Advisory Review of School Wide Policies

Day 1

 

DISCIPLINE POLICY

 

Teachers are responsible for enforcing the discipline policy in their classrooms on a daily basis. Disciplinary options available to the teachers include: warning, internal teacher interventions, after school detention, parent-teacher communication, counseling referral, written assignment, discipline referral to the administration, and a school suspension.

 

After School Detention

Any member of the faculty may assign an after school detention to a student. Please refer to the Discipline Rubric on page 28 to read the possible reasons a teacher may assign detentions.  After school detentions must be served the same day the detention is assigned and may consist of doing homework, writing an assignment, sitting quietly in a classroom, or assisting with cleaning of the campus. School events/activities, doctor’s appointments, club meetings, off campus appointments, or athletic events are not valid reasons for missing a detention.

 

Students who earn detentions for inappropriate behaviors need to serve their detention in the after school detention room.  A monthly detention room calendar will be posted in the outdoor bulletin case. 

 

After School Detention Room 

Detention starts promptly at 3:45 pm everyday except Friday.  Detentions will not be held on Friday.  Any student who receives detention on Friday will have to serve that detention on the following Monday.  If a student is late to detention, twenty minutes will be added to that student’s detention time.  If a student does not show to a detention, his/her time will be doubled, and he/she will have to serve the doubled detention the next day.  If a student fails to show on two consecutive days, their parents will be notified and they may be suspended.

 

During the after school detention period, students are to sit quietly and do school work. No activity such as listening to music, sleeping, etc. is permitted.  Students will be responsible to bring their own work to complete during detention. 

 

School Referral

If a situation is serious enough, then the student will be referred to the administration, so that they can discipline the students and contact the student’s parents.  All referrals will automatically merit a 40 minute detention.   If a student receives more than 5 referrals in any one month, a grade level conference will be scheduled.  If a student receives more than 10 referrals in one semester, a discipline review team meeting will be scheduled.  If a student receives more than 15 referrals in one school year, a discipline review team meeting will be scheduled.

 

Grade Level Conference

If a student accumulates more than ten detentions in any given month, a teacher led grade level conference must be held within two weeks.  Teachers will meet with the student and their parents to evaluate the cause of those detentions and create and action plan to avoid accumulating ten detentions in the following months.  If two consecutive grade level conferences are held and the student continues to struggle, then the teachers may recommend that student to the Discipline Review Team.

 

 

 

Discipline Review Team

The Discipline Review Team is an advisory committee to the Principal. The Principal convenes the board when needed, is Chair, and is a non-voting member. It is the responsibility of the Principal to have available all pertinent materials for each gathering.

 

The Discipline Review Team convenes when a student commits a serious violation of the discipline code or has broken the terms of his/her particular Contract (Attendance/Academic, Personal, and Disciplinary Probation). The Board recommends to the Principal its conclusion(s). It may recommend disciplinary action, terms of probation, suspension duration, and withdrawal from the school or expulsion.

 

The Principal may meet with the Discipline Review Team for advice, review and evaluation of the Discipline Code and submit recommendations for changes of the Discipline Code.

 

The Principal appoints members to the Discipline Review Team.  At least one teacher representative and one green dot must be present. 

 

***

Probation and Expulsion

Disciplinary probation

Disciplinary probation refers to a period of time determined by the Discipline Review Team or Principal, during which a student’s behavior is monitored and evaluated to determine the student’s right to remain at Ánimo Venice Charter High School.  After suspension or serious and/or repeated disciplinary problems, the parent/guardian, student, and Principal will sign a probation contract. Failure to adhere to the terms of the contract may result in

 

·         Dismissal from school

·         Restriction from specified school sponsored activities.

·         Principal/student conference and contract with parent signature.

·         In severe cases, a review of the student’s enrollment eligibility.

 

The Disciplinary Probation period is a positive attempt to help the student realize that all choices carry consequences, and, thus, a growth plan will also be included in this process

 

The Disciplinary Probation term officially begins with the issuance of the probation notice. The length of probation will be determined by the Discipline Review Team or Principal and may be extended for any violation listed under conduct and behavior.

 

Suspension (Education Code 48900)

Suspension is intended to remove the student from peers and the class environment. This separation provides the student time to reflect on his/her behavior and a possible pattern of behavior that will be more positive.

 

A student serving in-school suspension reports to school at the regular time in full uniform. Each teacher will give the student written assignments that s/he must complete under the direct supervision of security. The student will not attend any classes or go out for break or lunch. The student will eat lunch in the assigned room.

 

At three or more suspensions in a semester, a student and his/her parent must appear before the Discipline Review Board.  At 5 or more suspension in one school year, a student and his/her parent must appear before the Discipline Review Board. 

 

 

Expulsion – Dismissal from School (Education Code 48915)

A student may be dismissed from Ánimo Venice Charter High School for any of the following major violations or repeating any violation listed under suspension:

  • Possession or use of any weapons or firearms on school premises or at school sponsored events
  • Providing or selling narcotics of any kind (immediate expulsion)
  • Inflicting or causing bodily harm to any person on campus
  • Assault or battery, or any threat of force or violence directed toward anyone
  • Fighting
  • Theft of, tampering with, or unauthorized handling of a teacher’s gradebook, textbook, handbook, keys, briefcase, or other personal items
  • Tampering with fire alarms or extinguishers
  • Habitual truancy
  • Any infraction considered sufficiently serious by the Discipline Review Team

 

* * *

 

For a summary of the school-wide discipline policy, please refer to Section 8 (Consequence Flow Chart) and Section 9 (Discipline Rubric) of this handbook.


ACCRUED DISCIPLINE

 

CONSEQUENCES

 

 

LEVEL

 

5 Detentions per month

 

Loss of Free Dress and a Phone Call

Office

10 Detentions

or 5 Referrals per month

Grade Level Conference

Grade Level Coordinator

 

15 Detentions per month

 

Student and Parent must go before the Discipline Review Team

Discipline Review Team

10 Referrals in one semester

Student and Parent must go before the Discipline Review Team

Discipline Review Team

15 Referrals in 1 yr.

Student and Parent must go before the Discipline Review Team

Discipline Review Team

3 Suspensions in one semester

Student and Parent must go before the Discipline Review Team

Discipline Review Team

5 Suspensions in 1 yr.

Student and Parent must go before the Discipline Review Team

Discipline Review Team

 

*Each student begins each month with zero (0) detentions.

 

*At 30 detentions accumulated over the course of a quarter, a student and his/her parent must go before the Discipline Review Team and will be placed on probation.

 

*Our discipline policy states clear expectations and consequences and includes periodic parent notification, meetings with grade level teachers, counselor, and administrator intervention, with progressive consequences as infractions increase.


Level I:

Detention

 

Level II:

Referral

(worth 2 detentions)

Level III:

In Lieu of Suspension

Level IV:

Suspendable Offense

15 minutes

30 minutes

In-School Suspension/

Parent Shadow

Suspension from school

1 – 5 days

To be assigned by teacher, administrator, or security

 

To be assigned by teacher, administrator or security

 

 

To be determined by administrator or teacher

To be determined by administrator or teacher

 

Examples include:

 

Examples include:

Examples include:

Examples include:

Lying

Cheating

Behavior endangering others

Damaging school property and/or vandalism

Misrepresentation of facts

Forgery

Failure to complete a 40 minute detention

Disruption of school activities

Failure to show up to office hours

Inappropriate conflicts with other students

Inappropriate conflicts with staff

Insults, profanity, or vulgarity towards another

Profanity

Substitute teacher referral

Pattern of negative behavior

Blatant and Severe Disrespect/Defiance

Minor inappropriate conflicts with others

Teacher referral

Possession of banned substances, 1st offense

Possession of drugs/alcohol

Disruptive

Disrespect/Defiance

Truancy

Possession of an aerosol can, weapons, firecrackers, and devices of arson

Excessive Talking

No show to Level I detention

No show to a level II detention

Repeated pattern of negative behavior

Failure to show for time owed to a teacher

Refusing to give teacher electronic equipment (cell phone, MP3 players, etc.)

 

Sexual Harassment

Gum/food

 

 

Roughhousing

Violation of Dress Code

 

 

Theft

Not having classroom materials

 

 

Fighting

Possession of cell phones and permanent markers

 

 

Extortion

Possession of electronic equipment in class

 

 

Harassment/Threats/Intimidation

 

 

 

Hate Crimes

 

 

 

Smoking/possession of tobacco

 

After 10 referrals in one semester, a student will be brought before the Discipline Review Board and placed on probation.

 

After 3 suspensions in one semester, a student will be brought before the Discipline Review Board and placed on probation.


Advisory Review of School Wide Policies

Day 2

 

DRESS AND GROOMING REGULATIONS

 

In accordance with the Academic Expectations outlined previously, the purpose of these regulations is to inhibit any distractions from academic learning.  Students are to concentrate on cleanliness, neatness, good taste, and safety. The regulations listed below are to be observed by all students at all times.  If a student comes to school in violation of the dress code, then parents will have to drive to school and drop off a change of clothes for their child.

 

Belts. If a belt is worn, it must be a tan, brown or black, standard width belt, and it must be properly worn at waist level. Belts may be webbed, braided or leather. Belts may not have logos, studs, chains or initials.

 

Footwear. Dress shoes or tennis shoes no higher than mid-ankle in a primary color such as white, black or navy, etc. All footwear must have closed toes and heel straps.  No house shoes, slippers, or sandals of any kind are allowed.

 

Hair that is neat, clean, and fixed in such a way that it does not hang in the face facilitates student learning, as do beards and mustaches that are neatly trimmed.

Headwear.  No bandanas, wave caps, or visors are allowed on campus.  Students may not wear their hoods or hats in class.  Girls may wear ribbons, rubber bands, barrettes, or headbands.  No sweatbands are allowed on your wrists or your head.

 

Jackets/Coats/Sweatshirts. Solid color, which coordinates with the uniform colors with NO writing, emblems or logos of any kind except Ánimo Venice Charter High School or college emblems will be allowed on campus.  Outerwear that does not follow dress code will only be allowed to and from school.

 

Pants/Shorts. Only trouser-style (no outside pockets such as found on cargo pants, etc.) khaki pants/shorts are to be worn. Trousers are to be worn at least ankle length but not touching the ground. The hem must not be frayed or ripped. It is not permissible to cut the leg seam. Pants and shorts must be worn at the waist, not at the hip.

 

Shirts. Only navy blue, polo-style collared shirts are to be worn. The only approved logo or name is that of Ánimo Venice Charter High School.  Shirts should fit students appropriately.  Specifically, all shirts cannot be longer than six inches below the normal belt line.  All undershirts must be white, black, grey, or navy blue and must be worn under the polo shirt, not over the polo shirt.  In addition, undershirts are NOT to be seen along the bottom ridge of the polo shirt.

 

Skirts/Skorts. (Girls only) Khaki skirts/skorts must be the appropriate size and cannot be shorter than two inches above the knees.

 

Sweaters/sweatshirts. V-neck pullover, crew-neck pullover or cardigan in solid navy blue may be worn during the winter. All sweaters must be worn with a uniform polo shirt underneath.  The only approved logo or name on a sweater is that of Ánimo Venice Charter High School.

 

* * *

 

FREE DRESS DAYS

 

The Principal authorizes and approves all Casual Dress Days. Free dress days will be offered two Fridays a month.  They may reflect a particular holiday and/or theme; however, the following guidelines are to be observed on all Casual Dress Days:

  1. Boys and girls are permitted to wear casual pants, including clean and un-torn jeans.
  2. Boys and girls are permitted to wear T-shirts with sleeves, sweatshirts or other casual shirts/blouses provided they are modest and do not make reference to drugs, alcoholic beverages, taverns, offensive activities, etc. “Double meaning” T-shirts are not permitted. At no time for boys and girls are midriff T-shirts, sweatshirts or other casual shirts/blouses to be worn as well as clothing that exposes the midriff (stomach/waist).  No tank tops or spaghetti straps are allowed. 
  3. Girls may wear casual slacks, skirts, shorts and skorts and appropriate blouses. Skirts and skorts are not permitted if they are shorter than the uniform skirts and skorts. 
  4. Sandals are not permitted for either boys or girls.
  5. Neither boys nor girls are permitted to wear caps or hats during class period.
  6. Any student, who has doubt about what to wear, should simply not wear it.

 

In order to earn Free Dress privileges, a student must complete all the following requirements:

  1. Have fewer than three total tardies for the month.
  2. Have fewer than five detentions for the month.
  3. Have no suspensions or in-school suspensions or referrals during the month.
  4. Have less than 5 total periods absent for any reason during the month.
  5. No truancies for the month!  Remember: any unexcused tardy over 30 minutes is a truancy

***

 

DRESSING FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

 

The Free Dress Day guidelines are to be followed for all extra-curricular activities.  Students must keep in mind that they represent Ánimo Venice Charter at all extra-curricular activities.

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS

 

Allowed

 

 

 

Not allowed in class, but OK at break/lunch

Not allowed in sight of teachers and other students during school hours (8:25 – 3:40)

Not allowed at any time

Backpacks, book bags and other necessary classroom and/or athletic materials and equipment

CD players, walkmans, radios, MP3 players, etc.

 

Cell phones, pagers, or signaling equipment, etc.

 

Weapons: toy BB or water guns included

Permanent markers

Drugs

*Confiscated items must be picked up at Mr. Herrera’s office by a parent or guardian after the student has served a twenty minute detention.  Items in the far right column may not be returned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advisory Review of School Wide Policies

Day 3

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICIES

 

Regular attendance at school should be a priority of each student and should be encouraged and enforced by parents. Regular attendance at school is an absolute necessity if a student is to succeed in his/her academic endeavors. It also develops in students the habits of accountability and responsibility needed at work, in college, and throughout life.  Due to last year’s horrible attendance, ALL OF THE FOLLOWNG ATTENDANCE POLICIES ARE BEING REWRITTEN THIS SUMMER.  The new attendance policies will be published and distributed before school begins.

 

Absences

  1. Student