Discovery STEAM Charter School Family Handbook 2019 - 2020
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Discovery STEAM Charter School Family Handbook 2019 - 2020 1100 Camino Biscay Chula Vista, CA 91910 Phone (619) 656-0797 Fax (619) 656-3899 Neil MacGaffey, Principal Néstor Espinoza, Associate Principal John Greenwell, Associate Principal Discovery Charter School Vision/Mission Statement ....................................................................... 3 What is a Charter School? ................................................................................................................ 3 Campus Information ......................................................................................................................... 4 Office Information ............................................................................................................................ 4 Policies and Procedures ................................................................................................................... 5 • Attendance Policy • Birthday Celebration Policy • Discovery’s Computer/Internet Agreement and Responsible Use • Emergency Procedures • Dress Guidelines • Electronic Device Policy • Toys Policy • Field Trips • Transportation • Medication • Homework Policy Discovery Charter School Discipline Guidelines ........................................................................... 10 Progressive Discipline Chart……………………………………………………………………………………………………..11 Rules and Behavioral Expectations for Common Areas Matrix .................................................... 12 Behavior/Consequence Matrix ..................................................................................................... 13 Student Recognition ..................................................................................................................... 14 Student Service Learning .............................................................................................................. 14 Student Programs and Organizations ........................................................................................... 14 School Governance ....................................................................................................................... 14 Parent Involvement Policy ........................................................................................................... 15 Parent Expectations/Volunteering/Service……………………………………………………………………………….16 Library Agreement ........................................................................................................................ 17 Family Handbook Acknowledgement of Receipt ......................................................................... 18 Signature Verification of Receipt of Documents .......................................................................... 20 2 Discovery Charter School Mission Discovery Charter School inspires passion for lifelong learning and prepares every student with 21st century skills to be innovative citizens in a global society. What is a Charter School? A charter school is a publicly funded school whereby an agreement (charter) is granted to a group of individuals to operate a school largely free from Education Code restrictions that limit innovation and student-based decisions. Charter schools are still held accountable to the same performance standards or even higher performance standards as public schools. The following are attributes that make Discovery Charter School different from regular public schools: • Focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) • Emphasis on 21st Century Skills: Communication, Collaboration, Career and College Readiness, Computer Literacy, Critical Thinking Skills. • One-to-one laptop computers for students in grades 2 through 8; iPads and desktop computers for students in Kindergarten and first grades • Dual Language Immersion Program (English/Spanish) K-6th grades • After school tutoring and enrichment • Engineering Lab, Art Studio, music instruction with instruments, Robotics, and Service-Learning Projects to connect learning to real life experiences • Annual Science Fair, Speech Contest, MESA club for 6th-8th grade students, Multicultural Night, and STEAM Night • Technology assisted in-class learning and web-based homework assignments 3 Campus Information Students are not permitted on campus prior to 7:30 am due to lack of adult supervision (except students attending YMCA child care). Students may enter through the main front gate or the gate on the East side of the campus. All gates are locked at 8:30 am, including the main front gate by the school office. Parents wishing to stay on campus after 8:30 am need to sign in the front office. Students in grades Kindergarten-6: If a student in grades K-6 arrives prior to the 8:25 bell, students are to proceed to either the cafeteria for breakfast or to the blacktop. Students are to wait on the blacktop or in the lunch arbor. Students are not to be near the classrooms since there is no supervision available in other areas. Students are not to run. Students are encouraged to participate in the walking club. Parents are welcome and encouraged to join students for the morning walk. At 8:25 am with the classical music playing, students are to walk to their classroom and line up outside. At 8:30 am, teachers of students in grades K through 6 will open their door and welcome students inside. Students in grades 7 & 8: Middle school students start learning at 8:15 am. If arriving before 8:10 am, middle school students will also report to the cafeteria for breakfast or to the blacktop. At 8:20 am, middle school students should line up at the classrooms for their teachers. Office Information Hours – The office is open from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. every school day. Use of School Phones – The use of school phones by students is for emergencies only. Proof of Residency – In accordance with Title 5, California Code Regulations Section 432(F) (2), California school districts must verify student residency annually. Each year parents/guardians will be required to provide proof of residency in person at the school office. Emergency Information – The school must have current emergency information for each student. Please notify the office of any changes to the following: • Home address • Home phone number • Email address • Cell phone number • Work phone number • Emergency contact person • Medical changes, conditions and medication Should there be an emergency during school hours, Emergency Cards are the only means of contacting you. The individuals listed on the emergency card will be the only people to whom a child will be released. 4 Policies and Procedures Attendance Policy State law requires regular school attendance and research indicates a strong relationship between timely, consistent attendance and student progress. Therefore, at Discovery Charter School, attendance is monitored very closely. School funding is based on actual attendance so, it is important that your child attend school every day. If your child is absent (without a valid excuse) for five days, he/she will be dropped from the school enrollment. If the child returns to school, placement will be based on space available. Absences— When your child is absent, you must notify the school office by calling 619-656-0797, then select option #2. Please call the day of the absence or use the 24-hour absence line and be prepared to give your child’s name, reason for absence, and the name of your child’s teacher. Your child needs to report to the school office for a re-admit slip upon returning from an absence. Legally Excused Absences- Pursuant to California Education Code §48205, a student may be excused legally (valid excuse) from school when the absence is for the following reasons: • Personal illness or injury of the student • Medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic services rendered to the student • Attendance of the student at funeral services for a member of the immediate family • Exclusion of the student for failure to present evidence of immunization • Exclusion of the student from school because student is either the carrier of a contagious disease or not immunized for a contagious disease • Student sent home ill by the school health office, provided that student was in class for roll call Upon written request of the parent or guardian and prior approval of the Principal and pursuant to Board policy, a student’s absence may be excused. Reasons include, but are not limited to: • Student’s Appearance in Court • Student’s observation of a holiday or ceremony of his/her Religion • Attendance by the student at funeral services for someone that is not a member of the immediate family • Parent of a student returning from active military deployment Independent Study. – An Independent Study Contract is available for families who must take extended leave from school for reasons not normally excused by law. Parents must notify the Health/Attendance Office a minimum of two weeks prior to the absence in order to prepare the Independent Study Contract and must meet with an administrator prior to receiving the contract. Tardies—It is important that students be at school on time. A student is considered tardy if he/she is not at his/her classroom by 8:30 am. Perfect Attendance is defined as no absences, no tardies, no early dismissals. A student may receive perfect attendance if he or she is sent home ill by the school office. Medical appointments will be included ONLY with written documentation from the physician’s office. Students and parents are recognized quarterly for