Post on 05-Mar-2023
TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolStudent-Parent Handbook
2019-2020 “AsaCOMMUNITYweRISE”
School’sPhoneNumber901-261-6366
Websitewww.soulsvillecharterschool.org
School’sFaxNumber901.261-6398
Thomas Upchurch Middle School Director
Nadia Barnard Dean of Students
Kalli Harrell Dean of Curriculum
George Parker Dean of Students
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ThisSoulsvilleCharterSchool
Parent-StudentHandbookisthepropertyof:
______________________________________________________ Student’sNamePrinted
______________________________________________________ Student’sSignature
______________________________________________________ Parent’s/GuardianNamePrinted
______________________________________________________ Parent’s/GuardianSignature
ThecontentsofthishandbookwillbeusedasaguideforunderstandingSoulsvilleCharterSchool’scommitmenttoyouandyourstudent.Italsoexplainstherulesandproceduresthatwillbefollowedbyyouandyourchildto
showyourcommitmenttoexcellenceandtoourmission.
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Disclaimer:TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolreservestherighttochangeanyofthecontentscontainedinthishandbook.
TableofContents
I.COMMITMENTTOEXCELLENCEAGREEMENT2018-2019……………………………………………………………….…4
II.LETTERFROMSOULSVILLE……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
III.MISSIONSTATEMENTANDCOREVALUES……………………………………………………………………………………...6➔ MissionStatement –p.6➔ CoreValues –p.6➔ StanceofDiversity,Tolerance,andCommunity –p.6➔ SoulsvilleCreed –p.6➔ OurNickname:TheSoulsvilleRevolution –p.6➔ OurMascot:TheTornado –p.6
IV.ACADEMICS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....7 ➔ GradingPeriods2019-2020 –p.7 ➔ Promotion/Retention –p.7 ➔ Grades –p.7 ➔ CalculatingYourGradePointAverage(GPA) –p.7 ➔ Principal’sList,Dean’sList,HonorRoll,andPerfectAttendance –p.8 ➔ WeeklyReports,ProgressReportsandReportCards –p.8 ➔ StudyRequirements –p.8 ➔ GradeLevelStateAssessments –p.8 ➔ Tutoring –p.9 ➔ HomeworkPolicyandInterventions –p.9
V.ACADEMICCONDUCT……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10➔ Plagiarism –p.10 ➔ Cheating –p.10 ➔ HonorCode –p.11 ➔ AcademicReferrals –p.11
VI.CODEOFCONDUCT……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….12 ➔ Grammys –p.12 ➔ GoldandPlatinumStudents –p.13 ➔ WeeklyGrammy&AcademicReport –p.13 ➔ GeneralBehavioralExpectations –p.14 ➔ Rewards –p.17 ➔ ReferralProcess –p.18 ➔ Detention –p.18 ➔ Suspensions –p.19 ➔ Harassment,Intimidation,BullyingorCyber-bullying –p.20 ➔ ReportinganIncident –p.20
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➔ Zero-ToleranceIssues –p.23 ➔ RandomStudentSearches –p.23 ➔ UsingCampusPhones/MainOfficeAccess –p.23 ➔ StudentProtocolTipsforHandlingProblems –p.23
VII.ATTENDANCEANDTARDYPOLICY………………………………………………………………………………………………………..25 ➔ Attendance –p.25 ➔ Absences –p.25 ➔ AbsenceExcuseNotes –p.25 ➔ Tardiness –p.26 ➔ OfficeProcedurewhenTardyorAbsent –p.26 ➔ CheckingStudentsOut –p.26
VIII.UNIFORMS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….27 ➔ MiddleSchoolUniformPolicy–p.28 ➔ UniformViolations –p.29 ➔ SpecialEventsDressCode –p.29
IX.CELLPHONEPOLICY……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….30 X.STUDENTMATERIALSANDRESOURCES………………………………………………………………………………………………….31
➔ TSCSBinders –p.31 ➔ ComputersandElectronicDevices –p.31 ➔ LibraryExpectations –p.31 ➔ Lockers –p.31
XI.SOCIALNETWORKING……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………32 XII.FOODITEMS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………33 XIII.SOULSVILLEPASSPORT………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..34 XIV.STUDENTDAILYCHECKLIST………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….35
➔ ArrivalProcedures –p.35 ➔ DismissalProcedures –p.35 ➔ AfterCareProgram –p.37
XV.INCLEMENTWEATHERPOLICY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………38 XVI.PARENT’SCORNER………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………39
● FamilyEngagementPlan –p.39 ● KeepingupwithyourStudent’sGrades –p.40 ● TipsforhowtoSupportyourChild’sEducation –p.40 ● ConversationStarters–p.41
XVII.FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONSANDANSWERS……………………………………………………………………………….42 XVIII.TSCSMIDDLESCHOOLSTAFFDIRECTORY…………………………………………………………………………………………..43
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XIV.REASONFORABSENCEFORMS……………………………………………………………………………………………………..44-45
I.THESOULSVILLECHARTERSCHOOL
COMMITMENTTOEXCELLENCEAGREEMENT2019-2020SchoolYear
STUDENT’SCOMMITMENT:IfullycommittoTheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolinthefollowingways: IwillarriveatschoolpreparedtolearneverydayandbeseatedinCommunityBase(CB)by7:40a.m.(Mon.–Fri.). Iwillremainatschooleverydayuntil3:00p.m.(Mon.–Thurs.),2:15p.m.(Fri.). Iwillseekoutandattendtutoringsessionswhenneeded. IwillcompletemyrequiredSummerGrowthExperience(SGE). Iwillalwayswork,think,andbehaveinthebestwayIknowhowbecauseIknowthathardworkandpersonaldisciplineleadtosuccess. IwillaskmyteachersforhelpifIamunsureoftheproperwaytohandleasituation. IwillalwayslistentoothersandgivethemmyrespectasIexpectthemtorespectme. IwillfollowTheSoulsvilleCharterSchooldresscode. Iamresponsibleformyownbehavior.FailuretoadheretothesecommitmentscancausemetolosevariousprivilegesandcanleadtomyremovalfromTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool.
X________________________________________X________________________________________ Parent’s/Guardian’sSignature Parent’s/Guardian’sSignature
PARENTS’/GUARDIANS’COMMITMENT:WefullycommittoTheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolinthefollowingways: WewillmakesureourchildarrivesatschoolpreparedtolearneverydayandbeseatedinCommunityBase(CB)by7:40a.m.(Mon.-Fri.). Wewillmakearrangementsforourchildtoremainatschooleverydayuntil3:00p.m.(Mon.–Thurs.),2:15p.m.(Fri.). Wewillensurethatourchildseeksoutandattendstutoringwhenneeded. Wewillmakesurethatourchildsuccessfullyfulfillshis/herSummerGrowthExperience(SGE). Wewillalwaysbecommittedtoourchild’seducationandhelphim/herinanywaypossible.Thismeansthatwewillmakesureourchildreads everynightandcompletesallassignedhomework. Wewillengageinrespectfuldialoguewithourchild’steachersandschooldirector.
Wewillallowourchildtogoonschoolfieldtrips. WewillmakesureourchildfollowsTheSoulsvilleCharterSchooldresscode. Weareresponsibleformakingsurethatourchildfollowsschoolrulessoastorespecttherightsofallstudentstolearn. Wewillnotifytheschoolifouraddressand/ortelephonenumberchanges.Failuretoadheretothesecommitmentscancausemychildtolosevariousprivilegesandcanleadtomychild’sremovalfromTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool.
X________________________________________X________________________________________ Parent’s/Guardian’sSignature Parent’s/Guardian’sSignature
THESOULSVILLECHARTERSCHOOL’SCOMMITMENT:TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolstaffcommittothefollowing: Wewillprovidearigorouscollegepreparatorycurriculumwithinahighlystructuredlearningenvironment. Wewillprovidelearningexperiencesofthehighestqualityeveryday. Wewillenthusiasticallyprovideextendeddayandextendedyearlearningopportunitiesforourstudents. Wewillprovideconsistentaccesstotutoring. Wewillmodelhardworkandpersonaldisciplineandwillexpectthesamefromourstudents. Wewillalwaysbeopentorespectfuldialoguewithstudents,parents,andcommunitymembers. Wewillholdparentandteacherconferencesatleastannuallytodiscusstheschool-parentcompactasitrelatestoyourchild’sachievement. Wewillgivefrequentstudentprogressreportstotheparents. Wewillgiveparentsreasonableaccesstostaffandtovolunteer,participate,andobserveintheirchild’sclass.
Wewillalwaysprotectthesafety,interestsandrightsofallstudents.
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Wewillsupporttheacademicandsocialgrowthofallstudents.FailuretoadheretothesecommitmentscanleadtoremovalofstafffromTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool.
II.LETTERFROMSOULSVILLE DearParents/GuardiansandStudents,ItgivesusgreatpleasuretowelcomeyouintotheSoulsvillefamily.Notonlyhaveyoujoinedanextendedfamily,youhavejoinedaCOMMUNITYofsupporterswhobelieveinyoureducationandyoursuccess.Weareconfidentthatyouwillleavethisschoolequippedwithastrongeducationthatwillallowyoutogoontoandgraduatefromcompetitivecollegesandbesuccessfulinlife.Youwillalsobeequippedwithawealthofresourcesthatwillhelpyoutothriveinanyprofessionalenvironment.Thenumberonegoalofourschoolisacademicexcellence.TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolisfoundeduponthenotionofhighstandards,highquality,andhighexpectations.Wewantstudentstocometoschoolwithanunquenchablethirstforknowledgeandself-improvement,aloveoflearning,andthehearttonotonlylead,butalsoserve.IfwesupporteachotherthroughRESPECT,INTEGRITY,SCHOLARSHIP,andEMPATHY,thereisnolimittowhatourCOMMUNITYcando.Althoughweareasmallschool,wearedoingsomeveryBIGthings.Someofthesehighlightsinclude:
➢ Partnershipswithprestigiouscity-wideorganizations:
○ MemphisChallenge,TopTeensofAmerica,MemphisAmbassadors,BridgeBuilders,PeerPower,MemphisPrep
Program,GirlsConfidenceCoalition,FutureBuilders,LeadershipMemphis,StaxMusicAcademy,MemphisSymphony
Orchestra,MemphisGrizzlies,ROX,andFacingHistoryandOurselves,CrosstownArts,andMemphisAthletic
Ministries(MAM).
➢ 100%Collegeacceptanceto2-and4-yearcollegesanduniversitiesfortheClassof2012withatotalof3.8millioningrantsand
scholarships
➢ 100%Collegeacceptanceto4-yearcollegesanduniversitiesfortheClassof2013withatotalof9.6millioningrantsand
scholarships
➢ 100%Collegeacceptanceto4-yearcollegesanduniversitiesfortheClassof2014withatotalof$10.4millioningrantsand
scholarships
➢ 100%Collegeacceptanceto2-and4-yearcollegesanduniversitiesfortheClassof2015withatotalof$30millioningrants
andscholarships
➢ 100%collegeacceptanceto4-yearcollegesanduniversitiesfortheClassof2016withatotalof12milliondollarsingrantsand
scholarships.
➢ 100%acceptanceto2-and4-yearcollegesanduniversitiesfortheclassof2017withatotalof11.8milliondollarsingrantsand
scholarships.
➢ 100%collegeacceptanceto4-yearcollegesanduniversitiesfortheClassof2018withatotalof11.8milliondollarsingrantsandscholarships.
➢ 100%collegeacceptanceto4-yearcollegesanduniversitiesfortheClassof2019withatotalof4,340,316milliondollarsingrantsandscholarships.
➢ InSpringof2015,TSCSwasrecognizedasoneofthe“BestHighSchools”inthecountrybyUSNewsandWorldReport➢ TSCSstudentsperformedformusiclegendslikeStevieWonderandJohnLegend
➢ TSCSwasfeaturedontheTODAYShow,MSNBC’s“MorningJoe,”andotherbroadcasts
➢ TSCSMiddleSchoolwastheonlyMSinMemphistobevisitedbytheC-Spanbus
➢ InSpringof2015,TSCSwasawardedfirstplaceforMiddleSchoolsinWestTennesseeforGainsinAchievement
➢ InFallof2015TSCSwontheSCOREprize,recognizingusasthetopHighSchoolinthestate
➢ Variouscommunityserviceprojects
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Withyourcommitmenttotheschool’smissionwecanaccomplishevenmore.Thereisnodoubtthatwearegoingtohaveanawesomeyear!
~TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolFamily
III.MISSIONSTATEMENTANDCOREVALUES THESOULSVILLECHARTERSCHOOL’SMISSIONSTATEMENT TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolwillpreparestudentsforsuccessincollegeandlifeinanacademicallyrigorous,music-richenvironment. COREVALUESOFTSCS ThecorevaluesarethevalueswewantallstudentstoembodyastheyseeksuccessattheSoulsvilleCharterSchool.Webelievethesecorevaluesarethekeyingredientsforsuccessinacademicsandinlife. OurcorevaluesareCommunity,Respect,Integrity,Scholarship,andEmpathy.Webelieve,“AsaCommunity,weRISE”(Respect,Integrity,Scholarship,andEmpathy). Thisphraseispowerfulbecauseitsymbolizeswhatourstudentswilldoastheygothroughtheirjourneyhere.Theywill…
● RISEtoanychallengetheyface. ● RISEabovenegativityandbadinfluences. ● RISEasgraduatesofhighschoolandcollege. ● RISEasleadersintheirschool,community,andsociety. ● RISEasanewgenerationofmoralindividualswhowanttoimprovelifeforothers. ● RISEastherolemodelstowhomotherscanaspire.
STANCEONDIVERSITY,TOLERANCE,ANDCOMMUNITY TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolrespectsallaspectsofanindividualincludingrace,ethnicity,genderexpression,sexualorientation,socio-economicbackground,age,religion,andability.Wevaluediversityandwelcomedifferences.AsaCommunity,wewillrespectandprotecttherightsofallstudentstolearnandtofeelsafe.Bullying,harassment,intimidation,andanyotheractivitiesthatmakemembersofourCommunityfeelunsafeorunwelcome,willnotbetolerated.
SOULSVILLECREED ThefollowingisourSoulsvilleCreed.ItisrecitedeverymorningintheCommunityBasetoshowourprideinourschool. AsaCommunity,weRISE. WeareaCOMMUNITYbecauseweneedeachother. WeshowRESPECTbecauseweholdothersinhighregard. WehaveINTEGRITYbecauseit’sright. WeareSCHOLARSbecauseourfuturedependsonit. WehaveEMPATHYbecausewecarehowothersfeel. AsaCommunity,weRISE. OURNICKNAME:THESOULSVILLEREVOLUTION WeareaforcerisingupagainstordinaryexpectationsandthestatusquoofpubliceducationinMemphis.
OURMASCOT:THETORNADO WewillpositivelydestroyanybarriersthatstandinthewayofoursuccessincollegeandlifebyRISE-ingasaCommunityandovercomingadversity.
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IV.ACADEMICS
GRADINGPERIODS2018-2019
GradingPeriod ReportCardIssued ● Quarter1:August12-October11 ● Friday,October25,2019
● Quarter2:October21-December20 ● Friday,January10,2020
● Quarter3:January6-March13 ● Friday,March27,2020
● Quarter4:March23-May22 ● Friday,May29,2020
PROMOTION/RETENTION Promotionshallbebasedonsuccessfulcompletionofcoreacademicclasses,aswellasskillmastery.Itshallbeconsideredonthebasisofwhatisbestforthechildintermsofschoolsuccess. Retentionisusedtohelpstudentsimprovetheirknowledgebasebyprovidinganadditionalyearofinstructiontoaddressinadequateskillsmastery.Retentionwillbeconsideredonanindividualbasis.Deficienciesinseveralofthefactorstobeconsideredindecidingwhatisbestforthestudentthatarelistedaboveindicatethatretentionshallbeconsidered.
GRADES Gradesareaveryimportantaspectofacademicexcellence.Bothstudentsandparentsshouldconstantlybeawareofgradesineachsubjectandlookforwaystoimprove.
GradingScale NumericalValuefor
GPA GPAPoints
A 93-100 4B 85-92 3C 75-84 2D 65-75 1F 0-64 0
CALCULATINGYOURGRADEPOINTAVERAGE(GPA) 1. Giveeachofyourfinalcoursegradesanumericalvalueaccordingtothetableonthepreviouspage.2. Taketheaverageofthesenumericalvalues.Forexample,ifyoutookfivecourses,youshouldaddallofthevalues
togetheranddividebyfive.➔ Example:
NumericalGrade LetterGrade GPAPoints Average=FinalGPA
76 C 2.33 2.33+4.33+3.67+4+2 5
=3.27
95 A 4.33
88 B+ 3.67
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93 A- 4
72 C- 2
PRINCIPAL’SLIST,DEAN’SLIST,HONORROLL,ANDPERFECTATTENDANCE Inordertogetthesehonors,studentsmusthaveallE’sandS’sinconductandmeetthefollowingcriteria:
● ExecutiveAward-AllA’sandPerfectAttendancefortheentireschoolyear
● Principal's’List-AllA’s
● Dean’sList-TwoB’sorfewer(therestofthegradesmustbeA’s)
● HonorRoll-A’sandB’s(morethantwoB’s,andtherestA’s)
● PerfectAttendance–Mustbepresentandontimeeverydayinanacademicterm
WEEKLYREPORTS,PROGRESSREPORTS,ANDREPORTCARDS WeeklyReports(academicsandconduct)aresenthomeeachMonday.TheWeeklyReflectionsheet,shouldbecompletedbythestudentandsignedbytheparent.ThissheetisduebackonTuesdaymorninginCommunityBaseandisworth2Grammys.Thesereportsarefilledwithvitalinformationaboutyourstudent’sprogress.Eachweek,youshouldexpecttoreceiveastapledpacketcontainingyourstudent’sgrades,missingwork,behavior,readingprogress,andtheWeeklyReflection.YourstudentisrequiredtocompletethisWeeklyReflection,haveitreviewedandsignedbyaparent,andreturnittoschoolthenextmorning.TheWeeklyReflectionistheonlypageyouneedtoreturn. ExamplesoftheWeeklyReportareincludedatthebackofthishandbook.Asareminder,theWeeklyReflection,whichisthefirstpageofthereport,istheonlyportionthatneedstobesignedandreturnedonTuesdays. QuarterlyProgressReportsaresenthomewithstudentsmid-Quarter. ReportCardsareavailableforpickupattheendofeachquarter.Inordertogetthestudent’sreportcards,parentsMUSTcometotheschoolonReportCarddaystopickthemup.Pleaseseetheschoolcalendarforthesedates.OnReportCarddays,parentswillgetadditionalreportsofstudentprogressonpractice-standardizedtests.Thelastreportcardwillbemailedhome.Alloutstandingfeeswillneedtobepaidbeforereportcardsarereleased.
STUDYREQUIREMENTS Inordertobeacademicallystrong,goodstudentsmustdevotetimetolearningandstudyingatschoolandathome.
GradeLevel MinimumStudyHoursandHomeworkTimeRequired 6thgrade 1hourpernight 7thgrade 1.5hourspernight 8thgrade 1.5hourspernight
GRADELEVELSTATEASSESSMENTS Allmiddleschoolstudents,grades6-8,takeTNReadyassessmentsinmath,English-LanguageArts,socialstudies,andscience.ResultsofstatetestingarecommunicatedviathestateofTennessee.TopreparefortheseassessmentsallstudentstakeSoulsvilleScholarInterimAssessments(SSIAs)threetimesayear.SoulsvillewillcommunicateresultsofSSIAstofamiliesinWeeklyReports. StudentsalsotakeNWEAreadingassessmentsatvariouspointsthroughouttheyearinordertogaugeprogressinindividualreadinglevels.SoulsvillewillcommunicateNWEAreadingassessmentdatathroughouttheyearinWeeklyReports.
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TUTORING
Teachersscheduletimeoutsideofclasstomeetwithstudents.Thesearecalledtutoring.Tutoringhoursaretimeswhenastudentcanmeetwiththeirteachertodiscussthematerialbeingpresentedinclass.Course-relateddiscussionsincludeaskingforextrahelp,seekingclarificationofmaterialpresentedinclassandfollowinguponaspectsoftheclassyoufindcompelling.
Mostteachersdonotrequirethatstudentsattendtutoringsessions.Theyexpectstudentstodecideforthemselveswhentheyneedorwanttoparticipate.Teachersusuallyannouncetheirtutoringsessionsonthefirstdayofclassand/orprintthemontheircoursesyllabus
Mostteachersdonothavelessonsplannedfortutoringsessions.Theyexpectstudentsto“drive”thesemeetingswiththeirquestionsandtheirthoughts.Agoodwaytopreparefortutoringsessionsistoattemptyourhomeworkandreviewyournotesfromclassandfromreadingsandidentifyasclearlyasyoucanwhatyoudonotunderstand.
Donotbesurprisedwhentheteachersrepliestoyourquestionswithquestionsoftheirown.Theyareworkingwithyoutouncoverthesourceofyourquestions.Oftentheywillaskstudentstoshowthemtheirworkandwheretheygotstuck.Theymayaskyoutoexplainwhatyouwerethinkingasyoumovedfromsteptostep.Theymayaskyoutogeneratealternativewaystosolveaproblem.Hopefullytheywillhelpyouchangehowyouthinkaboutthematerialsothatyoucananswermanydifferentkindsofquestionsaboutit-notjustaquestiononthehomeworkthatisstumpingyou.Don’tbesurprisediftheyaskyoutosolveanotherproblembeforeyouleavetheoffice.
HOMEWORKPOLICYANDINTERVENTIONS Studentsareexpectedtocompleteassignedhomeworkeachnight.Teacherswillcommunicatespecificexpectationsforturninginhomework.Teacherswillalsoassign10%deductionswhenassignmentsareturnedinlate,andnolateassignmentswillbeacceptedafter2weeksfromtheoriginalduedate. Allhomeworkassignedbyteacherswillbeplacedinthestudent’shomeworkfolder.Oncecollecteditwillbegradedbasedonaccuracyand/orcompletion.Assignmentsthatdonotmeettheseexpectationswillbesubjecttoavarietyofinterventionsincluding,butnotlimitedto,teachersindividualtutoringsession,afterschooldetentions,and/oraCommitmenttoExcellencereviewmeeting.
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V.ACADEMICCONDUCT
PLAGIARISM Manypeoplethinkofplagiarismascopyinganother'swork,orborrowingsomeoneelse'soriginalideas.Buttermslike"copying"and"borrowing"candisguisetheseriousnessoftheoffense:
AccordingtotheMerriam-WebsterOnlineDictionary,to"plagiarize"means
● tostealandpassoff(theideasorwordsofanother)asone'sown
● touse(another'sproduction)withoutcreditingthesource
● tocommitliterarytheft
● topresentasnewandoriginalanideaorproductderivedfromanexistingsource.
Inotherwords,plagiarismisanactoffraud.Itinvolvesbothstealingsomeoneelse'sworkandlyingaboutitafterward.
Butcanwordsandideasreallybestolen?
AccordingtoU.S.law,theanswerisyes.Theexpressionoforiginalideasisconsideredintellectualproperty,andisprotectedbycopyrightlaws,justlikeoriginalinventions.Almostallformsofexpressionfallundercopyrightprotectionaslongastheyarerecordedinsomeway(suchasabookoracomputerfile).
Allofthefollowingareconsideredplagiarism:
● turninginsomeoneelse'sworkasyourown
● copyingwordsorideasfromsomeoneelsewithoutgivingcredit
● failingtoputaquotationinquotationmarks
● givingincorrectinformationaboutthesourceofaquotation
● changingwordsbutcopyingthesentencestructureofasourcewithoutgivingcredit
● copyingsomanywordsorideasfromasourcethatitmakesupthemajorityofyourwork,whetheryougivecredit
ornot
Mostcasesofplagiarismcanbeavoided,however,bycitingsources.Simplyacknowledgingthatcertainmaterialhasbeenborrowed,andprovidingyouraudiencewiththeinformationnecessarytofindthatsource,isusuallyenoughtopreventplagiarism.
***TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolusedthewebsite“Plagiarism.org”toprovidethisinformation.(Citationbelow)
“WhatisPlagiarism?”(n.d.)Retrievedfromhttp://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_what_isplagiarism.html
CHEATING Cheatingofanykindandonanyassignmentisunacceptable.ThispracticewillnotbetoleratedattheSoulsvilleCharterSchool.Notonlyisitsomethingthatcouldresultinastudent’sexpulsionfromanycollegeoruniversity,butitalsoviolatesourschool’shonorcode.Disciplinaryconsequencesincludeavarietyofactions,includingthepossibilityofremovalfromtheschool.(PleaseseethepolicyforAcademicReferrals.)
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HONORCODE Soulsvillestudentswillbeinstructedtowritethisstatementonsomemajorassignmentstoshowtheirdedicationtotheschoolhonorcode,toshowtheywillnotcheat,andtoshowtheywillnotplagiarizework.
“Onmyhonor,Ihaveneithergivennorreceivedassistanceonthisassignment.” ACADEMICREFERRALS
Astudentwillreceiveanacademicreferralforcheatingorplagiarizing.AllAcademicReferralsgointothestudent’spermanentSoulsvillerecord.ConsequencesforAcademicReferralscanincludeanyofthefollowing:
-Assignmentsrelatedtoreflectinguponandcorrectingtheproblem-MandatoryconferencewithparentandDeanofStudents-StudentisplacedonAcademicAlertafter1AcademicReferral-MandatoryconferencewithparentandSchoolDirector-Homesuspension-DisenrollmentfromTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool
Repeatedinfractionswillresultinincreasinglysevereconsequences,althoughitispossiblethatasingleincidentcouldwarrantthemostsevereconsequence.
*Whenwritingcollegerecommendations,teachersandstaffshouldalwaysconsultthestudent’Sacademicfileintheoffice,whichwillhavearecordofAcademicReferrals.
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VI.CODEOFCONDUCT
GRAMMYS AGrammyisanincentivepointthatisawardedtostudentswhosupportthemissionoftheschoolandwhohonorthecorevaluesofTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool.EachdaystudentwillstartthedaywithacertainnumberofGrammys. Thisnumbercanchange.StudentswhosupporttheCoreValuesbydisplayingRespect,Integrity,Scholarship,Empathy,andCommunityinsomewaythroughoutthedaycanearnextraGrammysbasedonthe24CharacterStrengths.StudentscanalsoearnGrammysbydisplayingoneofthe24CharacterStrengths(seelistbelow).IfastudentdisruptsthelearningenvironmentordisplaysbehaviorthatDOESNOTalignwiththecorevaluesandmission,heorshewillhaveaGrammydeducted. Grammytotalswillbeusedtodeterminewhetherstudentsearnweekly,quarterly,andendofyearrewards. CHARACTERSTRENGTHS
CharacterStrength Definition
AppreciationofBeautyandExcellence
Appreciatingbeauty,excellence,and/orskilledperformanceinvariousdomainsoflife
Bravery Notrunningfromthreat,challenge,orpain;speakingupforwhat’sright
Citizenship Workingwellasamemberofagrouporteam;beingloyaltothegroup
Creativity Comingupwithnewandproductivewaystothinkaboutanddothings
Curiosity Takinganinterestinexperienceforitsownsake;findingthingsfascinating
Fairness Treatingallpeoplethesame;givingeveryoneafairchance
Forgiveness Forgivingthosewhohavedonewrong;acceptingpeople’sshortcomings
Gratitude Beingawareofandthankfulforthegoodthingsthathappen
Grit Finishingwhatyoustarted;completingsomethingdespiteobstacles
Honesty Speakingthetruth;presentingoneselfinagenuineandsincereway;beingwhoyouareandbeingresponsibleforyouractionsandfeelings
Hope Expectingthebestandworkingtoachieveit.
Humor Likingtolaugh;bringingsmilestootherpeople;seeingalightside
Kindness Doingfavorsandgooddeedsforothers;helpingthem;takingcareofthem
Leadership Encouragingagroupofwhichyouareavaluedmembertoaccomplishgoodthings
LoveofLearning Masteringnewskillsandtopicsonone’sownorinschool
Love Valuingcloserelationshipswithothers;beingclosetopeople
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Modesty Lettingone’svictoriesspeakforthemselves;notseekingthespotlight
Open-mindedness Examiningthingsfromallsidesandnotjumpingtoconclusions
Prudence Beingcarefulaboutyourchoices;nottakingunwiserisks
Purpose Havingbeliefsaboutahigherpurpose
Self-control Regulatingwhatonefeelsanddoes;beingdisciplined
SocialIntelligence Beingawareofmotivesandfeelingsofotherpeopleandoneself
Wisdom Beingabletoprovidegoodadvicetoothers
Zest Approachinglifewithexcitementandenergy;feelingaliveandactivated
GOLDANDPLATINUMSTUDENTS ● GoldandPlatinumstudentsarethosewhohaveearnedanexceptionalnumberofGrammys.
● MiddleSchoolstudentsareexpectedtomeetspecificbenchmarksforGoldandPlatinumstatusandforspecialuniformprivileges.ToearnGold,studentsmustearnatleast55Grammysperweek.ToearnPlatinum,studentsmustearnatleast60Grammysperweek.SpecialexceptionswillbeprintedonweeklyGrammyreports.
● MiddleSchoolstudentswhoearnGoldorPlatinumstatuswillreceiveanotificationdetailingtheirearningstatusintheirMondayweeklyreport.
● EachweekstudentswillhaveanewopportunitytoearnGoldorPlatinumstatus.
WEEKLYGRAMMYANDACADEMICREPORT ● EveryMondaystudentswillreceiveaWeeklyReport,whichiscomprisedof4parts:WeeklyReflection,Report,
AcademicReport,andGrammyReport. ● TheWeeklyReflectionrequiresyourstudenttostopandreflectonhisorherownacademicprogressandcharacter,
andtothensetgoalsforthecomingweek. ● TheRevolutionaryReadersReportwillreflectpointsforthebooksyourstudenthasread. ● TheAcademicreportwillgiveaweeklyupdateofthestudent’scurrentgradesandalistofmissingassignmentsfor
eachclass. ● TheGrammyReportwilldisplaythestudents’Grammytotalsfortheweek.ItwillidentifyCoreValueGrammys
earnedandbehavioralpatternsthatneedimprovement.Teachersandadministratorswillalsoincludespecialnotesthatwillbeviewedbyparentsandstudents.
● ThereportwillcoverthedaysfromMondaythroughFriday.
TheWeeklyReflectionpagemustbecompletedbythestudent,signedbytheparentandreturnedTUESDAYmorningduringCommunityBase.Completeandon-timereflectionsheetswillearnstudents2Grammys.Reflectionsthatdonot
meettheserequirementswillresultinadeductionof2Grammys.Familiesshouldkeeptheremainingpagesoftheweeklyreportfortheirownrecords.
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GENERALBEHAVIORALEXPECTATIONS ● CommunityBase(CB)
● CommunityBasewilltakeplacefrom7:40-7:50a.m. ● IfstudentsarenotseatedinCBby7:40AMtheyareconsideredtardytoschoolandwillneedtofollowthe
protocolfortardystudents.(SeeAttendanceandTardyPolicy) ● Duringthistime,studentswillhearmorningannouncements,writeupcomingeventsintheiragendabook,
andpreparefortheday. ● CommunityBasewillendwithstudentsrisingtosaytheSoulsvilleCreed.
● Sitting
● Studentsalwayssitupstraightintheirseats.Bothfeetshouldbeonthefloor(notonthedeskinfrontofthem,noronanypartoftheirowndesk).
● StorageofMaterials
● Materialsarealwaysstoredneatlyunderneaththedesk.Backpacksarenotpermittedintheclassroom.Theymuststayinlockers.
● Tracking ● Whensomeoneistalking,studentsshouldgivethatpersontheirundividedattention.Theyshowthisby
“tracking.”Trackingmeansthatyouareactivelylooking,listening,andeventurningyourbodytomakesureyoureyesarefollowingthespeaker.
● SpeakinginClass
● Studentsareonlyallowedtospeakinclasswhentheteacherhasgiventhemexplicitpermissiontodoso.Whenstudentsareexpectedtobetalking,theteacherwilltellthemtheyareonCodeYellow.CodeYellowisslightlyaboveawhisper.It’sjustloudenoughforsomeoneveryclosetohearwhatyouhavetosay.
● Whentheteachergivesadirectionfortheretobeaswitchinvoicecodes,studentsshoulddoitimmediately!Ifastudentdoesnotdoitimmediately,itwillbemarkedasaninfraction.ThiswillnegativelyimpacttheirGrammyscore.
● Hallway
● MiddleSchool–StudentsareonCODEREDinthehallway.Theywalkinstraightlineswiththeirclassontheright-handsideofthehallwayandstandablockawayfromthescholarinfrontofthem.
● Teacher/Administrator/StaffDirections
● WhenastudentisgivenadirectionbyanymemberoftheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolstaff,theyshoulddoitquickly.Theyshouldnotquestiontheauthorityoftheteacherormakeanydisrespectfulgestures(eyerolling,lipsmacking,suckingteeth,disrespectfulresponsesorgestures,etc.).
● RespondingtoAdults
● Studentsshouldmakeeyecontactwiththeadult. ● Theyshoulduseaclearandaudiblevoicewhenansweringtheadult ● Allinteractionsshouldberespectful.
● Grammar
● Studentsareexpectedtousecorrectgrammaratalltimes. ● Usingslangtermsintheclassroomorinthehallwayisnotallowed. ● Ifastudentusesincorrectgrammar,theywillbeaskedtorepeattheirstatementusingcorrectgrammar.
● VoiceCodes
● Inordertoensurethatthelearningenvironmentisneverdisturbed,TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolhascreatedvoicecodes:CodeRed,CodeYellow,andCodeGreen.
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● CodeRed-Thiscodeismostcommonlyusedintheclassroomduringinstructionaltime,duringassemblies,whenguestspeakerscometotheschool,togettheattentionofalargegroupofstudentsquickly,orinthehallwaysoftheMiddleSchool.
▪ WhenstudentsareonCodeRed,theymustbeabsolutelysilentandhavenocommunication.The
onlyexceptiontocommunicatingonCodeRedincludescommoncourtesies.Someoftheseexamplesinclude:saying“excuseme”whenyouaretryingtopassbyorwhenyoubumpintosomeoneaccidentally;saying“blessyou”whensomeonesneezes,orsaying“thankyou”whensomeonegivesyousomething.Eventheseexpressionsshouldbesaidinatonethatisnotdistracting.
● CodeYellow–Thiscodeiscommonlyusedintheclassroomwhenstudentsareworkingongroupworkor
playinganinstructionalgameintheclassroom.Thisisaconversationaltone.However,itshouldbejustaboveawhisperorjustloudenoughtogetthejobdone.Studentswillcommunicatetostudentsnearby,notacrosstheroom.Studentsmaynotgoonthiscodewithoutexplicitpermissionfromateacheroradministrator.
● CodeGreen–Thiscodeisusuallyusedwhenstudentsarebeingdismissedafterschool.Itisslightlyabove
codeyellow.Sincethiscodeisgenerallyusedonlyafterschool,studentsdonotneedateacheroradministrator’spermissiontotransitiontothiscode.
● Whenstudentsareaskedtoansweraquestioninclass,theyareexpectedtoanswerconfidentlyandclearly
totheteacher.Mumblingisnotallowed.
● ShakingHands ● ShakinghandsisaprofessionalgreetingstudentswilluseoftenatTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool.Theywill
beallowedtogreetstaffandstudentsinthisway.
● Whenshakinghands,studentsshouldlookatthepersonintheeye,andgivethepersonafirm(nottight)handshake.
● Shakinghandsshouldbeusedforthefollowing:introductiontosomeone(studentsshouldintroduce
themselves,andfollowwithaquestion:Howareyoudoing?MayIhelpyou?WhatbringsyoutoSoulsville?);closuretoaconversation,orwhentheywanttoshowappreciationforsomething.
● PublicDisplaysofAffection
● TSCSisaschoolthatrespectsstudents’relationshipswitheachother;however,appropriatedisplaysofaffectionrequiregoodjudgmentandconsiderationofallparties.Extensivedisplaysofaffectionarenotpermittedonschoolgroundsoratschoolevents.
● Someexamplesofinappropriatedisplaysofaffectionthatarenotpermittedinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
o Sittingonstudents’laps o Hitting,kicking,leering,pinching,patting o Otherformsofunwantedtouching o Kissingorhand-holding o Frontalhugs
● Pencils
● StudentsareonlyallowedtousemechanicalpencilsattheSoulsvilleCharterSchool. ● Woodenpencilsarenotpermittedbecausetheyneedconstantsharpening,whichcausesdisruptions. ● Inordertobeprepared,studentsshouldhaveatleast2mechanicalpencilsandplentyoflead.
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● Office ● Studentswillnotbeallowedtogototheofficeduringclassunlesstheybecomeseriouslyill. ● Whenastudentarrivestardytoschool,heorshemustreporttotheDeanofStudentsOfficeandreceivea
tardypassinordertobeadmittedtoclass. ● Sincestudentsmaynotuseclassroomphonesduringclassortransitiontimes,theymayonlyusetheoffice
telephonetocallhomeincaseofabsoluteemergencies.StudentsMUSThaveapasssignedfromanadministratorthatstatestheyareallowedtousetheofficephoneandthereasonforusingit.
● Ifstudentsdonotusethephonecallfortheintendedreasonthatisstatedonthepass,studentsmaylosetheirofficephoneprivilegesand/orreceiveotherconsequences.
● TurninginAssignments ● Allassignmentsmustbeneatandlegible! ● Eachassignmentshouldhavetheproperheadings. ● MiddleSchoolstudentsturninassignmentsinaccordancetotheirgradeleveldesignatedlocations(referto
page11).Anythingturnedinafter7:40amwillbeconsideredlate.
● CallingTeacherCellPhones ● Studentscancallteachercellphonesforhomeworkandotherhelp. ● Whenthestudentcallsabouthomework,theyshouldsaythefollowing:“Hello,mynameis(firstandlast
name).Ihaveaproblemwithmy(subject)homework.Idonotunderstand(giveaspecificsituationorproblem).
● Ifastudentcannotreachateacher,theyshouldleaveamessagewiththefollowinginformation:”Hello,mynameis(firstandlast).Myphonenumberis(yourphonenumber).Ihaveaproblemwith(giveaspecificsituationorproblemwithasubject).Pleasegivemeacallatyourearliestconvenience.Again,thisis(firstandlastname).”
● Ifastudentcannotgetintouchwithateacher,theyshouldwaitatleastanhourbeforetheycontacttheteacheragain.
***Teachersmayormaynotgiveouttheircellphonenumber.Teacherswhowanttogiveouttheircellphonenumber
willhaveitprintedontheirclasssyllabus.Ifitdoesnotappearontheclasssyllabus,thencontacttheteacherthroughtheirschoolemail.
● StudentAgendas
● Wheneverstudentsreceiveahomeworkassignmentorareremindedofanimportantdate,theyMUSTautomaticallyrecordthemintheirTSCSagendabook.
● Oncetheygetouttheiragendabook,theymustrecordallassignmentsandimportantdates. ● Parentsandstudentsshouldreviewtheagendabookanditsremindersonadailybasistogether.
● Breakfast
● BreakfastwillbeintheMultipurposeBuilding. ● Breakfastwillbeservedfrom7:00-7:20a.m. ● Studentshaveuntil7:25a.m.tofinisheating,andshouldnottakefoodfromtheMultipurposeBuilding.
● IndependentReadingMaterial
● StudentsatTheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolareencouragedtoreadasmuchaspossible. ● MiddleSchoolstudentsmusthaveanindependentreadingbookatalltimes. ● Magazinesdonotcountasindependentreadingmaterial.Theschoolreservestherighttodetermine
whetheramagazineisacademicallyappropriateornot. ● Readingmaterialmustbeage-appropriate. ● Inappropriatereadingmaterialthathasexplicitsexualcontentorinappropriatelanguageisnotpermitted. ● Theschoolreservestherighttodeterminewhetherreadingmaterialisappropriateornot.
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REWARDS ● WeeklyRewards:
● ReptheRevolution–AllMiddleSchoolstudentswillbeeligibletowearacolleget-shirtorSoulsvillet-shirtoftheirchoice.Clothingmustbeofappropriatefitandmaynothavewritingoralterations(e.g.tearsorholes).TSCSreservestherighttodeterminewhetheranarticleofclothingisappropriate.TherestoftheuniformwillfollowtheTSCSuniformpolicy.ThiswilltakeplaceonFridays.
● StudentswhoearnatleastfiftyGrammysfortheweekwillearnadditionalrewardsfortheirconduct.
● StudentswhohaveearnedGoldstatus(atleast50Grammys)fortheweekcanwearclosed-toeshoesand/orsocksoftheirchoiceonFridays.
● StudentswhohaveearnedPlatinumstatus(atleast55Grammys)fortheweekcanwearclosed-toeshoesandsocksoftheirchoicealongwithjeansorjoggersonFridays.Clothingmustbeofappropriatefitandmaynothavewritingoralterations(e.g.tearsorholes).Joggersmaynothaveanyholes,designs,patterns,oralterations.TSCSreservestherighttodeterminewhetheranarticleofclothingisappropriate.
● QuarterlyAcademicRecognition: ● MiddleSchoolstudentswhoexperienceacademicsuccess--Principal’sList,Dean’sList,andHonorRoll--will
beawarded.
● StudentoftheQuarter○ Twostudents(onemaleandonefemale)arenominatedbyteachersfortheaward.Thesetwostudents
representcontinuouslyexhibitthequalitiesthatarerecognizedinourschoolcreed(Respect,Integrity,Scholarship,Empathy.
● EndofYearRewards:
● StudentswhoearnacertainnumberofGrammys,honortheCoreValueswellthroughouttheyear,andhaveshownacademicgrowthandahighlevelofacademicdedicationwillhavetheopportunitytoearnEndofYearRewards.Studentswhohaveearnedoneormoresuspensionsduringtheschoolyearwillnotbeeligibletoearn.EndofYearRewardsmaybelocaloroutoftown,andoftenincludevisitstocollegecampuses,recreationalactivities,restaurants,andtimetojusthavefuntogether.
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REFERRALPROCESS
● BehaviorNotifications: ● Unlessanactishighlydisruptive,disrespectful,vulgar,orviolentoffense,beforewritingareferralfor
repeatedoffenses,studentswillbenotifiedthattheyareclosetoreceivingareferralbyreceivingaBehaviorNotificationfromastaffmember.
● Afterastudenthascommittedtworeferableoffenses,thestudentshouldreceiveabehaviornotificationthatalertsthemthatthenextstepwillbeabehaviorreferral,whichmeanstheywillhavetoleavetheclassroomsetting.
● StudentsshouldnotargueordebateaboutthereceivalofaBehaviorNotification,norshouldtheydestroy,crumble,orhideit.Ifastudenthassomethinghe/shewouldliketoinformtheteacherregardingtheincident,he/shehastheopportunitytowriteanon-offensiveandappropriatenoteorquestiontotheteacherinthespaceprovidedontheBehaviorNotification,andthenshouldcontinuefollowingtheinstructionsoftheteacher.
● Referrals: ● Whenastudentisnotfollowingschoolrules,theteachercorrectsthatstudent.Eachcorrectionresultin
thelossofaGrammyfortheday.Thiswilldirectlyaffectthestudent’sGrammytotalfortheweekandcouldresultinalossofrewards.
● Behaviorsthataredisruptiveordisrespectfultothelearningenvironmentareconsideredreferral-worthy.Thisincludesthecontinuationofanybehaviortheteacherhasalreadycorrected.
● Whenastudentaccumulatesthreereferral-worthybehaviorswithinaclass,heorshewillearnareferral.
● Ifastudentcommitsasingleoffensethatishighlydisruptive,severelydisrespectful,involvesprofanity,isviolent,orifthestudenthasacellphoneinclass,heorshewillreceiveanAutomaticDisciplinaryReferral.
● UponreceivinganyDisciplinaryReferral,thestudentmustreportimmediatelytotheOfficeoftheAssociateDeanofStudents.Thestudentwillcompleteseveralassignmentsbeforereturningtoclass.FailuretoreportimmediatelytotheAssociateDeanofStudentswillresultinfurtherdisciplinaryconsequences.
● DisciplinaryReferrals,alongwiththebehaviorsthatcausedthem,willbereflectedonWeeklyreports.
● Studentswhoearnmultiplereferralswillbesubjecttoadditionalconsequences,includingpossibleremovalfromTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool.
DETENTION Studentswhohaveexcessivemissingassignments,excessivetardyarrivalsand/orabsences,orexcessivedisciplinaryissues,mayberequiredtoremainafterschooluntil3:45p.m.onThursdayafternoons.Studentswillreceivewrittennoticeatleastonedaybeforetheassigneddetentionandacallwillbesenttoparents/guardians.
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SUSPENSIONS Therearethree(3)formsofsuspensionthatweuse:
● In-schoolsuspensions:Thestudent isallowedtoremainatschool,but isnotallowedtoparticipate inclassuntilcompletingallassignments.Thestudentwillcompletetheassignmentsinanisolatedlocationandreturntoclassesafter clearing the In-School Suspension with a School Administrator. Parents will be notified when a studentreceivesanIn-SchoolSuspension.
● Overnightsuspensions:Thissuspensionisusuallyissuedwhenthenatureoftheinfractionisseriousenoughthatameetingmusttakeplacebetweenthestudent,theparent(s)andaSchoolAdministrator,butnotsoseriousthatthestudent cannotbeallowed toattend classes.Overnight Suspensionsusually includeanassignment thatmustbecompletedbeforethestudentreturnswithhisorherparenttoclearthesuspension.Beforethemeetingbegins,theSchoolAdministratorwillconfirmthatthestudenthascompletedtheassignmentsatisfactorily.Thestudentisnotallowedtoreturntoclassuntilanadministratorhasmetwithaparentorguardian.Usually,thestudentdoesnotmissmuchclasstimebecausethemeetingshappenearlythefollowingmorning.
● Out-of-schoolsuspensions:Thestudentisnotallowedtocometoschoolandwillserve1-10daysoutofclass.Thestudent’s work is considered unexcused while on the suspension. The student will not be allowed to return toclasses until completing the assignment and clearing the suspension in a meeting between the student, theparent(s)andaSchoolAdministrator.Thismeetingcannothappensoonerthanthedateandtimeprintedonthesuspensionletter.Out-of-schoolSuspensionsareissuedformajorinfractionsandforrepeatedminorinfractions.
SuspensionLogistics:
● Theschoolwillcontactaparent/guardiantopickuptheirchildassoonaspossible.
● Whena student is issueda suspension, heor shewill receive the appropriatepaperworkexplaining: the reasonhe/shehasbeen suspended, the typeand lengthof the suspension, thedate the student and theparent are toclearthesuspension,andtheassignmentthestudentmustcomplete.
● Ifastudentreceivesanovernightsuspensionoranout-of-schoolsuspension,thestudentandparentarerequiredtoreporttoasuspensionclearancemeetingnosoonerthanthedatespecifiedonthesuspensionpaperwork.
● If a student receives an in-school suspension, the student remains at school and spends aperiodof timeoutofclass.AschoolAdministratorwillholdasuspensionclearancemeetingwiththestudent.ParentsarenotrequiredtoattendthesemeetingsforIn-SchoolSuspensions,buttheywillbenotifiedviawrittendocumentation.
● When a student is serving an out-of-school suspension, the student will receive a reflection assignment tocomplete.Iftheassignmentisnotcompletedbythedatethatthesuspensionistobecleared,thesuspensionwillnotbeclearedatthattime.
● Ifthesuspendedstudenthasnotcompletedtheassignment(s)oriftheyarenotsatisfactory,themeetingwillnotproceedand theparentwill have toescort the studentoff campusandmakearrangements to returnwhen theassignment(s)areready.
● Insomecases,studentswillreceiveactionstepsbeforereturningtoclassinordertopreventthenegativebehaviorfromoccurringagain.
● Afterastudent’ssuspensioniscleared,thestudentisallowedtogobacktoclass.
● Allsuspensionsareaddedtothestudent’spermanentbehaviorfile.
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HARASSMENT,INTIMIDATION,BULLYING,ORCYBER-BULLYING Studentharassment,intimidation,bullyingorcyber-bullyingwillnotbetoleratedatTSCS.ThefollowingpolicyandapproachisthesameasofShelbyCountySchooldistrict.Tennesseelawdefines“harassment,intimidation,bullyingorcyberbullying”asactsthatsubstantiallyinterferewithastudent'seducationalbenefits,educationalopportunities,oreducationalperformance,and: A. Iftheacttakesplaceonschoolgrounds,atanyschool-sponsoredactivity,onschool-providedequipmentor
transportation,oratanyofficialschoolbusstop,theacthastheeffectof:1. Physicallyharmingastudentordamagingastudent'sproperty;2. Knowinglyplacingastudentinreasonablefearofphysicalharmtothestudentordamagetothestudent's
property;or3. Creatingahostileeducationalenvironment.
B. Iftheacttakesplaceoffschoolpropertyoroutsideofaschool-sponsoredactivity,itisdirectedspecificallyata
studentorstudentsandhastheeffectofcreatingahostileeducationalenvironmentorotherwisecreatingasubstantialdisruptiontotheeducationalenvironmentorlearningprocess.
Studentswhoareharassed/intimidated/bulliedorwhoareawitnesstothesebehaviorsshouldreportthesituationtoschooladministrationimmediately.Anyreportsmadetoteachersandstaffshouldbeforwardedtoanadministratorimmediately,andnolaterthan24hoursaftertheexpressedconcern.Anonymousreportsmaybemade,however,disciplinaryactionmaynotbebasedsolelyonananonymousreport.
Harassingbehaviorissubjecttodisciplinaryconsequencesuptoandincludingexpulsion.Inmoreextremecases,theauthoritiesmaybenotified.
*Harassment is conduct or speech that is unwelcome, intimidating, derogatory, hostile, and/or offensive, and has thepurposeofinterferingwithastudent’sabilitytolearnorastaffmember’sabilitytodowork.
**Sexual harassment is harassmentof a sexual nature,which can include a rangeof behaviors likeunwanted/offensivetouching,off-colorjokes,pressureforsexualactivity,sexuallymotivatedtouching,pinching,pattingorintentionalbrushingagainst, repeatedverbalharassmentorabuse, repeatedremarksorgesturesofa sexualnaturewhensuchactivity takesplaceduringschoolhoursoronschool-relatedtransportationor trips,orat school sponsoredactivities regardlessof thetimeofday.
***Cyberbullyingmeansbullyingundertaken through theuseofelectronicdevices. “Electronicdevices” include,butarenot limited to, telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices, personal digital assistants,computers,electronicmail,instantmessaging,textmessagingandwebsites.
REPORTINGANINCIDENT
Allegedvictimsofharassment,intimidation,bullying,ortheirparentsorguardiansshallreporttheseincidentsimmediatelytoschooladministration.Anyreportsmadetoteachersandstaffshouldbeforwardedtoanadministratorimmediately,“butnolaterthan24hours”oftheexpressedconcern.Anonymousreportsmaybemade,however,disciplinaryactionmaynotbebasedsolelyonananonymousreport.TSCSadministrationcommitstorespondingtotheseincidentswithallduecaretobothallegedvictim(s)andallegedaccused.
TSCS’sprotocolforreportingincidentsofbullying/harassment:
1. Reporting.
Studentswithacomplaintofbullyingand/orharassmentmaycompletetheTSCS-adopted“ShelbyCountySchoolsComplainantStatement”.CopiesofthisformcanbefoundintheMainOffice,officesoftheDeansofStudentsandonpage35ofthishandbook.
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Anycomplaintsofharassment,intimidationorbullyingshouldincludethefollowinginformation:
● Identityoftheallegedvictimandthepersonaccused; ● Location,date,timeandcircumstancessurroundingtheallegedincident; ● Descriptionofwhathappened; ● Identityofwitnesses;and ● Anyotherevidenceavailable
1. Investigating.
a) Ifthecomplainantisnottheparentorguardian,theparents/guardiansoftheallegedvictimshallbenotifiedofthereportedconductbyphoneorinpersonpriortotheendoftheschooldayuponwhichtheconductwasreported.
b) TheHSDirectororDeanofStudentswillpromptlyandfullyinvestigateallegationsofharassment,intimidation,bullying/cyberbullying.TheHSDirectororDeanofStudentswillrevisitstatementsandevidencepresentedregardingtheincidentandallfollow-upeffortsconductedwillbeappropriatelydocumented.
c) Afteracompleteinvestigation,iftheallegationsareconfirmed,immediateandappropriatedisciplinaryactionwillbeissuedtotheaccusedstudent.Asubstantiatedchargeagainstanemployeemaysubjectsuchemployeetodisciplinaryactionuptoandincludingtermination.
1. Follow-up.
TheHSDirectorand/orDeanofStudentswillmeetwithandadvisethecomplainantandtheirparent/guardianregardingthefindings,andwhethercorrectivemeasures,and/ordisciplinaryactionsweretaken.Theinvestigationandresponsetothecomplainantwillbecompletedwithintwenty(20)schooldays.Asubstantiatedchargeagainstastudentmayresultincorrectiveordisciplinaryactionuptoandincludingexpulsion.Additionally,understatelaw,behaviorconstitutingcyber-bullyingmaybeprosecutedasadelinquentact.
*Studentsandfamiliesshouldbeawarethatanystudent,whetherallegedaccusedorallegedvictim,foundtobeinvolvedinanincidentofharassmentorbullying,whetheractiveorassociated,willreceiveconsequencesappropriatetotheirlevelof
involvementincludingbutnotlimitedtoexpulsion.
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ZERO-TOLERANCEISSUES Studentsmaybeautomaticallyexpelledfromschoolforthefollowing:
● possessionofaweapon ● possessionofanillegaldrugorunauthorizedprescriptiondrug ● batteryagainstschoolpersonnel ● gangactivityofanykind(verbal,written,orphysical) ● otherseriousbehaviorinfractions
RANDOMSTUDENTSEARCHES Studentbelongingswillberandomlysearchedaccordingtothefollowingguidelines:
1. Periodically,TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolwillconductrandomsearchesofstudentsandtheirbelongings.2. Campussafetypersonnelwillbenotifiedofthetimeandlocationforthesearches.3. Teachersand/oradministratorswillconductthesearchesalongwithcampussafetypersonnel.4. Allstudentssubjectedtoasearchwillbetreatedwithrespectandcarefortheirpersonalsafety.5. Ifabanneditemisconfiscated(e.g.acellphone,weapon,orillegaldrugs),thestudentwillbereferredtothe
appropriateauthority(e.g.thedeanofstudents,theschooldirector,or,ifnecessary,lawenforcement).
USINGCAMPUSPHONES/OFFICEUSAGE
Staffdonotallowstudentstousetheclassroomtelephonesduringtheschoolday.Foremergencyphonecalls(e.g.beingsick,needingmedication,etc.)only,studentsmaybegivenapasstotheofficetomakeaphonecall.TheofficewillnotallowstudentstomakeacalluntilthepasshasbeensignedbyaMiddleSchooladministrator.
STUDENTPROTOCOLTIPSFORHANDLINGPROBLEMS ProblemswithStudents:
● Step1–Donotreacttooquickly.Holdyouranger.Thinkaboutwhatthestudenthasdoneorsaid. ● Step2–Makeadecisionbasedonthequestionsbelow.Choosewhichsituationmostappliestoyourproblemand
chooseanoption.
● Situation#1:Didyoustartthedisagreement?Didyousayordosomethingthatmighthavemadethestudentreacttoyounegatively?Isthestudentconfusedaboutsomethingyoudid?
➔ Solution#1:Ifyouthinkthatthestudentmighthavemisunderstoodsomethingyoudidorsaid,
explainyourstatementoractioninmoresimpleandrespectfulterms.Apologizeforthemisunderstanding. Ifyoudidsomethingmeanordisrespectfulonpurpose,andthestudentreactednegatively,youshouldapologize.RemembertheCoreValues–Respect,Integrity,Scholarship,Empathy,andCommunity.RISEabovethis.WeareaCommunity.
● Situation#2:Didthestudentaskyoutodosomethingthatyoudidn’twanttodo?Didthestudentaskyou
aquestionthatoffendedyou?Didthestudentaskyouaquestionthatmadeyoufeelthreatened?
➔ Solution#2:Keepasofttone.Donotgetangry.Simplyrespondtothequestioninawaythatissimpleandthatletsthepersonknowwhatyouransweriswithoutbeingdisrespectful.Ifthestudentcontinueswiththistypeofquestioningafteryourresponse,tellateacherimmediately.
➔ RemembertheCoreValues–Respect,Integrity,Scholarship,Empathy,andCommunity.RISEabovethis.WeareaCommunity.
● Situation#3:Didthestudentthreatenyoursafety?Didthestudent“check”you?Didthestudentcause
youtobephysicallyhurt?Isthestudentfollowingyouaroundwithoutyourpermission?Isthestudenttalkingnegativelytoyouaboutothers?
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➔ Solution#3:Donotgetangryorreactnegatively.Lettheteacherknowimmediately!
➔ RemembertheCoreValues–Respect,Integrity,Scholarship,Empathy,andCommunity.RISEabovethis.WeareaCommunity.
● Step3:Donotcontinuetogossiportalkabouttheincidenttoothers.Ifyouhaveresolvedthesituation
successfullywithoutbeingdisrespectfultoanyone,theissueisover.Continuetotreattheclassmatewithrespectandletthepastgo.Iftheteacherhasalreadyhandledthesituation,thereisnoreasontokeeponbringingupthesituation.Letitgo.Ifthesituationrepeatsitself,continuetotellyourteacher,parent,andanadministrator.
(Ifyouarenotsurehowtofixaproblem,orifyouareindoubtaboutsomething,Letateacherknow!)
ProblemswithaTeacher:
● Step1:Ifyouhaveaproblemwithateacher,donottalkbackorreactinanangrymanner.
● Step2:Stoptothinkaboutthesituation.Donottrytohandlethesituationduringclass.Thisisabsolutelythewrongtimetohandlethings.Ifyoumusttalktotheteacher,waituntilafterschoolorbeforeCommunityMeetingstarts.Makesurethattheconversationisnotpublic.
● Situation#1:Whenyouwereinclass,didtheteacherdeductGrammysorgiveyouacorrectionthatyou
feelyoudidn’tdeserve?
➔ Solution#1:Askyourselfsomequestions.Honestlyanswer.Admittoyourselfifyoudidsomethingwrong.Iftheteacherwasnotunfairandcorrectedyouforabehaviorthatyoushouldnothavebeendisplaying,acceptit.Gobacktoschoolwithapositiveattitudeandgivetheclassyourbesteffortsandbestbehaviorthenextday.Ifyoudon’tthinkthedeductionisfair,talkwiththeteacherprivatelybeforeorafterschool.Startwithacalmandquiettone.Starttheconversationbyreferringtothetimeandclassperiodthatthesituationoccurred.Next,refertowhatwassaidordonethatmadeyouupset.Waitfortheteachertorespond.Listencarefullytowhattheyhavetosay.Keepconversationrespectful.Aftertheconversation,asktheteacherforwaysthatyoucanimprove.Takethesuggestionsseriouslyandapplythem.
● Situation#2:Didyougetalowergradeonaproject,essay,ormajorassignmentwhenyouwereexpecting
ahighergrade?Haveyoucheckedtherubricandre-checkedyourworkandstilldon’tknowhowyougotthegrade?
➔ Solution#2:Talkwiththeteacherafterschoolorbeforeschoolprivately.Bringacopyofthe
assignmentthatyoumadethelowscoreon.Asktheteacheriftheycangiveyouextrafeedbackastowhyyoumadethegrade.Thanktheteacherfortheirtimeandaskfortipsonhowtoimprovefornexttime.Possiblysetuptutoringwiththeteacheraswell.
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VII.ATTENDANCEANDTARDYPOLICY
ATTENDANCE ● Studentsareexpectedtocometoschooleveryday!Inordertoexcelacademically,itisHIGHLYIMPORTANTthat
studentsNEVERmissclass.
● StudentswillnotbeabletoearnGrammysiftheymissclass.
● StudentsmissimportantinstructionandassessmentsandthreatentheirchancetoperformatthehighestlevelsonTennesseemandatedtests.
● Ifastudentreceivesareferral,theywillnotreturntoclassuntiltheirreferraliscleared.Theywillbeconsideredabsentinthoseclassesforthatday.
● RegulardailyattendanceisacommitmentmadebytheparentandstudentonthesignedCommitmenttoExcellenceAgreement.Bothstudentandparenthavegiventheirwordtobeatschooleveryday.
ABSENCES ● Greatschoolattendanceiscrucialforstudentlearning!Nostudentshouldbeallowedtomissschoolunless
ABSOLUTELYNECESSARY.AccordingtoTennesseelaw,timely,regularattendanceisrequired.TSCSParents/Guardiansmustensurechildrenareinschool,asoutlinedintheCommitmenttoExcellence.
● Studentswillbeallowed5absencesfortheschoolyear.Excusedabsencesmaybegrantedforthefollowingreasons:personalillness,death/seriousillnessintheimmediatefamily,court,religiousholiday,unusualcause(decidedbyprincipal),deploymentofguardian/parent,orvisitwithparentsonmilitaryrestandrecuperation.(Seenextsection:“AbsenceExcuseNotes”)
● Afterfiveexcusedabsenceshavebeenused,allfutureabsenceswillbecountedas“unexcused,”regardlessofthereasonfortheabsence.(Exceptionsforrare,seriousillnessesmaybegrantedonacase-by-casebasis.)
● Ifstudentsshowapatternofexcessiveabsences,itwilljeopardizetheircontinuedenrollmentatTSCS.
● Studentsareconsideredtruantafterfive“unexcused”absences.WeadheretotheSCSPolicy6016todealwithtruantstudents.
ABSENCEEXCUSENOTES Ifyourchildmustmissadayofschoolforaseriousillnessorpersonalmatter(forexample,adeathinthefamily),Soulsvillerequiresdocumentationtoexcusetheabsence.Youmayusetheformsthatareattachedattheendofthehandbooklabeled“ReasonforAbsence.”Allotherexcusenotesmustbeprovidedbyadoctor,doctor’soffice,orhospital. Typically,ifastudentmissesanentiredayofschoolforasingleappointment(adoctor’sexcuseforanhourlongappointmentforateethcleaning)thatdocumentationwillnotbeacceptedtoexcusetheentireschoolday.ExcusenotesshouldbesubmittedtotheMainOfficethedaythechildreturnstoschool.Pleasekeepinmindthatlateexcusednotescanaffectweeklyattendancereports. Pleaseensurethatanydocumentsubmittedasanexcusenotecontainstheinformationlistedbelow.Wehaveprovided“ReasonforAbsence”formsattheendoftheHandbook.Provideddocumentsthatdonotcontainthenecessaryinformationwillnotbeaccepted(theymaybesubmitted,buttheywillnotbeacceptedasanappropriateexcusenote): ·Child’sFullName(firstandlast) ·Grade ·DateofSchoolAbsence ·ReasonforAbsence ·Parent/GuardiansFullName(firstandlast)
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TARDINESS(AFTER7:40A.M.)● Studentsareexpectedtobeatschooleverydayontime.
● Studentsarealsoexpectedtoarriveateachclassthroughoutthedayontime.
● Studentswhoaretardyinthemorning(after7:40a.m.)haveGrammysdeductedandtheirhomeworkisconsidered“late”whentheyturnitinforthemorning.
● Studentswhowalkthroughthemaindoorsatorafter7:40amaretardytoschoolandmustbeaccompaniedbyaparentorguardian.Theparentorguardianmustsign-inthestudentorthestudentwillnotbeallowedtoreporttoclass.
● Studentsthataretardytoclass--meaningtheyhaveenteredtheschoolbuilding’smaindoorsbeforethebellrings,buthavenotenteredthethresholdoftheirclassroomdoorbeforethetardybellrings--mustreporttotheDeanofStudentsofficetoreceiveatardytoclasspass.
● Intheeventthatasevereaccidentimpactsahighwayorsevereweatherimpactstransportation,theTSCSLeadershipTeamhastherighttomakeacallthattardieswillnotbecountedasusual.
● Tardinesstoschoolwillbecloselymonitoredbytheschooladministration.Astudenttardywithoutparentsign-inwillreceiveawrittenwarningletterthefirsttimewithinaquarter.Secondandsubsequenttimeswithinaquarterwillresultinovernightsuspensionsfollowedbymandatoryparentmeetings.
● Accumulationoftardyarrivalsmayresultinmandatoryafter-schooldetention,requiredparentmeetings,CommitmenttoExcellenceMeetings,andcanultimatelyresultintheremovalofastudentfromTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool.
OFFICEPROCEDUREWHENTARDYORABSENT ● Studentswhowalkthroughthemaindoorsatorafter7:40ammustbeaccompaniedbyaparentor
guardian.Theparentorguardianmustsign-inthestudentorthestudentwillnotbeallowedtoreporttoclass.
● Intheeventthatasevereaccidentimpactsahighwayorsevereweatherimpactstransportation,theTSCSLeadershipTeamhastherighttomakeacallthattardieswillnotbecountedasusual.
● Whenastudentisabsentfromschool,theparentmustcompleteanexcusenoteorcompleteandsubmitthe‘ReasonforAbsence’form,availableatthebackofthispacket,andintheMainOffice.TheSchoolDirectorwilldeterminewhetheranabsenceisexcusedornot.
CHECKINGSTUDENTSOUT ● Checkingstudentsoutofschoolearlyisdetrimentaltotheiracademicsuccessandisstronglydiscouraged.
● Anytimeastudentisgoingtobecheckedoutofschoolearly,theparent/guardianshouldinformtheschoolpriortotheoccurrence.Excusedcheck-outswillbegrantedbasedonthefollowing:doctor’sappointment,death/seriousillnessintheimmediatefamily,court,unusualcause(decidedbytheschooldirector),deploymentofguardian/parent,orvisitwithparentsonmilitaryrestandrecuperation.
● Ifstudentsshowanexcessivepatternofcheckingoutearly,theywillhavetoattendaCommitmenttoExcellenceReviewwithparents.Continuingtocheckoutfornon-emergenciesmayresultinastudentbeingexpelledfromTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool.
● ForstudentswhoareassignedtoattendAssignedMandatoryTutoring,earlycheckoutsduringAssignedMandatoryTutoringtimewillbetreatedthesameasmissinganyotherclass.
● Nocheck-outswillbepermittedwithinthirtyminutespriortodismissal.Forexample,MondaythroughThursday,nocheck-outswillbepermittedbetween2:30and3:00p.m.,andonFridays,nocheck-outswillbepermittedbetween1:45and2:15p.m.
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VIII.UNIFORMS Whydowehaveuniforms? ● Uniformsuniteusasacommunity.WhenyoulookatTSCSshirts,itisapowerfulvisualstatementtoourcommunity.
StudentsmakeacommitmenttothevaluesatTSCSwhentheyputontheTSCSuniform.
● Uniformsreducedistractionsandclothingcompetition.Oftenstudentsspendmoretimediscussingandevaluatingwhatothersarewearingornotwearingthantheyspendfocusingonlearning.Wearinguniformseliminatesthisdistraction.
● Uniformsmakeusallequal.Whetherfamilieshavehighincomesorlowincomes,thestudentscometoschoollookingthesameway.Nooneismadetofeelbadabouttheclothestheyhaveordon’thave.
● Uniformslookprofessional.Studentslookneatwhentheyarrivetoschoolwithshirtstuckedintotheirpants.Thestudentscomementallypreparedand“dressedforwork.”
Note: Students who take advantage of uniform privileges will face appropriate consequences, including the possibility ofsuspension.
UniformsOuruniformpolicyisprovidedbelowforyourreference.OuruniformproviderisMissionwearSchoolApparel.Uniformshirtswillbeavailableforpurchaseduringstudentregistration,Thursday,July26,2018.Theywillbeavailablefrequentlythroughouttheyearforpurchasesatschool.TheywillalsoofferanoptionalTSCSsweater,whichwillbeavailablesoon.Allotheruniformitemsmaybepurchasedatthevendorofyourchoice.Shirts:
● Officialpurpleorwhitepoloorbutton-downcollaredshirtswithTSCSlogo.Studentshavetheoptiontoleaveonlythetopbuttonunbuttoned.
● Undershirtsmustbeblack,white,orgray.Whenwearingshortsleeves,thesleevesmustbehiddenundertheTSCSshirt.UndershirtswornunderwhiteTSCSshirtsshouldnothaveanywritingordesign.Studentsmayalsowearblack,whiteorgraylongsleeveshirts.Theseshirtsshouldalsonothaveanywritingordesign.
● Undershirtsmustbeblack,whiteorgray.UndershirtswornunderwhiteTSCSshirtsshouldnothaveanywritingordesign.Studentsmayalsowearblack,whiteorgraylongsleeveshirts.Theseshirtsshouldalsonothaveanywritingordesign.
● Shirtsmustbetuckedinatalltimesandbeofappropriatelengthandfit.Shirtsshouldfitlooselyenoughthatbuttonsdonotpull.
● FridaysOnly:Officialpurpleorwhitepoloorbutton-downcollaredshirtswithTSCSlogo.Studentshavetheoptiontoleaveonlythetopbuttonunbuttoned.StudentsmayalsowearotherSoulsvilleorCollegethemedshirts.Thisincludesclassshirts,SPYMorSPYWshirts,orothercollegeshirts.Studentsmaynotaltershirtsinanyway.Allshirtsmustbeofappropriatelengthandfit.
● Undergarmentsshouldneverbevisible. Sweaters:
● Graysweatervest,cardiganorlong-sleevedsweater● Soulsvilleshirtsmustbetuckedinundersweaters.● Wearingasweatervest,sweatercardigan,orlong-sleevedsweaterisoptional,butonlyTSCSsweatersmaybeworn.
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Shoes/Socks:● Closed-toed,plainblackshoes.Solidcolor(nowhitetrim,markingsordecorations)● Boots,ifworn,mustbeplainblackwithnofurorembellishments.Atnotimeshouldthetopofbootscomeabovethe
studentskneecap..Bootsshouldnotbewornwithskorts.● Socksmustbeplainwhite,black,purple,gray,silverorapattern/combinationofthesecolors.Norufflespermitted.● Tights/hosemustbeplainblackwithnomarkingsordesigns.Nocroppedleggings(leggingsmusthavefeet).
Pants:
● Plainblackpantswithnomarkings.Nocargopants,skinnylegpants,excessivelytightpants.Pantsshouldbewornonhipsatalltimes.Undergarmentsshouldneverbevisible.
Skorts(optional):
● Youngladiesmaywearaplain,solid-blackskorts(shortswithaflapoverthefront).Theymustbewornnomorethan1inchabovethebackoftheknee.TSCSreservestherighttodeterminewhetheraclothingitemisofappropriatefit.Skirtsarenotpermitted.
Belt:● Youngmenmustwearblackorbrownbeltswithnoembellishments.Youngladieshavetheoptiontowearablackor
brownbeltembellishmentsifdesired.● Beltsmustbeplainblackorbrown.Nofancyorlargebuckles,markings,extraholes,ordesigns.● Shirtsmustbetuckedinatalltimes;belts/beltloopsmustbevisible.
Jackets/Outerwear:
●Theseitemsarenotpartoftheschooluniform.Studentsmusttakethemoffbeforeenteringclass.Ifastudentiscold,werecommendthepurchaseofaTSCScrewneck,vest,sweater,cardigan,orfleece.
● Jacketsmaynothaveanyinappropriatedesignsorlabels(designsandlogosshouldnotbeassociatedwithanythingsexualorinappropriate).Jacketswithinappropriatedesignsorlogoswillbeconfiscatedandwillbekeptuntilaparentorguardianisabletopickitup.
Jewelry/Accessories:
●Onesimplewatchandonesimplenecklacethatistuckedintotheirshirtispermitted,butnosmartwatches,braceletsorrings.Pleasenote:ifastudentchoosestowearthepermitteditems,he/sheiswearingthemattheirownrisk.InotherwordsTSCSadminwillnotinvestigatelostorstolenitems.Smartwatchesofanykindarenotpermitted,includingbutnotlimitedtoAppleWatch,MichaelKors,Fitbit,andFossil.
●Girlsmaywearsmallearrings.Earjewelrymustbenolargerthanaquarterandcolorscanbemetallic(gold,silver,rose-colored,platinum)oruniformcolors(purple,white,black).Stud-styleearringsshouldnotbelargerthan10millimeters(thesizeofaneraseronapencil)andhoop-styleearringsshouldnotbelargerthanaquarter.
●Boysmaynotwearearringsofanykind.Note:Ifyougetapiercing,youwillnotbeallowedtowearanythinginit(e.g.postsor
straws),ortowearanythingtocoverit(e.g.band-aid),atschool.●Facial/tongue/bodypiercingscannotbewornatschool.●Hairaccessoriesshouldmatchtheuniform(purple,silver,gray,white).●Purseswillneedtobestoreduponenteringthebuilding.Youngladieswillbeallowedtogototheirlockers,ifneeded.
Headwear/Hairstyle:
●Nohats,headscarves,“dorags”,bandanas,skullcaps,etc.Youngladiesmaywearnon-religiousheadwrapsthatareschoolcolorsandthatareprofessionaltiedinstyle.Modestheaddecorationsinschoolcolors(e.g.asmallpurplebow)maybeworn.
● Studentinviolationofthiswillhavetheiritemsconfiscated.Itemswillnotbegivenbackuntilitispicked-upbyaparent/guardian.
●Noletters,words,orimagesmaybecutintohair,eyebrows,orfacialhair.Studentswhoarriveatschoolwithanyhairviolationsmentionedaboveintheirhairwillnotbeallowedtoattendclasses.Theirparentswillbecontactedtopick
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themupandchangethehairstylesothatthedesignisnolongervisible.●Naturalhaircolorsonly;nobrightcolors(nomatterhowsmall).Redand“Soulsvillepurple”haircolorareallowed.
Note:Wereservetherighttodeterminewhetherornotanypartofauniformisappropriate.
UNIFORMVIOLATIONS ● Ifstudentsviolatetheuniformpolicy,theywillreceiveauniformviolationsheetandaretoreporttotheStudent
SupportSpecialist.
● Out-of-uniformitemswillresultinGrammydeductions.Dependingonthemissingitem,thestudentmaybesuppliedtheitem.Someitems,suchasshirts,willneedtobereturnedattheendoftheday.Beltsandsockswillbepurchasedbystudents,andwillnotneedtobereturnedattheendoftheday.
● Socksandbeltsmustbepurchased.Thecostofapairofsocksis$1.00andthecostofauniformbeltis$5.00.TheuniformitempurchaserecordwillbemaintainedintheMainOffice,andtheparentwillberequiredtopayanybalancebeforepickingupeachreportcard.
● Studentswhoarenotadmittedtoclassduetouniformitemsthatcannotberentedorpurchased(forexample,wearingnon-uniformshoestoschoolorwearingGold/Platinumattirewithoutearningprivileges),willloseGrammysforthoseoutofuniformitemsandwillhavetowaitfortheitemtobebroughttoschool.
● Thefirstuniformviolationofanacademicquarterwillresultinaverbalwarning.Secondviolationswillresultinawrittenwarning.ThirdviolationswillresultinanautomaticIn-SchoolSuspension.FourormoreuniformviolationsinanacademicquarterwillresultinautomaticOvernightSuspensions.
SPECIALEVENTSDRESSCODE
AtSchool(professionaldressday,otherhomecomingevents,etc.) ● Whenstudentsareallowedtowearjeans,theyshouldnotbewearingtight,taperedpants.Jeansshouldalsonotbe
tornorrippedexposingskin.
EOYTrips&OtherOff-campusevents
● Dresses,shorts,andpantsshouldnotbeexcessivelytight ● Shortsanddressesshouldbelongerthanmiddlefingerswhenarmsareattheirsides ● Nobackless,seethroughshirtsordressesallowed. ● Nocleavageshowing.
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IX.CELLPHONEPOLICY ● StudentswillnotbeallowedtohavecellphonesonSoulsvilleproperty,unlesstheSchoolDirectorhasapproved
theCellPhonepermissionform,completedbytheparentandstudentduringregistration.
● Studentswhoaregrantedpermissiontobringtheirphonetoschoolwillbegivenanadhesivelabelwhichmustbe
affixedtothephone.Thosestudentsarerequiredtoturnthephoneinatthecollectionpointeachmorning,andto
pickitupeachafternoonatdismissal.Theyarenotpermittedtohavethephoneoutatanytime,unlesstheyhave
beengivenexplicitpermissionfromateacher,inwhichcasetheymuststandwiththatteacheruntiltheyfinish
usingthephone.Failuretoadheretotheseexpectationswillresultinconfiscationofthephoneandrevocationof
thepermissiontobringittoschool.
● Studentswhodonothavedocumentedpermissionfromtheschooltobringtheircellphonesarenotpermittedto
havethemoncampusatall.Phoneswillbeconfiscated.Failuretoadheretotheseexpectationswillcausethese
studentstobeineligibletogetpermission,shouldtheywanttobringtheirphoneinthefuture.
● Atnotimeshouldastudenthaveacellphoneinclass.Ifthishappens,TSCSwillconfiscatethecellphone,andthe
studentwillreceiveanAutomaticDisciplinaryReferral.Thecellphonewillnotbereturnedtothestudentforany
reason,andmayonlybepickedupbytheparent,inaccordancewiththepick-uppolicy,below.
● Allconfiscatedphones,regardlessofthereasonforconfiscation,andregardlessofpermissionstatus,mayonlybe
pickedupbythestudent’sparentonaMonday,nolessthantwenty-fourhoursafterthephonewasconfiscated.
ThismeansphonesconfiscatedonaMondaycannotbepickedupuntilthefollowingMonday.
● Studentswhorefusetohandoveraphone(orotherprohibiteditem)willbesubjecttoadditionaldisciplinary
consequences.
● Ifastaffmemberasksforastudent’sphone,refusaltohandoverthephonewillresultinimmediateonedayhome
suspension.
● Anyvaluables,includingcellphones,arebroughttocampusatyourownrisk.
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X.STUDENTMATERIALSANDRESOURCES TSCSBINDERS Allstudentsarerequiredtohavea3inchwhitethree-ringbinderatschool.Abinder,dividers,ahomeworkfolder,andhomeworkagendaareprovidedduringthefirstweekofschool.Studentsincurafeeof$10fortheseitems.IfatanytimetheTSCSbinderbecomesdamagedorbrokenareplacementcanbepurchasedintheMainOfficefor$5.Studentsareencouragedtokeeptheirbindersorganizedandtocareforthemgently.Teachersperiodicallyleadstudentsthroughbinderclean-outsoverthecourseoftheyearinordertomanagebinderorganization. ArrivingtoschoolwithouttheTSCSbinderwillresultinauniformviolationandGrammydeductions.SeetheUniformViolationsandRentalFeessectionformoredetailsaboutuniformviolations.
COMPUTERSANDELECTRONICDEVICES StudentsmaynotbringelectronicdevicessuchasMP3players,cameras,laptops,tablets,iPods,andcellphones(seecellphonepolicy).Iftheseitemsarefound,theywillbeconfiscatedbyteachersandmustbepickedupbytheparent.
Anyconfiscatedelectronicscanbepickedupbythestudent’sparentonthefollowingMonday,nolessthantwenty-fourhoursaftertheitemwasconfiscated.ThismeansitemsthatwereconfiscatedonaMondaycannotbepickedupuntilthefollowingMonday.
Anyandallelectronicsbroughttocampusareboughtatyourownrisk.
LIBRARYEXPECTATIONS TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolisfortunatetohaveaccesstoavarietyofmediaforstudentresearchandproductivity.Wehavetotakespecialcareofthesefacilities.BeforestudentsvisittheTSCSlibrary,theirteacherwilllayoutspecificexpectationsforhandlinganduseofmaterialsandtechnology.Failuretoadheretotheseexpectationswillresultinlosingtheprivilegetousethefacilities,andmayalsoresultindisciplinaryconsequencesandmonetaryfees,ifnecessary.
OnthenextpageistheLibraryContractthateveryTSCSstudentsignedwhenregisteringfor
the2019-2020schoolyear.
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LOCKERS Eachstudentwillbeassignedalockerfortheschoolyear.Theonlyitemstobestoredinlockerseachdayarejackets/coats,purses(ifneeded),andbackpacks.Nofooditemsaretobestoredinlockers(seeFoodandSnackTimeforlunchboxprocedures).CombinationlocksarenotusedatSoulsville.
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XI.SOCIALNETWORKING(FACEBOOK,SNAPCHAT,ETC.) TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolpridesitselfonprovidingasafelearningenvironmentforitsstudents.Weworkrelentlesslyto
buildacommunityofscholarswhosupporteachother.
AnemergingnationalconcernistheinappropriateuseoftheInternetbystudents.Thisproblemhasthepotentialtobe
harmfultostudentsandtotheschool,andweaskyoursupportinassistinguswiththischallenge.
Acrossthenation,schoolshaveseenanincreaseinnegativestudentbehaviorasaresultofmessageswrittenusing
electronictechnology,postedtopopularsocialnetworkingwebsiteslikeFacebook,Kik,Snapchat,andTwitter.Manysites
containinstantmessagingcomponentsthatallowstudentstochatwithotherstudentsandtopoststatementsthat
ordinarilywouldnotbesaidinaface-to-faceconversation.
ParentsneedtobeawareofwhattheirchildrenarewritingontheInternetandwhatothersarepostinginreply.Although
mostofwhatiswrittenisnotimmoral,offensive,illegal,orbullying,someofitis.Ifyouchoosetodoso,youmay
investigatethissitebypersonallyloggingontothesite.Theservicesarefree,andusersmayregisterandjointhesiteby
usinganemailaddress.Onceyouhaveregistered,youcansearchbynameandemailaddresstoseeifyourchildis
registered.Youwillbeabletoviewthekindsofpersonalinformation,messages,diaries,andphotographsthatstudents
posttothiswebsite,andweencourageyoutodoso.
AsitstatesinTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool’sParent-Studenthandbook,“Cyber-bullyingormakingderogatorycomments
aboutstudentsandstaffthroughsocialmediaisunacceptableandwillnotbetoleratedatTheSoulsvilleCharter
School.”Pleaseknowthatstudentswhoengageinnegativebehavioronsocialmediasitesandbringthoseissuesto
schoolmayputindangertheirpositionatTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool.
Note:Mostsocialnetworkingsiteshaveaminimumageof13forparticipation.Pleasemonitoryourchildtoensure
appropriateuseof,andconductonthesesites.
OnthenextpageisthesocialmediacontractthateveryTSCSstudentsignedwhenregistering
forthe2019-2020schoolyear.
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XII.FOODITEMSBreakfast
● Breakfastisprovidedeachmorningforanystudentwhoarrivesintimetogetit(between7:00amand7:20am).
Studentsarenotpermittedtoeatanyoutsidefoodduringbreakfasttime.
Lunch
● Lunchwillbeprovidedforstudentseachday;studentswhobringtheirlunchesmustkeepthemstoredinaclosed
lunchbox(nogrocery/plasticbags)andstoredappropriatelyinlunchcartsuntillunchtime.Studentswillnotbe
allowedtoheatuptheirlunchesoreatmicrowaveablelunches;therefore,theyshouldnotaskstafftoheatup
lunchesforthem.Studentsmayonlybringindividualportionsandmaynotsharefood.Teachersreservetheright
todeterminetheappropriatenessofany“junk”food.Nofooditemsmaybestoredinlockersduetoissuesof
attractinginsectsandthepotentialformesses.
Candy
● Candyisnotallowedoncampus,withtheexceptionofanindividualportion,storedinastudent’slunch,andeaten
onlyduringlunchtime.Theschoolreservestherighttodeterminewhatasensibleindividualportionis.During
school-approvedfundraisers,studentsmaynotsellcandyatanytimeduringtheschoolday.
Waterbottles
● WaterbottlesareallowedforMiddleSchool.Waterbottlesmustbeclear(notintedbottlesallowed)andarefor
wateronly.Pleasenote,coffeemugsandthermosesareprohibited.
Sellingfood/otheritemsoncampus
● Studentsareprohibitedfromsellinganyitemsatschool.Exceptionsmaybemadeforcertainschool-sponsored
fundraisers,butyouwillreceivenotificationifthisisthecase.Anyfoodorotheritemsthatarebeingsoldor
distributedwillbeconfiscatedandtheissuewillbereportedtoanadministrator.
Foodfromhome
● Studentscanbringtheirownlunch,buttheyshouldonlybringsensibleportionsfortheirownconsumptiononthat
day.FoodfromhomemustbekeptontheMSlunchcartandshouldbeinsideofthestudent’spersonallunchbox
(noplasticorpaperbags).Studentsarenotpermittedtosharefoodduringlunchoratothertimesduringtheday
becauseitviolateshealthcodes.Thisisalsoanissueofhealthyeating.Sensibleportionsareimportanttoachild’s
health,areessentialforhavingagoodafternoon,andtheschoolreservestherighttodeterminewhatis
appropriateandsensible.
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XIII.SOULSVILLEPASSPORT Every4-6weeksstudentswillreceiveaprintedsheetcalledtheSoulsvillePassport.Itwillhaveimportantinformationaboutindividualtutoringschedules,extracurricularactivities,dismissalprocedures,etc.Eachstudentisrequiredtokeepthemostrecentversionofthisdocumentundertheplasticonthefrontofhisorherbinderatalltimes.
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XIV.STUDENTDAILYCHECKLIST
BEFORELEAVINGHOME ➔ MakesureyouwakeupearlyenoughtogettoschoolONTIME!(ThismeansinyourseatinCommunity
Basebeforethelatebellringsat7:40a.m.) ➔ Checkyourclothingtobesureyouareinproperuniformfromheadtotoe. ➔ GETYOURBINDER!Openthebinderandturntoyouragendabook.Checkforeventsortasksthatmustbe
completedthatday. ➔ Placeyourhomeworkinthepocketsofthehomeworkfolder. ➔ Organizeyourbinderandcheckforneatness. ➔ OnMondays,makesurethatyourWeeklyReporthasbeenreviewedandsignedbyyourparent. ➔ Checkbackpacktomakesureitonlyhasitemsthatareallowedatschool. ➔ Makesurelunchisinalunchbox(nogrocery/plasticbagsallowed). ➔ Leaveyourhomewithplentyoftimetogettoschool.
ARRIVALTOSCHOOL(SCHOOLSTARTSAT7:40a.m.) ➔ Beforegettingoutofthecar,checktomakesurethatyouhavenoelectronicdevices.Thesewillbe
confiscated(exceptcellphonesforthosewhohavewrittenpermissionfromtheschool-seeCellPhonePolicy).
➔ Checkyourbackpackagaintomakesureyouonlyhaveacceptableitemsplacedinit. ➔ Beforegoingintothebuilding,checkyouruniformandgetoutyourhomeworkforyourclasses. ➔ BreakfastisservedintheMultipurposeBuildingeachdayfrom7:10am-7:25am. ➔ Allstudentswhoarrivetocampusbefore7:30amwillreporttotheMultipurposeBuilding. ➔ Allstudentsmusthavetheiritemsstoredandbeseatedinclassby7:40am.Ifyourchildisdroppedoffafter
7:35am,heorsheislikelynottomakeittoclassontime. ➔ At7:40CommunityBasebegins!Prepareforawonderfulday! ➔ Studentsshouldnotbedroppedoffbefore7:00am.
DISMISSALPROCEDURES
Notetoparentsandfamilies:Wehavedevelopedthefollowingdismissalprocedurestominimizetrafficcongestionattheendoftheday,andmoreimportantly,tominimizedangeroussituationsourstudentsmightfacewithoutacontrolleddismissal.Weunderstandthatmanyoftheseproceduresarenew,andthattheyrequiremorecoordinationthaninthepast.Weaskforyourpatienceandthankyouforhelpingtomakethiswork.Wewelcomeparentswhoareinterestedinvolunteeringtohelpwithdismissalintheafternoons.
BusRidersandWalkers ● Studentswhoridethebusorwalkhomewillonlybeallowedtodosooncetheirparenthascompletedthe
appropriatepermissionformandithasbeenapprovedbytheSchoolDirector(Seebelow).AftertheformhasbeenapprovedbytheSchoolDirector,thestudent’sdismissalstatuswillbeincludedonhisorherPassport.StudentswhodonothavethispermissiondocumentedontheirPassportwillnotbeallowedtoleavethemainpickupareaatdismissal.Parentscancompletetherequestforpermissionduringregistration.YoucanalsoobtainacopyofthisfromtheMainOffice.
● Busridersandwalkerswilldismissat3:00p.m.(2:15p.m.onFridays).
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CarRiderswithHighSchoolSiblings ● Middleschoolstudentswithhighschoolsiblingswilldismisslikeothercarridersinthemiddleschool.Rides
shouldcomethroughthemiddleschoollinewithadismissalnumbervisible.OncethenumberhasbeenrelayedtotheMainBuildingthestudentwillbedismissed.Highschoolsiblingswillalreadybepresentoutsidetolookfortheirrideinthemiddleschooldismissalline.
CarRiderswhoDONOThave
● MiddleSchoolstudentswhodonotattendanindividualteacher’stutoringsessionwilldismissasearlyas3:00p.m.(M-Th)and2:15p.m.onFridays.
● MiddleSchoolStudentswillnotdismissuntiltheirridehaschecked-inattheappropriatelocationintheparkinglot.Whenschoolendsat3:00,theyremainintheirclassroomuntiltheyarecalled.
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● Duringregistration,familieswillreceivethreecopiesofalaminateddashboardplacard.Thisplacardmustbeclearlydisplayedinthepassenger-sidedashboardofthevehiclepickingthestudentup.Forsafetyandprivacy,weusenumbersinsteadofstudentnames.
● Eachvehicledrivespastthedesignatedcheck-in,whereschoolpersonnellookforthenumberdisplayedinthedashboardandrelayittoteachersinthebuilding.
● Afterpassingthedesignatedcheck-in,thevehiclepullsuptothenextopenspotintheparkinglot. ● Oncethenumberhasbeenrelayed,yourchildiscalledtoexitthebuilding. ● Ifastudent’sridearriveswithouttheschool-issuedplacard,thepersonpickingthatstudentupwillbe
requiredtocheckthestudentoutfromtheoffice.
CarRiderswhoareattendingindividualteacherstutoringsessions● MiddleSchoolstudentswhoareattendingindividualteacher’stutoringsessionswilldismissat3:45p.m.
(M-Th).TherearenoscheduledtutoringsessionsonFriday.● Thesestudentswilldismissdirectlyfromindividualteacher’stutoringsessiontothefrontofthebuilding,
wheretheywillwaitfortheirrides.
Studentsparticipatinginextracurricularactivities ● MiddleSchoolstudentswhoparticipateextracurricularactivitiesremainintheirclassroomuntil3:15p.m.,
atwhichtimetheymustreportdirectlytotheircoachorsupervisor.
● Thesestudentsdismissatthediscretionoftheadultwhoiscoachingorsupervisingtheactivity.Studentswhoarewaitingtobepickedupfollowinganextracurricularactivityareheldtothesamebehavioralexpectationsasusual.
● Followinganextracurricularactivity,studentsmustbepickedupinatimelymanner(within15minutesof
theendtimecommunicatedbythecoachorsupervisor)andintheparkinglotinfrontoftheMainBuilding.
● Studentswhofailtomeetbehavioralexpectations,orwhorepeatedlyremainafterthefifteenminutewindowfortimelypick-up,maynotbeallowedtocontinuetheactivity.
OtherDismissalExpectations
● NostudentsshouldbedroppedofforpickeduponMcLemoreAve.oronCollegeSt. ▪ Ifstudentsarecaughtinviolationofthisexpectationsdisciplinaryconsequencewillbeissued.
● Onceastudentleavescampus,heorshewillnotbeallowedtoreturn. ● Nostudentwillbeallowedtoleavethemainpick-upareawithoutwrittenpermissionfromtheSchool
Director. ● Studentswhohaveabus-riderpasswillbeexpectedtowalktoandwaitatthebusstopimmediatelyupon
dismissal. ● Studentswhohaveawalkingpasswillbeexpectedtowalktothedesignatedlocationimmediatelyupon
dismissal. ● Note:Allparents/guardiansareresponsibleforarrangingaridetoandfromschoolandforcommunicating
thistotheirchildrenbeforetheschooldaybegins.Asstatedpreviously,Monday-Thursdayallstudentsdismissingat3:00p.m.areexpectedtobepickednolaterthan3:30p.m.Allstudentsdismissingat3:45p.m.duetoattendingindividualteacher’stutoringsessionshouldbepickedupnolaterthan4:15p.m.OnFridays,studentsdismissingat2:15p.m.shouldbepickedupnolaterthan2:45p.m.StudentswhoareassignedtoThursdaydetention(whichendsat3:00p.m.)mustbepickedupnolaterthan3:15p.m.StudentswhoarenotpickedupontimewillgotoAfterCare.[seeAfterCareProgram]
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AFTERCAREPROGRAM Inordertomakesurethatstudentsaresafeeveniftheirparent/guardiancannotpickthemupuntilafter3:30p.m.,TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolhasanAfterCareprogram.Theprogramrunsfrom3:30p.m.-6:00p.m.(Monday-Thursday)andfrom2:45p.m.-4:30p.m.onFridays.Eventhoughnotenrolledinaftercare,childrenwhoseparents/guardianshavenotpickedthemupby3:30p.m.forfirstdismissal,4:15p.m.forseconddismissal(Monday–Thursday)andby2:45p.m.(Fridays)willautomaticallybesignedintoAfterCareandchargedanAfterCarefee.Studentswillnotbeallowedtoremainoncampuswithoutdirectstaffsupervision.
● Studentsshouldbepickedupattheirdismissaltime.TheabsolutelatesttimeastudentcanbepickedupwithoutincurringanAfterCarefee,iswithinthirtyminutesof3:00/2:15dismissal,andwithinfifteenminutesof4:00dismissal.
● Studentswhoarenotpickedupfromextracurricularactivitieswithinfifteenminutesoftheofficialend,maynotbeallowedtocontinuetoparticipate.Theteacherwhosponsorstheextracurricularactivityreservestherighttodisqualifystudentswhoarenotpickedupontime.
● Studentswillhavehomeworktime,asnack,andinteractivetime.
● SchoolrulesandtheCommitmenttoExcellenceAgreementwillstillapply.
● StudentswhofailtomeetexpectationswillbeatriskofbeingdisenrolledfromTheSoulsvilleCharterSchool’sAfterCareProgram.
● Theprogramwillcost$25perweek–OR—$5perday(forthosewhoneeditsomedaysandnotothers),andpaymentforthefollowingweek(orcertaindayswithinthefollowingweek)willbeduebyWednesdayoftheweekbeforetotheschoolofficeandwillbenonrefundable.
Example1:Aparentwhowanted5daysofAfterCarethefollowingweekwouldpay$25byWednesdayoftheweekbefore.Example2:Aparentwhowanted3daysofAfterCarewouldpay$15byWednesdayoftheweekbefore.
*StudentsbroughttoAftercareduetocancelledtutoringorathleticpracticeswillnotbecharged.
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XV.INCLEMENTWEATHERPOLICY DuringtheSchoolWeek: The Soulsville Charter School will be closed (Monday-Friday) when Shelby County Schools closes. We will not make aseparate announcement for The Soulsville Charter School forMonday-Friday. Announcements regarding Shelby CountySchools’closingscanbefoundonallofthemajortelevisionnetworks.Parents,pleasebesuretoviewtheannouncementsclosely.IfShelbyCountySchoolsareinsession,thenwewillbeinsession. If there isaneed forearlydismissal,anannouncementwillbemadeonallmajor televisionnetworks,TeacherEase,andParentLink.Studentswillalsobeallowedtomakeparent/guardianphonecallstoinformyouofthedismissaltime.
(Pleasenote:Sometelevisionstationspostannouncementsmorequicklythanothers.Pleasewatchallofthemajorstations.Wearenotabletocontrolhowquicklyatelevisionstationpostsanannouncement.)
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XVI.PARENT’SCORNER
SETTINGUPPARENT-TEACHERANDPARENT-ADMINISTRATORMEETINGS
● Wewelcomerespectfulcommunicationandmeetings. ● Pleasenotethatparentsandguardiansshouldnotexpectameetingrightawayiftheychoosetoarrivetocampus
withoutascheduledmeeting. ● Teacherswillneverbepulledoutofclasstoholdparentmeetings. ● Administratorsplantheirdaystightlyinordertoservetheschoolwell,sotheymayormaynotbeavailabletomeet
uponimmediaterequest. ● Pleasesendanemailtotheteacherortheadministratoryouwouldliketomeetwithandameetingwillbeableto
bescheduledwithinafewdays.Or,youmaydecidethataphoneconversationisabetterstep. ● Youmayalsocalltheofficetorequestameetingwithateacheroradministratorandtheofficestaffwillsendan
emailtotheteacherand/oradministratorrequestingameeting.
BRINGINGSTUDENTSLUNCH
Ifaparentorfamilymemberbringslunchforastudent,lunchmustarrivebeforethatstudent’slunchperiodbegins.Iflunchisbroughtafterastudent’slunchperiodbeginsthelunchwillnotbedeliveredtothestudent.
FAMILYENGAGEMENTPLAN 2019-2020SchoolYear
ThefollowingfamilyengagementplanhasbeenjointlydevelopedandagreeduponbytheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolparents,students,andschoolstaff:
ParentInvolvementPlan:
AttheSoulsvilleCharterSchool,webelievethatparentalsupportisvitalfortheacademicandsocialgrowthofourstudents,andwewantparentstobeinvolvedinanorganized,ongoing,andtimelyway.Therefore,wewillmakeallappropriateeffortstoincludeparentsinthelifeoftheschoolandwillencourageparentstosupportoureffortsathome.
InvolvementStrategies:
1.Justbeforeenrollment,allstudentsarerequiredtoattendamandatoryindividualmeeting.Thismeetingwillincludetheparent,student,principal,andpossiblyafacultymember.
2.SignedHome/SchoolCompactagreement.
3.Parentalsupportwithhomework.
4.Multipleparentmeetingsareplannedfortheyear.Anyparentinformationalmeetingswillbeheldatregularandflexiblemeetingtimes.Parentsmayalsorequestmeetingsasneeded.
5.ParentswillbeinvitedtoanannualTitle1meetingtoprovidethemwithinformationconcerningtheirrightstobeinvolvedintheschool,Title1requirements,andtheSoulsvilleCharterSchool’sparticipationinTitle1.
6.ParentswillbeinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheHome-SchoolCompact.
7.Appropriatedocumentsandinformationwillbedistributedtoparentsinatimelymanner(i.e.viamonthlynewsletters,weeklyprogressreports,andquarterlyconferences).
8.Parentswillbeprovidedinformationregardingcurriculum,academicassessments,andthestudentproficiencygoals.Parentswillbeprovidedwithweeklyupdatesonstudentprogressasmonitoredbyclassroomteachers.
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9.Parentswillbeaskedtoassistduringotherschoolrelatedeventsandactivities.
10.Specialaccommodationstoassistwithreasonableparentinvolvementwillbeprovidedasrequestedbytheparent.
KEEPINGUPWITHYOURSTUDENT’SGRADES TeacherEase Thisweb-basedprogramallowsparentstoaccessinformationfortheirchildregardingtheiracademicperformanceforeachsubject.Teacherswillbeabletoupdateassignments,quizgrades,andtestgrades. Regularlyaccessingthisinformationwillallowparentstomonitorstudents’progressthroughouttheschoolyear.Parentscanalsocommunicatewithteachersonaregularbasisbyusingthewebsite’semailingsystem. Parentscangainaccesstogetthisinformationbyusingthefollowingsteps:
● Step1:Theofficewillgiveyouaninformationsheet. ● Step2:Fillouttheinformationsheetbyprovidingyourstudent’snameandemailaddress,andparent’snameand
emailaddress ● Step3:Returnthisformtotheoffice. ● Step4:Theofficewillthenemailyoualoginnameandapassword.Youmaygetstartedimmediatelyafter
receivingthis.
TIPSFORHOWTOSUPPORTYOURCHILD’SEDUCATION ● TeacherEase
o Maintainregularcontactwithyourstudent’steachersthroughTeacherEase.Emailthemthroughthesystem.SetupanaccountonTeacherEaseassoonaspossibleandlookforteacherupdates,assignmentlists,andpostings.
● WeeklyReport
o ReviewandSIGNyourstudent’sweeklyreports.ItwillbegivenouteveryMonday!ItmustbesignedandreturnedTuesdayduringCommunityBase.
o Discussthisreportwithyourstudent.Praisestudentsforperformingwellbehaviorallyandacademically.Identifyareasforgrowthanddiscusswaystheycanimprove.
● OpenDoorPolicy
o TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolhasanopendoorpolicy.Thismeansthatparentsareallowedtosilentlyobservetheirchildinclass.Inordertocheck-inorcometoobserveaclass,YOUMUSTSIGN-INandfollowthesecurityprocedures,whichareoutlinedatthesecuritydesk.Afterwhich,youmaycheck-intothemainoffice.Theofficewillcontacttheclassroomtoletthemknowavisitorisontheway.
o Whensigningin,pleasewriteyourname,date,time-in,time-out,andreasonforvisit.Beforegoingtoclass,youmustwearobservationidentificationprovidedbytheschooloffice.Ifanyoftheinformationyourecordandprovideatthefrontdeskisfalse,securitywillbealertedtoescortyouout,areportwillbefiled,andyourstudentwillbeatriskofbeingdisenrolledatTSCS.Thesafetyofourstudentsisatoppriority.
o Whenenteringtheclassroom,pleasebeasdiscreetaspossible.Wedoourbesttoavoiddisruptinglearningforstudents.Thereisusuallyspaceintherearoftheclassroomforyoutositorstand.Pleasedonotcommunicatewiththeteacheroranystudents,butsilentlyobserveandtakenotesasneeded.
o Parentsshouldalwayscommunicatetheirconcernsandthoughtswiththeirchild’steachersandschooldirectorinarespectful,appropriate,andprofessionalmanner.
● TeacherSuggestions
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● Reviewtheteachersyllabusforeachsubject. ● Askindividualteachersfortipsonhowtosupportyourchildinaparticularsubjectarea. ● Usewebsitessuggestedbyteacherstoreinforcelearningforyourstudents. ● UsetheTeacherEaseemailsystemandtheKickboardParentPortaltokeepincontactwithteachers
regardingyourchild’sprogress. ● Parentsshouldnotcallteachersoradministratorsbefore7:00amorafter8:00pm.
● UseaMorning,Afternoon,andEveningChecklist(seeDailyChecklist)
CONVERSATIONSTARTERS ● Tellme5thingsthatyoulearnedineachclass… ● Whatwasyourbiggestaccomplishmenttoday?Whatwasyourbiggeststruggle? ● Whatareyourgoalsfortheweek? ● Whichprojectsormajorassignmentsarecomingup?Tellmeaboutthem. ● Let’sstudyfortheupcomingquiz.I’llaskyousomequestions(usethisquestiontoreviewforthingslike
multiplication/addition/subtractionquizzes,spellingquizzes,capitalsofstatesandcountriesquizzes,etc). ● Whoisyourfavoriteteacher? ● Whoisyourleastfavoriteteacher?Why?Whatdoyouthinkyoucandotoimprovethatrelationship? ● Whatarethenamesofyourclosestfriendsatschool?Whatclassesdoyoutaketogether? ● Whichsubjectdoyouperformbestin? ● HowcanIhelpyouwithyourhomeworktonight? ● Whatwasyourdaylike?
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XVII.FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONSANDANSWERS 1.Whatkindsofextracurricularactivitiesareavailable?Howdoesmystudentjoin?
● TSCShasbasketball(MSandHS),track(MSandHS),volleyball(MSandHS),Cheerleading(MSandHS),Rugby(MSandHS),ROXclimbingteam(MSandHS),Tap(MS),Football(HS)andgolf(HS).Eachyear,thereisthepossibilityofaddingnewsportsandactivities.Ifastudentisinterestedinanintramuralsport,theyshouldaskateachertosponsorit.Therearealsoseveralclubsatourschool.Ifastudentwouldliketostartanotherclubthatisnotoffered,theyshouldfindasponsor,andsubmitawrittenproposaltotheSchoolDirector.Adecisionwillbemadefollowingthesubmission.
2.CanItakemychildoutofacertainteacher’sclass?
● Weareasmallschoolandtraditionallyhaveonegradelevelteacherpersubject.Ifthereisaconcernforyourstudent’sacademicgrowthinaclass,pleasesetupaparent-teacherconferenceoraconferencewithanadministrator.Together,youcanformaplanforhowtohelpyourchildcontinuetogrowandhavesuccessinhis/herteachers’classes.
3.DoHighSchoolandMiddleSchooltakeclassestogether?
● No,HighSchoolandMiddleSchoolwillsharebuildingspace,buttheywillnothavescheduledclassestogether.
4.Willtextbooksbesupplied,orwilltheyhaveatake-homebook?
● Allrequiredclassroomtextbookswillbesupplied,butnotallbookswillbeusedathome.Theywillnotneedtobringtextbookstoschooleveryday.
5.Canmychildbeputintotheirrightgradeiftheycomehere?
● TSCSbelievesinsupportingtheeducationalneedsofallchildren.Studentswillbeassignedtogradelevelsbasedontheskillsettheyhavemasteredfrompreviousgrades.Wealsoadheretoalllegalandstatemandatedproceduresfortheplacementofstudents.
● Wedonotguaranteeanyonetherighttobe“pushedup”tothegradethattheydesiretobeinwithoutfollowingseveralstepsandregulations.TheSoulsvilleCharterSchoolreservestherighttomakethefinaldecision.
6.DoesTSCShavebusing?
● No,wedonothaveaschoolbussystemthatbringsstudentstoourschool.Parentsareresponsibleforgettingtheirchildtoschoolontimeeveryday.Parentswillchoosethemodeoftransportationfordoingthis.
7.Whatisacharterschool?
● Acharterschoolisapublicschoolthathasaspecialcontractthatdetailshowthatschoolwilloperate(i.e.,itsmission,goals,academicobjectives,andexpectationsofhighperformance).
● Charterschoolsaredifferentfromtraditionalpublicschoolsbecausetheyhaveahigherlevelofindependenceasitpertainstodesigningrulesandsettingacademicgoals.Thereisalsoahigherlevelofaccountabilityforproducingresultsinstudentgrowth.
8.Doallstudentshavetoplayaninstrument?
● AtTSCS,allHSstudentsmustfulfillafineartscreditthatwillinvolveatleastoneyearofhighschoolorchestra,band,orchoir.AllMSstudentstakeamusicelectivedaily.Previousmusicaltrainingisnotrequired,butisvalued.
9.DoIhavetobuyorrentamusicalinstrument?
● No,theschoolprovidesstudentswithamusicalinstrumenttoplayandpracticeonduringclass.StudentswillonlybeallowedtotakeinstrumentshomeiftheyhavepermissionfromtheOrchestraDirector.
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XVIII.TSCSSTAFFDIRECTORY
First Last Role or Subject Area Email
NIna Hefner 6thEnglish/LanguageArts nhefner@tscsmemphis.org
Sanam Cotton 6thEnglish/LanguageArts scotton@tscsmemphis.org
Elizabeth Olvey 6thgradeMath eolvey@tscsmemphis.org
Taylor White 6thgradeMath twhite@tscsmemphis.org
Alyssa Gurreri 6thgradeScienceandTeamLeader agurreri@tscsmemphis.org
Anna Handley 6thgradeSocialStudies ahandley@tscsmemphis.org
Ashleigh Tate 7thEnglish/LanguageArts atate@tscsmemphis.org
Jarmeisha Gladney 7thEnglish/LanguageArtsteamleader jgladney@tscsmemphis.org
Lynell Gladney 7thgradeMath lgladney@tscsmemphis.org
April Wilson 7thgradeScience awilson@tscsmemphis.org
Lauren McCleary 7thgradeSocialStudies lmccleary@tscsmemphis.org
Becca Faber 8thEnglish/LanguageArts bfaber@tscsmemphis.org
Tenille Franklin 8thEnglish/LanguageArts tfranklin@tscsmemphis.org
Tatiyanna Webb 8thgradeMathandTeamLeader twebb@tscsmemphis.org
Nura Muhammad 8thgradeScience nmuhammad@tscsmemphis.org
Lawrence Overton 8thGradeSocialStudies loverton@tscsmemphis.org
Shaman McGowen MSandHSBand smcgowen@tscsmemphis.org
Demetrius Robinson MSandHSChoir drobinson@tscsmemphis.org
Heather Trussell MSandHSOrchestra htrussell@tscsmemphis.org
Kalli Harrell MSDeanofCurriculumandInstruction kharrell@tscsmemphis.orgg
Nadia Barnard MSDeanofStudents nbarnard@tscsmemphis.org
Parker George MSDeanofStudentsandAthleticDirector gparker@tscsmemphis.org
Thomas Upchurch MSDirector tupchurch@tscsmemphis.org
Christy Askew SpecialEducation caskew@tscsmemphis.org
Whitney Solorzano SpecialEducation wsolorzano@tscsmemphis.org
TSCSWholeSchoolLeadershipTeam
NeShante Brown Executive Director nbrown@tscsmemphis.org
LaMonn Daniels Director of Operations ldaniels@tscsmemphis.org
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XIV.REASONFORABSENCEFORMS
(copiesarealsoavailableintheMainOffice)
ReasonforAbsence
ThismustbecompletedbytheparentandsubmittedtotheSchoolDirector,whowilldeterminewhethertheabsenceisexcusedornot.
StudentName: _________________________________________________________________________
Grade: _________________________________________________________________________
Date(s)absent: _________________________________________________________________________
Reasonforabsence: _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________ _________________ ______________________
ParentSignature Date Phone
(Pleasestapleanyrelateddocumentationtothissheet)
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(copiesarealsoavailableintheMainOffice)
ReasonforAbsence
ThismustbecompletedbytheparentandsubmittedtotheSchoolDirector,whowilldeterminewhethertheabsenceisexcusedornot.
StudentName: _________________________________________________________________________
Grade: _________________________________________________________________________
Date(s)absent: _________________________________________________________________________
Reasonforabsence: _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________ _________________ ______________________
ParentSignature Date Phone
(Pleasestapleanyrelateddocumentationtothissheet)