Success Academies SY16-17 Elementary School Family Handbook (English)

Family Handbook 2016–2017 Elementary School

English

Index I. Required Documentation

1

A. Health Forms

2

B. Other Forms

2

II. Academics

5

A. Reading Logs

6

B. Homework

6

C. Summer and Holiday Homework

6

D. Scholar Progress Reports

6

E. Recess

7

F. Field Studies

7

G. Special Education

7

H. Requests for Specific Teachers or Peers

8

III. Parent Involvement

9

A. Communication

10

B. Open-Door Policy

10

C. Getting Involved

10

D. Parent Fundraising

10

E. Gifts to Staff

10

F. Tutoring

10

G. Sports and Club Fees

10

IV. School Day Information

11

A. Attendance

12

B. Arrival and Dismissal

12

C. School Closures/Delayed Openings

13

D. School Day Policies

13

V. School Culture

15

A. ACTION Values and Building Moral Character

16

B. Respecting Diversity

17

C. Academic Integrity

17

D. Beyond Z

17

E. Dress Code and Uniforms

18

VI. Discipline

19

A. Violence and Aggression

20

B. Suspensions and Expulsions

20

C. Code of Conduct

21

Appendices

25

Appendix A: Scholar Anti-Harrassment, Anti-Discrimination, and Anti-Bullying Policy

26

Appendix B: Scholar Technology, Internet Safety, and Social Media Acceptable Use Policy

27

Dear Families, Welcome to a new year at Success Academy!

To give you the information you need to help your child achieve, we’ve compiled a handbook for Success Academy families. This handbook includes policies that ensure our classrooms are safe, joyful, productive centers of learning and allow your child to thrive, take advantage of all the opportunities available, and avoid pitfalls. Our school leaders and teachers are partners in the education of your scholar, and we need your help to make every day as constructive and beneficial as possible.

The start of school always represents new challenges to family schedules. It’s critically important that you make your child’s education a priority. Our leaders and teachers are focused on making school as engaging and magical as possible. We want to help your child achieve at the highest level and fulfill his or her potential. To accomplish this requires the cooperation of everyone: Scholars need to get to school on time every day, ready to learn and participate, and parents need to support their efforts to be the best students they can be.

We want you to understand how our schools work so your scholar can have a successful future at Success Academy. Please read the handbook, and if you have any questions about its contents, feel free to contact the school’s Main Office.

I also encourage you to visit the online tour of our elementary schools, which explains the “why” behind our school design and philosophy.

Enjoy the school year, and let’s achieve great things together.

Sincerely,

Eva Moskowitz Founder and CEO

1

I. Required Documentation

2

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Several forms are required upon enrollment and some are also required annually thereafter.

These forms will remain in your child’s file at the school and are confidential. Blank copies are available upon request in the Main Office.

Such forms include:

A. Health Forms Physical Form (Health Examination Form): A completed form with your child’s doctor's name and license number is required upon admission to Success Academy. We require that your child receive a new physical exam each year and that you provide the school with an updated copy. In addition, if your child has a medical condition or diagnosis that could affect him or her during the school day, please inform the school as soon as possible. If you do not provide an updated physical form, your child may not be permitted to attend school.

Immunization Records: Based on your child’s age, there are certain immunizations your child must receive to attend school. Your doctor may (1) record the immunization information on your child’s physical form or (2) provide you with a separate sheet of paper or yellow immunization card that contains the immunization details. Your child’s immunization record is required upon admission to Success Academy. Any time he or she receives additional immunizations, please provide an updated copy to the Main Office. If your child’s immunizations are not up-to-date, your child may not attend school.

Medication Administration Form (MAF) and related forms: If your child needs to take any prescription or over-the-counter medication during the school day, you must bring the properly packaged and labeled medication to school and submit an MAF each year. The MAF must be completed by a doctor (include his/her license number or stamp) and must be signed by a parent/guardian.

Vision Screenings: K-1 scholars receive free vision screenings at school, and you may receive a referral form from the vision screeners to take your child to an eye doctor for glasses. Only newly-enrolled scholars in grades 2 and 3 will receive free vision screenings at school. Glasses may greatly improve your child’s learning experience, so please follow up on this form.

B. Other Forms Parent Contract: As part of your child’s enrollment and re-enrollment each year, you must sign a contract in which you pledge to abide by Success Academy’s culture policies and values. Families of returning students received digital version of this form to sign electronically.

Media Release, Permission, and Consent: We often document and share our success by taking pictures and videotaping our scholars, families, and staff.

These pictures may be used for staff development, educational materials, or school promotional materials. By signing this form, you are giving your consent for your child and/or your family to be included in these recordings, pictures, or videos.

Families of returning students received digital version of this form to sign electronically.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION 3

New York State Residency Acceptable Documents

Unacceptable Documents

Must show the resident’s name and address

• Any document missing resident’s name

• Utility bill (cable, gas, landline phone, electric,

and address

water bill)

• Driver’s license

• Lease or rent statement

• Social Security card

• Tax documents

• Bank statement

• Paychecks

• Cell phone bill

• Any letter from a government agency (for food stamps, from the IRS, HRA, Medicaid, City Housing Authority, ACS, Child Health Plus, etc.)

• Letters from banks, employers, private

Table 1 New York State Residency: Scholars must live in New York State to attend any Success Academy because we are part of New York public schools.

You must complete a Residency Questionnaire and provide a proof of residency upon admission.

If your permanent address changes during the school year, you must provide an updated Residency Questionnaire and proof of residency, and update your address information with the Main Office. Scholars who move out of New York State must withdraw immediately. Withdrawal forms are available in the Main Office. [See Table 1] Field Study & Activity Form: Our scholars participate in numerous field studies and activities throughout the school year, and you are asked to sign one form consenting to your child’s participation. Please review the school’s ACTION newsletter and other communications to learn about scheduled field studies for your child.

You may also be asked to complete additional consent forms for special field studies. Families of returning students received digital version of this form to sign electronically.

Scholar’s Birth Certificate: Birth certificates verify identification and date of birth for scholars. A copy of your child’s birth certificate must be provided to the Main Office before school begins.

insurance companies, or hospitals

4

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Home Language Questionnaire: This form helps us understand what languages your scholar speaks, reads, writes, and understands and if he/she is eligible to take the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL) to determine if he/she is an English Language Learner (ELL).

Ethnic Identification Form: The Federal Department of Education collects and records the ethnic identity of public school students. This information is used only for statistical analysis, data reporting, and accountability determinations. Children may not be refused admission to a public school because of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, immigration/ citizenship status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnicity.

Privacy of Information: You will receive a form and notification relating to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The form relates primarily to the display of your child’s schoolwork in our halls and classrooms. The notification provides you with additional details about directory information and accessing your child’s educational records.

Re-Enrollment Forms: In the spring of every school year, Success Academy parents will be required to declare whether or not they intend to re-enroll for the next school year. Parents/guardians who choose to re-enroll for the following year will also be required to re-sign certain forms.

Failure to complete all enrollment forms in a timely fashion and/or complete the enrollment process may result in your child’s loss of his or her space at the school.

5

II. Academics

6

ACADEMICS

A. Reading Logs We count on you to help foster our scholars’ love of reading by reading to your child daily in the early elementary grades and ensuring that your child reads independently in the later elementary grades. You are responsible for tracking the number of books or number of minutes that you and your child read nightly on a reading log, which you can find in your child’s homework packet.

Independent Reading in K-4: Independent reading at home helps scholars become better readers with more concentration and stamina. Scholars will bring home independent reading books every day and your child must read by himself/herself for the appropriate amount of time (as shown in the table below). Together, you will record your child's nightly independent reading on his/her reading log.

We expect 100% completion of reading logs every week. To reach this weekly goal, families of scholars in grades K-2 must read aloud six books per week, and scholars in grades 3 and 4 must read independently for 30 minutes a day, six days a week.

Written Assignments in K-4: Scholars will also complete written work each night, which may include spelling words or math problems.

The written assignments will be in the homework packet.

B. Homework

C. Summer and Holiday Homework

It is your responsibility to ensure that your child completes all homework assignments on time.

Satisfactory completion of homework is one of the components we evaluate in assessing a scholar’s overall performance and whether a scholar will be promoted to the next grade.

Here is a brief overview of homework by grade per night. [See Table 2]

During school breaks, scholars can lose the gains they have made during the school year. To combat this, we assign homework over holidays and summer break so that every scholar is prepared to move to the next lesson when school resumes.

Reading Aloud to Your Child: Reading aloud to your child is critically important. It will help your child develop listening comprehension skills, critical thinking abilities, and vocabulary. We expect you to read aloud to your child and record the titles of the books you read in the reading log.

D. Scholar Progress Reports Schools issue progress reports in order to inform you about your child’s academic and character progress. These reports contain important information such as grades, absences, tardies, etc.

Grade

Reading Aloud to Scholars

Independent Reading

Written Assignments

Total Time

K

15 minutes

10 minutes

5 minutes

30 minutes

1

15 minutes

20 minutes

10 minutes

40 minutes

2

15 minutes

20 minutes

10 minutes

45 minutes

3

NA

30 minutes

20 minutes

45 minutes

4

NA

30 minutes

30 minutes

60 minutes

Table 2

ACADEMICS 7

E. Recess Just like math and science, recess is a critical part of a scholar’s day—and it is not optional. Our scholars want (and need) a break from the rigors of the academic day and the opportunity to exercise outside and socialize with their peers. We go outside for recess just about every day. Even in the winter months, we do not stop outdoor play. Please make sure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the weather so that he/she can fully take part in recess.

F. Field Studies We take scholars on field studies to support the classroom curriculum and provide meaningful learning experiences. Information about upcoming field studies will be sent home in your child’s homework folder or will be emailed to you in the school’s ACTION newsletter.

We often ask for adult volunteers to serve as chaperones. If you would like to chaperone a field study, please notify your child’s teacher. You will receive materials or be asked to attend a training that outlines the chaperone guidelines.

If you sign up to chaperone a field study, we ask that you honor your commitment. For safety

reasons, we are required to have a certain number of chaperones. If a chaperone does not follow through on a commitment, we may have to cancel that day’s field study. Chaperones who cancel on the day of the field study, show up late, do not follow the guidelines above, or fail to adhere to the Parent Contract may not be allowed to chaperone future field studies.

If the school’s leadership decides a scholar requires individual supervision to ensure the safety of the scholar or others on a field study, Success Academy may require a parent or other volunteer chaperone chosen by the parent to accompany the scholar. If a parent or other chaperone cannot accompany the scholar, Success Academy will place the scholar in a supervised classroom or make other accommodations to ensure the scholar is receiving education during the field study.

G. Special Education Success Academy is dedicated to ensuring that your child receives the services he/she needs to excel in school. If your scholar struggles to learn with all the robust general education support we provide, then the school’s leadership will suggest a meeting to discuss your options. Success guides

8

ACADEMICS

families through the special education referral and evaluation process and coordinates special education services with the Committee on Special Education. If your incoming scholar has an Individualized Education Program, please notify the school as soon as possible. If you have questions about your child’s services, about the Committee on Special Education, or about special education in general, please contact the school’s special education staff.

H. Requests for Specific Teachers or Peers Each year, we do our best to ensure that your child is placed in a classroom with teachers and scholars who will provide the best possible learning experience. In order to accomplish this goal, a school may reassign a scholar to another classroom during the school year at its sole discretion. We do not accept or accommodate requests for a specific teacher or for certain scholars to be placed in the same class.

9

III. Parent Involvement

10 PARENT INVOLVEMENT

A. Communication Parental participation is essential. We have little chance of success without your full support; we and your scholar need your involvement.

Throughout the year, we will call, email, text, and meet with you about your child’s performance.

We will also notify you about important announcements and school events. To ensure that you receive our communications, the Main Office must have your most current contact information.

We like to hear from you too. Call or email the Main Office, your child’s teachers, or the school’s leadership team. If we do not pick up the phone, please leave a message and we will return your call within 24 hours or, if over the weekend, by Monday afternoon.

If you have any questions or concerns that cannot be answered by the school, please contact the network office at 646-597-4642 or email info@SuccessAcademies.org. If network staff cannot address your concerns, you may follow the formal complaint policy, which is available upon request in the Main Office. You may also contact our founder and CEO Eva Moskowitz with any questions or concerns at Eva.Moskowitz@SuccessAcademies.org.

You can also participate in the Parent Council— our version of the PTA. Go to the Main Office to obtain information about meetings and election dates. To be effective leaders, all parents who serve on the council should model and uphold the school’s strong school culture. Your own leadership will set an example for your child and other parents.

Volunteers who will have direct and substantial unsupervised contact with scholars will be required to undergo a background check.

D. Parent Fundraising Parent fundraising is not permitted. We prefer that you focus your time and energy on your child’s academic success and well-being.

E. Gifts to Staff Our staff is thrilled to accept your thanks and kind words, but they do not expect any gifts. In order to avoid issues of favoritism and competition, staff members can only accept gifts that are homemade (e.g., a card, a letter, your child’s art, or baked goods). They cannot accept any gifts that are store-bought.

B. Open-Door Policy

F. Tutoring

We believe in transparency. You are free—without an appointment—to come to the school and observe any classroom. Simply stop by the Main Office and let us know you are here. Please remain silent while visiting a classroom so as to not interrupt student learning.

Please do not ask your child’s teacher or another staff member for tutoring outside of school.

It is not permitted. If your child needs additional support, your child’s teacher will provide it during school.

C. Getting Involved There are many ways to get involved. You can chaperone field trips, support school clubs, and help with bulletin boards and school events. As a parent, the best way to support your scholar is to ensure the reading gets done every day and that all homework is completed.

G. Sports and Club Fees After-school sports and clubs require that participating families pay a fee, which helps offset the cost of these programs. Families experiencing hardship may qualify for financial aid. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s participation in these activities, or about financial aid, please contact the Main Office.

11

IV. School Day Information

12 SCHOOL DAY INFORMATION

A. Attendance

B. Arrival and Dismissal

We expect scholars to come to school every day for the entire day. If your child is ill and will be absent or late to school, you must call or email the Main Office before the start of school. Absences can be either excused or unexcused. [See Table 3]

For safety reasons, scholars must always be dropped off and picked up by a parent/guardian, an authorized adult, or an authorized older sibling on the school’s pickup list. Scholars may not travel in a cab, in a van with a driver, on the bus or subway, or on foot alone.

If your child is regularly absent from school, your child is likely to fall behind academically and socially. In the event of repeated absences or late arrivals, we will contact you to schedule a meeting at either the school or the network office. At this meeting, we will provide you with strategies that can help improve your child’s attendance. If your child misses more than 15 days of school, he or she may have to repeat the grade to make up for lost instructional time.

If your child has a contagious illness or any of the symptoms or ailments below, please keep your child at home and seek a doctor’s care.

• •

•

•

•

Fever of 99.4°F or higher Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis): Eye infection; causes redness, swelling, discharge Lice: Tiny insects that live on the scalp or in a person’s clothing Ringworm: Fungal infection affecting any part of the skin Bed bugs: Tiny insects that are reddish-brown, flat, and oval that live in clothing and furniture items

If a staff member believes that your child has any of these symptoms or ailments, we will notify you and send your child home immediately. Your child may only return to school after we receive proof of treatment. Your child does not need a doctor’s note to return after having a fever.

If a bed bug is found on your child or your child’s personal belongings, you must provide documentation that appropriate action has been taken by your landlord or an exterminator before your child can return to school.

Authorized adults and siblings must be on the school’s pickup list and show photo ID to enter a school building. To make any changes to the the pickup list, a parent must contact the Main Office at least 24 hours in advance of a pickup.

Van drivers are not allowed to pick up scholars.

Arrival: Parents/guardians or authorized adults must bring scholars to the arrival door at school.

If you arrive late, you must escort your scholar to the Main Office for safety reasons. You may not leave your scholar at the front entrance, the corner of the building, or at the security desk to walk to their classroom alone. [See Table 4]

Excused Absences • Illness verified by a doctor’s note • Death of a close family member, verified by program or newspaper clipping • Court appearance that requires the child’s presence, verified by court document

Unexcused Absences • Routine doctor’s appointments

-Schedule these for dates/times when

school is not in session • Family vacation • Parent/guardian illness • Bad weather • Trouble with public transportation

Table 3

SCHOOL DAY INFORMATION 13

2016-2017 Doors Open, Arrival, and Dismissal Schedule for Grades K–4 Doors Open

Arrival

Dismissal

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday

7:30 AM*

7:45 AM

3:45 PM

Wednesday

7:30 AM*

7:45 AM

12:30 PM

*Schools have the option to open doors at 7:25 AM. Note: Arrival and dismissal times are subject to change during state testing and for special events and activities.

Table 4 Dismissal: At dismissal, teachers and scholars line up by homeroom class. For safety reasons, teachers must dismiss each scholar individually and check the ID of the adult who is picking up the scholar. Please line up near your child’s class and wait patiently to shake the teacher’s hand before you pick up your child. Please give staff extra time to dismiss during the first couple weeks of school while they’re still getting to know scholars and families.

Late Pickup: Please make sure to pick up your child from school on time. Scholars who are not picked up 10 minutes after dismissal time will receive an infraction. If late pickups become a pattern, school leadership will contact you to schedule a meeting to discuss the reasons for the late pickup and strategies for arriving on time.

After-School Programs: If your child attends an after-school program, you must arrange for an adult with the program to pick up your child and add that person to the school’s pickup list. For safety reasons, scholars cannot be picked up by a car or van service, even if an after-school program operates or provides such transportation services. It is also your responsibility to inform the after-school program about special circumstances such as events, holidays, school closures, early dismissal days, etc.

C. School Closures/Delayed Openings We very rarely close school. Always assume that our schools are open even if NYC DOE schools are not. In the rare event that we close or delay the opening of school, you will receive a telephone call, text message, or email. You can also check the website www.successacademies.org or call the Main Office.

D. School Day Policies Nut Policy: The school is nut-aware. Nut allergies are a medical condition that can cause severe and life-threatening reactions. For the safety of scholars with nut allergies, all snacks and lunches brought to school should not contain nuts.

Junk Food Policy: Success Academy has a strict ban on sugary drinks and junk food. Schools offer scholars a nutritious lunch and snack daily and expect our families to adhere to our nutritional standards. Any candy, soda, and other junk food that students bring to school will be confiscated and thrown away.

Birthday Celebration Policy: All families who wish to celebrate their child’s birthday at school must adhere to these guidelines:

14 SCHOOL DAY INFORMATION

•

Speak to your child’s teacher at least one week in advance to set up a time to celebrate and inform the teacher of what you plan to bring for the celebration.

• Bring one snack or treat for each scholar in the classroom. This treat should be something easy to pass out. Junk food is not permitted.

lifestyles, but we are united in teaching children that part of success is being respectful, kind, and caring citizens. The Scholar Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, and Anti-Bullying Policy (Appendix A) sets forth guidelines for preventing, reporting, and responding to potential acts of harassment, discrimination, and bullying.

Mandatory Accident Packs: All scholars in grades K-2 are required to bring to school an accident pack that includes a pair of underwear, a change of tights for girls, and an extra uniform or outfit. If your child has an accident (e.g., spills, getting sick, bathroom accident) and does not have an accident pack, you will need to bring clean clothes to the school. If your child uses his/her accident pack, please replace the items the next day.

Technology, Internet Safety, and Social Media Acceptable Use Policy: Please ensure that you and your child read and understand the Technology, Internet Safety, and Social Media Acceptable Use Policy (Appendix B). This policy sets forth guidelines and rules for your child’s use of computers, the Internet, and other technological resources available at school.

Lost & Found: Lost and found items will be kept in the Main Office and, if unclaimed, will be donated at the school’s discretion. You are responsible for labeling all of your child’s clothing and teaching your child to keep track of his/her belongings.

Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, and Anti-Bullying Policy: Harassment, discrimination, and bullying are unacceptable in our schools and will not be tolerated. We come from different backgrounds, have different religious beliefs or

Electronics at School: Please note that the school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged cell phones or other personal technology that scholars choose to bring to school. Scholars’ use of personal cell phones during school hours is not permitted Participation in Enrichment or Extracurricular Activities: A scholar’s participation in team sports, competitions, fine arts projects and performances, or other enrichment or extracurricular activities may be temporarily or permanently suspended if the scholar demonstrates that he or she cannot participate safely and responsibly.

15

V. School Culture

16 SCHOOL CULTURE

A. ACTION Values and Building Moral Character In addition to teaching scholars to be good readers, writers, mathematicians, and scientists, we believe they need to be people of high moral character and be self-reflective about their actions. Values start with adults and filter to children: our entire school community lives by our ACTION values. At all

Success Academy schools, respect for others and proper behavior are taught, modeled, expected, and rewarded. Values and good character are a part of our daily instruction. Our ACTION values are more than just slogans on a wall; they are central to who we are.

Grade

Definition

Examples of how parents/guardians can model ACTION values

Agency

To take responsibility for one’s own actions

Addressing issues proactively and constructively.

Curiosity

To always ask questions

Taking an active part in your child’s education by attending family events and monitoring homework.

Try and Try

To always give your best

Ensuring that your child is following our school policies (e.g., in school every day for the whole day, on time, in uniform).

Integrity

To be honest and trustworthy

Treating school staff and community members with respect and honesty.

Others

To be a nice and thoughtful member of one’s community

Participating in school events and field studies. Staying active in the Parent Council. Volunteering when you can.

Attending rallies and hearings to support your scholar and help more families get access to quality schools.

No Shortcuts

To never look for the easy way out

Doing everything that is necessary to help your child achieve success, no matter how difficult the task.

SCHOOL CULTURE 17

B. Respecting Diversity At Success Academy, we believe that mutual respect is at the heart of our school community.

We talk to children about the responsibility we have to ourselves and to each other to do what is right and kind, to be honest and open, to treat others as we wish to be treated. Our principals and teachers and everyone on staff models mutual respect, tolerance, and support for one another.

We believe embracing these values is an essential part of our scholars’ moral character.

Our staff and the families we serve come from different backgrounds, different cultures and different countries. We are socioeconomically and racially diverse. We speak different languages, have different political views, and hold different religious beliefs. Members of our community also differ in their sexual orientation, and this difference is also one that must also be respected.

Respect for every person is a value we hold dear and will defend and insist upon for every member of our community.

Some members of our community hold religious convictions about these matters, and we respect the right to hold those beliefs. However, discrimination is against the law, and it is the policy of Success Academy to respect every member of our community. We do so not just because it’s our legal obligation, but because we believe all people should be treated fairly.

C. Academic Integrity Success Academy takes academic integrity seriously. In general, academic cheating is:

Claiming someone else’s work as your own, including copying a fellow scholar’s work or the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another and the representation of such language/thoughts as original work (plagiarism);

•

Taking an illicit, unfair advantage on work

•

assigned, including through online resources or unauthorized technology; Changing answers when correcting work in class; or •

•

Falsifying school work in any way.

In school, adults talk to children about cheating, and they increase the frequency of this message as kids ascend grades. Teachers explain what behaviors constitute cheating, why cheating is wrong, and what the consequences will be for cheating. Scholars who cheat may face a threeday suspension. This consequence helps not only to dissuade the child from cheating but could also prevent even greater moral misconduct later on in life.

D. Beyond Z

Based on the Dr. Seuss book, On Beyond Zebra, we use this phrase to emphasize that Success Academy scholars, teachers, and parents/guardians should and do go far beyond what is expected.

18 SCHOOL CULTURE

E. Dress Code and Uniforms Our dress code requires that all scholars wear uniforms—no exceptions. Uniforms help maintain a school culture of unity and academic excellence.

We require scholars to wear uniforms in order to eliminate the inevitable distractions and status distinctions caused by clothing and to ensure that our scholars are focused on learning. All scholars must adhere to the dress code guidelines.

[See Tables 5 & 6 ] Uniforms and backpacks are sold through FlynnO’Hara. To find a FlynnO’Hara store near you or to place an order online, go to www.flynnohara. com/school/ny264. You can also call 800-4414122. Remember to write your child’s first and last name with a permanent marker on the tag of all school uniform items.

Girls Uniforms Grades K–4 • Navy pull-on elastic waist pants (K) • Navy flat front pants (Grades 1-4) • Striped web belt (if wearing flat-front pants) • Plaid jumper with SA logo • Orange polo shirt with SA logo (short or long

sleeve). Shirts must always be tucked-in.

• Cardigan sweater with SA logo • Black lycra shorts • Navy opaque tights or navy knee-high socks • Black Success Academy slip-on shoes • L.L. Bean backpack with SA logo • No jewelry, including bracelets, earrings, and

necklaces (except modest religious jewelry, which is permitted) • No makeup or dyed hair

Table 5

Boys Uniforms Kindergarten

Grades 1–4

• Navy pull-on elastic waist pants

• Navy twill pants

• Orange polo with SA logo (short or long sleeve).

• Blue Oxford shirt with SA logo. Shirt must

Shirt must always be tucked-in.

always be tucked-in.

• Navy cardigan sweater with SA logo

• Navy cardigan sweater with SA logo

• Navy crew socks

• Orange tie, which must be worn at the collar;

• Black Success Academy slip-on shoes

not loose.

• L.L. Bean backpack with SA logo

• Striped web belt

• No jewelry, including bracelets, earrings, and

• Navy crew socks

necklaces (except modest religious jewelry, which is permitted)

• Black Success Academy slip-on shoes

• No makeup or dyed hair

• L.L. Bean backpack with SA logo • No jewelry, including bracelets, earrings, and

necklaces (except modest religious jewelry, which is permitted) • No makeup or dyed hair

Table 6

19

VI. Discipline

20 DISCIPLINE

A. Violence and Aggression Our goal is to ensure that all scholars can participate as productively as possible in the classroom.

Therefore, our schools must be safe and orderly.

We cannot allow one child to disrupt the learning environment for all. In order to establish and maintain a school culture that promotes learning and respect for others, we have established a Code of Conduct (pg. 21), which contains a list of possible infractions and potential consequences.

Please keep in mind that the list of infractions and consequences is not exhaustive. School leaders can supplement the Code of Conduct with additional rules as appropriate. In addition, consequences for violations of the Code of Conduct are subject to the discretion of school leadership and may be supplemented and/or adjusted accordingly. A scholar’s prior conduct and his/her disciplinary history may be factors in determining the appropriate consequence for an infraction.

The Code of Conduct will be enforced at all times.

Scholars must adhere to the Code of Conduct when at school, on school grounds, participating in a school-sponsored activity, and on the way to or from school or a school-sponsored activity.

Serious misconduct outside of the school may be considered a school disciplinary offense when the misconduct or the scholar’s continued presence at the school has or would have a significant detrimental effect on the school and/or has created or would create a risk of substantial disruption to the work of the school.

We must ensure that our scholars are safe at all times in our schools. Success Academy does not tolerate aggressive or violent conduct that puts the safety of our scholars or staff in jeopardy.

B. Suspensions and Expulsion Scholars who repeatedly disregard directions, compromise the safety of others, or violate our policies may be suspended.

A short-term suspension refers to the removal of a scholar from the school for disciplinary reasons for a period of five days or fewer. The majority of suspensions at Success Academy are for one day.

A long-term suspension refers to the removal of a scholar for disciplinary reasons for a period of more than five days. Expulsion refers to the permanent removal of scholar from school for disciplinary reasons. In the ten years Success has operated schools, only one child has been expelled.

If your child is suspended, a member of the school leadership team will call to inform you or inform you at dismissal. You will receive a suspension letter when you pick up your child, or within 24 hours. You must make arrangements with the school for mandatory alternative instruction for your child during his/her suspension.

DISCIPLINE 21

C. Code of Conduct LEVEL 1 Infraction •

Scholar is not engaged in learning and not following instructions

•

Calling out an answer

•

Chewing gum or bringing candy to school

•

Minor disrespectful behavior

Range of School Responses, Interventions, & Consequences •

Warning/reprimand by school staff (warnings may be verbal or non-verbal)

•

Scholar is reminded of appropriate behavior and task at hand

Scholar is reminded of what he/she is like at his/her best and of past good behavior

•

Scholar is reminded of past poor decisions and provided with productive alternatives/choices that should be made

•

LEVEL 2 Infraction •

Committing a Level 1 Infraction after intervention

Verbally or physically disrespecting a fellow scholar (which includes, but is not limited to, teasing, name calling, being rude, mocking)

•

• Verbally or physically disrespecting faculty, staff, or other Success Academy community members (includes, but is not limited to, being rude, disobeying instructions)

Using school equipment (e.g., computers, tablets, phones) without permission Bringing electronic equipment to school of any kind without school authorization (which includes, but is not limited to, Game Boys, iPods, headphones, pagers, radios)

• • •

Unauthorized possession or use of a cell phone

•

Failing to follow directions

•

Failing to complete work

•

Being off-task

•

Arriving late to school/class and/or violating school attendance policy

Violating the Dress Code (which may include, but is not limited to, wearing clothes or other items that are unsafe or disruptive to the educational process)

•

Being unprepared for class (which includes, but is not limited to not completing homework)

• •

Failing to obtain required signatures on assignments

• Disrupting class or educational process in any way at any time (which includes, but is not limited to, making excessive noise in a classroom, refusing to work with partners) •

Leaving the recess area during recess without permission from an authorized adult

•

Going to an area within the school building (e.g., other classrooms, the Main Office,

22 DISCIPLINE

stairwells) without permission or at undesignated times •

Getting out of one’s seat without permission at any point during the school day

•

Going to the bathroom without permission or at undesignated times

Making noise in the hallways, in the auditorium, or any general building space without permission

• •

Inappropriate noise levels in lunchroom, gym, and/or during arrival/dismissal

Engaging in unsafe behavior, failing to use recess equipment properly, or failing to follow directions during recess

• •

Excluding classmates in games/activities during recess

•

Littering on school grounds

Range of School Responses, Interventions, & Consequences •

Scholar is reminded of appropriate behavior and task at hand

•

Scholar is given a verbal warning

•

Conversation with principal/school administrator

•

Scholar-Parent-Teacher Conference

•

Scholar-Parent-Administrator Conference

Non-participation in a school activity (which may include, but is not limited to, communal lunch, enrichment or extracurricular activities, sports, school events, or trips)

• •

Verbal or written apology to community

•

Placement in a buddy classroom (a different grade-appropriate classroom in the school)

Other consequences/responses deemed appropriate by school (including, but not limited to, suspension)

•

LEVEL 3 Infractions •

Committing a Level 2 Infraction after intervention

Seriously disrespecting a fellow scholar, faculty, staff, or other Success Academy community member (e.g., using profanity, making racial slurs, or using any foul or discriminatory language)

• •

Disobeying or defying school staff or any school authority/personnel

Using profane, obscene, lewd, abusive, or discriminatory language or gestures in any context (which includes, but is not limited to, slurs based upon race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability)

•

• Posting or distributing inappropriate materials (which includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized materials, defamatory or libelous materials, or threatening materials) •

Violating the school’s Technology, Internet Safety, and Social Media Acceptable Use Policy

•

Forgery

•

Lying or providing false or misleading information to school personnel

Engaging in academic dishonesty (which includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, copying another’s work, or colluding/fraudulent collaboration)

• •

Tampering with school records, documents, or materials

•

Falsely activating a fire alarm or other disaster alarm

DISCIPLINE 23

•

Making threats of any kind

•

Claiming to possess a weapon

• Vandalizing or misusing school property or property belonging to any member of the Success Academy community (which includes, but is not limited to, writing on desks, writing on school books, or damaging property)

Stealing or knowingly possessing property belonging to another person without proper authorization

• •

Throwing, slamming, or pushing classroom materials, doors, furniture, or other objects

•

Engaging in inappropriate or unwanted physical contact

Fighting or engaging in physically aggressive behavior of any kind (which includes, but is not limited to, play fighting, horsing around, shoving, pushing, or any unwanted or aggressive physical contact)

• •

Leaving class, school-related activity, or school premises without school authorization

Repeatedly failing to attend class, school, or any school activity or event and/or repeatedly violating school attendance policy •

Range of School Responses, Interventions, & Consequences •

Conversation with principal/school administrator

•

Loss of classroom/school privileges

Additional assignments that require scholar to reflect on behavior in writing or orally (depending on grade)

• •

Call home to parents/guardians

•

Scholar-Parent-Administrator Conference

Non-participation in a school activity (which may include, but is not limited to, communal lunch, enrichment or extracurricular activities, sports, school events, or trips)

• •

Verbal or written apology to community

Staying after school or coming in on a day when school is not in session (e.g., Saturday or vacation day)

• •

Placement in a buddy classroom (a different grade-appropriate classroom in the school)

•

Suspension

•

Other consequences/responses deemed appropriate by school

•

Expulsion

LEVEL 4 Infractions •

Committing a Level 3 Infraction after intervention

•

Repeated in-school disciplinary actions and/or suspensions

•

Exhibiting blatant and repeated disrespect for school code, policies, community, or culture

Engaging in gang-related behavior (which includes, but is not limited to, wearing gang apparel, or making gestures or signs)

•

Destroying or attempting to destroy school property or property belonging to any member of the Success Academy community

•

24 DISCIPLINE

Engaging or attempting to engage in intimidation, bullying, stalking, harassment, coercion, or extortion

• •

Threatening violence, injury, or harm to others (feigned or real)

Engaging in behavior that creates a substantial risk of or results in injury/assault against any member of the school community

• •

Engaging in sexual, racial, or any other type of harassment

•

Gambling

•

Possessing, selling/sharing, or using alcohol, tobacco, or illegal or controlled substances

•

Participating in an incident of group violence

•

Possessing a weapon or other potentially dangerous item(s)

•

Charged with or convicted of a felony

Range of School Responses, Interventions, & Consequences • •

Conversation with principal/school administrator Loss of classroom/school privileges

Additional assignments that require scholar to reflect on behavior in writing or orally (depending on grade)

• •

Call home to parents/guardians

•

Scholar-Parent-Administrator Conference

Non-participation in a school activity (which may include, but is not limited to, communal lunch, enrichment or extracurricular activities, sports, school events, or trips)

• •

Verbal or written apology to community

Staying after school or coming in on a day when school is not in session (e.g., Saturday or vacation day)

• •

Placement in a buddy classroom (a different grade-appropriate classroom in the school)

•

Suspension

•

Other consequences/responses deemed appropriate by school

•

Expulsion

25

Appendices

26 APPENDIX A

Appendix A Success Academy Charter Schools Scholar Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, and AntiBullying Policy All scholars should feel safe and welcome at school. We have a zero tolerance policy against acts of harassment, discrimination, or bullying.

This includes behaviors that take place outside of school if they harm others or disrupt scholars’ education.

We are all responsible for stopping harassment, discrimination, and bullying before and when they happen.

Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying

would want to be treated. It is never okay to engage in harassing, bullying, or discriminatory conduct.

You are responsible for your own actions, even if everyone else is acting in an inappropriate manner.

While you don’t have to be friends with every single scholar at school, you do have to be respectful at all times.

Reporting Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying

Harassment, discrimination, and bullying can be behaviors that are physical, verbal, social, and/or cyber (Internet). Here are examples of harassing or bullying behaviors when targeted and repeated:

Tell your teacher, the school’s Dignity Act Coordinator, a leader, or another adult (including a parent/guardian) right away if you believe you are being harassed, discriminated against, or bullied, or if you believe someone else is. The school’s principal will make sure the school investigates and puts a stop to any harassment, discrimination, and bullying. Parents/guardians may also report potential acts of harassment, discrimination, or bullying to teachers and administrators. Reports may be made orally or in writing.

Physical: Hitting, kicking, pinching, pushing, or damaging/forcibly taking others’ property.

Suspension and Expulsion

Verbal: Name-calling, put-downs, making threats, teasing, or spreading harmful rumors.

Scholars may be disciplined (including suspension, expulsion, and/or other consequence) for violating this policy.

Social: Deliberately harming another scholar’s friendships or relationships.

No Retaliation

Cyber (Internet): Sending text messages, pictures, or emails that hurt or embarrass others.

There will be no retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports or assists in the investigation of potential acts of harassment, discrimination, or bullying.

In general, bullying: • • • •

is targeted and repeated; involves a power imbalance; creates a hostile environment; and has substantial negative consequences.

Preventing Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying Respect toward others is one of our most important principles. You should always treat others as you

APPENDIX B 27

Appendix B Success Academy Charter Schools Scholar Technology, Internet Safety, and Social Media Acceptable Use Policy Technology can be a great learning tool. However, scholars should use technology safely and responsibly.

By “technology” we mean computers, tablets, phones, mobile devices, the Internet, social media (which includes Facebook, Twitter, and others), blogs, email, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communication.

“Technology” also includes educational websites and applications that scholars use for educational purposes.

This policy covers the use of ANY technology (not just technology owned by the school), including off-campus use, which could disrupt the school or scholars’ education and/or interfere with others’ rights. This policy is meant to be representative, and does NOT cover every single situation.

Be Safe Never share information about yourself or pictures with strangers.

• If you meet someone online, do not meet in person.

• If someone sends you a message that makes you feel uncomfortable, tell your parents or a teacher right away.

•

Be Appropriate Be polite, kind, and respectful. It’s okay to dis agree with others’ views, but do so respectfully.

• Bullying, including cyberbullying, inappropriate language, harassment, and discrimination will not be tolerated. It is not acceptable to be mean, make fun of, embarrass, or pick on others. You also cannot curse or use other language online that you would not be able to use at school.

• Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want friends, parents, teachers, college admissions officers, or a future employer to see! (Even if you think •

your site is private, it’s probably not—people can view and share what you post, now and far into the future.)

• Don’t “friend” your teachers or other Success Academy staff online.

• Don’t view, send, or post messages or pictures that would be inappropriate for school, would harm another person, and/or would disrupt school.

• Respect others’ privacy.

• Don’t “hack” or access computers or websites without permission.

• Don’t pretend you are someone else or use someone else’s identity online.

• Do your own work. Don’t plagiarize (presenting others’ ideas or writings as your own).

Be Responsible YOU are responsible for YOUR online conduct.

Don’t copy or download books, music, movies, pictures, or anything else without the owner’s permission.

• Don’t gamble or engage in illegal activity online.

• If you are unsure whether something violates this policy, ask your teacher.

• If someone violates this policy, report the violation immediately to a teacher.

•

•

Keeping Our School Community Safe For the safety of our school community and to comply with federal law, we will: Teach you how to be safe on the Internet.

Instruction will cover how to have appropriate online behavior (including on social networking sites and in chat rooms) and how to avoid and address cyberbullying; • Monitor the use of our technology at all times; and • To the extent practical, use filtering software that blocks inappropriate content and/or websites deemed to be obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors.

•

If you violate this policy, you may lose technology privileges or be subject to other disciplinary consequences.