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DearAlmadelMarParent, WelcometotheAlmadelMarFamily!WearehonoredandhumbledbyyourdecisiontoenrollyourscholaratAlmadelMarCharterSchool.Inmakingthisdecision,youhavetakenanimportantsteponthepathtoyourscholarscollegegraduation.Wepromisetodo
everythinginourpowertomakesureyourchilddoesthehardworknecessaryforhimorhertobeonacollegetrajectory.AsamemberoftheAlmadelMarfamily,youaremakingacommitmenttoservice.Thatcommitmentmeansyouwillhelptosupportourschoolcommunityinwhateverwaysyouareable.Inadditiontoadvocatingforyourchildseducation,weaskthatyoualsoadvocatefortheeducationofeveryscholarinourbuilding.Wehavenodoubtthat,withyoursupport,everysingleoneofourscholarswillachieveatthehighestlevels.Pleasespendsometimereviewingthishandbookatthestartoftheschoolyear,andbesuretocalloremailuswithquestionsregardinganyofourpolicies.Beforeschoolstarts,
weaskthatyoureadthroughthefirst32pagesofthishandbook.Welookforwardtogettingtoknowyouandyourscholar(s)aswechallengethemtodotheirbestworkeverydayofthisschoolyear.
InService,
WillGardner,ExecutiveDirectorRolandriaJustice,PrincipalMeredithSegal,DirectorofScholarandFamilyServices
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TableofContents
SectionI:OurMission.........................................................................................................................5
SectionII:BoardofTrustees............................................................................................................7
SectionIII:FacultyandStaff...........................................................................................................10
SectionIV:WhomtoContactWhen..........................................................................................12
SectionV:FamilyEngagement.......................................................................................................13 1. Phoneande-mailcommunication................................................................................................142. WeeklyUpdates..................................................................................................................................143. InitialHomeVisits.............................................................................................................................154. ParentTeacherConferences.......................................................................................................155. FamilyDaysofService......................................................................................................................156. ExpeditionNights...............................................................................................................................157. OpenHouses........................................................................................................................................158. ParentCouncils...................................................................................................................................15
A. SchoolwideParentCouncil......... .......... .......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... ...16B. SpecialEducationParentAdvisoryCouncil.....................................................................................16 C. EnglishLanguageLearner(ELL)ParentAdvisoryCouncil.......................................................16
9. VolunteerOpportunities.................................................................................................................1710. SchoolVisits........................................................................................................................................1711. TownHall.............................................................................................................................................1812. BirthdayCelebrations......................................................................................................................18
SectionVI:AcademicProgram.......................................................................................................191. AcademicSubjects.............................................................................................................................20
A. Literacy............................................................................................................................................................20B. Mathematics.......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... ...20C. Science/SocialStudies...............................................................................................................................20D. Co-Curriculars......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... ......... 20E. SampleDailySchedule......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... ...22
2. ExpeditionaryLearning...................................................................................................................233. Schoolsupplies...................................................................................................................................234. Homework............................................................................................................................................235. Gradingpolicies..................................................................................................................................24
A. ProgressReports.........................................................................................................................................24B. ReportCards..................................................................................................................................................25C. Conferences....................................................................................................................................................25
6. Promotion/RetentionPolicies.......................................................................................................257. Assessments.........................................................................................................................................26
A. MassachusettsComprehensiveAssessmentSystem(MCAS)..................................................26B. TerraNova......................................................................................................................................................26C. MathBenchmarkTests..............................................................................................................................26 D. Fountas&PinnellReadingAssessments..........................................................................................26E. TeacherCreatedTestsandQuizzes.....................................................................................................26
SectionVII:CodeofConduct...........................................................................................................27 1. FiveCommitments.............................................................................................................................28
A. Service..............................................................................................................................................................28B. Quality..............................................................................................................................................................28
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C. Integrity...........................................................................................................................................................29D. Accountability...............................................................................................................................................29E. Persistence.....................................................................................................................................................29
2. ConsequencesforFailuretoAdheretoBehavioralExpectations.....................................30A. ClassroomConsequences.........................................................................................................................30 B. Office-LevelConsequences......................................................................................................................31 C. SuspensionandExpulsion.......................................................................................................................31
3. Attendance...........................................................................................................................................32A. ExcusedAbsences.......................................................................................................................................32B. UnexcusedAbsences..................................................................................................................................32C. Punctuality......................................................................................................................................................33
4. CellPhones,Electronics,andToys...............................................................................................335. Gum,Candy,andCaffeine................................................................................................................336. TobaccoProducts...............................................................................................................................347. ApplicationofPoliciestoScholarswithSpecialNeeds.........................................................34
SectionVIII:DressCode...................................................................................................................35 1. UniformOptionsforGirls................................................................................................................36
2. UniformOptionsforBoys................................................................................................................373. AdditionalSpecificationsforBoysandGirls.............................................................................384. ObtainingDressCodeItems...........................................................................................................38
A. OrderingInformation................................................................................................................................38B. FinancialAssistance...................................................................................................................................39C. DonationofUsedUniforms.....................................................................................................................39
5. DressCodeEnforcement..................................................................................................................39
SectionIX:AfterschoolProgram...................................................................................................40 1. Enrollment............................................................................................................................................412. Cost..........................................................................................................................................................413. Transportation....................................................................................................................................41
SectionX:EducatingAllScholars..................................................................................................42 1. EvaluationsforSpecialEducation................................................................................................432. EligibilityforSpecialEducation....................................................................................................433. IndividualizedEducationPlan.......................................................................................................434. 504AccommodationPlan...............................................................................................................445. Counseling............................................................................................................................................446. HomelessEducationAct..................................................................................................................447. EnglishLanguageLearners.............................................................................................................44
SectionXI:SchoolBreakfastandLunch......................................................................................451. FreeandReducedBreakfastandLunch.....................................................................................46
A. Eligibility.........................................................................................................................................................46
B. Enrollment......................................................................................................................................................46 2. MealPrices...........................................................................................................................................463. OrderingMeals...................................................................................................................................47
A. OnlineOrdering............................................................................................................................................47 B. PaperOrdering.............................................................................................................................................47
4. MealsfromHome...............................................................................................................................48
SectionXII:Health..............................................................................................................................49 1. Screenings............................................................................................................................................502. AdministrationofMedicationinSchool.....................................................................................50
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A. PainKillers.....................................................................................................................................................50B. AsthmaInhalers...........................................................................................................................................51C. EpiPens.............................................................................................................................................................51
3. FirstAidandMedicalEmergencies..............................................................................................514. MedicalExclusion..............................................................................................................................515. MedicalRecords.................................................................................................................................52
A. MassachusettsSchoolHealthRecord.................................................................................................52B. EmergencyCard...........................................................................................................................................52C. AuthorizationforDispensingMedicationinSchoolForm......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... 53
SectionXIII:SafetyandSecurity....................................................................................................541. WeatherClosures...............................................................................................................................552. VisitorProtocols.................................................................................................................................553. ScholarProperty................................................................................................................................55
A. ScholarStorageSpace................................................................................................................................55 B. ProhibitedItems..........................................................................................................................................55C. Lost&Found..................................................................................................................................................56 D. ScholarSearches..........................................................................................................................................56
4. RestrainingOrders............................................................................................................................565. EvacuationProcedures....................................................................................................................56
SectionXIV:Transportation...........................................................................................................58 1. SchoolBuses........................................................................................................................................59
A. EligibilityforBusTransportation........................................................................................................59B. LocationofBusPickupandDrop-off..................................................................................................59C. BehaviorontheBus....................................................................................................................................59
2. DropoffandPickupatSchool........................................................................................................603. WalkersandBikers...........................................................................................................................61
SectionXV:BullyingPolicy..............................................................................................................62 1. BullyingPreventionEfforts............................................................................................................632. CollaborationwithFamilies...........................................................................................................63
A. In-PersonReporttoStaffMember.......................................................................................................63 B. WrittenIncidentReportingForm........................................................................................................63C. PhoneMessage........... .......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... ......... .......... ......63
3. ResponsestoReportsofBullying.................................................................................................64A. Safety................................................................................................................................................................64B. Investigation..................................................................................................................................................64C. Determinations.............................................................................................................................................64
4. ResponsestoConfirmedBullyingIncidents.............................................................................64A. PromotingSafetyfortheTargetandOthers......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... ......... ........64B. EffortstoPreventFutureIncidents.....................................................................................................64 C. DisciplinaryAction......................................................................................................................................64
5. AccesstoResourcesandSupportServices................................................................................64
Appendices...........................................................................................................................................66 Appendix1:SchoolCalendar..................................................................................................................66Appendix2:AlmadelMarPledge.........................................................................................................68Appendix3:Suspension&ExpulsionPolicies..................................................................................69
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Section I: Our Mission
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AlmadelMarisaninclusiveExpeditionaryLearningschoolthatputsNewBedfordscholarsonacollegetrajectoryandchallengesthemtobeservice-orientedleaders.Byengaginginarigorousacademicprogramwithanemphasisonmeaningfulwork,ourscholarswillmasteressentialskillsandcontent,takeownershipoftheirlearningandthinkboldlywhileaddressingcomplexacademicandcommunityissues.
AlmadelMarisacharterschool.CharterschoolswereintroducedinMassachusettsviathe1993EducationReformActpassedbytheLegislature.Charterschoolsareindependentlymanagedpublicschoolsthatoperateunderafive-yearchartergrantedbytheMassachusettsBoardofEducation.Charterschoolshavethefreedomtoorganizearoundacoremission,curriculum,theme,orteachingmethod,andareallowedtocontroltheirownbudgetsandhire(andfire)teachersandstaff.Inreturnforthisfreedom,acharterschoolmustdemonstratestrongacademicresultsandorganizationalviabilityorthecharterwillberevoked.Parentschoosetosendtheirchildrentocharterschools;scholarsareselectedbyrandompubliclotterywhen
demandexceedsthenumberofseatsavailable.Charterschoolsarepublicschoolsembodyingfreedom,choice,andaccountability.
OurFiveCommitments:
Service
Iwillactivelycontributetomyschoolandlargercommunitywithaspiritofcooperation,volunteeringmytimeandtalentstohelpothers.Quality
Iwilldomybestworkeverydayandreachforhighstandardsofacademicachievementandcharacter.IntegrityIwillbetruthfulandrespectmyselfandothersthroughmyactionsandmywords.AccountabilityIwilltakeresponsibilityformyconductandactions,alwaysstrivingtoholdmyselftohighstandardsandencouragingthosearoundmetodothesame.Persistence
Iwillnotgiveupwhenfacedwithchallenges.IwillaskforhelpwhenIneedit.Irecognizethatreallearningtakestimeandeffort.
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Section II: Board ofTrustees
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TheindividualslistedbelowcompriseAlmadelMarsfoundingBoardofTrustees.Theyareresponsibleforoverseeingthegovernanceoftheschoolandensuringthattheschoolisfulfillingitsmission.DavidCabral,MBA,isaPrincipalatFiveStarSurgicalandFiveStarManufacturing,
growingbusinessesthatmakeandrefurbishsurgicaldevices.DavidgrewupintheNewBedfordareaandservesontheBoardsoftheGreaterNewBedfordIndustrialFoundationandtheGreaterNewBedfordWorkforceInvestmentBoard.KarynCampbell,CFA,istheformermanagingdirectorofCapitalAdvisorsGroup,Inc.andservesonthenationalboardofdirectorsforCitizenSchools.Throughherwork,shehasexpandedCitizenSchoolsfromathree-siteprogramwithatwomilliondollarbudgettoanationalnetworkincludingprogramsinmorethan20citieswithatwenty-threemilliondollarbudget.Havinggrownupwithdyslexia,Karynattributeshersuccesstoexperientiallearningopportunities,andsheiscommittedtoopeningsuchopportunitiestounderprivilegedchildreninNewBedford.
JeanFox,MBA,hasworkedwiththeGreaterNewBedfordWorkforceInitiativeforthelastthreeyears.AstheorganizationsYouthCouncilDirector,shehasdesignedandimplementedfederallyfundedprogramsforat-riskyouthinNewBedford.ThroughPeople,IncorporatedandTheOpportunityCenter,Jeanhascreatedjobtrainingandplacementprogramsforyoungpeopleandforadultswithdisabilities.JeanisamemberoftheNewBedfordEarlyLiteracyConsortium.AmandaGlinski,JD,isacurrentresidentofNewBedford.AmandaisanestatesplanninglawyerinNewBedfordwithexperienceinotherareassuchasrealestate,generalcorporaterepresentation,businesslitigationandtrademarkapplications.
GuillermoGonzalez,MD,Vice-ChairisanativeofPuertoRicoandacurrentresidentofNewBedfordwithover30yearsofexperienceasapsychiatrist.HecurrentlyrunsaprivatepracticeinNewBedfordandhasservedontheEducationCommitteeforNewBedfordsMasterPlanandasaboardmemberfortheCommunityHealthFoundationofGreaterNewBedford.MarthaKay,M.Ed.,hasservedasanadministratorinNewBedfordPublicSchoolsforthepast20years.Mostrecently,shehasservedasthePrincipalofGomesElementarySchool,whichwasdesignatedasaCommendationSchoolforitsworkclosingtheachievementgapforEnglishlanguagelearnersandlow-incomescholars.Marthabringsapassionfor
improvingeducationaloutcomesforscholarsinNewBedford,expertiseinfederalgrant-writingandsignificantexperiencewithservingEnglishlanguagelearners.JudithLiisaDirectorofStrategyatTeachForAmerica,focusingontheorganizationsnear-andlong-termstrategicplanning.PriortojoiningTeachforAmerica,JudithwasamanagementconsultantatMcKinseyandCompany,whereshespentseveralyearsworkingonstrategicbusinessplanningandorganizationalstructure/developmentforawidespanofdifferentprivatesectororganizations.
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DavidM.Prentiss,JD,ChairmanistheCEOoftheNewBedfordSymphonyOrchestraaswellasalecturerinPoliticalScienceattheUniversityofMassachusettsinDartmouth.HehasservedastheExecutiveDirectoroftheButtonwoodParkZoologicalSocietyaswellastheActingDeanoftheSouthernNewEnglandSchoolofLaw.
MarkRasmussen,MPP,hasbeenPresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficerofTheCoalitionforBuzzardsBay,headquarteredinNewBedford,since1998.HeisagraduateofHarvardUniversitysKennedySchoolofGovernmentwithaMastersinPublicAdministrationandisalifelongresidentofGreaterNewBedford.
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Section III: Faculty andStaff
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Name Position E-mail
WillGardner ExecutiveDirector [email protected]
RolandriaJustice Principal [email protected]
MeredithSegal DirectorofScholar&FamilyServices [email protected]
LourdesGonzalez OfficeManager [email protected]
RebeccaCotugno KindergartenLeadTeacher [email protected]
BeckyJones KindergartenLeadTeacher [email protected] KindergartenAssociateTeacher [email protected]
FaustinaDePina KindergartenAssociateTeacher [email protected]
CourtneyMurtzNettell FirstGradeLeadTeacher [email protected]
KylaSpindler FirstGradeLeadTeacher [email protected]
NathalieConception FirstGradeAssociateTeacher [email protected]
JosephAlmeida SecondGradeLeadTeacher [email protected]
EmilySassola SecondGradeLeadTeacher [email protected]
ElizabethLeiwant SecondGradeAssociateTeacher [email protected]
SarahDoyle SpecialEducationInterventionist [email protected]
BethanyBrown PhysicalEducationTeacher [email protected]
AmandaHarris ArtTeacher [email protected]
JoshDaponte MusicTeacher [email protected]
JohnVeenstra PlantManager [email protected]
BoardofTrustees
ExecutiveDirector
PlantManager Principal
Lead
Teachers
AssociateTeachers
Co-curricularTeachers
SPEDInterventionist
DirectorofStudentand
FamilyServices
Nurse OficeManager
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Section IV: Whom to
Contact When
Concern StaffMemberIhavequestionsaboutmyscholarsacademicprogress Yourscholarsteacher
Ihavequestionsabouthomework Yourscholarsteacher
Ihavequestionsaboutschoolactivities(fieldtrips,etc.) Yourscholarsteacher
Myscholarhasanallergy;myscholarneedsmedicationduringtheday SchoolNurse
Idontknowwhethertosendmychildtoschoolbecausehe/shemaybesick SchoolNurse
Myscholarhasbeendiagnosedwithacontagiousillness SchoolNurseIhaveconcernsaboutindividualorschoolwidedisciplineissues RolandriaJustice
Ihavequestionsaboutstandardizedtesting RolandriaJustice
Ihavequestionsaboutinstructionormanagementnotansweredbyothers RolandriaJustice
Ihavebigpicturequestionsaboutinstruction,academics,orteaching RolandriaJustice
Myscholarwillbeabsentorlate LourdesGonzalez
Iwillbepickingmyscholaruponagivenday LourdesGonzalez
Iwouldliketoentermyscholarssiblingsintothelotteryfornextyear LourdesGonzalez
Ineedacopyofthecalendarorothermaterials LourdesGonzalez
Ineedtogetanemergencymessagetomyscholarduringtheday LourdesGonzalez
MyscholarhasanIEP/504plan;Ithinkmyscholarmayhavespecialneeds MeredithSegal
Ineedhelporderinguniforms MeredithSegal
Ineedhelporderinglunch;myscholariseligibleforfree/reducedlunch MeredithSegal
Ihavequestionsabouttransportation MeredithSegal
Iwouldliketovolunteer;IwouldliketojoinoneoftheParentCouncils MeredithSegal
Ineedhelpwithhousing,food,clothing,orcommunityresources MeredithSegal
Ihavequestionsabouttheafterschoolprogram ElizabethLeiwant
Iwouldliketomakeadonationofgoods,services,ormoneytotheschool WillGardner
Ihaveacomplainttofile WillGardner
AllmembersoftheAlmadelMarstaffwillrespondtophonecallsande-mailswithin24hoursoronebusinessday.Pleaseneverhesitatetobeintouchwithquestions,concerns,orsuggestions
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Section V: Family
Engagement
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AlmadelMarbelievesstronglythatscholarssucceedwhentheadultsintheirschoolandtheirhomeareworkingtogether.AlmadelMarexpectsthatallparentsandguardianswilltakeanactiveroleintheeducationoftheirscholars.AlmadelMariscommittedtodoingwhateverittakestoovercomebarriersto
engagementandtoensurethatallparentsandguardianshavetheopportunitytobepartoftheschoolcommunity.AlmadelMaralsostronglyencouragestheengagementofextendedfamilymembers.Inordertoallowforcommunication,itiscriticalthattheschoolhaveupdatedcontactinformationforallparentsandguardians.Anytimeaphonenumberore-mailaddresschanges,pleasecontacttheOfficeManagerwithin24hourstoprovideupdatedinformation.
1. Phone and e-mail communicationAllparentswillbeprovidedwiththecellphonenumberande-mailaddressfortheirchildsteacherandforotherstaffmembers.Scholarsandparentsshouldfeelfreetocall,text,ore-mailanytimethattheyhaveaquestion,concern,orsuggestion.AllAlmadelMarstaffmemberswillrespondwithin24hoursor1businessday.Teachersandotherstaffmemberswillcontactparentstosharebothpositiveandnegativedevelopmentsinareasincludingacademicperformanceandbehavior.AlmadelMarexpectsallparentstorespondtophonecalls,texts,ande-mailsregardingtheirscholarwithin24hoursor1businessday.Ifcommunicationsarenotreturned,staffmembersmayconductahomevisittodiscussthematter.AlmadelMaralsoutilizesanautomatedcommunicationsystemtodistributeimportantinformationtoparents.Parentswillreceiveautomatedcalls,textmessages,ande-mailsregardingupcomingevents,professionaldays,andothermatters.Inaddition,allfamilieswillreceiveautomatedphonecallsandtextmessagesinthecaseofschoolclosureduetoweather,earlydismissalduetoweather,oranotheremergencysituation.Ifparentsarenotreceivingthesecommunications,pleasecontacttheOfficeManager.
2. Weekly UpdatesEachFridayafternoon,scholarswillbringhomeadouble-sidedpapercontainingimportantupdatesforfamilies.Onesideofthispaperwillcontainasummaryofthetopicscoveredbytheclassduringtheweekaswellasabriefprogressreportregardingtheperformanceoftheindividualscholar.Theothersidewillcontaininformationabouttheupcomingweek.
AlmadelMaris
committedtodoing
whateverittakesto
overcomebarriersto
engagementandtoensurethatall
parentsand
guardianshavethe
opportunitytobe
partoftheschoolcommunity.
Anytimeaphonenumber,address,or
e-mailaddress
changes,pleasenotify
theMainOfficeimmediately.
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3. Initial Home VisitsAmemberoftheAlmadelMarteamwillconductaninitialhomevisitwithallnewlyacceptedfamiliespriortothestartoftheschoolyear.Ifparentsarenotcomfortablewithavisitathome,themeetingmayoccuratanotherlocationofthefamilyschoosing.
4. Parent Teacher ConferencesTheAlmadelMaracademicyearisdividedintofourquarters.Followingtheendofeachofthefirstthreequarters,Parent-TeacherConferenceswillbeconducted.Duringthesecondquarter,conferenceswillbescholarled.AnadditionalParent-TeacherConferencewillbeheldattheendoftheyearifnecessarytoaddressindividualneeds.Eachparentwillbeexpectedtosignupforanappointmentduringthistimewindow.ThedatesofParent-Teacherconferencesarelistedontheschoolcalendartoallowparentssufficientnoticetorequesttimeofffromworkifnecessary.
5. Family Days of ServiceFamilyDaysofServiceoffertheopportunityforscholarsandtheirfamilymembersto
demonstratetheircommitmenttoservicebyparticipatingincommunityserviceprojects.ExtendedfamilymembersarewelcometoattendDaysofService.AtleastfourFamilyDaysofServicewillbeheldeachyear.Theseeventsarenotmandatory,butparticipationisstronglyencouraged.
6. Expedition NightsTwiceayear,AlmadelMarwillhostExpeditionNights.ExpeditionNightswillofferscholarstheopportunitytoshowcasetheirworkandtoteachparentsandcommunitymembersaboutwhattheyhavelearned.Scholarparticipationintheseeveningsisrequired,andfamilymembersarestronglyencouragedtoattend.
7. Open HousesFourtimesayear,AlmadelMarwillhostOpenHouses.TheSeptemberandOctoberOpenHouseswillgivefamiliestheopportunitytolearnaboutinschoolculture,visitclassrooms,andspeakwithstaffmembers.TheOpenHouseinJanuarywillofferprospectivefamiliesthechancetolearnabouttheschoolfromcurrentparentsandscholars,andtheAprilOpenHousewillwelcomenewlyacceptedfamiliesforthe2012-2013schoolyeartotheschoolcommunity.
8. Parent CouncilsTheAlmadelMarParentCouncilswillengageparentsinshapingtheschoolanddevelopingprogrammingthatwilladvancethemissionoftheschool.AlmadelMarwilloperatethreeParentCouncils:
TheSchoolwideParent
Council,SPEDParent
Council,andELLParentCouncilwillwork
togethertoensurethat
theneedsofallscholars
areaddressed.All
parentsareencouraged
toparticipateinall
parentcouncils.
TheSchoolwide
ParentCouncil
willmeetonthe
secondTuesdayof
eachmonthat
6:00PM.
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A. Schoolwide Parent CouncilTheSchoolwideParentCouncilwillberesponsibleforplanningspecialevents,developingprogrammingandservicesforfamilies,givinginputonschoolpolicy,recruitingnewscholars,andconductingotheractivitiesasdeterminedbymembers.
TheSchoolwideParentCouncilwillmeetonthesecondTuesdayofeachmonthat6:00PM.Duringthesecondmeetingoftheyear,thebylawswillbefinalized,andofficerswillbeelected.Allparentsareencouragedtoparticipate.
B. Special Education Parent Advisory CouncilTheSpecialEducationParentAdvisoryCouncilwillpromoteparentengagementinthedevelopmentandmodificationofprogramsservingscholarswithspecialneeds.
InaccordancewithMassachusettsGeneralLaw,dutiesoftheSpecialEducationAdvisoryCouncilwillinclude,butnotbe
limitedto,advisingtheschoolonmatterspertainingtotheeducationandsafetyofscholarswithspecialneedsandmeetingregularlywithschoolofficialstoparticipateintheplanning,development,andevaluationoftheschoolsspecialeducationprograms.TheSpecialEducationParentAdvisoryCouncilwillalsoofferworkshopsandeducationalprogrammingofinteresttoparentsofchildrenwithspecialneedsandwillplayanactiveroleinrecruitingscholarswithspecialneedstoenterthelottery.
TheSpecialEducationParentCouncilwillmeetonthefirstWednesdayofeveryothermonthat6:00PM.Duringthefirstmeetingoftheyear,thebylawswillbe
finalized,andofficerswillbeelected.Allparentsareencouragedtoparticipate.
C. English Language Learner (ELL) Parent Advisory CouncilTheEnglishLanguageLearnerParentCouncilwillengageparentsindevelopingprogrammingforchildrenwhospeakalanguageotherthanEnglishathomeandfortheparentsofsuchscholars.PotentialprogrammingincludesESLclassesforadults.TheEnglishLanguageLearnerParentCouncilwillalsosupporttheschoolinensuringthatallmaterialsareavailabletoparentsintheirhomelanguage.
TheEnglishLanguageLearnerParentCouncilwillmeeton
thelastTuesdayofalternatemonthsat6:00PM.Duringthefirstmeetingoftheyear,thebylawswillbefinalized,andofficerswillbeelected.Allparentsareencouragedtoparticipate.
TheSpecial
EducationParent
Councilwillmeet
onthefirst
Wednesdayofeveryothermonth
at6:00PM.
TheELLParent
Councilwillmeet
onthelastTuesdayofevery
othermonthat
6:00PM.
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9. Volunteer OpportunitiesAlmadelMarencouragesallparentstovolunteerandwilltakeallreasonablestepstoensurethateveryparenthastheopportunitytodosoinawaythataccommodateshisorherschedule.Volunteeropportunitiesincludethefollowing:
Classroomtaskstutoringscholars,assistingteacherswithreviewingscholar;assistingteacherswithorganizingclassrooms.
Officetasksfilingpapers,makingphotocopies,coveringthefrontdeskduringstaffbreaks.
Librarytasksorganizingbooks,returningbookstoshelves,assistingscholarsinlibraryuse.
Enrichmentactivitiesleadingorhelpingtoleaddance,music,orsportsclasses
Fieldtripschaperoningscholarsduringfieldtrips.Inaccordancewithschoolpolicy,parentvolunteerswillberequiredtocompleteabackgroundcheckpriortoengaginginanyvolunteeractivitiesthatcouldinvolvedirectandunsupervisedcontactwithscholars.Anotarypublicwillbeavailableatparentorientationtocompletebackgroundcheckformswithparents.Priortovolunteeringforthefirsttime,parentswillmeetwiththeDirectorofScholarandFamilyServicestoreviewprotocolsforvolunteeractivities.Volunteerswilllogalloftheirhourstoallowforrecognitionoftheirservice.
10. School VisitsAlmadelMarmaintainsanopenpolicyinregardtovisitors.Parentsandotherindividualsinvolvedinascholarslifeareencouragedtovisitclassroomsatanytime.Inordertosupportthelearningofallscholars,visitorsareaskedtoabidebythefollowingpolicies:
Pleaseturnallcellphoneringersoffpriortoenteringaclassroom.
PleasecheckinattheMainOfficeassoonasyouarrive.Atthattime,youwillreceiveanametag.Youarerequiredtodisplaythisnametagthroughoutyourvisit.
Unlessotherwiseinstructedbytheteacher,pleaseremaininthebackoftheclassroomtoavoiddistractingourscholars.
Pleasedonotdisruptclassroomactivities.Parentswishingtospeakwithteachersmayscheduleameetingwhentheteacherisavailable.
Exceptinspecialcases,weaskthatparentsrefrainfromvisitingduringthefirstthreeweeksofschoolinordertoallowustobuildstrongschoolculture.
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AlmadelMarreservestherighttorequestavisitortoleaveatanytimeifthatvisitorisdisruptingschoolactivitiesormakinganymemberoftheschoolcommunityuncomfortable.
11. Town HallEveryFridayafternoon,theAlmadelMarcommunitycomestogethertorecognize
outstandingscholarachievementinthedomainsofacademics,behavior,andcharacter.Parentsarewelcometoattendthiscommunitygathering.
12. Birthday CelebrationsBecauseourscholarsneedeverypossibleminutetodotheworkthatwillputthemonthepathtocollege,wedonotallowbirthdaycelebrationsduringtheschoolday.Parentsmaysendabirthdaytreattobeconsumedduringafternoonsnacktime.Ifparentsaresendingatreat,pleasefollowtheguidelineslistedbelow:
Sendenoughtreatsforeachchildintheclassroomtohaveone.
Healthytreatssuchasfruitsaladsormuffinsareencouraged. Pleasecheckwithyourscholarsteachersastowhetheranyscholarintheclasshas
anallergy.Inthecaseofanallergy,pleaseselectatreatthatissafeforallscholars.Invitationstobirthdaypartiesmaynotbedistributedatschoolunlesseverychildintheclassisinvited.
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Section VI: AcademicProgram
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AlmadelMarwasfoundedonthebeliefthatallscholarscanachieveathighlevels.Assuch,AlmadelMarseducationalprogramisdesignedtocultivatetheknowledgeandskillsinscholarsthatwillputthemonthepathtocollegeandenablethemtobeservice-orientedleaders.
Almascholarswillattendaschoolthatprovidesdata-drivenindividualizedscholarsupport,anemphasisonserviceleadership,andarigorouscurriculumthatbuildscorebackgroundknowledgestartingintheearlygrades.
1. Academic SubjectsA. Literacy
Alma del Mars literacy program incorporates a standards-based, balanced literacy
approach to ensuring that all scholars become proficient and critical readers and writers,
motivated to read and write throughout their lives. The literacyframework includes significant time spent with Read Alouds, WordStudy, Guided Reading, Shared Reading, Interactive Writing and
Independent Writing. Scholars will receive, at minimum, 90 minutesof literacy instruction each day. Because of the importance of
literacy in all subjects, Associate teachers, Special Educationteachers and Specialist teachers will all facilitate small group and
one-on-one literacy instruction as needed.
B. MathematicsThe Alma mathematics standards come from the 2011 Massachusetts CurriculumFrameworks recently adopted as a result of the Common Core Standards. Using the
Singapore Math Curriculum, we seek to develop not only conceptual mastery ofmathematical topics but also the processes that each scholar must demonstrate in order to
become mathematically numerate. The mathematical processes are common in everygrade in order to improve our scholars understanding of the mathematics and to
encourage communication of mathematical ideas and models.
C. Science/Social StudiesScience and Social Studies instruction will be taught through interdisciplinary learning
expeditions planned in conjunction with Massachusetts Science and Social StudiesFrameworks. These expeditions are designed to make the standards come alive through
long-term, comprehensive investigations that include case studies, projects, fieldwork,experts and service learning.
D. Co-CurricularsScholarswillparticipateinphysicaleducation,art,andmusicthreedaysaweek.AlllessonsareplannedinaccordancetotheMassachusettsCurriculumFrameworksfor
Literacyisour
foundation.
Scholarsread
andwriteall
daylong.
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VisualArts,PhysicalEducationandMusicanddesignedinaccordancewithscholarsdevelopmentalneeds.Additionally,ourco-curricularteacherswillensurethatthatthesestandardsareintegrated,whenappropriate,intoclassroomstudiesofotherdisciplines.
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E. Sample Daily ScheduleTheschedulebelowillustratesatypicaldayforanAlmadelMarscholar.Mostdays,eachscholarwillhavereading,writing,non-fiction,lunch/recess,andtwoco-curriculars.
Yourscholarsschedulemaydifferfromthisexample.
7:30
Preparation Period
8:00Morning Meeting
8:20
Math
9:45
Physical Education
10:30
Literacy11:10
1:25
Science & Social Studies1:55
12:40
Art
11:55
Lunch
Extension
3:10Reflection
3:30 Dismissal
2:40
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2. Expeditionary LearningAlma del Mar partners Expeditionary Learning, a national network of
over 160 schools that has demonstrated strong results working withscholars from all backgrounds, especially scholars from low-income
households, English language learners and scholars with speciallearning needs. In Expeditionary Learning Schools, the core practices
implemented will create school environments that promote deepengagement in learning that allows scholars to achieve at high levels.
3. School suppliesWhileindividualgradelevelschoolsupplylistswillbesenthomeforparentsandguardianstoreference,itisimportantthatscholarshavenecessarysuppliesathometosuccessfullycompletehomework.AlmadelMarrecommendsthatscholarshaveaccesstothefollowingsupplies:
Lotsofpencils Erasers Pencilsharpener Crayonsandmarkers Linedpaper Gluesticksandscissors Pocketfolders
Additionally,scholarsmustbepreparedeachdaywiththeirrequiredsupplies,includingbutnotlimitedto,writingutensils,homeworkassignments,andindependentreading
books.
4. HomeworkHomeworkservesmultiplepurposes,includingreinforcingtheideasandconceptstaughtthroughouttheday,helpingteacherstodeterminewhetherachildhasmasteredtheconcepts,keepingparentsconnectedtotheschool,andshowingfamilieswhattheirscholarislearning.Homeworkalsoteachesscholarsresponsibilityandaccountability.AlmadelMarscholarsareexpectedtocompletehighqualityhomeworkeachnightandeachweekend.Thathomeworkwillbecollectedbyteachersandbeusedtoplan
instruction,determinegradesandmakerecommendationsforindividualscholarsupportifneeded.Familiesarerequiredtoreviewyourscholarshomeworkforqualityandcompletion.Thefollowingrubricoffersguidanceastowhatparentsshouldlookforwhenreviewinghomework:
PresidentBarack
Obamasaidof
Expeditionary
Learningschools:
Thiskindof
innovativeschoolsanexampleofhow
allourschoolsshouldbe.
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Quality Completion
*Didhewriteincompletesentences? *Didheattempttoansweralloftheproblems,eventhemostdifficult?
*Isthehomeworklegible? *Didshedothecorrectassignments?*Doesthehomeworkincludethecorrect
heading,includingfirstandlastname?
*Didheputtheirworkintheproperplace
aftercompletiontoensureitreturnstoschoolontime?
*Isthishisbestwork? Ifascholarneedssupportwithahomeworkassignment,thefollowingstepsshouldbetaken(intheorderlisted).
1) Askaparentorotherfamilymemberforassistance.2) Checktheschoolwebsite(almadelmar.org)foranyadditionalhomework
information.
3) Callaclassmateorhomeworkbuddy.4) Callyourteacherby8:00PMandaskforhelp.Ifyoucannotreachyourteacher,
leaveadetailedmessageexplainingwhatyouneedhelpwith.5) Tryyourhardest!Notgettingintouchwithsomeoneisnotanexcusefor
incompletehomework.ScholarswhodonotturninqualityhomeworkassignmentsmayberequiredtocompletethatworkduringtheschooldayorafterschooluntilhomeworkcompletionmeetsAlmastandards.Theofficewillcontactparentstoinformthemiftheirchildisrequiredtostayafterschool.
5. Grading policiesAlmadelMarscholarswillbeevaluatedinallsubjectareasusingacommonsetofperformancestandards.Thesestandards,basedonafour-pointscale(1-4)commonlyusedincollege,willdefinemasteryforscholars,parents,andteachers.Theyprovideclear,ambitiousgoalsforlearning.ScholarsreportcardswillbebasedontheiracademicstandingwithaseparatereportbeingofferedforperformanceintheareasoftheFiveCommitments.Thefollowingtoolswillbeusedtoshareinformationregardingtheprogressofscholars:
A. Progress ReportsInthemiddleofeachquarter,classroomteacherswillsendhomeaprogressreport,whichoutlinesscholarprogress.
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B. Report CardsAt the end of each term, parents and guardians will receive a more detailed picture oftheir childs progress on a report card. The report card outlines scholar performance in
all of the areas taught.
C. ConferencesParent-teacherconferenceswillbeheldattheendofquarters1and3.Duringparentconferences,teacherswilluseexamplesofscholarworktoshowparentsandguardiansevidenceoftheirchildrensprogress.Inaddition,parentswillparticipateinscholar-ledparentconferencesattheendofquarter2.Conferencesattheendofquarter4willbeheldifnecessarytoaddressindividualconcerns.Atthistime,scholarswillpresentaportfoliooftheirworkanddiscusstheirprogresstowardsmeetingacademicandnon-academicgoals.Ourgoalisfor100%ofourparentsandguardianstoattendallconferences.
6. Promotion/Retention PoliciesAlmadelMarspromotionandretentionpolicyreflectsourcommitmenttoaccountabilityandqualitywetaketheresponsibilityofputtingourscholarsonthepathtocollegeseriouslyandwillpromotethemonlywhentheyaretrulyreadytobeginthenextlevelofwork.Promotiontothenextgradeisearnedbydemonstratingmasteryoftherigorousacademicstandardsandtheresponsibilitynecessarytocometoschoolontimeeverydayanddemonstratebehaviorsthatshowtheschoolsvalues.PromotionalCriteria:Scholarsmayberetainedintheircurrentgradelevelorrecommendedforsummerworkforthefollowingreasons:
Failuretodemonstrateproficiency(level3or4)in75%oftheessentialstandardsforeachsubject
Readingsignificantlybelowgradelevel,asindicatedbytheFountasandPinnellassessment
Failuretoearna3or4onthestateexamsinMathandELA Morethan13absencesduringtheschoolyearormorethan25tardies PoorperformanceinanyorallareasoftheFiveCommitments,asmeasuredbythe
weeklyCommitmentcard,behaviorreferrals,andteacherobservations
AlmadelMarrecognizesthatretentioncanbedifficultforscholarsandparentsandwill
workaggressivelyandproactivelybothtonotifyparentsofconcernsandtosupportstrugglingscholarsatriskforretention.ScholarswithIEPswillbepromotedtothenextgradebasedonsuccessfulaccomplishmentofthegoalsoftheIEP.TheschoolwillholdallscholarsincludingthosewithIEPstothesamerigorousacademicandbehavioralstandards.
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7. AssessmentsVariousassessmenttoolswillbeusedthroughouttheyeartoevaluatetheprogressofAlmadelMarscholars.
A. Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS)TomeasureAlmascholarsperformanceontheMassachusettsstatestandardstootherschoolsinthestate,scholarsingradesthreethrougheightareassessedannuallyinreading,writing,mathematics,scienceandtechnology,andhistoryandsocialscienceusingtheMCAS.Thesetests,administeredinMarch,AprilandMay,evaluateschool-wideproficiencyandgrowth,grade-levelperformanceandgaugeindividualscholarperformanceagainstthestandards.
B. Terra NovaInordertomakesurethatourscholarsareviabletocompetewithscholarsacrossthenation,AlmadelMarwilladministertheTerraNovatest.Thisisanationally
recognized,norm-referencedtestbasedonspecificobjectivestobemasteredbyscholarsatparticulargradelevels.TheTerraNovaresultsindicatescholarperformanceandmasteryofspecificcontentobjectivesascomparedtoscholarsoftheirownageandgradelevelacrossthenation.Itallowsustocomparehowscholarsareperformingbothwithintheschoolandagainstthenationalaverage.
C. Math Benchmark TestsTheseassessmentsarequarterlymeasuresofscholarsmasteryofthestandardscreatedbyteachersusingvariousSingaporeMathmaterialsandresources.Almastaffusethedatacollectedbythebenchmarkteststohelpdeterminescholarsgradesforreportcards,toassesswhichstandardstoreteach,andtoguideschool-
widemodificationsincurriculumandinstruction.
D. Fountas & Pinnell Reading AssessmentsFountas&Pinnellreadingassessments include a series of texts used to identify ascholars current reading level and progress along a gradient of text levels over time.They are also useful in determining a scholars independent and instructional reading
level, identifying scholars who need literacy intervention, and establishing readinginstruction groups.
E. Teacher Created Tests and QuizzesAlmateachersprovidescholarswithmanyopportunitiestoshowwhattheyknow.
Teacher-createdassessmentsmaybeusedatthebeginningofaunitofstudytoguideplanningoratthemiddleorendofaunittocheckprogressofscholarslearning.
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Section VII: Code ofConduct
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AlmadelMarstrivestocreateasafe,welcomingandorderlyenvironmentinwhicheveryscholarcanachievehisorherhighestpotential.Scholarswillbeexpectedtomakeappropriatechoicesregardingtheirpersonalconductonadailybasisandwillbesupportedintheireffortstopracticetheirbestbehavior.Inboththeclassroomandtheschoolasawhole,explicitrulesandfairconsequenceswillgovernscholarconduct.
1. Five CommitmentsAtAlmadelMar,disciplineisdefinedasthesetofhabits,routinesandbeliefsthatscholarsmustdevelopinordertodogreatworkandbesuccessful.AscholarwhodemonstratesthecommitmentstoService,Quality,Integrity,AccountabilityandPersistenceexhibitsdiscipline.Itistheresponsibilityofboththeschoolandthefamilytoteachandreinforcethesecommitmentsandtocultivateinallscholarsthedrivetolivethemeveryday.AlmadelMarscholarspracticethefollowingCommitments:
A. ServiceIwillactivelycontributetomyschoolandthelargercommunitywithaspiritofcooperation,volunteeringmytimeandtalentstohelpothers.
WhatservicelookslikeatAlmadelMar: Ilookforopportunitiestobeofservice,fromholdingthedooropenforsomeone
toorganizingacoatdriveforthehomelessduringthewinter. Iamawareofhowmyactionsaffectothers(e.g.voicesinhallways,silence
duringindependentreadingtime,etc.). Itakejoyinthehappinessandsuccessofothers. Iamflexibleandabletoworkwithotherswhomayormaynotbelikeme. IshowgratitudeforwhatIhaveandalwaysusekindwordssuchaspleaseand
thankyou. Itakeprideinmakingothersfeelwelcomeandapartofthecommunity.Igreet
myclassmates,teachersandvisitorswithasmile.
B. QualityIwilldomybestworkeverydayandreachforhighstandardsofacademicachievementandcharacter.
WhatqualitylookslikeatAlmadelMar:
Idomyabsolutebestworkeachday. Iaskforhelpfrommyteacherandfellowscholarsinordertomakemywork
evenbetter. Idoasmanydraftsorrehearsalsasnecessarytocreateamazingwork. Ibringmycompletedhomeworktoschooleveryday,anditisalwaysmybest
work. Iamorganizedandkeepeverythinginitsproperplace.
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Ishowprideinmyappearancebykeepingaclean,neatuniform,showingproperbodylanguage(e.g.noslouching)andlookinglikeascholar.
IshowprideinmyideasandwhoIambyusingappropriatelanguage,makingeyecontact,connectingwithmyaudience,andusingaloudandproudvoicewhenIspeak.
C. IntegrityIwillbetruthfulandrespectothersandmyselfthroughmyactionsandwords.
WhatintegritylookslikeatAlmadelMar: Idotherightthingevenwhennooneiswatching. Iamawareofhowmyactionsimpactothers,andIonlywanttohaveapositive
impact. Iamhonest,evenwhenmyhonestymayleadtomyfacinganegative
consequence.
Ishowrespectforourlearningenvironmentbyspeakingatanappropriatevolumeandkeepingmyschoolcleanandfreeofgraffiti. ItreatothersthewayIwanttobetreated. Ipracticeacademichonestyanddomybestworkonmyown. IletanadultknowifIhearoforwitnessasituationIcantdealwithonmyown. Idontscapegoatorbullyothers,ortoleratethesebehaviorsinmyschool.
D. AccountabilityIwilltakeresponsibilityformyconductandactions,alwaysstrivingtoholdmyselftohighstandardsandencouragingthosearoundmetodothesame.
WhataccountabilitylookslikeatAlmadelMar: Ilistenandfollowdirectionsthefirsttimetheyaregiven. IcometoschooleverydayontimewitheverythingIneedtolearnanddomy
bestwork. IfocusonwhatIamsupposedtobefocusingon,makingsurenottobreakgroup
concentration. Isetgoalsformyselfandworkhardtoachievethem. IrepresenttheAlmacommunitywell,whetherinschooloroutsideofit. IrespectfullyspeakwithmypeersifInoticethemdosomethingthatisnot
supportiveofourlearningenvironment.
Igiveandreceiveconstructivefeedback. Ishowself-controlandthinkbeforeIact. IshowthateveryminutethatIaminschoolmatterstome.
E. PersistenceIwillnotgiveupwhenfacedwithchallenges.IwillaskforhelpwhenIneedit.I
knowthatreallearningtakestimeandeffort.
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WhatpersistencelookslikeatAlmadelMar: Iknowthat,whenIworkhard,IcanaccomplishanythingIputmymindto.
InsteadofIcantandIlltry,IalwayssayIcanandIwill. Iknowthatthingsdontcomeeasily.IfIamgivenworkthatistooeasy,Iaskthe
teacherforsomethingmorechallenging. WhenIcometoachallenge,Iworkharder.Inevergiveup. Iknowthatitisokaytomakemistakes,andIwanttotakegoodchances.If
anotherscholarmakesamistakeorgetsawronganswer,Iencouragehimorhertokeepworkingharduntilheorshesucceeds.
2. Consequences for Failure to Adhere to Behavioral ExpectationsAlmadelMarsgoalistocreateaschoolcultureinwhichscholarswanttofollowtheschoolsbehavioralexpectations.Behaviorsthatinterferewiththesafetyandwell-beingoftheschoolpopulationorinterferewiththeteachingorlearningprocesseswillnotbetolerated.Suchbehaviorswillleadtoconsequencesaimedatmodifyingtheinappropriate
behaviorsandinvestingscholarsinchangingtheirbehavior.
A. Classroom ConsequencesAlmadelMarteachersuselow-levelinterventionstodiffusesituationsandpreventbehaviorsfromescalating.Theselowlevelinterventionsarelogicalandminimizethetimescholarsareoutoftheclassroom.
Someexamplesoftheseinterventionsincludechangingascholarsseatintheclassroom;private,one-on-oneconversations;requestingthescholartowriteareflectionorapologyletterforhisorherbehavior;andtimeoffoflunchand/orrecess.
Almateachersunderstandtheimportanceofconsistencyandusethefollowingguidingprincipleswhenadministeringconsequences:
Theyanticipatebehaviorbeforeithappensandaddressitproactively.
Theyaccentuatepositivescholarbehavioranddrawaslittleattentionas
possibletonegativebehaviors.
Theyrespectthedignityofindividualscholarsandneverintentionallyshamethem.
Theyissuelogicalconsequenceswhenpossibleanddeliverthemwithempathy.
Theyissueconsequencesassoonaspossibleaftertheoffensehasoccurred.
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B. Office-Level ConsequencesReferralstotheOfficewillonlybemadeifthereisaseverebehaviorincidentoriftherearerecurringbehaviorproblems.ReservingtheOfficeforthesehigher-levelconcernspreservestheteachersauthorityintheclassroomandensuresthatscholarsunderstandthatbeingsenttotheOfficeisseriousandshouldnothappen
often.Whilethislistisnotcomprehensive,thefollowingareexamplesofbehaviorsthatwouldwarrantanimmediateremovalfromclassandreferraltotheOffice:
Anytypeofphysicalaltercation
Theft
Possessionofaweaponorweapon-likeobject
ScholarswhoaresenttotheOfficewillmeetwithanadministratorandwillbeaskedtoreflectonhowtheycanimprovetheirbehavior.Thescholarswillberesponsibleformakingupanyworkmissedduetotheirbehavior,andtheirparents/guardianswillbenotifiedregardingtheincident.
ScholarswhosechoiceshavecausedthemtomisssignificanttimeinclassonaparticulardaymayberequiredtostayforHomeworkClubthatdayorthenextdaytomakeuplostlearningtime.Shouldthisoccur,parentsandguardianswillreceivetimelynotificationandwillberesponsibleforarrangingalaterpickupoftheirchild.
C. Suspension and ExpulsionAlmadelMarbelievesthatscholarsattendanceiscriticaltotheirbeingonthepathtocollege.However,thereareoccasionswhenascholarmustberemovedfromthecommunity.Whilewewilldoeverythingpossibletominimizethoseoccasions,wemusthavethesupportoffamilieswhensuspensionisrequiredinordertomaintainasafeandpositivelearningenvironment.
Actionsthatmaywarrantasuspensioninclude,butarenotlimitedto:
Vandalism Pullingthefirealarm Endangeringthesafetyofoneselforothers Possessionoruseoftobacco,alcohol,oranyotherdrugs Possessionofaweaponorweapon-likeobject Physicalviolenceorthreatstowardsscholarsorstaff,includingbullying
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Theissuanceofacriminalcomplaintchargingascholarwithafelony,orthe
issuanceofafelonydelinquencycomplaintagainstascholar
ThePrincipalmaysuspendascholarforaperiodoftimedeterminedappropriateby
thePrincipalif,afterprovidingthescholarwitha)noticeoftheviolation,b)anexplanationoftheevidence,andc)anopportunitytoprovidehisorherexplanationofeventstothePrincipal,thePrincipaldeterminesthatthescholarscontinuedpresenceinschoolwouldhaveasubstantialdetrimentaleffectonthegeneralwelfareoftheschool.Ifascholarissuspended,aphonecallandletterwillbesenthomeexplainingtheincidentindetailandthelengthofthesuspension.Aparentorguardianwillbeexpectedtomeetwithaschooladministratorbeforebeforethechildreturnstoschooltodiscusstheincidentanddeterminewaystopreventanothersuspensionfromoccurringinthefuture.Arecordofallsuspendableoffensescommittedbyagivenscholarwillbekeptbytheschool.
FurtherdetailsregardingsuspensionandexpulsionpoliciesareavailableinAppendix4.
3. AttendanceThereisnotimetowasteindevelopingthehabitsofscholarship,leadershipandservicethateveryscholarneedstobesuccessfulinclimbingthehighmountaintocollege.Goodattendanceandtimelyarrivaltoschoolandclassarenecessaryandareexpectedofallscholars.Itisimpossibletomakeupeverythingthatismissedduringaschoolday.Valuablelearningopportunitiessuchasgroupwork,discussions,andpeerinteractionscannotberecreatedandarevitaltoascholarseducation.
A. Excused AbsencesTheonlyexcusableabsencesfromschoolarethosethatresultfromillnessorotherseriousmedicalevents,requiredcourtattendance,deathintheimmediatefamily,orobservationofreligiousholidays.Inorderfortheseschoolabsencestobeconsideredexcused,appropriatedocumentationmustbeprovidedtotheoffice.Requireddocumentationmayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,doctorsnotes,parent/guardiannotes,andtravelrecords.
Parentsshouldscheduleallnon-emergencydentist,doctorandotherappointmentssuchthattheydonotrequirescholarstomissschool.AppointmentsmaybescheduledforMondaythroughThursdayafter3:30PM,Fridayafter2:00PM,professionaldays,orvacations.
B. Unexcused AbsencesAnyabsencethatisnotproperlydocumentedorthatisnotincludedintheabovewillbeconsideredunexcused.Scholarswhoareabsentmorethan13daysoverthe
Scholarsmustbein
schooleveryday
unlesstheyhaveacontagiousillness,
anotherserious
medicalcondition,or
areligiousconflict.
Vacationsandfamily
plansarenotan
excusetomissschool.
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courseoftheyearmayberequiredtoattendsummerschoolandareatriskofbeingretainedthefollowingyear.
C. PunctualityAllscholarsareexpectedtobeatschoolby7:30AMeveryday.Anyscholararrivingafter7:30AMwithoutmeetingthecriteriaforanexcusedabsenceisconsideredlate.Ifascholarislatethreetimesduringagivenquarter,allfuturelatearrivalsthatquarterwillresultinacallhomeandmayleadthescholartoberequiredtostayafterschoolforHomeworkClub.Atardybecomesanunexcusedabsenceifthescholararrivesafter10:00AMwithoutappropriatedocumentationforthelateness.
Scholarswhoaretardymorethan25timesorabsent(excusedorunexcused)formorethan13daysoverthecourseoftheyearmayberequiredtoattendsummerschoolandareatriskofbeingretainedthefollowingyear.Daysservedonsuspensionareincludedinascholarstotalabsences.
4. Cell Phones, Electronics, and ToysAlmadelMarscholarscometoschooleverydaytolearn.Assuch,scholarsarenotallowedtobringobjectstoschool,ortoanyschool-relatedactivities(suchasfieldtrips),whichwillinterferewiththeirspendingtheirtimelearningandwhichhavethepotentialtodistracttheirpeers.
Examplesoftheseobjectsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,cellphones,cameras,gamesystems,andtoys.Ifastaffmemberseesorhearsoneoftheseobjects,heorshewillconfiscateit,andaparentorguardianwillhavetocometotheMainOfficetoretrievetheitem.Pleasenotethat,whileAlmadelMarstaffwilltakereasonableprecautionstokeeptheseobjectssafe,AlmadelMarisnotresponsiblefortheseitemsaftertheyhavebeenconfiscated.Itistheparentandscholarsresponsibilitytokeeppersonalbelongingssafebykeepingthemathome.
5. Gum, Candy, and CaffeineScholarsmaynot,atanytime,beinpossessionofchewinggum,candy,orcaffeinatedbeverageswhileatschooloratschool-sponsoredevents.Scholarsfoundinpossessionoftheseitemswillbeissuedaconsequence.Scholarswhocontinuetodisregardthispolicywillfaceincreasinglysevereconsequencesincludingpossiblelossofprivileges.
Ifascholar
islatemore
than25
timesor
absentmore
than13
times,heor
shemaybe
requiredtorepeatthe
grade.
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6. Tobacco ProductsPursuanttoM.G.L.c.71,37H,theuseoftobaccoproductsisprohibitedwithinschoolbuildingsorschoolfacilities,onschoolgrounds,andonschoolbuses.
7. Application of Policies to Scholars with Special NeedsThedisciplineofascholarwhohasbeenidentifiedashavingspecialneeds,pursuanttoM.G.L.c.69,1B,M.G.L.c.71B,3,603CMR28.00andtheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct,issubjecttotherequirementsofthescholarsIndividualizedEducationPlan(IEP).TheIEPshouldindicatewhetherthescholarisexpectedtomeettherequirementsoftheregulardisciplinecodeorifamodificationisdeemednecessary.ThespecificmodificationmustbedescribedinthescholarsIEP.Intheeventthatascholarwithdisabilitieshasbeenexcludedfromschoolfortenormoredaysinanyschoolyear(eitherthroughin-schoolorout-of-schoolsuspension),thescholarsspecialeducationteammustbeconvenedforadeterminationinthecaseofany
decisiontofurtherexcludeorexpelthescholar.TheteamistonotifytheDepartmentofElementaryandSecondaryEducationanddeterminetheappropriatenessofthescholarsplacementandtherelationship(ifany)betweenthescholarsmisconductandhisorhercondition.TheteammusteitherdesignamodifiedprogramforthescholarorprovideservicesduringthesuspensionandanyneededmodificationtotheIEPrelativetothedisciplinecode.Additionally,arecordofallsuspendableoffensescommittedbyscholarswithspecialneedswillbemaintained.
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Section VIII: Dress Code
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1. Uniform Options for Girls
Girlsarerequiredtowearoneofthefollowingshirtseveryday:
FrenchToastlong-sleeveblueblousewithAlmalogo FrenchToastshort-sleeveblueblousewithAlmalogoGirlsarerequiredtowearoneofthefollowingitemseveryday:
(permittedinwarm
weatheronly)
FrenchToastkhakijumperwithAlmalogo
FrenchToastkhakiscooter FrenchToastkhakipants(mustbewornwithbelt)
FrenchToastkhakishorts(mustbewornwithbelt)
Girlsmayweareitherofthebelowsweaters(optional).Noothersweatersorsweatshirtsarepermitted.
FrenchToastnavycardigansweaterwithAlmalogo FrenchToastnavyvestwithAlmalogo
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2. Uniform Options for BoysBoysarerequiredtowearofthefollowingshirtseveryday:
FrenchToastlong-sleeveblueblousewithAlmalogo FrenchToastshort-sleeveblueblousewithAlmalogoBoysarerequiredtowearoneofthefollowingitemseveryday:
(permittedinwarmweatheronly)
FrenchToastkhakipants FrenchToastkhakishorts
Boysmayweareitherofthebelowsweaters(optional).Noothersweatersorsweatshirtsarepermitted.
FrenchToastnavyv-neckcardigansweaterwithAlmalogo FrenchToastnavyvestwithAlmalogo
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3. Additional Specifications for Boys and Girls
Shirts: Shirtsmustbetuckedinatalltimes.
Belts: Scholarsarerequiredtowearasolidblackbeltwithallpantsandshorts.
Tights/socks: Socksortightsmustbewornatalltimes.
Allsocksandtightsmustbesolidwhitewithnopattern.
Shoes: Allshoesmustbesolidblack.Shoesmustbeclose-toedandhavearubbersole.
Nologos,wheels,orlightsarepermitted.
Bootsmaybeworntoandfromschoolonly.Jewelry: Nodistractingjewelryispermitted.Studearringsaretheonly
permissibleearrings.Bracelets(otherthanwatches)arenotpermitted.Necklacesmustbetuckedinandnotvisible.Sillybandzarenotpermitted.
Headwear: Nohats,bandanas,orcapsarepermittedindoors.Religiousitemsarepermitted.Hairmustbeneatatalltimes.Ifahairstyleisdistractingfrominstruction,thatstylewillnotbepermitted.
Nails: Fakenailsarenotpermitted.Nocolorednailpolishispermitted.
Clearnailpolishispermitted.Makeup: Nomakeupispermitted.Lipglossisnotpermitted.
4. Obtaining Dress Code ItemsA. Ordering Information
Allshirts,pants,shorts,jumpers,scooters,andsweatersmustbeorderedthroughFrenchToast.Belts,socks,andtightsmaybeorderedthroughFrenchToast,buttheymayalsobepurchasedelsewhereprovidedthattheymeetthespecifications
describedabove.AlmadelMarsschoolcodeatFrenchToastisQS5UDWP.Itemsmaybeorderedinoneofthreeways:
Byphone: 1-800-frenchtoast(1-800-373-6248)Online: www.frenchtoast.comBymail-inform: AvailableintheMainOffice
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B. Financial AssistanceAlmadelMariscommittedtoensuringthatthecostofuniformsisnotabarrierforanyscholar.Iffamiliesfeelthatthecostofuniformswouldposeasignificantfinancialhardship,theymaycontacttheDirectorofScholarandFamilyServicestorequestastarterkitcontainingalluniformitemsthatascholarneedstobegin
school.
C. Donation of Used UniformsAttheendoftheyear,familiesareencouragedtodonateuniformitemsingoodconditionthatnolongerfittheirscholars.Theseitemswillbemadeavailabletofamiliesatnocost.
5. Dress Code EnforcementAllscholarsareexpectedtobeindresscodeatalltimesduringtheschool
dayandduringtheafterschoolprogram.Everymorning,auniformcheckwillbeperformedasscholarsenterthebuilding.Ifascholarisfoundtobeoutofcompliance,thescholarwillberequiredtoreporttotheMainOffice.WhenthescholararrivesintheMainOffice,thescholarwillbeprovidedwiththenecessaryitemstogetintodresscode.ClothingitemsthatdonotcomplywithdresscodewillbeheldintheMainOfficeandmaybepickedupbyaparentorguardianonly.Atthetimeofpickup,theparentorguardianmustreturntheborroweduniformitems.Repeateddresscodeviolationswillleadtoconsequencesforscholars.
Scholarsmaynot
entertheir
classrooms
untilthey
areindress
code.
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Section IX: AfterschoolProgram
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AlmadelMaroffersastructuredafterschoolenrichmentprogramonMondaythroughThursdayafternoons.Theprogramwilloperatefrom3:30PMuntil5:00PM.From3:30until4:00PM,theprogramwillbefocusedonacademicsandwillincludetheopportunityforscholarstocompletehomeworkandreceiveone-on-oneacademicsupport.
From4:00until5:00PM,scholarswillparticipateinavarietyofactivitiesincludingathletics,music,dance,andcommunityservice.Duringthistime,scholarswillalsomeetwithmentors.TheafterschoolprogramwillbeginonOctober3andwillfollowtheschoolcalendar.
1. EnrollmentFamilieswishingtoguaranteeaslotfortheirsonordaughtermustenrollbySeptember2.Scholarsmaybeabletojointheprogramthereafterasspaceallows.
Duetothenatureoftheafterschoolprogram,participantsmustcommittoattendingforthefulldurationoftheprogramMondaythroughThursday.Scholarswhorepeatedlyleaveearlyorregularlymisstheprogramwillberequiredtowithdrawfortheremainderofthequarter.Theonlyexceptionstothispolicyareinthecaseofmedicalappointmentsorreligiousconflicts.
2. CostScholarswhoreceivefreeorreducedpricelunchwillhavetheopportunitytoparticipateatnocost.Therewillbeafeeforfull-pricefamilies.Familiesmaypayonlineonamonthly
basis.
3. TransportationFamiliesareresponsibleforensuringthatscholarsarepickedupat5:00PM.Ifascholarisnotpickedupby5:10PMmorethanthreetimesduringaquarter,thescholarwillberequiredtowithdrawfromtheprogramfortheremainderofthequarter.Allpoliciessurroundingreleaseofscholarsattheendoftheschooldayapplyattheendoftheafterschoolprogram;onlyindividualslistedontheEmergencyCardwillbepermittedtopickupascholar.
Scholars
participatinginthe
afterschoolprogrammustattendevery
dayandmustremain
forthefullduration
oftheprogram.
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Section X: Educating AllScholars
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AlmadelMariscommittedtoensuringthatallscholarshavetheresourcesthattheyneedtobeonthepathwaytocollegeandsuccessinlife.Thus,AlmadelMaroffersafullarrayofevaluationandsupportservicesincludingthefollowing:
Speechtherapy
Occupationaltherapy
Physicaltherapy
Counseling(providedonsitethroughapartnershipwithChildandFamily)
1. Evaluations for Special EducationAtanytime,aparentmayrequestthatascholarbeevaluatedtodetermineeligibilityforspecialeducationservices.AllparentalrequestsmustbemadeinwritingtotheDirectorof
ScholarandFamilyServices.Allrequestswillberespondedtowithinfive(5)days.Withinthirty(30)daysafteraparentsignsaconsenttotestform,allrequiredevaluationswillbecompleted.Followingthecompletionofanevaluation,ateammeetingwillbeconvenedtodiscussthescholarseligibilityforspecialeducationservices.Ifthescholarisfoundtobeeligible,anIndividualizedEducationPlan(IEP)willbedevelopedtoaddresstheareaofneed.ParentparticipationiscriticalinthedeterminationofeligibilityforspecialeducationandinthedevelopmentofanIEP.Everyreasonableeffortwillbemadetoschedulemeetingssuchthatparentshavetheopportunitytoparticipate.Parentsmayalsoparticipatebyphoneif
unabletoattendthemeeting.Parentsarewelcometoinviteotherstoattendthemeeting.
2. Eligibility for Special EducationInordertobeeligibleforspecialeducationservices,ascholarmustmeetallofthefollowingcriteria:
A. ThescholarhasadisabilityB. Thedisabilityisleadingthescholarnottomakeprogressinthegeneraleducation
programC. Thescholarrequiresspecificallydesignedinstructionorrelatedservices(examples
includeoccupationaltherapy,speechtherapy,orphysicaltherapy)
3. Individualized Education PlanTheIEPisalegaldocumentthatidentifiestheservicesandaccommodationsthatarenecessaryforscholarstomakeeffectiveprocess.AnIEPisreviewedeveryyearbyateamincludingthescholarsteachers,anyspecialistsinvolvedinthescholarseducation,theparent,anyonetheparentinvites,andthescholarifthescholarisofanappropriateagetoparticipate.
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4. 504 Accommodation PlanUponcompletionofanevaluation,theIEPteamwillmeetandmayrecommendthata504AccommodationPlanbewritten.A504Planisalegaldocument,whichisprimarilya
classroomaccommodationplan.ItisnotanIEP.Inordertobeeligiblefora504plan,ascholarmusthaveadisabilitywhichsubstantiallylimitsoneormoremajorlifeactivities,suchaslearning.Thescholarmaystillbemakingeffectiveprogressinthegeneraleducationcurriculum.
5. CounselingAlmadelMarpartnerswithChildandFamilytooffercounselingservicestoscholarsonsite.Anyparentmayrequestanevaluationofascholaratanytime.Parentsmustprovidewrittenconsentpriortoanevaluation.Ifascholariseligibleforservices,MassHealthorprivateinsurancewillbebilled.Familieswillincurnofeesforservices.
6. Homeless Education ActTheMcKinney-VentoHomelessEducationActisthefederallawthatentitleschildrenwhoarehomelesstoafree,publiceducationandrequiresschoolstoremovebarrierstotheirenrollment,attendance,andsuccessinschool.Allhomelessscholarshavearighttoreceiveanequitablelevelofservicesprovidedtootherchildren,includingtransportation,educationalservices,andnutritionalandhealthservices.AlmadelMariscommittedtoensuringthathomelessscholarsreceiveawidearrayofservicestosupporttheireducationandtheirsuccessinlife.PleasecontacttheDirectorofScholarandFamilyServicesifyouhaveanyquestions.
7. English Language LearnersAlmadelMarwillworkwithfamiliestoensurethatallscholars,regardlessoftheirhomelanguage,developEnglishproficiency,contentknowledge,andacademiclanguageskillstopreparethemforsuccessinmainstreamclasses.ScholarswhospeaklanguagesotherthanEnglishathomewillbeevaluatedwhentheybeginatAlmadelMartodeterminetheirlevelofEnglishfluency.MassachusettsStateLawrequiresthatallEnglishLanguageLearnersreceiveShelteredEnglishImmersionunlesstheparentsignsawaiver.ShelteredEnglishImmersioninvolvesEnglishlanguagedevelopmenttaughtbyanESL-certifiedteacherandshelteredcontentcoursestaughtbyateacherwithabackgroundinShelteredEnglish
Immersion.ScholarswhoseprimarylanguageisnotEnglishhaveequalrightsofaccesstoallacademicandnon-academiccomponentsoftheAlmadelMarexperience.AlmadelMarwillensurethatallparentsreceivewrittenandoralcommunicationfromtheschoolintheirhomelanguageiftheyarenotcomfortablewithcommunicationinEnglish.
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Section XI: SchoolBreakfast and Lunch
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Ifascholarpayingfull-pricehasnotorderedlunchforagivendayandforgetslunch,thescholarwillbeprovidedwithlunchatacostof$4.00forthatday.
3.
Ordering MealsGiventhatAlmadelMarsmealsarepreparedoff-site,familiesmustordermealsinadvancesothattheschoolhasanaccuratecountofthenumberofmealsrequired.AlmadelMarisacash-freeschool;allmealsmustbepaidforonlineusingacreditcardorattheMainOfficeusingacheckormoneyorder.
A. Online OrderingAlmaDelMarCharterSchoolpartnerswithorderlunches.comtoprovideasecure,fastandeasy-to-useonlineorderingsystemthatallowsAlmaDelMarCharterSchoolparentstoviewourschoollunchmenu,order,prepayandmanagescholarlunchesontheweb.
Toenrollinthesystem,pleasedothefollowing: Gotoalmadelmar.orderlunches.com Clickonregisterintheuppercorner Enteralma177forschoolpassword Followthepromptstocreateanaccountforyourscholar
Youmayordermealsforthemonthbeginningoneweekpriortothestartofthemonth.Allmealsmustbeordered48hoursinadvance.Allonlineordersforfullorreducedpricelunchmustbepaidforusingacheckorcreditcard.Familieseligibleforfreelunchwillnotbeaskedforapaymentmethod.
ComputerswillbeavailableatAlmadelMarforfamilieswithoutInternetaccessathome.
Ifyourequiresupportwithusingtheonlineorderingsystem,pleasecontactorderlunches.comdirectlyat800-381-6511.
B. Paper OrderingIfyouarenotcomfortableusingtheonlineorderingsystem,youmayorderusingpaperorderingforms.Theseformswillbesenthomewiththemonthlymenuaweekpriorthestartofthemonthandmustbereturnedwithcheckormoneyorderatleast48hourspriorthestartofthenewmonth.Familiesusingpaperorderformsmustorderlunchesforthefullmonthinadvance.
Tosignupforonlinelunch
ordering,pleasevisit
almadelmar.orderlunches.com
Schoolpassword:alma177
Forhelpwithorderinglunches,pleasecall800-381-6511.
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4. Meals from HomeAlmadelMarscholarsmaybringbreakfastand/orlunchfromhome.Refrigerationandheatingwillnotbeavailable,sofamiliesshouldsendfoodsthatmaybestoredandconsumedatroomtemperature.
TheitemslistedbelowareprohibitedatAlmadelMar:
Candy
Sodas(includingdietsodas)
Sportsdrinks
Icedteas(includingdieticedteas)
Alljuicesandfruitdrinksexceptthosethatare100%juice
Beveragescontainingcaffeine,excludinglow-fatorfat-freechocolatemilk(whichcontaintrivialamountsofcaffeine)
Ifanyoftheabovelisteditemsisbroughttoschool,itwillbeconfiscatedanddiscarded.Scholarswillhaveaccesstowateratalltimes.
Duetoallergyconcerns,scholarsnotprohibitedtosharefoodsorbeveragesbroughtfromhome.AlmadelMarreservestherighttoprohibitadditionalfooditemsasallergyneedsnecessitate.
Scholarsmaynot
bringcandy,sodas,or
sugarydrinksto
school.Suchitems
willbediscarded.
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Section XII: Health
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AlmadelMariscommittedtosupportingthehealthandwell-beingofallscholars.Theschoolstaffincludesapart-timeRegisteredNurse.Sheisabletoprovidebasicfirstaid,careforillscholars,administermedicationtoscholarswhorequireitduringtheschoolday,andprovidecounselingonhealth-relatedissuestoscholarsandtheirfamilies.Inaddition,theschoolhasarelationshipwithalocalpediatricianwhoadvisestheschoolwithregardto
health-relatedmatters.
1. ScreeningsScholarsinallgradeswillundergoannualvisionandhearingscreenings.Inaddition,scholarsinfirstgradewillundergoBMIscreenings.Theschoolnursewillcontactthefamilyifscreeningsresultsindicateaneedforfollow-up.Itistheparentorguardiansresponsibilitytoensurethatidentifiedneedsareaddressed.Theschoolwillprovidereferralsforappropriateservicesattherequestofafamily.
2. Administration of Medication in SchoolIfascholarrequiresmedicationwhileinschool,theschoolmusthaveonfileanAuthorizationtoDispenseMedicationform,filledoutbythescholarsphysician.Noscholarisallowedtopossessmedicationwhileatschool.Parentswhohaveprovidedtheschoolwithmedicationdispensationauthorizationformsshouldbringthemedicationtotheschoolonthefirstdayandgivethemedicationtothenurse,orcontactthenursetomakeotherarrangements.Whiletheschoolnurseisresponsibleforsupervisingtheschoolsprescriptionmedicationadministrationprogram,theschoolhasregisteredwiththeDepartmentofPublicHealtha
Board-approvedplanthatallowsthedelegationoftheadministrationofmedicationtounlicensedschoolpersonnelundercertaincircumstances.
A. Pain KillersMedicationpoliciesapplytoallmedication,includingpainkillers(Tylenol,aspirin,etc.).IfascholarneedstotakeTylenoloraspirinduringtheschoolday,thescholarmusthaveonfiletheauthorizationsignedbyhisorherphysicianandaparentorguardian,givingtheschoolpermissiontoadministerthemedicationasneededduringtheschoolyear.
Inaddition,eachdaythescholarneedsthemedication,heorshemustbringthemedicationandanotefromaparentorguardian.Thisnotemuststatethefollowinginformation:
theschoolisauthorizedtoadministertheTylenoloraspirinonthatday thetimewhenthechildwaslastgiventheTylenoloraspirin
Noscholarwillbe
permittedtotakeany
medication
(prescriptionornon-
prescription)without
writtenauthorization
fromadoctor.Allmedicationsmustbe
storedwiththe
schoolnurse.
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Ifsuchauthorizationisnotprovided,theparentorguardianofthescholarmustcometotheschooltoadministerthemedicationdirectly.
B. Asthma InhalersIfascholarneedstohaveanasthmainhalerwithhimorheratschool,theparent
mustprovidetheschoolnursewiththeorderfromadoctorstatingthatthescholarneedstocarrytheinhaler.Theordermustalsobesignedbyaparentorguardian,andtheparentorguardianmustprovidethenursewithasecondinhalerthatwillbekeptinthenursesoffice.
C. EpiPensIfascholarhasaseriousallergytoafood,AlmadelMarstronglyencouragesparentsorguardianstobringanEpiPentoschoolonthefirstdayofschool.Aswithotherprescriptionmedications,theEpiPenmustbeaccompaniedbyamedicationauthorizationformfromtheprescribingpediatrician.EpiPenswillbeadministeredincaseofapossibleallergicreactioninaccordancewithbestmedicalpractices.If
anEpiPenisadministered,theparentwillbecontactedimmediately.Iftheparentisnotabletotransportthescholartoamedicaltreatmentfacility,theschoolwillhavethescholartransportedviaambulance.
3. First Aid and Medical EmergenciesMinoraccidents,cuts,scrapes,andbruiseswillgenerallybetreatedattheschoolbytheschoolnurseorbyselectedteachersandadministrators.Theschoolisnotequippedtoprovidemedicalservicesbeyondbasicfirstaid.Intheeventthatachildrequiresemergencymedicalcare,aparentorguardianwillbenotifiedassoonaspossible.Ifaparent,guardian,orotheremergencycontactcannotbereached,theschoolmayneedto
arrangeforthescholartobetransportedviaambulancetothenearesthospital.ItisessentialthatwehaveonfileeachscholarsOffice/HealthEmergencyCard,whichprovidesup-to-datecontactinformationforparentsandguardians,andwhichgivestheschoolauthorizationtobeginmedicaltreatment.
4. Medical ExclusionIntheinterestofprotectingthehealthofallscholars,pleaseDONOTsendascholartoschoolinthecaseofanyoneofthefollowing:
Afeverofover100degreeswithinthepast24hours Anundiagnosedskinrash Vomitingordiarrheawithinthepast24hours Untreatedconjunctivitis(scholarsmayreturn24hours
afterbeginningtreatment) Untreatedheadlice Diagnosedcontagiousillnesssuchasstrepthroatormononucleosis
Ifparentsarehaving
difficultydeciding
whethertokeepa
scholarhomefor
medicalreasons,call
theschoolnurseor
theDirectorof
ScholarandFamilyServicesinthe
morningforguidance.
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Ifscholarsinschoolareobservedtohaveanyoftheaboveconditions,theywillbesenthome.Ifascholarisdiagnosedwithacontagiousillness,pleasecontacttheschoolnurse
immediatelysothatshemaymonitorthespreadofdisease.Scholarsshouldcometoschoolwhentheyhaveroutinesorethroats,achesandpains,headaches,orotherminormedicalconcerns.Absencesduetotheseissuesareunnecessaryandinterferewithascholarseducation.Suchabsenceswillbeconsideredunexcused.
5. Medical RecordsMassachusettsstatelawrequiresallscholarsenrollinginanewschooltohaveaphysicalexaminationbeforeenteringtheschool.Beforeascholarcanenrollintheschool,theschoolmusthaveonfilethefollowingforms:
A. Massachusetts School Health RecordThisformcontainsrecordsshowingthatthescholarhashadaphysicalexamwithinthepastyearpriortothestartoftheschoolyear,hasup-to-dateimmunizations,andhashadallrequiredscreenings.
i. ImmunizationsAlmadelMarenforcestheSchoolImmunizationLaw.AccordingtoMassachusettsGeneralLaws,scholarswillnotbepermittedtoattendschoolwithoutaphysicianscertificationofimmunizationagainstdiptheria,
pertussis,tetanus,measles,andothersuchdiseasesasspecifiedbytheDepartmentofPublicHealthunlessoneofthefollowingconditionsapplies:Adoctorprovideswrittendocumentationthatimmunizationwouldendangerthehealthofascholaroraparentorguardianprovideswrittendocumentationthatimmunizationconflictswithhisorhersincerereligiousbeliefs.Documentationwillberequiredatthestartofeachschoolyear.Scholarslackingimmunizationsmaybeexcludedfromschoolduringdiseaseoutbreaksinordertoprotecttheirhealthandthatoftheschoolcommunityatlarge.
B. Emergency CardThisformcontainsinformationaboutascholarsallergies,healthconditions,physician,dentist,andhealthinsurance.TheformalsoauthorizesAlmadelMartoactincaseofamedicalemergency.Noscholarwillbeallowedtoenterschoolwithouthavingthisformonfile.
AlmadelMarexpectsfamiliestoupdatemedicalrecordsthroughouttheschoolyear.Parentsshouldprovidetheschoolwithacopyofeachphysicalthatthescholarhas.Inaddition,parentsshouldprovidetheschoolwithdocumentationanytimea
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