially via the student’s advisor – about concerns and questions, big and small. The school will work with students and parents/guardians to ensure that issues raised will be addressed in a thoughtful manner that will take all concerns into consideration, including the desire for anonymity, if possible.

Non-Discrimination Policy/ADA Compliance

The school’s mission is to cultivate, understand, and embrace the differences among individuals as part of the educational endeavor. Revolution School is committed to a diverse community, which includes qualified students with documented disabilities and other health issues that may require reasonable accommodations to ensure access to education. Although the school cannot offer special education programs for students with disabilities, the school is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified students so that they may participate in the school’s programs.

School leadership, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and students provide an example by fostering an environment of understanding and respect of all people. If a student or parent/guardian has a concern that they, their student, or a school community member is being subjected to discrimination, such concern should be promptly reported to the Head of School. Furthermore, we must instruct and empower children to challenge assumptions and ask questions in order to become responsible citizens in a diverse world. We believe that the recognition and appreciation of differences in race, socio-cultural status, religious tradition, age, gender, ability, and sexual orientation enhance an individual's sense of identity, broaden respect for others, and inspire strong character.

Revolution school admits students of any gender, race, color, disability status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, religion, and national and ethnic origin and provides them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, disability status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, religion, or national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Anti-Bullying Policy

A safe and civil environment is needed for students to learn and attain high academic standards and to promote healthy human relationships. Bullying shall mean an intentional electronic, written,

verbal, or physical act or a series of acts: (1) directed at another student or students; (2) that occur in a school setting; (3) that are severe, persistent or pervasive; and (4) that have the effect of doing any of the following: (i) substantially interfering with a student’s education; (ii) creating a threatening environment; or iii) substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. “School setting” means in the school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated bus stop, or at any activity sponsored, supervised, or sanctioned by the school.

Revolution School prohibits the bullying of any student, by either an individual student or a group of students: (1) during any educational program or activity conducted by the district: (2) during any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity or on a school vehicle; (3) through the use of any electronic device or data while on school grounds or on a school bus or through the use of computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network of the school or school district; or (4) through threats, using any of the above methods, that are to be carried out on school grounds, which include threats made outside of school hours that are intended to be carried out during any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity, or on a school vehicle. The school will take prompt corrective action to ensure the safety and well-being of the students and community to ensure that the school is free of bullying behavior. Students who violate the anti-bullying policy may be subject to discipline, as appropriate.

Reports of bullying should be made as soon as possible after the alleged act or knowledge of the alleged act. Any student who believes that he or she has experienced bullying or believes that another student has experienced bullying should immediately report the alleged acts to a teacher, counselor, Head of School, or other district employee. A report may be made orally or in writing.

Social Networking Policy Students should be aware that their actions online, even those that do not occur during school hours or on the school network, are expected to be consistent with the Mission of the Revolution School to

respect and support the students and school community.

Conduct and communications on cell phones or social networking sites that disrespect members of the school community (students, faculty, staff, Board members, Administrative Leadership, family of community members) should be promptly brought to the attention of the school so that appropriate action may be taken, including an investigation and discipline, if necessary. The school is aware that students may be cautious to report behavior for fear that tensions may increase as a result. Be assured that the school will take such issues into consideration with the goal of improving situations and will take steps to ensure anonymity, where possible. The school will take appropriate and necessary action to ensure the safety and well-being of the student(s) and the community in determining corrective action and discipline, as necessary.

Search Policy

The School may search a locker and/or any item belonging to a student or in a student’s possession on school grounds when any member of the faculty or school administration has reason to believe that a disciplinary infraction has occurred or believes that there is a threat to the well-being of members of the community that could be discovered. Searches may include any item belonging to a student or in a student’s possession, such as a backpack, gym bag, or pocketbook. The Search Policy also applies to personal electronic and related devices in the student’s possession during the school day (8:00 am - 4:00 pm) and while in the building, whether assigned or personally owned, such as a student’s cell phone, laptop, flash drive, tablet, or computer.

This policy serves the school’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with rules, to make sure that students engage in healthy behavior, and to maintain a substance-free and safe school environment.

Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy/Anti-Harassment

Revolution School believes in the dignity of the individual. Revolution School will not tolerate sexual harassment of students, employees, or other members of the school community by anyone, whether on school property, at school or work-related assignments, school-sponsored social functions, or through cell phones or social media as set forth in the Social Networking Policy. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, physical, or any other form of communication (i.e., text, email, pictures) of a sexual nature or related to a person’s sex or sexual identity.

The school encourages students/parents/guardians to promptly report any behavior at the school, during school activities, or on school equipment, cell phones, or social media that is inappropriate, uncomfortable, and/or is sexually harassing. This policy covers inappropriate, uncomfortable, and/or sexually harassing behavior from a student, a staff or faculty member, or a member of the school community, or behavior that may occur in connection with the student’s activities in the community at large.

The school similarly prohibits non-sexual harassment, such as when someone tries to humiliate or intimidate another, such as making racist comments, making derogatory comments about religion, making cruel personal jokes, or teasing about sexual orientation. No one may harass a student or member of the school community on the basis of sex/gender/gender identity, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, ethnic background, or any other protected status under applicable law.

There is no issue that is too small to be reported if it interferes with an individual’s comfort and ease at the school or creates a hostile environment within the school’s community. The school will take prompt action to ensure the safety and well-being of the student(s) and the community, including a prompt investigation, corrective action, and discipline, as necessary.

Non-Retaliation

Retaliation against students and/or parents/guardians and/or staff/faculty for raising concerns, making complaints, or reporting inappropriate behavior and/or violations of this handbook is strictly prohibited.

Crisis Management Plan

A comprehensive Crisis Management Plan outlines Revolution School’s procedures to ensure the safety of the occupants of the building and participants in the off-site programming. These procedures will be communicated directly to students and families each year. Families desiring additional information about these procedures may reach out directly to the Head of School.

DISCLAIMER

No set of policies or guidelines can cover every conceivable situation that may arise at school or in the school community. Each situation will be handled with the goal of ensuring the safety and well-being of the student and the school community in accordance with the Mission of the School. To that end, the handbook does not limit the Revolution Team from the authority:

● to be flexible in addressing situations, ● to deviate from the normal rules and procedures, and

● to appropriately address individual circumstances as they arise in the manner deemed most appropriate by the School.

Revolution Community Expectations 2022-2023

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate action of its members. ” ― Coretta Scott King

Come to school on time, rested and nourished for the day; prioritize well-being. If you are tired or need a break, please excuse yourself from class and see Jeanne or Justine. No heads down on tables!

Arrive to class ready to learn. At the close of each class, please clean up your table, push in chairs and leave the classroom neat for your classmates. Many hands make light work.

We encourage everyone to stay hydrated and energized. Water bottles and food are available in the kitchen. Food and drink can be eaten in the classroom only with the permission of teachers. Please return mugs, glasses and bowls to the kitchen and place in the dishwasher at the close of class.

Respect others’ rights to hold opinions and beliefs that differ from your own. Use positive words and body language. Be mindful to use respectful language and avoid profanity. When you disagree, challenge or criticize the idea, not the person. Do not interrupt or engage in private conversations while others are speaking

Restroom Policy: One (1) student may leave class at a time and must sign in and out at the front desk. The break should not exceed 5 minutes. No signing out during the first 5 or last 5 minutes of class.

Electronics Policy: Unless instructed by the teacher, cell phones should be face down or in book bags and headphones/earbuds should be put away at the start of advisory, class and/or during Community Meetings. If a student uses their cell phone as a distraction in class, the teacher may take it or give it to Jeanne or Justine for safe-keeping.

If you fail to uphold these expectations, possible consequences may include:

● Verbal/Non-Verbal Warning ● Meeting with Advisor, Jeanne and your teacher to discuss a “ solution plan” ● Parent call ● Parent/Student/Jeanne meeting ● Parent/Student/Justine meeting