Discipline Agreement, Campus Policy, SART/SARB Policy and Dress Code Policy

Discipline Agreement, Campus Policy, SART/SARB Policy and Dress Code Policy

DISCIPLINE AGREEMENT

We here at ASA Charter School are dedicated to making school a safe learning environment. ASA Charter School strives to provide the best education possible for our students. In conjunction with this goal, we have created policies to prevent distractions and keepour students safe.

Code of Conduct and Behavior at ASA Charter School is available in your Student Handbook. If there are any questions, by student or by a parent or guardian, please do not hesitate to contact us to clarify.

IMPORTANT: Electronic devices including cell phones, tablets, video games, ipods, etc. are an attractive nuisance and are NOT ALLOWED ON CAMPUS as they are disruptive to the learning environment. Should parents allow students to bring electronic devices to school in spite of this policy, ASA Charter School is not responsible for any, lost, or stolen items.

Examples of possible violations and punishments would include:

 - A student caught using a cell phone during school hours would expect confiscation of the cell phone and loss of recess or detention. The student would be able to retrieve the cell phone at the end of the day from the front office. Repeated violations of this policy would require the parent to come into the office to retrieve the cell phone.
 - A student failing to report to their assigned class (i.e.; ditching) would be assigned Saturday School. Repeated violations would result in suspension and the possibility of being placed on Attendance Probation or a Behavior Contract.
 - A student fighting on ASA Campus would expect suspension. A parent meeting would be requested before the student can return to school. Extreme circumstances or repeat offenses would result in the recommendation of expulsion.

Students who do not maintain expected academic standards and/or repeatedly violate the rules at ASA Charter School may be subject to Academic Probation or a Behavior Contract. Once on Probation or Contract, the student will be subject to weekly grade checks and mandatory after-school tutoring. For further information regarding Academic Probation and other consequences of violating ASA Charter School’s academic and behavioral standards, please refer to your student handbook. Failure to follow the guidelines of a behavior contract may result in recommendation of expulsion.

I understand that the policies and procedures set forth are for purposes of information only. I further understand that these policies can be amended or modified in writing by authorized management personnel at any time, with or without prior notice. By signing this agreement, I the undersigned agree that I have read this agreement and understand the ASA Charter School’s philosophy and program.

CAMPUS POLICIES

ASA Charter School is committed to the safety of our students and staff before and after operating hours. As such, a closed campus policy is in effect to limit access to the classrooms and common areas. The Front Office Staff will enforce these policies with the assistance of the administrative staff and security.

These policies are no different from those in place at district schools. Your signature below indicates that you have read and understand the policies listed below.

- Requests to meet with a teacher or visit a classroom must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
- Visitors will only be allowed into the classroom they have requested to visit while on campus.
- There is no admittance behind the counter without an appointment.
- As this is a closed campus, there are no public restrooms available.
- Visitors may only enter through the main entrance located on 35th Street.
- Under no circumstances are students permitted to have guests or bring younger children or babies onto campus       during the school day.
- Unauthorized visitors are considered to be loitering and are in violation of Penal Code 653g. “Loiter” means to delay, to linger, or to idle about any school without lawful business for being present.
- Visitors who violate campus policies will be required to leave.
- In the event that a visitor is abusive, appropriate action from the school will follow including, but not limited to, a temporary ban from campus to the filing of a restraining order with the San Bernardino Police Department.

DRESS CODE POLICY

Students shall wear appropriate clothing and footwear and groom themselves for school in a manner which does not offend the rules of decency or reflect negatively on or distract from any phase of the educational program. A student may not remain at school dressed in a manner in which his/her clothing or lack of clothing creates a safety hazard of said student or for other students at school, and/or when the dress constitutes a serious and unnecessary distraction to the learning process or tends to disrupt campus order.

Students and parents need to know the following dress code guidelines. When a student’s dress is found to be in violation of the guidelines, that student will be required to modify his/her apparel, or the student may be sent home to change. Any student that is out of compliance with the dress code will be required to modify his/her apparel and have their parent notified of the violation. If a student refuses to modify their apparel and a parent is unable to provide the child with a change of clothes, the student will be suspended.

The school administration’s decision regarding any attire related to the established dress code guidelines will prevail absolutely.
1. The administration prohibits the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, notebook, trademark, graffiti, or any other attribute, which denotes membership in a gang, crew, or group. It is the responsibility of the individual to make sure that students are free from the threats or harmful influence of any groups or gangs, which advocate substance use, disruptive behavior, or violence. The school administration’s decision regarding any attire related to the established dress guidelines will prevail absolutely. Examples include, but are not limited to the following: Initial belt buckles, bandanas, hair nets, jackets, or other clothing with signs of insignias of gang membership, and sagging pants down lower than the waistline.
2. The wearing of hats or caps of any kind by any student is prohibited on campus before school, during school, and after school. The wearing of hats or caps of any kind by any student is prohibited on campus before school, during school, and after school. This includes beanies, hoodies, and berets. Worn hats are subject to confiscation. Repeated violations of this policy would require the parent to come into the office to retrieve the hat. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CONFISCATED ITEMS.
3. Recreation or revealing clothing such as swimsuit tops, beach wear, tank tops, deep armholes, ripped pants that reveal bare skin more than two inches above the knee, bare midriffs (defined as any bare part of the bare skin showing between the waistline and the top garment), backless, tube, sheer, net tops, and plunging necklines are not appropriate. A jacket or cover-up to conceal brief clothing that reveals bras or bare midriffs is not acceptable.
4. Skirts and Shorts should extend beyond a student’s fingertips when their arms are extended to their sides. Leggings may be worn under skirts and shorts but form-fitting and see-through leggings worn as pants are not allowed.
5. Garments with statements which are profane, obscene, or which suggest obscenity and garments with slogans, or pictures promoting violence, use of drugs, sex, alcohol, and substance use will not be allowed.
6. Sleeveless undershirts worn as an outside garment are inappropriate.
7. Chains on wallets, belts, or other parts of the student’s clothing are not allowed.
8. Sunglasses may be worn outside only.
9. Apparel with emblems, printing, etc., that creates animosity between groups and/or individuals is inappropriate.
10. Backless shoes, such as flip-flops and slip-on sandals, steel-toed shoes, slippers, or other casual footwear are not allowed. Closed- toe, closed heel shoes are the only acceptable footwear on campus.

In case of questionable dress, not covered in the guidelines listed above, the student will be counseled, and a parent or guardian will be contacted. The student must modify their clothing if it is inappropriate for school. If a student refuses to modify their clothing and a parent will not provide the child with a change of clothes, the student will be suspended.

SART/SARB POLICY

One of our goals at ASA Charter School is to provide every student with a quality education that will equip them for entry into the world of work and for post-secondary education. In order to accomplish this, students must participate fully in ASA’s educational program. Therefore, ASA will support and enforce the California compulsory education laws. Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year ASA Charter School will adopt the SBCUSD’s tiered support for Regular Attendance through the Student Attendance Review Team and Student Attendance Review Board program. The SART and SARB process covers excused and unexcused absences as well as late arrivals and early excusals.

Excused Absences: Examples of Excused absences are illness, doctor/dentist appointments, observance of religious holidays, bereavement, court appearances, and college visitations per the California Education Code.

Unexcused Absences: Examples of unexcused absences include oversleeping, car trouble, driver’s test, out of- town visitors, weddings, missed the bus, personal/business reasons, out of gas, and traffic citations.

ASA Charter School will hold students responsible for maintaining regular attendance. Parents of students failing to meet the regular attendance requirements are subject to infractions and/or fines levied by the SARB. The tiered process is as follows:
Elementary
Tier 1 – 3 unexcused absences/5 excused absences: Truancy letter/Excessive absences letter
Tier 2 – 6 unexcused absences/10 excused absences: Second letter, SART Meeting, home visit
Tier 3 – 10 unexcused absences/15 excused absences: Student name submitted to Youth Services, student and parent attend mandatory SARB hearing
Tier 4 – 20 unexcused absences/25 excused absences: Request approval by Youth Services Attendance to request a citation
Middle School
Tier 1 – 3 unexcused absences/10 excused absences: Truancy letter/Excessive absences letter
Tier 2 – 6 unexcused absences/15 excused absences: Second letter, SART Meeting, home visit
Tier 3 – 15 unexcused absences/20 excused absences: Student name submitted to Youth Services, student and parent attend mandatory SARB hearing
Tier 4 – 25 unexcused absences/30 excused absences: Request approval by Youth Services Attendance to request a citation
High School
Tier 1 – 3 unexcused absences/10 excused absences: Truancy letter/Excessive absences letter
Tier 2 – 6 unexcused absences/15 excused absences: Second letter, SART Meeting, home visit
Tier 3 – 15 unexcused absences/20 excused absences: Student name submitted to Youth Services, student and parent attend mandatory SARB meeting
Tier 4 – 20 unexcused absences/25 excused absences: Student name submitted to Youth Services, student and parent attend mandatory second SARB hearing
Tier 5 - 30 unexcused absences/35 excused absences: Request approval by Youth Services Attendance to request a citation

Assignments:  We understand that according to the charter school policy for grades 9th through 12th , the maximum length of time allowed between the assignment and the date the assignment is due is  10 Days. After 20 missed assignments, an evaluation will be made to determine whether independent study is an appropriate strategy for this student.

The SART/SARB program works in accordance with the following California Educational Codes:
Ed. Code 48200 – Each person between the ages of 6-18, not otherwise exempted, is subject to compulsory full-time education.
Ed. Code 48260 – Any pupil subject to compulsory, full time education or to compulsory continuation education who is absent from school without a valid excuse three full days in one school year or tardy or absent more than any thirty (30) minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one (1) school year, or any combination thereof, is a truant and shall be reported to the attendance supervisor or to the superintendent of the school district.
Ed. Code 48293 – Any parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of any pupil who fails to comply with compulsory education laws may be guilty of an infraction and/or fine.